And here we go: Stolen in Death is on shelves/ereaders today! Yes, it’s been a wait, but I think this story is worth it.
Plus, there’s a huge surprise (IMO).
Here’s the official description:
A blow to the head with a block of amethyst has left multibillionaire Nathan Barrister dead—while nearby, a vault, its door ajar, sits filled with priceless paintings, jewelry, and other treasures. Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband, Roarke—who misspent his youth in Ireland as a scrappy thief—recognizes at least two stolen pieces among the hoard. The crime scene suggests a burglar caught in the act. But only one item seems to be missing.
Then it’s revealed that the vault had actually belonged to the victim’s late father—and no one in the household knew it was there until a recent remodeling project exposed it. To protect the family name and business, they explain to Eve, they’d been looking for a way to return the ill-gotten gains anonymously and avoid the police. But now the police are all over their elegant house, and have a bigger, bloodier mystery to solve.
By all accounts, Nathan Barrister was a good man, a generous employer, a devoted husband and father. As for his father—he clearly had secrets. Now it’s up to Eve and her team to find out if those secrets got Nathan killed—and if it was a crime of passion or revenge.
This is the space to discuss all things Stolen in Death. (How did you react to the surprise?)
Please share in the comments — and beware that spoilers are allowed here.
Laura
It was a surprise!!! Caught me off guard when I got to that part 😀😜
Maybe I’m in the minority but I guessed the surprise with the first description of possible players. I kept wondering when something like that would happen, and totally loved the way it played out!!
No Sally, you weren’t the only one. As she was interviewing the family I thought ” my money’s on the sister” and as soon as Eve and Rourke had the vault conversation, I knew. But it was soooo fun waiting for the reveal! Good thing I was home alone when that happened 🤣🤣🤣
I agree, haven’t finished it, but knew when I heard about the blonde and the old man what was coming next!
Oh I definitely knew the second the 4th ex wife described the smirky blonde with blue eyes.
I guessed early in the book, once they said a “fancy blonde” Plus since they specifically took an item that Roarke stole in the past it had to be someone who wanted to hurt him
It was fantastic and the way it played out
It was a surprise to me too! Never gave her a thought but what an awesome twist. The first book with her is one of my favorites, actually felt Eve’s pain.
Wow!! What a surprise! Excellent!
was a Surprise wasn’t it!! Didn’t see that coming when it came about, but re read it, the clues were there!! Excellently done
Can’t read it, can’t comment yet. Due to the ice and snow in my area, my book will be delayed. Needless to say I am not happy!
I’m so sorry! But you’ll have fun when it arrives. -Laura
I absolutely will, I’m so excited!
I just read the first chapter. I love how this book starts.
So timely; fiction ripped from the headlines ( theft from Louvre) adds a dose of realism I love. Don’t know how Nora does it – she never disappoints!
I thought the same thing. Truly enjoyed Stolen in Death.
Got it last night. Will be back to review discussion comments when I read it.
I loved it. Such a delicious surprise and payback for that person!
Very sad face!!! Stay safe and healrhy!!!
I love how Nora brings back Magdalena to strengthen the bond between eve and Roarke even making them know each other even better than they know themselves
Just got my book! Will start it tonight, and then be back to discuss it!
Great story! The surprise was outstanding!
I knew it! As soon as they said a blonde, blue eyed, my first thought was that sounds just like Magdalena😡 I so enjoyed this book!
I somehow knew it was the sister that was involved, but 100% surprised Magdalena was the mastermind.
Agreed!
SAME!!
OMG I despised her last time.
I enjoyed the book, it certainly had s surprise. My husband laughed at me when I was reading the part where Eve had arrested HER and was interviewing HER. I TELLED LOCK HER UP AND THRIW AWAY THE KEY OFF-planet
I did not get Magdalena part, but for some reason, I knew his sister killed him. My heart broke for the wife and kids. Glad M was punched again, but I was hoping she would have lost teeth with it….. LOL
I too suspected just that. It was great!
WOW! Loved the book. So many twists and turns. Plus a surprise return. I couldn’t read it fast enough. It held my interest. Loved the various interactions between Eve and Roarke throughout the story line. Summerset’s reactions and comments were priceless. Thanks for a great book.
Faye Chestnut
So many twist. Loved Summersets reactions – Hilarious!
WOW! Loved the book! So many twists and turns. Plus a surprise return.bi couldn’t read it fast enough.vit held my interest throughout. Loved the various interactions between Eve and Roarke throughout the storyline. Summerset’s reactions and comments were priceless. Thanks for a great book. Faye Chestnut
Did Summerset come through again? The evolving, more caring, relationship between Eve and him is one if my favorites in the storyline.
