CAROLYN G. HART

Carolyn Gimpel Hart (born August 25, 1936), is an American mystery writer who specializes in traditional mysteries, also known as cozy mysteries.

DEATH ON DEMAND MYSTERY SERIES

Carolyn G. Hart's first commercially-successful adult mystery series features Annie Laurance, proprietor of the 'Death on Demand' book store, located in the fictional South Carolina island community of Broward's Rock.

By using a mystery book store for her background, Carolyn G. Hart has given her characters the opportunity to talk freely about other mystery authors and books. 

One of the ongoing themes of the series is a contest whereby the first customer who correctly identifies a series of five mysteries from the clues in a painting hanging in the shop wins his or her choice of a novel.

Annie Lawrance, the female protagonist, marries Max Darling, after few books in the series, and they continue together as loving spouses and 'murder-mystery-solving-partners'...!

Though the books do contain some profanity, it is little enough to be easily ignored, and moreover, this series is so delightfully appealing in every other respect, like quality writing, intriguing mystery plots, fun detecting, adequate suspense, satisfying conclusion, interesting characters, pleasing humour, wonderful romance, pleasant atmosphere etc etc etc, that I am unable to prevent myself from including it among my favourites.

LIST OF BOOKS

1) Death on Demand (1987)

A NOVEL APPROACH TO MURDER

At Annie Laurance's 'Death On Demand' book store on Broward's Rock Island, South Carolina, murder most foul suddenly isn't confined to the well-stocked shelves. Author Elliot Morgan's abrupt demise during a weekly gathering of famous mystery writers called the Sunday Night Regulars is proof positive that a bloody sword is sometimes mightier than a brilliant pen.

WHO COULD PLOT A MURDER BETTER THAN A MYSTERY WRITER?

With Annie in the unenviable position of primary police suspect, the pretty young mystery maven and her wealthy paramour, Max Darling, embark on an investigation into a classic locked-room mystery with high stakes. For failing to unmask a brutal and ingenious killer could mean prison for Ms. Laurance. While success could mean her death.

2) Design for Murder (1988)
3) Something Wicked (1988)
4) Honeymoon with Murder (1988)
5) A Little Class on Murder (1989)
6) Deadly Valentine (1990)

(Books Not Yet Read)

7) The Christie Caper (1991)
8) Southern Ghost (1992)
9) Mint Julep Murder (1995)
10) Yankee Doodle Dead (1998)
11) White Elephant Dead (1999)
12) Sugarplum Dead (2000)
13) April Fool Dead (2002)
14) Engaged to Die (2003)
15) Murder Walks the Plank (2004)
16) Death of the Party (2005)
17) Dead Days of Summer (2006)
18) Death Walked In (2008)
19) Dare to Die (2009)
20) Laughed 'Til He Died (2010)
21) Dead by Midnight (2011)
22) Death Comes Silently (2012)
23) Dead, White and Blue (2013)
24) Death at the Door (2014)
25) Don't Go Home (expected in May, 2015)