Podcast in Death

This week AJ and Tara dive headfirst into the wild, weird, and occasionally unhinged world of Goodreads reviews for the very first In Death novel. From "this book is liberal propaganda" to "Roarke is my new literary boyfriend," nothing—and no reviewer—is safe.Tara bravely soldiers through the episode despite feeling under the weather, while AJ becomes increasingly fascinated (and occasionally horrified) by people who apparently hate romance...while reading romance.⭐ The one-star reviews that made us question humanity.📚 "Authors" reviewing Nora Roberts...and why AJ immediately checked their reviews.☕ The greatest romantic gesture in the series? (Hint: It's coffee.)💰 Why Roarke continues to ruin fictional men for everyone else.😂 The many, many people confused that a police procedural contains...police procedures.🐈 An unexpected debate over whether Galahad is "cat enough."🎧 Yet another reminder that Susan Ericksen is an absolute audiobook legend.❤️ Readers who started skeptical...and accidentally fell completely in love with the series."People need to stop reading stuff they don't like."Simple. Elegant. Surprisingly difficult for Goodreads.A huge thank you to everyone who's been sending messages and catching up on the back catalog!Special thanks to:Monica, for letting us know we're still producing "pee your pants funny" episodes.Lisa, whose SpeakPipe suggestion inspired a future episode all about every time Eve and Roarke feed the squad (because apparently food is one of Roarke's love languages).Tara has officially started Glory in Death, so Book Two is on the horizon...assuming AJ gets caught up.No promises.🎧 Join the conversation!Visit InDeath.net, where Patreon members can log in using their Patreon account and automatically gain access to the patrons-only forum.You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, or leave us a SpeakPipe message through PodcastInDeath.com.Until next time...Keep reading, keep laughing...and maybe stay away from the Goodreads one-star section. 😉

Thirty years after Naked in Death first hit shelves (and after 300+ podcast episodes), Podcast in Deaeth returns to the book that started it all. Is it everything we remembered? Does Roarke still sweep us off our feet? Did we discover new layers after reading the entire series?But perhaps most importantly, we now believe there needs to be:Justice for Sharon de Blass!!📖 Going back to Naked in Death with 60+ books worth of perspective❤️ First impressions of baby Eve, baby Roarke, and why they're both so different from who they become☕ Why coffee might actually be the greatest love language in the series🐈 The glorious first appearance of Galahad, who immediately begins stealing the show🕵️ Looking at the book's surprisingly deep themes of trauma, survival, and found family🏛️ Why Naked in Death was political from page one (and always has been)😂 AJ and Tara accidentally spend an alarming amount of time discussing how awkward Sharon's trip to Mexico with Roarke must have been📞 AJ discovers Roarke committed the ultimate crime... calling Eve at midnight🎯 Commander Whitney reminds everyone why he's always been one of the best characters in the series📚 A fresh appreciation for Nora Roberts' long-game storytelling and character growth✨ Revisiting the origins of Eve and Roarke's relationship with completely new eyes.✨ Realizing that many of Eve's "later-book quirks" actually make perfect sense when viewed through the lens of her trauma.✨ Watching Galahad literally save the day... and earn Tara's Commendation.✨ Charles Monroe continues proving that he's one of the MVPs of the entire series.✨ AJ develops an unexpected campaign for Justice for Sharon, while Tara wonders if Roarke accidentally traumatized her simply by not sleeping with her.(We promise this somehow becomes an actual conversation.)🏅 Tara: Galahad (because heroes deserve recognition... and somebody still owes him caviar.)🏅 AJ: Charles Monroe, whose memory—and sister's safe deposit box—ultimately cracks the case.We're not leaving Naked in Death just yet...Next time, AJ and Tara dive into one of everyone's favorite traditions:⭐ Reviewing the reviews of Naked in Death.Prepare yourselves. The internet has opinions.📞 Leave us a voicemail or text: 205-4-ROARKE (205-476-2753)💻 Join the discussion at InDeath.net❤️ Support the show on Patreon for bonus content and early access.As always...Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time!

Apparently if you don't like Eve Dallas doing her job, there's only one logical solution:Go complain to Commander Whitney.This week we're celebrating the long, glorious tradition of politicians, billionaires, dirty cops, diplomats, federal agents, grieving relatives, and professional whiners marching straight up the chain of command because Lieutenant Dallas dared to investigate them.Spoiler alert:It almost never works.Senator Gerald DeBlass kicking off the series by proving hypocrisy is an Olympic sport.The many, many people who discover that complaining about Eve usually just makes her investigate you harder.Officer Ellen Bowers weaponizing the complaint system (and why Conspiracy in Death remains one of our favorite books).Leo Fortney, Nile Renquist, Renee Oberman, Gina McEnroy, Quinn Sparrow, and an entire parade of people convinced they're more important than the investigation.Whitney's unbelievable patience while sitting through endless "I'd like to speak to your manager" meetings.The satisfying moments when complainers discover Eve was right all along.AJ and Tara repeatedly stop to remind everyone exactly which characters absolutely suck.Tara campaigns for the legal right to backhand rude suspects (purely hypothetically... mostly).Roarke continues being the husband everyone deserves by escorting obnoxious guests directly out the front door.We discover that chronic complainers are apparently just another recurring villain in the In Death universe.Next Episode: Naked in Death.Six years after our original review, we're returning to Book #1 with fresh eyes, new perspectives, and plenty of observations we completely missed the first time.It should be a lot of fun.

Just in time for the Fourth of July, AJ and Tara celebrate America's favorite pastime: Fireworks but also explosions, namely, all the things that have exploded in the In Death series.And wow... there have been a lot of explosions.From car bombs and exploding robots to suicide vests, hotel bombings, military attacks, and enough boomers to make a bomb squad nervous, AJ and Tara dive into the surprisingly extensive history of things going very wrong in Eve Dallas's vicinity.Along the way, they discover:💥 Which In Death novel deserves the prestigious title of Boomiest Book in the Series💥 How many jackets Eve has sacrificed to the explosion gods💥 Why Madison Square Garden may actually be cursed💥 Just how many bombs Roarke has personally disarmed over the years💥 Whether Eve has experienced more explosions in three years than most people do in a lifetimeThe conversation takes a trip through Vengeance in Death, Conspiracy in Death, Loyalty in Death, Leverage in Death, Bonded in Death, and several other books where Nora apparently decided that murder simply wasn't dramatic enough.Meanwhile, AJ and Tara revisit memorable moments like:Peabody accidentally becoming responsible for a bomb in Rapture in DeathThe exploding robot that claimed one of Eve's jacketsThe heartbreaking losses in Loyalty in DeathRoarke repeatedly proving he could probably run the Bomb Disposal Unit if he got bored being a billionaireThe realization that explosions seem to follow Eve around with alarming dedicationListener favorite Lisa Davis returns with another SpeakPipe message, leading AJ and Tara down a rabbit hole of strange birthday coincidences and ex-spouse astrology.AJ also introduces her newest project: Canon of Nora, a community-built wiki dedicated to the entire Nora Roberts universe. With more than 300 Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb books to catalog, AJ has apparently decided that sleep is optional.If you've ever wished there was one place to find information on every Nora book, character, family, and series, this may be the project for you.So grab your sparklers, keep the bomb squad on speed dial, and join us for an episode that proves one thing:In the In Death universe, fireworks don't just happen on the Fourth of July.Podcast Business

Happy Anniversary to us! 🎉For our sixth anniversary episode, we did what any responsible podcasters would do: showed up with absolutely no plan and started talking.What followed was a trip down memory lane as AJ and Tara revisited some of their favorite Podcast in Death moments from the last six years. From the nerve-wracking first time reaching out to audiobook legend Susan Ericksen, to beloved guest appearances, to the episodes that somehow turned discussions about gift rooms, truck nuts, and laundry machines into comedy gold, this episode is a celebration of everything that makes this podcast so much fun. The story behind getting Susan Ericksen on the podcast for the very first timeHow Tara went from guest host to permanent fixture after Episode 7Favorite guest appearances, including discussions with listeners, authors, and fellow podcastersWhy "We Review the Reviews" remains one of the most entertaining things they doThe joy of talking about murder, friendship, character growth, and occasionally truck nutsA look back at some of the funniest and most memorable moments from the showAJ's surprise trivia game featuring ridiculous out-of-context quotes from past episodes"They're Both Dicks: The End"The infamous gift room discussionWhite elephant gifts in the In Death universeSummerset vs. Eve debatesRoarke's occasional bouts of dickishnessWhy Barney was, in fact, a dickThe luxury of having a washing machine in your apartment"Get that woman some birthday cake!"Mostly, though, this episode is about gratitude. Six years ago Podcast in Death was just an idea. Today it's a thriving community of readers, listeners, and friends who love talking about these books almost as much as Eve loves coffee and Roarke loves Eve.Thank you to everyone who has listened, emailed, commented, joined us live, disagreed with us, laughed with us, and helped make Podcast in Death what it is.Here's to the next six years. 🥂📚💀Because apparently there's still plenty of murder left to discuss.

