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Death on Demand #25
Don't Go Home
Annie Darling, owner of the Death on Demand mystery bookstore, is hosting a party to celebrate successful Southern literary icon—and former Broward’s Rock resident—Alex Griffith and his bestselling new novel, Don’t Go Home. But after the local paper announces that Griffith aims to reveal the real-life inspirations behind his characters, perhaps the author should take his own advice. Not everyone in town is ready to give him a glowing review.
As Annie attempts damage control, her friend Marian Kenyon gets in a heated argument with Griffith. It’s a fight Annie won’t soon forget—especially after the author turns up dead.
Despite an array of suspects to match Griffith’s cast of characters—and a promise to her husband, Max, to steer clear of sleuthing—Annie’s not about to let the police throw the book at her friend when the real killer remains at large…
As Annie attempts damage control, her friend Marian Kenyon gets in a heated argument with Griffith. It’s a fight Annie won’t soon forget—especially after the author turns up dead.
Despite an array of suspects to match Griffith’s cast of characters—and a promise to her husband, Max, to steer clear of sleuthing—Annie’s not about to let the police throw the book at her friend when the real killer remains at large…
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2015
89 people are currently reading
702 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 151 reviews
May 5, 2015
Before I start my review, I have good news for all the Death On Demand fans. This was supposed to be the last book in the series, but author Carolyn Hart has decided to continue! She said the characters just wouldn’t stay quiet. Thank you Annie and Max for whispering into your author’s ear! :-)
Once again Carolyn Hart has outdone herself. She pulled out all the stops with DON’T GO HOME. It’s no wonder she has won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards, along with an Amelia Award. When it comes to good ole traditional, edge of your seat mysteries, this story tops the list.
When I started reading this story, I was just going to read a few chapters than get some work done. I read the entire book without too many breaks. I just didn’t want to put it down until I knew who the killer was. The ending of the book, the reveal, was straight out of a Christie novel! I half expected Miss Marple to walk in and point her finger at the killer.
Once you’ve read DON’T GO HOME, you’ll understand why Carolyn Hart has been called America’s Agatha Christie. It’s a title very well earned.
Here’s to book twenty-six!
Once again Carolyn Hart has outdone herself. She pulled out all the stops with DON’T GO HOME. It’s no wonder she has won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards, along with an Amelia Award. When it comes to good ole traditional, edge of your seat mysteries, this story tops the list.
When I started reading this story, I was just going to read a few chapters than get some work done. I read the entire book without too many breaks. I just didn’t want to put it down until I knew who the killer was. The ending of the book, the reveal, was straight out of a Christie novel! I half expected Miss Marple to walk in and point her finger at the killer.
Once you’ve read DON’T GO HOME, you’ll understand why Carolyn Hart has been called America’s Agatha Christie. It’s a title very well earned.
Here’s to book twenty-six!
October 10, 2025
This was like coming home it’s been so long since I’ve read one of these. I was disappointed some of the regular characters weren’t in it as much but I enjoyed Marian having a larger role. The mystery was good and I enjoyed the gathering of the suspects finale.
June 24, 2020
Only one more Max and Annie to go...:(
August 22, 2016
As is typical of this series, there were what felt like a ton of characters. Because all the suspects were also portrayed by different names in a supposed fictional book, it made things all the more difficult to keep straight. It took me the majority of the book to remember who was who -- but maybe that is just me and I need to start writing down who the people are as I read along.
SPOILER ALERT: As for the widow Rae-- way too much whining, and although Annie did her best to try and help, there wasn't so much as a fare thee well from her at the end, no less a thank you. The final status of the widow and her "friend" was reduced to basically one line saying that they had left the island. Overall, I felt that the ending was totally anti-climatic, and not solid in its resolution. Did I miss something, because I don't remember the killer actually admitting to anything.
Glad to see that the "intrepid trio" was a small, not large part of this book. Emma and Laurel are way too annoying for my taste. And there wasn't too much with Agatha, the mean-spirited cat, whose behavior I find to be unacceptable. WOW, maybe I am just in a mood today -- I have never written such a long and negative review. Don't get me wrong -- I am not anti-Carolyn Hart.
