What I like about the Bibliomysteries that I've read so far is that they are all about books and that the authors' love for books is obvious. The mystery aspect has not been that strong, unfortunately.

 

When a signed first edition of an Agatha Christie book is discovered in the Dead on Demand book store (with which I was unfamiliar since this is the first book I've read by this author) it's not long before the book disappears. And it's worth a small fortune.

 

The story was what I'd call a cosy mystery with the bibliophile searching for the thief. Due to the fact the story is so short, but there's a whole list of suspects to go through it felt rushed and I couldn't really connect to the story. I'd rather see that it focused a bit more, so that an interview perhaps lasted a little longer.

 

The writing was nice enough, but the mystery was not enough of a mystery for me to get me really engaged in the story. Therefore only 2 stars.

 

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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.

Dead on Demand - Sean Campbell, Danie... When I first heard about a novel that was going to be written in a maximum of 90 days, I thought that I definitely would need to read that book. My curiosity is huge, especially if the mystery and suspense deal with books. For those people who may think that a novel written in 2 months must be very bad and not worthy of reading I say, you are all wrong. Sean and Daniel Campbell have proved that it is possible to write a very clever, thrilling, and gripping thriller in such a short notice. Written by two different writers, you don't notice the change of writer. The language and style used are professional and very accurate for the kind of novel chosen. The story flows so easily that it is impossible to put the book down. I read it in 3 days (or 3 nights).

About the plot, it is quite original and clever. The main protagonist, Edwin Murphy, has the kind of perfect life that everybody could dream, till he discovers his wife wants to divorce him and leave the country with their daughter. He will plan a very complex plan to kill his wife and, in that way, recover the control of his life. But becoming a murderer is not that easy, and that's how his plan becomes more and more complicated. Is it possible to be a serial killer in the distance? How can the police, with David Morton on the lead, discover what is going on in the streets of London, where they are finding more and more dead bodies? Read this book and follow the steps the police follows to try to solve the mystery.

Lots of different characters in this novel, but every one of them has a very well developed personality, so you feel them quite real. You can pity them, be angry at them, and even take sides. This book will take you in a gripping journey throughout the darkest side of London and its inhabitants.

Highly recommendable. The perfect read for every occasion.

★★★★☆ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Kate Reading does her usual lovely job of narrating this one! (She narrates the Pink Carnation series also.)

Loved the storyline in this one, too. I’ve read Carolyn Hart once before (another series), and thought I’d try this one for an April Challenge. That, and I needed the state (South Carolina) for a State Challenge. So glad I did, as it was a wonderful surprise.

It is the 13th in the Death on Demand Mysteries series, but not unlucky at all; I’ll definitely be looking for more. Loved the humorous dialogue between the primary sleuthing couple, Annie and Max. Loved the mystery – or should I say mysteries, since there is a bit of a crime spree going on in this one. They all had me guessing. Clever.

Death on Demand Design for Murder Something Wicked Honeymoon With Murder A Little Class on Murder Deadly Valentine The Christie Caper Southern Ghost Mint Julep Murder Yankee Doodle Dead White Elephant Dead: A Death On Demand Mystery Sugarplum Dead April Fool Dead Engaged to Die Murder Walks the Plank Death of the Party Dead Days of Summer Death Walked In Dare to Die Laughed 'Til He Died Dead by Midnight Death Comes Silently

I like the Darling's and I like the writing style. I just disliked the constant literary references. Yes I get that Annie Darling owns a mystery bookstore but must she use book titles, characters and plot lines in almost every sentence she utters? I liked the mystery and I liked the people of this little South Carolina town. I'm going to read the next book White Elephant Dead because I own it but if it continues in this same irritating vein, it will be the last in this series for me.