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Death on Demand #22
Death Comes Silently
Winter has arrived in Broward's Rock, South Carolina, and business has slowed for Annie Darling, owner of mystery bookstore Death on Demand. So when the island's resident writer publishes the latest in her popular mystery series, Annie jumps at the chance to host a book signing, even though it conflicts with her shift at the local charity shop, Better Tomorrow.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 3, 2012
45 people are currently reading
729 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 167 reviews
November 9, 2020
What a super name for a bookstore - Death on Demand! Carolyn Hart’s Death Comes Silently (Death on Demand #22), set in South Carolina’s Outer Islands, has Annie Darling trying to arrange to have a book signing at her Death on Demand mystery bookstore with the island’s well-known mystery writer, but then Annie remembers that her shift at Better Tomorrow, the island’s charity store, is at the exact same time. Luckily, another volunteer, Gretchen, offers to take Annie’s shift. The book signing is a success, but Gretchen, an emotional person, calls Annie’s bookstore quite a few times leaving voice mails about scandalous news - finding an index card - two types of handwriting on this index card. After the book signing, Annie decides to drive over to Better Tomorrow to talk to Gretchen in person, but when she walks into Better Tomorrow, Annie sees Gretchen dead on the floor. Though shocked, Annie tries to remember what Gretchen’s messages said. Mr. Hathaway’s clothes, why the kayak, found a card with two different handwritings on it. (Mr. Hathaway had just died accidentally in his kayak, but it is winter?!) Annie and her husband, Max, decide to solve this puzzle, but two people are dead. Are Annie and Max next? Very enjoyable! Congrats to the author. 4 stars.
July 18, 2014
A solid murder mystery, this novel didn’t make much of an impression. It was a nice read while it lasted, it kept me interested until the end, and the tension rose steadily, but the characters were all forgettable and pretty much interchangeable.
It’s the #22 in the series, and I didn’t read the previous installments. Maybe that’s why the characters felt so wooden, without substance, like marionettes playing their roles. Each of them spoke with the same universal voice – that of the puppeteer’s. Perhaps in the beginning of the series, there was some development in the protagonists, but now, all the characters are firmly established, the author seems bored with them, and so is the reader.
The plot moved fast, and the villain was only revealed close to the end. Until then, the author kept us guessing who of the possible suspects would be the culprit.
If you have nothing better to read, this book is not a bad choice. It’s professional and clean, with no pretense to literary glamour, and the mystery is constructed perfectly. The writer is a pro, and it shows.
It’s the #22 in the series, and I didn’t read the previous installments. Maybe that’s why the characters felt so wooden, without substance, like marionettes playing their roles. Each of them spoke with the same universal voice – that of the puppeteer’s. Perhaps in the beginning of the series, there was some development in the protagonists, but now, all the characters are firmly established, the author seems bored with them, and so is the reader.
The plot moved fast, and the villain was only revealed close to the end. Until then, the author kept us guessing who of the possible suspects would be the culprit.
If you have nothing better to read, this book is not a bad choice. It’s professional and clean, with no pretense to literary glamour, and the mystery is constructed perfectly. The writer is a pro, and it shows.
May 8, 2012
Death Comes Silently - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish
Annie was struck by the weariness evident in his broad face. He was Billy, big, brawny, and muscular, but Billy without his customary equanimity. Tight lines marked the corners of his eyes, bracketed his generous mouth. Instead of a jacket and slacks or a suit, his usual dress for work, he wore a navy pullover and jeans. His blue eyes had a lost look. "I know you support me, but that isn't what matters at this point. There's a dangerous killer out there who will remove anyone seen as a threat. Right now Henny is safe. Jeremiah's arrest will reassure the killer that she doesn't know enough to be a danger. As for the rest of you" - he looked at Annie, Emma, and Laurel in turn - "don't even think of trying to investigate." Annie felt a deep twist of disappointment. "Jeremiah's innocent!"
