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Death on Demand #19
Dare to Die
She came in the rain. Alone. On a bicycle.Annie and Max Darling are completely unprepared when the arrival of a mysterious young woman shocks their sea island and stirs up more than just gossip. It turns out that Iris, the beautiful stranger, is a former resident of Broward's Rock. Her arrival throws the normally happy town into a downward spiral that pits neighbor against neighbor. Things take a turn for the worse when Annie befriends Iris and invites her to attend the Darlings' party at the pavilion where Death is the uninvited guest. Suddenly, Max and Annie find themselves in the middle of a fight they don't understand and at the mercy of an unknown assailant who's trying to kill them—and all they know is that it is one of their friends.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 23, 2009
133 people are currently reading
1260 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 189 reviews
June 5, 2021
I wish the author would provide recipes to Max Darling's, his secretary Barb's and Ben Parotti's scrumptious sounding recipes. Otherwise another top notch cozy mystery.
November 28, 2015
Dare to Die is another installment in Carolyn Hart's Death on Demand series about Annie and Max Darling, a happily married couple living in an idyllic island where Annie run the perfect fantasy for those of us who love reading-and cozies: a bookstore specializing in mysteries. Of course, as fate (and the author) would have it, death often shows up at her door and Annie must do more than sell mysteries: she has to solve them as well.
In Dare to Die, Iris, a former island resident who left after high school, returns to confront her troubled past. In the process, Max and Annie discover that one of their friends is not only not a friend but in fact a killer. As people die around them, they come frighteningly close to facing their own death as well. Annie has no choice: she either has to discover the killer's identity or become a casualty herself.
The characters in the Death on Demand series are likable, even Annie's vaguely annoying but beautiful mother-in-law. The location is a dream and, except for the small issue of a killer always lurking somewhere in the sunshine waters, the place is one I would willingly live in full-time.
Dare to Die is another excellent contribution to this comforting and comfortable series. I recommend it strongly to those who like cozies in general, this series in particular, friends and family, bookstores, islands or, best of all, all of the above!
In Dare to Die, Iris, a former island resident who left after high school, returns to confront her troubled past. In the process, Max and Annie discover that one of their friends is not only not a friend but in fact a killer. As people die around them, they come frighteningly close to facing their own death as well. Annie has no choice: she either has to discover the killer's identity or become a casualty herself.
The characters in the Death on Demand series are likable, even Annie's vaguely annoying but beautiful mother-in-law. The location is a dream and, except for the small issue of a killer always lurking somewhere in the sunshine waters, the place is one I would willingly live in full-time.
Dare to Die is another excellent contribution to this comforting and comfortable series. I recommend it strongly to those who like cozies in general, this series in particular, friends and family, bookstores, islands or, best of all, all of the above!
July 20, 2010
Light little mystery; nothing earth shattering, though one did need a score card to remember all the characters and who was with whom now, as well as 10 years ago in the back story. It would be nice if Carolyn Hart actually knew the lowcountry where she sets this series, but she doesn't, as often comes out in the books. It makes me fear a little bit for our economy here, because with so many deaths on one island off the coast of South Carolina, what's it gonna do for our tourist trade? I guess people will just go, instead, to that little English village where Miss Marple lived.
January 27, 2011
I've been a long-time fan of this series but this one just didn't live up to the usual standard, in my opinion. I really wanted to like the story but found it slow moving and repetitive. While I already knew the main characters, the new characters (victims and suspects alike) were not well developed and by the end of the book I felt they were still just names. I hope the next volume in the series is better.
April 17, 2012
"Dare to Die" is one of a series of novels featuring mystery book store owner, Annie Darling and her husband, Max. I read one of these years ago and only vaguely remember it. Basically it's about the perfect couple who have sex every morning living on an idyllic island where the people are salt of the earth -- and murderers run amok every 6 months or so to give Annie something to investigate. There's a cast of characters (trust me, the people in these novels have no resemblance to actual people) who dress in caftans, do competitive yoga, have deep personal relationships with their cats. They wander through the pages occasionally to give the book some 'color'.
