Customer Reviews

Death on Delivery

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When local society matron Jania Yewbanks dies of "natural causes," her sister contracts the services of Brom Investigations to look into the case and prove that Jania's husband, Ted, murdered her.

Hannah Clare, widow of Brom's ex-partner, cannot settle to be the adoring granny. A sharp mind with a taste for danger, she needs work and action. Knowing her for twenty-four years and seeing her so eager to get back to work, Brom brings her into the case. Ted Yewbanks, now widowed and living alone, needs a housekeeper, and what better person than Hannah to take the job?

Then in the mid of her investigations Brom dies for no apparent reasons. Stunned, Hannah realizes his death resembles that of Jania's. Something strange and evil is working its way into this small community. During the last few months there have been other unexplained, naturally caused deaths and this fact hasn't escaped Hannah's sharp eyes. Are they all murders? Soon a pattern begins to emerge, and an innocuous-looking gift advertising ad in a woman's magazine seems to be at the heart of these demises.

The characterization in this mystery really stands out. The minor characters are as complex, interesting, and carefully drawn as the main ones. With an excellent understanding of human behavior and motivations, this author has succeeded in creating a deftly crafted, classic suspenseful mystery that will keep you submerged from beginning to end. The climax made my heart race. Hannah is certainly a character with her no-nonsense, practical, tough yet sensitive and compassionate approach to life and I look forward to reading more of her future adventures in the second book for these series.

This book had me grabbed by the second page! I love all the characters but especially Hannah!
The mystery plot was original and fun and the story has plenty of twists and turns.
I hope this turns into a series because I would like to get to know these people better.

Hannah Claire, a grannie-from-hell detective, is at the heart of Anne K. Edwards' terrific mystery, Death on Delivery, and if you don't love Hannah, you don't have a heart. First, a disclaimer. As a fellow mystery author (Death Game) who likes a little sex, some violence and 300-mph-action, I don't like modern "cozies." I find them unbearably unrealistic and so sweet they set my teeth on edge.

But Death on Delivery isn't really a cozy. Instead, it hearkens back to the good old days when Agatha Christie's freakish imagination and gentle wryness were lighting up the British book scene. Edwards' story is not saccharine; it is black, psychologically astute comedy. Death on Delivery is the type of book you don't read so much because you believe what is happening, but because of the author's dead-on understanding of human nature.

The story begins when greedy Jania Yewbanks gets her death "ordered up and delivered," by her disgustingly self-righteous husband. Rid of a nasty woman whose death is "delivered" in a way that lets him off the hook, the husband figures he's now on easy street.

But Hannah is on the case--and it's pretty clear from the start that Hannah always gets her man. No spoilers in this review, you'll have to read the book for yourself. But a number of entertaining sub-plots intertwine which keeps the surprises coming. The story finishes strong--with Hannah Claire proving she sleuth with the best out there in detectivedom.

Like Agatha Christie once did, Edwards takes a lot of chances with Death on Delivery, such as letting readers in on whodunit on the second page. The next 300 pages are crowded with outcasts--eccentrics, lovelorn old maids, criminals, scoundrels: you'll recognize your entire family before it's done.

The best part is that Edwards' wit and wisdom helps us laugh at those who drive us nuts on a daily basis. A convenient catharsis for those days when (tell the truth, now) we all are wondering how we could order up our own: Death on Delivery.

Cheryl Swanson, author Death Game [..]
Reviewer with Gotta Read, [..]

Hannah Clare is the widow. Her husband was a partner in Brom Investigations. Hannah finds that she can't sit at home, and she becomes involved with helping the agency.

Going undercover, Hannah is hired to keep house for Ted Yewbanks, the husband of a local socialite, Jania, who was found dead of "natural causes". Jania's sister hires the Brom's agency to investigate. She suspects brother-in-law was responsible.

When Brom dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances, Hannah knows there's more to the mystery than meets the eye.

Edwards' cast of characters is diverse. She finds character flaws in the best of them, making them human and believable. Hannah Clare is more than a middle aged, smoking, grandmother, she is practical and smart.

The story Edwards weaves is complex and held this reader's full attention well past the discovery of the last body, to the last word.

I'm happy to say that Death On Delivery is the first of Hannah's adventures. I'll be looking forward to reading the next book.