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333rd out of 907 books
—
857 voters
Dare to Die (Death on Demand #19)
by
Carolyn Hart (Goodreads Author)
She came in the rain. Alone. On a bicycle.
Annie and Max Darling are completely unprepared when the arrival of a mysterious young woman shocks their sea island and stirs up more than just gossip.
It turns out that Iris, the beautiful stranger, is a former resident of Broward's Rock. Her arrival throws the normally happy town into a downward spiral that pits neighbor against...more
Annie and Max Darling are completely unprepared when the arrival of a mysterious young woman shocks their sea island and stirs up more than just gossip.
It turns out that Iris, the beautiful stranger, is a former resident of Broward's Rock. Her arrival throws the normally happy town into a downward spiral that pits neighbor against...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
March 31st 2009
by William Morrow & Company
(first published March 23rd 2009)
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Dare to Die is another installment in Carolyn Hart's Death on Demand series about Annie and Max Darling, a happily married couple living in an idyllic island where Annie run the perfect fantasy for those of us who love reading-and cozies: a bookstore specializing in mysteries. Of course, as fate (and the author) would have it, death often shows up at her door and Annie must do more than sell mysteries: she has to solve them as well.
In Dare to Die, Iris, a former island resident who left after hi...more
In Dare to Die, Iris, a former island resident who left after hi...more
Why is this series so wildly successful? Carolyn Hart fans have high expectations from this best-selling author who has been christened “The American Agatha Christie.” They’ve come to expect certain trademarks in every one of her novels–an intricate plot, appealing, interrelated characters with rich emotional lives, non-stop action and a gripping climax. These are characters you want to know and spend time with, and the setting–Broward’s Rock in South Carolina–will become as real and beloved as...more
“She came in the rain. Alone. On a bicycle.” These are the words that start a chain reaction of diabolic events on the quaint little sea-side island, Broward’s Rock, where Max and Annie Darling reside in their much-loved Franklin house.
Because of worrisome repair work to their home, Max and Annie have had to take up temporary residence in a modern cabin and move their long-planned picnic party to the harbor pavilion. Not being natives to the island, they are unaware of the troublesome and upsett...more
Because of worrisome repair work to their home, Max and Annie have had to take up temporary residence in a modern cabin and move their long-planned picnic party to the harbor pavilion. Not being natives to the island, they are unaware of the troublesome and upsett...more
I've always enjoyed Carolyn Hart's "Death on Demand" mystery series about Annie Darling, the owner of a mystery book store on Broward's Rock, South Carolina. This is the 19th book in the series. I think that I like the series so much because Hart is able to capture the essence of life on a fictional island located near the very real Hilton Head Island (one of my favorite places). However, this book was not one of the best of the series. It had an enjoyable story and was a perfect choice for the...more
"Dare to Die" is one of a series of novels featuring mystery book store owner, Annie Darling and her husband, Max. I read one of these years ago and only vaguely remember it. Basically it's about the perfect couple who have sex every morning living on an idyllic island where the people are salt of the earth -- and murderers run amok every 6 months or so to give Annie something to investigate. There's a cast of characters (trust me, the people in these novels have no resemblance to actual people)...more
It had been awhile since I read a Death on Demand mystery. For some reason, the last one I read simply did not hold my interest. But, because I enjoyed the books in the past, I decided to give the series another chance, and I am glad I did. This is a rather sad story of long held secrets and the past deaths of teenagers. A young woman comes back to the island where tragedy happened when she was young. Iris wants to make things right and confirm what she thinks she knows of the deaths that happen...more
Somehow I consider Carolyn Hart's to be Light Mystery. I would also put Sue Grafton in this
category--though Ithought that her last book had more meat to it. The main characters in this series are Annie Darling, and her wonderful husband Max. They are young, rich, and borderline boring. Oh, this was a nook book, which makes it hard to go back to check on character's names. The upshot is that they almost get incinerated after someone announces that Annie has info on a recent murder. It seems that...more
category--though Ithought that her last book had more meat to it. The main characters in this series are Annie Darling, and her wonderful husband Max. They are young, rich, and borderline boring. Oh, this was a nook book, which makes it hard to go back to check on character's names. The upshot is that they almost get incinerated after someone announces that Annie has info on a recent murder. It seems that...more
The Death on Demand series has been a long time favorite of mine. I love how the murder mysteries are interlaced with (usually literary based) fun and frivolity. Dare to Die did not follow the usual format. The mystery was front and center for the entire novel and unfortunately the mystery was depressing. The message of the novel was clear - teenagers do stupid things and those things will come back to haunt them as adults if someone doesn't kill them first. And worse, the repeated mentioning of...more
I love the Death on Demand series, and while I liked this book I didn't feel like it was up to Ms. Hart's usual standards. I found all of the suspects, their histories and their relationships with one another to be confusing, and I was constantly flipping back to the beginning of the book with questions like, "wait, is Fran married to Buck or Russel? Is she the one who did XYZ or was that Cara?" It was distracting and by the end I didn't have any real feelings about the revelation of who the mur...more
Every now and then I pick up one of the books in Carolyn Hart's Death on Demand series although Max and Annie Darling are not my favorite detectives. I find them just a little bit too perfect, I think. In this book, Annie and Max investigate the death of a young woman who has returned to the island after a ten year absence. Everyone in her high school class who still lives on the island harbors a secret about the deaths of two other members of the class. I thought that the story was drawn out to...more
I had my doubts about this book. It is, after all, about a darling couple named Darling. Seems that she owns a book store in a small town on a small island that focuses on mysteries. She's native to the community and returned with her darling husband to live and love. Seems also that death practically comes to her door and takes up residence. It all sounds too trite and contrived. Well, it is all that and very fun and interesting. The mystery continues throughout the book with some guesses about...more
I used to read every Carolyn Hart as soon as they came out. Then I somehow got behind. This one was a freebie from Barnes and Noble's Free Friday downloads. I was waiting for me when I registered my new Nook. I am glad to see that the series is aa delightful as ever. Annie and Max are still together on their island off the coast of South Carolina, still dealing with the occasional murder, quirky characters, and Annie's bookshop, Death on Demand.
