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Death on Demand #25.5
From the Queen
The next story in the Bibliomysteries series, penned by MWA Grand Master Carolyn Hart.
Everyone dreams of stumbling upon a long-lost treasure in the attic or inheriting a fortune from some distant relative. But for Ellen Gallagher, the impoverished owner of a thrift shop in South Carolina, that dream comes true. She finds in her possession a first edition of Agatha Christie’s Poirot Investigates that has been signed by the author . . . and inscribed to the Queen of England. When the book disappears from her shop, Ellen must call on her friend Annie Darling, owner of the mystery bookstore Death on Demand, to track it down.
The Bibliomysteries are a series of short tales about deadly books, by top mystery authors.
Everyone dreams of stumbling upon a long-lost treasure in the attic or inheriting a fortune from some distant relative. But for Ellen Gallagher, the impoverished owner of a thrift shop in South Carolina, that dream comes true. She finds in her possession a first edition of Agatha Christie’s Poirot Investigates that has been signed by the author . . . and inscribed to the Queen of England. When the book disappears from her shop, Ellen must call on her friend Annie Darling, owner of the mystery bookstore Death on Demand, to track it down.
The Bibliomysteries are a series of short tales about deadly books, by top mystery authors.
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2015
65 people are currently reading
456 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 50 reviews
April 14, 2022
(B+) 77% | Good
Notes: A far too-simple mystery, not written tense nor cleverly, though a pleasant dose of reverie, chock-full of cozy energy.
Notes: A far too-simple mystery, not written tense nor cleverly, though a pleasant dose of reverie, chock-full of cozy energy.
July 16, 2015
This ‘Bibliomystery’ is one of a series of short stories about books, by different authors. Written by Carolyn Hart, this story is set within the author’s ‘Death on Demand’ series; so, if this is familiar to you it will be an added bonus.
Annie Darling runs her bookstore ‘Death on Demand,’ on the small south Carolina island of Broward’s Rock. It is February and business is quiet – Annie’s husband, Max, if off with his golf buddies and Annie is anticipating quiet days curled up with a book. However, her peace and quiet is shattered by the owner of a neighbouring store, who has been left a box of books by an old friend of her mother’s. Amongst them is a rare, signed, first edition by Agatha Christie and it is worth enough to solve all her neighbour’s financial problems. However, when the book is stolen, it is up to Annie to find the thief.
This is a fun mystery story. I felt the author could easily have developed this into a novella length story, as there were a good cast of suspects. However, it was a good read and there is no need to have read any of the previous ‘Death on Demand,’ books in order for this to make sense. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
Annie Darling runs her bookstore ‘Death on Demand,’ on the small south Carolina island of Broward’s Rock. It is February and business is quiet – Annie’s husband, Max, if off with his golf buddies and Annie is anticipating quiet days curled up with a book. However, her peace and quiet is shattered by the owner of a neighbouring store, who has been left a box of books by an old friend of her mother’s. Amongst them is a rare, signed, first edition by Agatha Christie and it is worth enough to solve all her neighbour’s financial problems. However, when the book is stolen, it is up to Annie to find the thief.
This is a fun mystery story. I felt the author could easily have developed this into a novella length story, as there were a good cast of suspects. However, it was a good read and there is no need to have read any of the previous ‘Death on Demand,’ books in order for this to make sense. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
August 19, 2015
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
What I like about the Bibliomysteries that I've read so far is that they are all about books and that the authors' love for books is obvious. The mystery aspect has not been that strong, unfortunately.
When a signed first edition of an Agatha Christie book is discovered in the Dead on Demand book store (with which I was unfamiliar since this is the first book I've read by this author) it's not long before the book disappears. And it's worth a small fortune.
The story was what I'd call a cosy mystery with the bibliophile searching for the thief. Due to the fact the story is so short, but there's a whole list of suspects to go through it felt rushed and I couldn't really connect to the story. I'd rather see that it focused a bit more, so that an interview perhaps lasted a little longer.
The writing was nice enough, but the mystery was not enough of a mystery for me to get me really engaged in the story. Therefore only 2 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
What I like about the Bibliomysteries that I've read so far is that they are all about books and that the authors' love for books is obvious. The mystery aspect has not been that strong, unfortunately.