This week on Podcast in Death, AJ and Tara tackle a topic they openly admit they know almost nothing about: astrology. Which, naturally, makes it the perfect Podcast in Death episode. 😂Armed with questionable expertise, several internet rabbit holes, and a surprising amount of AI-generated research, they attempt to answer one of the most important questions in the In Death universe:✨ What are Eve and Roarke's zodiac signs? ✨The only canon clues? Peabody proudly declares herself a Sagittarius, and Roarke vaguely claims he was born in early October. From there, all bets are off.Along the way, AJ and Tara debate:Why Peabody being a Sagittarius actually makes a frightening amount of senseWhether Roarke is truly a Libra... or secretly a textbook ScorpioWhy Eve Dallas might be the most Aries person to ever AriesWhich signs fit (and absolutely do not fit) Eve's personalityWhether Mavis is basically a walking Leo stereotypeAstrological compatibility between Eve, Roarke, Peabody, and the rest of the gangHow deep down the astrology rabbit hole two non-astrologers can fall before things get weirdThe discussion quickly turns into a spirited mix of literary analysis, character psychology, and complete speculation—and honestly, that's half the fun.Also in this episode:❤️ AJ shares the difficult news of saying goodbye to Lily after nearly fifteen years, and talks about the compassionate in-home veterinary service that helped make her final day peaceful and comfortable.📚 Listener Anne sends in some fantastic future episode ideas, including review-the-reviews episodes, headcanon deep dives, and exploring possible connections between the In Death universe and Nora Roberts' other series.🔍 AJ introduces his brand-new project, FindANora.com, a tool designed to help readers discover their next Nora Roberts book based on themes, genres, settings, and moods. (Because sometimes you need a Nora recommendation and Emily can't be available 24/7.)And finally, AJ and Tara discuss the upcoming sixth anniversary of Podcast in Death and the show's eventual move to an every-other-week schedule.So grab your birth chart, your murder board, and maybe a glass of whatever they're serving at the Aquarius Bar, because this week we're putting the entire In Death cast under the astrological microscope.What sign do YOU think Eve Dallas is? 🌟

This week's episode is a little of an… archaeological find: we recorded it exactly two years ago, started editing it, then completely abandoned it and let it fade into obscurity… until now.Peabody is the MVP: she’s the best pick for a desert island situation and the most likely to lead a protest.Roarke gets crowned “most likely to quietly take over the world” (because… obviously).Mavis wins the easiest calls: “run off with the circus” and “star in her own reality show.”Nadine gets the “most likely to be President” vote—pure big-deal energy from day one.When it comes to High School Sports, Tara says that Eve most likely "Accidentally stood out," and if that isn't the story of Eve's life, we don't know what is.Bonus chaos: they pitch Charles Monroe as “most likely to end up on Broadway” (with a very specific Grease mental image).Highlights

Four years is a long time in real life. In podcast time? It’s basically an Urban Wars era.So when AJ & Tara welcomed back Heidi & Emily from Romancing the Shelf, the energy was instantly: HOW has it been four years?! Last time RTS visited, they’d only read the first three In Death books and were cautiously optimistic. This time they arrive with full “we’re in it” confidence—plus the kind of joy that leads to singing a Nora Roberts riff like Gaston (“No one knows how to hook you like Nora Roberts…”), which is both chaotic and painfully true.The Big Topic: They Made It to Portrait in DeathAJ & Tara basically admit they’ve been waiting for this moment, because Portrait in Death is a major series milestone—especially for the deep lore that detonates in the best way. Heidi calls it what it is: a Roarke lore bomb.What’s fun is how RTS explains why it works: the reveal doesn’t feel like a random twist or a retcon. It feels natural—like the story has been quietly lining up puzzle pieces for ages, and Portrait finally turns the box over so you can see the full picture.Roarke + Feelings (and the feral cat metaphor)Emily drops an all-timer description of early-series Roarke: he’s basically trying to adopt a feral cat. Gentle voice, offering scraps, trying not to startle Eve into biting. And then Portrait hits, and you see how far he’s come: his old instinct is to isolate and armor up, but the new truth is that Eve is inside the circle now—he needs her, not distance.Eve’s Answer: “He said don’t come… so I came anyway.”Heidi talks about Eve doing what Eve does—trying to investigate the emotional situation by asking people around her what to do. And then we get the grand romantic gesture: the helicopter arrival. Roarke says stay away, Eve says absolutely not, and everyone melts. Emily even frames it like a futuristic Pride & Prejudice fog-field moment—except it’s Eve landing and Roarke’s romantic Irish heart short-circuiting.Trust: the glow-up you can measureThey point out how huge it is that early Eve had to talk herself into trusting Roarke… and now she’s at the “laugh in your face” stage when someone implies he’s unfaithful. It’s not blind faith—it’s earned, lived-in trust, and it’s one of the most satisfying relationship evolutions in the series.Bonus chaos: names are hard, okay?In between all the emotional depth: the universal podcaster struggle of saying a name confidently…and being wrong. Pepper Franklin, Webster—RIP accuracy. Emily realizes mistakes later (sometimes at bedtime) and panic-texts Heidi; Heidi’s response is basically: too late. AJ & Tara, of course, tease with love.Closing thoughtsThis episode is a delight because it’s veteran readers who know where the landmines are, paired with smart, enthusiastic newer readers who just stepped on a few and need to yell about it immediately. There’s swoon, laughter, growth, and the comforting certainty that In Death will keep hooking you—and you’ll be happy about it.

This week AJ and Tara dive back into the chaotic wonderland that is Goodreads reviews, and honestly? The reviewers gave them plenty to work with. From people dramatically announcing they’re “done” with the series (while continuing to read every single book), to complaints about Peabody’s “cringe” badass moment, to someone somehow claiming Somerset wasn’t even mentioned in the book… the chaos level is HIGH.Highlights include:AJ discovering that one reviewer who swore they were quitting the series absolutely did not quit the series.Tara defending Peabody with her entire soul.A surprisingly passionate discussion about whether Roarke’s financial digging is actually illegal.AJ going on an unexpectedly deep tech rant about disks, cloud storage, privacy, and why the In Death universe may actually make more sense now than it did in 2020.Multiple reviewers acting personally victimized by recurring character traits like Feeney eating candied almonds and Eve drinking coffee.The phrase “pleasantly free of interior decorating” making AJ completely lose it.Tara discovering AJ has apparently transformed into a Renaissance Faire character after saying “Huzzah.”Also discussed:Miracle on 34th StreetMaureen O’Hara appreciationGIFs or JIFs… the debate continues)Why people on the internet insist on hate-reading things they clearly don’t enjoyPlus, podcast updates! AJ and Tara talk about upcoming episodes, including their upcoming crossover with the ladies from Romancing the Shelf, plans to revisit early books like Naked in Death, and the upcoming move to a bi-weekly release schedule as they navigate life near the end of the series.Basically: if you enjoy sarcastic commentary, passionate defense of fictional detectives, and two hosts slowly losing their minds over Goodreads reviews, this episode is for you.

Episode 309 is here, and apparently the theme of Golden in Death is: “What if entitled men simply accepted consequences?” Unfortunately for literally everyone in this book… they do not.This week AJ and Tara tackle one of the most detail-heavy cases in the entire In Death series, complete with poison-filled golden eggs, rich private school drama, cheating scandals, bullying, terrible people with too much money, and Eve Dallas slowly reaching the end of her patience with humanity. Which, honestly? Fair. Along the way, they uncover a murder plot built entirely on resentment, privilege, and the absolute inability of certain men to hear the word “no.”The discussion dives deep into the “teachers and lessons” theme running throughout the book — from Dr. Rufty trying to clean up a corrupt academy, to Eve reluctantly realizing she might actually be capable of teaching people something herself. There’s also some surprisingly sweet Eve/Roarke content, including tree planting, money arguments that somehow become emotional growth, and Eve realizing maybe she should kiss her husband goodbye before storming off in annoyance. Character development? In THIS economy?Meanwhile, Peabody absolutely earns MVP status after verbally launching herself at one of the most infuriating characters in the series. Seriously, Dr. Grange may be one of the most universally hated people ever discussed on the show. AJ and Tara are fully united in their rage as Peabody finally says what everyone — including the readers — has been thinking. Respectfully: what a nightmare woman.Also included in this episode:AJ's photo appearing on the Golden in Death inside cover (if you have a magnifying glass and know where to look)A discussion about why Dennis Mira is basically a human cinnamon rollRich people behaving badly (again)A naked man sprinting through New York like a “gazelle”The continuing mystery of where exactly the DLE stores all that AutoChef foodTara repeatedly losing patience with spoiled rich boysEve Dallas in leather, once again reminding everyone she’s the coolest person alivePlus, AJ and Tara announce upcoming plans for another crossover episode with the ladies from Romancing the Shelf and discuss the bittersweet future of the podcast as they approach the end of the currently released In Death books.Basically: murder, rage, emotional growth, Eve & Roarke kicking each other's asses then having sex (Normal Eve & Roarke Shit), rich people nonsense, and Peabody finally getting to tell someone off. What more could you want?

