Book 26), Strangers in Death (In Death

J.D. Robb never fails to enterain. Both my husband and I truly enjoy Dallas and Rourke, the heroine and hero. Very cool futuristic police detective/romance series. Well worth reading! We have read them all!

I came into reading JD Robb late because I knew I'd get hooked. I read Remember When, which I loved, so I started with the beginning books and now I have them all. I just bought them all for my Kindle and spent about three weeks rereading them all.

This book is just an extension of Stranger on a Train. Which is mentioned in the book, so you can't call fowl.

It depicts what would've happened if the second person completed their task instead of balking. That might have been interesting, but I so figured it out by the 3rd chapter.

Good read if you've nothing better to do.

This book has it ALL! I enjoyed this book more than I can really say. Would give it a"10" if possible. The humor in this one is really good and I really like the way Eve and Roarke only have to look at each other of just say each others names and the fire is THERE! Nora is really showing how far this relationship has come. They seem to be really, really comfortable around each other. I liked the way the book was more about proving how the murder was done and not racing the clock to stop another murder. Read this book, you will not be disappointed.

I am always anxiously awaiting the next in the series with Eve Dallas and the entire cast of characters. The stories have a mystery to solve and the growth of the characters through the series is wonderful to watch. I have enjoyed every novel and novella.

I loved this book and this author. She has been able to keep the characters, Eve Dallas, Roarke, Peabody, Finny, all all the other players fresh and real. Very few authors can maintain that level on their third or forth book much less her 31st book in the series. I can't wait for the next one.

I am a huge huge fan of this series. And this is an excellent and different J.D. Robb story. Liked it very much. Have to say I did not like how Eve reacted in one portion of the story toward the end - I found her cruel and uncompromising. Usually when this occurs she regrets it later and/or others call her on it, but this time she didn't and very few seemed to feel she was out of line. So this may be my problem, not hers. I will see if this opinion holds when I re-read it again. Recommended.

I always eagerly await a new JD Robb book. There is the thought in the back of one's mind - can she do it again, keep up the superb storylines, find new ways for Eve and Roark to shine ... and each new novel reinforces the concept - that YES, she can. This is one of the better ones and worth reading.

I checked this book from our library and somehow it disappeared from my car. The library wanted over $100 to replace it...so thru the store I bought a slightly used book for $12. I listened to the book and unlike many I check from our library, it was perfect (no skips). Libraries could save by buying thru the store.

This series is my absolute favorite. Once I discovered this series I started reading one after another. I'm nearing the end of the books she's written so far and will have to find some new books to read once I catch up to her as I'll have to wait for the next book to come out. I also LOVE the books she's written under Nora Roberts. If you love the in Death series, you'll also love her Nora Roberts books.

I have read all of Nora Roberts in Death series, I think thats over 30
books and this is my least favorite. It was very slow and frankly
boring. The whole concept I saw in an episode of CSI and therefore
the ending wasn't that exciting. If you've never read any of the In Death series don't start with this one because then you won't want to read anymore.

I have injoyed the In Death series of books. J.D.Robb changes the story enough each time that you do not feel as if you have allready read the book, but you learn a little more about the main characters each time.

I have read every book in this series at least twice. (Some three times or more). I started collecting the books as they showed up in Walmart then I got hooked on the series. I have every book, even the novellas. Anytime you have a series, it allows you to get to know the characters better with each book. As many times as I've read them, I always find something new and I am never bored.

Nora Roberts has done it again. Her 'in death' series, written as JD Robb, continue to entertain, with well-developed characters and plots filled with believable intrigue. Strangers in Death is no exception. Thank you Nora.

This book is about 2 separate crime that took place at different time. The spouse are the suspects but have solid alibi during the time. Want to find out what happens, read the book. It is well written and keep your interest throughout. J.D. Robb is a great mystery writer, own every single one of her book. Looking forward to her next one to come out.

It was another amazing story. I enjoy reading about Eve and Roarke, their little spats on different things and how they make up eventually. They are both so head strong. But the murders in this story was interesting to read how they were trying to cover up for another and yet Eve is the top B cop and she still got it!

Its an amazing page turner full of twists that keeps you guessing until the very end. I finished it in one day because i was so entranced and couldnt put it down. i highly recomend! Fast delivery and impeckable condition.

Its an amazing page turner full of twists that keeps you guessing until the very end. I finished it in one day because i was so entranced and couldnt put it down. i highly recomend! Fast delivery and impeckable condition.

As usual for books by J D Robb, this was a page turner. It held my interest from first word to last.
Anyone who likes to read about love, cops, mystery, and justice will love this book. I will continue to read her books!

I love this series and was delighted to see that the author deviated just a bit from her normal theme, i.e. vicious serial killers. In this one we have Eve, a strong willed and bright person (to say the least) pitted against an equally strong will woman...different personality than Eve’s but just as strong. It is cat and mouse from start to finish on this one and it is a pleasure to watch the game.

As with past novels we get a good dose of the relationship between Eve and her billionaire husband along with some great dialog between Eve and her partner Peabody. Of course all the regulars make a good strong showing; Feeney, Mavis (and her perfect bab), Nadine, Baxter, Trueheart, et al. It in away is like visiting with old friends or family.

The plot is rather complicated even though it will take most readers a short time to figure out ‘who done it.” Watching Eve weave her way through the case using sheer logic and an unstoppable will is fascinating.

And what I probably like most about the book was the villain – what an obnoxious individual and it was great to see Eve slowly tear her to bits.

Great read from cover to cover.

This was a library find.

The books in this series are consistently enjoyable.

For those of you who might be unfamiliar with the series I describe them as about 15% romance, about 35% sci-fi and 50% modern detective novel.

They are fun detective stories set in the near future with a bit of romance thrown in.

They feature great characters who I just want to to read more and more about.

These are not especially fast reads but they are not slow paced either. They are just fun books with good stories well told.

Thomas Anders is dead in his bed. The wrists and ankles of his naked body are tied to the bedposts with velvet rope. His neck is wrapped in a fifth velvet rope that is lashed to the other four. The cord itself didn’t kill him; the angle of the tie-off choked him to death over a protracted period of time. At first glance, it appears a kinky night has gone awry.

But, as the saying goes, appearances can be deceiving. For Eve Dallas, three things are wrong with this scenario. First, there are too many toys scattered about the room, some new, most unused. Secondly, there are too many things missing from the scene, such as the man’s clothes, the home’s security discs for the last 24 hours, any evidence that the man ever tried to struggle against the choking, and any evidence that another party was actually involved with him sexually. Of course, somebody else had to be there, though. Anders could not have possibly tied his second wrist or his neck by himself.

The third wrong thing is the victim’s wife. Ava Anders is a thousand miles away on vacation with some female friends when she learns of her husband’s demise from their housekeeper. Several hours later, when she strides across the threshold, she is stylishly dressed, perfectly coiffed, immaculately made up, no sign of tears now or ever, and screaming at Dallas about the circus that is now her home and yard.

As soon as the word “homicide” is mentioned along with the idea of sexual infidelity, the widow shifts gears. You practically see her put the back of her hand to her forehead, roll her eyes upward and go into an “Oh, woe is me” routine.

What Eve doesn’t see is any genuine grief. There are a lot of sniffs, remonstrations and demands to see the body, but not any real grief. What Eve doesn’t hear are any questions about the details of the death. And what she does hear is a lot of “I.”

Based on the title of the book, the opening scenes with the body and the unassailability of the wife’s alibi, I felt that J. D. Robb was writing a futuristic adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s “Strangers on a Train.” (No, Hitchcock directed the movie, Highsmith wrote the book.) From this point on, if I was right, it was a matter of identifying the other murder, be it one from the past or one yet to come. Once identified, that murder would lead directly to the identity of Anders’ murderer.