There's supposedly a smart sheriff on the island, Billy, who warns Annie and Max to 'stay out of it' every time there's a murder and then ignores them as they go around contaminating evidence and tampering with witnesses.
Hart spent so much time focusing on what people are eating I began to wonder if she was on a diet while writing this book. The mystery here isn't much-- I spotted the killer on page 50.
Was it irredeemably horrible? No, but it wasn't very good either.
There's supposedly a smart sheriff on the island, Billy, who warns Annie and Max to 'stay out of it' every time there's a murder and then ignores them as they go around contaminating evidence and tampering with witnesses.
Hart spent so much time focusing on what people are eating I began to wonder if she was on a diet while writing this book. The mystery here isn't much-- I spotted the killer on page 50.
Was it irredeemably horrible? No, but it wasn't very good either.
June 13, 2013
After some intense reading the last couple of months, I needed a break. Carolyn Hart's charming Annie & Max Darling series (Death on Demand #19) was the perfect choice. Annie owns a mystery bookstore in Broward’s Rock, South Carolina. What could be a more perfect setting for a cozy?
What's fun about Hart's books is that she name drops mystery writers and book titles throughout so you'll have an unending list of books to read!
What's fun about Hart's books is that she name drops mystery writers and book titles throughout so you'll have an unending list of books to read!
August 7, 2019
I’ve slogged through another mystery book this week. While Death on Demand was actually not a bad book exactly, it left me with many questions.
If you like tight little mystery books, seriously you could do worse than this one. It is the 19th in a series though, so at points I was a little lost as I haven’t read the others. But I have questions. So many questions. One of them involves salty snacks and soda fizz. This book led my mind to some strange places.
The story centers on a bookshop owner who runs a little place called Death on Demand, that sells mystery books. Apparently, Annie, the bookstore owner has been involved in solving some crimes in the past, including clearing her own name and later her husband’s name of murder. For this entry in the series, a young woman named Iris comes back to the island everyone in the book lives on, gets invited to a party that Annie is hosting and winds up dead. Annie, her husband and the local police solve the murder. Since this book is a decent enough read I am not going to spoil the plot too much in case anyone wants to read it. But I am going to ask a few questions. If you have answers, let me know in the comments.
Questions:
1. Does every mystery author have to name drop Agatha Christie?
2. There’s a pretty funny part with Annie’s mother-in-law who teaches Tai-Chi in the bookshop. How big is this store? Is there really room to do Tai-Chi?
3. If it weren’t for the deaths I would say this book is full of first world problems, these people drive around in golf carts, have oyster roasts and are moving into this big house. So my question is, who did they kill to get all that money?
4. Okay, so if Annie was once suspected of murder, and so was her husband, Max, why the heck would cops be so friendly with these people? Cops can be jerks (not all cops but some) when you haven’t done a thing so why be so deferential to two people who keep getting wrapped up in murder cases? Nothing suspicious here!
5. With all these deaths on the island of Broward’s Rock, why do people freaking live here? I mean the scenery seems nice and all, other than the dead bodies you seem to practically trip over.
6. If Annie and Max have solved crimes before, and their friends who might be suspects in this murder investigation know it, why would anyone talk to Annie and Max? I mean the killer does try to kill them but why lead them on at all. Hey Annie and Max, – bang your dead, seems like a more effective way of silencing them to me.
7. More to the point, if Annie and Max have been framed for murder, and presumably almost been killed before why o why would they talk to people who might have murdered someone else? That’s just asking for it.
8. Okay, so ignoring questions 6 and 7, let’s say it was fine for these people to talk to Annie and Max, they are not police. Whatever evidence they gather wouldn’t really be admissible in court would it? So what’s the point? Let the cops do their jobs in this case guys!
9. As a way of deluding herself into thinking that she isn’t really getting involved in the case, but helping Iris’ soul to find peace, Annie calls all of Iris’ old friends to get information for a “spirit poster”. Is that a real thing? I mean what is that? I get having nice blow up pictures of the deceased for funerals but seriously, is a spirit poster a thing? Everyone in the book seems to know what that is and I was like, what is a freaking spirit poster?