I'm delighted to note that I'm going to be able to...more
I'm delighted to note that I'm going to be able to...more
Light little mystery; nothing earth shattering, though one did need a score card to remember all the characters and who was with whom now, as well as 10 years ago in the back story. It would be nice if Carolyn Hart actually knew the lowcountry where she sets this series, but she doesn't, as often comes out in the books. It makes me fear a little bit for our economy here, because with so many deaths on one island off the coast of South Carolina, what's it gonna do for our tourist trade? I guess p...more
Dare To Die by Carolyn Hart
Published by Avon Mystery
ISBN 978-0-06-145305-2
At the request of Bestsellersworld, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
On the quaint island of Broward's Rock, a native daughter has returned after a ten (10) year absence. Riding a bike in the pouring rain with nothing but a duffel bag and a change of clothes, Iris Tilford arrives. She has made this visit, not only to make amends of her past, but to also find the truth of what really happened all...more
Published by Avon Mystery
ISBN 978-0-06-145305-2
At the request of Bestsellersworld, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
On the quaint island of Broward's Rock, a native daughter has returned after a ten (10) year absence. Riding a bike in the pouring rain with nothing but a duffel bag and a change of clothes, Iris Tilford arrives. She has made this visit, not only to make amends of her past, but to also find the truth of what really happened all...more
I love Max, and Annie's better than most main characters of the female type in cozy mysteries. Love Max's mom too. Laurel that would be.
4/29/12 - I stayed up later than I planned to finish this book. It's between and 3 and 4 star, but I just upped it to 4 since I did stay up late to finish it. I've missed a few earlier books she refers to in this one, but that's the way it goes. Maybe I'll find them some day and fill in the cracks.
Good story, and Annie did NOT ended up along in the woods with th...more
4/29/12 - I stayed up later than I planned to finish this book. It's between and 3 and 4 star, but I just upped it to 4 since I did stay up late to finish it. I've missed a few earlier books she refers to in this one, but that's the way it goes. Maybe I'll find them some day and fill in the cracks.
Good story, and Annie did NOT ended up along in the woods with th...more
I just absolutely adore this series of books by Carolyn Hart. I'm not quite caught up yet. This is the last one i've read and i think i have 3 or 4 more to go before i'm completely caught up. Have read all the early ones several times. In fact I read them all at least once a year. I love Annie and Max and the things that they get caught up in. They are fast and very enjoyable reads. They are written very well, with a tight plot and twists that you don't expect. I very much enjoy Carolyn Harts' w...more
Max and Annie are getting ready to move into their new house. But it's not ready in time for their big house-warming party so they throw a party at the local pavilion. Then, a girl who's only recently returned to town is murdered. She was part of the cool crowd until one of their members died from a drug overdose and then his twin sister apparently died of suicide. But did the most recent victim know something about those deaths? Something that caused her own? Annie is on the case.
When Annie Darling volunteers to help at a friend's vacation cabins, she meets Iris, a native of Broward's Rock who has been away for many years. Iris fled the island after the deaths of two high school classmates, twins, and went through prolonged periods of substance abuse and homelessness. Now, clean and sober, she wants to redress a long-past mistake. But when Iris dies, Annie--who had the opportunity to learn about her life--becomes number one target for a murderer.