But the whole point of “Strangers on a Train” is that the murderers would have no connection to each other beyond one chance meeting. No connection, no identifiable motive, thus no arrest. But when one of the conspirators chickens out, the other re-establishes contact and the “perfect crime” starts to fall apart.

So, for 300 pages, Robb has us on the hunt for the person with whom Ava Anders made the pact and with whom she was forced to re-connect. We, along with Dallas, push to find that one connection that will foil and undermine the alibis and the smoke screens that Ava Anders has so carefully built. For Ava has told one story about her husband’s character, and not another soul that knew the man will agree with those allegations.

In this entry, Robb forgoes the typical psychotic or serial killer format that usually ends with a serious physical confrontation between Eve and the killer. This time, the battle between the two is truly one of wits, instead. And the denouement is a thrilling, play-within-a-play. However, the best part of the story is the way Robb builds the case, through Eve, step by logical step, against the normal odds, always with an eye on the difference between justice and the law, and always with a focus on the idea of partnership, be it between Eve and Roarke or Eve and her detectives.

But, never fear, Eve does get to take down a couple of non-murderous perps physically as the book progresses. Quite frankly, it just wouldn’t be an In Death entry without a dream or a black eye.

I never put spoilers in my reviews.
J D Robb (Nora Roberts) is one of the few authors I reread. Everything about the "in Death" novels is quality writing and defies genre labeling.
From the relationship between Dallas and Rourke, the mystery/thriller storyline, an extremely strong female role model, the secondary characters, the setting, well, everything, you just can't wait for the next one. Robb shows that a woman can be strong and capable despite soul crippling events in her life. I have a mantra, "just step over it and move on." Eve Dallas personifies this. It doesn't mean you never think of it or that you forget but life goes on.
Dallas "stands for the dead," they are hers, no matter who or what they were in life and grieves for their lost futures. To her it's almost a sacred trust and she is uncompromising in her pursuit of justice for those in her care.
I think even most men would like these books, if for no reason than to see how women would like to be treated.
Read, enjoy, repeat.

You'd think after 25 stories in a series that the characters would have already developed to their potential. Nope. J.D. Robb continues to mine the depths of her ongoing characters and each new addition fits in like it was meant to be. Enjoy with a hot cuppa or a glass of you favorite cold beverage and Eve's favorite snack -- over salted and buttered popcorn!

In this installment of the Lt Eve Dallas and Roarke series we find Eve on the trail of killer that has left a pillar of the community dead in a tantalizing arrangement sure to have the media picking apart his life and legacy. However, Dallas isn't buying the story the scene is supposed to portray. A very interesting twist in this book with a nod to an old favorite movie of mine. Great character development that fleshes each character out fully and ties well into the story. If you like a good futuristic murder mystery to unravel, then this book will delight. I'm looking forward to the next installment already and haven't even had a chance to return this book to the library.

Summary from Goodreads:

"Technology may be different in 2060 New York, yet the city is still a place of many cultures and great divides. But as ever, some murders receive more attention than others-especially those in which the victim is a prominent businessman, found in his Park Avenue apartment, tied to the bed-and strangled- with cords of black velvet.

It doesn't surprise Lieutenant Eve Dallas that Thomas Anders's scandalous death is a source of titillation and speculation to the public-and of humiliation to his family. But while people in the city are talking about it, those close to Anders aren't so anxious to do the same. With some help from her billionaire husband, Roarke, Eve's soon knocking on doors-or barging through them-to find answers."

My Thoughts:

After so many books in this series, a reader might think that the books would start to get repetitive or the mysteries might become a little bit....dare I say substandard?? Thank goodness that isn't the case with this series though because with each book I get further and further drawn into this series. It is almost like visiting old friends when I read these books and I'm seriously considering going back to the beginning and rereading all of them (if I ever catch up with the series that is). What I liked about this book is that the entire time I was reading it I had a suspect in mind but I couldn't figure out how he or she had committed the crime. It kept me guessing the entire time that I was reading which always makes for a fast read. Robb has a talent for taking a classic mystery idea and spinning it on its' head while fitting it into her futuristic world. I also liked that we got to see a big change for two of the secondary characters..I was super excited about it (without being too spoilery) The growth in all of the characters is another thing that I adore about this series :)

Overall this was another great addition to one of my favorite series! Every book is fresh and filled with suspense which is exactly what I have to come to expect from this author. I'm looking forward to reading the next book and hopefully going back to reread them all! This is a series that I will keep recommending over and over again! Highly recommended!

No.#26 Strangers ID

* Lt. Eve Dallas the New York City homicide cop investigates, the murder of business tycoon Thomas Anders, whose strangled body is discovered tied to his bed apparently the victim of a kinky sex encounter gone bad. Aided by her mysterious husband Roarke, and long time sidekick Det. Delia Peabody, Eve doggedly questions Ander's widow, Ava, and his Nephew, Benedict Forest, number two at the victim's corporation, Anders Worldwide. Both Ava and Benedict have alibis that put them far from the crime scene at the time of Ander's death.

* "Sin has many Tools, But a lie is the handle which fits them all."
~Oliver Wendell Holmes~

* March 16, 2060, Eve is called by Dispatch to a homicide of Thomas Ander's in his home in his bedroom tied to his bed ~ Strangled ~ with cords of black velvet. with all kinds of sex toys,sex aids laying around ....... It Doesn't Surprise Eve that Thomas Ander's Scandalous death is a source of titillation and speculation for the public ~ and hum illation for his family. Eve's isn't buying how it happened. "Looks are deceiving" things aren't Always as they seem, Hmmm........ Just what Really did happen here?

* Ander's is worth about a half a billion dollars, including his controlling in test, in Worldwide that's a lot of motives for murder add sex, Greed and jealously, gain and Revenge and you pretty much got it all, Eve and Peabody Go to Worldwide to question Benedict Forest (the Nephew) Eve tells Forest he Uncle is dead, Forest is in shock he doesn't believe it. Eve asks who stands to benefit from his death? Forest says him, Ava, Greta the house manager, Some Charity's But mainly him and Ava......

* Hmmm..... Lea poled Forest's Admin, What's up there?

* Eve goes to See Morris the M.E. to see if any thing else aided in his death, morris found a pressure syringe mark on the body So he was tranked twice Plus a sleep aid for some reason.....?

* Baxter was checking out leads with his Side kick Troy Trueheart on a case of his (Ave D Case) didn't find anything really relevant. he asks Eve what she thinks about it? she told Baxter she'd check out the file and let him know....gave him some tips to check on......

* Morris the M.E. sends comp message to Eve Toxic report on Ander's and apparently there was More than meets the eye Going on here.....?

* Peabody is Going on Screen on Nadine Show "Now" about the Case, she is So Nervous lol Peabody is so Funny I just love her character!

* Edmund losse (Brit) Hmmm........? he's a hot head......But Eve puts him in his Place! Then gets down to the business at hand. (Ander's friend) Eve asks Edmund if Ander's was Seeing any one outside the marriage He insists that Ander's was faithful as did everyone else has thus far. then Goes on to tell Eve Exactly Who gets what from Ander's Estate in detail .....hmmm Well..........

* Eve goes back to the crime scene, to try and re in act the crime. then questions the house manager Greta about what Ander's wears to bed, how may pairs of pajama's he owns. then determined the killer didn't have enough time to things he needed to get out unnoticed (security, discs and so on)

* The victim wife Drags Charles Monroe LC, in to the equation becuz her and her husband is satisfied with her sexually So he wants kinky and she doesn't get into that So they make an agreement he sees someone else and she sees Charles, and they stay married. Well what ever floats your boat I guess......