This week on Podcast in Death, AJ and Tara dive into the wild review section for — and somehow the reviewers may be more chaotic than Lady Justice herself. From complaints that the book is “too political” to readers shocked that an In Death novel contains… police procedure, the hosts are left wondering if everyone read the same book.Along the way, they defend Eve Dallas from accusations of being both “too mean” and “too soft,” debate revenge versus justice, and question why people continue reading a 49-book series they apparently hate. There’s also plenty of appreciation for the thoughtful reviews that actually understood the assignment — and for the readers who still love spending time with Eve, Roarke, Peabody, and the gang.Plus: podcast updates, bi-weekly schedule talk, Galaxy Quest enthusiasm, Morris appreciation, and an unexpectedly relatable side conversation about handheld fans, hot flashes, and surviving summer. Because no Podcast in Death episode is complete without at least one completely unhinged tangent.

This week, we’re trading murder boards for morgue humor as we dive into the wit, wisdom, and perfectly timed sarcasm of Chief Medical Examiner Morris—because honestly, no one delivers a one-liner over a dead body quite like he does.From his very first joke (yes, the iconic “Abbey Normal” moment) to his ongoing commitment to mixing brains, banter, and just enough pop culture to confuse Eve, we’re celebrating everything that makes Morris one of the most underrated MVPs of the In Death series.We revisit some of his best moments across the books, including:His dry, deadpan humor (pun fully intended)His habit of turning autopsies into stand-up routines Eve didn’t ask forHis surprising depth—because behind the jokes is someone who feels every caseAnd of course, his ability to make Peabody blush, Eve roll her eyes, and all of us laughAlong the way, we also spiral (naturally) into:Whether Eve actually understands any pop culture referencesWhy Morris absolutely rehearses his jokes before Eve walks inThe ongoing debate: Is Eve clueless… or just messing with everyone?And while this episode leans into the funny, we also touch on the moments where Morris reminds us that his job isn’t just about science—it’s about humanity, loss, and the quiet weight of standing between the living and the dead.💬 Got a favorite Morris quote we missed? Tell us—we’re already considering a Part 2.Also: quick heads up—Podcast in Death will be shifting to a bi-weekly schedule starting in June as we approach the end of our current book run. Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of fun content planned to keep things going strong!

Apparently this week’s case comes with a side of moral crisis and a full-bodied red. Because nothing says “let’s unpack systemic injustice and vigilante murder” quite like Eve and Roarke pausing mid-investigation for a romantic steak dinner. Priorities, people.This episode dives headfirst into Vendetta in Death, aka: “What if the worst men alive got exactly what they deserved… but also, no, absolutely not like that.” We spend a lot of time wrestling with that uncomfortable gray area where the victims are monsters, the killer thinks she’s the hero, and Eve is stuck yelling into the void, “MURDER IS STILL WRONG, DAMMIT.” It’s complicated. It’s messy. It’s… honestly kind of satisfying in a deeply concerning way.Meanwhile, the investigation uncovers layer after layer of truly horrific behavior—hidden recordings, drugging, blackmail, and a whole lineup of men who make you question humanity as a concept. And yet, somehow, the book still manages to remind us that not all men are trash (hi, Roarke, Feeney, and Jake—you may pass). The contrast is doing a lot of heavy lifting here, and frankly, we needed it.Also: can we talk about Darla? Because wow. Full villain monologue energy, elaborate costumes, themed murders, and a curated collection of… trophies (no thank you). She’s out here running a one-woman revenge operation like it’s a theatrical production, and honestly? If she’d just stopped after the first guy, we might be having a very different conversation. But no—she had to go full Lady Justice cosplay and ruin it for everyone.And through all of this chaos, Eve is just trying to do her job, process trauma, and maybe—maybe—eat something that isn’t coffee and spite. Roarke, as always, is there to emotionally support, hack security systems, and remind her to consume actual food like a human being. Love that for them.So yeah—justice, revenge, moral dilemmas, horrific crimes, and somehow we still found time to get completely distracted by steak and wine. Because if you’re going to spiral into existential dread… you might as well do it with a good meal. 🍷🥩

If there’s one thing Eve Dallas will always do, besides survive on caffeine and sarcasm, it’s correct your tone, your attitude, and your entire life choices with a perfectly timed “That’s Lieutenant [insert insult here] to you.” Episode 305 dives headfirst into one of the funniest recurring bits in the In Death series: Eve absolutely refusing to let even the smallest disrespect slide. Call her “lady,” “bitch,” “sister,” or anything remotely out of pocket, and she will pause the situation, no matter how chaotic, to remind you exactly who you’re talking to.And honestly? The range is incredible. Sometimes it’s a suspect getting verbally drop-kicked during an interrogation. Sometimes it’s Peabody jumping in like Eve’s personal defense attorney, ready to escalate things to “Lieutenant Bitch” on her behalf. And sometimes it’s between friends, where somehow “Lieutenant Skinny Bitch” becomes a term of affection. It’s chaotic, it’s unhinged, and it’s one of the most consistently funny threads running through all 60+ books.This episode turns into a greatest-hits tour of those moments. We pull quotes from across the series, including books you remember vividly and others where you’re like, “Wait… have I read this??” (Vendetta, we’re looking at you). But no matter the book, the vibe is always the same: Eve will chase you, fight you, interrogate you… and then circle back to make sure you respect her rank. Because priorities.And just when you think it’s a quick, tidy episode, it spirals (in the best way) into side tangents about true crime, questionable life choices, and the general chaos of humanity. It’s very on brand. But through it all, one truth remains constant: Eve Dallas does not play about her rank.And she shouldn't. Because like we always say: Respect the Rank, Motherfuckers!!

Episode 304B is the redo with better vibes, and this time AJ and Tara tackle a long-awaited topic: all the ways Eve Dallas quietly does good in the In Death series. Sparked by those baffling “Eve is mean” reviews, they break down how Eve consistently helps victims, supports friends, mentors younger officers like Peabody and Trueheart, and changes lives—without ever calling attention to it. Whether it’s arranging jobs and housing, standing by people in their worst moments, or just showing up when it matters, Eve’s kindness is constant… just subtle.The key takeaway? Eve doesn’t make a big deal out of doing good—she just does it and moves on, which is exactly why so many readers miss it. From big moments like taking in Nixie or guiding Peabody’s entire career, to smaller gestures like backing up her team or making sure victims are remembered, this episode highlights the depth of Eve’s character and why we love her. Plus, there’s a little podcast business, a revived InDeath.net plug, and proof that sometimes a re-record really is the better episode.

Following the success of the McNab Lookbook, AJ has done it again. Armed with ChatGPT, an unhealthy amount of free time, and a two-page wiki entry on Eve Dallas's outfits, AJ assembled the Eve Dallas Lookbook — a visual tour through the fashion evolution of New York's most reluctant style icon.Yes, Eve Dallas. The woman who once owned one gray suit (button missing), a leather jacket, and a couple pairs of jeans. The woman who now has an actual section of red jackets. Because she married Roarke, and that man will not rest until every color on the spectrum hangs in her closet whether she asked for it or not. (Spoiler: She never asked for it.)AJ built a custom ChatGPT app — the "Eve Dallas Lookbook Studio" — to maintain a consistent model. The AI did its best. We are choosing to be charmed.The Basics (Naked in Death Era): A worn leather jacket. A gray suit. Possibly the same shirt in both. Pre-Roarke Eve, dressing accordingly.The Cop Looks: Outfits spanning Witness through Stolen — bronze jackets, copper-soled boots, celadon green (yes it's a color, Tara), and one pair of green boots both hosts are prepared to commit crimes for. Highlights: AI pants perpetually too loose (the hosts take this personally); one outfit that looked like a Disney cast member until AJ fixed it; AI spontaneously adding Eve's badge and handcuffs without being asked (A+); a debate about what a "topper" is (a long suit jacket — Tara was vindicated). Also: Eve owns a SECTION of red jackets. A SECTION. The Formal Wear: The bronze wedding dress from Immortal. The silver-panel "Leonardo" from Holiday ("Why don't I just go naked and save time?"). The gold column dress from Festive. The black-and-silver skin suit from Reunion that both hosts want immediately. The ombré purple gown from Stolen — THE ONE WITH POCKETS. Sylvia was right. Everything should have pockets.At-Home Wear: The NYPSD sweatshirt. That's the section.New patrons: Welcome to Megan and Mona! (Mona — AJ is sorry it took two episodes. You were there in spirit.)Romancing the Shelf crossover: They've read Portrait — scheduling can commence! Except Tara will be in Iowa on both available dates. Iowa is non-negotiable. May or June it is.Listener voicemail from Lisa: Lisa argues that Morris paved the way for Roarke — his calm, composed presence gave Eve a template for connecting with a man her own age before Roarke arrived. The hosts found this compelling. Morris is always welcome.The full PDF lookbook is available to download