Annie Darling is owner of Death on Demand, a mystery bookstore. She is also a volunteer for Better Tomorrow, a charity shop that offers groceries, clothing and other needs for those in financial binds. Due to a scheduled booksigning for author Emma Clyde, she switched days with Gretchen Burkholt. This switch turned out to be fatal for Gretchen when she found a note in the pocket of a jacket that had belonged to Everett Hathaway. Everett's body had been found two weeks earlier floating not far from his overturned kayak. An autopsy listed drowning due to unconsciousness as a result of hypothermia as the cause of death. According to the voice mail messages from Gretchen to Annie's cell phone, the note she found leads her to believe his death wasn't an accident but murder.
There are three people who would benefit from Everett's death. His much younger wife, his nephew who wants to manage the family advertising business and his 16 going on 21 year old niece who wants to run her own life, with her own money. So which hated him enough to want him dead? Could Annie be wrong and Jeremiah is the guilty party? Or was Everett's death actually an accident and has nothing to do with Gretchen?
I can't get enough of Author Carolyn Hart's books. She has entertained me with all of her Death on Demand stories and I simply love her Bailey Ruth ghost stories, which I hope she writes more of soon. With all of her books Hart combines love, humor and a 'whole lot of mystery' making each page flip by quickly to see what clue the next holds. You can't help but love this author.
Annie was struck by the weariness evident in his broad face. He was Billy, big, brawny, and muscular, but Billy without his customary equanimity. Tight lines marked the corners of his eyes, bracketed his generous mouth. Instead of a jacket and slacks or a suit, his usual dress for work, he wore a navy pullover and jeans. His blue eyes had a lost look. "I know you support me, but that isn't what matters at this point. There's a dangerous killer out there who will remove anyone seen as a threat. Right now Henny is safe. Jeremiah's arrest will reassure the killer that she doesn't know enough to be a danger. As for the rest of you" - he looked at Annie, Emma, and Laurel in turn - "don't even think of trying to investigate." Annie felt a deep twist of disappointment. "Jeremiah's innocent!"
Annie Darling is owner of Death on Demand, a mystery bookstore. She is also a volunteer for Better Tomorrow, a charity shop that offers groceries, clothing and other needs for those in financial binds. Due to a scheduled booksigning for author Emma Clyde, she switched days with Gretchen Burkholt. This switch turned out to be fatal for Gretchen when she found a note in the pocket of a jacket that had belonged to Everett Hathaway. Everett's body had been found two weeks earlier floating not far from his overturned kayak. An autopsy listed drowning due to unconsciousness as a result of hypothermia as the cause of death. According to the voice mail messages from Gretchen to Annie's cell phone, the note she found leads her to believe his death wasn't an accident but murder.
There are three people who would benefit from Everett's death. His much younger wife, his nephew who wants to manage the family advertising business and his 16 going on 21 year old niece who wants to run her own life, with her own money. So which hated him enough to want him dead? Could Annie be wrong and Jeremiah is the guilty party? Or was Everett's death actually an accident and has nothing to do with Gretchen?
I can't get enough of Author Carolyn Hart's books. She has entertained me with all of her Death on Demand stories and I simply love her Bailey Ruth ghost stories, which I hope she writes more of soon. With all of her books Hart combines love, humor and a 'whole lot of mystery' making each page flip by quickly to see what clue the next holds. You can't help but love this author.
April 27, 2012
Annie should have been volunteering at the Hand Up/Goodwill type store when her replacement was murdered. She and Henny, who must be about 70 or 80 by now, feel responsible and launch an investigation when the police chief won't.
Like all cozy mysteries on the 20+ book, the reader does have to suspend all conscience thought about the number of murders occurring on this island off South Carolina. The mystery was interesting enough to keep me involved, but are Annie and Max ever going to evolve as characters? Will they ever actually work more than two hours a day? Will they have children? Will I like them enough to keep reading if they do?
Like all cozy mysteries on the 20+ book, the reader does have to suspend all conscience thought about the number of murders occurring on this island off South Carolina. The mystery was interesting enough to keep me involved, but are Annie and Max ever going to evolve as characters? Will they ever actually work more than two hours a day? Will they have children? Will I like them enough to keep reading if they do?
