Status
Available
Series
Collection
Publication
Berkley (2000), Edition: Reprint, 368 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Romance. Suspense. HTML:When a famous thespian is killed right before her eyes, New York detective Eve Dallas takes a new place in crime as both officer and witness to murder in this novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series. The opening night of the revival of Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution" at New Yorkâ??s New Globe Theater turns from stage scene to crime scene when the leading man is stabbed to death right on center stage. Now Eve Dallas has a high-profile celebrity homicide on her hands. Not only is she lead detective, sheâ??s also a witnessâ??and when the press discovers that her husband owns the theater, thereâ??s more media spotlight than either can handle. The only way out is to move fast. Question everyone and everythingâ?¦and in the meantime, try to tell the difference between the truthâ??and real… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
A very well done murder in a theatre story reminiscent of Ngaio Marsh.
The murder happens at the opening night of a production of Witness for the Prosecution (and makes me want to read that book too) and happens on the stage, as is supposed to happen in the story, but the actor isn't supposed to
The murder happens at the opening night of a production of Witness for the Prosecution (and makes me want to read that book too) and happens on the stage, as is supposed to happen in the story, but the actor isn't supposed to
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really die. As Anita unravells the past she finds a lot of people with motive and opportunity to kill this actor, who isn't one of the good people of the world and possibly deserved to die. And then theres another murder. Add to that the complication that every building involved seems to be Rourke's Property and you end up with conflicts all over the place. Show Less
LibraryThing member TeamDewey
Another installment in this LONG series. Didn't really feel much depth with any of the suspects or victims. Good use of disguises though.
LibraryThing member dulcibelle
another in the Eve Dallas series, and still going strong. I like that the characters don't stay static from story to story; there's acutally some growth and character development here! Great fun.
LibraryThing member Darla
Like the previous book in the series, Witness in Death is a departure from the norm. It's as though Nora wrote the extremely intense Conspiracy in Death and then needed to give herself or her readers a break by doing the literary equivalent of a sitcom's musical episode, first with the over-the-top
Homicide Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke are in the audience on opening night when, during the climactic scene, the character of Leonard Vole is killed... as is the actor playing him. A real knife had been substituted for the harmless prop knife.
What follows is a nicely intricate, convoluted tale, with the actors playing roles within roles. The solution is elegant, and makes perfect sense, and is done just the way Hercule Poirot would have done it. The emotions and motivations of all the players are clear and understandable.
In addition, there are the developments in the ongoing series story. We see Peabody and McNab respectively baffled and frustrated by their feelings for each other, and Trueheart getting his break. And then there's one of my absolute favorite Eve/Roarke scenes: when Eve tries to put together a romantic dinner for the two of them. It's a favorite because I can relate to it so well.
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James-Bond-ishness of Loyalty, and now with an homage to Agatha Christie in Witness. It's not subtle--the murder takes place onstage during a production of Witness for the Prosecution. It's also not the first book Nora's written with a Christie-ish flavor.Homicide Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke are in the audience on opening night when, during the climactic scene, the character of Leonard Vole is killed... as is the actor playing him. A real knife had been substituted for the harmless prop knife.
What follows is a nicely intricate, convoluted tale, with the actors playing roles within roles. The solution is elegant, and makes perfect sense, and is done just the way Hercule Poirot would have done it. The emotions and motivations of all the players are clear and understandable.
In addition, there are the developments in the ongoing series story. We see Peabody and McNab respectively baffled and frustrated by their feelings for each other, and Trueheart getting his break. And then there's one of my absolute favorite Eve/Roarke scenes: when Eve tries to put together a romantic dinner for the two of them. It's a favorite because I can relate to it so well.
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LibraryThing member MusicMom41
This is probably my favorite J.D. Robb so far. I might even read this one again. It starts with a murder that happens on stage during a performance of Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie. Eve is at the performance so actually witnesses the crime. However, in this case the “dead” that
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she is standing as justice for is actually the villain and a lot of good people get hurt in the process of finding the solution. This was not a simple good against bad story with easy answers; this actually gave the reader a chance to ponder “what is justice.” Robb also worked in some parallels between the plot of Witness for the Prosecution and her plot that as an Agatha Christie fan I found interesting. I shed a lot of tears in this book and even though I did figure out the perpetrator before the end of the book (as did Eve) I still had a few surprises in the dénouement. This was a terrific read. Show Less
LibraryThing member pauliharman
Guilty pleasures... no real review I'm afraid. Dallas investigates the murder of a hated actor on stage, when a trick knife is substituted with a real one.
