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Death on Demand #21
Dead by Midnight
Refusing to believe that a local death was a suicide, mystery bookstore owner Annie Darling investigates a series of clues including a hidden towel, a lack of fingerprints on a crystal mug, and a lovers' tryst.
282 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
128 people are currently reading
884 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn G. Hart
126 books944 followersAlso writing as 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 Midnight (William Morrow/HarperCollins, 2007). She is one of the founders of Sisters in Crime, an organization for women who write mysteries. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma."
New Books: Dead By Midnight Carolyn Hart
DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart On Sale March 29
The police say suicide. Annie Darling suspects murder. Max is unconvinced until Annie follows a trail behind the dead woman's house.
Annie unravels the mystery of a towel hidden at midnight in a gazebo, the interesting lack of fingerprints on a crystal mug, blood on a teenager's blue shirt, and the secret of a lovers' tryst. Max plunges deep into the woods to find incriminating evidence.
Annie sets the perfect trap for a merciless killer, but her cell phone rings and Death is on the line.
www.CarolynHart.com
And for cat lovers:
DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart
I love to have fun when writing a mystery. If I laugh, I think a reader will laugh. In the Death on Demand series, I especially enjoy writing about Annie Darling's ditzy mother-in-law, Laurel Roethke. Laurel is usually excited about a new interest, something that surprises and often confounds Annie.
In Dead by Midnight, Laurel creates Cat Truth Posters, which she wants Annie to hang in the bookstore. Annie thinks books should be the store's focus, but the posters enchant her.
Each poster features a cat's photograph with a caption. Here are three of the Cat Truth posters;
. . . a silky furred, mitted, and bicolored Ragdoll stretched out on a red silk cushion, looking as comfy as Eva Longoria in a Hanes ad: Go with the Flow.
A rectangular-muzzled, green-eyed, cholocolate colored cat appeared as brooding as a Gothic hero: Always Say Yes to Adventure.
. . . a thick-furred, piebald Siberian forest cat, its white front a brilliant contrast to a charcoal back and head. Its face appeared almost angelic: Always try a Smile First.
And yes, one of the posters points to a killer.
Fun for me and fun, I hope for readers
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 Midnight (William Morrow/HarperCollins, 2007). She is one of the founders of Sisters in Crime, an organization for women who write mysteries. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma."
New Books: Dead By Midnight Carolyn Hart
DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart On Sale March 29
The police say suicide. Annie Darling suspects murder. Max is unconvinced until Annie follows a trail behind the dead woman's house.
Annie unravels the mystery of a towel hidden at midnight in a gazebo, the interesting lack of fingerprints on a crystal mug, blood on a teenager's blue shirt, and the secret of a lovers' tryst. Max plunges deep into the woods to find incriminating evidence.
Annie sets the perfect trap for a merciless killer, but her cell phone rings and Death is on the line.
www.CarolynHart.com
And for cat lovers:
DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart
I love to have fun when writing a mystery. If I laugh, I think a reader will laugh. In the Death on Demand series, I especially enjoy writing about Annie Darling's ditzy mother-in-law, Laurel Roethke. Laurel is usually excited about a new interest, something that surprises and often confounds Annie.
In Dead by Midnight, Laurel creates Cat Truth Posters, which she wants Annie to hang in the bookstore. Annie thinks books should be the store's focus, but the posters enchant her.
Each poster features a cat's photograph with a caption. Here are three of the Cat Truth posters;
. . . a silky furred, mitted, and bicolored Ragdoll stretched out on a red silk cushion, looking as comfy as Eva Longoria in a Hanes ad: Go with the Flow.
A rectangular-muzzled, green-eyed, cholocolate colored cat appeared as brooding as a Gothic hero: Always Say Yes to Adventure.
. . . a thick-furred, piebald Siberian forest cat, its white front a brilliant contrast to a charcoal back and head. Its face appeared almost angelic: Always try a Smile First.
And yes, one of the posters points to a killer.
Fun for me and fun, I hope for readers
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
January 28, 2021
I love this series. It is rapidly becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery series. The characters, especially Annie, are so lovable and endearing.