When a signed first edition of an Agatha Christie book is discovered in the Dead on Demand book store (with which I was unfamiliar since this is the first book I've read by this author) it's not long before the book disappears. And it's worth a small fortune.
The story was what I'd call a cosy mystery with the bibliophile searching for the thief. Due to the fact the story is so short, but there's a whole list of suspects to go through it felt rushed and I couldn't really connect to the story. I'd rather see that it focused a bit more, so that an interview perhaps lasted a little longer.
The writing was nice enough, but the mystery was not enough of a mystery for me to get me really engaged in the story. Therefore only 2 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
July 15, 2015
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
It’s probably not fair that I love the last Biblomystery I read and thought it was perfect. This rating is no doubt caused in part because of that.
Hart’s story is about a rare book that could solve some problems for its new owner. Unfortunately the book gets stolen.
That’s the mystery.
I found the mystery part to be a little predictable, and that’s a drawback.
Yet, the story itself is charming and this is because of the characters. Too often in books, there is only one strong female lead and the other women are always portrayed as being less. Not here . It’s true that Ellen, who has the rare book, is what some people would consider a bit overly emotional, but her friend Annie, the protagonist, doesn’t judge her on this, and understand her friend. Then there is the woman police chief who is by the book but understands her friends. In many ways, the story is as much as about friendship that leads to the dedication in books as in who the book was at first intended for.
There are far worth ways to spend time, and this charming is well worth the cost. I will be checking down other works by Hart.
It’s probably not fair that I love the last Biblomystery I read and thought it was perfect. This rating is no doubt caused in part because of that.
Hart’s story is about a rare book that could solve some problems for its new owner. Unfortunately the book gets stolen.
That’s the mystery.
I found the mystery part to be a little predictable, and that’s a drawback.
Yet, the story itself is charming and this is because of the characters. Too often in books, there is only one strong female lead and the other women are always portrayed as being less. Not here . It’s true that Ellen, who has the rare book, is what some people would consider a bit overly emotional, but her friend Annie, the protagonist, doesn’t judge her on this, and understand her friend. Then there is the woman police chief who is by the book but understands her friends. In many ways, the story is as much as about friendship that leads to the dedication in books as in who the book was at first intended for.
There are far worth ways to spend time, and this charming is well worth the cost. I will be checking down other works by Hart.
August 8, 2015
When Ellen receives a first edition of an Agatha Christie novel signed to the Queen she thinks all her troubles are over. Annie, the towns local mystery bookstore owner is certain it's real and agrees to help Ellen find a buyer. But Ellen is about to learn that the old slogan "Loose lips sinks ships" is too true. When the book ends up stolen from Annie's shop, equipped with a list of the people Ellen happened to mention her good fortune to, she goes on the hunt to ascertain the thief.
Pacing in a short mystery is almost as important as the mystery itself. This read as though the author realized they had a story due the night before and crammed everything in without giving thought, almost as though someone was retelling a novel they had read. I felt there was something there but trying to keep it at a certain length made it predictable and easy. I haven't read any other work by Carolyn Hart, but I wouldn't discount her other because of this. Maybe short stories just aren't her forte.
There's plenty of other Bibliomysteries to choose from, I suggest skipping this one.
*Thank you Open Road Media and Netgalley for this review copy*
Pacing in a short mystery is almost as important as the mystery itself. This read as though the author realized they had a story due the night before and crammed everything in without giving thought, almost as though someone was retelling a novel they had read. I felt there was something there but trying to keep it at a certain length made it predictable and easy. I haven't read any other work by Carolyn Hart, but I wouldn't discount her other because of this. Maybe short stories just aren't her forte.
There's plenty of other Bibliomysteries to choose from, I suggest skipping this one.
*Thank you Open Road Media and Netgalley for this review copy*
July 18, 2021
What would you do if you had a book worth over one hundred thousand dollars? in this between the books short novella Carolyn Hart poses that very question...A first edition Poirot Investigates, signed by the Grand Dame herself and given to HRH The Queen of England who then gives it to a maid who later becomes a war bride and brings the book to America with her. This is a good quick read...Ellen Gallagher has a very valuable book...over night the book is stole from her shop her friend Annie Darling sets out to find the thief and return the book to Ellen....
