Murder Walks the Plank

January 12, 2004
In Hart's winning 15th outing featuring Death on Demand Mystery Bookstore owner Annie Darling (after 2003's Engaged to Die
), Annie is excited about the benefit cruise she's planned that will offer food, fun and prizes as well as relief from the sultry heat of August on the Low Country island of Broward's Rock, S.C. The evening's festivities, however, are shattered when the town's favorite volunteer, Pamela Potts, falls overboard. Rescued by Annie's husband, Max, Pamela is taken to the hospital unconscious. Only Emma Clyde, the island's celebrated mystery author, shares Annie's suspicions of foul play. When another party guest is found dead in her home the next morning, Annie and Max join forces to pursue the killer. In the process, they uncover some heart-wrenching truths and dark secrets that affect prominent townspeople and even their own family. In addition to a compelling puzzle and a fast-paced plot, fans will enjoy the realistic dynamics among characters who develop from book to book. The author includes all the usual amusing extras: the cryptic telephone messages from Max's mother, the mystery picture contest held each month at Death on Demand and the many references to real-life crime writers. This latest can only reinforce Hart's high standing among the cozy mystery cognoscenti. (Mar.)

FYI:
The winner of numerous Agatha, Anthony and Macavity awards, Hart is also the author of
Resort to Murder (2001) and other titles in her Henrie O series, and is one of the founders of Sisters in Crime.

The evening cruise Annie Darling has planned to promote her bookstore and entertain her customers is great fun until there's a tragic accident--or is it murder? This is the fifteenth in the series of mysteries about Annie, her family, and the denizens of the resort island of Broward's Rock, South Carolina. The plot has intriguing twists and turns, and Carolyn Hart's light touch, frequent references to classic mysteries, and satisfying ending make for great listening. A wildly varied cast of quirky characters is brought vividly to life by Kate Reading, whose ability to create credible voices for such a wide range of characters is remarkable. J.D.P. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine