In my cozies and mysteries I enjoy more than one body. Carolyn Hart fulfilled all my wishes and more in Dead by Midnight. I like the fact that the mystery involves a family. The family name is Jamison. There are two daughters, one son, a cousin, a wife, a sister, brother, partner in business. Who am I leaving out? Annie Darling becomes involved when the first murder takes place. A woman named Pat is murdered by poison. After this incident we're off for the races on Broward's Island. There is only one small objection I had about this Death on Demand novel. I heard about Laurel, the mother in law, but she never makes her striking appearance like in other novels by Carolyn Hart. My mind was soothed by the ever young couple, Annie and Max Darling. I believe they become younger everyday. Max seems so vibrant on his boat. He loves speed boating. Of course, if Annie were with him he would slow down to about 40 mph. Plus, the couple still are wonderfully in love.
As usual, I felt at home on Broward's Island. I enjoy Carolyn Hart's beautiful and brief descriptive passages.
"...the beach-style furniture new and shining, the watercolors on the walls depicting a sailboat agains a blazing sunset, pelicans flying in a V above gentle waves, a little girl digging in the sand."
This setting is so weirdly odd against all the shenanigans happening on the island: A leaf blower blowing at the wrong time. An angry son wearing a shirt than not wearing a shirt fighting with his dad, Glen Jamison. An aunt trying to protect a nephew. A nephew and aunt using the same alibi. Where does it all end? Can't tell. Although, I'm dying to spill the island beans. Along the way, as usual, I met many new mystery authors along with the classic ones. I've had a grand time being in the "throat" of danger. Anxious to read another one. Oh, didn't know Ben Franklin once said "All cats are gray in the dark."
