Dark in Death is book 46 in the Eve Dallas series taking place in a futuristic version of New York City. The books in this series are part police procedural, part thriller, and part romantic suspense with some steamy scenes between Eva and her billionaire husband Roarke.

I've read most, but not all of the books in this series, and this is a really good one. There are great scenes between Eve and her partner Detective Peabody (who is actually my favorite character!) as well as Eve and Roarke, who often helps out with Eve's cases. This book kept my attention from the beginning to end, and I definitely recommend it to fans of the series.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eArc through NetGalley for the chance to read this excellent book. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

This installment in the In Death series is a masterclass in suspense. When a murder mimics a scene from a crime novel, Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds herself chasing a killer who blurs the line between fiction and reality. The concept is gripping, the pacing relentless, and the twists keep coming.
Eve’s sharp instincts and Roarke’s steady presence provide the perfect balance of grit and heart, while the literary angle adds a clever, meta touch. With sharp dialogue, high stakes, and chilling precision, this is one of the series’ best.
A must-read for fans of intelligent thrillers and fast-paced detective fiction.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ALC!

*Dark in Death* by J.D. Robb is one of those books that sounds a lot more exciting in summary than it ends up being in execution—kind of like when someone describes their dream in vivid detail and you nod politely, wondering how soon it will be over. The premise—a killer reenacting fictional murders from a crime series—is a juicy one, the kind of meta-setup that should be crawling with tension, dread, and at least one existential crisis. Instead, what we get feels more like a well-organized filing cabinet of a murder mystery: everything in its place, nothing too messy, and absolutely no risk of psychological unraveling.

Eve Dallas, as always, is competent to the point of being almost robotic, which works well if you’re in the mood for a protagonist who treats serial murder like a particularly irritating paperwork backlog. The killer, who should be a fascinating blend of delusion and obsession, reads more like someone who skimmed a few true crime blogs and decided to get *quirky* about it. There's potential here—lots of it—but it’s never quite tapped. The novel hints at exploring the porous boundaries between fiction and reality, but rather than jumping into the abyss, it takes a cautious step forward, then backs away to file another report.

If you're looking for something dark, disturbing, or emotionally complex, this probably won’t hit the mark. But if you're in the mood for a murder mystery that behaves itself, never gets too weird, and wraps up neatly like a dinner party where no one spills wine on the rug, then this might be your cup of tea. Personally, I prefer my fiction-induced madness to feel a bit more...mad.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a digital copy for review.

J.D. Robb is an autobuy author for me and in this installment in her beloved In Death Series, we find Lt. Eve Dallas standing over a dead body in a quiet movie theater showing the classic film Psycho. What makes this murder more strange isn't the fact the murder is twisted but it's taken fiction murder's to a whole new reality. With more bodies dropping in a weird ways, Eve is pressed to figure out who, what and when the killer will strike next even as she races to stop the killer. Ms. Robb delivers an amazing story that literally had me glued to the pages till the very end. A few twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat and I loved the way this author cleverly incorporates different story subplots within the main story. They lighten up the story at times while also showing a more human side to Eve and the gang.

In Dark In Death, we find Eve up against a killer who is literally taking murder scenes right from the pages of a popular book series. With each book Eve goes through, mre bodies drop. With a killer racing to finish their kill list, Eve will need everything at her disposal to bring this killer to justice all before another life is lost. I love, love, love this series and the characters just flow off the pages and into my living room each time I open one of these books. This is an author who is a master storyteller at keeping the reader engaged and flipping pages as quick as they can. With this being book 46 in the series, you would think the series would get old and stale but with each release, I am always amazed at how this author keeps the series fresh even as they have the characters grow within the pages. To me this is the work of a mast storyteller and one I know I am not the only one grateful for.

Dark In Death is full of twists and turns right fromt he beginning and as the climatic ending comes to the forefront, we see Eve and the team up against a twisted killer determined to get her due regardless of Eve, Peabody and the rest of her team's determination to stop her will stand in their way. If you enjoy complex characters that are fun, well written and step off the pages of the book, then grab an In Death book but I highly recommend starting right fromt he beginning as there are mentions throughout the series of pasty books and characters. I know I am not the only one who is eager for more in the series everytime I finish one of these books.

I’ve read a handful of the Eve Dallas books, and this one felt like a return to form. The mystery—murders inspired by fiction—was such a cool hook. The pacing is tight, and while you kind of know what you're getting by now, it doesn’t feel tired. Eve and Roarke are still gold together. I didn’t find this one mind-blowing, but I tore through it in two sittings.

For fans of the series, this is a solid, satisfying entry. Not the best, not the worst.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

I never tire of this series which I have read multiple times. The plots are interesting but my favorite is how the characters develop over time. A great read

Passions in Death is book 46 in the In Death series.
Robb is an excellent storyteller who combines a creative plot with suspenseful scenes, lots of solid police investigation, and some action. The writing is fluid and the ever-present threat that was looming kept me rapidly turning the pages.
If you’re looking for a fast paced, intriguing and thrilling story, then look no further as this series is for you.

This is the 3rd JD Robb book that I have read. As with the other 2 books, the characters are well defined and have ‘real world’ quirks, issues and a sense of humor. It really helps to make the story come alive. Of the 3 books this one seems slower, it does not drag by any means….just a little less hectic. I’m becoming a bigger fan with each book.

Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. All of the above opinions are my own

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with Eve being called to a scene at a movie theatre where an individual has been killed. There has been very little evidence left behind for them to work with. The next day Eve is visited by a news journalist that has brought an author along with her. The author tells Eve that she believes that the last murder and one other had been based on scenes in hwr 1st two books in a new series. Eve was skeptical until she looked more into it. As she investigated further, she believed that she had to prevent another murder which would happen soon using a scene from the 3rd book. After reviewing the scene, she was able to narrow potential victims down and advise them that they needed to be careful. As it turned out, one of the victims that Eve warned disregarded Eve's advice and woud up be killed like it was described in the book.

Luckily for Eve, there was a witness at the location that was able to provide them with a description of the killer. It was now all hands-on deck for her team and she even used her husband, Roarke. They finally got a name of the killer and now started trying to find potential victims that meet the criteria that was relected in book They came up with an individual who met the criteria and went to warn her. While there, they discovered another potential party and attempted to contact her. They rushed to the person's residence.

To learn who the killer was, why the killings matched the book scenes, who the other party for the 4th book and whether they made it there in time, then you need to read this book.

The book is well done and definitely keeps your interest, don't miss out, you won't be disappointed!

This was just "meh" for me. I had a hard time staying engaged. There is no real detective work in this story, as the crime just kind of lands in Eve's lap. I never really clicked with many of the new characters. This book did show a different side to Eve--a bit more of a romantic, stay-at-home side. There were also some funny scenes that I appreciated. For those familiar with the series, they will be happy to know that there are some returning characters. Sadly, the ending was not a surprise.

Dark in Death is another great book from J.D. Robb, that I read in one sitting. The main characters, the murder plot, and all the twists and turns never fail to entertain.

Book #46 in the fan favorite, long-running In Death series. Lt Eve Dallas and her team face another unusual murder scene with plenty of side crime to keep them on their toes. The series is still going strong with no slow reads and lots of character to keep readers happy.

Y es it is dark. Loved seeing all the characters. Killer not as smart as Eve and that is her downfall. Look at time of story. Seems to fit earlier in the timeline.

Well-written detective story. Set in futuristic New York, the pacing is terrific, the dialogue memorable, and I like the relationships between Eve Dallas and her team,

Thank you to J.D. Robb, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc of this book.

I have previously read books by J.D. Robb and always loved them. Don't really know why I stopped keeping up with the series, probably because I switched to another genre. When I received the opportunity to read Dark in Death from NetGalley - it reminded me of what I had missed! I will definitely catch up on the rest of this series. Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke solve another murder 4 star read for me. Thank you St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book. .

Another fantastic installment in the In Death series! Book 46 delivers a chilling, fast-paced mystery as Eve Dallas tracks a killer using crime novels as inspiration. The plot is gripping, the writing sharp and addictive, as always with J.D. Robb

I’ve been hooked since book 20, and it still amazes me how fresh and engaging the series remains. The mix of crime, romance, and futuristic elements gives it a unique edge. The spice is a bit flowery at times, but it balances the darker themes well

Overall, a fun, compelling read that proves this series continues to shine!

Eva Dallas’ mysteries are always a treat. Didn’t read this before and it was a very entertaining read
Highly recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I love all the books in this series. They don't ever fail. The author is one of my favorites. Her characters are the best in details.

Okay, Dark in Death? It pulled me in from the first chapter. J.D. Robb nailed it with this one—again. This story was creepy in the best way. A killer is out there acting out murders straight from the pages of crime novels, and it’s up to Eve Dallas to figure out who’s using fiction as a playbook for real-life horror.
The setup is wild: someone gets stabbed with an ice pick in the middle of a Psycho movie screening. Like, come on—that’s straight-up chilling. And when a crime writer shows up and says, “Hey, that murder sounds just like one from my book,” things get real fast. From there, Eve races to connect the dots before the killer turns the next page.
Eve is her usual no-nonsense, all-in self, and I love how she doesn’t back down—even when things get personal. Roarke, her extremely perfect husband (seriously, where do I get one?), is beside her with his tech skills, charm, and just the right amount of sass. Their little moments at home with Galahad, the cat? Perfect breather between the tension.
The pace is tight, the mystery keeps you guessing, and the mix of crime scene grit and softer moments makes the whole thing feel super real. I couldn’t stop turning pages and stayed too late reading “Just one more chapter.”
This book is a must if you’re into smart mysteries with a twist and characters who feel like old friends. It’s got the perfect blend of dark and cozy, and it seriously delivers.

Dark In Death is the second book I’ve read by J.D. Robb. This series is a police procedurals mystery that’s jammed full of lots of action. Murder galore. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is one highly intelligent, sexy cop. There’s no case she can’t solve. Along for the ride is her assistant Delia Peabody who is always there to assist Eve in everything she does. And Eve’s husband Rourke adds to the story by bringing his intelligence and wit along with the sexy. Yes, some sex scenes are involved occasionally. If murder mysteries are what you’re into, then this is the series to read. I’m slowly learning and understanding the cop slang involved and am really enjoying my reading. These are books I’d recommend and I look forward to reading more very soon. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc. I’m giving this book a much deserved 5 star rating.