J.D. Robb's Faithless in Death is the 52nd installment in the author's In Death Series. This series features Lt. Eve Dallas of the NYSPD Homicide Division, her partner, Detective Delilah Peabody, and her husband, Roarke. The novel opens with a seemingly straightforward murder: Ariel Byrd, a talented young sculptor, is found dead in her West Village studio, bludgeoned with one of her own mallets. Eve Dallas, the tenacious homicide lieutenant of the New York Police and Security Department, is called to the scene.

Initial evidence points to a crime of passion, possibly linked to Ariel’s romantic entanglements. However, as Eve and her partner, Detective Delia Peabody, dig deeper, they uncover connections to the Natural Order, a secretive and authoritarian organization with cult-like tendencies. What begins as a single homicide investigation balloons into a sprawling case involving abduction, brainwashing, and systemic abuse, forcing Eve to confront not only the perpetrators but also the moral weight of dismantling a dangerous ideology.

To maintain suspense, the plot unfolds with Robb’s trademark precision, layering clues, red herrings, and revelations. The investigation takes Eve and her team from gritty crime scenes to high-society enclaves, exposing the sinister underbelly of a group that preys on vulnerability under the guise of salvation. Interwoven with the case are personal stakes for Eve, whose own history of trauma resonates with the victims’ plight, adding emotional heft to her relentless pursuit of justice.

With nuance, Robb tackles weighty themes—religious fanaticism, abuse of power, and the manipulation of belief systems. The Natural Order, with its rigid hierarchies and extremist ideology, serves as a chilling allegory for real-world cults and authoritarian groups. The novel explores how such organizations exploit vulnerability, particularly among women and marginalized groups, without veering into caricature. Eve’s personal connection to the victims, rooted in her own history of surviving abuse, adds a layer of poignancy, making her fight feel deeply personal.

While chilling, the cult’s inner workings occasionally lean on familiar tropes (e.g., charismatic leader, brainwashed followers), which slightly dilute their impact. While satisfying, the resolution of the Natural Order storyline wraps up a bit too tidily. The dismantling of such a sprawling organization feels streamlined, with some loose ends glossed over in favor of a clean close. This is a minor quibble, as the emotional payoff remains strong, but more ambiguity could have heightened the realism.

It’s been years since I last dipped into the In Death series, and cracking open this book felt like coming home to an old favorite. The mix of crime, romance, and futuristic flair reminded me exactly why I loved it in the first place. The story follows a classic police procedural format, but it’s infused with just enough suspense, romance, and unexpected plot twists to keep things fresh and exciting. Even though this series has been around for a while, it hasn’t lost its edge—if anything, the futuristic setting adds an extra layer of intrigue that still feels relatable.

One of the best things about this series is that while it does follow a chronological timeline, you can easily jump in with any book and still enjoy it. Sure, you might miss some of the deeper connections between the characters or recurring storylines, but it’s a lot like watching a crime drama on TV out of order—you still get the full experience. If you enjoy crime dramas with strong characters, a dash of romance, and a slightly sci-fi twist on modern life, this series is well worth picking up. It’s a solid blend of familiarity and forward-thinking storytelling that always keeps me coming back for more.

Futuristic dystopian procedural featuring NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her crew. The story reads like a true story in 2025 as opposed to a work of fiction in set in 2061. There is a murder. You know Eve will solve the case. If you feel the need to see the bad people held responsible for their evil, this is the book for you.

I was wondering why I am still invested in this series after 30 years and over 50 published works. Chapter 6. Chapter 6 is everything I have come to expect in an In Death-JD Robb book. The found-family that Nora Roberts has created keeps me coming back for more stories.

5 Stars -- Chapter 6 says it all.

Faithless in Death is both mystifying and disastrous as people are brainwashed and faithful to the faithless end. I enjoyed the novel as the plot thickened, but it made me disgusted with some individual's quest and determination to control others to their benefit.

This is one of my favorite books in the series, I'm not gonna lie! It's disheartening to know that such a racist, prejudicial cult would still thrive in the future, but reading about Eve Dallas bringing it down was amazing. I hated Gwen, even though I felt for what happened to her as a child. All of the poor victims finally receive justice and that's such a great thing to read about these days.

A young gay artist is dead. Dallas and Peabody is assigned the case. How hard can it be? It turns out to be a death that is the top of a huge case. It makes me think of a cult. Women are nothing except a baby factory. The group doesn't follow the law. So many things are wrong with the cult. Dallas pulls in a large group of law enforcement to hunt for the killer. This is an in depth case with so much going on. This was a page turner.

Who doesn't love a visit with Eve Dallas and Roarke? This is book 52 of the In Death series by J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts). It's such a good, long-running police procedural with mystery and romance. I enjoy every new title.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital copy. All opinions are my own.