April 2, 2017
Carolyn Hart has been on my List of Favorite Authors for … ever. I’ve been reading the adventures of Annie and Max and Death on Demand for, yes, ever. They are quick and easy reads. Guilty pleasures, in a way; almost a waste of reading time that could be spent on more substantial books. But enough fun to read that I’ve never much cared.
They’ve also been kind of useful, especially in those halcyon pre-Goodreads days, in building wishlists. Because the basic setting of the series is a mystery bookshop, author names and book titles are dropped like ticker tape after a moon landing.
They are rained down indiscriminately, though, grimdark thrillers cheek by jowl with mysteries every bit as cozy as this DoD series, classics alongside new releases, so as to-be-read lists go it takes some homework. In this 66-page story there are over a dozen books mentioned. It can be a little overwhelming.
It has been a long time since I visited the series, though; I can’t remember when my last DoD read was. Before I was keeping track on Goodreads, at least … wow. Good grief, the series has doubled in length since I picked one up. I’m gobsmacked.
So “From the Queen” on Netgalley (free in exchange for an honest review) was an easy request to make. A monetarily struggling fellow shop owner, Ellen Gallagher, comes to Annie one evening hoping for help with a book she has received as a bequest – a beautifully kept first edition copy of Agatha Christie’s Poirot Investigates, inscribed by the author to the Queen. Of England. Annie gently corrects her friend’s guess that it might be worth a few dollars: it’s going to be worth beaucoup de dollars.
“Just think, the Queen held that book in her hands.” And Agatha Christie, too.
Just sayin’.
And here’s where the story elevated itself a bit for me. It went from “basic and kind of fluffy cozy” to… well, that with a thin layer of social commentary, which I don’t think was all in my head. The difference this book, or rather the sale of this book, will make to Ellen is … everything. Now she has trouble paying her bills, does without, lies awake at night worrying, is always afraid that some unforeseen catastrophe will put her on the streets. You know how they say money doesn’t buy happiness? Pfft. Money brings security, which makes happiness more likely. Money allows one to do things for others, which brings happiness. Money means education is more easily obtained, and more and better health care can be paid for, and that one doesn’t ever need to lie awake at night worrying about what can and can’t be paid that month, or whether something absolutely must be paid at another creditor’s expense. Relief and alleviation of worry pretty much leads to happiness, I think. So the adage? Busted, as Adam Savage might say.
Anyway. The book is stolen, and I wound up yelling at the Kindle for the circumstances. It was improbable… but such is the way of cozies. Also improbable is the thinking of the thief. “She’ll never be able to prove I haven’t had a similar book for some time.” Similar … to a first edition of Poirot Investigates inscribed by Dame Agatha to Queen Elizabeth? Oh, sure. There’s bound to be more than one. But, you see, the suspension of disbelief required for this series is so high that little quibbles like these skate on by. After all, this is a series in which a woman makes a comfortable living running a small book shop (unlikely), specifically a mystery book shop (less likely), on a sparsely populated island that relies on seasonal tourism (so unlikely). So what’s a little more illogic?
“Petty crime was not much of a problem on a sea island accessible only by ferry. Crime happened, the occasional burglary in rural areas, stolen hubcaps and cell phones when the island teemed with vacationers in the summer, but burglaries on the boardwalk shops were rare.” Well, burglaries and petty crime may be rare; murders, though … Murders have led to a 25+ book series.
They’ve also been kind of useful, especially in those halcyon pre-Goodreads days, in building wishlists. Because the basic setting of the series is a mystery bookshop, author names and book titles are dropped like ticker tape after a moon landing.
They are rained down indiscriminately, though, grimdark thrillers cheek by jowl with mysteries every bit as cozy as this DoD series, classics alongside new releases, so as to-be-read lists go it takes some homework. In this 66-page story there are over a dozen books mentioned. It can be a little overwhelming.
It has been a long time since I visited the series, though; I can’t remember when my last DoD read was. Before I was keeping track on Goodreads, at least … wow. Good grief, the series has doubled in length since I picked one up. I’m gobsmacked.