10. At one point in the book a character says this, “Of course I can smell. It’s my head that hurts not my nose.” Are noses no longer considered part of the head?
11. Does this book have to name drop ever mystery book and author that ever lived? Here’s a quote from the book, “She had delighted last week in pointing out to Annie the little-known fact that the office of Charlaine Harris, bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse Southern vampire series was decorated with black-and-white photos of New Orleans grave art. Annie wondered if Charlaine Harris enjoyed Sarah Stewart Taylor’s mysteries that celebrated funerary art.” I wonder if Carolyn Hart had a word count to fulfill and realized paragraphs like the one quoted above would help her with that.
12. No but seriously, is it every mystery book ever? Here’s another quote,”A poster of Allies Day, May 1917 by Childe Hassam rested on an easel. Annie nodded her approval when she saw the books with their roots in World War I: The Murder Stone by Charles Todd, Angels in the Gloom by Anne Perry, Pardonable Lies by Jaqueline Win-spear, The Mark of the Lion by Suzanne Arruda, and Twenty-Three and a Half Hour’s Leave by Mary Roberts Rineheart.” The book is littered with passages like these. So many mystery novels, so many. Yo Dawg, I heard you like mysteries so I put a mystery in your mystery so you can mystery while you mystery.
13. An odd quote to me here, “She attracted men from nine to ninety…” Never met a nine year old man myself, but I guess you never know?
14. This question is my most vital question. I have to know the answer to this. If anyone out there in the internets can answer this, even if you ignore all the rest of my review, I will be eternally grateful to you. There is a part in the book where a character asks “You like peanuts in your Coke?” The book seems to indicate this is a southern thing. IS THIS REAL? Like for real, do people do that? If so that utterly blows my mind. Who thought to do that? Where does that come from? Why? Please let me know, my life is incomplete until I have an answer.
15. Back to the thrust of the book. In one part Annie goes back to the woods where the murder happened and thinks to herself there is no danger now. Why would she think that? Dead bodies, attacks on her life, and the dang crime scene is safe? I don’t think so.
16. In addition to all the name dropped books, did we have to go into extreme detail about every meal that Annie and Max ate? I get you want to say they are eating dinner but is this necessary? “He deftly served their plates, flounder with mushrooms and sour cream and grilled asparagus for Max, fried oysters on an onion bun and a hot German potato salad for Annie, Two unsweetened iced teas.” I’m no professional writer or script doctor but I think I can safely say, typing out a menu doesn’t drive the plot forward here. Also, Carolyn Hart is totally trying to meet her word count right?
17. Another quote that struck me as odd, “Nice thing about an island is that everybody’s here unless they’re not.” Isn’t that true of all geographical locations? If I was not where I am now, I would not be here. Then again, maybe I’m out. I’ll have to check later. (A few minutes later) Nope, still here.
18. In the climax of the book, they ask all the suspects to gather at a pavilion. Why would someone smart enough to murder the right people just show up to this?
19. On that note, just because you know who had motive to kill someone doesn’t mean you have the actual evidence, This happens all the time in mystery novels but you really actually need hard evidence in a murder case and all the motive is just figured out by Annie and Max. I don’t think you’d have to be a good lawyer to get the murderer off. Pretty easy to sow doubt and say, who are these people that got to go interrogate witnesses? What’s the badge number? This is more a criticism of mysteries than this book in particular but it will always bug me.
20. Are Annie and Max going to start hanging out with Agatha Raisin? I think they could have a nice little serial killers who got away with it brunch together sometime.
Twenty seems like a good round number to end on.
If you liked this review, check out my blog at Slick Dungeon's Dusty Tomes and Terrible Films where I review books that I'd rather not read and review films that no one should see.
If you like tight little mystery books, seriously you could do worse than this one. It is the 19th in a series though, so at points I was a little lost as I haven’t read the others. But I have questions. So many questions. One of them involves salty snacks and soda fizz. This book led my mind to some strange places.
