Avsnitt
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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 Death
AJ & 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 measure
They 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 thoughts
This 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.
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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 Street
Maureen O’Hara appreciation
GIFs or JIFs… the debate continues)
Why people on the internet insist on hate-reading things they clearly don’t enjoy
Plus, 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.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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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 roll
Rich 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 food
Tara repeatedly losing patience with spoiled rich boys
Eve Dallas in leather, once again reminding everyone she’s the coolest person alive
Plus, 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?
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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.
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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 for
His surprising depth—because behind the jokes is someone who feels every case
And of course, his ability to make Peabody blush, Eve roll her eyes, and all of us laugh
Along the way, we also spiral (naturally) into:
Whether Eve actually understands any pop culture references
Why Morris absolutely rehearses his jokes before Eve walks in
The 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!
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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. 🍷🥩
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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!!
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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 outtakes
favorite 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 rants
memorable discussions from book episodes
a collection of “reviewing the reviews” moments
and, naturally, a whole lot of delightful nonsense
There’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.
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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.
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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]
Voicemail/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?)
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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.
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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.
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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 chambers
think tanks
nightmare 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 machine
Peabody & 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 STAIRS
ALSO Dark in Death: the infamous flying dwarf / creepy garden gnome attack, complete with “boobies!” and the bullpen going full trauma-care mode
Lying Liars Unite: a random elevator group therapy session about exes who lie like breathing
Fruicki’s undercover stink strategy (“Do you bathe in piss?”) and Eve’s immediate refusal to share air with him
Cromwell’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 analysis
Jenkinson’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 elevator
Tara’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 prank
A voicemail from Sky, who uses every second of voicemail time like it’s an Olympic sport
Listener 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]
Voicemail: 205-476-2753 (aka 205-4ROARKE)
Website SpeakPipe: podcastindeath.com → Contact Us
Socials: Instagram + BlueSky + Facebook group
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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.
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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).
- Visa fler