So “From the Queen” on Netgalley (free in exchange for an honest review) was an easy request to make. A monetarily struggling fellow shop owner, Ellen Gallagher, comes to Annie one evening hoping for help with a book she has received as a bequest – a beautifully kept first edition copy of Agatha Christie’s Poirot Investigates, inscribed by the author to the Queen. Of England. Annie gently corrects her friend’s guess that it might be worth a few dollars: it’s going to be worth beaucoup de dollars.
“Just think, the Queen held that book in her hands.” And Agatha Christie, too.
Just sayin’.
And here’s where the story elevated itself a bit for me. It went from “basic and kind of fluffy cozy” to… well, that with a thin layer of social commentary, which I don’t think was all in my head. The difference this book, or rather the sale of this book, will make to Ellen is … everything. Now she has trouble paying her bills, does without, lies awake at night worrying, is always afraid that some unforeseen catastrophe will put her on the streets. You know how they say money doesn’t buy happiness? Pfft. Money brings security, which makes happiness more likely. Money allows one to do things for others, which brings happiness. Money means education is more easily obtained, and more and better health care can be paid for, and that one doesn’t ever need to lie awake at night worrying about what can and can’t be paid that month, or whether something absolutely must be paid at another creditor’s expense. Relief and alleviation of worry pretty much leads to happiness, I think. So the adage? Busted, as Adam Savage might say.
Anyway. The book is stolen, and I wound up yelling at the Kindle for the circumstances. It was improbable… but such is the way of cozies. Also improbable is the thinking of the thief. “She’ll never be able to prove I haven’t had a similar book for some time.” Similar … to a first edition of Poirot Investigates inscribed by Dame Agatha to Queen Elizabeth? Oh, sure. There’s bound to be more than one. But, you see, the suspension of disbelief required for this series is so high that little quibbles like these skate on by. After all, this is a series in which a woman makes a comfortable living running a small book shop (unlikely), specifically a mystery book shop (less likely), on a sparsely populated island that relies on seasonal tourism (so unlikely). So what’s a little more illogic?
“Petty crime was not much of a problem on a sea island accessible only by ferry. Crime happened, the occasional burglary in rural areas, stolen hubcaps and cell phones when the island teemed with vacationers in the summer, but burglaries on the boardwalk shops were rare.” Well, burglaries and petty crime may be rare; murders, though … Murders have led to a 25+ book series.
July 27, 2015
I wish that I had noticed this was a bibliomystery. I am not fond of short stories. I feel like I just get into them and then bam, the murder is solved. However, I know that there are people out there who don't have time or want to make time to read a book that may take them over a week or two. I know I myself would forget what was going on.
That being said, I suppose there is a use of short stories and I think this one was pretty good. It is definitely a cozy mystery, much like all of Carolyn Hart's books. It takes place in a bookstore, bonus point. It has great characters, bonus point. and the story was well written, another bonus point.
I would like thank Open Road Integrated Media and Net Galley for providing me this entertainment for me to read and review. I highly recommend it for everyone, especially people without a lot of time to read.
That being said, I suppose there is a use of short stories and I think this one was pretty good. It is definitely a cozy mystery, much like all of Carolyn Hart's books. It takes place in a bookstore, bonus point. It has great characters, bonus point. and the story was well written, another bonus point.
I would like thank Open Road Integrated Media and Net Galley for providing me this entertainment for me to read and review. I highly recommend it for everyone, especially people without a lot of time to read.
July 27, 2015
I wish that I had noticed this was a bibliomystery. I am not fond of short stories. I feel like I just get into them and then bam, the murder is solved. However, I know that there are people out there who don't have time or want to make time to read a book that may take them over a week or two. I know I myself would forget what was going on.
That being said, I suppose there is a use of short stories and I think this one was pretty good. It is definitely a cozy mystery, much like all of Carolyn Hart's books. It takes place in a bookstore, bonus point. It has great characters, bonus point. and the story was well written, another bonus point.
I would like thank Open Road Integrated Media and Net Galley for providing me this entertainment for me to read and review. I highly recommend it for everyone, especially people without a lot of time to read.
That being said, I suppose there is a use of short stories and I think this one was pretty good. It is definitely a cozy mystery, much like all of Carolyn Hart's books. It takes place in a bookstore, bonus point. It has great characters, bonus point. and the story was well written, another bonus point.