The story centers on a bookshop owner who runs a little place called Death on Demand, that sells mystery books. Apparently, Annie, the bookstore owner has been involved in solving some crimes in the past, including clearing her own name and later her husband’s name of murder. For this entry in the series, a young woman named Iris comes back to the island everyone in the book lives on, gets invited to a party that Annie is hosting and winds up dead. Annie, her husband and the local police solve the murder. Since this book is a decent enough read I am not going to spoil the plot too much in case anyone wants to read it. But I am going to ask a few questions. If you have answers, let me know in the comments.
Questions:
1. Does every mystery author have to name drop Agatha Christie?
2. There’s a pretty funny part with Annie’s mother-in-law who teaches Tai-Chi in the bookshop. How big is this store? Is there really room to do Tai-Chi?
3. If it weren’t for the deaths I would say this book is full of first world problems, these people drive around in golf carts, have oyster roasts and are moving into this big house. So my question is, who did they kill to get all that money?
4. Okay, so if Annie was once suspected of murder, and so was her husband, Max, why the heck would cops be so friendly with these people? Cops can be jerks (not all cops but some) when you haven’t done a thing so why be so deferential to two people who keep getting wrapped up in murder cases? Nothing suspicious here!
5. With all these deaths on the island of Broward’s Rock, why do people freaking live here? I mean the scenery seems nice and all, other than the dead bodies you seem to practically trip over.
6. If Annie and Max have solved crimes before, and their friends who might be suspects in this murder investigation know it, why would anyone talk to Annie and Max? I mean the killer does try to kill them but why lead them on at all. Hey Annie and Max, – bang your dead, seems like a more effective way of silencing them to me.
7. More to the point, if Annie and Max have been framed for murder, and presumably almost been killed before why o why would they talk to people who might have murdered someone else? That’s just asking for it.
8. Okay, so ignoring questions 6 and 7, let’s say it was fine for these people to talk to Annie and Max, they are not police. Whatever evidence they gather wouldn’t really be admissible in court would it? So what’s the point? Let the cops do their jobs in this case guys!
9. As a way of deluding herself into thinking that she isn’t really getting involved in the case, but helping Iris’ soul to find peace, Annie calls all of Iris’ old friends to get information for a “spirit poster”. Is that a real thing? I mean what is that? I get having nice blow up pictures of the deceased for funerals but seriously, is a spirit poster a thing? Everyone in the book seems to know what that is and I was like, what is a freaking spirit poster?
10. At one point in the book a character says this, “Of course I can smell. It’s my head that hurts not my nose.” Are noses no longer considered part of the head?
11. Does this book have to name drop ever mystery book and author that ever lived? Here’s a quote from the book, “She had delighted last week in pointing out to Annie the little-known fact that the office of Charlaine Harris, bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse Southern vampire series was decorated with black-and-white photos of New Orleans grave art. Annie wondered if Charlaine Harris enjoyed Sarah Stewart Taylor’s mysteries that celebrated funerary art.” I wonder if Carolyn Hart had a word count to fulfill and realized paragraphs like the one quoted above would help her with that.
12. No but seriously, is it every mystery book ever? Here’s another quote,”A poster of Allies Day, May 1917 by Childe Hassam rested on an easel. Annie nodded her approval when she saw the books with their roots in World War I: The Murder Stone by Charles Todd, Angels in the Gloom by Anne Perry, Pardonable Lies by Jaqueline Win-spear, The Mark of the Lion by Suzanne Arruda, and Twenty-Three and a Half Hour’s Leave by Mary Roberts Rineheart.” The book is littered with passages like these. So many mystery novels, so many. Yo Dawg, I heard you like mysteries so I put a mystery in your mystery so you can mystery while you mystery.
13. An odd quote to me here, “She attracted men from nine to ninety…” Never met a nine year old man myself, but I guess you never know?
