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Death on Demand #13
April Fool Dead
Someone is playing a rather nasty April Fool's prank on mystery bookstore owner Annie Darling. A felonious forger on the idyllic -- if rarely tranquil -- South Carolina island of Broward's Rock has made it appear as if Annie is accusing some of her neighbors of murder. In the wink of a bloodshot eye, the Darling name is mud . . . and then the Broward's Rock body count starts mysteriously increasing. And now it's up to Annie to follow the well-hidden trail of the vicious trickster -- or a secret slayer's next lethal "joke" may very well be on her!
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
75 people are currently reading
736 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 91 reviews
April 28, 2012
★★★★☆ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Kate Reading does her usual lovely job of narrating this one! (She narrates the Pink Carnation series also.)
Loved the storyline in this one, too. I’ve read Carolyn Hart once before (another series), and thought I’d try this one for an April Challenge. That, and I needed the state (South Carolina) for a State Challenge. So glad I did, as it was a wonderful surprise.
It is the 13th in the Death on Demand Mysteries series, but not unlucky at all; I’ll definitely be looking for more. Loved the humorous dialogue between the primary sleuthing couple, Annie and Max. Loved the mystery – or should I say mysteries, since there is a bit of a crime spree going on in this one. They all had me guessing. Clever.
March 8, 2021
This book was definitely a weak entry in the Death in Demand series. I'm not sure we ever learned who hired the skywriter (or, if it was the murderer, why that would even be something to do) and half of the book was about things that didn't matter. (Like Laurel's whole escapade with dowsing rods... I guess Hart had to find a reason for Laurel to be on the boat and see something that related to the murders that didn't happen until halfway through the book?) I just felt like a lot of the book was padding, stuff that we didn't really need or care about.
I have said before how much I don't like the first chapters of Death on Demand books where Hart writes short scenes with at least 3 or 4 ancillary characters. Often the murder victim is included in these scenes. We see Bob Tower suffer the fatal hit and run (with the car driven by teenager Diane Littlefield), we are with Laura Neville when she is pushed off the boat (probably by her husband but it's not proven), we are with Kay Nevis as she debates what she saw Meredith and George up to across the lake, we are with retired police chief Frank Saulter as he learns that Jud Harrison is getting released from prison. But do meeting these characters add anything to the story? No, not in my opinion. Everything that happens here is discussed later. And I dislike that Hart writes them like they are all happening now, when in fact at least two of these events happened much earlier. Also, I had mostly forgotten all those scenes by the time the murder happens so I'm not sure what they add to the book.
I have said before how much I don't like the first chapters of Death on Demand books where Hart writes short scenes with at least 3 or 4 ancillary characters. Often the murder victim is included in these scenes. We see Bob Tower suffer the fatal hit and run (with the car driven by teenager Diane Littlefield), we are with Laura Neville when she is pushed off the boat (probably by her husband but it's not proven), we are with Kay Nevis as she debates what she saw Meredith and George up to across the lake, we are with retired police chief Frank Saulter as he learns that Jud Harrison is getting released from prison. But do meeting these characters add anything to the story? No, not in my opinion. Everything that happens here is discussed later. And I dislike that Hart writes them like they are all happening now, when in fact at least two of these events happened much earlier. Also, I had mostly forgotten all those scenes by the time the murder happens so I'm not sure what they add to the book.
June 22, 2018
At first I didn't really like this book, but as I kept reading it got better and better. It is a little confusing because there are several characters working various angles of the mystery, and since they are all doing it at the same time, the story jumps from one to another. But it is a compelling mystery and one that had several possible conclusions, so it was fun to ponder all the various theories.
April 20, 2019
Starts out a little too confusing. The ending was not clear as to reasons.
March 15, 2020
Mom and I found this book to be very interesting because Emma and Annie team up.
We start the book with Emma holding a signing at her book store. Annie is working hard to get ready and one of the events leading up is treasure hunt/ promotional material is being sabotage and part of the sabotage is smearing Emma's good name.