I would like thank Open Road Integrated Media and Net Galley for providing me this entertainment for me to read and review. I highly recommend it for everyone, especially people without a lot of time to read.
October 3, 2015
This is an entertaining short story about an elderly woman who discovers a first edition of an Agatha Christie novel which was inscribed to the Queen from the author herself. Unfortunately before Ellen can sell the book and solve all her financial problems she has a break in and the book is stolen. Her friend, Annie Darling, agrees to investigate and recover the book for her but this leads her into unexpected and deadly danger.
The story can be read in less than an hour and contains plenty of discussions of books - especially crime novels - and some interesting characters including two cats called Agatha and Dorothy L. This is a quick read and if you just want something to relax which for half an hour or so this is ideal.
The story can be read in less than an hour and contains plenty of discussions of books - especially crime novels - and some interesting characters including two cats called Agatha and Dorothy L. This is a quick read and if you just want something to relax which for half an hour or so this is ideal.
December 20, 2015
Charming, it's short and the plot is straight-forward. Fun for Death on Demand fans.
Wordy review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/122090...
Wordy review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/122090...
August 24, 2024
I was the wrong audience for this short story. I read it as part of a collection of bibliomysteries, but it's actually a story set in the established "Death on Demand" universe, with characters that would be familiar to its readers. And that's my main issue: as a stand alone story it's very thin on characterization and establishing the setting, and the mystery itself while charming and cozy is extremely thin, and lacks the spark you expect from a good and clever short story. It's not bad, though - it is probably a fun side adventure to read in an hour for established fans of Annie Darling, but it had too little to offer to a reader like me not familiar with Hart's series
April 18, 2024
wonder if there is more?
I like this short story and would love to read more in this setting with these characters. There are a number of books that are in this small island town that I hope to explore. The story was a bit jerky in its delivery. Part of the problem is likely the digital format that doesn’t show clearly when we are moving and jumping in the story. There were some missed words which could be in the digital presentation. This story needed more time to develop. I am interested in seeing what else Hart has written.
I like this short story and would love to read more in this setting with these characters. There are a number of books that are in this small island town that I hope to explore. The story was a bit jerky in its delivery. Part of the problem is likely the digital format that doesn’t show clearly when we are moving and jumping in the story. There were some missed words which could be in the digital presentation. This story needed more time to develop. I am interested in seeing what else Hart has written.
September 12, 2017
I didn't realize this was a short story, but it was a fun one as all of the Death In Demand series are. A first edition Agatha Christie book inscribed by the Dame to the Queen, worth over $100,000, is stolen from one of Annie's friends, and naturally our intrepid amateur detective figures out whodunnit. It was fun to imagine such a book, and I wonder if one such really exists? This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and is always entertaining to read.
September 10, 2023
Fun!
From the Queen is a fun romp with Annie, a book seller, as she attempts to discover who stole a valuable first edition. Not only did they steal a book, but they also stole Ellen's hope. Not to foiled by legalities, Annie sets out to trap a thief. Will her plan work? Or, will Annie find herself in more trouble than she bargained for? Read this short, but entertaining, mystery to find out.
From the Queen is a fun romp with Annie, a book seller, as she attempts to discover who stole a valuable first edition. Not only did they steal a book, but they also stole Ellen's hope. Not to foiled by legalities, Annie sets out to trap a thief. Will her plan work? Or, will Annie find herself in more trouble than she bargained for? Read this short, but entertaining, mystery to find out.
May 28, 2018
This is a very quick read and a nice entry in the Annie & Max series. Not as involved as her full-length mysteries with very few characters, but still enjoyable. Hart is an avid Christie fan so she probably had fun with this one and might be a bit envious unless she has one of these rare finds.
January 27, 2023
Clever
A book given to Queen Mary in 1925 by Agatha Christie. A book in mint condition. It will solve the new owners financial problems. A very naive new owner. It's stolen in less than 24 hours. now what? Tightly written and believably told.
A book given to Queen Mary in 1925 by Agatha Christie. A book in mint condition. It will solve the new owners financial problems. A very naive new owner. It's stolen in less than 24 hours. now what? Tightly written and believably told.
March 9, 2024
A quick read about a valuable book that goes missing.
