Something Wicked

A Death on Demand Mystery, Book 3

By: Carolyn G. Hart

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Everyone - including mystery bookstore owner Annie Laurance - loves Arsenic and Old Lace. But something wicked has poisoned a local summer stock production, as cast members stab one another in the back and props are sabotaged. Worst of all, the star, aging Hollywood beach-blanket hunk Shane Petree, butchers his lines - while getting top billing in bed with wives and teenage daughters around town. No wonder somebody wants to draw his final curtain.

With a little help from Miss Marple, Poirot, and Agatha the Bookstore Cat, a pompous prosecutor tries to pin a murder on Max, Annie's own leading man. Unless Annie can prove her darling's innocence, their wedding date's off! Invoking the tried-and-true methods of her favorite literary sleuths, Annie snoops around the greasepaint and glitter backstage. But she'll be next to star in a knock-'em-dead show-stopper scene if she doesn't watch it, because theatrical murderers never play fair.

©2012 Carolyn G Hart (P)2012 Random House Audio

An Excellent Series

I read a number of these books when they were first published over 20 years ago. This is the first Audible edition I've listened to. For me the stories stand the test of time very well.

Carolyn G. Hart populates this series with a number of recurring characters who have very different personalities. For me, much of the enjoyment of these books is the way these characters interact with each other. Annie Laurance, proprietor of the bookstore Death on Demand, is a no nonsense young woman who has worked hard for everything she has. Her charming fiancee is Max Darling. Max comes from a wealthy family, He is very smart, easy going, and hard working when he needs to be. The two of them balance each other very well.

I classify this as a cozy series. It takes place on an island populated by a number of interesting characters. The mysteries are complex and well plotted. The pace is brisk. There are a few mild expletives that might be offensive to readers who have low or no tolerance for these words. Some sexual sitations are part of this mystery, but they are not discussed in an explicit manner.

For me this is an entertaining story. Kate Reading is an excellent narrator. I plan to revisit many of these books on Audible.

Another Mystery

Only Annie can get into these situations and only Annie can get out of them. Nice laid back story.

pulled out of story everytime over prankster

called cat killer a prankster. the editor should have changed the "prank' or the word choice before publishing

DEADLY PLAYS

What made the experience of listening to Something Wicked the most enjoyable?

THE STORY LINE WAS EXTREMLY WELL DONE.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

NO, IT WAS ONE I COULD STOP AND RESTART AND BE QUITE AWARE OF WHERE I LEFT OFF; HAVING SAID THAT, I MUST SAY OUT OF ALL THE SUSPECTS, CAROLYN HART PULLED OFF A WONDERFUL ENDING.

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

OH MY, SHE BRINGS THE CHARACTERS ALIVE. SHE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE NARRATORS. I SEE HER NAME, AND I WILL LISTEN TO THE BOOK, IF THERE IS NO UNNESSARY SEX AND VIOLENCE.

Any additional comments?

WELL WORTH THE CREDIT.

Very entertaining

This was a very entertaining and fun book. The plot was interesting and the story was told at a quick pace. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a light and fun cozy mystery.

Death on Deman always something good!!

I have read or listened to every Death on Demand book in the series. I love Kate Reading. She does a good job of reading.

This is light reading, but, interesting good story and always surprise endings

very good another great death on demand

Annie and Max are great the planning of wedding by max's mother was a great side story very fine read