In Death Unplugged : What are your top 5 favorites in the series?

[Jonetta]

What makes them your favorites? Is it the storyline type or something specific?

[Dee]

Born in Death I love the comedic repartee. It is so darn funny! I also like how the two seemingly unrelated crimes related.

[Jonetta]

And the fun starts off right away. Some classic scenes.

[Dee]

Sorry, I got interrupted. I also seem to keep going back to naked in Death, Portrait in Death, Divided in Death, Conspiracy in Death. These seem to be pivotal points in Eve and Roarkes relationship. Also, the crime part isn't that bad. Glory and Immortal are also pivotal but I don't like the crime story with those books.

[Jonetta]

My most favorite will always be Conspiracy in Death as that was a pretty defining moment for Eve Dallas as a character. (view spoiler)[I've cried each time when I reach the moment where Eve loses her badge. (hide spoiler)]

My next favorite is Portrait in Death because of what we learn about Roarke; then Innocent in Death because of the challenges faced by Eve and Roarke; Visions in Death both for the chill of the murder mystery and the defining moment for Eve and Peabody; and Naked in Death because it's where it all started for me.

[Dee]

Although Witness in Death is not a favorite of mine the book is also a defining moment between Eve and Peabody.

[Jonetta]

Witness in Death has one of my most favorite scenes ever! (view spoiler)[The dinner that Eve tried to orchestrate on her own was hilarious. (hide spoiler)]

[TinaNoir]

Jonetta wrote: "My most favorite will always be Conspiracy in Death....
My next favorite is Portrait in Death... then Innocent in Death

These are my top 3 as well for exactly the reasons you state. I'd also add that Innocent in Death had one of the most chilling confession scenes simply because of who the murderer was and the descriptions of what they were doing while they were bragging about their crime.

I'd round out my top five with Origin in Death because more than any other book in the series this screams futuristic. And it was such a creepy departure for the other procedurals.

And Judgment in Death. I just loved the whole construction of the story. The police corruption angle and just how bat-shit crazy the villain is.

[Jonetta]

I always forget just how good Judgment in Death is until someone reminds me! I agree with you, too, about the chilling confession scenes in Innocent.

[Heidi]

For a long time, my favorites were Loyalty in Death and Purity in Death. There's something about the Peabody/McNab story that grabbed me, I guess, and those two books were pivotal.

When I look back at the series, I tend to forget which ones had the funniest scenes. Mostly I remember the crime plots and the points in various relationships. I loved Born in Death, Treachery in Death, and New York to Dallas. All three were "cracking good" stories, but Eve developed so much during those stories, and I loved learning more of her history as a new officer.

[Ren Puspita]

My favorite is Naked in Death, the book that start it all and I think ruined me for another hero, because well, Roarke is purrfect. Then Portrait in Death, because readers finally know about Roarke's past. The others 3 are Memory in Death, Origin in Death and Born in Death . So hard to pick just 5 since all books in this series are my favorites

[SB*needs low angst books*]

I really love Naked in Death just because it started my love of the series and Roarke. I also have to Treachery in death for the case itself. It was intense and loved everybody story in it. Celebrity in Death because it was just so much fun. It had the most jokes and felt light. Promises in Death because I fell more in love with Morris and I loved the side story Louise and Charles bachelor and bachelorette parties. Innocent in Death because of the conflict with Eve and Roarke and how they got thru it. Then I have to say a tie between Portrait in Death and New York to Dallas. Of course it had to due with the Eve and Roarke back story.

[Jonetta]

Love your picks, Songbyrd. Most are on my list, too.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

I found this really difficult...Naked first and foremost...Ceremony, Survivor, Portrait and Divided...for now...until we get to the newer ones in the monthly reads, worked out the other day I haven't read a new in death since 2011...fun times ahead. :)

[Jonetta]

Don't be surprised, Loriidae, if your picks change later.

[Sheri]

I think my favorites are naked in death because it is where it all started, conspiracy, reunion, portrait and NYTD. they all had defining moments for Eve an d Roarke. watching Eve grow throughout the series is awesome. there are so many others that I could add. choosing is not easy.