*The further I get into the Series The better I like it!!

It's another day in Eve's world and another murder has taken place, this time to a prominent business man, one well liked by the business community. there are almost no leads, but Eve has her instincts and they tell her who the killer is from the get go. This time I both agreed with her logic but needed her to prove it & boy did she prove it.

I have my issues with Eve (i'll share those another time) but I do love her world. Her secondary characters truly help to make the book, i personally wished we could she more of Dr. Mira (& not just in the professional setting); I find Peabody & McNab fascinating as a couple as well as her secondary characters. I also wished we heard from them more, but this series focus is Eve, so we hear from her the most.

As the story is told, we learn more about each of the characters and what is happening in their lives, Eve is of course still uncomfortable (all these years later and she still hasn't changed) with the displays of happiness. She and Roarke go a couple of rounds at each other, and learn to build their relationship a little more. Roarke is amazing, Eve is insanely frustrating cool and yet they work it out pretty well.

There is mystery, romance, & some kick-ass futuristic stuff (which seems to be coming true a lot sooner than the books anticipated dates, like ebook readers. Makes you wonder if they read her books for the idea or did she see that coming down the pipe?? hmmm the chicken/egg argument.

I personally enjoyed this installment into the series. A definite 'burn rubber to get it' kind of rating.

This is an enjoyable return to form for J D Robb whose Eve Dallas series numbers over 25 books now. I have felt that the last ones have perhaps been rather tired and showed the limitations of a long-running series but "Strangers In Death" was a definite improvement with an interesting mystery, rather more natural-seeming reactions between characters and not too many references to events in previous books which might confuse newcomers to the series.

In this story Eve is called to the scene of an apparent accidental death during some sex play. The widow of Thomas Anders was away in St Lucia with two friends and there is great humiliation for her in the way her husband was found, especially as everyone believed they had a great marriage and were faithful to each other. As Eve Dallas and Delia Peabody begin to investigate, looking at Thomas Anders' nephew amongst other people, they discover that one of the people around Anders is a rather good actor who has been playing a part for many years in order to set themselves up for money and power.

As usual Eve seems able to make some rather impressive leaps of imagination which get her on the right track; also as usual she's rarely wrong, Roarke has superhuman abilities with computers and money and seems to be able to take time off from his own work at the drop of a hat. Still the mystery in this story was very well constructed, the characterisation unveiled effectively and the resolution worked well. There wasn't any great soul-searching or moralising in this story as there have been in others, this was rather more of a straight murder mystery tale than a deep delving into the marriage of Eve and Roarke and, for me, that made it a better and more enjoyable book. Eve Dallas fans will no doubt love this contribution to the series and, for me, it has proven that there is still some mileage in this series.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

This is the first J.D. Robb or Nora Roberts book I have read and will not read another. I just finished my first Michael Connelly book right before it and am anxious to read more of his books which are more realistic and better written. I find the Eve Dallas character very bitchy, unpleasant, arrogant and obnoxious. The setting is supposedly in 2060, but the technology is not even up to the level of 2008, the year the book was written. Storing security video on discs...really? That would have been done on hard drive or even the cloud then. What is the point of having this set in the future with so few things in the book that are different from today? The future is not fleshed out and seems an afterthought. Eve's constant insults and snide remarks to her co-workers are very off-putting and made me dislike her. And the relationship with her dreamboat, billionaire husband does not ring true and the sex scenes are too frequent, boring, and superficial.

I prefer more realistic plots but if you prefer lightweight escapist crime novels, then try Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series.

In "Strangers in Death", Eve Dallas has been assigned another case that on the face appears to be simple..rough sex gone bad. But as the scene is processed and witnesses interviewed, the clues don't pan out. Why would a seemingly reserved businessman, Thomas Anders (who is heavily invested in the community and with helping kids) engage in "risky behavior", while his beloved wife is out of town with friends. As Eve delves into the investigation, we see the normal connections between Lieutenant Dallas and her private life (the victim worked out of the same building owned by her billionaire husband Roarke; and the victim's wife uses the LC services of Charles Monroe, Eve's long time friend), but we see a marked departure from Eve and her normal behavior (not taking care of herself during a murder investigation). The new Eve simply remains focused on bringing the victim's killer to justice, while recognizing why she is so driven. She is also able to recognize connections between other crimes that appear on the face to be unrelated.

I also enjoyed seeing the usual characters in the series....McNab and Peabody (who are hilarious while keeping romance in their relationship); Feeney (who although sick, we still adore); Dr. Mira (Eve's surrogate mother); Charles and Louise (who are making some important changes in their lives); Mavis (who is still ga-ga over the baby); Sommerset (who has a love hate relationship with Eve); Trueheart and Baxter (who are equally marvelous in the story) and of course Roarke (who loves Eve passionately, even when he wants to ring her neck).

At the end, when the killer is revealed, you do feel satisfied, more so than at the end of "Creation in Death". What I think I enjoyed about this novel, that I felt was lacking in the last, was a maturity in Eve's character. What she really seems to embrace is that leaning on Roarke does not make her weak. She finally seems to realize that Roarke's respect, admiration and love are assets and only add value to what is already there. I loved this installation in a wonderful series, and can't wait for the next one.

To any newcomers to the "in Death" series: you will enjoy this book even if you haven't read any of the preceding books in the series, but you won't enjoy it quite as much as if you had. The authors of long-running series have a balancing act between giving enough history of the characters for new readers to be up to speed and so much repetition that long-time fans get bored. This book is more on the long-term fan end of the scale. There has been a lot of character history and developing relationships over the course of the series that J.D. Robb does not repeat in this book. The book definitely stands on it own; but it is richer in texture and nuance if the reader knows how the characters got where they are. This is especially true because the book contrasts Eve Dallas with another woman who married a wealthy man. The plot devices Robb uses to compare the women's attitudes toward money aren't as good as having read the history of Eve coming to grips with Roarke's money in the prior books.

Another caution: if you like the "whodoneit" part of the mystery the best, you will be disappointed. Unlike nearly all of the prior books where Eve Dallas is tracking an unknown killer, in this one she sets her sights on a suspect fairly early. The mystery is in finding the evidence to prove her theory. I found this an interesting and enjoyable change of pace.

My only disappointment is that over the life of the series, Eve and Roarke have developed relationships with an increasing number of interesting side characters and not all of them made appearances in this book. Even without some of my favorite side characters, I really enjoyed this book.

It took me a while to get to this book in my TBR pile. I hadn't looked forward to it after being dissappointed with the "Creation", "Origin", and "Born" books. There was a fast-paced, gloss-over, paste-it-together tendency in each story that didn't appeal to me. Why buy them?, you ask. I suppose I just can't help it, I'm always hopeful when it comes to a J. D. Robb work.

Because of the wise investment of my loyalty, I can now sit back smugly and enjoy the pay-off. "Strangers" epitomizes everything that's ridiculously fantastic about the premise of this series. It was a pleasurable slow burn munching through the everyday-ordinary in the life of a 12 year veteran lieutenant of the NYPSD's homocide unit. I was happy to be a spectator in that alone; then came a conflagration of ecstasy as unexpected goodies spilled into the story. Squeeeeeeeeeeee! Yeah, I said it, "squeeeeeeeeee". I can't believe NR's got me acting all girlie over this book.