Annie tries to get out the word that these are not her promotions and that anyone who tries to partake in these false promotional events is wasting their time. Annie also promises Emma that she will take care of finding out who is behind the smearing promotions. Along the way on of the teachers at the school that Rachel, Annie sister in law, is attending ends up dead and might know who was behind everything.
This mystery was a fun one and it was interesting having the gang all in though it was mainly Annie and Emma solving the crime which was very interesting, but some of our other characters seemed to be left out due to this. Over all a good continuation to the series.
We start the book with Emma holding a signing at her book store. Annie is working hard to get ready and one of the events leading up is treasure hunt/ promotional material is being sabotage and part of the sabotage is smearing Emma's good name.
Annie tries to get out the word that these are not her promotions and that anyone who tries to partake in these false promotional events is wasting their time. Annie also promises Emma that she will take care of finding out who is behind the smearing promotions. Along the way on of the teachers at the school that Rachel, Annie sister in law, is attending ends up dead and might know who was behind everything.
This mystery was a fun one and it was interesting having the gang all in though it was mainly Annie and Emma solving the crime which was very interesting, but some of our other characters seemed to be left out due to this. Over all a good continuation to the series.
July 25, 2014
Annie Darling has thought up the absolute best promotion for the April 1st book-signing of Emma Clyde’s latest Marigold Rembrandt mystery. She’s papered the island of Broward’s Rock with flyers and is sure to have a huge turnout at her Death on Demand mystery bookstore. When she spots a skywriting plane spelling out the book title – WHODUNIT? – she assumes her wealthy husband, Max, has orchestrated the surprise. But it wasn’t Max, or anyone else Annie knows. And more distressing, Annie soon learns that someone has distributed fake flyers with clues to several local crimes and offering a $1000 prize for the first person to solve them. If this is someone’s idea of an April Fool’s joke, it’s not very funny. Annie has to put a stop to this; her business is at risk!
This is book # 13 in the Death on Demand series. I read the first one a couple of years ago and it was entertaining enough. I picked this one up because the cover art satisfied a challenge. I’m sorry I didn’t check the library’s shelves for other options, because this was really dreadful.
The mystery flyers are just a lot of noise and Hart keeps jumping from character to character giving different points of view. The murder doesn’t happen until page 150, and apparently only Annie is investigating because we hardly see a police officer Then there is the side story involving Max’s mother, Laurel – a bigger-than-life wealthy widow with way too much time on her hands – which is totally unnecessary. I never did figure out what all the divining rods were for.
I have a feeling that this series, like so many others, has more than run its course; the author seems to have run out of coherent ideas. In a nutshell – the characters aren’t developed; the plot is disorganized; clues are nonexistent; the writing is padded with descriptions that add nothing to the story or atmosphere. Oh, and the cover art has absolutely nothing to do with the story, as far as I can tell. Don’t waste your time.
This is book # 13 in the Death on Demand series. I read the first one a couple of years ago and it was entertaining enough. I picked this one up because the cover art satisfied a challenge. I’m sorry I didn’t check the library’s shelves for other options, because this was really dreadful.
The mystery flyers are just a lot of noise and Hart keeps jumping from character to character giving different points of view. The murder doesn’t happen until page 150, and apparently only Annie is investigating because we hardly see a police officer Then there is the side story involving Max’s mother, Laurel – a bigger-than-life wealthy widow with way too much time on her hands – which is totally unnecessary. I never did figure out what all the divining rods were for.
I have a feeling that this series, like so many others, has more than run its course; the author seems to have run out of coherent ideas. In a nutshell – the characters aren’t developed; the plot is disorganized; clues are nonexistent; the writing is padded with descriptions that add nothing to the story or atmosphere. Oh, and the cover art has absolutely nothing to do with the story, as far as I can tell. Don’t waste your time.
September 4, 2024
April Fool Dead by Carolyn G. Hart is the 13th book of the Death on Demand cozy mystery series set in contemporary Broward's Rock sea island in South Carolina. Annie proudly owns and operates Death on Demand mystery bookshop, where she will feature author Emma Clyde for a book signing on April 1. Annie has distributed flyers throughout the island advertising the event's contest: solve the clues (about mystery books and authors) to win a signed copy of Emma's latest, Whodunit.
