J.D. Robb Books in Order: In Death Reading Order

J.D. Robb is the pen name of Nora Roberts, used for the In Death futuristic police procedural series. If you’re looking for the complete J.D. Robb books in order, this guide lists the novels in a clear reading sequence so you can start at the beginning or jump in confidently.

For Roberts’ other books, you can check out my complete Nora Roberts books in order guide.

Want the printable? Download the PDF checklist here.

Jump To:

• In Death Series (Publication Order)
• Short Stories (Optional)
• Anthologies
• J.D. Robb Reading Order Checklist
• J.D. Robb Books FAQ

J.D. Robb Books in Order

In Death Series

The In Death series is J.D. Robb’s long-running futuristic crime thriller set in a near-future New York, following homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas as she hunts killers amid big power, bigger secrets, and cutting-edge tech—often with Roarke in the mix.

Each book delivers a complete case, but Eve’s relationships and core cast (like Peabody, McNab, and Dr. Mira) evolve over time, so you’ll get the best payoff reading all of the In Death books in order.

1. Naked in Death (1995)
2. Glory in Death (1995)
3. Immortal in Death (1996)
4. Rapture in Death (1996)
5. Ceremony in Death (1997)
6. Vengeance in Death (1997)
7. Holiday in Death (1998)
8. Conspiracy in Death (1999)
9. Loyalty in Death (1999)
10. Witness in Death (2000)
11. Judgment in Death (2000)
12. Betrayal in Death (2001)
13. Seduction in Death (2001)
14. Reunion in Death (2002)
15. Purity in Death (2002)
16. Portrait in Death (2003)
17. Imitation in Death (2003)
18. Divided in Death (2004)
19. Visions in Death (2004)
20. Survivor In Death (2005)
21. Origin in Death (2005)
22. Memory in Death (2006)
23. Born in Death (2006)
24. Innocent in Death (2007)
25. Creation in Death (2007)
26. Strangers in Death (2008)
27. Salvation in Death (2008)
28. Promises in Death (2009)
29. Kindred in Death (2009)
30. Fantasy in Death (2010)
31. Indulgence in Death (2010)
32. Treachery in Death (2011)
33. New York to Dallas (2011)
34. Celebrity in Death (2012)
35. Delusion in Death (2012)
36. Calculated in Death (2013)
37. Thankless in Death (2013)
38. Concealed in Death (2014)
39. Festive in Death (2014)
40. Obsession in Death (2015)
41. Devoted in Death (2015)
42. Brotherhood in Death (2016)
43. Apprentice in Death (2016)
44. Echoes in Death (2017)
45. Secrets in Death (2017)
46. Dark in Death (2018)
47. Leverage in Death (2018)
48. Connections in Death (2019)
49. Vendetta in Death (2019)
50. Golden in Death (2020)
51. Shadows in Death (2020)
52. Faithless in Death (2021)
53. Forgotten in Death (2021)
54. Abandoned in Death (2022)
55. Desperation in Death (2022)
56. Encore in Death (2023)
57. Payback in Death (2023)
58. Random in Death (2024)
59. Passions in Death (2024)
60. Bonded in Death (2025)
61. Framed in Death (2025)
62. Stolen in Death (2026)
63. Fury in Death (2026)

J.D. Robb Short Stories

This list of J.D. Robb books in order covers only the short stories and novellas.

1. Midnight in Death (1998)
2. Remember When (2003)
3. Interlude in Death (2006)
4. Haunted in Death (2006)
5. Eternity in Death (2007)
6. Ritual In Death (2008)
7. Missing in Death (2009)
8. Big Jack (2010) (Previously published in Remember When)
9. Possession in Death (2010)
10. Chaos in Death (2011)
11. Taken in Death (2013)
12. Wonderment in Death (2015)

J.D. Robb Anthologies

1. Silent Night (1998) (includes “Midnight in Death”)
2. Naked Came the Phoenix (2001)
3. Out of this World (2001) (includes “Interlude in Death”)
4. Bump in the Night (2006) (includes “Haunted in Death”)
5. Dead of Night (2007) (includes “Eternity in Death”)
6. Suite 606 (2008) (includes “Ritual in Death”)
7. The Lost (2009) (includes “Missing in Death”)
8. The Other Side (2010)
9. The Unquiet (2011) (includes “Chaos in Death”)
10. Mirror, Mirror (2013) (includes “Taken in Death”)
11. Down the Rabbit Hole (2015) (includes “Wonderment in Death”)

Get your Printable J.D. Robb Book Checklist

If this full list of J.D. Robb books in order is a bit overwhelming, perhaps you’d prefer a printable reading guide that you can check off the books you’ve read, and even give them a star rating with a short note.

You can download your J.D. Robb book checklist here.

J.D. Robb Books FAQ

Do I need to read the In Death books in order?

You can jump around, because each book has its own central case. But the characters, relationships, and the world build in a straight line—so reading in order gives you the best payoff (and avoids “wait, when did that happen?” moments).

Where should I start with J.D. Robb’s In Death series?

Start with Naked in Death (book 1). It’s the cleanest entry point, and everything that follows assumes you know the core cast and the tone of the world.

What’s the best reading order: publication order or chronological order?

For most readers, publication order is the simplest and best choice (it’s how the series was written and released). “Chronological order” usually matters only if you want to weave in the novellas/short stories exactly where they fall in the timeline. If you’re interested, Robb has a full chronological reading guide on her website.

Are the novellas and anthology stories required reading?

No. They’re optional add-ons—fun context, side cases, and extra time with the cast—but the numbered novels are the backbone of the continuity. The official materials note that there are occasional standalone original stories featured in anthologies, which is exactly what those entries are.

Who is J.D. Robb?

J.D. Robb is the name Nora Roberts uses when she’s writing outside her usual lane. The pseudonym isn’t a gimmick—it’s a clean shelf label that tells readers what they’re getting before they even open the cover.

And honestly, it worked. The Robb name built its own audience, its own expectations, and its own long-running momentum, separate from everything Roberts publishes under her real name. If you’re here because you discovered one and want to explore the other, you’re not alone—just use the Nora Roberts “books in order” guide for her non-Robb bibliography.

Looking for more books in order?

If you want more mystery authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Mystery Books in Order index.

• Books in Order (Full Index)
• Patricia Cornwell Books in Order
• Tami Hoag Books in Order