Before I got to the surprise, I thought to myself it’d be a kick in the pants if it was who I thought it was, and I was still ” Oh shit!”
Me too. As soon as someone said the blonde smirked at her I was like oh I know who that is… skank who goes after rich men with jewelry vaults. Right up her alley
Really, thoroughly, absolutely enjoyed this book (I mean, I always do enjoy the books in this series, but I especially liked this one). It’s definitely going on my list of all-time favorites. Loved the take down at the end of course, that was immensely satisfying. And the Eve and Roarke scenes always cause me to feel all gooey on the inside, but some of my other favorite moments in this one in particular was how protective everyone was of Eve. Without spoiling anything, a particular scene with Commander Whitney had me all 🥹🥹🥹. Jenkinson, too. Such heartwarming character moments. It’s really endearing that Eve-the-thoroughly-committed-introvert has unwittingly accumulated this small army of people all ready and willing to go Captain Ahab on her behalf.
Anyway, first time posting here. Just wanted to thank the author for all the joy she brought with this book, and the series as a whole. I love it!
Just wanted to say – you don’t need to worry about spoiling anything here!
OMG I knew the blond was Magdalena as soon as the ex-wife mention her!
What a great ride. Even if I didn’t catch on about the sister until Dallas mentioned it.
I feel so sorry for his wife and daughters, and all they’ll have to deal with.
Thank you Nora Roberts for the relief from real life.
I agree
Thank you so much Nora for allowing me to be away from the tragedy that is our real world for the moment while entering the better future in Eve Dallas’ world
Thanks for giving us a place to discuss the new book.
I just got to page 247, and there it was. Shocker!!
There were clues? I totally did not see this coming.
About half way through i had suspicions, but only because I recently reread Innocent in Death, but I didnt really think of the sister until Eve voiced her conclusions. So nice to see her comeuppance!
The FB pages spotlighting Innocence was perfect, as the details were in our heads. Magdelina’s tears at the end didn’t feel in character – and were probably for show.
I have to admit, this was the 1st ever book where I nailed a guilty person immediately. I KNEW the sister was involved, BUT I was thrown for a loop that Magdalena (Sp) was one of the masterminds. I was hoping though that M would maybe loose a tooth or 20 – LOL. As for the twist and turns – wow. Excellent book.
Jill was so mean to Eve on first meeting – and I didn’t like her from the get go. So, I was glad it worked out the way it did.
My first thought was the blond is Magdalena! Took me awhile to realize there were two blonds. And I didn’t see the sister as the killer at first but I was wondering when Dallas kept going over the timing. Love how Dallas dealt with Magdalena in the interrogation room. Magdalena deserved it and Rourke’s time in the cell with her was icing on the cake!
I want to know what he actually said or “did” to her, only because Magdalena is so evil. I really wanted to see her get her rewards.
Just finished stole in Death and loved it! The surprise was a good one too. I really enjoy when Eve and/or Roarke get payback for people who have tried to ruin them.
Thinking of starting book one again and rereading the full series for the third time now. I love all the characters and their introductions with each book along the way.
Thank you Nora for the work you put into your books to continue giving us great reading experiences!
I tend to read the newest one, then wait a month or so and reread others, but always in order, I know they don’t have to be read in order, but to get all the references, I thind we do.
Yes
My thoughts exactly
I was just thinking about re-reading the entire series from the beginning again
The library system here in Los Angeles has all Nora’s books and I have gone straight through it with no problems from “naked in death” to “forgotten in death” four times already
I can’t get enough of it
Of course our Storytelling Queen has done it again—brava Nora/JD, brava! I thoroughly enjoyed every page. Thank you!
I’m about halfway through and WOW! I literally said that when Eve had that reaction!
Love this book!!! I had my suspicions about the sister from the get! Then realized the blond was Magdalena!! Brilliant! The interrogation and Roarke’s ice last words with Magdalena. Priceless! Great read!!!
Same, I somehow knew the sister did it. But Magdalena really sent my brain into overdrive… LOL. As for Roarkes las words? I need to reread it! Excellent book.
I went from I knew it! (Magdalena) to I did not see that coming! (Joy)
Wow! This seris gets better and better! 5 stars!
Loved this book! I did start wondering if the blonde was Magdalena before it was uncovered. Personally I would have loved a fight scene with Eve and Magdalena but I guess that wouldn’t be in line with Magdalena’s style. Just would have been fun to see really kick her behind. I do like that Eve knocked her out. A reread is definitely in order.
