Encore in Death

Early in bestseller Robb’s entertaining 56th near-future novel featuring Lt. Eve Dallas, head of the New York City Police Security Department (after 2022’s Desperation in Death), Eve and her crack homicide team are called to a crime scene: the Upper West Side penthouse of “golden god of stage and screen” Brant Fitzhugh and his Tony, Oscar, and Grammy winning wife, Eliza Lane. During a lavish party for around 200 of the couple’s friends and colleagues earlier that evening, Brant collapsed after drinking a champagne cocktail intended for Eliza. Eve suspects cyanide poisoning. With a well-liked, much-admired movie star dead and his famous wife calling for action in finding his killer, Eve is under pressure from above to make a quick arrest. The suspect list grows long with ex-wives, theatrical rivals, and crazed groupies. Plenty of enticing details of life among the theater and movie set make up for a plot that will be familiar to any Agatha Christie reader. As ever, the main draw is Eve’s relationship with Roarke, her swoon-worthy husband, who’s not only handsome and mega wealthy but also sensitive and respectful of Eve’s opinions and decisions. Series fans will be satisfied. Agent: Amy Berkower, Writers House. (Feb.)