Faithless in Death is another Eve Dallas Novel where Eve is helped once again by Peabody, Roarke and the NYPSD team. The fifty-second book in the In Death by J. D. Robb. Murder that may not been as it looks. A crime of passion where the victim seems to have been entertaining a lover before her death, may be something more ruthless and sinister.

You can count on Eve Dallas to continue to ask the hard questions, to seek to find the truth from the lies and to uncover the seemingly conspiracy. Another tightly written thriller that is just as good as the first book in the series.

Nature vs Nurture has long been an obsession - and an ongoing theme with Robb's series. Always enjoyable -complex, humanity and bloody.
Gwen lives her truth behind closed doors - taught shame, self hatred, humiliation at the hands of a strict religious group, Natural Order.
Someone close to her knows the truth - are they protecting Gwen? Or setting up her downfall?
Great read!

Another fantastic book from J.D. Robb! This is a long-running series, but you don’t need to read the rest to know what’s happening. However, I highly recommend checking them out because the series is truly excellent!
In this installment, Eve Dallas is solving a murder, but her investigation leads her to a cult called the Natural Order. The beginning may have been a bit slow, but I was completely engrossed once the action ramped up! It’s always a pleasure to revisit the engaging cast of characters from this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for letting me read this eARC. It’s one of my favorite series!

I was given the opportunity to read a few books in this series from NetGalley and I didn't realize when I downloaded them that they kind of jumped around a bit. I don't know that I really missed much with not reading consecutively, so it was alright. I really enjoyed the few books from this series I got to read

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
It's embarrassing for me to admit I didn't enjoy the book ... It got so many stellar reviews. I didn't know how many books were in the series so I'm guessing the fact I hadn't read any detracted from my enjoyment. Also, the fact it's set in a future NYC didn't occur to me till sometime into the story. I was confused for a while and ended up not finishing.

Another series to add to my list! I just discovered J.D. Robb and I am hooked! Great fast-paced murder. And I love the cult aspect, too!

Once you get deep into this story, you will not want to stop reading. The beliefs and actions of the villains in the story, the Natural Order, are so sick and twisted, and their influence so widespread that you will be actively rooting for Lt. Dallas and her colleagues to take down the entire cult.

This was a fast paced storyline, a real turn pager and I could not put it down. The murder, the aftermath, the family connections, the missing persons and a cult, all come together to lead to a very gripping read.

Review: Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb
Rating: ★★★★★

J.D. Robb has been (and continues to be) one of my absolute favorite authors. Nothing compares to the In Death series for me. It’s been a while since I picked up one of her books, but the second I opened Faithless in Death, it felt like coming home. These characters are so familiar and beloved, it’s like no time has passed at all.

Book 52 and somehow the series is still going strong! Robb masterfully keeps the plot fresh and the storytelling sharp. This one features a chilling murder, a creepy cult, a dose of romance, and all the fast-paced investigative work I’ve come to love. Eve and Roarke’s dynamic continues to be one of the best in crime fiction.

If you’re a long-time fan, this is a solid addition to the series. And if you haven’t started yet… what are you waiting for?

This is a favorite series and I’ve read all the books twice. I like how the characters develop through time and new characters are introduced. Solving the murders have good plots. But my favorite part is Dallas interacting with the expanding group of friends she never expected to have v

Continuation of the popular Eve Dallas series featuring an extreme cult
In this very aptly titled book, Lt. Eve Dallas receives a report of the brutal murder of a young woman sculptor. The scene in the bedroom where the body was found by a client/friend of the victim suggests that it had recently been the scene of sexual activity, and as Eve investigates, she begins to wonder if the woman who reported the murder may have been the victim’s partner in that activity. As the investigation proceeds, several paths lead to an extreme group called Natural Order that bans activities like homosexual relationships or interracial marriages, and the investigators begin to suspect that this murder and several other crimes may involve that group.
Fans of this VERY long-running series will find all of the elements that have made it popular for over 50 instalments---the characters, the exciting plot, the police procedures. The Natural Order cult was a central to the story, though, and as Eve learned more and more about them, they became less and less credible to me and also very unpleasant. Be prepared for a good read, but only if you can engage in a somewhat bigger than usual suspension of disbelief.

A solid entry into the In Death series. Three and a half stars. It still amazes me that I am still so enamored with this series so many books in.

Faithless in Death is another solid entry in the In Death series, and if you’re already a fan of Eve Dallas and her crime-solving crew, you’ll want to check this one off your list.

The setup is classic Robb: a West Village crime scene, a murdered sculptor, and a suspiciously glamorous socialite who’s clearly hiding something. There’s the usual rhythm we’ve all come to expect — quick pacing and that satisfying unraveling of lies and motives.

While this wasn’t my favorite in the series, it’s still a quick, engaging read. Robb never lets the plot lag for too long, and there’s something deeply comforting about knowing Eve will always find the truth.

In short, Faithless in Death is quick, punchy, and energizing. If you’re a die-hard In Death reader, you've probably already read it, but if not, what are you waiting for?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.