LibraryThing member wisdomlore
While attending a performance of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution, Eve and Roarke witness a real murder when one of the starring actors actually dies in front of the whole audience. The prop knife has become real and death and actuallity. Of course, Eve calls on Peabody and they
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invesitgate. The dead actor would not win a popularity contest - and there are many folks - both on stage and behind who would have wanted him dead. Show Less
LibraryThing member ConnieJackson
A terrific story for the series!
Of all in the Death series, I do believe that "Witness In Death" is the best, especially when it comes to developing the characters Eve and Roarke. I'm looking forward to catching up on the books that I have missed. If you like Nora Roberts then you'll like these
Of all in the Death series, I do believe that "Witness In Death" is the best, especially when it comes to developing the characters Eve and Roarke. I'm looking forward to catching up on the books that I have missed. If you like Nora Roberts then you'll like these
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books by her. Show Less
LibraryThing member gerleliz
I love this series. Silly but fun.
LibraryThing member lhtouchton
I love this series and am enjoying working my way through it for the second time. The characters are interesting, real, flawed and lovingly developed, and I find myself caring about them as if they were people I know. I particularly enjoy the "slightly" futuristic setting - far enough out from the
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present that there are some neat gadgets and other additions to daily life (as well as off-planet settlements), but not so far out that the world is unfamiliar. Show Less
LibraryThing member gogglemiss
I'm working my way through these wonderful Eve Dallas stories and am really fond of the characters.
Peabody is growing on me in each story, and this one featured her heavily with a friendships with LC Charles Monroe and computer cop Mcnab. The partnershiip with Dallas works well, too and at times is
The joy of these stories are the characters, that you come to care about, and Eve and Rourke are a delight and it's lovely to read about their ups and downs of their married life.
Peabody is growing on me in each story, and this one featured her heavily with a friendships with LC Charles Monroe and computer cop Mcnab. The partnershiip with Dallas works well, too and at times is
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hilarious.The joy of these stories are the characters, that you come to care about, and Eve and Rourke are a delight and it's lovely to read about their ups and downs of their married life.
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LibraryThing member Kaetrin
I'd forgotten how far along in the series it actually was when McNab and Peabody first got together - another enjoyable audio instalment of a great series.
LibraryThing member rocalisa
It's not just this book that is the fault of my dealer, it is the whole series. She conned me into reading Naked in Death last year and here I am devouring book #11. I heard that Nora Roberts (who writes this futuristic detective series under the pseudonym J. D. Robb) was once asked why she is
In this book Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke are at the opening night of the 2056 production of Agatha Christie's 1952 play, "Witness for the Prosecution". In the last act, disagreeable character Leonard Vole, played by disagreeable actor Richard Drake, is stabbed, not with the intended prop knife, but the real thing that someone has substituted between scenes. Eve soon discovers that pretty much everyone had a reason to kill Drake and it is her job to find out who actually did it.
The case grows more complicated as Eve delves deeper and finds connections between the various cast members and Drake, as well as discovering just what a nasty character the dead actor was. Eve's memories of her own abusive childhood are stirred by the case and she struggles to stay objective.
As always, Roarke helps her out whether she likes it or not and in a beautiful scene, practical Eve struggles to create a romantic evening for her husband. For readers of the series, various relationships develop (particularly Peabody and Charles Monroe and Peabody and McNab). Regulars such as Mavis and Nadine Furst make brief appearances.
I particularly liked the solution to this mystery. Robb introduced a very neat twist at the end and laid some successful red herrings along the way. If you've never read a J. D. Robb book before, I recommend the first in the series - Naked in Death - simply because the character develop steadily through the series and the beginning is always a good place to start. However, Robb keeps the individual books accessible to the causal reader and if you like the sound of this one, go for it.
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still writing this long series when usually she doesn't like long series. Her reply was that she simply liked visiting with Eve and Roarke. I couldn't agree more; I too love checking in to see what they are up to.In this book Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke are at the opening night of the 2056 production of Agatha Christie's 1952 play, "Witness for the Prosecution". In the last act, disagreeable character Leonard Vole, played by disagreeable actor Richard Drake, is stabbed, not with the intended prop knife, but the real thing that someone has substituted between scenes. Eve soon discovers that pretty much everyone had a reason to kill Drake and it is her job to find out who actually did it.
The case grows more complicated as Eve delves deeper and finds connections between the various cast members and Drake, as well as discovering just what a nasty character the dead actor was. Eve's memories of her own abusive childhood are stirred by the case and she struggles to stay objective.