SPOILER ALERT: As for the widow Rae-- way too much whining, and although Annie did her best to try and help, there wasn't so much as a fare thee well from her at the end, no less a thank you. The final status of the widow and her "friend" was reduced to basically one line saying that they had left the island. Overall, I felt that the ending was totally anti-climatic, and not solid in its resolution. Did I miss something, because I don't remember the killer actually admitting to anything.
Glad to see that the "intrepid trio" was a small, not large part of this book. Emma and Laurel are way too annoying for my taste. And there wasn't too much with Agatha, the mean-spirited cat, whose behavior I find to be unacceptable. WOW, maybe I am just in a mood today -- I have never written such a long and negative review. Don't get me wrong -- I am not anti-Carolyn Hart.
June 14, 2021
4.5 Stars
rounded up to 5 Stars.
July 6, 2018
"Annie Darling, owner of the Death on Demand mystery bookstore, is hosting a party to celebrate successful Southern literary icon -- and former Broward's Rock resident -- Alex Griffith and his bestselling novel, Don't Go Home. But after the local paper announces that Griffith aims to reveal the real-life inspirations behind his characters, perhaps the author should take his own advice. Not everyone in town is ready to give him a glowing review.
"As Annie attempts damage control, her friend Marian Kenyon gets in a heated argument with Griffith. It's a fight Annie won't soon forget -- especially after the author turns up dead.
"Despite an array of suspects to match Griffith's cast of characters -- and a promise to her husband, Max, to steer clear of sleuthing -- Annie's not about to let the police throw the book at her friend when the real killer remains at large ..."
~~front flap
#25 in a series is impressive! Carolyn Hart is certainly prolific -- an achievement in itself. I think I've read most of them, and I only read this one because a friend practically strong armed me into borrowing it. So in a fit of I-don't-know-what I read it, guessing I wouldn't like it much. And I didn't. Same old plot, many of the same old characters, same old result. Granted, it's hard to be original for 25 books, and granted many of her readers just adore her books. Nobody writes & sells 25 books without having an audience out there somewhere. It's just that I'm not one of that group.
But I must say I've always been impressed with Ms. Hart's graciousness in weaving mystery titles and mystery authors into her books -- what a generous thing to do both for other mystery authors and her adoring public -- to point them to further adventures in the mystery genre!
"As Annie attempts damage control, her friend Marian Kenyon gets in a heated argument with Griffith. It's a fight Annie won't soon forget -- especially after the author turns up dead.
"Despite an array of suspects to match Griffith's cast of characters -- and a promise to her husband, Max, to steer clear of sleuthing -- Annie's not about to let the police throw the book at her friend when the real killer remains at large ..."
~~front flap
#25 in a series is impressive! Carolyn Hart is certainly prolific -- an achievement in itself. I think I've read most of them, and I only read this one because a friend practically strong armed me into borrowing it. So in a fit of I-don't-know-what I read it, guessing I wouldn't like it much. And I didn't. Same old plot, many of the same old characters, same old result. Granted, it's hard to be original for 25 books, and granted many of her readers just adore her books. Nobody writes & sells 25 books without having an audience out there somewhere. It's just that I'm not one of that group.
But I must say I've always been impressed with Ms. Hart's graciousness in weaving mystery titles and mystery authors into her books -- what a generous thing to do both for other mystery authors and her adoring public -- to point them to further adventures in the mystery genre!
July 25, 2020
Annie promises Max to not solves any mysteries well Max is away. We know, Mom and me can not believe that Annie would promises something that seems fundamentally part of who Annie is. Of course Annie is unable to keep her promises and those we start out on another another sleuthing endeavor.
