Nora Roberts vs J.D. Robb: The In Death Series Explained
January 20, 2026
In 1995, Nora Roberts — already the most successful romance novelist in America — published a science fiction crime novel under a pen name. The novel was Naked in Death. The pen name was J.D. Robb. And what followed became one of the most remarkable long-running series in publishing history.
Who Is J.D. Robb?
J.D. Robb is Nora Roberts. Roberts adopted the pen name to distinguish the In Death books from her romance catalogue — the series is darker, set in the future, and follows a crime-solving arc rather than a romance arc (though romance is central to it).
For many years, Roberts declined to confirm publicly that she was Robb. It’s now common knowledge, but the two names serve a purpose: the In Death books are a different kind of series from her romances, and keeping them separate helps readers know what they’re getting.
What Is the In Death Series?
The In Death series follows Lieutenant Eve Dallas, a New York City homicide detective in the 2050s, and Roarke, the Irish billionaire she falls in love with and eventually marries. The series follows their relationship and their collaboration on cases across what is now more than 60 novels.
It is, by volume, one of the longest-running crime series ever written.
Where to Start
Start with Naked in Death (Book 1). It introduces Eve and Roarke separately, establishes the futuristic New York setting (flying cars, off-planet travel, food preparation units that replace kitchens), and sets up their relationship. The romance between Eve and Roarke — a former criminal who made his fortune in the grey areas of the law — is central to everything that follows.
The complete In Death reading order is on the series page.
Do You Need to Read in Order?
For the mystery plots — no, each book is a standalone case. For the relationship between Eve and Roarke — yes, absolutely. Their relationship develops across the entire series, and the emotional payoffs in later books depend on knowing what they’ve been through together. This is not a series to dip in and out of randomly.
The Early Books
The first few novels establish the world and the relationship at its heart:
The Nora Roberts Connection
Roberts’ standalone novels and romance series have no direct crossover with the In Death books — they’re set in a different universe. But readers who love her romance writing often find the In Death series a natural home: it has the same wit, the same warmth, and the same commitment to the central relationship.
The reverse is also true: many readers discovered Nora Roberts’ romance novels after coming to love the In Death series.
How Often Do New Books Come Out?
Roberts publishes approximately two In Death novels per year — a pace she has maintained for 30 years. At this rate, readers who start from Book 1 have an enormous and continually growing series ahead of them.
The Novellas and Short Stories
Several novellas expand the In Death universe, often centring on supporting characters. These are best read after establishing yourself in the main series — around Book 10 or so.
Is This Romance or Crime?
Both. The mystery plots are genuine crime novels — dark, procedural, often disturbing — and the romance between Eve and Roarke is a continuous ongoing story. Readers who typically avoid romance have been won over by the crime elements; readers who typically avoid crime have been won over by the relationship. It occupies an unusual space in publishing and does both things well.