This week, AJ and Tara dive into the wild world of reviewing the reviews for Stolen in Death—and wow, people on the internet really said some things. From baffling one-star takes by readers who jumped into book 62 with no context, to deeply confusing three-star “perfect” reviews, this episode is a glorious mix of rage, laughter, and “do people know how books work?” moments.Along the way, AJ and Tara defend Eve, side-eye bad-faith reviewers, and absolutely lose it over complaints that make no sense—especially the now-iconic “Perfection as always. Three stars.” They also talk about why some readers seemed determined to be mad no matter what, why Stolen in Death worked so well for longtime fans, and why Magdalena getting punched in the face did not exactly inspire much sympathy in this house.And because the good reviews deserved their flowers, the second half of the episode highlights the readers who got it—including praise for the book’s emotional depth, its satisfying twists, and of course, the incomparable Susan Ericksen, whose narration once again earns the kind of love usually reserved for royalty.Plus: listener comments from Facebook, theories about the reveal, love for Whitney’s role in the takedown, Roarke’s criminal past, and one very patient dog named Lily waiting for the episode to wrap up after 69 comments.If you enjoy sharp opinions, chaotic reviewer logic, deep In Death fandom, and AJ and Tara being hilariously real about all of it, this episode is for you.

AJ and Tara dive into Stolen in Death, where a high-end theft turns into something much messier. What starts as a burglary quickly spirals into a case full of greed, lies, and people who want way more than they should.Eve isn’t buying the story from the start—and she’s right not to.Along the way: a suspicious number of people at the same street fair, rich people behaving badly, Peabody quietly knowing things, and Eve doing what she does best—cutting through the nonsense.Also discussed: pockets (or lack thereof), questionable alibis, and why nothing about this case adds up.

We made it to 300 episodes of Podcast in Death and this week we’re celebrating the only way we know how: with a nearly 3 Hour podcast episode featuring chaos, laughter, behind-the-scenes nonsense, and some of our favorite moments from the last 100 episodes. AJ and Tara kick things off by reflecting on how wild it is to hit this milestone after nearly six years of podcasting. Then it’s time to dive into a special anniversary compilation featuring clips from episodes 201 through 299 — including some moments listeners already love, some requested favorites, and some things that never made it into the regular episodes at all.This episode includes:pre-show conversations and intro outtakesfavorite guest moments (Dana talking about her March Madness "In Death" game, Maurine, Heidi, Quincey, Melissa, Author Cathy Wiley, Lisa, and the Amazing Susan Ericksen)off-topic tangents and random rantsmemorable discussions from book episodesa collection of “reviewing the reviews” momentsand, naturally, a whole lot of delightful nonsenseThere’s talk of Tara’s ongoing battle with words, a moment of panic involving Lily, strong opinions about who should or should not play Roarke, random food nostalgia, and all the weird little side conversations that make this show what it is.It’s funny, messy, nostalgic, and very Podcast in Death.Thank you for listening, laughing, and hanging out with us for 300 episodes. Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or you just found us recently, we’re so glad you’re here.

With Tara tied up in theater chaos and no guest this week, AJ pulls a lost gem out of the Patreon vault: a previously unposted Briefing Room discussion that turned into a passionate, fascinating conversation about AI, art, fandom, and who we’re really mad at when technology changes the creative landscape.AJ and Tara dig into the backlash against AI-generated images, including the controversy around Turn the Page Bookstore hopping on a ChatGPT trend and getting piled on for it. From fanfiction to Canva to 3D character renders to AI-generated romance novels flooding Amazon, this episode asks the big question: are people getting mad at the wrong people?It’s a lively, opinionated, and very real discussion about creativity, adaptation, ethics, and the future of art in an AI world. And because this is still Podcast in Death, there’s also a fun little detour into Tara’s latest theater adventures, including Pride and Prejudice, too many lines, and the unexpected joys of playing Mrs. Bennet.Also in this episode:AJ teases next week’s 300th episode celebration, featuring favorite moments from the last 100 episodes, plus some clips listeners have never heard before.Come for the AI debate, stay for the theater talk, and get ready for a big milestone next week.

AJ’s flying solo this week (Tara’s off doing theater heroics), but Listener Lisa Davis jumps in for a fun deep-dive that starts as transportation moments in the In Death series… and gleefully turns into a full-on fandom hangout.We talk all the best cars/jet copters/elevators/glides scenes—the kind where characters are trapped together long enough for feelings, snark, and iconic dialogue to happen. Highlights include those quiet Eve/Roarke “soft moment in transit” scenes, plus elevator energy (because Eve + forced social interaction = comedy).Then: the important stuff. Like In Death tech we want in real life, especially the legendary drying tube (wet towels? absolutely not). Also: Lisa’s fave books (Treachery in Death gets major love), fave non-Eve/Roarke character picks, and rapid-fire nonsense including Monopoly piece loyalty and the eternal question: is a hot dog a sandwich?We’re also officially on the road to Episode 300, and AJ wants to do a Transportation Moments Part 2—so send your favorite scenes!Email: [email protected]/Text: (205) 476-2753 (“205-4-ROARKE”)

AJ and Tara do something wildly on-brand: they review the reviews of Connections in Death… and discover the internet has exactly two settings: “ghostwriter conspiracy” and “I am personally offended that other people enjoyed a book.”If you’ve ever read a one-star rant and thought, “This person needs to log off and drink some water,” congratulations—this episode is your support group.In this episode:The Great “Nora Didn’t Write This” Debate, featuring: people saying it with their whole chest (and zero proof).Tara’s escalating rage at reviews that treat opinions like courtroom evidence.A first-time reader who jumps into a long-running series and then complains it feels like… a long-running series.The “made-up slang” meltdown (go zoner, flop, scratch, link… aka: welcome to the future, bestie).AJ pulls out ChatGPT-style analysis to compare writing voice and basically says, “Sit down, Brenda.”Geography & realism arguments about NYC that ignore the whole “future + post-war world” part. Minor detail!The Exclamation Point Apocalypse: one reviewer burns through a lifetime supply of !!!!!!!Extremely specific outrage over a single phrase: “banged Roarke like a hammer” (we are not okay).A brief detour into why criminals are… not masterminds (true crime brain rot included).Unexpected bonding over "The Cult of Nora": if you must join a cult, at least pick one with cozy bookstores and baked goods.Vibe check: hilarious, ranty, and deeply cathartic—like reading Goodreads with your funniest friend who will absolutely fight strangers in the comments (respectfully…-ish).🎧 Listen if you love: bookish chaos, character loyalty, hot takes, and AJ & Tara being your unfiltered inner monologue.(And yes… AJ did write a review. Can you spot it?)

Episode 296 is our Connections in Death recap, aka: Eve Dallas vs. the legalized torture of socializing… in fancy shoes. We kick off with AJ plotting a future “pre-intro bullshit” montage for episode 300.Highlights / chaos inventory:The cocktail party from hell: Eve is mentally drafting a war-crimes tribunal for whoever invented skinny heels, while Roarke is like, “Darling… breathe.” Also: Nadine’s Oscar = potential blunt-force weapon, and Eve is not wrong.The “NYPSD has a band???” revelation: Eve learns her coworkers have hobbies and talents like she’s discovering fire.Theme call: Family — the real kind, the found kind, and the “gang keeps insisting it’s family” kind.Eve’s rare murder-free day: beach run, dojo, target practice, and… extremely thorough married cardio. Good for her. (Suspiciously good for her.)Monday’s “body” that isn’t a body: broken neck + knife = nope, it’s an accident, and Eve solves it with… an apple.Roarke hires Rochelle for Anddiden, because he’s basically building a whole rehab empire while Eve’s trying not to stab a stiletto into her own soul.Then the book yanks the rug: Rochelle’s brother Lyle is staged to look like an OD… except Eve spots the pressure-syringe mark and it’s game on.Banger HQ / Underground grossness: everyone is terrible, the crime is messy, and the criminals remain aggressively stupid.Cohen & Eldena: disbarred-lawyer slimeball uses Eldena's name, charges her rent in the building she owns, and we all collectively wish for his downfall.Raid time: homemade boomerangs, chaos everywhere, Eve’s magic coat saves her life, Peabody gets dragged by a naked guy mid-sex (because of course), and Roarke regrets only punching one idiot once.Wrap: arrests stack like a Jenga tower, Lyle’s redemption matters, and the ending lands on An Dídean and a memorial that finally lifts Eve’s rage-sad a notch. Also: AJ & Tara are collecting your favorite moments for episode 300 — you have multiple ways to message them, so no excuses.