We start with Annie have just returned to the island after a weekend away. In this book Max is off on a fishing trip with friends and the Three Musketeers are off on a Tom Wayne Cruise? Anyway the point is that Annie is on her own. Annie ends up fining out that a famous author has returned to the island, is birth place, to give a book talk, only as Annie finds out from picking up the paper he intendeds to reveal the secret of the people he wrote about in his book. (Mom and I have notice that Carolyn Hart seems to like this ploy a lot, we have had this happen in a couple other book, specifically in the first book she ever wrote in the Death on Demand series, so this does feel like we are coming back home.
Annie goes to tell in she will not be hosting him at her book store only to find Marian in a heated argument with the popular author and that only solidifies Annie affirmation that she does not wish him to come to her bookstore. Sadly though, no matter how hard Annie tries to alter events, the author ends up dead and Annie gets on the case if only to try an help Marian out.
Annie is very good a sleuthing, and with Marians help their teamwork leads to them trying to solve the case before all sort of hurtful secrets come out and the wrong people end up in jail.
We start with Annie have just returned to the island after a weekend away. In this book Max is off on a fishing trip with friends and the Three Musketeers are off on a Tom Wayne Cruise? Anyway the point is that Annie is on her own. Annie ends up fining out that a famous author has returned to the island, is birth place, to give a book talk, only as Annie finds out from picking up the paper he intendeds to reveal the secret of the people he wrote about in his book. (Mom and I have notice that Carolyn Hart seems to like this ploy a lot, we have had this happen in a couple other book, specifically in the first book she ever wrote in the Death on Demand series, so this does feel like we are coming back home.
Annie goes to tell in she will not be hosting him at her book store only to find Marian in a heated argument with the popular author and that only solidifies Annie affirmation that she does not wish him to come to her bookstore. Sadly though, no matter how hard Annie tries to alter events, the author ends up dead and Annie gets on the case if only to try an help Marian out.
Annie is very good a sleuthing, and with Marians help their teamwork leads to them trying to solve the case before all sort of hurtful secrets come out and the wrong people end up in jail.
December 5, 2019
This was the 25th book in the Death on Demand mystery series by Carolyn Hart ... I have followed this series for a long time and always enjoy these stories set on the SC coast and built around Annie's Death on Demand Mystery bookstore. ... Annie is trying not to get involved in more mystery solving in this story but, of course, gets sucked in to help a friend. ... There are many twists and turns and I had absolutely no idea who the murderer would be until the end,... which is exactly the kind of mystery we all like best!!! Full of rich characters, a great story, good writing, and an intriguing mystery.
December 8, 2015
I always enjoy seeing a new Death on Demand mystery by Carolyn Hart. But, I think I have reached a limit on the formulaic mystery that takes me once again to Broward's Rock, several vignettes about different characters, Annie Darling continually getting herself in deep water, and the various other characters in her life. It used to be charming, but now it is just variations on the exact same theme, and I find myself bored. Two stars for me indicates that I got through about half of it, skimmed a bit more, turned to the end to see who done it. I wouldn't even bother to write about a one star -- those are the books I don't even get past two or three chapters.
You can see by the awards the Hart won for her first eight books of the series that it continued to be new and fresh and enjoyable. However, I guess 25 books is my limit -- although I may have missed a few here and there since I get them at the library. Even with minor alterations in the lives of the main characters, it is not enough to energize the plot. And, I began to find the short vignettes of the characters at the beginning really boring. As far as I'm concerned, the novel began on page 13.
I feel like I'm being mean because I have had lots of pleasure in the past from Hart's novels -- and she has done nothing particularly different. Also, I've read a few of her other series, but they haven't caught my interest as much as the bookstore series. I've always been in awe of Hart's encyclopedic memory for mystery authors and their work. For readers who are just approaching this author, they will find the series delightful. I'm just personally weary of reading them.
You can see by the awards the Hart won for her first eight books of the series that it continued to be new and fresh and enjoyable. However, I guess 25 books is my limit -- although I may have missed a few here and there since I get them at the library. Even with minor alterations in the lives of the main characters, it is not enough to energize the plot. And, I began to find the short vignettes of the characters at the beginning really boring. As far as I'm concerned, the novel began on page 13.