April 18, 2012
I've read nearly all the Death on Demand series and they are very good! Sometimes Annie's Pollyanna-ish outlook irritates me and I think Carolyn Hart dwells too much on Max's being charged with murder (of course Annie and her posse got it straightened out) a few books back. But all-in-all a good read! And Annie (a mystery bookstore owner) is always mentioning different authors which gives me new ideas to read! And Annie hates "House" and so do I so there you go!!!
May 10, 2016
I've realized that I am not very consistent in the criteria that I base my book ratings on. While I enjoyed the plot of this book, the writing really brought down my overall opinion. In the first chapter, I think there were at least 10 characters introduced. It was really hard to keep all of the people with motives straight, let alone the characters that recur in this series. I thought the pacing of the book was odd. A good chunk of the book seemed to take place all in one day--like they figured out a lot of things IN JUST ONE DAY. I don't think I have been that productive in my entire life. The author included lots of little details that made the book feel dated, rather than realistic or relatable (like comparing someone to Jane Lynch on Glee). That will just make it harder for readers to connect with in the future. Hart really likes to use big, flowery words, a lot of dashes (in an effort to vary her sentence structure that becomes redundant), and fancy sentences that may or may not make sense.
I did like the plot of the story and I think that the motives were well thought out. The "who" in this whodunit surprised me (although the reasoning behind it was a little far fetched); I was definitely kept guessing until the end. This book makes for a fun, light read.
Thanks for the recommendation, Ali!
I did like the plot of the story and I think that the motives were well thought out. The "who" in this whodunit surprised me (although the reasoning behind it was a little far fetched); I was definitely kept guessing until the end. This book makes for a fun, light read.
Thanks for the recommendation, Ali!
September 25, 2012
I had forgotten about this annoying series. I made it to page 14 and was then confronted with this passage:
"Max loved his Maserati, but he didn't drive the powerful and swift car because it was expensive. He savored the power and elegance of the ultimate driving machine. Annie was willing to spot everyone an indulgence. The Maserati was Max's. Hers? She possessed an original perfect first-edition-complete with color plate illustrations- of The Man in Lower Ten by Mary Roberts Rinehart Certainly the Maserati was hugely more expensive than the book, but for both of them, the joy was in the object and never in the price."
That was it. I could not stomach any more of this tripe. I am willing to read almost anything, but I have to draw the line somewhere.
"Max loved his Maserati, but he didn't drive the powerful and swift car because it was expensive. He savored the power and elegance of the ultimate driving machine. Annie was willing to spot everyone an indulgence. The Maserati was Max's. Hers? She possessed an original perfect first-edition-complete with color plate illustrations- of The Man in Lower Ten by Mary Roberts Rinehart Certainly the Maserati was hugely more expensive than the book, but for both of them, the joy was in the object and never in the price."
That was it. I could not stomach any more of this tripe. I am willing to read almost anything, but I have to draw the line somewhere.
October 8, 2012
I've read all the Death on Demand mysteries. This was my least favorite. I've grown weary of Max and his life of leisure. Too much of this plot and its characters were just not realistic. I'll give the next one a chance and then perhaps I'm off to greener pastures.
June 12, 2018
The main problem with this audiobook, I think, was the reader. Her narrative voice and some of her main character voices had little energy. Not monotone exactly, but I felt like I had to expend a lot of energy just to get through each disk. I've read several of the early novels in this series in print, so I had voices in my head for Annie and Max already and this reader's voices didn't match at all. Annie has always described Max as a sexy Joe Hardy (and did a couple times in this book) but the reader gave him awful arrogant, snobby inflections which I hated. Annie sounded way too meek (women who start their own businesses and run them successfully aren't meek). Some of the readers voices were decent, even good, but they tended to be minor characters.
I had a hard time following the story, I think because my mind kept wandering because of the reader, but it was an adequate mystery. I did love Hart's wonderful setting descriptions, as I always have.
I had a hard time following the story, I think because my mind kept wandering because of the reader, but it was an adequate mystery. I did love Hart's wonderful setting descriptions, as I always have.