As always, Roarke helps her out whether she likes it or not and in a beautiful scene, practical Eve struggles to create a romantic evening for her husband. For readers of the series, various relationships develop (particularly Peabody and Charles Monroe and Peabody and McNab). Regulars such as Mavis and Nadine Furst make brief appearances.
I particularly liked the solution to this mystery. Robb introduced a very neat twist at the end and laid some successful red herrings along the way. If you've never read a J. D. Robb book before, I recommend the first in the series - Naked in Death - simply because the character develop steadily through the series and the beginning is always a good place to start. However, Robb keeps the individual books accessible to the causal reader and if you like the sound of this one, go for it.
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LibraryThing member pammykn
AUTHOR Robb, J.D.
TITLE: Witness in Death
DATE READ: 02/24/2016
RATING 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/PUBLISHER/# OF PGS Crime Fiction / 2000/ Berkley / 338 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE: #10 Eve Dallas
CHARACTERS Eve Dalla/ NY Detective
TIME/PLACE: Future/ NY
FIRST LINES There was always an audience for murder.
COMM
TITLE: Witness in Death
DATE READ: 02/24/2016
RATING 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/PUBLISHER/# OF PGS Crime Fiction / 2000/ Berkley / 338 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE: #10 Eve Dallas
CHARACTERS Eve Dalla/ NY Detective
TIME/PLACE: Future/ NY
FIRST LINES There was always an audience for murder.
COMM
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ENTS: Almost forgot how much I enjoyed these books. So far behind in this series…guess I have a lot to look forward to. In this book, Eve and Roarke attend an opening night of Witness for the Prosecution. When the prop retractable-knife is replaced by a real one … the "play" murder turns real. The victim is the main character Leonard Vole, actor Richard Draco is stabbed and dies on stage -- the entire cast and audience are all witness to his death. Richard Draco is an esteemed actor but as a person he is unanimously hated. Every cast member has had some type of grievance w/ him over the years. And… this is where the murderer thinks they are "free" since no one will care enough to find out who finally got rid of Richard after everyone secretly wanting him gone. However, they did not count on Eve's relentless crusade for justice no matter how many deep, dark secrets in her past it will touch upon. Another great outing for Eve! Show Less
LibraryThing member msralways
I think this was probably the biggest plot twist so far with the murderer. I'm totally loving this new angle J.D is giving the characters: with Eve and how she handles some aspects of her cases and with her personal relationships, with Roarke with how he deals with Eve, with Peabody and McNab and
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Feeney too. The plot was a little like something out of that game Clue and it was very interesting to see how everybody reacted to the victim before he died. There were some great dialogues between Eve and Peabody and Roarke and McNab. The first pair cracks me up and then brings tears to my eyes, Roarke and McNab are just plain fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member AddictedToMorphemes
A real murder takes place during a theater production at the Globe Theater in NYC while Lt. Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, are in attendance. Although the crime occurred in full view of the audience when a prop knife was replaced by a real knife, Dallas is left to determine who the real
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culprit is when the prop master becomes the killer's second victim. Show Less
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Witness in Death opens with the main characters, Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, watching an opening-night performance of Agatha Christie's play Witness for the Prosecution. When the leading man, Richard Draco, is stabbed with a real knife instead of the prop, Eve begins an
When a second murder is committed, but made to look like a suicide, Eve continues to question the numerous suspects. All the actors are tied to Draco, either directly or indirectly, and all have reason to detest him. While searching his house, Eve discovers videos that Draco made while having sex with women, including one with Eve's close friend, Nadine. It looks like they were not even aware of the videos when she also finds the stash of drugs he used to make the women more compliant.
This was a great homage to Agatha Christie, especially the ending where Eve brings everyone together in a drawing room for her dramatic revelation of the killer. I also liked that we got to know more about Eve and Roarke and their relationship. I hope the future books will include some insight into Peabody and her relationship with the two men in her life, fellow cop McNab and licensed companion Charles. This series has great characters, good twists and is always a fun read.
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investigation. Before long, the main list of suspects grows even more when all of them report that Draco was a terrible man and no one cares that he is dead.When a second murder is committed, but made to look like a suicide, Eve continues to question the numerous suspects. All the actors are tied to Draco, either directly or indirectly, and all have reason to detest him. While searching his house, Eve discovers videos that Draco made while having sex with women, including one with Eve's close friend, Nadine. It looks like they were not even aware of the videos when she also finds the stash of drugs he used to make the women more compliant.
This was a great homage to Agatha Christie, especially the ending where Eve brings everyone together in a drawing room for her dramatic revelation of the killer. I also liked that we got to know more about Eve and Roarke and their relationship. I hope the future books will include some insight into Peabody and her relationship with the two men in her life, fellow cop McNab and licensed companion Charles. This series has great characters, good twists and is always a fun read.