I feel like I'm being mean because I have had lots of pleasure in the past from Hart's novels -- and she has done nothing particularly different. Also, I've read a few of her other series, but they haven't caught my interest as much as the bookstore series. I've always been in awe of Hart's encyclopedic memory for mystery authors and their work. For readers who are just approaching this author, they will find the series delightful. I'm just personally weary of reading them.
June 2, 2015
As usual, Ms. Hart's Death on Demand cozy series delivers. I always look forward to a new Max and Annie Darling mystery. I love the series because these are two of the most likeable protagonists out there, and the setting always delights. In this book Annie is on her own for most of the book because Max is on a fishing trip with some friends. It's July in Broward's Rock (a small island off the coast of South Carolina) and the weather is steamy. Annie's mystery book store is busy with summer tourists and she's reveling in running her store, making reading recommendations to her customers and setting up a big book party to honour an old Broward's Rock alumni who is a famous author. But Alex Griffiths has brought more than his bestselling book back home. He has promised to do a tell-all about who the characters in his book were based on from his old hometown. And there are lots of people who don't want all these old secrets dredged up. Annie's friend Marian Kenyan happens to be one of them and Annie finds herself drawn in to help her friend when the infamous author is murdered. There are lots of suspects and lots of very good motives for this crime and it takes Annie, Marian and the Broward's Rock small police force to make sure that the right perpetrator is caught.
June 6, 2015
3.75 stars. Annie Darling owns Death on Demand bookstore in Broward Park. An author, Alex Griffith, wrote a best selling book several years ago as a work of fiction. Now he wants to name names in a new book. Apparently his fictional book was about real characters he grew up with in Broward Park. Annie is unaware of his ulterior motives and sponsors a book event. Someone does not want to be named in the new book and kills to stop him. Annie, sometime amateur sleuth, gets in the middle of the investigation to stop her friend from going to jail for a murder she did not commit.
This book held my interest fairly well. I couldn't tell who the killer was until the end.
This book held my interest fairly well. I couldn't tell who the killer was until the end.
June 11, 2015
Book#25 in the Death on Demand series continues to surprise and delight. Annie and Max Darling, their family and friends are comfortable old friends who solve murders from her mystery bookstore and his confidential commissions office, on an island off South Carolina. The murder is a twisted plot of books, lies, and revenge. The setting is so real, you can taste the heat and humidity in the air while wanting to loll around reading. This can be a read alone or start from the first book but is a must for any crime or murder buff. This is one of my original favorites after finishing all the Agatha Christies and it has never let me down.
June 22, 2018
I read books 22, 23, 24 and 25 one after the other. What I learned:
1. Introduce several character who all dislike the victim
2. Kill the victim
3. Make sure Annie Darling finds the body
4. Make her promise no to get involved, yeah right!
5. Put Annie in jeopardy.
6. Rescue her at the last minute
7. Annie has now solved 25 murders, way better than the local police.
Hey Carolyn Hart, time for a change, think outside the box, huh?
1. Introduce several character who all dislike the victim
2. Kill the victim
3. Make sure Annie Darling finds the body
4. Make her promise no to get involved, yeah right!
5. Put Annie in jeopardy.
6. Rescue her at the last minute
7. Annie has now solved 25 murders, way better than the local police.
Hey Carolyn Hart, time for a change, think outside the box, huh?
December 31, 2024
This is the first book I’ve read in this series, and apparently its towards the end. But with mystery series, I find you can easily read them out of order. I enjoyed reading this book. It was a fairly standard mystery book. I will say I could have done without all the lists of book titles and authors the author sprinkled throughout the book. I understand the main character owned a mystery book shop, but that just seemed like filler copy to me.
June 30, 2015
Carolyn Hart used to be one of my favorite authors. Now she's gotten worse or I'm reading better books. But I still love Annie and Max, both together and separately. The two stars are for the two of them.
June 21, 2015
Previous books in this series have had an underlying theme of Annie's sense of morals, but all that seemed to be not only missing, but flat out ignored in this book. I would have given 3 stars if all the evidence against the suspect hadn't been manufactured.