It was one of the best books in the ID series. Was a big surprise but when they speak about a blond that b… came to mind, and it was!!! Thanks for a great reading
OMG! What a freaking ride. I absolutely loved this book. Right off the bat, I knew the sister was involved. There was just something off-putting about her. I also had a gut feeling that Maggie was involved also. When they were making a list of possible thieves who could pull off the theft, I said to myself, “Why isn’t Magdelana’s name on the list?” I knew for sure when the staff described a blond haired, blue-eyed woman. And when Maggie’s name was finally mentioned, I jumped up and said “I knew it, I knew it!” This book was so exciting and entertaining, everything about it was just fantastic. Nora/JDR knocked this one out of the park so far that it touched the moon and the stars. This one was “TTT” as Mavis would say, To Totally Terrific!
The minute Eve talked to Lacy about the blond …I knew who it was Omg so exciting!
Having just reread all the books, when the description of the young woman that the older barrister was seeing, I had the thought “no that can’t be her.” Well surprise surprise, it was her. I love that she finally got what was coming to her love all JD and Nora’s books
The one had everything! Great fun to read – just finished and may start my re-read tonight. One thought I had that I don’t see mentioned….I really think JDR writes Eve and Roarke’s marriage, especially now, as such a strong true one. Not the love – that of course is strong and true, but how they navigate marriage with more challenges that nearly any marriage could survive. The line where she says Roarke put his hand on hers with his heart in his eyes….killed me (in a good way, obviously!)
I fell asleep after chapter 2 lol so I’m not reading the spoilers 😁 sounds like I’m in for a good read as usual. However, I have a question…and it’s only just occurred to me after 62 books 😂. How come the ever efficient Roarke always has a field kit in every car but not a ‘go bag’ with jeans/jacket/boots? Given that Eve has arrived at many murder scenes inappropriately dressed surely it’s a no brainer?
Well, he has the ever-efficient Sommerset on the job!
I knew that person would make an appearance. I knew it….I couldn’t out what was taking so long for the reveal. All the clues seemed so obvious.
So loved the ending. Talk about Karma.
Think this will be my favorite book.
I was: I can’t believe it, could it be possible? Then I was: but coincidences are bollocks. When it was revealed, I was yelling: I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, and people kept looking at me like WTF. It was fantastic. Loved it. This is one of my favorite books, in the top five. It shows Roarke’s evolution through the series.
Loved it as always- just never enough of it!! I wanted Mavis to have No2 ready! I feel like she has been preggers forever… lol Ms Fancy got what she deserved finally but I thought Eve could have added in a quick kick as well as the punch🤣🤣🤣
I love the repeated alliteration: Barrister, the broker and the blonde. I love how Eve called Magdelena “the blonde” all the time. It’s these little joys that make the books so much fun for me.
I am so glad that everybody doesn’t like ( or even hate Madeglena) . My dream comes true ( for this series) about Madeglena. This will be 1 of my favorite books and will be re-listened so many times .Thank you for another great book. It helps a lot after a long ,hard week at work.
This might be my new favorite. I was so happy Maggie finally got caught, and Eve was the one to do it. I loved the fourth wife; when she described her, I was sure of who she was talking about. I did not catch Joy being the killer for several chapters. Whitney and Tibble arresting her was quite amusing. Mavis is ready to give birth in a few weeks. The entire book was pure joy (no pun intended).
I want to say Magdalena’s trial and see her taken to an off planet prison with a life sentence and Eve walking by in a slinky Leonardo gown while Maggie is being transferred to the off planet transport in prison orange and hand cuffs
YES! I wondered, but now, have closure. It was soooo brilliantly written. BRAVA!
BRAVA! 🥳🎊🎉
Finally got it, finished it in a day and a half. Absolutely loved it. As for the surprise, it could not have happened to a better bitch! I kinda of figured about the sister, but Maggie was a terrific surprise. JD Robb has done it again.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Bloody cracker! I thought it was Magdalena from the very beginning, took me a bit longer on the sister, it only added to the fun of the read because I was even more invested in how it played out. Loved every word! Bravo
Incredibly satisfying read. Devoured it in less than 24 hours – don’t you hate it when work interferes with reading!
Loved the tying up of the Magdelena loose end, Summerset’s request to Eve, and how excited Whitney and Tibble were to be in on the action.
Definitely one I shall read again.
I need y’all to understand that Innocent in Death is one of my favorite books in the series and I LOST my mind when I saw that Magdalena was involved!!! I was so excited!!!! I knew that she would finally get what was coming to her. I also really loved seeing the difference in their relationship this go around from the last one. It really shows their growth. And as always seeing all of the other characters growth is fun as well!!!