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LibraryThing member wndy2011
Eve must once again find a murderer, only this time, she was witness to the actual deed. While uncovering a series of events, her life is drawn back to her childhood and the horrors that shaped the woman she became.
LibraryThing member lydiasbooks
I really like this author and have read most of the In Death series. Funny, realistic portrayal of emotions and interpersonal relationships. Cracking one-liners, and the plots are ok too! Would recommend. Wish I had an autochef & those kinds of gadgets. Wouldn't mind a husband like that, either!
LibraryThing member Lauren2013
Witness in Death
4 Stars
In her newest case, homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas finds herself in uncharted territory when she, along with the entire audience, witnesses the murder of an actor during a performance. Before long, Eve and her team are up to their necks in suspects and motives as the victim
An excellent homage to Agatha Christie's mysteries in general and to her play, Witness for the Prosecution, in particular. Reading this book brought back fond memories of watching the film with my father.
Although the identity of the culprit is quite obvious early on, perhaps because the style is so Christie-like, it is, nonetheless, entertaining to follow along with Eve as she uncovers the clues and unmasks the killer. It must be said that this is definitely the first time in the series that the murder is 100% justified as the victim is a vile excuse for a human being.
In terms of the character development, readers are provided with additional insights into Eve's personality as the case demonstrates that she is still struggling with the horrific memories that have only recently risen to the surface. Thankfully, Roarke is there when she needs him the most and their romance is still exciting and fresh even after ten books.
All in all, another solid installment in a fun series.
4 Stars
In her newest case, homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas finds herself in uncharted territory when she, along with the entire audience, witnesses the murder of an actor during a performance. Before long, Eve and her team are up to their necks in suspects and motives as the victim
Show More
was uniformly despised by one and by all. An excellent homage to Agatha Christie's mysteries in general and to her play, Witness for the Prosecution, in particular. Reading this book brought back fond memories of watching the film with my father.
Although the identity of the culprit is quite obvious early on, perhaps because the style is so Christie-like, it is, nonetheless, entertaining to follow along with Eve as she uncovers the clues and unmasks the killer. It must be said that this is definitely the first time in the series that the murder is 100% justified as the victim is a vile excuse for a human being.
In terms of the character development, readers are provided with additional insights into Eve's personality as the case demonstrates that she is still struggling with the horrific memories that have only recently risen to the surface. Thankfully, Roarke is there when she needs him the most and their romance is still exciting and fresh even after ten books.
All in all, another solid installment in a fun series.
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LibraryThing member JohnFair
What do you do when your husband takes you to the theatre and you're watching a murder mystery? When you're Eve Dallas, foremost murder cop in New York you scream (quietly!) that the play's a load of bollocks, but even Eve fails to guess the outcome of this evening's outing. When the final murder
As usual, JD Robb manages to hold the reader entranced in the investigation while she provides moments of humour even in the darkest parts of the book
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of the night's performance is committed, even Eve is so caught up in the scene that she fails to realise that the scene isn't actually an act but an act of real murder. Soon, the newly opened theatre is the scene of a murder investigation and Eve and her crack murder squad have sort of the truths from the lies of the actors, trained to put deliver even the most outrageous text as if it were the truth. Eve cuts through the rubbish and closes in on murderer and motive in a case that had been decades in the making.As usual, JD Robb manages to hold the reader entranced in the investigation while she provides moments of humour even in the darkest parts of the book
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LibraryThing member Headinherbooks_27
Just keeps getting better and better.
LibraryThing member jfe16
The heinous murder of the leading man during the opening night performance at the New York New Globe Theatre puts NYPSD homicide detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas in an untenable position: she’s both a witness and the lead detective on the case. And Roarke owns the theater . . . .
Tenth in the “In
Highly recommended.
Tenth in the “In
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Death” series, the unfolding plot around the murder is very Agatha Christie-ish and superbly done. With all the expected characters in place, the story is alternately intriguing, romantic, and humorous. As with the previous books, the continued character development reveals new layers and complexities; the relationships and interactions between the characters remains one of the highlights of the series. Readers new to the series will find sufficient backstory; fans of the series will find much to appreciate here. Don’t miss this one.Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member kevinrtipple
It has been said the play is the thing. For Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYPSD, murder is the thing. On a rare night out with her husband, Roarke, she is treating the play on the stage as a murder case. While the original Witness for the Prosecution came out around 1952, the cast has done a very
Was it an accident with the wrong prop or was it a deliberate murder?
