Something Wicked (Death on Demand Mysteries, No. 3)

Annie and Max's wedding plans are moving forward with the help of Max's mother, Laural. But the footlights beckon as Max takes the roll of Mortimer Brewster in the classic ARSENCI AND OLD LACE. Rehearsals are rough as actors refuse to learn the lines, torn curtains, and when Max is scheduled to find a body in the window seat -- the corpse's place has been taken by a dead cat. Someone is out to sabotage the production. SOMETHING WICKED by Carolyn G. Hart brings all the favorite character to center stage and provides an interesting backdrop of some of the most famous authors, titles, and characters in the mystery genre. A great cozy for a midnight read. HaintsWriting as a Small Business

Carolyn G. hart is definately one of the best mystery authors out there. Her stories are very captivating and interesting and a fun easy read. If you like a cozy mystery give Hart a try with her Annie Darling mysteries. Annie is a great charcter and she is always surrounded by a cast of crazy characters that make her life more exciting. She is a bookshop owner... so a few murders are obviously constantly popping up on her doorstep.

This third offering in Hart's DEATH ON DEMAND series has fully received the advantage of repeated features building upon themselves and establishing immediate reader intimacy. I was anticipating (and not disappointed) the repetition of key elements, one of which was the first couple chapters (prior to the entrance of Annie and Agatha) being crisp, brief, chilling dips to the murderous "footprints" in the novel. I don't know if it was because I've come to expect this type of sly entry into Hart's Annie & Max series, or if it's because the author's style has leap-frogged itself, solidifying into better and better types of seasoning... but, the initiating chapters seemed to have zapped up a few levels in mood and intrigue, as chilling stage setters for Annie's warm and perky entrance, which seemed even warmer and perkier than the prior 2 books which were already at what seemed to be peaks of performance. The anticipated Annie and Max personality mixes moved quickly into cozy entertainment, possibly due to the decrease of tension from earlier struggles toward (and away from) a serious relationship. Sometimes the fun fizzles after the fish is caught. But, in this case, I felt heightened entertainment from the interplay between these two formally engaged characters heading toward a marriage ceremony. It was warming to observe the couple's dance into win/win scenarios, their balancing of each others' foibles, though Max, from my perspective has few if any flaws. If God were to Himself descend to visit the planet, I'd imagine Him in the attitude of Max's easy going nature. The Max Gestalt would fit like a Divine Glove. He not only has confidence, class, and pizzazz; he has endearing vulnerabilities (and no guilt over being wealthy). I relished Annie's growth into a periodic ability to relax with Max, as it began sinking in that she was no longer fighting their inevitable connection. The drive to "The Great Gatsby Party" at the Petree's was sheer reader luxury, settling into savoring the environmental elegance of Broward's Rock, through Annie's eyes. (Beauty doesn't descend well into the atmosphere of a pushy/shovey cranky mood, though that mood has it's own appeal.) I wondered if, prior to allowing Max into her life as he was destined, as her everything partner, Annie ever fully allowed herself to wallow in the silent beauty of a sunset before it had set, to register a pleasant summer breeze studded with Jasmine and Gardenia, to study puffy clouds drifting in a pale blue sky. Max was so good at loosening Annie's uptight laces, it was easy to miss some of the nuances of his technique. On the other hand, I enjoyed Annie's ability to easily, even gracefully, sidestep Max's head-for-the-bedroom overtures, and "get to the party on time." I loved the way Annie avoided taking the typical romantic road-fork of not showing up at the party, due to diving onto the mattress, and heating up the sheets. Both Annie and Max relished her gentle (uncommon

Annie Laurance and Max Darling take part in a summer stock production of "Arsenic and Old Lace". They enjoy it until someone starts sabatoging the rehearsals and the ego of Shane, a former player in surfer movies, begins to grate on all of the cast members. When a murder occurs, Max seems to be the most likely perpetrator and Annie has to do some fast detective work to convince the local police that Max is innocent. Comic relief is provided by Max's mother, who keeps coming up with "creative" ideas for Max and Annie's wedding. This is another enjoyable cozy by Carolyn Hart.

I agree with other reviewers that this is not her best work to date. There are other Death on Demand mysteries out there that are much more enjoyable. However, this is still an enjoyable read. Annie is a typical woman running her own business. She has many problems of her own and many issues she is working out for herself through out this series. Max is a rich man who doesn't need to work, but who loves Annie enough to do what she would like him to do. (To a degree!) While they work out their own lives together, they also happen to solve mysteries. The setting is nice and the characters are fun. The plot is convoluted. I enjoyed this book, but did find it hard to follow everything that was going on at times. Enjoy.