[SB*needs low angst books*]

Sheri wrote: "I think my favorites are naked in death because it is where it all started, conspiracy, reunion, portrait and NYTD. they all had defining moments for Eve an d Roarke. watching Eve grow throughout t..."

It is hard to pick but I know it may change once more books come out.

[TinaNoir]

I think it is fascinating how many people place Portrait in their top books of the series, mainly because of the Roarke revelation. I liked the case too -- it was one where I was really, really sympathetic to the victims moresoe than in some. But the Roarke stuff took that book over the top for me.

Interestingly it also has the most ratings of all the In Death books on Goodreads. It doesn't have the highest average, Promises, Treachery & NY2Dallas beats it, but it far and away has the most ratings.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Tina wrote: I think it is fascinating how many people place Portrait in their top books of the series, mainly because of the Roarke revelation...

So true.. I fell in love with Roarke all over again reading Portrait...I think that is the crux of it, for the "must read in order serial reader" like me, Portrait was a revelation of what had been hinted at in previous books, not about the current case so much...

[SB*needs low angst books*]

I think Portrait is fascinating because you don't really know much about Roarke up to this point. You gets bits and pieces but not a full view of his background. I remember in I think it was Calculated in Death where Roarke tells Eve about being on a ship during a storm at sea. Those insights are so interesting.

[Julia]

Treachery in Death - Survivor In Death - Thankless in Death - Celebrity in Death - New York to Dallas

[Jonetta]

I sense a theme going on here!

[Maggie]

Innocence in Death, I love this story! My heart breaks for Eve every time I read it.
Possession in Death, creepy and very different from the other books. I wish it was a novel.
Naked in Death, I love seeing how it all started.
Glory in Death, I like Eve and Roarke trying to figure it all out.
Portrait in Death, Roarke owns this story! I love when he meets his family, seeing him kinda falling apart gives this book a very different feel.

[Jonetta]

I've always thought that Possession in Death is the best of all the novellas.

[Julia]

Which is the one based on Hansel and Gretel? That was my favorite novella.

[Jonetta]

I think that's Taken in Death.

[Julia]

Hansel & Gretel is one of my fave childhood fairy tales, so I really enjoyed that novella.

[Kirsten]

Naked in Death
Glory in Death
Judgment in Death
Treachery in Death
New York to Dallas

[SB*needs low angst books*]

Jonetta wrote: "I've always thought that Possession in Death is the best of all the novellas."

I really liked that one too. It was interesting that she couldn't fight or ignore the woo,woo lol. I also really like Interlude in Death because I liked the being at Roarke' s new Olympus resort. I thought it was a good short story.

[Jonetta]

Sbyrd64 wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "I've always thought that Possession in Death is the best of all the novellas."

I really liked that one too. It was interesting that she couldn't fight or ignore the ..."

Exactly! This book forced Eve into the gray with respect to the woo woo:)

Interlude in Death is also one of my favorite novellas. It packed a lot in a short story.

[Paula]

I haven't read nearly enough to fairly list the 5 best ones but so far I really love Naked in Death, Glory in Death, Witness in Death and Portrait in Death. I'm not done with Portrait yet but I absolutely love it so far.

[Jonetta]

Paula wrote: "I haven't read nearly enough to fairly list the 5 best ones but so far I really love Naked in Death, Glory in Death, Witness in Death and Portrait in Death. I'm not done with Portrait yet but I a..."

No worries! You've chosen some good ones and your list will probably change several times:)

[Lori]

As you said, my top 5 changes, with each read, re-listen, and discussion!

[Sara ♥]

Apparently I've never commented on this thread! Here's my list:

Treachery in Death
Portrait in Death
Naked/Glory/Immortal
Conspiracy in Death
(and because I'm weird)
Fantasy in Death (I LOVE that one...)

My favorite novella is Possession in Death. So good.

I put Naked/Glory/Immortal together because I love them mostly for the Eve/Roarke parts. They're the beginning trilogy that really set the stage for the whole series. I kinda hate the mystery in Naked, Glory is better, but Immortal was my favorite of the three.

Although I have to say I'm in the middle of Obsession in Death and it's REALLY good. It might go to the top, depending on how this wraps up! I've got almost 5 hours left though! I can't even imagine what there is left to happen!!

