Stolen in Death by J.D. Robb

Stolen in Death (In Death, #62)
Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: In Death #62
Publication Date: 2/3/26
Period: Future New York – September, 2061
Number of Pages: 368

Over thirty years ago, who would have thought this series would still be as strong, interesting, and unique as it was in that very first book? Over the same 30+ years, we’ve only covered about three years in Eve and Roarke’s time. WOW! I sincerely hope we get another thirty years.

Roarke’s past has surfaced before, but in Stolen it takes center stage. Not only does the loot from a long-ago heist reappear, but so does Magdelana—in her full malevolent glory. You may remember her from a previous book, where Roarke and Eve thwarted her attempt to drive a wedge between them. She didn’t take that defeat lightly, and this time she’s out for complete and total revenge. Nothing is off the table—murder, theft, attempted murder—it’s all fair game.

A dispatch summons Eve from a formal gala to the death scene of Nathan Barrister, a rich and powerful man and the head of Zip. While examining the scene, Eve discovers an open vault filled to the brim with priceless stolen items—some taken decades ago. Nathan couldn’t have stolen them himself; he was only a child when some of the thefts occurred. So who did? Why were the items left behind? And why would a stealthy thief commit murder when they could have gotten away clean?

Eve approaches every case with fierce dedication, but when someone attempts to murder her, everyone—from the Chief to the sketch artist—becomes personally invested in tracking down who hired the attacker. Unfortunately, the would-be killer is himself killed while trying to escape, taking crucial answers with him.

I both read the book and listened to the audio version, and each offers something special. Narrated by Susan Ericksen—who has voiced every book in the series—the audio truly brings the story to life. I’ve listened to them all, and she is consistently excellent. Her character voices are so ingrained in my mind that I hear them even when reading the text. Each performance is unique, well-paced, and expertly delivered.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great suspense story. While the series is set in the future, that future no longer feels so distant. The imagined technology is intriguing (and often very desirable), and the supporting characters are delightful—richly developed, full of personality, and extremely likable.

This is a wonderful story and can certainly be read as a stand-alone. However, to fully appreciate the depth of character growth and relationships, I suggest reading at least the first four books. I know recommending all sixty-one previous titles sounds daunting, but I promise—you won’t regret it.

Happy reading!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Winter’s Season: A Regency Mystery by R.J. Koreto

Winter's Season: A Regency Mystery
Barbara’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Regency Mystery (Not sure if it is a series)
Publication Date: 2/17/26
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 300

Captain Edmund Winter, a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, now serves as a “special envoy” for the Home Office—a sort of one-man police force who moves easily between London’s aristocracy and its working classes. As the foster brother of an earl and the son of a tenant farmer, Winter straddles two worlds, though he never seems entirely comfortable in either. That inner tension adds an intriguing layer to his character.

While capturing a vicious madman responsible for murdering prostitutes in London’s seedier neighborhoods, Winter stumbles upon another body—one that clearly doesn’t fit the pattern. The victim, though dressed as a maid and dumped in an alley, is unmistakably a gentlewoman. Winter quickly realizes she was not killed by the man he has just apprehended, raising the central mystery: how did a woman of her status end up murdered in such circumstances?

As Winter investigates, he uncovers a much more complicated portrait of the victim than expected. She was no sheltered innocent, and the list of suspects grows to include a lover from below stairs, an aristocratic suitor favored by her family, and even those closest to her. While I narrowed the culprit down fairly early, there were enough red herrings to keep the mystery engaging.

Where the book didn’t quite work for me was in the characterization. Several of the supporting characters had potential, but I never felt I truly got to know them. If this is the first in a series, that may improve over time. The story also felt different from my usual historical mysteries—not in a bad way, just unexpected. I generally enjoy a touch of romance alongside the mystery, and while there is a love triangle here, it never felt emotionally convincing. Even though Winter ultimately ends up with one of the women, the connection didn’t resonate with me.

That said, readers looking for a solid mystery with a dark villain and a capable, determined investigator may find a lot to enjoy here. I’d be curious to see whether Winter returns in future books or if this remains a standalone story.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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