This is the business of murder folks, and it should never be taken lightly or routinely. Making no promises that life won't interrupt the case from time to time, Eve Dallas gets down to business. The usual cast of friends and co-workers make appearances to aide in drawing out the yum-yums, but they no longer burden the story-line as they have in the recent past. All the growth Eve has experienced, the changes taking place in her relationships--they all settle more comfortably, less forcefully. This Eve, though settled, is still growing. She even allows for more time to sleep with less fuss.

There were some quirks, so I'm taking half a star off my rating for the following: Unnecessary sex scene in the pool, forced/rushed resolution of the case (these two scenes were superfluous and jarring respectively, given the rhythm and tone of the overall book), and Roarke spent more time helping Eve do her job than his own (which isn't too bad, but both were independently functional prior to hooking up with each other. Given their personalities, conflicts should still arise easily as they did in their beginnings).

Overall, this entry is one of the best examples of the collection. It is a strong return, by J. D. Robb, to the earlier flavor of death in this series.

I don't know how Nora Roberts continues to crank out books at this rate. I got the latest In Death installment from the library the other day... Strangers In Death by Nora Roberts writing as J. D. Robb. Strangers adheres to the basic Eve Dallas plot-line. The focus is on the crime and story, without a lot of character-building along the way. And I guess that's why I enjoyed this so much... I could just get lost in the story and have a good time.

In this episode, Dallas pulls a call for a crime that has a number of media implications. Thomas Anders, the head of a sporting-goods company, is found murdered in his house. What makes it "scandalous" is that he's tied up in bed, choked with a rope around his neck, with plenty of "toys" laying around. It certainly looks like a fantasy gone wrong, except that there's absolutely no clues as to who the other participant (and likely murderer) was. The wife is alibied, vacationing on a Caribbean island. The housekeeper seems to be far too business-like to do that. His business partners all seem to have liked him. But someone is hiding sometime, and Dallas has her ideas as to who is and isn't coming clean. With Roarke's help, she can put all the circumstantial evidence together, but she's still missing the solid evidence to nail the suspect cold. She'll have to crank up the pressure on a number of people to see who cracks first...

There's not necessarily anything in Strangers that makes it strikingly different than other In Death novels. Conversely, it's like a good friend... you know what to expect, you enjoy the company, and you're more than happy to be there. I personally enjoyed being here a lot, and I'll look forward to the next visit. At Robert's rate, I may not have to wait very long, either. :)

It looks like the most ordinary of crimes--a wealthy businessman is found dead in his bed, a rope around his neck and sexual aids both point to a possible sexual escapade going wrong. When his wife, safely alibied a thousand miles away, indicates that the dead man, Thomas Anders, was into kinky sex, the case seems open and shut. Except there are too many flaws for police Inspector Eve Dallas. Eve suspects the dead man's beautiful but cold wife, Ava--who stands to gain richly from her husband's death. Still, there's no doubt she was a thousand miles away, no bank withdrawals indicate the possibility of a murder for hire, and Ava's only known outside lover is a Licensed Companion who's personally known to Eve--no way would he have killed for her.

Eve continues to push on the case, looking for the flaw she knows must exist. The murder seemed well-planned, but the flaws indicated that the killer's nerve may have failed. Who could Ava have persuaded to do the deed? With the help of her billionaire-husband, Roark, Eve diggs deeper into Ava's activities. Could she have been responsible for her father-in-law's death as well? Still, without evidence, all she has is suspicion. Eve swears Ava won't get away with her crime, but even in 2060, evidence is needed to convict.

Author J. D. Robb (Nora Roberts) delivers another clever and well-written futuristic mystery. We didn't get the real emotional depth in some of the other In Death novels, but clever Eve, perky Sgt. Peabody, brilliant (and rich) Roark, and the rest of the characters in Eve's police world come together to follow distant connections, linking together possible crimes and possible connections that Ava had believed could never be found. STRANGERS IN DEATH is an enjoyable read--one I ended up consuming in a single sitting.

It should first be said that this is part of a series about New York Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas, her friends and colleagues and her husband, multibillionaire Rourke. It makes sense on its own, but regarding the characters it's a lot better to have read the other titles in the series first. And they're definitely worth it.
'Strangers in death' is about the death of the wealthy owner of a sports equipment company. At first glance, it seems like a kinky sex session gone wrong. But it becomes clear very soon that this was a well-planned murder. The man was a nice guy according to everyone but his wife, who's obviously lying about a lot of things. But she has a watertight alibi and friends in high places. That doesn't stop Eve from following her instincts and trying to find out how and why the widow could have murdered her husband.
I enjoy the series a lot, mostly because I really like the characters and because the crime stories are always intelligent and have depth. The reason why I didn't give it 5 stars was that this time, the idea comes from a film whose story I happen to know, so I was somewhat ahead of part of the solution. Apart from that, which may not be a problem for all readers, it was a good crime story. I always enjoy some more stories about these characters, so a new Eve Dallas-novel is always a treat. Former titles had more depth and bite when it came to Eve's and Rourke's pasts and relationship, but then they have been together for a while now and I guess you can only write so much about their secrets and conflicts. So all in all, this is a solid and satisfying new title in this great series.
Naked in Death (In Death)

This is a series that I NEVER get tired of reading...over...and over again. There is nothing like a full novel written by Nora Roberts to make for an entertainingly scrumptious story that pulls you in and makes you feel homesick in between installments. And, when that installment comes out and you finally have a chance to read it, your back at home with life, death, intrigue and love.

You gotta love Roberts. She makes the best characters and stories.

Also, let me say that Susan Erickson's right on, talented and engrossing professional narration of Roberts' books is like icing on the cake. If you love the book, try it again with the audio enhancements...truly entertaining!

The year is 2060, and Eve Dallas is a New York City homicide detective who takes her job very seriously. Today she has a real headache of a case brewing: rich man and philanthropist Thomas Anders is dead, and he died in a very compromising position while his wife was out of town. The problem is, some of the death details don't add up to the sordid crime it appears to be, and the more Eve pokes at it the more confusing it gets. Add to that a nearly cold case involving an abused woman's dead husband killed by a prostitute, and Eve's in for her usual wild ride.

Eve spends the first half of the book figuring out who her killer is, and the second half figuring out howdunit (and how to prove it). The mystery is a fascinating one and unraveling it definitely kept me enthralled. Part of the delight is watching Eve dig out the details and outsmart the killer, with the help of her friends, her co-workers, and of course her devilish husband Roarke.

Oh, yes, Roarke. Marriage has hardly slowed these two down. Their chemistry is every bit as brilliant as when they first met, and their sex scenes are every bit as pulse-poundingly hot. In short, Strangers in Death is a delicious story that positively screams to be read in bed. If you want gritty or 'realistic' you should go with another series---these books are all about enjoying the sheer style that can be wrung out of a good futuristic detective caper.

Like other books in this series, Strangers in Death stands alone surprisingly well, allowing you to come into the series at any book. The only oddness this might result in is that some side characters' appearances might seem slightly unnecessary if you aren't familiar with their importance in Eve's life.

Strangers in Death is another will written mystery in the series. All the characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is entertaining, fast moving, and lots of twist and turns to the conclusion. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys will written mysteries. Enjoy reading

Although I have read most of the series this is my first review. I am so in love with Eve and Roarke and the cast of characters in these books. From the title you can tell there is going to be death and the Lieutenant and her squad is on a mission to find the culprit. Although we know she is going to get her man or woman. I like all the action that leads up to the arrest. My favorite scenes are with her and Roarke. But I get such a delight when she takes down the accused and how she sets it up and it plays out.
I only wished that I could have read the books in order.