But a friend is able to help Ellen retrieve the book and sell it for a lot of money, which will raise her up from her poor status, and allow her to live a good life and get the eye surgery she needs and allow her to financially help her niece.
But a friend is able to help Ellen retrieve the book and sell it for a lot of money, which will raise her up from her poor status, and allow her to live a good life and get the eye surgery she needs and allow her to financially help her niece.
June 9, 2017
Good short story
November 14, 2017
Cute, fast little story
January 4, 2018
Short, sweet, fun, all questions are answered, just the kind of short that I love.
January 29, 2018
An entertaining novella that involves a lost Agatha Christie book that the author inscribed to the Queen of England.
March 2, 2018
Annie Darling Solves the Case Again
A fun short story with just the right amount of clues, featuring a community of known characters. No surprises for fans of the series.
A fun short story with just the right amount of clues, featuring a community of known characters. No surprises for fans of the series.
Want to read
April 16, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 6, 2023
I really enjoyed this little tidbit
Nothing world shaking. Not sure I’d want to read a whole book about this group but this short, easy, relaxing story suited just fine.
Nothing world shaking. Not sure I’d want to read a whole book about this group but this short, easy, relaxing story suited just fine.
December 31, 2024
This one failed to grip me.
March 16, 2025
Carolyn Hart's Death on Demand series is one of the few cozies that I have followed over the years. Nice little Annie Darling mystery. Kristi & Abby Tabby Childless Cat Lady
November 25, 2025
A short treasure of a story from Carolyn Hart
This is a short but intriguing Annie Darling mystery with all of the charm and characters found in one of the Death on Demand novels.
This is a short but intriguing Annie Darling mystery with all of the charm and characters found in one of the Death on Demand novels.
December 9, 2018
This short story was available on Hoopla through my public library when I was looking for a book title containing the letter Q to help finish off an alphabet reading challenge. I decided to read it quickly to get a sense of this author but I don't think it wound up giving me much insight into her writing style. There isn't much of a mystery here at all, and the details of the story were so forgettable I didn't really remember many of the details even one day after finishing it. I'd like to try this author again sometime, but I don't think I'll seek out more short stories in this series.
August 17, 2015
From the Queen by Carolyn Hart is a Death on Demand short story (extremely short). Annie Darling is alone this week while her husband is away at Pebble Beach (for golf tournament). Annie is about the close the bookstore for the day when Ellen Gallagher comes in quite excited. Ellen owns the second hand store called Ellen’s Keepsakes. Ellen received a book that she thinks might be worth a little money. It is a first edition of Poirot Investigations signed by Agatha Christie to the Queen (of England) in 1925. If the book is authentic it could be worth over $100,000. Annie promises to contact the right person for authentication for Ellen.
The next day the book is gone. Ellen left it in her store on a shelf (a store without security alarms, cameras, and a window with a broken latch). Ellen told three people (she should have kept her mouth shut about the book). Annie decides to set a trap and catch the culprit. Annie is lucky that Officer Hyla Harrison knows Annie cannot resist an investigation and keeps an eye out for her safety.
I enjoyed reading From the Queen. It is a nice, well-written story. It is a very short story and the mystery is quickly solved. The only thing I did not like was Ellen. I found her to be a complete idiot (sorry, but it is very true) and very naïve. Otherwise, a cute cozy mystery! I like Annie Darling and look forward to reading more books in this delightful series. I give From the Queen 4.5 out of 5 stars. From the Queen can easily be read without having read any of the other books in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of From the Queen from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
The next day the book is gone. Ellen left it in her store on a shelf (a store without security alarms, cameras, and a window with a broken latch). Ellen told three people (she should have kept her mouth shut about the book). Annie decides to set a trap and catch the culprit. Annie is lucky that Officer Hyla Harrison knows Annie cannot resist an investigation and keeps an eye out for her safety.
I enjoyed reading From the Queen. It is a nice, well-written story. It is a very short story and the mystery is quickly solved. The only thing I did not like was Ellen. I found her to be a complete idiot (sorry, but it is very true) and very naïve. Otherwise, a cute cozy mystery! I like Annie Darling and look forward to reading more books in this delightful series. I give From the Queen 4.5 out of 5 stars. From the Queen can easily be read without having read any of the other books in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of From the Queen from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
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