14. This question is my most vital question. I have to know the answer to this. If anyone out there in the internets can answer this, even if you ignore all the rest of my review, I will be eternally grateful to you. There is a part in the book where a character asks “You like peanuts in your Coke?” The book seems to indicate this is a southern thing. IS THIS REAL? Like for real, do people do that? If so that utterly blows my mind. Who thought to do that? Where does that come from? Why? Please let me know, my life is incomplete until I have an answer.
15. Back to the thrust of the book. In one part Annie goes back to the woods where the murder happened and thinks to herself there is no danger now. Why would she think that? Dead bodies, attacks on her life, and the dang crime scene is safe? I don’t think so.
16. In addition to all the name dropped books, did we have to go into extreme detail about every meal that Annie and Max ate? I get you want to say they are eating dinner but is this necessary? “He deftly served their plates, flounder with mushrooms and sour cream and grilled asparagus for Max, fried oysters on an onion bun and a hot German potato salad for Annie, Two unsweetened iced teas.” I’m no professional writer or script doctor but I think I can safely say, typing out a menu doesn’t drive the plot forward here. Also, Carolyn Hart is totally trying to meet her word count right?
17. Another quote that struck me as odd, “Nice thing about an island is that everybody’s here unless they’re not.” Isn’t that true of all geographical locations? If I was not where I am now, I would not be here. Then again, maybe I’m out. I’ll have to check later. (A few minutes later) Nope, still here.
18. In the climax of the book, they ask all the suspects to gather at a pavilion. Why would someone smart enough to murder the right people just show up to this?
19. On that note, just because you know who had motive to kill someone doesn’t mean you have the actual evidence, This happens all the time in mystery novels but you really actually need hard evidence in a murder case and all the motive is just figured out by Annie and Max. I don’t think you’d have to be a good lawyer to get the murderer off. Pretty easy to sow doubt and say, who are these people that got to go interrogate witnesses? What’s the badge number? This is more a criticism of mysteries than this book in particular but it will always bug me.
20. Are Annie and Max going to start hanging out with Agatha Raisin? I think they could have a nice little serial killers who got away with it brunch together sometime.
Twenty seems like a good round number to end on.
If you liked this review, check out my blog at Slick Dungeon's Dusty Tomes and Terrible Films where I review books that I'd rather not read and review films that no one should see.
June 20, 2010
I love the Death on Demand series, and while I liked this book I didn't feel like it was up to Ms. Hart's usual standards. I found all of the suspects, their histories and their relationships with one another to be confusing, and I was constantly flipping back to the beginning of the book with questions like, "wait, is Fran married to Buck or Russel? Is she the one who did XYZ or was that Cara?" It was distracting and by the end I didn't have any real feelings about the revelation of who the murderer was- just because I couldn't remember enough about each suspect to even hazard a guess. I haven't felt this way with other books in this series so that aspect was a bit disappointing. I think it was because all of the suspects were very similar, and so nothing really stood out about any of them to make them different. I think if I had read the book with a little cheat sheet of who's who in front of me at all times, I might have enjoyed it more.
May 18, 2013
I've always liked this series, though I get daunted by Hart's vast knowledge of the mystery genre! Most of the books she mentions I haven't even heard of. What I love about these books are the characters and the sense of place, and this one is no exception. Classic Hart. My one quibble would be that I think Annie, the main character, has a rather frumpy wardrobe for a 28 year old! Hart loves to describe what each character is wearing, and while I actually appreciate that, I do think Annie dresses like her own grandmother. She needs some low-rise jeans and tank tops. I'm sure Max would appreciate it. :-)
On another note, I just re-read this book (it's two years after I wrote the review above), and totally did not remember that I'd read it before! I guess I've read so many of them that anything that felt familiar I put down to familiarity with the setting and characters. But seriously, that's sad. :-)
On another note, I just re-read this book (it's two years after I wrote the review above), and totally did not remember that I'd read it before! I guess I've read so many of them that anything that felt familiar I put down to familiarity with the setting and characters. But seriously, that's sad. :-)
November 6, 2012
It had been awhile since I read a Death on Demand mystery. For some reason, the last one I read simply did not hold my interest. But, because I enjoyed the books in the past, I decided to give the series another chance, and I am glad I did. This is a rather sad story of long held secrets and the past deaths of teenagers. A young woman comes back to the island where tragedy happened when she was young. Iris wants to make things right and confirm what she thinks she knows of the deaths that happened when she was in high school. And of course more death occurs, because someone does not want the past brought forward, and they certainly do not want to be confronted on the possibility of murder. It is a good book. Carolyn Hart is a talented writer and this book held my interest. I would suggest that anyone who likes a mystery will enjoy the book.