I don't know how many novels about Eve Dallas I've read. I started at the beginning before she met Roarke and have kept going. This one is as satisfying as all the others. The familiar cast of characters is here, each one doing their thing, all still evolving and growing in their roles. In this one, there are two murders: a beloved sporting goods magnet is found dead in bed, apparently the result of kicky sex gone wrong, and a no-good straying husband who seems to have been killed by the woman he picked up in a bar. Wrong! It doesn't take Eve long to suspect a specific person, the one person everyone thinks couldn't possibly be guilty of such a crime, and the way she solves both crimes is great. The climax when she's facing the killer is satisfying because, when it happens, she does exactly what a lot of the readers will probably be wanting to do. Other climaxes are on a more personal level--more interaction between the richest man in the world and his police lieutenant wife. In this one, they have one of their rare arguments--over his money and her lack of it--before the inevitable making-up. Watch out for the scene in Roarke's steamy, heated swimming pool. If the water wasn't hot before Eve slid into it, it certainly is afterward! One of the things I particularly like about these books are the exchanges between Eve and Peabody, and Eve and Roarke--and the obvious love these two characters--who have both had hard lives and are still to a certain extent picking their way through their relationship. This book is up the same high standards as the other novels and is one I recommend.

Its March 2060 in New York City, Lieutenant Eve Dallas has been called to a beautiful home where in the master bedroom lies Thomas Anders, a business tycoon and sports equipment manufacturer, dead. Anders is found naked, tied hand and foot by velvet ropes to the bed and strangled by a fifth length of rope. Various sex toys, lotions and enhancers are found by and on the body.

The "house manager" has notified the wife, Ava, who was in St. Lucia vacationing with two other women friends. The wife, the nephew who was second-in-command at Anders' company and now heads it, have rock-solid alibis. Why was such a generous businessman who appeared to have been loved by all, killed in such a humiliating way? Was it an accident or murder in cold blood?

As Eve along with her husband Roarke and faithful partner Delia Peabody investigate and question, many unusual circumstances and friends of Eve seem to pop into the picture such as Charles Monroe, a licensed companion. How Eve and her team finally put it all together by starting with the "who" to get the how, why, what, etc., is an exciting and fun whodunit!

Great J.D. Robb writing and as always fun, strife and sex between Eve and Roarke!

Does every murder tell the story of how they died? Does the murder even tell you the story of the person? In this case is sort of does and it sort of doesn't.

A well known business is found dead in his house...tied to his bed....strangled...with cords of black velvet and plenty other strange things.

But something is not adding up. And Dallas is the only one that sees it. Everyone...including the Chief of Police's Wife is telling Dallas her gut is wrong. Will Dallas listen? Or there is a connection to a Business's man death to a low-life scum man's death?

J.D. Robb brings a whole new twist for Dallas. Would make Patricia Highsmith very proud!!

It's 2060 in New York City. Much has changed in police work, but little has changed in crime. People still kill people. Lieutenant Eve Dallas has another big case --- and another girly thing to do. She relishes the first and dreads the latter. Fortunately, she has the support of a good man to help her and/or torment her over her lack of feminine interests.

Insinuating himself into her professional life more every day, Eve's hunky husband Roarke is a huge help --- and a very sexy one. He lends a hand with her cases, but always with an underlying motive for being around her. And he grabs any chance he has to engage her in a little non-police work. She doesn't often mind. Roarke has good looks, Irish charm, big bucks, playful impishness on his side and an overactive romantic bone: "Every minute with you, I'm alive. I never knew before there were pieces of me unborn, just waiting for you. I'm alive with you, Eve." She sighed, touched his cheek. "We'd better get out of here. We're getting mush all over the pool." Was that before or after they made love --- again?

This case gets to Eve in a way that many others before it have not, including the one that featured her as a prime target. She could deal with that, but this victim shouldn't have died the way he did. "It hits me. Some of them do, and it hits me because he was a nice man who loved his wife and used his money and position to do good things."

Thomas A. Anders --- philanthropist, loving husband and extremely rich man --- is discovered dead in his bedroom, in a highly compromising position. The scene does not suggest accident but screams "Murder." With so much planning required to set this stage, it seems as though someone hated him a great deal. But subsequent interviews fail to turn up anyone with a bad word to say for dear old Tommy.

Cops always take a close look at the spouse, especially when vast sums of money stand to be inherited. Mrs. Anders --- Ava --- was out of town at the time of her husband's death, and her alibi is unshakable. Besides, her reaction to the news of his murder is an appropriate amount of upset mixed with the right touch of sadness and horror. Why, then, does Eve put Ava at the top of the list of suspects? It's just a feeling she has, and the lieutenant's instincts are usually spot on.

Maybe spurred on by the victim's example or perhaps just following her heart, Eve does her own philanthropic thing. She indulges her soft spot for the underdog and rewards those desperately trying to be good citizens. She allows her tough veneer to crack around deserving downtrodden types. But people who allow themselves to be constant victims and don't attempt to fight back draw her disgust and make her very unhappy. Keeping Eve happy is a wise thing to do, for she can be one rough lady, unsympathetic, even downright cold.

J.D. Robb has another blockbuster with STRANGERS IN DEATH. Her handling of Eve dealing with a case that grows very personal is flawless; the writing is tight, the dialogue snappy and the plot intriguing. The books in the In Death series are always romances wrapped around a mystery, set in the future with some old-fashioned wooing. Her latest is no exception. In fact, it may be the best of the lot --- at least, so far. I'm betting that Robb isn't finished with Eve and Roarke yet. Now that would be criminal!

--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers

J D Robb always delivers. I’ve read all the Eve Dallas/Death novels (some more than once) and have never been disappointed with the Dallas character’s kick-ass standing for the dead attitude and actions. The author, J D Robb, or by any other name (aka Nora Roberts), certainly knows how to tell a spellbinding story.

Lt. Eve Dallas of the New York Police and Security Department is called to the scene of a murder where it appears philanthropist Thomas Anders died during a kinky sexual encounter. Evidence suggests the victim was sedated at the time of his demise and a lapse in the security system's recordings signifies this was not an accidental death. Eve quickly hones in on a suspect but can find nothing to connect the killer to Anders at the time he died. But this doesn't stop the lieutenant, who uses everyone at her disposal, including husband billionaire Roarke, as she meticulously unravels the mystery behind Anders's death.

This series attracts many fans, and for a good reason. Robb's writing is tight, flows well, and she offers characters her fans have grown to love. The mystery is a good one, with plenty of twists and turns, and, as always, Eve Dallas's intense personality and mindset pull the reader along with her as she seeks to resolve a mystery she takes personally.

It might not always be a compliment to say that a book is predictable, but this 26th outing in the Eve Dallas series is predictably terrific, just like all the rest. As always, once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down again until I was finished.

In this fast-paced entry, Eve is investigating the very kinky strangulation death of a high-powered executive. The sordid details of his death make the papers, and his pristine reputation is smeared in mud---apparently just what the killer wanted.

So who killed Thomas Anders and why? Did he really die in a sordid sexcapade, or was it all staged? What of his society wife and his nephew who was more of a son? Each stands to inherit big-time.

With Roarke's help (and the usual husband-wife byplay) and a new role for Peabody (first time on-air!!!), Eve doggedly pursues all leads. The killer is no surprise but the way Eve snags the person makes the book.

Another winner!