[Sharon]

I agree on the best novellas but my least favorite novellas are Chaos in death and haunted in death.

[Jonetta]

Sharon wrote: "I agree on the best novellas but my least favorite novellas are Chaos in death and haunted in death."

Haunted in Death is my least favorite novella, too.

[Sharon]

Tina wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "My most favorite will always be Conspiracy in Death....
My next favorite is Portrait in Death... then Innocent in Death

These are my top 3 as well for exactly the reasons you sta..."

I totally agree that the little girls confession in Innocent in death beats all the others hands down for creepiness. She dances ballet as she speaks as though the confession is a song. It is something I know I'll always remember

[Courtney]

How about my Top 40. There hasn't been one that I didn't like. Top 5 changes all the time. Right now, I'd say
1 - Obsession (great on so many levels)
2 - Treachery
3 - NY2D
4 - Born (funniest scenes, at least until Bella & The Diamond)
5 - Conspiracy (only because it is so crushing when she loses her badge and then her fight to get it back)

Favorite Novella? Midnight

[Dee]

I wonder if I can give it to you, Let's see I find I reread

Naked in Death, Portrait in Death, Born in Death, Ceremony in Death, and Ceremony in Death over and over again

[Paula]

Jonetta wrote: "Paula wrote: "I haven't read nearly enough to fairly list the 5 best ones but so far I really love Naked in Death, Glory in Death, Witness in Death and Portrait in Death. I'm not done with Portra..."

Jonetta, Portrait was awesome . I don't know if any can top it for me. I remember when at the beginning of my read of the series Sandra told me to give Eve a chance. Well she was right. I love Eve in this one. She has worked her way up to one of my favorite heroines. Who would have thought.

[Jonetta]

Portrait is definitely in my top five, too. I'm not surprised Eve's gotten under your skin.

[SB*needs low angst books*]

I have to add to my favorites lol. I love obsession in death no spoiler but it was really good.

[Sharon]

I just finished rereading rapture in death and decided that the story is one of the best in the series. The best story is still portrait in death, rapture may be my second

[Vicki]

1. Naked 2.Born 3. Portrait 4.Memory 5. New York to Dallas

The next 5 in line would be the last 5 books in the series.

[Mara]

I don't have a top 5 as per de, I do have a few favorites. NAKED IN DEATH (Especially the ending) and DIVIDED IN DEATH.

Thought with each book Eve grows a bit, DIVIDED IN DEATH is the one I saw the biggest change and how she reacted to the information Roarke gave her about her father and her past, NEW YORK TO DALLAS helped Eve deal with her mother. PROMISED IN DEATH.

[Dieya]

My most favourite has to be Innocent In Death. I just love some angst in relationship plus the murder case for that one is really creepy too. I don't know how many times I've read the book. A fragile Eve that is still not confident of her and Roarke relationship just make my heart full of feels.

[Sandra]

It's really hard to choose or rate these books. So many outstanding reads. And I must say the last 2 books have been awesome...both Brotherhood & Apprentice rank high on my list. I'll have to reevaluate my Top 5.

[Eve]

I know it's meant to be top 5 but only one book immediately comes to my mind for this and that's Portrait in Death. For the majority of the time Eve is the one in emotional (usually over her childhood trauma which sometimes intertwines with the case she is working) turmoil but in Portrait in Death we really see a whole different side to Roarke. Without spoiling too much, Roarke learns something which completely destroys the one profound truth of his past. This really shakes him and makes him imbalanced and he sort reverts to a version of his past self (in my opinion that is).
In this book we see Eve being the active worrier (not that she doesn't worry all the other times but in this book it is really pronounced) and as it is probably one of the biggest bumps in their early marriage, seeing how both of them handled it as a couple spoke volumes about their relationship. Also, about how affected Roarke is by this discovery that he knowingly shuts Eve out (quite literally). Later when they dealt with it together, the profound love they have for each other when the first thing that comes to Eve's mind is if he's sick and how the act of telling Eve really helps Roarke. Also, that unspoken feeling of "Yes, I'm hurting or unsure but you don't have to do anything just be there for me." which both Eve and Roarke felt strongly as the drama concluded.
Sometimes, when I do a reread of this book I do solely for this development in their relationship. I really really love this book.