May 29, 2011
I won this in a First Reads giveaway through Goodreads! Can't wait for it to arrive so I can dig in!
Okay, so as I said when the book arrived, I won this one through a Goodreads giveaway! Woohoo! I was not familiar with the author or the Death on Demand series (this is installment 21 or so) prior to reading this book and I think I will search out the others now! To be honest, it took a while for me to get into the story. I picked it up shortly after it arrived, but another book grabbed my attention and this one was put aside. I had a good idea who the murderer was early on, but the suspect's motives completely eluded me until the end, so it still made for a very enjoyable read. The author did a very nice job of taking strands of evidence and piecing them together in Annie's mind- and tying it all up in a neat little bow for the reader by book's end. This book isn't going to change your life- but it is a great quick read! I think starting at the beginning of the series might help develop a connection with the book's heroine, Annie, and her husband Max, so I'm going to read book 1 and see if that doesn't help me feel more bonded to them.
Okay, so as I said when the book arrived, I won this one through a Goodreads giveaway! Woohoo! I was not familiar with the author or the Death on Demand series (this is installment 21 or so) prior to reading this book and I think I will search out the others now! To be honest, it took a while for me to get into the story. I picked it up shortly after it arrived, but another book grabbed my attention and this one was put aside. I had a good idea who the murderer was early on, but the suspect's motives completely eluded me until the end, so it still made for a very enjoyable read. The author did a very nice job of taking strands of evidence and piecing them together in Annie's mind- and tying it all up in a neat little bow for the reader by book's end. This book isn't going to change your life- but it is a great quick read! I think starting at the beginning of the series might help develop a connection with the book's heroine, Annie, and her husband Max, so I'm going to read book 1 and see if that doesn't help me feel more bonded to them.
May 22, 2011
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway -- and I was happy to receive it.
I went into Dead by Midnight with no pre-conceptions I had no idea it was part of a series. In this entry a well-liked member of this small island community has been found dead - an apparent suicide. But our amatuer sleuths don't believe it and proceed in their own investigation. Things get convoluted when one of their suspects ends up a victim a short time later. There are plenty of red herrings and the style is fluid and quick. You may doubt that you know who the murderer is until the final chapters.
But to say that I didn't enjoy this book is kind. It took quite a bit for me to finish it. For me there was more negative than positive. I am not a cat lover (more of a kitten lover and a cat tolerater) - so the cat truths were tedious and wearying; the incessant name dropping for everyone who ever thought about writing a book was overdone and over the top; I was indifferent to the "star couple" - because I wasn't invested in them; the mother-in-law was annoying and ripe for so many jokes; the wicked stepmother; the smarmy cousin. I'm just glad it's over.
I went into Dead by Midnight with no pre-conceptions I had no idea it was part of a series. In this entry a well-liked member of this small island community has been found dead - an apparent suicide. But our amatuer sleuths don't believe it and proceed in their own investigation. Things get convoluted when one of their suspects ends up a victim a short time later. There are plenty of red herrings and the style is fluid and quick. You may doubt that you know who the murderer is until the final chapters.
But to say that I didn't enjoy this book is kind. It took quite a bit for me to finish it. For me there was more negative than positive. I am not a cat lover (more of a kitten lover and a cat tolerater) - so the cat truths were tedious and wearying; the incessant name dropping for everyone who ever thought about writing a book was overdone and over the top; I was indifferent to the "star couple" - because I wasn't invested in them; the mother-in-law was annoying and ripe for so many jokes; the wicked stepmother; the smarmy cousin. I'm just glad it's over.
February 19, 2017
In Dead by Midnight, the 21st novel in Carolyn Hart's Death on Demand series, Annie Darling hires Pat as a clerk after the woman has lost her 20-year-long job for the law firm run by the Jamison family. When Pat is discovered dead of an oxycontin overdose, everyone but Annie assumes Pat to be a suicide. Then Pat's case gets put on the back burner when Glen Jamison is found dead, shot multiple times. Annie is certain there is a connection between the deaths, especially since Pat's Blackberry is found to contain a photograph of a towel at the Jamison estate and dated just after midnight a day or two before her own death.