I have read this entire series and each book seems to get better. This one is my favorite by far. I love Eve's snappy comments and banter with Peabody and, of course, with Roarke but I feel that the thing I enjoyed most is how Eve and Roarke's relationship seems to deepen with each book. They have been married for awhile and you can feel how comfortable they are with one another, how they anticipate one another and how much they love one another. This warmth is a wonderful backdrop to what is always an ugly and brutal murder. This book also introduced the little boy, Tiko and I wonder if the author plans to bring him back in other books. The introduction of his character is significant as both Dallas and Roarke were neglected and abused children. Tiko, on the other hand, is fortunate enough to have a loving grandmother who is raising him. This may prove significant for Dallas and Roarke while they still refer to and work through their childhood traumas.

Strangers in Death is a fascinating police procedural that relies on Eve Dallas's thoughtful consideration of what she observes. While traditional mysteries have often relied on a sleuth who could spot details and their significance well ahead of everyone else, J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) draws on the female perspective more than in any other mystery I've ever read to unravel a complex case. Taking that slant made the story even fresher than placing it into the year 2060 did.

In magic, most of the illusions are based on drawing your attention toward what you are supposed to see . . . and away from what you aren't supposed to see. Strangers in Death employs magic legerdemain to create an impression of a crime that must have been done by a kinky lover while the reality is something else.

The story is a little slow in the beginning as Eve Dallas tries to make sense of an incongruous crime scene. The pace and my interest quickly picked up as the preliminaries were done and the hard work of uncovering what isn't supposed to be seen began.

Eve's interactions with her wealthy husband, Roarke, made the book much more lively than it would otherwise been. The contrasts between their relationship and the marriage of Thomas and Ava Anders also make for good reading.

I haven't read any of the earlier books in the series so a fair amount of the character development didn't make a lot of sense to me. If you are a long-time fan of the series, you may like the book better than I did. On the other hand, I didn't find the book to be too hard to appreciate for one in a long-running series. So newcomers to "in Death" books should be encouraged to sample this one.

Watch out who you hang around with!

Quite a puzzle to solve. Even though the culprit is known early on, it takes fine detective work to bring justice to the victims. The villain is smart and careful. For me, this book lacked a lot of the powerful emotions in most of the other installments in this awesome series, but I found it wildly entertaining. I've read Strangers three times and have loved it every time.

If you haven't read the 'in Death' series, you're denying yourself hours of entertainment and pleasure. Take the advice I was given, though, and read them in order so you meet the main cast members as they come into play and develop into first-rate characters. This series is additive.

Thank you Ms. Robb!

Shelley Dawn, author of Dark Nights and Sweet, Sweet Jessie

This is the 31st book, when including novellas, in a long running and my personal favorite suspense series.

The year is 2060 and Lt. Eve Dallas of the New York Police and Security Department is called to the scene when sports mogul and children's philanthropist, Tom Anders, is murdered in his home. All evidence points to some sort of sexual deviancy gone wrong, but things aren't making sense to Eve. She enlists the help of her delectable Irish hubby, Roarke, and her partner Detective Peabody to solve the case.

I love this author and I loved this book. This In Death book had a slightly different feel as pretty early on we learn who the murderer is and the rest of the book is Eve building her case to prove her gut feeling. But that didn't detract from the suspense or the flow of the book at all; in fact I thought it enhanced it. J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts) throws some twist and turns in that kept Eve, her team and this reader on their toes.

While these In Death books tend to be dark to due to the homicides Eve investigates, this one had a lot of light moments, too. I laughed a lot at the banter Eve engages in with Peabody, Roarke and Captain Feeney. Eve's friend Louise, the doctor and her Licensed Companion boyfriend, Charles play a small but significant role in this book, and that added a large amount of pleasure for this reader.

This book was definitely hard to put down and exceptionally entertaining. I am wowed by this series. After so many books it seems it would be hard to delight and surprise her faithful readers, but J.D. Robb does so, continuously and flawlessly. Enjoy!

Cherise Everhard, February 2008

STRANGERS IN DEATH (Police Proc-Eve Dallas-NYC-2060) - VG
Robb, J.D. (aka Nora Roberts) - 26th in series
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2008, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780399154706

First Sentence: Murder harbored no bigotry, no bias.

When a wealthy man is found murdered in his apartment, Lt. Eve Dallas first looks to the wife as a suspect. The wife, however, was out of the country with friends and has an air-tight alibi. Dallas has a feeling, however, and a determination to find justice for the victim.

I have long admitted to being of fan of this series and this book doesn't change that. The strengths are all there; crisp dialogue with wonderful interjections of humor, wonderful characters and the portrayal of the relationship between them, the fun slightly-futuristic-but-not-unbelievable technology and, yes, some nice scenes between Eve and her husband, Roarke. The plot didn't have the same emotional charge some have had, but it did have a delightfully twisted villain.

A slight weakness was whomever relied on spell-check to catch errors (hear versus here), but that's minor. Somewhat more disappointing was that I saw where the plot was going a bit earlier than I'd have liked. However, that didn't prevent my reading the book all in one day and enjoying it.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Strangers in Death is the 26th installment of the In Death Series written by Nora Roberts under her pseudo name, J.D. Robb. In this installment we find Eve faced with a high powered man murdered in his home. The person that Eve thinks killed him, the man's wife, is alibied tight, being on a girls' holiday with some friends.

But when she lends a hand in one of her co-worker's cases all the pieces click together and she is on the prowl to throw her self-serving murderer in a cage.

This was a good enough story. It wasn't the best I've read of the series, but it wasn't bad either. It kept my interest, but it wasn't one that would keep you on the edge of your seat. In fact, there wasn't really any suspense in this book.

Roarke has signed on to this case as an expert civilian consultant once again, so we get to see some sweet moments between the couple and their usual banter as they work together to solve the case.

"Why doesn't it bother her? Seriously, it doesn't. She's not putting on a front. She's in a serious relationship with a guy who has sex with other women for a living, and it doesn't matter to her."

"I married a cop." Roarke smiled at her. "We all have our levels of acceptance. He was an LC when they met, just as she was a doctor, and one who often works in dangerous areas of the city."

She shot him the same easy smile. "So...if I'd been an LC when we met, you wouldn't have any problem with me banging other guys. Professionally."

"None at all, as I'd kick your ass and murder all of them. But that's my level of acceptance."

Also, a certain guy that we've come to enjoy makes a huge leap in his life, making a sacrifice for the one he loves and embarking on a new life. Honestly, I would have loved to have seen more from this couple in this installment. It was just so sweet and I loved that he botched the whole thing while trying to do good; it just made him seem more realistic. Hopefully we'll get to see a lot more of them in future installments of the series!!

I'm just hoping the next book, Salvation in Death, will be a little more exciting.

This review and more at openbooksociety dot com

As Roarke so adeptly points out, Eve is investigating her latest homicide, Hitchcock style. Less than halfway through the story, Eve pins the killer - now it is her job to prove it. As always, J.D. Robb entertains us with the wittiness of the couple as they work together on solving the mystery of the death of Thomas Anders, wealthy business entrepreneur of all sports equipment. It's always entertaining when Eve and Peabody get into their "girly" conversations especially when Peabody offers a girls weekend to Eve - for fans of the series, you can only imagine how Eve responds to that idea! A new twist rears its head into the relationship of Charles and Louise. With the able assistance of her gorgeous husband and the support of her trusty team, Feeney, McNab, Baxter and Trueheart, Eve uncovers a parallel to the current homicide and the investigation takes a turn in yet another direction. This series is my favorite and I look forward to each new addition.

A dfferent storyline than we normally get from the In Death books, Strangers In Death provides the reader with the identity of the killer fairly early in the story. Most of our favorite characters make an appearance. The longer Eve and Peabody work together, the closer their friendship becomes, the funnier the dialogue between them. Eve and Roarke have their normal personal battles that usually wind up in steamy sex- and all is right with their world. I enjoyed this installment.