Someone else creates a second flyer, and distributes it island-wide. The second flyer's clues reveal secrets about island scandals and crimes. Annie's first warning of the second flyer is when Emma storms into Death on Demand, furious. Emma is a force to be reckoned with; but her fury soon turns to chagrin at Annie's shock. Emma, chagrined? That was less likely than James Bond in drag.
A third flyer further whips up a frenzy, with its promise of a $1000 prize. Those flyers had better visibility than a new John Grisham novel at Christmas.
Annie must save her shop's reputation. She would never attack her fellow islanders in this manner. Not only does she distribute rebuttal posters and flyers, she visits each resident accused by the fake flyers' clues.
Annie's quest for a vicious prankster soon becomes a hunt for a killer. But she must also handle her stepsister Rachel's deep distress with exactly the right amount of compassion. Sometimes it is too painful to share unhappiness with someone who cares, but sometimes a word of love could banish sadness as easily as sun spilling into a dark room transforms gloom to brightness.
Meanwhile ditsy Laurel has an exciting, dangerous (and successful!) adventure all her own. Annie and Max wonder where she is, and worry about what to do, after they receive a strange phone call from her.
Someone else creates a second flyer, and distributes it island-wide. The second flyer's clues reveal secrets about island scandals and crimes. Annie's first warning of the second flyer is when Emma storms into Death on Demand, furious. Emma is a force to be reckoned with; but her fury soon turns to chagrin at Annie's shock. Emma, chagrined? That was less likely than James Bond in drag.
A third flyer further whips up a frenzy, with its promise of a $1000 prize. Those flyers had better visibility than a new John Grisham novel at Christmas.
Annie must save her shop's reputation. She would never attack her fellow islanders in this manner. Not only does she distribute rebuttal posters and flyers, she visits each resident accused by the fake flyers' clues.
Annie's quest for a vicious prankster soon becomes a hunt for a killer. But she must also handle her stepsister Rachel's deep distress with exactly the right amount of compassion. Sometimes it is too painful to share unhappiness with someone who cares, but sometimes a word of love could banish sadness as easily as sun spilling into a dark room transforms gloom to brightness.
Meanwhile ditsy Laurel has an exciting, dangerous (and successful!) adventure all her own. Annie and Max wonder where she is, and worry about what to do, after they receive a strange phone call from her.
April 23, 2017
Carolyn Hart is an author who can make you laugh and keep you in suspense simultaneously! In April Food Dead, Annie and Max Darling and Max’s mother Laurel are looking for the individual or individuals who have changed Annie’s flyers to reveal answers to clues to the latest’s bestseller contest. Annie and Max are successful in letting their fellow islanders know that the flyers are fakes. They follow the clues to a local school teacher. They find her dead and they want to know why.
Kate Reading is the voice of all the characters.
Kate Reading is the voice of all the characters.
March 20, 2022
Sometimes picking up a book in the middle of a series you've never read works out great, and other times not so much. Unfortunately, this is a not so much.
The book was difficult to read and to follow and honestly seemed like it was written by a child at times it became so confusing. It felt like the author decided by #13 all the readers would be up to speed on the series, the locale, the characters so why bother.
Wish she'd bothered, no desire to find another in this series.
The book was difficult to read and to follow and honestly seemed like it was written by a child at times it became so confusing. It felt like the author decided by #13 all the readers would be up to speed on the series, the locale, the characters so why bother.
Wish she'd bothered, no desire to find another in this series.
September 8, 2014
Just too many problems with this one to mention them all. This is a small island community, yet it seems that neighbors are clueless to the biggest of news stories plus the main characters seem to be doing the job of the police as if the police are totally inept. Did not enjoy. Like the characters, but just not in this "plot."
August 3, 2013
This isn't really a review but more a observation. One of the characters in the 'Who Dunnit?' Was named Keith Fleming, that was my dads name. Just found it neat to hear his name uttered nearly 19 years after his death
December 1, 2018
There is always something warm and fuzzy when starting an adventure with Annie and Max Darling. They are just so cute! But you know that some day, they would end up dead in the real world.