September 11, 2024
Winter rolls into Broward Rock, South Carolina, and business is slowing — except murder. The first death, a drowning, is deemed an accident but then, there is another, a volunteer at the charity shop. All the signs point toward the shop's handyman, Jeremy Young, but Annie Darling, owner of Death on Demand bookshop, and her friend Henny believe he is innocent. And they go into action to prove it, not only investigating but Henny has hidden the man.
Things go well, so well that someone adds to the death toll, nearly adding Henny to it. And seeking evidence of the truly guilty gets harder and more dangerous.
Annie Darling and her husband are a nice young couple and these books are truly sweet cozy mysteries. I certainly can't take Annie and her crime solving efforts very seriously but they are fun to read. I can't quite figure out her husband Max. He has an office and very occasionally gets a case, but usually he practices his golf swing. Charming, handsome, there is some strength in the character, which surprises me that he doesn't have a greater role in these stories.
So three stars for an entertaining and quick read.
Things go well, so well that someone adds to the death toll, nearly adding Henny to it. And seeking evidence of the truly guilty gets harder and more dangerous.
Annie Darling and her husband are a nice young couple and these books are truly sweet cozy mysteries. I certainly can't take Annie and her crime solving efforts very seriously but they are fun to read. I can't quite figure out her husband Max. He has an office and very occasionally gets a case, but usually he practices his golf swing. Charming, handsome, there is some strength in the character, which surprises me that he doesn't have a greater role in these stories.
So three stars for an entertaining and quick read.
June 22, 2025
Part of a series
It even talks about previous cases and issues so I assume it helps to have read them. The characters and story are fine. Not great but not bad. You like mystery series you most likely will enjoy this.
One annoying aspect to me was all the book titles and authors named dropped. Some of that is fun or ok, especially with book store in the story but it is used a lot here and took me out of the story several times.
It even talks about previous cases and issues so I assume it helps to have read them. The characters and story are fine. Not great but not bad. You like mystery series you most likely will enjoy this.
One annoying aspect to me was all the book titles and authors named dropped. Some of that is fun or ok, especially with book store in the story but it is used a lot here and took me out of the story several times.
September 7, 2021
DNF 29%. I think Carolyn Hart is just not my cup of tea.
June 17, 2019
This was kind of a cozy mystery. A little confusing, with a large cast of characters. I liked the characters but it took way too long to get interested in this tale with far too many details that were not really needed. Annie and her friends are a little too brave and foolhardy to try and figure out the murders. Some of it was entertaining but mostly the plot didn't really move enough until the end.
March 16, 2017
Good entry in the series with Annie and the gang doing what they do best! I love visiting Broward's Rock, the island is always bigger than it is in my head. This was a good mystery with a good ending and I really didn't see the culprit coming.
April 22, 2012
Another great book in the Death on Demand series. All have been quite entertaining.
Winter has arrived in Broward's Rock, South Carolina, and business has slowed for Annie Darling, owner of mystery bookstore Death on Demand. So when the island's resident writer publishes the latest in her popular mystery series, Annie jumps at the chance to host a book signing, even though it conflicts with her shift at the local charity shop, Better Tomorrow.
Luckily, fellow volunteer Gretchen Burkholt agrees to sub for her. The signing goes well, but Gretchen interrupts the event multiple times, leaving voice mails about scandalous news she's dying to share. Even though Gretchen tends to be excitable, Annie heads over to Better Tomorrow, where she finds Gretchen dead on the floor, an axe by her side.
Annie enlists the help of her husband, Max, to piece together a puzzle involving an overturned kayak, a stolen motorboat, a troubled love affair, and a reckless teenager. And she must tread carefully in her investigation, because a killer is on the loose, and that killer works well in the foggy days of winter...
Winter has arrived in Broward's Rock, South Carolina, and business has slowed for Annie Darling, owner of mystery bookstore Death on Demand. So when the island's resident writer publishes the latest in her popular mystery series, Annie jumps at the chance to host a book signing, even though it conflicts with her shift at the local charity shop, Better Tomorrow.
Luckily, fellow volunteer Gretchen Burkholt agrees to sub for her. The signing goes well, but Gretchen interrupts the event multiple times, leaving voice mails about scandalous news she's dying to share. Even though Gretchen tends to be excitable, Annie heads over to Better Tomorrow, where she finds Gretchen dead on the floor, an axe by her side.