October 29, 2011
I was desparate for a book to listen to on my commute. T
he only reason I finished it was because I'd already invested 6 dic's of time in it. I really didn't care who killed who by the end.
he only reason I finished it was because I'd already invested 6 dic's of time in it. I really didn't care who killed who by the end.
December 3, 2017
"Dare to Die" by Carolyn G. Hart, was a very deep and dark book. As I read the first couple of chapters from this book, it started to get very interesting, but later on I started to feel bored as the context that the author has written was very repetitive. The reason why I first chose this book was because I wanted to read a mystery genre. This particular story talks about the love life between Max and Annie Darling and a new girl named Iris introduced as a former resident on the same island Max and Annie live in. Throughout the book, Max and Annie feel a very bad vibe creeping up on them as they are being chased and tracked down by one of their friends who we later figure out is a killer. The more people that Max and Annie are close to start to die, the more scared they become as it all comes down to just the two of them. The climax gets pretty intense, but the storyline feels very flat in between the lines. I wish Hart could build up the climax to its full potential instead of dropping the storyline from time to time. I felt like I was reading up and down each sentence and there wasn't much I was getting from it.
July 14, 2020
Annie and Max are getting already to start a party and low a behold their party gets some what crashed by a young woman who has come back to the island looking for answers to what she now believes was the murder of her sister.
That Emma almost gets taken out in this one was very interesting and added another element to it even though back in the first book Annie and Max were pretty sure that was had killed her husband, which made her a killer though Annie could never prove it; yet now Emma almost get taken out a we are sad for her and upset some would dare to harm her. It is amazing how far we have come.
That Emma almost gets taken out in this one was very interesting and added another element to it even though back in the first book Annie and Max were pretty sure that was had killed her husband, which made her a killer though Annie could never prove it; yet now Emma almost get taken out a we are sad for her and upset some would dare to harm her. It is amazing how far we have come.
May 13, 2020
This is not my kind of mystery: I don’t care whether the main character’s blouse is crisp, or pale blue with pink sandals. Her husband has so much blond hair!! One character wears caftans exclusively, and they are described in detail. Sorry. There is nothing wrong with this mystery, which has a bookstore owning ‘detective’ who with her husband works with the local police head to solve three violent deaths and an attempt to burn them to death—not a cozy, but not my cup of tea. It has an audience—just not me.
April 6, 2024
I thought the overall story was interesting and kept me engaged throughout. The list of possible suspects and lack of conclusive evidence made it difficult to pick out just one person as the culprit, but I found at the end that the person who was guilty was one of the two that I suspected early on. The pace picked up in the final 3 or so chapters, which I feel like is common in mysteries, but I say the story finished strong.
June 11, 2022
I had trouble following the plot because the suspects all seemed similar to each other, and flat, and I didn't like or care about any of them. Laurel was actually bearable in this one, however. Annie was a little more upset about the murder victim than was believable, what, 19 murders in? But otherwise it was okay. Fine to have on in the background.
May 17, 2024
I loved this book. My only regret is not starting with number 1 in the series. I hate reading things out of order but I didn’t realize it until I had already started the book. I couldn’t put it down. I love the love that Max and Annie have. They are there for each other and helping each other thru the whole ordeal of finding out what truly happened to Jocelyn and Iris.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2025
Sometimes it's nice to read just a little cozy mystery that doesn't require much thinking and analysis, and this book fits that perfectly. I've read a few of the Death on Demand books, they drew my interest because of the Oklahoma author Carolyn Hart. I like the main characters, Annie and Max Darling, and although I haven't read too many of these so I'm not all caught up on their lives prior to this book it's fun to check in with them again.