While the world may be a stage and everyone else mere players, Lieutenant Eve Dallas is an exceptionally skilled player. Despite being a witness, or maybe because of being one, she is allowed to handle the case and the resulting investigation that soon becomes the subject of intense media scrutiny. Though when you are married to the wealthiest and sexist man ever known, everything you do generates considerable media scrutiny.
While she is not sharing graphically intimate moment with Roarke or trying to not think about Peabody and what is going on in her off duty life, Dallas is working a complex case. A case where nearly everyone involved is a professional liar because they are trained actors and actresses. A murder case that did not stop with one murder on stage.
While all the usual caveats apply regarding point of view head hopping and the occasional graphic sex scene, at the book’s heart, it is a complicated and enjoyable police procedural/mystery. Technology is prevalent and has its uses, but cases still get solved by boots on the ground and solid police work. Witness in Death by J. D. Robb is a fun read in a series that is well worth your time.
My eBook reading copy came from the Dallas Public Library System via the OverDrive/Libby App. Amazingly, I made it work this time without technical assistance from my son, Scott. I should go to a nearby store and buy a lottery ticket.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2022
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good job bringing the tale to life. Too much so, as in one aspect. Eve Dallas, Roarke, and the entire packed house witness the death of one of the actors.Was it an accident with the wrong prop or was it a deliberate murder?
While the world may be a stage and everyone else mere players, Lieutenant Eve Dallas is an exceptionally skilled player. Despite being a witness, or maybe because of being one, she is allowed to handle the case and the resulting investigation that soon becomes the subject of intense media scrutiny. Though when you are married to the wealthiest and sexist man ever known, everything you do generates considerable media scrutiny.
While she is not sharing graphically intimate moment with Roarke or trying to not think about Peabody and what is going on in her off duty life, Dallas is working a complex case. A case where nearly everyone involved is a professional liar because they are trained actors and actresses. A murder case that did not stop with one murder on stage.
While all the usual caveats apply regarding point of view head hopping and the occasional graphic sex scene, at the book’s heart, it is a complicated and enjoyable police procedural/mystery. Technology is prevalent and has its uses, but cases still get solved by boots on the ground and solid police work. Witness in Death by J. D. Robb is a fun read in a series that is well worth your time.
My eBook reading copy came from the Dallas Public Library System via the OverDrive/Libby App. Amazingly, I made it work this time without technical assistance from my son, Scott. I should go to a nearby store and buy a lottery ticket.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2022
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LibraryThing member Lauren2013
Witness in Death
4 Stars
In her newest case, homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas finds herself in uncharted territory when she, along with the entire audience, witnesses the murder of an actor during a performance. Before long, Eve and her team are up to their necks in suspects and motives as the victim
An excellent homage to Agatha Christie's mysteries in general and to her play, Witness for the Prosecution, in particular. Reading this book brought back fond memories of watching the film with my father.
Although the identity of the culprit is quite obvious early on, perhaps because the style is so Christie-like, it is, nonetheless, entertaining to follow along with Eve as she uncovers the clues and unmasks the killer. It must be said that this is definitely the first time in the series that the murder is 100% justified as the victim is a vile excuse for a human being.
In terms of the character development, readers are provided with additional insights into Eve's personality as the case demonstrates that she is still struggling with the horrific memories that have only recently risen to the surface. Thankfully, Roarke is there when she needs him the most and their romance is still exciting and fresh even after ten books.
All in all, another solid installment in a fun series.
4 Stars
In her newest case, homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas finds herself in uncharted territory when she, along with the entire audience, witnesses the murder of an actor during a performance. Before long, Eve and her team are up to their necks in suspects and motives as the victim
Show More
was uniformly despised by one and by all. An excellent homage to Agatha Christie's mysteries in general and to her play, Witness for the Prosecution, in particular. Reading this book brought back fond memories of watching the film with my father.
Although the identity of the culprit is quite obvious early on, perhaps because the style is so Christie-like, it is, nonetheless, entertaining to follow along with Eve as she uncovers the clues and unmasks the killer. It must be said that this is definitely the first time in the series that the murder is 100% justified as the victim is a vile excuse for a human being.
In terms of the character development, readers are provided with additional insights into Eve's personality as the case demonstrates that she is still struggling with the horrific memories that have only recently risen to the surface. Thankfully, Roarke is there when she needs him the most and their romance is still exciting and fresh even after ten books.
All in all, another solid installment in a fun series.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (Winner — 2000)
P.E.A.R.L. (Nominee — 2000)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2000-07-01
Physical description
368 p.; 4.15 inches
ISBN
0425173631 / 9780425173633
UPC
780718310799