Annie enlists the help of her husband, Max, to piece together a puzzle involving an overturned kayak, a stolen motorboat, a troubled love affair, and a reckless teenager. And she must tread carefully in her investigation, because a killer is on the loose, and that killer works well in the foggy days of winter...
September 13, 2016
I haven't read a mystery book this year until now, and it had been a while even last year since I read a mystery book. I bought this book over a year ago, but just hadn't had time to read it until now! and it was a really great book! it was defiantly one of the better mystery books I have read, out of my mystery books. it kept my attention the whole time, and I didn't know who the murder was until the very end, which is how it is suppose to be. some other murder mysteries I have read, got boring part way through, and I would have to force myself to read it, which should't be the case, and thankfully enough wasn't the case here! Carolyn Hart is a great author, and I will surely be looking into reading more of her other published works. I really liked the way she developed her characters, and the development of the character Annie darling was great, and she was my favorite character, and still would be even of she wasn't the main character. can't wait to read more stories that have to do with any darling and some of the other characters is this book.
June 14, 2015
Another easy read by Carolyn Hart.
In this book The sleuths solve another Island mystery. The death of Everett Hathaway is deemed accidental until new evidence is discovered by a volunteer at Better Tomorrow. This volunteer, covering Annie Darling's shift, is found murdered.
Annie, Max and the rest of the gang try to discover the real killer and, as usual, are led along several blind alley ways until they arrive at the right conclusion.
A murder mystery in the same vein as Agatha Christie's - a small village, strong idiosyncratic characters, and a bumbling conclusion.
In this book The sleuths solve another Island mystery. The death of Everett Hathaway is deemed accidental until new evidence is discovered by a volunteer at Better Tomorrow. This volunteer, covering Annie Darling's shift, is found murdered.
Annie, Max and the rest of the gang try to discover the real killer and, as usual, are led along several blind alley ways until they arrive at the right conclusion.
A murder mystery in the same vein as Agatha Christie's - a small village, strong idiosyncratic characters, and a bumbling conclusion.
February 11, 2019
This truly was a "good read" and only one typo in the whole book. Other books pale in comparison. I have been reading the "Death on Demand" series for a while and they never disappoint. Regardless of how many Carolyn G. Hart has written they remain worth reading. Her other series are just as good especially "Bailey Ruth"!
October 24, 2017
Annie The owner of the bookstore Death on Demand in South Carolina gets involved in a mystery. The death of a rich business owner who drowned in a kayaking accident but there are other deaths to account for. Death comes silently is a person who kills without sounds of engines or cars. This is an interesting read but without knowing the other 21 books before, it fails to keep my interest. There are shadows of other books in this book that would make the characters more interesting. Overall it was a good read and kept my attention. Carolyn Hart can write a good mystery with a good cast of characters. The families in this book are well developed with a sense of mystery books and literary knowledge. The cat has become a main character in this book which really gives it sense of real life. There are 2 or 3 cats in this book. The characters are interesting. You never know who will die next and Annie gets into some interesting spots. This is a good beach read especially in Myrtle Beach or South Carolina in general.
November 20, 2017
First of all, I’m thinking I would definitely move off of Broward’s Rock. For such a small island, no matter how bucolic it may be, there sure are a lot murderers running around. Secondly, I know that the whole Max being charged with murder incident was traumatic, but it’s time to not hear about it ad nauseum in successive books. Third, to be so smart, sometimes Annie is just plain dumb (I think I’ve said that before). Fourth, apparently being buddies with the sheriff of Broward’s Rock means you can commit crimes and not be charged. Fifth, how the heck did that mayor ever get elected?
Looking beyond those points, which obviously annoyed me during the reading of this book, I did enjoy the story. The action moved pretty quickly (more quickly than Max, who should seriously take up another sport than golf) and the characters were true to form, which is one thing I love about this series. This wasn’t my favorite in the series, but it wasn’t my least favorite either.
