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Death on Demand #11
White Elephant Dead
Murder is, surprisingly, not all that uncommon on timy Broward's Rock, an idyllic sea island community off the South Carolina coast. Annie Darling's popular mystery bookshop, Death on Demand, is where the locals come to discuss the juicy details of each criminal offense--under the watchful gaze of a pampered feline prima donna named Agatha. But now Annie's dear friend (and best customer) Henny Brawley stands accused of murdering a Women's Club volunteer-cum-blackmailer. So Annie rouses her husband Max into action, and together they dive into the shark pool of dotty eccentrics and imperious belles who constitute the island's smart set. Because only there can the Darlings prove hapless Henny innocent--by detemining who among the well-heeled had the dirtiest little secret...and would kill to protect it.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1999
65 people are currently reading
708 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 83 reviews
April 4, 2012
There are good things that I liked and bad things that were annoying about this book.
Good: I really enjoyed not knowing for sure what was going to happen next. Annie keeps right on getting herself into all kinds of trouble and Max keeps getting her out of it. They seemed to do more investigating in this one. Just about the time I thought I might know who the killer was another clue was dropped that through my guess all out of whack. I don't think that I would have ever guessed who the killer was just from the clues...was completely surprised at the end because Annie and Max kept finding reasons why it couldn't be them until the end.
Bad: The constant reference to other books and authors was annoying to say the least. I wish that Hart would stop dropping names all of the time and just write her story. The constant name dropping detracted from the story...it was as if she wanted to make sure you knew that she was well read and new her mystery writers.
Max's mother, Laurel didn't seem to add to the story. What does all her rambling about flowers and what they mean have to do with the mystery??? I think she could have been left out or made to add to the mystery better.
That being said, I just tried to ignore the name dropping and enjoy the story.
Good: I really enjoyed not knowing for sure what was going to happen next. Annie keeps right on getting herself into all kinds of trouble and Max keeps getting her out of it. They seemed to do more investigating in this one. Just about the time I thought I might know who the killer was another clue was dropped that through my guess all out of whack. I don't think that I would have ever guessed who the killer was just from the clues...was completely surprised at the end because Annie and Max kept finding reasons why it couldn't be them until the end.
Bad: The constant reference to other books and authors was annoying to say the least. I wish that Hart would stop dropping names all of the time and just write her story. The constant name dropping detracted from the story...it was as if she wanted to make sure you knew that she was well read and new her mystery writers.
Max's mother, Laurel didn't seem to add to the story. What does all her rambling about flowers and what they mean have to do with the mystery??? I think she could have been left out or made to add to the mystery better.
That being said, I just tried to ignore the name dropping and enjoy the story.
May 24, 2017
Just like the one and only other Annie and Max book I read, this one got on my ever-loving nerves! Why must Ms. Hart constantly reference other books, authors and even characters? It happens on almost every single page of the 300+ page book.
She combined the doggedness of Bertha Cool (who?) confronting Donald Lam (who?) with the serenity of Maud Silver (who?) quoting Tennyson. That entire sentence could have been written and better understood without all those extra people that mean nothing to most readers.
Obviously she is a talented writer so why does she rely on other authors characters to move her story along? It was hard to stay invested in the mystery because all these references to other characters kept pulling my attention away from this mystery. That said, I did enjoy the mystery itself which literally kept me guessing until the last chapter. I never suspected the guilty party and was shocked. And honestly WTH did Laurel's flower crap have to do with the mystery? It was just put there for no reason and was another annoying aspect of this book.
I own one other book in the Death on Demand series so I guess at some point I'll actually read it but I won't be picking up any others. They are just too irritating.
She combined the doggedness of Bertha Cool (who?) confronting Donald Lam (who?) with the serenity of Maud Silver (who?) quoting Tennyson. That entire sentence could have been written and better understood without all those extra people that mean nothing to most readers.
Obviously she is a talented writer so why does she rely on other authors characters to move her story along? It was hard to stay invested in the mystery because all these references to other characters kept pulling my attention away from this mystery. That said, I did enjoy the mystery itself which literally kept me guessing until the last chapter. I never suspected the guilty party and was shocked. And honestly WTH did Laurel's flower crap have to do with the mystery? It was just put there for no reason and was another annoying aspect of this book.
I own one other book in the Death on Demand series so I guess at some point I'll actually read it but I won't be picking up any others. They are just too irritating.