There were a lot of characters in this book that all went to high school together and married each other. Sometimes that was a bit of an effort to keep track of. All in all a lovely little cozy mystery.
There were a lot of characters in this book that all went to high school together and married each other. Sometimes that was a bit of an effort to keep track of. All in all a lovely little cozy mystery.
May 13, 2017
A Death on Demand mystery. Stranger turns up in a storm on a bike. Turns out to be a former resident of the island and has come back to clear up a mystery. Unfortunately, friends who were involved in the 20 yr mystery now seem to be under threat.
December 19, 2017
Rough start, I had thought I missed downloading a section, and with this series that is usually not the case. Once into it, the storyline was fresh. Gave more insight on main characters backgrounds and could have been a good standalone even if not for that clunky start!
May 17, 2022
I used to read quite a few cozies, but have read very few lately. I first met Annie Laurence and Max Darling 35 years ago, so it was fun to catch up with them again. The mystery involving murders 10 years apart was quite good. Kristi & Abby Tabby
December 31, 2024
Books are like the people we meet in life—some are unforgettable, others are fleeting. Carolyn Hart’s Dare to Die sits somewhere in between. It invites you to Broward’s Rock, a charming island filled with secrets, and introduces you to Annie and Max Darling, amateur sleuths who exude warmth and wit. Yet, for all its promise, the novel feels like a pleasant dinner party where not all the guests contribute equally. It’s an enjoyable read but stops short of leaving a lasting impression.
Hart’s Death on Demand series has long been a favorite among fans of cozy mysteries. With Dare to Die, the 19th installment, Hart stays true to her formula—a picturesque setting, a curious couple, and a crime that shakes up the local community. By the time this book was published in 2009, Hart was a seasoned author, celebrated for her ability to craft accessible mysteries that evoke the golden age of whodunits.
The idea of Broward’s Rock itself has roots in Hart’s fascination with isolated, tightly knit communities. Over the series, the fictional island has evolved into a character of its own, with its quaint streets, gossipy locals, and a sense of history lurking in every corner. Hart uses this backdrop to explore themes of trust, betrayal, and justice, giving her stories a timeless appeal. In Dare to Die, Hart revisits familiar themes but with a slightly darker undertone. The story delves into past traumas and lingering guilt, creating a narrative that aims to balance the cozy with the unsettling. The novel’s development reflects Hart’s desire to keep her longtime readers engaged while exploring new emotional depths.
The plot of Dare to Die begins with Annie and Max Darling hosting a party at the historic Franklin House, a setting that radiates mystery and charm. When Iris Tilford, a woman with a troubled past, makes an unexpected appearance, the mood shifts. Her tragic history—entwined with the island’s residents—sets the stage for the murder that propels the story forward. Hart’s writing is as sharp as ever, with plenty of red herrings and intriguing side characters. The interplay between Annie and Max is a highlight; their relationship feels genuine, and their dialogue adds warmth to the darker elements of the story. However, the plot occasionally falters under the weight of its own ambition. While the mystery is engaging, the resolution feels rushed, and some of the twists lack the impact readers might expect after such a careful buildup.
The novel’s pacing is steady but risks losing momentum in places. Hart spends ample time setting the scene, but some readers may find the extended descriptions of Broward’s Rock and its residents detract from the central mystery.
Dare to Die received mixed reviews upon release. Fans of the series appreciated the return to Broward’s Rock and the familiar interplay between Annie and Max. The cozy mystery genre thrives on familiarity, and Hart delivers in this respect. Yet, for some readers, the novel fell short of its predecessors, with critics noting that the plot lacked the punch of earlier entries in the series. Despite these critiques, Dare to Die maintains a respectable place in the Death on Demand series. It’s a testament to Hart’s skill that even her lesser works are enjoyable for fans of the genre. The book reinforces the idea that mystery doesn’t always have to be gritty or fast-paced to capture an audience. Its legacy lies in its ability to provide comfort and intrigue in equal measure.