Yes! I think this one really spotlights the solid marriage. It has been evolving gradually (such brilliant writing!), but this test shows that Eve really does know he loves her so.
Did i miss them taking fingerprints off the amethyst?
Pretty sure that happens in the lab where Eve sent it after discovery at the crime scene because it was covered in blood and brain matter.
Laura
Granted,I don’t know much about forensics but it seems they would have said they couldn’t pull any. I just don’t recall. I’m on my second reading and still don’t see anything. Of course, if they found Joy’s it would be a much shorter book.
Honestly, I didn’t think it was necessary to bring up that detail. If they’d found prints, I definitely would have brought it up!
Unless the amethyst was polished, I doubt they could get prints from the rough stone.
Good point.
If she’d left prints, she’d have been an idiot, imo, and I didn’t see her as one. Very easy to seal up.
Remember, she used the stone to MAKE IT LOOK like the Delaney reacted when she was was discovered . So Joy, of course, would have not left any prints.
I loved the book!! Every In death book just leaves you wanting to read the next one.
Guessed about who the blonde was in one go 😉
This was definitely my favorite book to date. I love it when Roarke plays a major part in the story line. Thanks for another great story!
Yes, definitely and his explanation at the end to The Blond showed a good deal of his growth; he’s not just helping out because it’s fun and a new challenge,. “You live because she’s shown me there’s a right way, a just way, and a wrong and selfish way.”
Poetry!
Question, in one book Roarke said he got started with Roarke enterprises when he was transporting alcohol and the buyer tried to shoot him to save the transport fees but Roarke ended up with the alcohol, the gun and the money. He said he was 18. Now this book says he was 18 when he took the jewels. Seems like this would have taken more planning and he would have been older.
True – but maybe he had been planning the heist longer and started at 17 and just completed it when he was 18.
When Roarke realizes the Magdalena set him up from the first time they met just to get info on the jewels, that was a shock to him.
Another excellent book in the In Death series. It had everything – love, jealousy, sibling envy, grief, and a truly spectacular raid! Loved it!
Elizabeth Barrister was Sharon Deblass’ mother in Naked in Death
Nathen Barrister is the victim in this book
Wonderful trip to the ID world again! I did guess both about the sister and Magdalena but it was such an amazing story to get to the reveal and the catch! I wasn’t surprised to hear Roarke had been the mastermind of the previous theft but it was still a shock and a thrill how it all came out. This now in my top 5 ever! #1 is still Faithless. Then it’s Treason, Judgment, Reunion, and STOLEN!
Me too….same favorites
ROARKE AMAZES ME
I guessed the sister from the onset as well. But I hated and forgot about Magdalena – so she was my surprise.
Great book. Really enjoyed it. Innocent in Death is a favorite in the series and when they talked about a blonde I immediately thought of Magdalena but loved how the story evolved. Nora fooled me on the sister, though.
In for my second read and then I’ll listen to the audiobook.
Thank you for the great story. I especially love when Roarke’s past is fleshed out more,
Loved this book. I guessed who the fancy blonde was early on. I added a now in my audio book, “Was she wearing a red dress?” So I was tickled to have been right!
Loved it. One of my favorites! Keep ‘em coming, Miss Nora😉
I guessed who it was when the 4th wife mentioned the blonde. Main reason being Nalini Singh mentioned in one of her newsletters a few months ago that she read the advance copy and was so angry for Eve. So when I read “blonde”, I knew immediately who it was.
Re-reading Stolen ID. I read the first time for the plot, and the second time for the characters. This quote struck me about how, in just a few years of Roarke’s relationship with Eve, how much he’s matured, how deep his love for her has changed him. I can’t imagine him saying this in Naked ID, for example. Him helping her with her cases was entertaining for him in the early days,a new sort of challenge. And now this.
Chloe asks him why he’s assisting the NYPSD:
“A few years ago, i would have heard about your father’s death through business associates or the media. I would have been sorry, but unless we had had a personal relationship, I would have moved on. But I’ve come to see how the intimacy escapes and cruelties of the willful taking of a life, what it does to those left in its wake. I’ve certainly seen that the finding those responsible for the taking of a life isn’t simply a job for Lieutenant Dallas or those she works with. It’s a calling.”
Well played… Well played.
Bonus was Somerset’s comments and Jenkinson’s f***ing vocabulary.
Worth the wait. Thank you!
I especially loved Summer sets talk to Galahad, about work to do. Made me smile
I loved it!! The thought of her spending the rest of her life in prison, was very satisfying. She certainly didn’t know Roarke at all!