November 28, 2015
White Elephant Dead by Carolyn Hart is about as perfect a cozy mystery read as I can imagine. Everything moves along just the way I always hope but don't usually get in a read meant to be restful. Funny thought: how some of us find a nice murder mystery "restful" but some of us do & this one was great. The writing is smooth and free from grammatical incongruities or errors. That seems like a minimum requirement for a good read but truthfully I don't even always get that. As a bonus feature, I would describe Hart's prose as excellent, fun to read, interesting enough to engage the intelligence but not exhausting: exactly what I hope for with this kind of story. The plot was interesting-and even had a some nice surprises. The characters were undemandingly familiar but with just enough individuality to keep my interest. The dialogue sounded like words people might actually exchange. I loved the bookshop, enjoyed the relationship of the married couple at the heart (sorry) of the sleuthing & all in all the only thing that would have improved this read would have been a box of chocolates and a hammock swinging by a beach.
But I can't really blame Hart for not providing all the pleasures I crave. She certainly gave the best to her part of my fun. And if I were only rating this book amongst other cozies, I'd willingly give it 5 stars but since it's being rated alongside such works as the works of Shakespeare and Proust, I have to go with 4. In my heart, it's at least a 4-1/2.
Recommended: Anyone who wants to relax with a very well-written cozy.
But I can't really blame Hart for not providing all the pleasures I crave. She certainly gave the best to her part of my fun. And if I were only rating this book amongst other cozies, I'd willingly give it 5 stars but since it's being rated alongside such works as the works of Shakespeare and Proust, I have to go with 4. In my heart, it's at least a 4-1/2.
Recommended: Anyone who wants to relax with a very well-written cozy.
November 5, 2016
White Elephant dead by Carolyn Hart is the 11th book in the Death on Demand Mystery series. When Henny Brawley, death on Demand's best customer fails to pick up her order, Max and Annie darling set up a search and find another resident killed with Henny also attacked close by. I love this series and always find it a comfort to return to as I know I will be reading a well plotted classic style mystery. Max and Annie make a terrific sleuthing pair and I enjoy the way Annie draws inspiration from other fictional detectives and mystery books. An interesting, comfortable cozy mystery.
November 5, 2020
This is one of my least favorite Annie/Max mysteries (though not as tedious as The Christie Caper). A woman named Kathryn Girard is found dead, and local amateur sleuth Henny is missing (temporarily).
I think one of my issues is that the characters don't talk like real people. They talk like they are characters: Like a husband saying to his wife at the breakfast table: "Not to worry, Annie." - these characters use each other's names way more than they would in real life.
I think one of my issues is that the characters don't talk like real people. They talk like they are characters: Like a husband saying to his wife at the breakfast table: "Not to worry, Annie." - these characters use each other's names way more than they would in real life.
April 11, 2020
If you loved the Thin Man movies, then this series is a good match for you. Light, witty and full of charm, Max and Annie Darling may be amateur sleuths who have developed a working relationship to solve a mystery, that well, works.
But there is very little to be charming or witty about with the latest murder on the supposedly idyllic island of Broward's Rock. A woman known in the community but a friend to no one turns up dead, and a popular community volunteer and avid mystery book reader — almost a necessary trait considering that Annie Darling owns a mystery book store — is found near the scene of the crime. Her many friends stand appalled when the sheriff turns his suspicions toward Annie's best customer.
If you are looking for twists and turns and depth of character, these books don't offer that. What they do offer is an easy, enjoyable read with two endearing characters who not only want to help their friends but find the bad guy. Find an easy chair, a tall drink and relax — you can almost feel the sea air and the sunshine as you join the Darlings on an exploration of their neighbors and their motives.
But there is very little to be charming or witty about with the latest murder on the supposedly idyllic island of Broward's Rock. A woman known in the community but a friend to no one turns up dead, and a popular community volunteer and avid mystery book reader — almost a necessary trait considering that Annie Darling owns a mystery book store — is found near the scene of the crime. Her many friends stand appalled when the sheriff turns his suspicions toward Annie's best customer.
If you are looking for twists and turns and depth of character, these books don't offer that. What they do offer is an easy, enjoyable read with two endearing characters who not only want to help their friends but find the bad guy. Find an easy chair, a tall drink and relax — you can almost feel the sea air and the sunshine as you join the Darlings on an exploration of their neighbors and their motives.
May 19, 2012
The Deadth on Demand books are always a lark to read. Carolyn Hart has the ability to make her characters just quirky enough to be fun, not so quirky that you are annoyed.
