Part of Death on Demand, book 21
First published 2011
Annie Darling owns a mystery bookstore on a serene island where real crime rarely intrudes. When a local resident dies under circumstances the police dismiss as suicide, Annie notices troubling inconsistencies. A misplaced towel catches her attention. A crystal mug shows no fingerprints despite recent use. These details contradict the official verdict. Annie begins her own investigation, following the physical evidence the authorities overlooked. Her inquiry forces her to scrutinize neighbors she has known for years. She uncovers a clandestine romantic relationship within the community. Each revelation exposes how much her tranquil town hides beneath its placid surface. Annie realizes that residents she considered trustworthy possess dangerous secrets. They committed murder once to protect these secrets and will kill again to keep them hidden.
Genres: fiction, mystery, crime, contemporary, thriller, amateur-sleuth
Vibes: atmospheric, contemplative, dark-undertones, introspective, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, hidden-secrets, investigation-uncovers-truth, unreliable-community
Setting: Island Community
392 pages · Paperback · William Morrow Large Print
Content warnings: death, murder