Well to be fair, Roarke has changed a fair bit since she knew him last – that’s shown in Innocent, but much much more so in this book. See his response to her at the end when she’s in the cell. Also, his answer to Chloe when she asks him why he’s involved.
We got the subtle hints that Peabody and Feeney most likely know it was Roarke who stole the jewels the first time. What do you all think? Who else knows? Pretty much everyone, including the commander? Just curious what everyone’s vibes are on this.
Amazing book! I absolutely loved it! 💚
Well, Abernathy, but figures Roarke was an apprentice. HA!
I don’t know about EVERYBODY. Would that include Nadine???? Tough on her. But since there is no proof,I guess it wouldn’t matter who knows.
When Eve mocked her saying at 18 years old would he have been able to plan and carrying out. Peabody had confidence that he could have but that is based on who he is today and what she knows about his past. As for Whitney and Feeney, it is like them knowing about Eve’s past. They have too much respect to talk about it
Suspecting and knowing are two very different things.
Just a stray thought: when Eve got stabbed in the back, presumably the coat fabric was cut before the switchblade was turned byl the Thin Shield lining. I know she’s been attacked before while wearing the magic coat. Does Summerset repair the coats, or does Roarke simply replace them?
You guys think about that minutiae a lot more than I do! If that sort of detail ever applies to the storyline, I’ll definitely think about it. Otherwise, you all get to decide for yourselves!
Thanks, Nora!
I don’t tend to focus on minutiae that much, it’s just that I have a random mind and sometimes the background practicalities of living in the In Death universe just jumps out at me.
I love, love, love the ID books, well all your books! But after 63+books in one universe, you’re certainly entitled to skip over these little things! I’m so impressed at how you are able to write so many books in a year, to feed the insatiable maw of your fans!
Agree, Nora!
But for Becca – Summerset said he will take care of it – so of that we can be sure! I’d assume that means fix it.
I have read all the In Death books since they came out, and I can honestly say that “Stolen” is in my top 3. When they introduced the fact that a woman was involved with the theft, I thought “oh, please let it be Magdalena” . I wasn’t disappointed.
Nora, you created a world populated with characters that we love so much that every detail is read, reread and discussed over and over. I have reread Naked in Death so many times that I have it practically memorized.
I read quite a bit but there are very few books that I immediately reread and then listen to the audiobooks. While you are off onto the next adventure, we, your audience revisit the previous world for the six months until the next chapter arrives.
So I’m sure you will indulge us as we contemplate the sewing fairies that fix Dallas’s wardrobe as it is knifed, blown up, bled on, ripped apart in fights and adventurous sex. (I often wonder who finds the buttons that Roarke and Dallas lose on those adventures.)
What a great book! After reading it I immediately re- read Innocent ID, and then re-read Stolen again. What an ending for “Maggie the Bitch”. I loved it!
I did the same thing!
I was actually listening to the CD of Innocent in Death (where Magdalena shows up) in my car as I was reading this new installment in the tub. (I often have two or three books going at once.) So it was great knowing the “listen to” book has a great “ending,” so to speak, of that awful woman. I say: great job, Nora! Nice follow up! And thanks again for another great read. Looking forward to the next.
I loved this book for so many reasons. First is because it gives insight into Roarke’s past and his journey up to present including being a decorated civilian. Also, the support from Eve’s universe; even though people know /suspect his shady past, they still kind of protect him. I didn’t like Abernathy in this book; I liked him better in Shadows. I’m glad Roarke found a way to put him in a place that now he owes him; it was a gamble but it paid off and the file was closed. Second, Magdelana is back; boy, I was jumping up and down and people were looking at me like I grew horns. What a thrill was wondering: is she? Nooo way! And then she was. Thanks Nora for that treat. Now, there is a part at the end of the book where Eve said they were going to close the book and burn it and when Roarke left the cell where Magdelana was being held he said he was going to close the book but not burning it yet. What did he mean by that, with not burning it yet. Anyway, I really loved this one; it is on the top five to me. Fantastic job. Please keep them coming. It’s going to be soooooo long until September and Fury, but it is what it is.
Almost done, enjoying it
Had the sister pegged at the jump, but then dismissed her until eve’s breakthrough that the two events were done by two people.
Did not remember Magdalena until they said her name, I was racking my brain for a gorgeous blonde we knew in the series.
Will Macie have the baby in the next one? Summerset sure thinks so!!
I absolutely loved the moment where Whitney was planning on picking up someone with chief Tibble. Could not stop grinning when he’s like “I’ll see to it personally.”