
The murder of an unloved media magnate maroons the crime-solving Darlings on a remote island with a killer in the latest Death on Demand delight from the incomparable Carolyn Hart.Annie Darling is thrilled at the golden opportunity to visit Golden Silk, the luxurious private island estate of wealthy Jeremiah Addison. She leaves her Death on Demand bookstore in the capable hands of her employees and sets sail from Broward's Rock with her hubby, Max. Unfortunately, Addison himself won't be there to greet them, since he is, at present, quite dead. After tampering with evidence that suggests the widely despised curmudgeon's death was no accident, Addison's sister-in-law, Britt Barlow, is inviting back everyone who was in attendance during the victim's last weekend -- as well as locally known sleuth Max Darling, whom Britt has hired to uncover the killer. And, of course, Annie wouldn't miss this party for the world!There is certainly no lack of suspects among the guests gathered on Golden Silk. Each had a substantial motive for wanting to do in their late host -- from disinherited sons to the cuckolded husband of an adulterous politician to a jilted girlfriend who dreamed of being the next Mrs. A. to a scandal-mongering TV investigative reporter with a talent for character assassination and, quite possibly, blackmail.But the party is well and truly pooped when a mysterious houseman vanishes, along with the boats that are the only escape off Addison's island. Suddenly Annie and Max -- who are getting too close to a solution for comfort -- are up a creek without a canoe, stuck on a rock in the middle of nowhere, and stalked by a crafty murderer who hides fiendish bloodlust behind an innocent smile.
The murder of a wealthy media magnate on a secluded private island traps a group of guests, including amateur sleuth Annie Darling and her husband Max, with a killer. Annie Darling seeks to solve the mystery behind Jeremiah Addison's death after his sister-in-law hires Max to investigate the suspicious circumstances surrounding the demise. The narrative follows a traditional whodunit framework, utilizing a closed-circle setting that restricts the movement of the suspects and the investigators. Annie and Max must navigate a web of motives among the guests while contending with the physical isolation of the island and the threat of a murderer who remains hidden among them.
Readers frequently highlight the series' ability to maintain a consistent tone that balances lighthearted bookstore charm with the mechanics of a classic murder mystery. Discussion often centers on the chemistry between Annie and Max Darling, which serves as the anchor for the investigative process. Critics note that the pacing remains steady, focusing on the interplay of motives among the diverse cast of suspects rather than graphic violence. The effectiveness of the isolated setting is often praised for heightening the tension and forcing the characters to rely on their wits to survive. Fans of the genre appreciate the logical progression of clues that allows the reader to participate in the investigation alongside the protagonists.
Page Count:
293
Publication Date:
2005-03-29
Publisher:
William Morrow
ISBN-10:
0060004762
ISBN-13:
9780060004767
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