September 6, 2024
This is the 11th of the Death on Demand series by Carolyn Hart. The author has the annoying habit of constantly referencing other mystery stories and authors, but I do enjoy the stories. This was a nice little mystery, one where you have enough information to figure out whodunit, but you don't, then you tell yourself you should have known who it was when the culprit is finally revealed.
May 11, 2021
3.5 Stars
rounded up to 4 Stars.
September 6, 2016
This was okay. This was either my first or second in this series. I got a little tired of her throwing in relatively obscure (for the most part) mystery writers and their books practically every paragraph. Space it out more. Use less obscure authors. Admittedly, as a book store owner apparently specializing in first editions, because she keeps giving them away so that people will give her information.
There is a white elephant sale coming up and an individual has offered to pick items up from donors. This individual is later found dead and one of the members of the women's club followed her when she turned in the wrong direction. The follower was injured by the murderer. She received a head injury and can't recall a thing. Thus, Annie and Max Darling feel themselves called to detect.
I apparently determined the killer at about the halfway point, subsequently had some doubts, but pretty much stuck with it. Lots of red herrings.
I got this book for free. I would probably purchase other books in the series but mainly at used book sales, preferably after much reduction. Or at the library.
There is a white elephant sale coming up and an individual has offered to pick items up from donors. This individual is later found dead and one of the members of the women's club followed her when she turned in the wrong direction. The follower was injured by the murderer. She received a head injury and can't recall a thing. Thus, Annie and Max Darling feel themselves called to detect.
I apparently determined the killer at about the halfway point, subsequently had some doubts, but pretty much stuck with it. Lots of red herrings.
I got this book for free. I would probably purchase other books in the series but mainly at used book sales, preferably after much reduction. Or at the library.
July 21, 2008
If you like mysteries - especially reading mysteries - this is the series for you. The main character owns a mystery bookstore in South Carolina, and the author works in references to famous mysteries quite often. Then the character ends up involved in mysteries, comparing herself to some very famous sleuths (Ms. Marple, Hercule Poirot, etc.) Annie, the main character, is sweet and lovable, and together with her husband Max they are reminiscent of Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, in the Agatha Christie series. If you like suspense and murder and suggestions of other great mysteries to read, these books are for you!
June 21, 2010
This was my first Death on Demand book, and I liked it well enough to try and read some of the other ones. I did find it annoying that she referenced so many other books and their characters half I had never heard of. It was just something I learned to overlook.
February 1, 2013
I had been away from this series for some time, but the return has been a pleasant one. These are wonderful cozies that lead to reading other books because of the descriptions of the books in the bookstore.
May 9, 2013
Annie, owner of death on demand, gets involved again with murder. Her friend Henny goes missing and they find a dead body during the search. This has interesting twists and turns for Annie to deal with.
February 22, 2013
Cozy murder mysteries set out of a bookstore "Death On Demand."
November 8, 2014
Love her books! Very Agatha Christie and very clean in language, sex and violence.
September 27, 2017
Not Kindle Unlimited, read this, can't remember if hardback or paperback {was hardback for Christie Caper one} but since cats totally knocked down and apart bookcase and had to pack books back up out of way for while, quite a while back {before I was reviewing books on any sort of regular basis if at all}, and while it was more this one too was a 4 1/2, I do remember it {and still have the copy in with my Agatha Christie's of which have omnibuses as well as individual stories}. I liked it enough was happy to see a name actually remembered {horrible at names and titles} but unfortunately no on ku, and with as many as I read a day/week/month just no way could afford to get that many {including ones she co-wrote} but it was a nice blast from the past to see 4 of the books {Christie Caper, Deadly Valentine, Yankee Doodle Dead, and White Elephant}. I remembered the days when my eyes could still {speed read} instead of the computer having to somewhat robotic ally read to me {using kindle for pc, with audio plug in plus narrator and speakonia}, but I do remember it and the fact I kept it during all the various moves says something.
The most delectable sleuthing couple since Nick met Nora, Annie and Max Darling manage to find quite a bit of murder in their allegedly safe and serene South Carolina island resort town. After all, murder is Annie's business -- well, sort of. She's the proprietor of the popular Death on Demand mystery bookstore and cafe, and her establishment seems to attract trouble like Annie's pesky felines, Dorothy L. and Agatha, attract hairballs. Now, Annie and Max watch their Fourth of July holiday explode not only with fun and fireworks, but with murder as well.
