
It's "Corpse ahoy!" when death takes a pleasure cruise -- as we set sail once more with that incomparable, crime-solving duo, the Darlings.Annie Darling, popular proprietress of the Death on Demand bookstore, has done it again! Her murder-mystery cruise in the waters off her not-always-idyllic isle of Broward's Rock is sure to be a roaring success, with every participant dressing up as a favorite fictional sleuth. And sure enough, everything goes swimmingly -- until one of the revelers plunges overboard. And despite hubby Max Darling's courageous rescue attempt, faux murder turns all too quickly into real-life death.Over the next few days, the body count rises and Annie strongly suspects that all the victims were murdered most foully and that they are all connected in some unknown way. The trick now will be to prove it, with the able assistance of investigator-spouse Max, best friend and best customer Henny Brawley, local bestselling superstar Emma Lloyd, and even (surprise!) Annie's normally ditsy mother-in-law, Laurel.But what the intrepid crime solvers do not realize is that the killer they seek is more ingeniously efficient than most -- and the puzzle they wish to solve is, in reality, a time bomb packed with an explosive mix of arson, assault, kidnapping, robbery... and homicide, of course. One false step and Annie and her canny cohorts will be blown off Broward's Rock for good... and they'll sink like stones into the cold, briny deep.
A murder-mystery cruise turns lethal when a participant is found dead, forcing bookstore owner Annie Darling to identify a killer hiding among the costumed guests. Annie Darling and her husband, Max, organize a themed excursion off the coast of Broward's Rock, only to find their recreational event compromised by a series of escalating crimes. As the body count increases, Annie must navigate a complex web of arson, kidnapping, and homicide to protect her community. The narrative follows a traditional mystery framework, utilizing Annie's bookstore-owner perspective to analyze clues and interrogate suspects within the confined setting of the cruise.
Readers frequently highlight the lighthearted yet intricate nature of the puzzles presented in this series. Discussion often centers on the chemistry between Annie and Max Darling, which serves as the anchor for the narrative. Critics note that the author maintains a consistent tone that balances humor with the mechanics of a classic whodunit. The setting of Broward's Rock is often praised for providing a stable backdrop that allows for the development of a recurring cast of eccentric characters. Fans of the genre appreciate how the book incorporates literary allusions while keeping the central mystery accessible and engaging.
Page Count:
304
Publication Date:
2004-02-17
Publisher:
William Morrow
ISBN-10:
0060004746
ISBN-13:
9780060004743
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