Quiz Stolen in Death J. D. Robb

Stolen in Death Quiz – Test Your Knowledge

Test your knowledge of the 58th book in the In Death series. This quiz covers plot, character motivations, themes, and synthesis. All answers are based on the novel's outline. Ready?

Quiz

Questions 1–8: Plot and Sequence

  1. Why does Eve Dallas leave the charity gala at Roarke's hotel?

    A. She receives a dispatch about a homicide at Barrister House
    B. Mavis Freestone asks her to escort her home
    C. She argues with Nadine Furst
    D. Roarke reveals a past crime

  2. Who discovered the body of Nathan Barrister?

    Short answer (one name): ________

  3. How did the killer enter the hidden vault?

    A. Through a tunnel from the neighboring building
    B. By picking the vault's mechanical lock
    C. By jamming the electronic security between 12:17 AM and 12:59 AM
    D. Using a key stolen from Aileen Carville

  4. What is "the Royal Suite"?

    Short answer (one phrase): ________

  5. Who admits to having stolen the Royal Suite emeralds and the Venus statue years earlier?

    A. Nathan Barrister
    B. Roarke
    C. Henry Barrister
    D. Jenna Lynn Delaney

  6. Which item was missing from the vault after the night of the murder?

    A. A Renoir painting
    B. A ruby necklace
    C. The Royal Suite
    D. The Venus statue

  7. Where does the underground auction for the emeralds take place?

    A. A Long Island estate called Cochran Estates
    B. The basement of Barrister House
    C. A warehouse near the docks
    D. Interpol headquarters

  8. What is the real name of the "Fancy Blonde" who manipulated Henry Barrister?

    Short answer (full name): ________

Questions 9–13: Character Motivation

  1. What drives Joy Barrister to orchestrate her brother Nathan's murder?

    A. Fear that the vault's secrets would be exposed
    B. Jealousy over her father's favoritism and desire for control of the family business
    C. A debt to Magdelana Percell
    D. Pressure from Aileen Carville

  2. Why does Magdelana Percell hire Timothy Kruger to kill Eve Dallas?

    Short answer (one sentence): ________

  3. What is the main reason Roarke gave up his life of theft?

    A. He was caught by Interpol and forced into a deal
    B. He found more value in love and belonging with Eve
    C. He became too old to manage risky heists
    D. The Royal Suite was his last and he retired

  4. Why does Eve punch Magdelana during the raid instead of stunning her?

    Short answer (one sentence): ________

  5. What does Jenna Lynn Delaney want in exchange for her cooperation?

    A. A reduced sentence for theft
    B. Immunity for the theft charge
    C. A job in Roarke's security firm
    D. Protection from Magdelana

Questions 14–17: Theme and Symbol

  1. According to the Oscar Wilde epigraph, what kind of wealth cannot be stolen?

    Short answer (two words): ________

  2. How does the "magpie motif" apply to Henry Barrister?

    A. He collected shiny objects because he had OCD
    B. He stole treasures out of a compulsive need to possess, like a magpie hoarding bright items
    C. He hid his collection from the police to avoid prosecution
    D. He used stolen art to decorate his home for social status

  3. What does the hidden vault in Barrister House symbolize?

    A. The family's financial success
    B. The shame and moral emptiness of stolen wealth
    C. A safe hiding place for inheritance
    D. Henry Barrister's love of fine art

  4. How does Roarke's criminal past contrast with his present role in the story?

    A. He used to steal for thrill and money; now he uses his expertise for legal investigation and justice
    B. He has renounced all illegal activities and now only works as a legitimate businessman
    C. He still commits minor thefts but only to help Eve
    D. His past is irrelevant to the plot

Questions 18–20: Synthesis

  1. Compare the motivations of Joy Barrister and Magdelana Percell. In what way are they similar, and in what way do they differ?

    Short answer (2–3 sentences): ________

  2. How does Eve's personal trauma (killing her abusive father at age 8) influence her handling of the case?

    Short answer (1–2 sentences): ________

  3. In what ways does the novel explore the theme of trust and partnership through Eve and Roarke?

    Short answer (2–3 sentences): ________

Answer Key

  1. A – Eve receives a dispatch about a possible homicide at Barrister House while still at the gala. (Ch. 1)
  2. Aileen Carville – The victim's wife found his body after midnight. (Ch. 2)
  3. C – The killer jammed the electronic security; the jamming window matches the time of death. (Ch. 2)
  4. A set of emerald and diamond jewelry – The Royal Suite was stolen from the Tate Gallery years ago. (Ch. 3)
  5. B – Roarke confesses to Eve that he stole the Royal Suite and Venus statue when he was eighteen. (Ch. 4)
  6. C – The Royal Suite was the only item taken; the vault otherwise held other stolen treasures. (Ch. 2, 3)
  7. A – The auction happened at Cochran Estates on Long Island. (Ch. 21)
  8. Magdelana Percell – She also used the aliases Sabrina Fancy and Delaney Lynn. (Ch. 16, 17)
  9. B – Joy felt overshadowed by her father's attention to Nathan and wanted control of the family business. (Ch. 18, 20)
  10. She wanted to eliminate the police officer investigating the theft and murder, and possibly out of personal vendetta or to protect herself. (Ch. 16, 20)
  11. B – Roarke states that he found more in Eve than any thrill; she brought him joy and belonging. (Ch. 10, 14)
  12. Out of personal satisfaction and anger; she had time to stun her but chose to punch her instead, echoing a moment with McNab. (Ch. 21 direct quote: "How about an encore?")
  13. B – She signs an immunity agreement for the theft charge. (Ch. 18, 19)
  14. Spiritual riches (or "intangible riches") – Wilde writes that real spiritual riches cannot be stolen. (Epigraph)
  15. B – Dr. Mira describes Henry's "magpie mentality" – a compulsive need to possess beautiful things. (Ch. 13)
  16. B – The vault represents the family's hidden shame and the moral emptiness of stolen treasure. (Ch. 7, 8, passim)
  17. A – Roarke now uses his thief's knowledge to help Eve solve crimes, and he works within the law. (Ch. 4, 17, 23)
  18. Both are driven by greed and selfishness, but Joy's motive is personal (family jealousy, desire for power within the business), while Magdelana's motive is criminal (thrill, profit, and manipulation of others for her own ends). Joy directly arranged Nathan's murder; Magdelana orchestrated the theft and hired the assassin.
  19. Eve's own history of surviving abuse gives her a visceral understanding of victims and a relentless drive for justice, but also leads her to compartmentalize moral complexities (such as Roarke's past) in order to focus on solving the case.
  20. Throughout the novel, Eve and Roarke demonstrate deep trust: she sets aside his confession about the emeralds, he uses his past connections to help the investigation, and they work seamlessly as partners. Their personal scenes (elevator, swim, dream sequence) reinforce that their bond transcends Roarke's criminal history, and they rely on each other completely.

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