November 26, 2016
Likable protagonists, Annie and Max Darling, coupled with curious locals become involved in solving a murder in Broward’s Rock. A good story, a multitude of characters and intrigue fired by passion make for a very readable mystery. Hope Hart features Hyla Harrison more in future books.
December 26, 2016
Like this series and characters...recommended.
March 9, 2017
I love Carolyn Hart's books, this just didn't have the believability of characters that she is good at. If it was the first I'd read of the series, I wouldn't pick up another.
July 9, 2021
I haven’t finished this yet but I have to say I don’t know which is more annoying …
when max and Annie constantly and consistently act like newlyweds yet still “do their own thing”at times against the wishes of one another
Or…
This book where Max is blissfully absent however no less annoying as he’s made Annie promise to not get involved in any further mysteries (which we all know won’t fly or we wouldn’t be reading the book)
I feel by MAKING her promise and then conveniently taking off on a guys only untethered by technology trip, he’s turned into an overbearing controlling husband. Who is he to demand that kind of “promise” from Annie? Especially given the fact that it’s one of the things that brought them together? And that almost everyone from their tight inner circle Ingrid, Henny, Emma not to mention those related Laurel, Rachel AND even Annie & Max themselves could either be in prison or maimed or even killed if not for their “meddling”? Even though it’s a clear inconsistency in the adventurous Max’s character Hart tries to slide it by readers under the guise of Max’s fear of losing Annie. It doesn’t work. It makes Max’s character irritating rather than ingratiating him into our good graces. Also adding to the inconsistency…he is so thankful Annie wasn’t hurt when capturing the latest killer that he wrings out of her the promise of no more nosing into mysteries to keep her safe. However he then proceeds to leave for over a week on a guys only trip where he’ll have no form of communication with her? Somehow that seems like a huge anomaly that is ignored either to float the idea of Annie’s “non-involvement” as she gets involved or being stymied at where else to go with Max’s adventurous yet fearful Dudley Do-right character. Possibly a little of both.
I’ve tolerated the couple because Hart writes a decent mystery that’s not overly predictable but at this point I think I’ve reached the end of my patience with the “cutesy couple”.
This will have to be one hell of a story to make me want to read any future Max & Annie mysteries.
when max and Annie constantly and consistently act like newlyweds yet still “do their own thing”at times against the wishes of one another
Or…
This book where Max is blissfully absent however no less annoying as he’s made Annie promise to not get involved in any further mysteries (which we all know won’t fly or we wouldn’t be reading the book)
I feel by MAKING her promise and then conveniently taking off on a guys only untethered by technology trip, he’s turned into an overbearing controlling husband. Who is he to demand that kind of “promise” from Annie? Especially given the fact that it’s one of the things that brought them together? And that almost everyone from their tight inner circle Ingrid, Henny, Emma not to mention those related Laurel, Rachel AND even Annie & Max themselves could either be in prison or maimed or even killed if not for their “meddling”? Even though it’s a clear inconsistency in the adventurous Max’s character Hart tries to slide it by readers under the guise of Max’s fear of losing Annie. It doesn’t work. It makes Max’s character irritating rather than ingratiating him into our good graces. Also adding to the inconsistency…he is so thankful Annie wasn’t hurt when capturing the latest killer that he wrings out of her the promise of no more nosing into mysteries to keep her safe. However he then proceeds to leave for over a week on a guys only trip where he’ll have no form of communication with her? Somehow that seems like a huge anomaly that is ignored either to float the idea of Annie’s “non-involvement” as she gets involved or being stymied at where else to go with Max’s adventurous yet fearful Dudley Do-right character. Possibly a little of both.
I’ve tolerated the couple because Hart writes a decent mystery that’s not overly predictable but at this point I think I’ve reached the end of my patience with the “cutesy couple”.
This will have to be one hell of a story to make me want to read any future Max & Annie mysteries.
July 5, 2025
I spent a few hours skimming this book. Glad that I did not read it. Got to the end - my candidate for who dunnit verified - and now I don't have to read another Hart book.