This one seemed more focused in the mystery than the relationships of all the characters. Some of the fans love the Eve/Roarke story, along with all the other main characters and their relationships, friend and significant other wise. This one had two minor discussions about money the rest was mostly the mystery. Which I can see with this particular mystery. Enough said. Back to reading for you and me!

Not the store verified purchase because my Kindle is on a shared account with a different name.

This was the 26th book of JD Robb's in death series. I try to read other authors in between but always want more of JD Robb's Lt. eve Dallas. I really like the murder mystery part, always intriguing. But I love the relationship parts, I love the psychology that hold all the different characters together. This book was especially good because it showed how evil can be hidden for a very long time, but when it does raise it's ugly head it doesn't care who else will be taken down with it.

I simply love this series of books. I can not get enough of Eve, Roark, Peabody, Feeney, etc. The depiction and depth of characters is wonderful and I always anxiously await the next detail to be disclosed. I'm making my way through the series. Then, I guess, I'll just have to wait for Ms. Roberts to write more. Thank goodness she's prolific!

I've read all of the In Death series and most of Nora Roberts' other novels. While I enjoy them all and find them all to be a step above most other authors in the genre, this one just kind of... annoyed me.

I've enjoyed Eve and Roarke and the murder mysteries. As a female in law enforcement, I enjoy seeing a lead character that is a strong female in the profession. However, I really found Eve's behavior in this book to be really offensive. I do not enjoy how Roberts seems to portray beat cops/patrol officers as morons and fat slobs. Eve seems to take pleasure in treating the beat cops like crap, which I really disliked.

As far as the story itself, it was entertaining and worth the cost of the book. It wasn't my favorite, but I did like a break from the "killer wants Eve as his ultimate trophy, so Eve sets herself up as bait and takes him down with a karate chop of doom!" plotline that Roberts seems so fond of with these books.

It wasn't her best effort, but it was still a decent read.

I have had listened to the whole JD Robb "...in Death" series in audio books, and I'm delighted to see that "Strangers in Death" continues in strength in this wonderful series, depicting the marvelous life of Eve Dallas. I have turned many friends on to this series. It's fun, captivating, romantic, suspenseful, and thoroughly entertaining. Robb/Roberts' strength in writing is only enhanced by the best narrator - Susan Erickson. I very much appreciate the consistency of Erickson being the narrator for this entire series. Susan's voice inflections and her voice differentiation of characters, and the Irish in Roarke's voice are truly captivating and makes for great listening! Kudos to a job well done!!

Re-read and love this book. I forgot just how great Robb can write. It was wonderful to read a villian so easy to hate. I love the twist and turns and how it all fit together. If there was a fault, I with Baxter could get his own line of stories.
If someone is new and doesn't want to start from the beginning, this is a great one.

This was my first JD Robb book. I came upon it by happenstance in a bag of books being passed around a group I belong to.
Sometimes an author totally clicks with you and JD Robb is one of those.
Excellent story and so well written. Now I have to go back and find the first IN Death book in the series. A whole new genre " Futuristic Detective Mysteries"
This should keep me occupied for quite a while. There's not enough time to read all the good books out there.
In trying to get some background on the series I discovered Nora Roberts JD Robb internet site..This is excellent.

I love all her In Death Series, and this one of them. The fast phased action, the humor, the drama all rolled into one. Ms. Roberts is one hell of a writer, I love all her works. And her characters are so captivating. I would love to follow more adventure of Roarke's cop, Eve Dallas, how the couple solves crime as the most unbeatable team in the planet. Strangers In Death is one story you won't be able to put down until you are at the very end. Its not just a simple case of who-done-it, its a twisted crime and only a seasoned cop like Lt. Dallas can walk, talk and be for the dead. Its her dead now, and I like the way she handles it. And Roarke the ever supportive and charming sidekick, hubby and expert civilian consultant ^_^

I have read all of the books in this series as well as most of everything else Nora Roberts puts out. I have felt let down by a number of her recent books, but this one was exactly what made me a fan of NR to begin with! What was notable for the In Death series was that it was more lighthearted than usual. Eve and Roarke seemed to just really enjoy each other in this story without some of the occasionally overwrought drama you find in the other "In Death..." books. Don't get me wrong, that drama is part of what makes the story line work, but this was a nice breath of fresh air. I enjoyed the banter between the characters. I loved the side story with Charles and Louise. I guess one negative would be that McNab seemed fairly peripheral to the story.

Anyway- two thumbs up, I enjoyed this more than any other book Nora has put out in a while.

I love this series and Nora Roberts (aka J.D. Robbs) never fails to deliver. Her dialogue is pitch perfect, her characters well thought out and her sense of pacing is superb. This book does not disappoint, although it is a little too much business as usual - without the personal tensions that separate the best of this series from the rest of the series. We learn who the murderer is pretty early on, and despite some obvious questions, nothing much gets in Eve's way as she wraps it up. However I will never turn down a new J.D. Robb - Eve Dallas mystery. Fantasizing about Roarke, the interplay between Peabody and Dallas, its all just too enjoyable to miss.

I truly enjoyed this installment of the series for a number of reasons. First of all, I liked for a change this book focused more so on the murder and the police work and had less involvement from exeternal elements such as Roarke's world or the media. Makes the series feel less like a formula. I also liked the step by step approach that Eve took to make the case. Finally, I think it continued (as the books usually do)to mature the relationship between Eve and Roarke as they better understand each other and can articulate why their relationship works so well. A very satisfying read and one of the better books in the series.

Normally I love the "In Death" series, and though it's a not-so-well-kept secret that ghostwriters are used for lots of Ms. Roberts (aka JD Robb's), some are better than others. This one is just. plain. awful. Do not judge the whole series by this book. Please.

In 2060 New York City, everyone believes that affluent businessman Thomas Anders is an upright moral person. He gives away sports equipment to needy children; has set up sports camps and special programs for the kids. He wants to give impoverished children a chance and his lovely wife Ava helps by creating successful fundraisers. Thus it comes as quite a shock when he is found dead in his bed with his hands and feet tied to the posts with black velvet ropes and one around his neck.

NYPSD Police Lieutenant Eve Dallas catches the case and quickly believes certain evidence does not make sense. Only someone who knew the security codes could get in, but that limits the suspects to the victim's wife, nephew and few others; all have air tight alibis. Morris the medical examiner finds a trace of barbiturates in Thomas' system, which means he was unconscious when he was killed. Eve has an idea who did it, but lacks proof to prove it.

Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb consistently provides quality entertaining futuristic police procedurals; her latest "in death" thriller keeps her readers attention throughout as the suspense remains high while the audience wonders how Eve will prove who the killer is as fans know early on who she suspects. Eve continues to grow so that she remains fresh adding to the fun of observing her seek evidence to affirm who done it.

Harriet Klausner

This is my all-time favorite series, but STRANGERS IN DEATH wasn't my favorite book. Although the mystery is interesting, as always, there wasn't much character development, and most of my favorite characters (Mavis, Summerset, McNab, etc.) are rarely mentioned.

Overall, you won't want to miss this installment if you're a fan of the series, but this isn't the best place for a newcomer to begin reading.

I absolutely love all the "In Death" books. After reading one that I picked up at random, I went online and pulled up a chronological list of the full series and have been reading them one by one. I am so involved with all the regular characters that I almost feel like I know them. She can't write them fast enough for me!

I have reread the whole series multiple times. How can u resist a series with it all( romance ,mystery & laughter) all in one. You can read them from book one or pick up your favorite and still enjoy it

This was my first read of a J D Robb novel.....read the reviews and seemed worth a look.