Murder is, surprisingly, not all that uncommon on timy Broward's Rock, an idyllic sea island community off the South Carolina coast. Annie Darling's popular mystery bookshop, Death on Demand, is where the locals come to discuss the juicy details of each criminal offense--under the watchful gaze of a pampered feline prima donna named Agatha. But now Annie's dear friend (and best customer) Henny Brawley stands accused of murdering a Women's Club volunteer-cum-blackmailer. So Annie rouses her husband Max into action, and together they dive into the shark pool of dotty eccentrics and imperious belles who constitute the island's smart set. Because only there can the Darlings prove hapless Henny innocent--by detemining who among the well-heeled had the dirtiest little secret...and would kill to protect it.
The most delectable sleuthing couple since Nick met Nora, Annie and Max Darling manage to find quite a bit of murder in their allegedly safe and serene South Carolina island resort town. After all, murder is Annie's business -- well, sort of. She's the proprietor of the popular Death on Demand mystery bookstore and cafe, and her establishment seems to attract trouble like Annie's pesky felines, Dorothy L. and Agatha, attract hairballs. Now, Annie and Max watch their Fourth of July holiday explode not only with fun and fireworks, but with murder as well.
Murder is, surprisingly, not all that uncommon on timy Broward's Rock, an idyllic sea island community off the South Carolina coast. Annie Darling's popular mystery bookshop, Death on Demand, is where the locals come to discuss the juicy details of each criminal offense--under the watchful gaze of a pampered feline prima donna named Agatha. But now Annie's dear friend (and best customer) Henny Brawley stands accused of murdering a Women's Club volunteer-cum-blackmailer. So Annie rouses her husband Max into action, and together they dive into the shark pool of dotty eccentrics and imperious belles who constitute the island's smart set. Because only there can the Darlings prove hapless Henny innocent--by detemining who among the well-heeled had the dirtiest little secret...and would kill to protect it.
February 29, 2020
This book and the previous one in the series honestly blended together a little in mom memory because she read them back to back, so apologizes if some of the info we give is miss info.
Mom says she remembers the book starting with Annie Darling waiting for Henny to come pick up her new books from Death on Demand. A storm is coming and Annie why Henny is taking so long. When Henny does not show up Annie, alerts Max and they head out to find her.
The going look for the lady from the club whom Henny was waiting for. They end up finding the lady dead in her Van on a deserted road. As they keep search they find Henny knocked out in the forest. Henny is rushed to the Hospital were she is left on 24hr watch not because the police suspect the murder is out to get her, but because she is the murder and was silly enough to stumble and fall well running away from the scene of the crime.
Annie and Max are in a race against time to try and clear Henny's name. Henny has been away from the group before; but having her be not help, if not work against the group was an interesting turn of events.
This was not a bad one in the series.
Mom says she remembers the book starting with Annie Darling waiting for Henny to come pick up her new books from Death on Demand. A storm is coming and Annie why Henny is taking so long. When Henny does not show up Annie, alerts Max and they head out to find her.
The going look for the lady from the club whom Henny was waiting for. They end up finding the lady dead in her Van on a deserted road. As they keep search they find Henny knocked out in the forest. Henny is rushed to the Hospital were she is left on 24hr watch not because the police suspect the murder is out to get her, but because she is the murder and was silly enough to stumble and fall well running away from the scene of the crime.
Annie and Max are in a race against time to try and clear Henny's name. Henny has been away from the group before; but having her be not help, if not work against the group was an interesting turn of events.
This was not a bad one in the series.
March 19, 2021
This one's a solid 2.00. No worse, but definitely no better.
This installment made me nuts. It was actually hard to not give up on it. You know how this author references other mystery writers, their characters and their plotlines? Well, ramp it up by 80% in this story. If I wanted to know about these myriad other stories and authors, I'd read their books. Because I haven't, I often feel like there's a really long joke/story going on that I'm not "in" on and it feels lousy.
I also have to wonder what's going on with Annie's appetite in this book . . . it's mentioned almost as much as the characters and plots of other authors. Weird.
Lastly, there's Laurel. I mean seriously, how is it that this woman hasn't been murdered yet? Her character is so obtuse and AGGRAVATING.
I hope the next volume pulls back on all of this - I just finished buying the rest of the series and I'd hate it if the series is starting to go downhill.
This installment made me nuts. It was actually hard to not give up on it. You know how this author references other mystery writers, their characters and their plotlines? Well, ramp it up by 80% in this story. If I wanted to know about these myriad other stories and authors, I'd read their books. Because I haven't, I often feel like there's a really long joke/story going on that I'm not "in" on and it feels lousy.
