Customer Reviews

White Elephant Dead (Death on Demand Mysteries, No. 11)

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

 

 

If the author would stick to writing mysteries, her books could be among the best in the genre. However she spends way too much time describing people's actions and motives by comparing them to another author's characters. Noone thinks or does anything on Broward's Rock without Annie commenting to herself that the thought or action was just like this or that fictional mystery character. While I enjoy the bit with the contest that has the characters guessing their fictional origin, this constant "showing off" of the author's mystery fiction knowledge detracts from the story. Any true mystery buff probably knows as much but hopefully doesn't spend their time sizing up their friends and family by this criteria.

Stick to the mystery writing and leave the mystery trivia to game players.

I enjoyed the book, but not as much as previous ones by Hart. Of course, there's the obligatory explanations that regular readers already know concerning Max and Annie's professions, Max's "far-out" mother, etc., but what I really disliked was the CONSTANT references to other mystery writers and/or characters. I counted more than 30 (depending on how loosely you define 'reference') in the first three chapters alone. After that, I stopped counting, but it still was distracting and annoying. Please, Ms. Hart, stop trying to impress us with your knowledge and get on with the story!

...This addition to the Death on Demand Series is a bit more wordy than some of the others and Annie and Max seem to do a lot of investigating without making much progress. Also Max's mother seems to be a silly, unnecessary character who doesn't add much to the proceedings. Fans of Carolyn Hart will probably want to read this book, but it is not her best.

The latest installment in the Death on Demand series finds Henny Brawley prime suspect in a murder, and Annie, Max, Laurel, etc. working to clear her name. While the mystery is enjoyable, the series is becoming a bit too predictable. One of the main characters is usually a suspect, and the rest of the characters try to solve the mystery. As mystery readers know, you must suspend belief somewhat when reading the genre, but in normal life, how many of us or our friends are murder suspects? This is happening too often in this series. Perhaps it's time for Annie and Max to start a family.

I always eagerly await the next DEATH ON DEMAND book. Annie's usually funny, Max adorable, and Laurel maddening. However in this entry, nothing much seems to happen and those beloved characters fail to come alive. Annie's best friend, Henny Brawley, has been injured, but it also the prime suspect in a murder. That alone should've made for a great book. But Ms. Hart couldn't put it together this time. I like the references to other mysteries -- I've found a lot of new favorite authors through the mentions in Ms. Hart's novels. Please make the next one better!

Collecting secrets was Kathyrn Girard's livelihood. Her dingy antique store, with its small cashbox, would not support the glamorous double life she led, a hacienda in Mexico and a sleek black Porsche. When she is found murdered while collecting white elephants for a charity sale, the suspect list includes prominent island residents like the wife of the parish priest, the editor of the Island Gazette, and Annie's best customer, mystery buff Henny Brawley. Annie and friends must now dig into the secrets of their friends and other blackmail victims to ferret out the one desparate and bold enough to put an end to Kathryn's demands. Through dogged detective work, following every clue and thread, the murderer is not unveiled until the very end.

I usually enjoy Carolyn Hart's mysteries, but in this one there was not enough action and there were WAY too many allusions to other mystery writers and their books. A few here and there is fine, but it seemed that the references were sprinkled on every page. Please, Ms. Hart--give it a rest!

Annie and Max are in top form, as always. I read the book in one evening, and started it again this morning! I had the opportunity recently to meet Ms. Hart at a local bookstore, and she was as charming as I expected the creator of Broward's Rock to be. On a contrary note, though, not sure I like the new Chief. Otherwise, it was absolutely great!

I have finished reading this book already. It was a great easy read cozy mystery. I like these types of mysteries from Carolyn Hart because they can be read quickly. Also good service from the book seller.

WHITE ELEPHANT DEAD is not the best of the Death on Demand series by Carolyn Hart and part of the problem maybe the vague allusions to so many characters by other authors without a reference to titles in which they appear. This is one where the reader's mind says I've read this before in a different guise.

The Women's Club is having a jumble sale, but their van had a greater load than it can carry when the driver is murdered and left by the side of the road.

Henny Brawley's car is parked by the van, but Henry is missing.

Max and Annie Darling have their hands full trying to locate Henny, keep her alive while she recovers her memory, and fielding all of their volunteer help to unearth the killer.

Nash Black, author of SINS OF THE FATHERS.