Episode 295 is another “Review the Reviews” adventure—where AJ and Tara dive into reader reactions to Leverage in Death and discover (again) that some people leave one-star reviews like it’s an extreme sport.We kick off with a real-world reminder that criminals can be spectacularly dumb (yes, someone basically left a calling card), then jump straight into the Pretentious Reviewer Olympics: the folks who start on Book 48, complain about the existence of coffee and profanity, and seem personally offended that a long-running series… is still itself. We also tackle the discourse around that tasteless joke (you know the one), plus the eternal debate: is the Eve/Roarke fight contrived drama or believable couple nonsense?Along the way, we celebrate the things that actually make this book fun—character moments, Bella + Eve scenes, Whitney’s best “go home, I’ll handle it” energy, and the Oscar chatter that sends certain reviewers into orbit. Tara also confesses her weakness for terrible short-form drama clips, and yes… Tara says “hot whoopie” out loud, which is now part of the canon.Listener mail includes an Elevator Encounters callback (the frying-pan-arrest woman is from Framed in Death) and a fantastic suggestion for a future episode: Eve’s legendary rants. Plus, AJ talks transcripts—making the show searchable on the website—because we’re building an In Death internet empire one document at a time.We’re five episodes away from 300… and plotting accordingly.

AJ and Tara needed a topic right now, so they did what any responsible adults would do: panic-text each other, crowdsource the fandom, and then deep-dive into the most chaotic “In Death” micro-genre of all time—the Elevator Encounter.Turns out, elevators in New York, 2061 are basically:foreplay chambersthink tanksnightmare boxes full of strangers who want to talk to you about movies…and Eve Dallas is spiritually allergic to all of it.Peabody & McNab’s elevator “we’ll arrest each other after” moment (romance trope + city ordinance violations = true love)Eve going feral in a public elevator… and Roarke being Roarke (and yes, the stolen sex-toy detail is still weird)Somerset vs. Eve: “Take the elevator.” Eve: “I would rather perish out of spite.”Roarke casually clearing the elevator like it’s nothing while Eve insists she enjoys having a pissing match with a machinePeabody & McNab fighting, making up, and getting caught mid-grope (Eve: “there goes my appetite”)Origin in Death: a ticking-clock escape + a screaming baby + Eve and Roarke arguing about who has to HOLD THE BABY while they’re about to die“You look just like Marlo Durn.” Eve, trapped in Oscar talk hell, being mistaken for… herself (but movie version)Dark in Death: Eve meets a tinfoil-hat conspiracy guy and immediately chooses STAIRSALSO Dark in Death: the infamous flying dwarf / creepy garden gnome attack, complete with “boobies!” and the bullpen going full trauma-care modeLying Liars Unite: a random elevator group therapy session about exes who lie like breathingFruicki’s undercover stink strategy (“Do you bathe in piss?”) and Eve’s immediate refusal to share air with himCromwell’s elevator blubber-fest: “What’s his problem?” “Love.”Murder Face: Eve jokes about arresting someone for “murder face,” and suddenly every cop in the elevator has a personal brand of murder-face analysisJenkinson’s tie crimes in a small enclosed elevator space (Eve’s corneas may never recover)AJ’s Vegas story: two extremely drunk guys, a Michael Jackson show, and the wise decision to wait for the next elevatorTara’s elite catchphrase moment: “Words are hard.” (and they were, in fact, hard)Surprise sports talk, delivered with maximum confidence and minimum accuracy (“the sports are really going at it”)AJ reflects on turning 60 and how 59 feels real but 60 sounds like a fake age people made up as a prankA voicemail from Sky, who uses every second of voicemail time like it’s an Olympic sportListener Sally not understanding how Earthquakes could be part of "California Casual"Huge thanks to Beverly for upgrading to an annual Detective-level Patreon membership (AJ is working on new trading cards!)Reminder: the show is no longer on TikTok (terms of service gave AJ the ick), but you can still find them elsewhere.Did we miss a legendary elevator moment? Send it in and we’ll happily do Elevator Encounters Part 2—because the only thing more dangerous than homicide is a confined space with strangers and a conversation starter.Contact:Email: [email protected]: 205-476-2753 (aka 205-4ROARKE)Website SpeakPipe: podcastindeath.com → Contact UsSocials: Instagram + BlueSky + Facebook group

In Episode 293, AJ & Tara recap (and absolutely pick apart) the case of Paul Rogan: a devoted husband and dad forced into a suicide vest at a corporate conference aimed at tech powerhouse Rosalind Pearson. From there, the pattern escalates—hostages, compromised security, and another “father-as-bomber” hit that drags Eve from sleek boardrooms into the art world (Jordan Banks, bad decisions, and a gallery situation that’s basically a neon sign screaming: FOLLOW. THE. MONEY.). We dig into the motive: stock manipulation, leverage plays, and profit built on other people’s bodies.As the net tightens, suspicion lands on Lucius Eiler—generational wealth, a heavy military family legacy, and a brother (Terry) whose “hero story” becomes the excuse for a whole lot of murder. The endgame? A partner with training, tactics, and explosives (Oliver Silverman) and Eve doing what she does best: methodical, relentless, and utterly done with everyone’s nonsense.And because this is an In Death book, the personal stuff hits just as hard:• Eve’s guilt spiral + Roarke in full “I can be your Peabody” support mode• Nadine’s The Icove Agenda gets an Oscar nomination—and Peabody & McNab are READY to go (transport + accommodations, and Roarke calling in Leonardo for wardrobe because of course he does)• The epilogue Oscars coverage is pure delight: Peabody on the red carpet, Mavis on camera, and Nadine hauling in awards (including Best Adapted Screenplay… and then multiple wins that have Eve quietly begging the universe to make it stop)Also in this episode:• AJ’s “Ghostwriter Experiment,” where ChatGPT gets dragged into the fandom debate• A real-life earthquake hits mid-recording (yes, you can literally hear us react in real time)Spoilers ahead—come for the case, stay for the Oscars hype and the seismic interruptions.

AJ and Tara are back for Episode 292—only 8 episodes away from #300—and since it wasn’t quite time to jump into the next book, they go delightfully off-script with a listener-inspired topic: “Bimbos in Death.” They unpack the term (making it more about naive/gullible/foolish than the old stereotype) and then read/riff on scenes featuring some prime Eve-eye-roll candidates, with plenty of love for Susan Ericksen’s “bimbo voice” work. Highlights include Bambi Pettibone (Reunion in Death), Silk/Satin/Linen/Polyester plus the return of Maxia (Ritual in Death), Rini “Pike” Pajkowski (Purity in Death), Camilla Jane Lester (Echoes in Death), Oola Pence (Salvation in Death), and Felicity Prinz (A Festive in Death)—ranging from “painfully clueless” to “tragically manipulated,” with Eve’s patience tested accordingly.REMINDER: AJ is collecting listener submissions for Episode 300—send your favorite moments from the last 100 episodes. ALSO: Send us your “small scene wishlist” ideas (like seeing a full Mavis performance or a takedown from a non-cop POV). Email [email protected] or call/text 205-476-2753 (205-4-ROARKE).

We’re nine episodes away from #300, and AJ needs your help building a “best of the last 100-ish episodes” compilation — send in your favorite moments! This week, AJ brings in a special guest: Caitlin (AJ’s daughter) for another round of newbie questions—but with a thoughtful twist as Caitlin and Tara talk about the In Death series through an LGBTQ+ lens, plus chosen family, therapy/Dr. Mira, and which books Tara would skip (yes, Chaos gets roasted). Also: the dogs are loud, the vibes are chaotic, and Caitlin casually drops that she’s getting a disco snail tattoo. Because of course she is.