Dare to Die is like a visit to an old friend’s house—a warm, familiar experience, but one that leaves you longing for something a bit more exciting. Carolyn Hart’s craftsmanship is evident, but this installment doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessors. Still, it’s a satisfying addition for fans of the series and a gentle introduction for newcomers to the world of cozy mysteries.
#CozyMystery #DareToDie #DeathOnDemand #CarolynHart
Hart’s Death on Demand series has long been a favorite among fans of cozy mysteries. With Dare to Die, the 19th installment, Hart stays true to her formula—a picturesque setting, a curious couple, and a crime that shakes up the local community. By the time this book was published in 2009, Hart was a seasoned author, celebrated for her ability to craft accessible mysteries that evoke the golden age of whodunits.
The idea of Broward’s Rock itself has roots in Hart’s fascination with isolated, tightly knit communities. Over the series, the fictional island has evolved into a character of its own, with its quaint streets, gossipy locals, and a sense of history lurking in every corner. Hart uses this backdrop to explore themes of trust, betrayal, and justice, giving her stories a timeless appeal. In Dare to Die, Hart revisits familiar themes but with a slightly darker undertone. The story delves into past traumas and lingering guilt, creating a narrative that aims to balance the cozy with the unsettling. The novel’s development reflects Hart’s desire to keep her longtime readers engaged while exploring new emotional depths.
The plot of Dare to Die begins with Annie and Max Darling hosting a party at the historic Franklin House, a setting that radiates mystery and charm. When Iris Tilford, a woman with a troubled past, makes an unexpected appearance, the mood shifts. Her tragic history—entwined with the island’s residents—sets the stage for the murder that propels the story forward. Hart’s writing is as sharp as ever, with plenty of red herrings and intriguing side characters. The interplay between Annie and Max is a highlight; their relationship feels genuine, and their dialogue adds warmth to the darker elements of the story. However, the plot occasionally falters under the weight of its own ambition. While the mystery is engaging, the resolution feels rushed, and some of the twists lack the impact readers might expect after such a careful buildup.
The novel’s pacing is steady but risks losing momentum in places. Hart spends ample time setting the scene, but some readers may find the extended descriptions of Broward’s Rock and its residents detract from the central mystery.
Dare to Die received mixed reviews upon release. Fans of the series appreciated the return to Broward’s Rock and the familiar interplay between Annie and Max. The cozy mystery genre thrives on familiarity, and Hart delivers in this respect. Yet, for some readers, the novel fell short of its predecessors, with critics noting that the plot lacked the punch of earlier entries in the series. Despite these critiques, Dare to Die maintains a respectable place in the Death on Demand series. It’s a testament to Hart’s skill that even her lesser works are enjoyable for fans of the genre. The book reinforces the idea that mystery doesn’t always have to be gritty or fast-paced to capture an audience. Its legacy lies in its ability to provide comfort and intrigue in equal measure.
Dare to Die is like a visit to an old friend’s house—a warm, familiar experience, but one that leaves you longing for something a bit more exciting. Carolyn Hart’s craftsmanship is evident, but this installment doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessors. Still, it’s a satisfying addition for fans of the series and a gentle introduction for newcomers to the world of cozy mysteries.
#CozyMystery #DareToDie #DeathOnDemand #CarolynHart
October 9, 2025
I enjoyed this story but was a little mad when the murder victim was a likable character. I got over it and this was all in all a good read. The plot did take you through several twists and turns, but the bad guy got in the end.
April 20, 2018
I did manage to finish this book but it did not appeal to me. As one other rewiewer mentioned, the characters seemed like caricatures and the plot did not interest me.
September 25, 2018
I really enjoy Death of Demand series.
February 20, 2019
Love the characters and story line.
Read
August 19, 2019.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2020
Excellent read!!
March 19, 2022
Not my cuppa.
September 24, 2022
Nice easy to read mystery, although not really believable. What policeman counts on a married couple to solve the murders
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