Looking beyond those points, which obviously annoyed me during the reading of this book, I did enjoy the story. The action moved pretty quickly (more quickly than Max, who should seriously take up another sport than golf) and the characters were true to form, which is one thing I love about this series. This wasn’t my favorite in the series, but it wasn’t my least favorite either.
June 15, 2017
I liked the plot of this one more than the previous in the series, but it was still rough to get through.
Part of it may be because I read them back-to-back, but it came across very repetitive. I know an author has to include details so people can pick up any book in the series and not be lost, but it's been 22 books now and some of the descriptions are drawn out and practically copy/pasted from one novel to the next. The conflict between the Darlings and law enforcement is predictable down to the Chief's warnings to Annie to back off, too.
Going to take a break before checking out the next one.
Part of it may be because I read them back-to-back, but it came across very repetitive. I know an author has to include details so people can pick up any book in the series and not be lost, but it's been 22 books now and some of the descriptions are drawn out and practically copy/pasted from one novel to the next. The conflict between the Darlings and law enforcement is predictable down to the Chief's warnings to Annie to back off, too.
Going to take a break before checking out the next one.
August 28, 2017
Another fun Death on Demand mystery. I love reading about how the main characters are evolving, the ability to read about more of the people who inhabit the island, and especially how the author describes the setting.
These are enjoyable, easy to read, escapist stories. However, just like the other books, the guilty party is easy to figure out. The author gives very little information about the one suspect that actually committed the crime.
I recommend this series, for anyone looking for a simple and fun tor read mystery.
These are enjoyable, easy to read, escapist stories. However, just like the other books, the guilty party is easy to figure out. The author gives very little information about the one suspect that actually committed the crime.
I recommend this series, for anyone looking for a simple and fun tor read mystery.
July 18, 2020
Annie and Max have a tough one head as no one seems to have committed the murder. Can we just say the amount of time the teenagers seem to appear in these books is very interesting. Secondly Henny is such a very devoted character and that she believes the man who everyone is out to blame as innocent is very endearing and she even makes sure she sets him up so if anything else goes wrong that he would automatically be eliminated as suspect. Thirdly how the timing of things play into all of this is very interesting and was a very fun read.
September 29, 2025
Since I am owned by a cat, she insists that our favorite character in this series is the cat Dorothy L. - named, of course, for Dorothy L. Sayers. It was fun to revisit the Death on Demand bookstore on the island of Broward's Rock, South Carolina. In general I am not a cozy kind of reader, but there are still characters that I love from my earlier, cozier days and Annie Darling was one of them. I love being fooled about 'whodunit' and I was. The title was a great clue. Kristi & Abby Tabby
May 27, 2018
Murder happens at Better Tomorrow, Broward Rock's local charity shop. Annie Darling, the owner of Death on Demand mystery book shop is scheduled to be at the shop at the time of the murder, but has a conflict so the woman murdered was her replacement. She must clear the accused young man who worked at the shop. Fun read.
November 11, 2021
In this edition a prominent citizen's death was deemed a tragic accident but Annie and her husband Max with of course the help of her loyal friends and voracious mystery readers Henny and Emma work to prove it was no accident indeed. It was a little too pat in the end but that's often the way of cozies. I do enjoy this author's offerings.
November 24, 2024
There are three deaths in the story, as well as a couple of attempted murders. Much is blamed on a young man who was in prison for a time. Finally, there are enough investigations to find that he was innocent, and the murderer was caught. There is some difficulty in the last part of the story, which I did not Quite understand, but all is well at the end.
February 16, 2018
A Max and Annie Darling novel. Annie is involved in promoting Brower's Rock resident novelist and finds she has booked conflicting dates. A fellow volunteer helps out and does Annie's shift at the local charity shop. When the volunteer meets a violent death, Annie blames herself.
September 7, 2018
New series for me. Enjoyed the story and the characters. Will definitely read more. Even though this was very far into the series it was easy to pick up the characters even without reading earlier stories.
March 13, 2020
Seems like a higher body count than some of the other books. I love the addition of authors that i'm not familiar with when it comes to annie's contest of guess the book based on a painting. There were a number of characters to keep track of.
A very nice cozy.
A very nice cozy.
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