AJ and Tara spend this episode reading (and roasting) reader reviews of Dark in Death—including the ones that confidently misunderstand how books work, how math works, and how being a police works.The 1-star novel-length review that required a hydration break“YOU DON’T KNOW HOW BOOKS WORK” becomes the unofficial slogan of the episodeThe “GHOSTWRITER!!” drama, served with peak theater-kid energySomeone thinking Nadine’s boyfriend calling her “Lois” is… a real identity scandal (media literacy, party of 0...?)AJ’s unexpected recommendation: Halls Minis (tiny cough drops, big opinions)AJ’s dog Lily insisting the pack must be together at all times Next Book Review: Leverage in DeathAlso: Episode 300 is coming fast—send AJ your favorite moments from the past year for a “Best Of”!Email: [email protected]: 205-476-2753 (205-4ROARKE)Socials: @podcastindeath on FB / IG / BlueSky / TikTokHighlights (a.k.a. the funniest chaos)Up next

In this very special (and very chaotic) holiday episode, AJ went full Roarke-level genius and built a working White Elephant Exchange game from scratch (with the help of ChatGPT and possibly a little magic).Here’s what you’re in for:A real-time virtual White Elephant exchange featuring 34(!) of your favorite In Death characters.Hilarious chaos as characters like Mira, Roarke, Peabody, Baxter, and Crack open or steal gifts like pizza scissors, lava lamps, chocolate fondue sets, and the most cursed liqueur in the galaxy: Malört.Roarke gets a Mini Inflatable Tube Man. It’s art. No one steals it. We’re all shocked.Dickie loves the Malört. Everyone else is grateful.Summerset’s secret hobby may or may not be bonsai tree gardening.Peabody steals with no remorse. Baxter gets stuck with a Chia Pet. Whitney gets a hot dog toaster. Eve gets popcorn. All is right with the world.Shelby and Mira get stolen from approximately 83 times each.AJ and Tara cackle throughout the whole thing. A LOT.There’s laughter, betrayal, sparkly syrup, and the most on-brand gifts ever.🎁 Want to try the simulator yourself? Find it here: NYPSD White Elephant Gift Exchange Simulator!✨ And if you're curious about what went down visually during this episode... let’s just say our supporters over at Patreon got the full experience. 😉Merry Christmas from Podcast in Death!

AJ and Tara discuss Dark in Death by J.D. Robb, where Nora Roberts delivers a not-so-subtle warning to obsessive fans: Don't be like the killer!This 2018 release is clearly Nora addressing fans who:Accuse her of having a ghostwriterDemand characters hook up on their timelineComplain about the word f*ckTell her how to write her own booksThe hosts LOVED this clap-back disguised as a mystery novel.Victims: Three women killed according to murders in author Blaine Delano's mystery seriesKiller: Annalise Smith, a failed writer who believes Delano "stole" her manuscript and wants to rewrite the books so "the villain wins"The Ballroom Scene: Eve and Roarke slow dance before sex, and Eve reveals: "No one ever made me the reason before him."Vending Machine Battle: Eve accidentally charges Detective Hargrove's account with violations while fighting a machine for Pepsi. Poor Hargrove!Sampson the Puppy: A mini-horse-sized dog with "terrifying crazy love" meets Eve, who commands him to sit/stay like the alpha she is.Fabric Store Horror: Eve describes a craft store like a haunted house while Peabody nearly melts down over Egyptian cotton.Felicity LaMarc: The intended fourth victim is a former counterintelligence agent who elbows the killer in the face and breaks a mirror. Icon behavior.Commendations:Jake Kincaid (AJ): Nadine's rock star boyfriend who helps sketch the killer and is basically Rourke's cloneFelicity LaMarc (Tara): Absolute badass who didn't need rescuingNadine Furst (Secondary): Journalistic integrity on full displayOther Highlights:McNabb's Mexico vacation paid off: "We had lots and lots of sex!"Roarke reveals he contemplated stealing some emeralds just weeks before meeting EveRoarke buys Eve a 16-acre farm in Nebraska (not small!)Galahad is furious Eve smells like dogPodcast Business:Welcome Ann who discovered the podcast months ago and binged all 287 episodes at 1.5x speed(?) Her daughter introduced her to In Death at age 7 by buying her "Remember When."Next Week: Christmas special!After That: Review the Reviews for New Year'sFuture Episode: Nicknames in the In Death seriesEmail: [email protected]: 205-4ROARKESocial: Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, TikTokLeave us a 5-star review to help other fans find the show!

In this week’s episode, AJ and Tara embrace chaos, caffeine, and questionable Google Sheet scripts as they attempt something completely new: Cards Against In Death — our homemade, wildly unofficial, definitely ridiculous In Death-themed version of Cards Against Humanity.Tara showed up technically at work (muted meeting, webcam off, priorities firmly in place), AJ threw together a game at 11:30pm the night before, and together they dove headfirst into a half-hour of absolute nonsense that somehow still made perfect sense in the In Death universe. We discover Tibbles’ secret Urban Wars codename. (It might be Galahad. Honestly? It works.)Eve bribes Dickhead… and no one is surprised by the method.Mira’s Excellent Legs™ become a therapeutic tool.Rourke contemplates tech breakthroughs powered by soy dogs.The bullpen’s betting pools escalate into utter stupidity.Feeney’s computer crashes because… of course it does.And the recurring answer of the episode: “Meat. Both kinds.” It haunts us. It defines us. It is Podcast in Death lore now.Listeners, you're welcome.Chaotic energy from the jumpTruly unhinged prompt/answer combosAJ desperately trying to keep the spreadsheet aliveTara discovering prompts in real timeA surprisingly sweet moment involving Dennis MiraThe dawning realization that we absolutely need a live version where YOU submit cardsThis is one of our shortest episodes in a while, but it’s packed with laughs, references only In Death fans will understand, and moments that made us cackle out loud.We also hear from:Kimberly, our newest Patron (Detective Level—thank you!!)Sarah, who got her patron mug and immediately filled it with Seattle’s Best because Eve’s blend remains tragically unavailableLeah, whose listener questions inspired an entire episodeSarah (again!), who sent us a pair of purple boots that Eve would absolutely wear… zipper mechanics asidePlus:A discussion about futuristic crime tech (because Nora keeps predicting the future), some talk about upcoming episodes, and plans for future guests when Tara is unavailable… or in a meeting again.Send us:New black-card promptsNew white-card answersAnything absolutely bonkers that fits the In Death worldWe WILL do a Round Two — and probably a live version.💬 Email: [email protected]📞 Call/Text: 205-476-2753 (that’s 205-4-Rourke)📱 Find us on social: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, BlueSky — just search Podcast in Death.If you want to be a guest (or know someone who should be), reach out!

This week, we took on a topic that absolutely demanded visuals… which is hilarious, because you’re listening on Spotify.But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered.In this episode, we take a deep dive into Ian McNabb’s truly unhinged wardrobe across the entire In Death series. AJ put together an actual McNabb Look Book PDF (yes, really) using every outfit description Nora Roberts ever threw at us — neon pants, zigzag jackets, plaid air boots, the legendary orange tux, ALL of it.Tara reacts to each outfit in real time, and while you can absolutely enjoy the audio version… trust us, you’re going to want the visuals for this one.📄 Download the McNabb Look Book PDF here: http://podcastindeath.s3.amazonaws.com/IanMcnab_LookBook.pdf🎥 Want to WATCH the full video episode?Find it on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/145185704⁠McNabb’s Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer “collections,” because yes — he is a man who owns collections.The many lives of the air boot (now available in every color known to science).Why Nora Roberts was clearly entertaining herself while writing these outfits.How AJ accidentally became McNabb’s digital stylist.Tara discovering that… wait… are these outfits actually good??ChatGPT diagnosing McNabb as a flamboyant futuristic maximalist and being 100% correct.The fuchsia vest + Christmas green jumpsuit combo that defies physics.The surprisingly classy full-periwinkle ensemble.Chili pepper pants. Chili pepper shirt. Chili pepper EVERYTHING.Roarke’s custom tartan air boots, which McNabb apparently treats like sacred relics.The orange tux that would give Eve Dallas temporary color-induced trauma.Tara accidentally smelling phantom pizza and derailing the show.A deep philosophical debate about toeless air-sneaks.AJ referencing a Porky Pig cartoon for reasons that are still unclear.Both hosts admitting they have no idea what McNabb actually looks like anymore.Since Spotify sadly cannot beam the outfits directly into your brain, make sure to:Download the McNabb Look Book PDF — seriously, it makes everything funnier: http://podcastindeath.s3.amazonaws.com/IanMcnab_LookBook.pdfCheck out the video episode on Patreon if you want the full “fashion show chaos” experience: https://www.patreon.com/posts/145185704Whether you’re here for the neon, the nostalgia, or the strangeness of McNabb’s entire aesthetic… this episode is a ride. Enjoy!

This episode kicks off with the spectacle of male-centric one-star reviews, a fascinating ecosystem where disgruntled dudes, some of which are "Authors" with deeply mediocre Goodreads ratings who feel uniquely qualified to mansplain crime fiction to Nora Roberts. From there, we descend into the wonderfully unhinged world of two, three, and four star reviews, one of which gives us a whole list of "Things that happen in Every In Death Book," including how Roarke gives Eve “Meat, both kinds" Followed by a review that mentions how there's always a possibility of “Meaty Juicy Goodness,” to which AJ couldn't help herself and like Michael Scott ("The Office") just had to say: "That's what she said".Fortunately, the show and our faith in Author Humanity is fully restored by Allison Brennan and Silver James, who remind us what thoughtful, enthusiastic, competent reviews look like.Also: we take a moment to celebrate the release of our 2026 Podcast in Death Calendar, now available in our Merch Store (https://podcast-in-death-merch.printify.me/), because scheduling your life is always easier with a little futuristic homicide energy. And finally, because it wouldn’t be an episode without a delightful derailment, AJ closes things out with a completely unexpected family recipe drop featuring roast, tomato sauce, and green olives—proving once again that anything can happen on this show.Enjoy!