But in the realm of a cozy mystery, where they're the perfect loving, devoted to each other and smart, they are fine detective sleuths. Living as they are in a small South Carolina island community, its heard to believe that there have been a series of mysterious deaths but somehow there are — and someone is bringing them back up just when Annie is trying to promote the latest book and signing at her book store, Death on Demand.
Annie thought she was so clever with flyers offering a contest and a prize of a signed copy of the featured book but then the competing flyers based on real deaths, not mysteries, are released and the community members go crazy searching for clues.
As Annie, Max and their friends try to seek out the person who created the competing posters, the apparent prank turns deadly.
If you like your mysteries light and not too realistic, these are exactly the books for you. Once in a while it's good to have a book to read that is not too heavy, not too realistic — sort of a little bit of sweetness between servings at a meal.
But in the realm of a cozy mystery, where they're the perfect loving, devoted to each other and smart, they are fine detective sleuths. Living as they are in a small South Carolina island community, its heard to believe that there have been a series of mysterious deaths but somehow there are — and someone is bringing them back up just when Annie is trying to promote the latest book and signing at her book store, Death on Demand.
Annie thought she was so clever with flyers offering a contest and a prize of a signed copy of the featured book but then the competing flyers based on real deaths, not mysteries, are released and the community members go crazy searching for clues.
As Annie, Max and their friends try to seek out the person who created the competing posters, the apparent prank turns deadly.
If you like your mysteries light and not too realistic, these are exactly the books for you. Once in a while it's good to have a book to read that is not too heavy, not too realistic — sort of a little bit of sweetness between servings at a meal.
February 13, 2025
Annie Darling is looking forward to hosting a book signing for the island’s resident mystery writer, Emma Clyde, on April first. She’s even come up with the perfect promotion for it, leaving fliers all over the island with the clues to identify famous mystery books for a prize at the signing. However, someone has mimicked her fliers, but instead of talking about fictional murder these new fliers are accusing residents of the island of real crimes. Just as Annie thinks her job restoring her name is over, someone dies. Is this murder connected to the fliers?
I love it when authors get creative with their plots, and we’ve got a winner here. I especially appreciated how everything came together. The characters remain a little thin, but they are strong enough to pull us into the story. There are a couple who show up from the previous book, so be aware of minor spoilers. The laughs are plentiful again, especially thanks to Annie’s mother-in-law. Do keep in mind that this book was originally released in 2002 as a couple of elements are dated, but nothing major. Overall, you’d be a fool to pass on this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I love it when authors get creative with their plots, and we’ve got a winner here. I especially appreciated how everything came together. The characters remain a little thin, but they are strong enough to pull us into the story. There are a couple who show up from the previous book, so be aware of minor spoilers. The laughs are plentiful again, especially thanks to Annie’s mother-in-law. Do keep in mind that this book was originally released in 2002 as a couple of elements are dated, but nothing major. Overall, you’d be a fool to pass on this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
May 6, 2019
Annie’s huge Whodunit promotion for Emma Clyde’s new book goes array when someone uses her contest to embarrass a group of islanders. Things go from bad to worse when there is a murder of the main suspect. Henny, Max, and Annie all work together to find out who is behind the flyers and the murder.
This series is always an enjoyable light read. I like all the main and supportive characters. It’s always fun to come by and catch up with them.
Though I enjoy the series and I enjoyed the story, I had a hard time really staying with the story. It took an usually long time for me to complete. I just didn’t connect with it the way I have in the past.
This series is always an enjoyable light read. I like all the main and supportive characters. It’s always fun to come by and catch up with them.
Though I enjoy the series and I enjoyed the story, I had a hard time really staying with the story. It took an usually long time for me to complete. I just didn’t connect with it the way I have in the past.
April 12, 2023
It’s always a romp with Max and Annie!
