Annie Darling and husband Max have settled into their new home. Annie's Death on Demand
bookstore is doing very well, as is Max's agency, Confidential Commissions. Max is also
involved in a teen recreational center called Haven. Haven's Director, Jean Hughes, seeks
Max's help after board member Booth Wagner informs her that she is to be terminated at the
next board meeting. Booth is a wicked man with a depraved sense of humor. His decisions are
aimed at hurting, humiliating or angering others. He has had many victims, leading Max,
Annie and the local police to have many suspects once he's murdered. The second thread in
this mystery involves the death of a teenager named Click. Click has a good reputation so
drugs are out of the question. While working Jean's case, Max tries to clear Click's name
and discover how he really fell to his death, and what he was really up to that day.
As usual, Hart introduces current players long before a murder
occurs. Her writing style reminds me of Agatha Christie, and this
may be why I can't resist following all three of her series (Death
on Demand, Henrie O, Bailey Ruth). Right away, readers are
given clues about current characters that eventually turn them into
suspects. The recurring characters are likable, even Max's mother.
The atmosphere of the bookstore and the island gives me the urge
to take a vacation and hunt out a mystery or two at a nearby bookstore.
Hart's clues and red herrings continue all the way to the end. Just
when you think you've solved it, she proves you wrong. Turning the
last page will make you feel like you got your money’s worth. Laughed
'Til He Died is another substantial mystery in a successful
traditional mystery series.
Reviews
of other titles in this series
Sugarplum
Dead #12
April
Fool Dead #13
Engaged
to Die #14
Murder
Walks the Plank #15
Death
of the Party #16
Dead
Days of Summer #17
Death Walked In #18 [review
1] [review
2]
Dare
to Die #19
Laughed
’til He Died #20
Dead
by Midnight #21
Death
Comes Silently #22
Dead,
White and Blue #23
Death
at the Door #24