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
October 15, 2016
This was hard to put down. Annie owns a mystery book store on an island and solves crimes. She came through again.
June 27, 2017
I enjoyed this Death on Demand mystery. Annie and Max Darling are once again on the trail of a killer. The writing is first rate and there are many twists and turns to keep you reading on. Ms. Hart gives you everything you need to unmask the killer. I did manage to solve half of the mystery before she tied everything up.
February 12, 2019
Came back to read Hart after a long break. While the writing is by formula, it's entertaining enough. And the author keeps name dropping mystery authors left and right-- helpful.
Read
August 27, 2023Annie Darling is on the hunt for a killer. Carolyn Hart takes you through the twists and turns of this mystery - will you solve it before Annie?
June 30, 2012
First off, I'm not a big fan of cozies. Of course, some of my best friends write cozies and I've even written one myself (Tree Huggers). But on the whole, I prefer my mysteries to be gritty and realistic with veteran detectives solving crimes. The old ladies (or, as is the case here, local booksellers) are the victims or they're thrown in for comic relief. They don't solve the crimes.
But Annie Darling does. Owner of the "Death On Demand" book store on a resort island off the coast of South Carolina, she has no problem inserting herself in the police investigation of the apparent suicide of her new part-time employee, a recently fired receptionist named Pat Merridew.
Annie's got a dream life. She owns a book store that makes money. (to see my view on owning a book store in 2011, go to my blog http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_pos...). And she's married to a drop dead gorgeous, sweet tempered, stinking rich guy whose only flaw is he's not all that keen on working because he's never had to. Hey, not a problem! At Annie's insistence, he's set up his own little investigation agency and he's happy as a clam.
Although he'd rather be surfing. Or making love to his bookseller wife.
As one would expect, there are more bodies, Pat's former boss, a well respected attorney, and a handy man are also murdered. (Three deaths in the space of a week on a tiny island where everyone knows everyone--shades of Jessica Fletcher.)
I put this on my "Now come on!" shelf because things just don't work that way. Book stores are disappearing left and right. In real life, she'd have bill collectors hounding her for payment.
And the police don't let booksellers consult on murders, no matter how many Agatha Christie novels they've read.
Plus nobody could possibly have a husband as perfect as Max Darling.
The writing is good, the story moves along well, assuming you're able to suspend your disbelief, and Hart keeps you guessing as to who the murderer is.
As beach reading, or even as a brief escape from your regular, imperfect life with your regular, imperfect husband, this book works.
But not for me.
But Annie Darling does. Owner of the "Death On Demand" book store on a resort island off the coast of South Carolina, she has no problem inserting herself in the police investigation of the apparent suicide of her new part-time employee, a recently fired receptionist named Pat Merridew.
Annie's got a dream life. She owns a book store that makes money. (to see my view on owning a book store in 2011, go to my blog http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_pos...). And she's married to a drop dead gorgeous, sweet tempered, stinking rich guy whose only flaw is he's not all that keen on working because he's never had to. Hey, not a problem! At Annie's insistence, he's set up his own little investigation agency and he's happy as a clam.
Although he'd rather be surfing. Or making love to his bookseller wife.
As one would expect, there are more bodies, Pat's former boss, a well respected attorney, and a handy man are also murdered. (Three deaths in the space of a week on a tiny island where everyone knows everyone--shades of Jessica Fletcher.)
I put this on my "Now come on!" shelf because things just don't work that way. Book stores are disappearing left and right. In real life, she'd have bill collectors hounding her for payment.
And the police don't let booksellers consult on murders, no matter how many Agatha Christie novels they've read.
Plus nobody could possibly have a husband as perfect as Max Darling.
The writing is good, the story moves along well, assuming you're able to suspend your disbelief, and Hart keeps you guessing as to who the murderer is.
As beach reading, or even as a brief escape from your regular, imperfect life with your regular, imperfect husband, this book works.
But not for me.