There are complications when a bookstore owner, Annie, is having an event for a popular mystery writer, Emma, who is a friend and local resident. The first problem is that Annie’s contest for the event has been hijacked by someone handing out flyers mimicking Annie’s. Finding who distributed the flyers and reaching out to those specified in them creates more problems. But when someone is murdered, new layers of difficulty are added. And there are two subplots. The police chief is very busy—another reason Max and Annie have to help. An enjoyable read with suggestions of other authors to add to one’s cozy mystery list.
There are complications when a bookstore owner, Annie, is having an event for a popular mystery writer, Emma, who is a friend and local resident. The first problem is that Annie’s contest for the event has been hijacked by someone handing out flyers mimicking Annie’s. Finding who distributed the flyers and reaching out to those specified in them creates more problems. But when someone is murdered, new layers of difficulty are added. And there are two subplots. The police chief is very busy—another reason Max and Annie have to help. An enjoyable read with suggestions of other authors to add to one’s cozy mystery list.
May 29, 2017
The Darlings are investigating again. Annie has picked a great way to encourage people to attend the signing by author Emma Clyde but before she can put this in practice a sky writer writes a message across the sky. It is an April Fool's joke. Then red herring clues are put around town to find a treasure and Annie gets blamed. Now the mystery starts.
November 11, 2017
A local, well-liked teacher has been killed. Also a problem, someone is sending nasty letters around the island and the evidence seems to be pointing at Annie. With the police breathing down her neck, Annie is anxious to prove herself innocent.
This was sort of a meh book. Fine but not really good. Did like the use of Rachel in this one though.
This was sort of a meh book. Fine but not really good. Did like the use of Rachel in this one though.
June 3, 2022
I read a great deal of "heavy" works on WWII + biographies, autobiographies and history, so every once in a while I have to add a "cozy" for brain candy. Annie Darling of the Death on Demand series is always good for a light read with a fun mystery. In this edition Annie is suspected of murder and must prover her innocence. Kristi & Abby Tabby
October 5, 2017
I liked Carolyn Hart's Henrie O series. I read one set on a cruise in the Baltic Sea and enjoyed it, but this book is just too cutsie. I believe I may have read some of the early books in this series when the book store owner was not married and liked them okay, but this is not my style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2019
Another great read by Carolyn Hart. Seasonal mischief turns deadly when bookstore owner Annie Darling and her husband, Max, must once again solve the crimes. A wonderful mystery that made me want to keep reading.
August 15, 2021
Carolyn Hart created a whodunit that takes place on an island near SC. Annie runs a bookstore that promotes a contest for the locals. She sends out flyers for a contest. That is just the beginning of what happened to the flyers, and death.
March 31, 2023
DNF. It was just not to my taste.
There was too many tangents, and I didn’t believe in the characters.
The gorgeous husband aching to get his gorgeous wife in bed in the middle of the day was one thing, but as soon as the blue-eyed blonde with stilettos walked in, I had enough.
There was too many tangents, and I didn’t believe in the characters.
The gorgeous husband aching to get his gorgeous wife in bed in the middle of the day was one thing, but as soon as the blue-eyed blonde with stilettos walked in, I had enough.
April 6, 2023
I enjoyed this cozy. I sort of guessed the ending, but not until the final chapters. Annie makes flyers for a author signing at her bookshop, but someone makes lookalike fakes accusing townsfolk for heinous crimes, including murder. Annie must do her best to convince people she did not make these fake flyers. Then a local teacher and student are murdered. Annie must find the killer before someone else is found dead. B
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2018
I didn't know this was a series but I am thrilled when I find a series. I can't wait to start from the beginning. great story
February 20, 2019
Great characters and a quick read.
June 12, 2019
A great read that will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing to the very end of the Book.
March 17, 2020
Great mystery novel. I didn't love it as much as the previous Sugar Plum Dead. However, where this mystery ended up as opposed to the start up--that was wonderfully unpredictable.
April 25, 2020
Interesting plot twists and turns in this whodunit murder mystery novel. There was a lot going on that all came together as a great crescendo at the end.
July 23, 2020
Annie and Max are great at figuring things out. This was the first time I thought there was going to be a miss on this case. Loved the story line and how it all came about.
November 19, 2020
Hart never disappoints!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews