Let’s be real for a second. If you told a casual reader back in 1995 that a "futuristic" police procedural series about a grumpy homicide cop and her bajillionaire husband would still be topping charts over thirty years later, they might’ve laughed. Yet, here we are in 2026, and the JD Robb In Death books in order is still one of the most searched, most debated, and most binged lists in the literary world.
It’s a massive commitment. We’re talking over 60 books now. If you’re just starting, looking at that mountain of titles is basically like looking at a crime scene without a scanner—overwhelming and a little messy.
Honestly, the magic isn't just in the tech or the "magyc" coffee (though Eve Dallas would kill for a real cup of bean-juice). It’s the way Nora Roberts, writing as J.D. Robb, has managed to keep the timeline so tight. While we've aged decades, Eve and Roarke have only lived through a few years. It’s a masterclass in slow-burn character development that makes you feel like you've actually grown up with them.
The Chronological Checklist: Tracking Eve Dallas
You can’t just jump in anywhere. Well, you could, but you’d miss the subtle evolution of the "bullpen" family. Watching Peabody go from a "freebie" aide to a hardened partner, or seeing the ice around Summerset’s heart melt (ever so slightly) is half the fun.
Here is how the saga actually unfolds. I’ve woven the novellas in where they belong because skipping them means missing some of the best side-character moments.
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- Naked in Death (1995): The one where it all begins. 2058 NYC. Eve meets Roarke.
- Glory in Death / Immortal in Death: The relationship gets serious.
- Rapture in Death / Ceremony in Death: Exploring the darker, occult-adjacent crimes.
- Vengeance in Death: A personal one for Roarke.
- Holiday in Death: Christmas in the future is still stressful.
- Midnight in Death (Novella): Short, punchy, and vital.
- Conspiracy in Death / Loyalty in Death / Witness in Death: The stakes get political.
- Judgment in Death / Betrayal in Death: Heavy emotional hits.
- Interlude in Death (Novella): A "vacation" that goes south.
- Seduction in Death / Reunion in Death: The first anniversary.
- Purity in Death / Portrait in Death / Imitation in Death: The series hits its stride.
- Remember When: This is a weird one—it starts as a Nora Roberts contemporary and ends as a JD Robb futuristic.
- Divided in Death / Visions in Death / Survivor in Death: Introducing the "Gifted" elements.
- Origin in Death / Memory in Death: Eve faces her past. Hard.
- Haunted in Death (Novella): Spooky vibes at their best.
- Born in Death / Innocent in Death: Changes in the household.
- Creation in Death / Eternity in Death (Novella) / Strangers in Death: Serial killers and more.
- Salvation in Death / Ritual in Death (Novella) / Promises in Death: Heavy on the procedural details.
- Kindred in Death / Missing in Death (Novella) / Fantasy in Death: The team starts feeling like family.
- Indulgence in Death / Possession in Death (Novella) / Treachery in Death: Internal affairs drama.
- New York to Dallas: A brutal, essential turning point for Eve.
- Chaos in Death (Novella) / Celebrity in Death / Delusion in Death: Fame and madness.
- Calculated in Death / Thankless in Death / Taken in Death (Novella): The 2013-era releases.
- Concealed in Death / Festive in Death / Obsession in Death: Darker themes of domesticity.
- Devoted in Death / Wonderment in Death (Novella) / Brotherhood in Death: The brotherhood of the badge.
- Apprentice in Death / Echoes in Death / Secrets in Death: High-stakes New York.
- Dark in Death / Leverage in Death / Connections in Death: Modern-day issues in a 2060s lens.
- Vendetta in Death / Golden in Death / Shadows in Death: The 50-book milestone.
- Faithless in Death / Forgotten in Death / Abandoned in Death: Digging into cold cases.
- Desperation in Death / Encore in Death / Payback in Death: The 2022-2023 era.
- Random in Death / Passions in Death: The 2024 releases that shook up the status quo.
- Bonded in Death (February 2025): A deep look at loyalty.
- Framed in Death (September 2025): Corruption at the highest levels.
- Stolen in Death (February 2026): The heist that turns into a homicide.
- Fury in Death (Scheduled September 2026): The newest chapter in the NYPSD logs.
Why the Order Actually Matters
People ask me all the time: "Can I just read New York to Dallas because it sounds cool?"
Sure. You'll get a great thriller. But you won’t understand why Eve is vibrating with terror. You won't get why Roarke’s protective streak is a mile wide in that specific book. The JD Robb In Death books in order provide a psychological roadmap. If you skip around, you’re just watching a guy solve a puzzle without seeing how the pieces were carved.
The tech in the early books feels a bit "90s-future"—lots of discs and weird terminology—but by the time you reach the 2020s releases, the world feels incredibly lived-in.
The Roarke Factor
Let’s talk about the Irishman. Roarke isn't just the "billionaire love interest." In the early books, he’s a legitimate suspect. He’s dangerous. Seeing him transition from a man who lives outside the law to a man who uses his resources to help Eve uphold it is one of the best arcs in modern fiction.
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Plus, the banter. Honestly, the dialogue between them is why people keep coming back. It’s sharp, it’s funny, and it’s deeply adult. They fight. They disagree. They have to navigate the fact that she’s a cop and he... well, he’s Roarke.
Common Misconceptions About the Series
Some folks think this is "just a romance."
Wrong. It’s a gritty police procedural first. The murders are often gruesome. The psychology is dark. J.D. Robb (Nora) doesn't shy away from the trauma of the victims. Eve Dallas is a survivor of horrific abuse, and that informs every single "In Death" book. It’s about the victims getting their "standing" in her court.
Another myth? That you can skip the novellas.
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Don't do it. While they are shorter, they often feature major milestones for the supporting cast. Want to see Mavis’s career takeoff or McNab and Peabody’s relationship shift? Those often happen in the "point five" entries.
What’s New in 2026?
We’ve just seen the release of Stolen in Death this February, and it’s a doozy. It deals with a high-end heist that ends in a messy murder, forcing Eve to navigate the world of elite collectors—a world Roarke knows a little too well.
The upcoming Fury in Death (September 2026) is already generating buzz because the teaser suggests a return of a "ghost" from Eve's past. Not a literal ghost—this isn't a paranormal series—but the kind of case that reopens old wounds.
Your Action Plan for Tackling the List
If you’re looking to start or catch up, here’s the best way to do it without losing your mind:
- Don't Rush: There are over 60 books. You aren't winning a race. Enjoy the atmosphere.
- Use the Library: Your wallet will thank you. Most libraries have the entire back catalog on Libby or Hoopla.
- Listen to the Audiobooks: Susan Ericksen is the voice of Eve Dallas. Period. Her narration is legendary for a reason.
- Track Your Progress: Use a dedicated app or a simple notepad. It’s easy to forget if you’ve read Witness or Betrayal because the titles follow a very specific pattern.
If you've hit a wall around book 30, keep pushing. The series has "eras," and the shift into the 2060-2061 timeline brings a fresh energy to the squad. The characters are the reason we stay, but the puzzles are why we keep turning the pages.
The best next step is to grab a copy of Naked in Death if you're new, or if you're a veteran, double-check your pre-orders for Fury in Death. Keeping the JD Robb In Death books in order is a full-time hobby, but for Eve and Roarke, it's always worth the effort.