Die Laughing (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 12) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Carola Dunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2004

One morning in April 1924, the honorable Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher must face her darkest fears and confront the one person she's tried to avoid -- the dentist. But upon arriving for her appointment, she discovers the dentist stone cold dead. The circumstances of his death are suspicious but everyone seems anxious to write it off as accidental. Once again it falls to the redoubtable Daisy to uncover the truth behind this case of murder most foul.

Available only in Core 7.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Although many of Daisy Dalrymple's adventures take place abroad, this latest entry in the charming series finds the humble Daisy at home in London. It's spring 1924, and hemlines are rising--along with tempers in the Fletcher abode. Having recently married DCI Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, Daisy is vying for her place in the household with Alec's snippy, disapproving mother. A toothache doesn't help matters, but when Daisy arrives at her dentist's office, she discovers Dr. Raymond Talmadge dead in his chair, the victim of foul play. Is the killer one of Talmadge's many adoring female patients, or is it Mrs. Talmadge, whom Daisy learns is carrying the child of her lover. As Daisy works on the case with a reluctant yet respectful Alec, readers are treated to a fascinating portrait of early-twentieth-century British life. With this twelfth story in her series, Dunn proves that few things are sweeter than a dozen Daisys. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Critical Praise for The Daisy Dalrymple novels by Carola Dunn

"Replete with well-drawn characters, snappy dialogue and interesting plot twists...Easily the best entry in a charming series."
- Booklist on Mistletoe and Murder

"The period sense remains vivid, the characterizations are excellent, and the mysteries are, if anything, more perplexing than ever."
- The Oregonian on Rattle His Bones

"Daisy and her husband spring into action, surrounded by historical armaments, secret rooms, hidden treasure, and family secrets. For fans of British cozies and Dorothy Sayer's novels, this is a very inviting situation."
- Library Journal on Mistletoe and Murder

"Styx and Stones is a swift, deeply enjoyable read. While Dunn's influences are many, she ultimately makes this territory her own."
- The Register-Guard

"Reading like an Agatha Christie thriller, Rattle His Bones is a charming look at life after the first World War."
- Romantic Times

"Dunn captures the melting pot of Prohibition-era New York with humorous characterizations and a vivid sense of place, and with careful plotting lays out an enjoyable tale of adventure."
- Publisher's Weekly on The Case of the Murdered Muckraker

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 351 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; 1 edition (January 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786260963
• ISBN-13: 978-0786260966
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,877,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carola Dunn is the author of the Daisy Dalrymple mysteries. Born and raised in England, the author now lives in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightfully British, November 25, 2003

By 

Elizabeth ", Zumaya Publications LLC" (Austin, TX, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Die Laughing (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 12) (Hardcover)

Newly wed to the rather longsuffering Chief Inspector Alex Fletcher, the Hon. Daisy Dalrymple is coping with a disapproving mother-in-law and a nagging toothache. Since at least one of those is repairable, she sets off for a dental appointment only to have her usual luck prevail. The dentist is discovered stone dead in his chair, the victim of an overdose of nitrous oxide.

Although his wife, who is with Daisy when she finds the body, assumes the death was a suicide, Daisy notices some significant signs that suggest otherwise. Neither she nor Alex is surprised when it turns out the good doctor is a victim of foul play. So, who is the most likely culprit? The unfaithful wife who is pregnant with her lover's child? Her lover, who had been told the affair was over? The dentist's own lover, who had been informed of the same? Her bad-tempered former military husband? Talk about an embarrassment of riches...

The Daisy Dalrymple series, set in the years following the first World War, are the sort of mysteries that these days get overshadowed by the Hannibal Lecters and Gary Sonejis. For those who just want to be entertained by amusing characters, scintillating dialogue and a good solid puzzle to unravel, that is a shame. DIE LAUGHING is not only delightfully British but has a marvelous hint of farce throughout that makes the reader wish he or she could jump right into the fun. It isn't difficult at all to envision the action taking place on a stage or a movie screen-perhaps with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant as Daisy and Alex.

What's even better-and something that is all-too-often missing in angst-ridden modern mystery series obsessed with serial killers-is that Ms. Dunn provides all the hints and information necessary for the reader to solve the mystery and identify the culprit. Half the fun of reading this latest installment is finding out if you're right.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice cozy, January 14, 2004

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Die Laughing (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 12) (Hardcover)

Daisy Fletcher dreads seeing her dentist and has put off the appointment as long as her aching tooth allows. But when she arrives at the office, the dentist seems to be missing--missing until the ever-curious Daisy insists on looking in his office and discovering his body. Apparently the good dentist had a habit of abusing nitrous oxide and has poisoned himself. But Daisy sees evidence that it isn't just an accident--that it just might be murder. Could it have been the unfaithful wife? The wife's lover? Or possibly the dentist's lover or her husband? Daisy isn't sure, but she isn't going to rest until she's found out more--and shared the information with her husband, a Scotland Yard detective chief inspector.

Set in 1920s England, DIE LAUGHING investigates the habits of a society where people discuss 'people one knows,' complain about the problems finding servants but keep several on staff, and still defer irrationally to the smallest hint of aristocracy. Although this was a different world, the motives for murder remained the same. And someone who has murdered once just may do so again.

Author Carola Dunn writes with a light touch that kept me smiling. Daisy can't stop her curiosity even though she knows that it drives her husband crazy (fortunately for both of them, it is her curiosity that brings out most of the evidence). The relationship between these characters stands in contrast to that of the victims and suspects, most of whom seemed to be involved in illicit relationships with one another.

I found the beginning of DIE LAUGHING a bit slow and bogged down with social references but Dunn soon picked up the pace and delivered a charming story. Readers will enjoy spotting the killer and then watching Daisy and her husband work their way to the truth.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful series!, January 29, 2006

By 

Coppertop (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Die Laughing (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 12) (Paperback)

Daisy and her family make such a great story! I love this book as Daisy settles into her new life as Alex's wife. The characters are wonderful, the humor excellent and the setting is magnificent! This is a definitely an excellent series!