October 12, 2011
Carolyn Hart has written at least 30 mysteries, many of which have won awards and made many fans of her readers over the years. Dead by Midnight is one of 21 in her Death on Demand mystery series, so you can see she has the pattern down pretty well. Lots of characters to suspect, an amateur sleuth protagonist whose intuition leads her ultimately to the solution, and lots of clever dialog to enjoy along the way.
Maybe it's just me (probably it is just me...), but though another review or two I checked called this realistic, I cannot imagine this happening in real life. The protagonist is Annie Darling, the owner of a book shop called, you may have guessed, Death On Demand, a charming and popular little storefront on the island community of Broward's Rock. Her handsome and wealthy husband is always available and willing when she needs an extra amateur sleuth's assistance. Okay, so maybe that could happen, but the part that I found hard to swallow is that the Sheriff of the little community, though he did not completely hand over the investigation to her, followed her lead to an astonishing degree, allowing her to be part of the investigation, when it seemed to me she was going way beyond what law enforcement officials would put up with in reality. If I had been one of the citizens she and/or her husband Max unofficially questioned, I believe I would have been trying to file harrassment charges, or at least threatening to call the cops on them!
But if one can overlook that for the sake of a good "whodunit," this is clever, easy to read, and it does keep you wondering who killed who and why. Three murders, three different methods, or is one of those deaths a suicide? The sheriff thinks so, but Annie intends to prove him wrong.
An enjoyable read, but it's not one I'll be thinking about for too long, I don't think...
Maybe it's just me (probably it is just me...), but though another review or two I checked called this realistic, I cannot imagine this happening in real life. The protagonist is Annie Darling, the owner of a book shop called, you may have guessed, Death On Demand, a charming and popular little storefront on the island community of Broward's Rock. Her handsome and wealthy husband is always available and willing when she needs an extra amateur sleuth's assistance. Okay, so maybe that could happen, but the part that I found hard to swallow is that the Sheriff of the little community, though he did not completely hand over the investigation to her, followed her lead to an astonishing degree, allowing her to be part of the investigation, when it seemed to me she was going way beyond what law enforcement officials would put up with in reality. If I had been one of the citizens she and/or her husband Max unofficially questioned, I believe I would have been trying to file harrassment charges, or at least threatening to call the cops on them!
But if one can overlook that for the sake of a good "whodunit," this is clever, easy to read, and it does keep you wondering who killed who and why. Three murders, three different methods, or is one of those deaths a suicide? The sheriff thinks so, but Annie intends to prove him wrong.
An enjoyable read, but it's not one I'll be thinking about for too long, I don't think...
May 20, 2012
I've been enjoying Carolyn Hart's cozy mystery series featuring Annie Laurance Darling for many years. The 21st entry in the series, "Dead by Midnight," keeps the series moving strong.
Annie owns a mystery bookstore called Death on Demand, and her partner in amateur sleuthing is her affable - and somewhat lazy, but thoroughly likable - husband Max. In this installment, a new employee of Annie's, a woman who has recently been let go from her longtime receptionist job in favor of a younger, chirpier version, doesn't show up for work to help Annie with an imperious local author's book signing. Annie's upset until she finds out that Pat has committed suicide. Or has she? Annie believes it's murder rather than suicide, especially after Pat's former employer is found shot to death.
As always, Hart has created a myriad of intriguing characters, twists, and distinctly southern USA backdrop that kept me unwilling to put the book down. She knows her craft well and the Annie Darling series shows no sign of slowing down. (I'm glad, because I like Annie a lot better than the somewhat annoying Bailey Ruth in Hart's newest series.)
I love the naming of specific mystery books and authors throughout the Death on Demand series. In "Dead by Midnight," I was pleased to see that one of my favorite books was mentioned - "Murder at Madingley Grange" by Caroline Graham. My only real criticism is that Hart's fashion sense seems to be a bit questionable. The description of Annie's outfits aren't quite what I would call young and hip (although at this point, she's been around for so many years that I'm not sure what age she's supposed to be), while one of the younger characters was criticized for wearing a "mismatched" pair of pink shorts and yellow shirt. What the...?? Pink and yellow together sounds very cute to me!