While I enjoyed the writing style of Robb/Roberts and the humor I found the story very slow paced to the point of almost not finishing the book. I enjoyed Eve and her detectives and her quick witted banter but couldn't figure out how her billionaire husband spent all his time working for Eve instead of tending to his own empire.

I'm going to try one more (the first in the series) to see if its better but not optimistic.

I loved this book, particularly in contrast to "Creation in Death." In "Creation," the tension kept winding tighter and tighter until the conclusion. Eve's team was in a race against time. In "Strangers," it's more of a competition than a mystery. Eve knows who the murderer is, but has no proof. I really enjoyed how she built the case out of many small mistakes. Very nice contrast between the two books.

As a great fan of the earlier works in this series, I was a little disappointed in this addition. There just didn't seem to be anything new with the characters...of course Eve got her bad guy as always,,,, but her and Roarke are still in the place...the part about her not wanting to take any of his money and her objections were just silly... She's married to a Billionaire, and walks around with ten bucks in her pocket, and gets annoyed when her hubby wants to give her money...not realistic for me... As a hoarder of books I have all her books on this series except the last two, I've been getting them from the Library... that would be my recommendation for anyone wanting to read this one..

Thomas "Tommy" Anders is the King of sportsware and he is very. But he got one thing going for him Lieutenant Eve Dallas on his case. Eve quickly zeros in on the widow Ava Anders, but she seem to have air tight excuse. But as the case continue, the truth will come out and justice will served.
"Stranger in Death" the 26th novel by J.D. Robb and its really great. Ms. Robb gives a great story. Secondary characters Charles and Louise are given time in the story. Overall "Strangers in Death" is great addition to the "In Death" series.

The last few J.D. Robb books haven't been all that great (including the novellas), but this one was really good! The only downside was that McNab wasn't there for very long. I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted a good futuristic procedural, even though Loyalty in Death is still my favorite of this series.

I am hooked on this series by JD Robb/Nora Roberts and this latest addition is as fresh and exciting as the first book and everyone after. Lt. Eve Dallas is a Homocide detective in the near future, 2060 and solves unusual murders with the help of a colorful group of support staff. The love of Lt. Dallas life is a self made multibillionare, her husband Roarke. Both were on their own and alone until finding each other, healing the void left in each by an abusive and neglectful parent. These books are fast moving, easy to read and addictive.

Strangers in Death has a fast paced and creative plot. However, there are lots of
good murder mysteries out there. I read the In Death books for the tension/emotion/character interaction
between Roarke and Eve. This book had very little of that, as did the previous book. J D Robb does such a great job of portraying the emotional pitfalls and tug of war between couples, especially those with traumatic back stories. I wish she would put more of that into her future books because that's where the strength of these books lies.

As always this is another hit! The plot keeps you on the edge, there is no clear road. There are twists and turns in every new chapter.
The relationship between personalties is wonderful and very real, oh, to have such friends. Never a bad book by J. D. Robb aka Nora Roberts.

Fifty years into the future, she's a Lt. with a dozen years experience. Conservatively, she'd have to be making at least 60K a year. For two years, she has been married to Roarke and she therefore hasn't been paying rent, groceries or utility bills. She has no overhead costs and we are supposed to believe that she is "tapped" between paydays? Even if she refuses to touch Roarke's money, we are supposed to believe she gets stretched between paydays? I don't think so. Her explanation made no sense. She had to pay a weasel? We've seen her bribe weasels, it doesn't cost her 4 grand a month. These asinine character expositions that are completely devoid of logic and reason and the continued need to show Eve as some kind of saint-like moral paragon and make her the exact opposite of whatever Evildoer she is fighting at the time are what is destroying the series. It's the kind of blatant "Duh" that takes you out of the book. And the the way the "dilemna" was solved---with a complete "deus ex machina" happening of extreme coincidence was just cheap.

I am a reader, but buy audiobooks for the car, since i do a lot of driving. J.D. Robb always entertains me, to the point that I stay in the car for a while after I arrive to my destination to finish a chapter. Strangers in Death is not new, since I had already heard it, but the unabridged edition was so detailed that it was as though it had been a new story.

This was one of the best books in the "Death" series. I never get tired of the characters. With each book, we grow closer to significant characters, in this case, Charles and Louise. I also never would have guessed the murderers in a million years. This book was very well written, and enjoyed immensely. I can't wait for the next one.

As always Nora Roberts aka J.D. Robb, has written another great murder/mystery book, with all the characters we've come to know and love. She has the best sense of humor and the most human characters in her books. You can almost see it happen write before your very eyes. I tell everyone I know to read this series of books if they get a chance, I think there the best!!!

I got the audio to add to my collection of J D Robb/Nora Robert's audios. I found the audio well made and once again, enjoyed the Brilliance production of the book. Brilliance uses the same narrator to read the In Death series, Susan Ericksen and as always, she is superb.

Seems like we have been down this story road before. In fact, it seemed so familiar I thought she was bringing back one of the female killers from a past book. One she never caught, I was racking my brain trying to remember the name of it. Maybe someone else will. The one where the woman Eve busted when she was a rookie starts going after rich men, then Rourke...

If you liked that book you will like this one

I waited for STRANGERS IN DEATH as it was released right in time for this teacher's winter holiday. It did NOT disappoint! I continue to find reading the IN DEATH series my guiltiest pleasure. So it's a bit fluffy, you don't always have to read WAR AND PEACE! Put on your softest jammies, grab the book, a cup of hot tea, and cozy up for a fun read.

I'm a huge fan of crime mysteries, so when I saw this book at the store I thought, best selling author, it should be good! I can finish a 400 page book in a few hours. I've had this book over a week and cannot get myself to finish it. The characters are cliche and unrealistic. The main character has had a hunch about who's responsible for a murder from way too early in the book, which is making the filler very boring. The author also seems to assume that female readers will want to read petty side stories and will enjoy hearing about the main character's gorgeous husband and huge mansion and their fabulous life together. For someone who wants to read a real crime novel, buy a Michael Connelly book. Maybe Nora Roberts has better work out, but I know I'm not going to bother with any of her writing again.

I think the author did an excellent work writing this story. Few times, I would think I got the right person who did it but then I'm wrong. Her books are a challenge for me to figure out who did. An excellent author....I enjoy reading her books....I only read her mystery books and never read romance which I'm not crazy. Keep up good work, Nora Roberts!!

I have read every J.D. Robb book and look forward to each new book. I was extremely disappointed in this book. It was nothing like her previous "in death" books and I had to struggle to finish it. I questioned if Nora Roberts even wrote it. Hopefully, this was just a one time only mistake and her next book will be back on track.

Don't waste your money.

I am attempting to read on of J.D. Robb's (Nora Roberts) books and I can't for the life of me understand why this woman is so popular. She uses words and phrases that are almost middle-school in nature. I can't believe this woman ever passed a college English course..... Honestly, am shocked at how poorly she writes, I don't know how else to put it.

I really love this series of books. The characters, Lt. Eve Dallas, her husband Rourke, Eve's partner, Det. Delia Peabody, EDD Detectives, Capt. Ryan Feeney and Det. Ian McNab, are fascinating. There's humor, mystery, romance, and many twists to the plots. I highly recommend these books and their author.

The books in this series are consistently enjoyable.

For those of you who might be unfamiliar with the series I describe them as about 15% romance, about 35% sci-fi and 50% modern detective novel.

They are fun detective stories set in the near future with a bit of romance thrown in.

They feature great characters who I just want to to read more and more about.

These are not especially fast reads but they are not slow paced either. They are just fun books with good stories well told.