Annie is asked to stage a murder for the annual spring house tour sponsored by the Historical Society of Chastain, South Carolina. Her only problem is deciding which fictional murder to stage--until a corpse turns up in the town pond. The second Annie Laurance/Max Darling novel.

Annie Laurance, owner of the Death on Deamand bookstore on Broward's Rock Island, South Carolina, becomes the prime suspect when an author is murdered in her store.

When her husband's latest case takes them to a remote private island, Annie's initial delight turns to horror when she realizes that they have been marooned along with numerous suspects from the case her husband is investigating.

A fortune in gold coins stolen from a house filled with visiting family members lies at the root of this Max and Annie Darling mystery.

Three deaths are linked to Broward's Rock Island's youth recreation center, and its director. When she asks Max to help clear her name, Annie is right there with her husband to help.

"Summer is a hectic time of the year for Annie Darling. Sun and scorching temperatures never fail to bring swarms of tourists to her mystery bookstore, Death on Demand, for the latest beach reads. But Annie still finds time to enjoy herself. The Broward's Rock Fourth of July dance is just around the corner, and the island is buzzing with excitement--Shell Hurst included ... Shell is the kind of woman wives hate--for good reason--and most of them wish...

"Annie Darling's friend and fellow shop owner Ves Roundtree is a very wealthy woman. Her rich brother entrusted her with his estate, and upon her death, his fortune is to be divided. Several cash-strapped islanders are in line to collect life-changing inheritances. The problem is, Ves is very much alive. Ves hosts a dinner for the prospective beneficiaries and feels a chill in the air that has nothing to do with the wintry season. Not long after,...