Fashion aside, I definitely recommend this book.
Annie owns a mystery bookstore called Death on Demand, and her partner in amateur sleuthing is her affable - and somewhat lazy, but thoroughly likable - husband Max. In this installment, a new employee of Annie's, a woman who has recently been let go from her longtime receptionist job in favor of a younger, chirpier version, doesn't show up for work to help Annie with an imperious local author's book signing. Annie's upset until she finds out that Pat has committed suicide. Or has she? Annie believes it's murder rather than suicide, especially after Pat's former employer is found shot to death.
As always, Hart has created a myriad of intriguing characters, twists, and distinctly southern USA backdrop that kept me unwilling to put the book down. She knows her craft well and the Annie Darling series shows no sign of slowing down. (I'm glad, because I like Annie a lot better than the somewhat annoying Bailey Ruth in Hart's newest series.)
I love the naming of specific mystery books and authors throughout the Death on Demand series. In "Dead by Midnight," I was pleased to see that one of my favorite books was mentioned - "Murder at Madingley Grange" by Caroline Graham. My only real criticism is that Hart's fashion sense seems to be a bit questionable. The description of Annie's outfits aren't quite what I would call young and hip (although at this point, she's been around for so many years that I'm not sure what age she's supposed to be), while one of the younger characters was criticized for wearing a "mismatched" pair of pink shorts and yellow shirt. What the...?? Pink and yellow together sounds very cute to me!
Fashion aside, I definitely recommend this book.
April 9, 2011
Another excellent 'Death on Demand' novel entitled, "Dead by Midnight" by stellar author, Carolyn Hart has been published and I was past excited when the Post Office told me to come and get it!
After reading another 5-star "The Uninvited Ghost" by E. J. Copperman, I was ready for more mystery. Ms. Hart always thrills one with multiple murders, not to mention, mental quizzes of past books I've devoured with my eyes.
The slow economy has hit South Carolina, even our beloved Broward's Rock where Annie and Max Darling reside. Henny, a dear friend of the couple has a mission to help her friend who was recently discharged from her long-held position of Receptionist at a local law firm. The Wife/Co-Partner of the firm is being cruel and sending out untrue references on Hennys friend. Annie reluctantly hires Pat, the friend, only to be thrilled with her improvement in understanding Murder Mystery Books, to find Pat has either committed suicide or been murdered herself. Annie sets out to aid Henny in finding the truth.
We, the reader, joins in the delightful, at times, pursuit of the culprits. Ms. Hart takes us through each step in Annie's and Max's search. You get to know each person involved and meanwhile enjoy the smells, sounds, tastes,and views of Broward's Rock. The ending is both satisfying and makes you desire to see what happens next!
Oh, and I did guess 3 of the five posters...read it and see what I'm referring to.
After reading another 5-star "The Uninvited Ghost" by E. J. Copperman, I was ready for more mystery. Ms. Hart always thrills one with multiple murders, not to mention, mental quizzes of past books I've devoured with my eyes.
The slow economy has hit South Carolina, even our beloved Broward's Rock where Annie and Max Darling reside. Henny, a dear friend of the couple has a mission to help her friend who was recently discharged from her long-held position of Receptionist at a local law firm. The Wife/Co-Partner of the firm is being cruel and sending out untrue references on Hennys friend. Annie reluctantly hires Pat, the friend, only to be thrilled with her improvement in understanding Murder Mystery Books, to find Pat has either committed suicide or been murdered herself. Annie sets out to aid Henny in finding the truth.
We, the reader, joins in the delightful, at times, pursuit of the culprits. Ms. Hart takes us through each step in Annie's and Max's search. You get to know each person involved and meanwhile enjoy the smells, sounds, tastes,and views of Broward's Rock. The ending is both satisfying and makes you desire to see what happens next!
Oh, and I did guess 3 of the five posters...read it and see what I'm referring to.
April 29, 2011
I received Dead By Midnight through the Goodreads First Reads program and this is my first experience reading Carolyn Hart. Once again, I've picked a great series by a great writer. And once again, I will be going back to the beginning to read the Death on Demand series in order.