This week, listener Leah sends us a harmless little list of questions… and we immediately blow it up into a 2+ hour episode that is pure fun. Honestly, she should’ve known (but maybe she did).AJ threatens anyone who dares steal her rock-music-marketing-podcast idea, Tara passionately confesses her honey-mustard devotion, and we spiral into condiment debates (Salsa is declared a California condiment). There are Disney detours, Karaoke debates and Mavis gets a hypothetical purse dog.A flawless episode full of nonsense, tangents, and unhinged enthusiasm. Perfect.

In this episode of Podcast in Death, we tackle Secrets in Death and discover it's actually way better than we remembered—probably because we haven't reread it 47 times like the early books. This week's theme? TRUTH, because apparently "secrets" was too on-the-nose even for us. Everyone's hiding something, Lorinda Mars is weaponizing those secrets for cash, and Eve's over here having feelings about whether her expensive boots make her a hypocrite. Meanwhile, DeWinter shows up ready to throw hands (verbally) and basically tells Eve she's a rude, judgmental hard-ass, which, fair. Their entire confrontation over wine is chef's kiss, ending with "I don't know why I half like you" and "back at you," which is basically how all great friendships start. Roarke drops the truth on Eve that Mars tried to blackmail him once and he just went full "scary Roarke" and threatened to ruin her entire career. We stan a protective billionaire.The actual murder case? Mars gets stabbed and bleeds out the same way she bled her victims dry, which is poetic, honestly, and the killer turns out to be an overprotective assistant who thought playing hero was the vibe (it wasn't, Bill). This is the book that Summerset finally sharing the truth that he killed Patrick Roarke. Summerset assumes Eve told Roarke his secret, but when he finds out she didn't, tells Roarke: "I may never have a true handle on your wife."Apart from that, we spent like 20 minutes discussing safe mechanics because AJ worked for a safe company and has OPINIONS, debated whether Eve would watch Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (she would), and got unreasonably invested in Nadine's blue glass dragon table. We really enjoyed this book, and we hope you enjoy this review!

With Tara off doing theater things, AJ’s joined by her daughter Caitlin, who knows just enough about the In Death series to ask all the right “newbie” questions. From Eve and Roarke’s epic romance to Peabody’s chaotic charm, they dig into why fans stay hooked after 50+ books. Plus, AJ reveals how a bored afternoon at Granny’s house started it all. There’s laughter, nostalgia, barking dogs, and maybe even a theory about Castle secretly being In Death.

It’s Halloween, and Tara can't believe we are back again after 5 years of this podcast and still managing to find Halloween themed stuff to talk about. We do it because AJ LOVES all things Halloween, and Tara confesses she likes “lacy things and witchy stuff” which then becomes the official episode title. Join us as we imagine the Great House Project's first Halloween! complete with glitter bats, Candyland costumes (maybe). Will Roarke tell ghost stories? Will Eve lead a Halloween themed scavenger hunt? We talk about all of that including which character would choose to give out what kind of Halloween candy (Santiago is chosen to give out Jolly Ranchers because: Cowboy Hat). There’s candy debates, AJ's 20-pound treat box reveal, and enough laughter to wake the dead.

In this episode, AJ drags Tara into one of her more ambitious ideas: trying to figure out what The Universe According to Roarke (you know, that game Feeney made for Roarke) would actually look like if it were real. Cue hours of overthinking, caffeine-fueled hilarity, and way too much ChatGPT involvement.Here’s what we came up with:Gameplay Basics: Earn XP for solving cases, lose XP for bad coffee, and gain nothing but regret when you didn't hide your candy stash well enough to outwit the Candy Thief.Health & Energy: Coffee gives you buffs (until it doesn’t), candy, pizza and soydogs can literally save your life, and Nadine’s baked goods might be the most overpowered healing item in the game.THE ADMIN GATEKEEPER SYSTEM: Want to visit Dr. Mira for Emotional Stability Points? You'll need to get through the Admin Gatekeeper System First! For Roarke it's a breeze, for Eve? Not so much.Galahad: Chaos Cat™. Might save your life. Might eat your pizza, but will probably ignore you.Special Items: Jenkinson’s tie is now a weapon. Santiago’s loser hat gives you -10 charisma but +10 morale because everyone else is laughing at you.NPCs We Love:Dr. Mira: Therapy = moral checkpoints. Ignore her too long and your emotional stability tanks.Dennis Mira: Offers hugs and hot chocolate for +50 morale, that's why we love him.Feeney: Built the game, can’t beat level 12, and blames everyone but himself.Summerset: The judgmental healer you didn’t ask for but desperately need.There’s also a whole moral-choice quest about Magdalena Purcell, a health system based on The Candy Thief, and a surprising number of mechanics involving Trina-induced trauma. Basically, it’s chaos, caffeine, and character growth — just like the series.By the end, we decided this game would absolutely exist in Roarke’s world… and Feeney would still be complaining about level 12.

In this episode of Podcast in Death, AJ and Tara tackle the good, the bad, and the absolutely unhinged reviews of Framed in Death. Along the way, they prove that the heart of this series has always been about one thing: watching Eve Dallas grow. An Eve-olution, if you will.Sure, there’s murder, mayhem, and Roarke looking fine in another expensive suit, but beneath it all, the In Death series is about Eve slowly evolving as she learns to trust, to breathe, to connect, and to let herself be human. Every book adds another small layer of that change, and AJ and Tara are here for all of it (even if some reviewers clearly aren’t).Meanwhile, the reviews are... a lot. From readers who think trials make good fiction (they don’t), to those who insist Nora Roberts is secretly powered by AI (she’s not), this episode is part roast, part therapy session, and all entertainment.“Give me a trial!” said no one who’s ever sat through one.AJ turns into a one-woman legal team to prove Eve did not break the law.Tara defends Bella’s baby talk like a champion: “She’s TWO. Calm down.”Reviewers who want Eve to “get pregnant” or “adopt a puppy” get the roasting they deserve.AJ and Tara remind everyone (again): This is a police procedural, not a mystery series.Nora Roberts: still writing better dialogue before breakfast than AI ever will.And through it all, Eve continues her quiet transformation — learning empathy, balance, and what it means to have a family of choice.Eve’s Mantra Mug: “Fuck this. Fuck this. Fuck this.”Penny Pig Glassware — because whiskey just tastes better in a shot glass with a logo.Find it all at https://podcast-in-death-merch.printify.me/

This week on Podcast in Death, AJ and Tara stay up way past their bedtimes to tackle a surprisingly deep (and surprisingly hilarious) question:If you could read one “In Death” book entirely from a supporting character’s point of view, whose would it be, and which book?What starts as mild confusion on AJ's part (“I have absolutely no idea what you’re saying”) quickly turns into one of the best discussions yet. Because let’s face it, that’s just how we roll.Roarke: Which book would we love from his POV? AJ wants Divided, Tara says New York to Dallas, and both agree that whatever he’s thinking, he’s wrong but hot.Feeney: Gotta be Ceremony. Also: flashback series where he trains Rookie Eve? YES PLEASE.Galahad: Justice for Galahad! Promised caviar, got kibble. His villain origin story begins in Naked.Jenkinson: Picking out ties specifically to offend Eve is honestly, king behavior.McNabb: AJ wants Purity (for angst), Tara wants Vengeance (for chaos). Both involve Peabody, obviously.Dr. Mira: Sassy Mira appreciation hour. Also, she’s got excellent legs in case you forgot.Morris: Promises in Death = sad but inevitable. Bring tissues.Summerset: Bonded, Vengeance, Innocent...basically, if he’s being snarky and emotionally damaged, we’re in.Trueheart: Our own baby cop deserves protection. And probably therapy.Whitney: We’d read Purity from his POV, but also: give us an Urban Wars Era buddy cop book with he and Feeney as partners. "The Adventures of Lightning & Hound" Anyone?Plus: AJ and Tara go off about Yahoo Search conspiracies, how Peabody haters clearly need more friends, and the eternal struggle of recording when your brain has hit “low battery mode.”Highlights:

This week on Podcast in Death, AJ and Tara dive into Nora’s latest, Framed in Death. Spoiler: the killer is basically an overgrown toddler with a trust fund, a mommy who thinks he poops gold, and a portfolio that belongs in the “Shit Universe,” as Peabody so eloquently put it.We discuss:Eve’s Softer Side™: Apparently, wanting a cookout doesn’t cancel out her “kick-ass” status. Growth, people.Pathetic Killer Vibes: He’s rich, entitled, and thinks rejection is a hate crime. Also, no one cares about your sad paintbrush collection, Jonathan.Peabody the Secret Art Nerd: Who knew she could name-drop Vermeer and whip out a sketchbook like Bob Ross in a murder investigation?Candy Conspiracies: Eve’s eternal war with the bullpen candy thief escalates—complete with googly eyes and thoughts of laxative revenge. Protect and serve? Maybe. Protect and snack? Definitely.Nepo Babies, Theater Mommies, and Disney Daddies: Somehow, we connect this wannabe artist’s tantrums to nepotism at Disneyland and Drew Barrymore. You’re welcome.Pageant of the Masters: Nora may have taken inspiration from Laguna Beach’s “living paintings” event… except, you know, without the corpses.Also featuring:A random lady who assaults her husband with a frying pan because he demanded breakfast (iconic).Galahad’s ongoing bacon entitlement.Rourke casually “reacquiring” a $400 million Vermeer because crime, but make it classy.Bella demanding everyone wear ribbons in their hair, because toddler dictatorship is real.By the end, Eve’s planning a wholesome backyard barbecue while Jonathan Harper Eversole is sulking in a cell, writing his autobiography about how nobody understands his genius. Spoiler: we do understand. It’s just trash.

