Annie and Max Darling are getting set to move into their dream house, a renovated mansion. That is until someone hides something in there--something worth killing for.
In this 18th Death on Demand mystery, South Carolina mystery bookstore owner, Annie Darling and her part-time sleuth and all-the-time-handsome husband, Max are putting the finishing touches on their dream home, a 19th century southern mansion, called the Franklin House, that they have saved from the wrecking ball. They are even planning their house-warming party, for just the two of them.
Of course, Broward's Rock, the small South Carolina barrier island where the couple lives is not without activity. It's February and the tourists have gone, but some rare gold coins were just stolen from Geoff Grant, the island's wealthiest citizen.
Gwen Jamison
Max is still recovering from having trusted someone seeking his help, someone who almost had Max permanently incarcerated. So, when a woman calls with an urgent request, Max delays returning her call. The woman is so insistent that Max's secretary calls Annie. It seems that the woman, Gwen Jamison, hid something in the Franklin House and now that the Darlings have changed the locks during the renovation, she isn't able to retrieve it.
Double Eagles, Double Trouble
Annie agrees to drive out to the woman's house, a property that abuts the Franklin property, and finds the woman dying. Later, they learn that Mrs. Jamison worked at the Franklin House for years and until her death worked for Geoff Grant, whose property is also nearby. Could the package hidden in the house be the missing, stolen coins? If so, where are they hidden in the empty house? Clues point to Mrs. Jamison's family and then to the Grants, but are they valid clues or just red herrings? Are Max and Annie in danger because of their house? Will the Franklin House be spoiled for them before they even get a chance to live in it?
Death Walked In is a fast-paced, welcome installment in a favorite series. New readers will find a few explained references, but generally the novel stands well on its own. (However, this series is worth starting at the beginning and reading in order.) Mrs. Hart's prose is worthy of an English teacher. You won't find a dangling preposition or ill-turned phrase in these novels. A good pick for summer vacation reading.
About Carolyn Hart
Carolyn Hart is the author of 17 previous Death on Demand novels, beginning with Death on Demand in 1987. She has also written seven mystery novels featuring Henrie O, including last year's Set Sail for Murder. She has been awarded two Agatha Awards and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for a non-fiction work. Ms. Hart lives in Oklahoma City and is a founding member of "Sisters in Crime."
Related Links
- Caroyln Hart Official Web site
- Dark Tort by Diane Mott Davidson
- Santa Cruise by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark
- Set Sail for Murder by Carolyn Hart