I read a bit about Carolyn Hart prior to receiving my copy of the book. I now understand why some think she is a modern day version of Agatha Christie. The plot of Dead By Midnight is complex but Hart weaves the intricate storyline into a dynamite cozy whodunit.
And what's not to like about it? The heroine, Annie Darling, runs a mystery bookstore on an island off the coast of the Carolinas. A bucketful of mystery authors and their works are mentioned whenever convenient. (ah, nothing like being handed recommendation after recommendation) The husband, Max, is a PI of sorts. Both of them get involved in an unofficial investigation into the death of someone Annie just hired to work in her shop after she had been let go by the law firm she had been with for years. The death is thought to be a suicide but Annie doesn't believe it and she sets out to prove murder, as a much larger and sinister plot unfolds.
This book was very enjoyable and I look forward to heading back to the very beginning. Death on Demand, here I come.
I read a bit about Carolyn Hart prior to receiving my copy of the book. I now understand why some think she is a modern day version of Agatha Christie. The plot of Dead By Midnight is complex but Hart weaves the intricate storyline into a dynamite cozy whodunit.
And what's not to like about it? The heroine, Annie Darling, runs a mystery bookstore on an island off the coast of the Carolinas. A bucketful of mystery authors and their works are mentioned whenever convenient. (ah, nothing like being handed recommendation after recommendation) The husband, Max, is a PI of sorts. Both of them get involved in an unofficial investigation into the death of someone Annie just hired to work in her shop after she had been let go by the law firm she had been with for years. The death is thought to be a suicide but Annie doesn't believe it and she sets out to prove murder, as a much larger and sinister plot unfolds.
This book was very enjoyable and I look forward to heading back to the very beginning. Death on Demand, here I come.
April 5, 2011
I won this book though goodreads. I'd never heard of Carolyn Hart but probably should have. Dead by Midnight is the most recent book in a well established series. Ms. Hart spins a tale that can be read alone though I suspect it would be more enjoyable for those who have been following the series.
Annie Darling is a bookstore owner who is convinced that the death of a recently hired employee is not the suicide it appears to be. Trying to unravel what happened to the employee gets Annie caught up in trying to solve more crimes. The pace picks up and the book becomes hard to put down.
The book includes a thread about posters of cats which seemed a bit too cutesy to me. This storyline seemed to involve characters who would be known to regular readers so it might have a different feel those who have read some of her earlier books.
All in all, an enjoyable read.
Annie Darling is a bookstore owner who is convinced that the death of a recently hired employee is not the suicide it appears to be. Trying to unravel what happened to the employee gets Annie caught up in trying to solve more crimes. The pace picks up and the book becomes hard to put down.
The book includes a thread about posters of cats which seemed a bit too cutesy to me. This storyline seemed to involve characters who would be known to regular readers so it might have a different feel those who have read some of her earlier books.
All in all, an enjoyable read.
May 29, 2012
I picked this off the library shelves partly by chance - I was looking for a mystery and it was close to closing time at the library. After reading it, I find myself wondering how something this bad gets published. It's ostensibly a mystery, but the "mystery" is obvious about 20-30 pages in.
So, once the mystery is thrown out, what's left? Plugs for other mystery writers, a plug for the author's publisher, comments about styles of clothing, food, and different coffee flavorings.
This is the sort of book that gives mysteries a bad name. Amazing that the author had 29 books published before this one.
So, once the mystery is thrown out, what's left? Plugs for other mystery writers, a plug for the author's publisher, comments about styles of clothing, food, and different coffee flavorings.
This is the sort of book that gives mysteries a bad name. Amazing that the author had 29 books published before this one.
June 12, 2017
This one was overly tedious and really dragged for me.
Beyond that I found a lot of the subplots to be irritating. Laurel can be a fun character or she can come veer into the super annoying. It was definitely a case of the latter here. Not only that but Annie just puts up with it?
(Also all the descriptions of the posters was soooo unnecessary)
Finally, it was pretty easy to figure out who the murderer was going to be despite all the red herrings. It just became a case of proving how they could have accomplished it. Far from the best in the series.
Beyond that I found a lot of the subplots to be irritating. Laurel can be a fun character or she can come veer into the super annoying. It was definitely a case of the latter here. Not only that but Annie just puts up with it?
(Also all the descriptions of the posters was soooo unnecessary)
Finally, it was pretty easy to figure out who the murderer was going to be despite all the red herrings. It just became a case of proving how they could have accomplished it. Far from the best in the series.
January 19, 2014
This is the first book I've read by this author..I do have some more of hers and not sure if this was the one I should have started with..It took me awhile to get into the story,but after I did,I couldn't put it down..What started with an apparent suicide and turned into murder,led to some more murders and a very good mystery that kept me guessing until close to the end of who did it and why..Would recommend it to cozy mystery lovers..
October 16, 2011
It's a cosy, and I don't usually read cosies. But Carolyn Hart has a pile of awards, three series, 30+ books, and she is one of the founders of Sisters in Crime. So I'm sure I can learn something by reading her work. I can already tell she is good at constructing the mystery and writing humour subtly.
March 25, 2016
3.5 stars. Another good Death on Demand book that kept me guessing until the end. I always enjoy all the different authors who get a mention in these books, it makes them so fun and I only wish there was s real Broward's Rock that I could visit.
June 8, 2021
3.5 Stars
rounded up to 4 Stars.
October 3, 2021
I've read one Carolyn Hart novel prior to this, and did not really enjoy either. While I'm a fan of cosy-mysteries, as my list of read books on Goodreads will attest, I found the mystery to be obvious early on. All we needed as the motive, and when you think about it, the motive was basically a trope.
The positive, this time around, it the main characters didn't annoy me as much as before. I still find Max odd, but Annie grew on me this time. I would have preferred to read about more of the inhabitants of the island, rather than so much of the mixed-up family of one of the victims, but I guess they had to be the focus of the story. It was a way for the author to cast suspicion on a number of characters, and used cleverly for the most part. Yet, when it took 200 pages before the protagonist picked up on one of the easiest clues, I started to wonder how carefully this had been plotted.
Part of me wonders if the novels were better at the beginning of the series - maybe I should try to find some to give the series a fair assessment.
The positive, this time around, it the main characters didn't annoy me as much as before. I still find Max odd, but Annie grew on me this time. I would have preferred to read about more of the inhabitants of the island, rather than so much of the mixed-up family of one of the victims, but I guess they had to be the focus of the story. It was a way for the author to cast suspicion on a number of characters, and used cleverly for the most part. Yet, when it took 200 pages before the protagonist picked up on one of the easiest clues, I started to wonder how carefully this had been plotted.
Part of me wonders if the novels were better at the beginning of the series - maybe I should try to find some to give the series a fair assessment.
August 10, 2025
A cozy mystery in a long-standing series set on an island off of South Carolina. Local mystery bookshop owner Annie Darling agrees to hire Pat, a long-term legal secretary who has been let go from the local law firm by the attorneys flashy new wife. A few days later, Pat turns up dead, the first of three corpses that may or may not be related to each other.
Can Annie clear the innocents before the local law enforcement rule Pat's death a suicide and put away the wrong person for other murders?
Cute, fun characters, a little long especially if you don't know all the back stories, with some fun insights into the mystery book business.
Best quote, after an event with a local mystery writer: "Annie loathed Emma's sleuth, Marigold Rembrandt. Annie considered her a carping harpy with all the charm of a molting mongoose, but since she enjoyed ka-chings, too, she had warbled happily to Emma, 'Marigold knocked 'em dead.'"
Can Annie clear the innocents before the local law enforcement rule Pat's death a suicide and put away the wrong person for other murders?
Cute, fun characters, a little long especially if you don't know all the back stories, with some fun insights into the mystery book business.
Best quote, after an event with a local mystery writer: "Annie loathed Emma's sleuth, Marigold Rembrandt. Annie considered her a carping harpy with all the charm of a molting mongoose, but since she enjoyed ka-chings, too, she had warbled happily to Emma, 'Marigold knocked 'em dead.'"