This week on Podcast in Death, AJ admits she texted Tara the night before with “absolutely no idea what we’re going to talk about.” Somehow that turned into a two-hour deep dive on first impressions in the In Death series.Highlights include:Roarke’s Mugshot Glamour Shot: Eve basically thinks, “Wow, this man could kill without breaking a sweat,” and we all agree that’s both terrifying and… kinda hot.Feeney’s Rumpled Charm: He looks like a stubby ginger teddy bear, but Eve lights up when he appears. Then he tells her she looks “beat,” but we understand he's just concerned for his former partner.Peabody, Sass-Master: Competent, sarcastic, and irritated with parade duty. Tara calls her a "Sass-Master" and she's not wrong. When Eve orders her to look stern, she deadpans: “I was born looking stern.” Iconic.Somerset’s First Shade: He gingerly handles Eve’s bloodstained jacket like it’s diseased, setting the tone for decades of sniping.Galahad, MVP of Cats: Galahad waddles in like the fat gray MVP he is, immediately claiming Eve as his human.Mavis the Walking Disco Ball: She bursts in with glitter, perfume, and the promise of “dinner, dancing, and debauchery.” Eve's not about it after the day she's had, but honestly, we all need a Mavis.Dr. Mira = Tea + Therapy: AJ admires her “bulldozing over Eve," and giving her tea she doesn't want. Tara points out Mira and Mavis basically had the same thought: “This bitch needs me.” And they weren’t wrong.Crack’s Grand Entrance: Tattoos, bulge, banter. Both Tara and AJ love Crack and his growth in the series.We wrap it all up with the timeless truth: not all humor is for all people. (But if you don’t laugh at Peabody’s deadpan, we can’t help you.)

This week on Podcast in Death, Tara’s off doing theater things, so listener Dana fills in to help AJ dig through a long document full of our favorite "Scary Roarke Moments."We kick things off with Naked in Death, where Roarke decides the best way to show affection is to lurk in Eve’s dark apartment like a sexy burglar. AJ sums it up: “He’s fucking lying here, but, you know, he knew she wouldn’t check him.” Dana calls it both creepy and scary, which really sets the tone for the rest of the episode.Other highlights include:The Dick Twist Special (Rapture in Death): Roarke locks Eve out of her own office and “interrogates” Jess Barrow in ways that had AJ wondering, “Was he wearing stretchy pants? How did that even work?” Some mysteries are better left unsolved.Trudy Lombard Failed Blackmail Attempt (Memory in Death): Trudy tries to blackmail Roarke for “two million dollars, USD, of course.” AJ gleefully points out, “I love that he’s fucking with her. That’s US dollars, right?” Spoiler: her “compensation” was not being murdered.Holiday in Death: Peabody Unleashed: After Peabody decks a groper, Roarke beats the guy up and Feeney gets misty-eyed about Roarke’s brogue: “Listen to the music of it,” while Eve is stuck shouting “Maintain! That’s an order!” and we realize how few times Eve actually has control of an op.The Murder Menu (Vengeance in Death): Roarke rattles off his six revenge killings without remorse. Dana deadpans, “He had variety.” AJ adds, “Yeah, he’s like: 'ChatGPT: tell me the worst ways to kill people.’”The Neener, Neener Move (Delusion in Death): Eve wants Roarke to stay intimidating but not terrifying, so he pulls off what we now officially call the Neener, Neener Move: sitting in someone else’s office chair just to prove he can. Subtle, smug, effective.Peabody’s Word Art (Devoted in Death): Peabody goes full-on scary cop, tossing out gems like “twisted twat” and “sick psychopathic sluts.” Eve gives her high marks for style and alliteration.Jenkinson’s Fashion Crimes: We also take time to appreciate the tie so loud Potter could “see it from space”: a glittery purple rat in a silver cage on a field of emerald green. Iconic.By the end, we cover everything from creeper Roarke to scary-light Roarke, with plenty of side tangents (Harry Potter references included). As AJ notes, “If Roarke ever says something softly, that's when you know you're in trouble.”

This week on Podcast in Death, AJ and Tara dive into the endless amusement that is the Goodreads review section. This time for Echoes in Death.Highlights include:The new sacred rule: Never say the “G-word” (ghostwriter). It’s basically Voldemort for book reviews.A reviewer flexing their massive vocabulary with the word “interiority.”The mystery of the “sparkly strappy purse” that… doesn’t actually exist. (Someone owes us an apology for this fanfiction-level slander.)People who hate the series so much… that they keep reading 44 books of it. Make it make sense.One star reviews from folks who don’t like Sherlock Holmes-type books… while reading a murder mystery novel literally titled Echoes in Death. Sir, the math isn’t mathing.The eternal question: why do people act like remodeling at "Casa Roarke" is a crime worse than murder?Plus, a completely necessary tangent about Bill & Ted, the overuse of the word heinous, and the controversial idea of whether movie sing-alongs should be mandatory or punishable by death.Basically, if you’ve ever hate-finished a book just so you could toss it across the room, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about some of our favorite Feeney moments! Including: Feeney Angry at Roarke in "Naked in Death," Feeney telling Eve to go join Roarke in Ireland in "Portrait in Death," Feeney giving Roarke advice about Eve in "Divided in Death," and more!

So AJ was sick, which meant Tara had to do the heavy lifting, aka talk more than usual (and yes, she noticed, you’re welcome). We dove back into Echoes in Death where the killer is basically auditioning for a Broadway show nobody asked for — costume, props, creepy script and all. Spoiler: it’s less Phantom of the Opera, more Creepy Cousin with Issues.Highlights of our very professional analysis include:Eve once again rolling up to a murder scene in sparkly heels and a gown, while Peabody immediately forgets the corpse and fangirls over the shoes. Priorities, people.HIPAA violations galore! Apparently in the future, patient privacy is just a fun suggestion. Eve’s like, “Sure, catering staff, let me give you Daphne’s entire medical chart while you drop off the soup.”Eve being mistaken for Marlo Dern in an elevator because apparently homicide detectives moonlight as Oscar-nominated actresses now. Poor Eve just wants coffee.Roarke forcing Eve to watch The Avengers, leading to the immortal question: “Is this porn?” (To be fair, Eve isn’t entirely wrong about Thor.)Eve dreaming about Loki and shawarma while trying to solve a case. Honestly, her subconscious deserves its own spin-off.Kyle Knightley, our wannabe thespian murderer, keeping dresses for his sex doll droid. Yes, you heard that right. The man’s got Broadway dreams but chose the horror genre instead.And the big twist: Daphne, long-suffering wife of Dr. Gaslighting McAsshat, actually kills her own abusive husband in self-defense. Cue our standing ovation.Moral of the story: never trust a guy in a devil mask, Peabody will always comment on your shoes, and Roarke will eventually make you watch Marvel movies whether you want to or not.

This week we Review the Reviews of "Rise of the Magicks" by Nora Roberts, and the one thing that the majority of the reviewers can agree on is that they were more than slightly disappointed with this third book of the "Chronicles of the One" series. That disappointment ranged from the One Star "Absolutely Horrible and Annoying" to the Four Star "I just wish it was more."We don't really get it because we liked the book, but, everyone is entitled to their opinions, we guess.

This week on the podcast, we host a group discussion with a few of our listeners and talk about the last two books in the "Chronicles of the One" series: "Of Blood and Bone" and "Rise of the Magicks."

In this episode of Podcast in Death, we read "Rise of the Magicks," the last book in the "Chronicles of the One" series by Nora Roberts. One thing we do know for sure in regards to this series is that we both feel like Duncan Kinda Sucks.But apart from that, this is a good book, lots of planning of battles and fighting of battles, and a very satisfying ending.