I am not the intended audience. Even though I enjoy mysteries, even cozy ones. But they need to be well executed, and/or include something new to teach me about the world.
Furthermore, I object to the following (in no particular order):
1. Page 209 - "He put a gentle finger on her lips.." And this is the good guy? No, thanks.
2. Page 262 - "What are women to do if they don't take care of the folks around them?" Seriously?
(These examples aren't outliers.)
3. Uncritical, even admiring, views of antebellum Southern architecture, lifestyle, maybe even economics?? Are we thinking about what we're writing, reading, publishing? This book came out in 2015, not 1915, nor 1867. I say this as a Southerner.
4. So much ink and paper devoted to the authors and titles of mystery books. I sheepishly admit to recognizing a lot of them, and have read some of them. But very few were of high quality.
Note to self, and worth repeating: I am not the intended audience for this type of work.
I am not the intended audience. Even though I enjoy mysteries, even cozy ones. But they need to be well executed, and/or include something new to teach me about the world.
Furthermore, I object to the following (in no particular order):
1. Page 209 - "He put a gentle finger on her lips.." And this is the good guy? No, thanks.
2. Page 262 - "What are women to do if they don't take care of the folks around them?" Seriously?
(These examples aren't outliers.)
3. Uncritical, even admiring, views of antebellum Southern architecture, lifestyle, maybe even economics?? Are we thinking about what we're writing, reading, publishing? This book came out in 2015, not 1915, nor 1867. I say this as a Southerner.
4. So much ink and paper devoted to the authors and titles of mystery books. I sheepishly admit to recognizing a lot of them, and have read some of them. But very few were of high quality.
Note to self, and worth repeating: I am not the intended audience for this type of work.
July 12, 2019
There is a reason why Carolyn Hart is a Grand Master of mystery writers. She masterful in her plot and character development and nearly poetical in her descriptions of the surrounding ambiance, be it either a murder scene or a ramble across the island. That being said, this one did drag a bit in the middle and a list of characters and their various names would have been helpful.
The relationship between the main character, Annie, and her husband, Max is wonderful, even if they are going through a bit of a rough patch and he is off island through most of this book. Annie is also without her three main side-kicks: Laurel, Henny, and Emma, though they do make brief if poignant contributions with pithy texts. Here is one from Laurel, Annie's mother-in-law: "'Perhaps, dear Annie, immersion in mysteries account for your affinity for puzzles.' Annie beamed. 'Now that's a nice thing for Laurel to say, isn't it?' Max gave her an innocent glance. 'Or maybe you're a sucker for trouble?'" Either way, Annie's adventures are very enjoyable reading, especially for a summer day on the beach.
The relationship between the main character, Annie, and her husband, Max is wonderful, even if they are going through a bit of a rough patch and he is off island through most of this book. Annie is also without her three main side-kicks: Laurel, Henny, and Emma, though they do make brief if poignant contributions with pithy texts. Here is one from Laurel, Annie's mother-in-law: "'Perhaps, dear Annie, immersion in mysteries account for your affinity for puzzles.' Annie beamed. 'Now that's a nice thing for Laurel to say, isn't it?' Max gave her an innocent glance. 'Or maybe you're a sucker for trouble?'" Either way, Annie's adventures are very enjoyable reading, especially for a summer day on the beach.
July 28, 2020
The multiple points of view in a Death on Demand mystery add to the fun of solving the crime. This time out, Annie's bookstore has been asked too sponsor an event for a best selling officer who grew up on Broward's Rock. When she discovers that the man intends to expose the secrets of five island residents, however, she backs out of sponsorship of the event. One of the victims of his plan, devised to ensure rapid sales of a planned tell-all to reveal the real people behind the characters in his world famous novel, is a good friend of Annie's. Ten hours after Annie asks the hotel to tke the name of her bookstore off of the sponsorship publicity, the man is found dead in his suite. Annie's good friend could be a prime suspect...I loved this series for all of the references to mystery writers old and new, to titles and literary detectives. The regular characters are a wonderful set of eccentrics and Max is a dream husband.