June 24, 2017
I love this series and have read (or listened to) almost all of the titles. Carolyn Hart is an excellent writer who easily creates a South Carolina island atmosphere. As always there is a good plot, interesting characters and a few twists and turns. This is a cozy series, so it is not always totally realistic (as some reviewers here complained) but the relationship between the Darlings and the police chief becomes a lot more understandable when one reads the previous titles and follows the years of history they share. This is also an enjoyable read for those who like mystery author trivia which are always woven into the series. Great summer read!
December 8, 2020
as the 21st entry in the Death on Demand series, it just keeps getting better! Hart has created such full-bodied characters that we feel as though we know them personally. the reoccurring characters are fantastic and we either love or hate them, as was the intention. Annie Darling is one of my favorite heroines in the fictional genre. she brings her usual flair and high-energy spirit to first help out an old friend and then to help everyone when things go a bit wonky. she and hubby Max, (NOT a private detective!) team up with the intrepid mother-in-law Laurel, and the well-read mystery lover Henny, to solve a baffling series of events that will keep you guessing until the last page.
November 16, 2021
Another pretty good "whodunnit" from one of my favorite cozy authors. As the story opens, we learn that a prominent lawyer whose beloved wife died several years ago has remarried. The new wife, Cleo, is young, beautiful, and a successful lawyer. She also is devious and hated by the lawyer's, Glen, grown children, junior partner in the firm, and many others. She insisted that the firm's receptionist be replaced by a young attractive woman. Cleo also insisted that Kirk, the junior partner, be let go. Of course, when deaths occur Annie Darling gets involved.
January 4, 2023
Don't Trust a Lawyer
When a lawyer's receptionist who had been fired becomes a salesperson at Death on Demand, Annie finds her to be ready to take on the new job with enthusiasm. But her hiring leads to a series of murders connected to the law office and the family that founded it. Each murder was carefully planned and it looks like an innocent party was framed. Can Annie and Max discover the real murderer? This cozy mystery has plenty of red herrings to keep the reader on their toes.
When a lawyer's receptionist who had been fired becomes a salesperson at Death on Demand, Annie finds her to be ready to take on the new job with enthusiasm. But her hiring leads to a series of murders connected to the law office and the family that founded it. Each murder was carefully planned and it looks like an innocent party was framed. Can Annie and Max discover the real murderer? This cozy mystery has plenty of red herrings to keep the reader on their toes.
September 22, 2023
There were many parts of the book that were interesting and times when I was very intrigued. However, there were also many parts that felt drawn out or just weren't interesting enough to want to keep reading. The plot was good and I felt like there could've been a lot more that happened or more twists but it was a very predictable ending to the whole thing and the lead up to the ending was more exciting/intriguing than the actual reveal, my point is that I just felt like there was more the author could have done to throw us off or draw us into the story.
July 1, 2017
My goodness! Another story that's part of a series... and #21 to boot!
I enjoyed this book, even though I had no prior knowledge of the characters.
It reminded me of some other story-line but can't figure out what.
Anyway, the main character is a book store owner that loves mystery/crime stories and likes to solve murders. Not too fat fetched as some...
I enjoyed this book, even though I had no prior knowledge of the characters.
It reminded me of some other story-line but can't figure out what.
Anyway, the main character is a book store owner that loves mystery/crime stories and likes to solve murders. Not too fat fetched as some...
November 2, 2021
This is the best one I’ve read in a while! While you could probably guess maybe who did it, the how is something I didn’t think of.
I CANNOT anymore with the cat Agatha though. Every book that cat is attacking Annie and we’re supposed to find it charming and cute, I guess. It just furthers my confidence in the fact that I’m not a cat person lol
I CANNOT anymore with the cat Agatha though. Every book that cat is attacking Annie and we’re supposed to find it charming and cute, I guess. It just furthers my confidence in the fact that I’m not a cat person lol
February 10, 2018
I love this series. I haven't been able to read the last several in order but they are always a great read. The characters are so well drawn and the mystery so well written that each page is a delight. Try this series if you want to read a good mystery.
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