I also have to wonder what's going on with Annie's appetite in this book . . . it's mentioned almost as much as the characters and plots of other authors. Weird.
Lastly, there's Laurel. I mean seriously, how is it that this woman hasn't been murdered yet? Her character is so obtuse and AGGRAVATING.
I hope the next volume pulls back on all of this - I just finished buying the rest of the series and I'd hate it if the series is starting to go downhill.
July 22, 2025
let me give the author a trophy for being the most annoying writer! how many times must you throw out the names of books and their authors who wrote mystery books? must be a world record! why on earth was Annie's mother in law in so much of the book with her stupid flower crap? I lost a month of my life on this book where I will dfn a book if it makes me crazy I couldn't do it to this one. either you are an insane writer or brilliant I can't decide the story and characters solid 4 to 5 star read but all your extras just made me mad as hell. idk if is should shelf this book for my daughter to inherit or burn the damn thing! do i read another one of these books or sit in a corner ripping my eyelashes out. I mad I am giving this mess 4 stars!
October 15, 2017
The 11th book in the Death on Deman series has Henny in the center of the mystery. What a local volunteer is murdered and it's the Stover that she was a blackmailer, the new police chief seems determined to make Henny the chief suspect. It's up to Max and Annie to rectify his mistake.
For some reason I seem to be determined to finish the series, even though I don't enjoy it very much. Every book seems the same to me and even the author seems to realize that they're a little bit repetitive. But she enjoys writing them in a ton of people seem to enjoy reading them, they just don't seem to be for me.
For some reason I seem to be determined to finish the series, even though I don't enjoy it very much. Every book seems the same to me and even the author seems to realize that they're a little bit repetitive. But she enjoys writing them in a ton of people seem to enjoy reading them, they just don't seem to be for me.
January 3, 2018
The mystery was fast-paced though there were certain characters that didn't really add to the story. The new police chief seems inept and can't put together a proper investigation. I found the references to other mystery writers annoying and I didn't particularly like the main characters. Lastly, there was one question in the book that I thought wasn't resolved in a satisfying way - if the murder victim was going away, why murder her anyway? The threat of continued blackmail doesn't seem very plausible.
April 26, 2018
I love Annie and the whole premise of having a mystery book story. Though the amount of trouble this tiny island is involved is really mind blowing, but I do enjoy these books.
This story had some great ups and was interesting! I now want to hold a White Elephant sale fundraiser too!
But this one story just didn’t have the right flow for me. I love Hart’s Death on Demand series so much and am always looking forward to reading the next one, but this one was just okay to me.
This story had some great ups and was interesting! I now want to hold a White Elephant sale fundraiser too!
But this one story just didn’t have the right flow for me. I love Hart’s Death on Demand series so much and am always looking forward to reading the next one, but this one was just okay to me.
April 1, 2019
After I finally got into the story (about a 1/4 of the way into it.) It was okay. The constant reference to other mysteries and mystery writers quite honestly took me out of the story which explains why it took me so long to finish. I wonder if Ms. Heart has read them all.
This was the first "Death on Demand" I read. I started at the wrong end. Perhaps I need to get book one and start over.
This was the first "Death on Demand" I read. I started at the wrong end. Perhaps I need to get book one and start over.
July 24, 2024
Cute little murder mystery including a bookstore and cats. Too often though, the author referenced characters in other books to evoke emotions or set the stage. Wasn’t a fan. Not sure if it didn’t age well or if I haven’t read enough mysteries. Either way, it took away from the story and was distracting.
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December 19, 2021I enjoyed following Annie and Max on the trail of the killer in this mystery. What a thrill! Just when I thought they'd figured it out, another piece of evidence turned up, pointing at somebody else. A good mystery to read over the holidays.
March 29, 2023
A little bit better than the last one. Not nearly as much useless descriptions and I only had to look up a few words. A few of the characters were annoying, but the story came together neatly enough.
June 6, 2025
It was a good plot and certainly had my attention, but her references to other authors was maddening. When I’d see a name I’d skip the entire paragraph. I’m not sure I’ll be reading any more of her books, I found it that distracting.
March 7, 2017
A Death on Demand novel. Not the best of this series but a quick read.
July 9, 2017
This was slow, slow, slow, hurry-up, it's all over and revealed in two pages. Not the best read by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews