ENCORE IN DEATH, the latest In Death novel starring Eve Dallas, is a suspense-driven, well-executed mystery that keeps readers turning pages until the end.

Established married actors Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh host a party to celebrate Eliza’s return to the stage in Upstage, the musical that launched her career twenty-five years earlier. This time Eliza is playing the lead role of mother to the daughter role that she played. Just as Eliza starts to sing for their guests, Brant toasts her with his drink as he takes a sip. Moments later, he collapses and lies dead on the floor.

Eve and Peabody arrive to deal with the suspicious death. The detectives suspect cyanide, given the scent of almonds and the body’s condition. At first, the clues seem inconsistent because the actor is extremely well-liked. Then the fact that the drink was Eliza’s shifts police focus to who wants Eliza dead. And while Eliza is a famous actress, she has devoted enemies. One is Vera Harrow, the actress in a relationship with Brant when he met and left her for Eliza. Then there’s the fact that Eliza’s role replacing Leah Rose, the young woman whose death on opening night gave Eliza her entry. Eve also finds that Eliza has a stalker, Ethan Crommell, who becomes a solid suspect. J. D. Robb provides enough red herrings and twists to keep readers occupied.

As usual, Ms. Robb updates fans on the status of Eve’s husband, Roarke, who investigates with her and butler Charles Summerset; characters from the precinct like Baxter, Mc Nab, coroner Morris, Eve’s boss Commander Whitney; and Eve’s personal friends like Mavis, Leonardo, Bella; and finally, crime reporter Nadine Furst. And readers catch up on the estate progress where Peabody and McNab plan to share space with Mavis and Leonardo.

Ms. Robb continues to engage and entertain readers with consummately conceived mysteries and well-developed characters.  ENCORE IN DEATH is easily a 5-star read and then some.