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Engaged to Die

by Carolyn Hart

Anyone not familiar with the 'Death on Demand' books featuring Annie Darling (and written by Carolyn Hart) is really missing out on one of the best 'cozy' mystery novel series available. Engaged to Die isn't Ms. Hart's latest accomplishment, being published back in 2003, but like all her Death on Demand books (Death on Demand is a mystery bookstore run by the fictitious Annie Darling) it's a delectable read. Carolyn Hart is also the author of another series about a protagonist she's named Henri O.

Initially we're introduced to the Neville family – Irene and Carl, a married couple (with Irene being someone you'll probably hate right away), Rusty and Susan, Louise, the single older sister of departed Nathaniel, and Virginia, Nathaniel's widow. Closely tied to that family are Beth Kelly, Rusty's bit on the side who wants him to leave Susan, and Jake O'Neill, a small-time artist and big-time womanizer whose engagement to Virginia is to be announced at a gala showing of another artist's work. The showing is to be held at the Neville Art Gallery, now owned by Virginia. Nathaniel left everything to Virginia except the house where all the Neville's live (it's a huge mansion) which he left to Carl, his oldest son.

Chloe, a young, attractive girl who has been acting as an assistant to Annie Darling at Death on Demand, has met and fallen in love with Jake O'Neill on a mist and fog-enclosed pier. Annie and her husband Max have been invited to the show along with Chloe – and Annie, well informed about Chloe's feelings for Jake, learns about the engagement announcement. Before she can warn Chloe however, Chloe comes to the party and is immediately whisked away by Jake. When Jake is later found murdered, Chloe is the foremost suspect – especially since the wrap matching her dress is discovered under the corpse.

It seems that Jake was only going to marry Virginia – who was twice his age – because she owned the art gallery and had plenty of money. Meanwhile Annie has made herself a very real enemy by helping an elderly member of a retirement home – an enemy who not only attempts to burn down her bookstore but who also becomes involved with the murder. The Neville family is blamed by Virginia for her fianc้'s brutal demise, but the police chief is positive that Chloe is the killer. However, Annie believes Chloe is innocent.

Carolyn Hart manages to shift your suspicions from one individual to another with her usual adroit flair, so that the final revelation of the actual perpetrator comes as a decided surprise. And of course, it's Annie's idea that uncovers the killer. Anyone who can call themselves a mystery-loving fan will thoroughly enjoy any of Carolyn Hart's 'Death on Demand' series, including this one!

Alan Paul Curtis

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