Book: Something Wicked
Author: Carolyn G. Hart
Awards Won: 1989 Agatha Award for Best Novel
Third in the Death on Demand series, this book features Annie Laurence and her (as of this book) fiancé, Max Darling, in their attempts to figure out who’s behind a series of pranks being pulled on a local summer production of the classic play Arsenic and Old Lace. The pranks escalate to a murder (but of course; what would be a mystery without a murder in it?), and Max falls under suspicion. Annie works not only to clear Max’s name but to figure out who’s actually behind it all.
One reason I liked the book so much (like the previous ones in the series) is all of the allusions to other works. Annie works as a manager of a mystery store that she inherited from her uncle, so her deliberations about various clues are filled with references to all sorts of works from the classic ones to the obscure (to me) ones. In addition, her store runs a monthly contest that gives a free book to the first person who can identify which mysteries are portrayed in five different paintings.
Summary: Good read if you like mysteries in the ilk of Agatha Christie or enjoy stories focusing on the theater. It’s not necessary to start from the beginning in the series, but the earlier two books are both excellent reads in the same style.
Posted by themoonsofbill 