Just the kind of story I like to read (I don't watch much TV) and this is a bit of entertaining fluff. Lots of interesting characters set against a small town that almost is real with a mystery and some danger to add to it all. The main characters are in love and there is romance as well.
This particular mystery has its roots in a past death and the author ties together all the threads neatly until the end. Not quite reality but still a lot of fun.
This particular mystery has its roots in a past death and the author ties together all the threads neatly until the end. Not quite reality but still a lot of fun.
Jan 11, 2013
Maria
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of Cozies.
Recommended to Maria by:
Book Bub deal
Shelves:
murdery-mystery
While this was not the worst mystery I've ever read, it wasn't the best, either. I took too much time reading it, so I lost track of the characters and interest in the story. I give it points for the absence of vulgar language and gratuitous sex, but the plot wasn't very compelling. "Cozies" are not my favorite. They tend to have "fluffy" plots that center around tea shops or cats. In this one, the conclusion was kind of contrived.
I've always liked this series, though I get daunted by Hart's vast knowledge of the mystery genre! Most of the books she mentions I haven't even heard of. What I love about these books are the characters and the sense of place, and this one is no exception. Classic Hart. My one quibble would be that I think Annie, the main character, has a rather frumpy wardrobe for a 28 year old! Hart loves to describe what each character is wearing, and while I actually appreciate that, I do think Annie dresse...more
I felt myself wanting to visit Broward's Rock but didn't really connect to any of the story or characters. Sadly disappointed in the read. Moved quickly and only took me 2 days to read it. Was pretty predicable and obvious that it was one of several folks, no surprise on which one really and didn't really seem to matter which one. Could have easily been any of them and the same ending would have been written.
I've been a long-time fan of this series but this one just didn't live up to the usual standard, in my opinion. I really wanted to like the story but found it slow moving and repetitive. While I already knew the main characters, the new characters (victims and suspects alike) were not well developed and by the end of the book I felt they were still just names. I hope the next volume in the series is better.
Very passable entertainment from the lastest in this cozy mystery series. The mystery was fairly nicely plotted but as usual I enjoyed the interplay among the long-running cast and the starring role of the lovely island Broward's Rock more. It's hard to believe these nice people keep stumbling across so many murders in their limited setting, but please--no more off island adventures! I prefer to continue to suspend my disbelief. Thanks.
I jumped on this book at my local library when I realized the Agatha Christie-like genre and how prolific the author is. I was ready to settle into a long list of books. Now I am not so sure. The characters did not interest me, the plot was stretched too far, and the writing is not very skillful. However, I am giving Hart another chance and have another book to read soon.
It was free on the nook. I was developing a respiratory infection. There were lots of characters and for some reason I couldn't keep them straight. My frequent naps didn't help, but I can't say for sure that they were all caused by illness, as the book never grabbed me. Kept looking at page # to see how soon it would all be wrapped up.
Reminded me of an old classic a la Agatha Christie style. The plot is not very complex and the surprises/twists are few. Pleasant reading though.
Ca me rappelle un vieux classique a la facon d'Agatha Christie. L'histoire n'est pas tres compliquee et les surprises/rebondissements peu nombreux. Cela dit, c'est une lecture plaisante.
Ca me rappelle un vieux classique a la facon d'Agatha Christie. L'histoire n'est pas tres compliquee et les surprises/rebondissements peu nombreux. Cela dit, c'est une lecture plaisante.
Imagine Nancy Drew married one of the Hardy Boys in 2009 and you've got Annie and Max Darling, the main characters. Reading this book brought back childhood memories of reading the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy mysteries - it's that kind of simple, formulaic mystery that's easy to read and fun to try and solve as you read along.
Jun 07, 2012
Kathryn
added it
Got 18 out of 200+ pages in and dropped it like a hot potato. So, no rating since I can't evaluate it fairly. About 10 different characters got introduced in those first 20 pages, and the book just didn't catch my interest. I can't put my finger on why, but I said out loud, "I'm not reading this," and dropped it.
This was the first time I have read this author and this is number 19 in the series. I did not feel like I had to have read the other books in the series and did not feel lost. It was a quick light read but I don't think I will be searching out the other books right now. It might be something I come back to.
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Also writing as Carolyn G. Hart.
An accomplished master of mystery with 46 published books, Carolyn Hart is the creator of the highly acclaimed Henrie O,Death on Demand, and Bailey Ruth Raeburn series. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. Letter from Home (2003), her standalone mystery set in Oklahoma, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her latest book is Dead by Mid...more
More about Carolyn Hart...
An accomplished master of mystery with 46 published books, Carolyn Hart is the creator of the highly acclaimed Henrie O,Death on Demand, and Bailey Ruth Raeburn series. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. Letter from Home (2003), her standalone mystery set in Oklahoma, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her latest book is Dead by Mid...more
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Jun 28, 2010 01:07pm