July 9, 2019
Annie Darling, owner of the Death on Demand mystery bookstore is asked to host a party to celebrate a successful Southern writer, Alex Griffith. After she has agreed to do this, she discovers his real intent is to divulge secrets about several people in his home town. When she goes to his hotel room to tell him she will not sponsor his talk, she overhears an argument with a local reporter Marian Kenyon. Annie then re-reads his fiction book and figures out who some of the people are who Griffith intends to embarrass. Griffith spends a day visiting several relatives and acquaintances he has not seen in years. That evening Alex Griffith's wife goes to their room to get him for his talk and discovers he has been murdered. WHICH of the relatives or friends murdered him in order to avoid having secrets revealed?
November 5, 2017
To me, "Don't Go Home" seemed very different than the other Death on Demand mysteries. Annie's husband Max was absent for the majority of the story (he was away on a fishing trip). Also largely missing were Laurel, Henny, and Emma. Though Laurel and Emma usually annoy me, I found their absence left a void in the story. It also focused less on the bookstore than I remember from the other novels in the series. The focus seemed largely on the characters of Hyla and Marian. Though I like both women, I thought the amount of lying/sneaking Marian did seemed out-of-character for her. I felt like it would have been more realistic if either she let Annie in on her secret, or had Annie questioned her more about what was happening and why she was acting so strangely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2017
A nice gentle read a la Miss Marple and other Agatha Christie books.
We are in nice again in Max and Annie Darling's world.
A well known successful mystery writer returns home. He threatens to reveal the real people behind his characters in his novel "Don't Go Home".
Of course some one near and dear to Annie is threatened by this potential disclosure. Then the author is murdered and Annie's friend Marion is suspected.
Despite Annie's promise to Max, not to get involved in anything potentially hazardous, Annie has to champion Marion.
They use there usual technique of talking to anyone involved, even remotely, to find the killer.
We are in nice again in Max and Annie Darling's world.
A well known successful mystery writer returns home. He threatens to reveal the real people behind his characters in his novel "Don't Go Home".
Of course some one near and dear to Annie is threatened by this potential disclosure. Then the author is murdered and Annie's friend Marion is suspected.
Despite Annie's promise to Max, not to get involved in anything potentially hazardous, Annie has to champion Marion.
They use there usual technique of talking to anyone involved, even remotely, to find the killer.
June 29, 2017
Mystery with many characters; most had a reason not to want Alex Griffith to speak in town about his hit book, "Don't Go Home". When bookstore owner, Annie Darling, agrees to sponsor the occasion, she does not know the real subject of his speech. He has used many townspeople's stories and secrets in his novel, disguised by changing names and sometimes the sex of the real subject. She finds out in time to back out, but it is too late for Alex to rethink his plan when he is found murdered. Annie gets involved as well as the local officials and, after many twists and turns, arrests are made. The End? Nope. Keep reading.
May 24, 2017
This book didn't center around the bookstore or the Intrepid Three...but it still was a great read, the main characters carried the story with the secondary characters brought in just for this book. Sometimes, that makes a story stiff and stilted. Not this one. It worked perfectly, having the regular supporting cast off doing other things....the beginning of the book made it seem like nothing was going to happen....but it did.
February 16, 2018
These series of books featuring Annie and Max Darling are quite different from your regular murder mystery. In this novel a famous novelist returns to Brower's Rock to promote his latest book which is a "tell all" featuring nearly everybody on the Rock. When he is found murdered, rumors run amuck and everybody is trying to point the finger at everybody else. Annie gets caught up in the mystery and, although she has promised Max she wouldn't get involved anymore, she cannot resist snooping.
January 12, 2020
Annie Darling is by herself; Max is off on a fishing trip, her three cohorts--her mother-in-law Laurel, her friend Henny, and the resident mystery author Emma--are off on a trip to Mark Twain land. Annie has been asked to host a party for an author who was originally from the island, but she realizes just before the event that the author is going to be outing several residents of the island so she is in the process of backing out of the event when she finds the author dead.
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