Carolyn Hart’s latest Death on Demand mystery opens with Annie Darling home on Broward’s Rock without the company of her husband Max, who has taken a short holiday with his friends to fish and play golf. The South Carolina island steams with heat and humidity, giving tourists an abundance of options for summer pleasure. Lying on the beach with a good book, purchased from Annie’s Death on Demand bookstore, is a reliable choice.

In fact, a local Gazette feature article has announced the arrival of local-boy-made good, author Alex Griffith, to promote his book, Don’t Go Home. Annie is unaware of the piece and is surprised when Alex’s wife Rae, who is also his agent, comes into her shop for help. Alex plans to present a talk about the book at the Island’s main hotel. Rae convinces Annie to sponsor and help arrange the event, to be held in the next two days.

"DON’T GO HOME is a mystery in the full sense of the genre. Curious locals become dangerously involved in the crime’s solution."

However, Annie is dumfounded when she realizes that Alex intends to expose the real-life characters upon which his novel is based. Friends, family and long-forgotten incidents will certainly drum up interest in his next project, a tell-all book. Annie’s mind flies to the possibilities likely to open up when Alex speaks. People she doesn’t know well because she and Max are relative newcomers to the island may be exposed as criminals. Would the publicity he might gain by such a talk really bring him the glory and cash he seeks?

Approaching Alex’s east wing room, Annie sees islander Marian Kenyon moving rapidly toward his suite. Annie stops outside a wall extending from a corner of the room when she hears loud voices. The man says, “I thought you were a free spirit...Louanne.” Marian’s voice answers in a harsh tone, “Don’t call me Louanne.” Marian presses Alex to give up the idea of “telling all” because so many people’s lives would be ruined. Their discourse heats up, and Alex taunts her about her affair with him. Her son’s paternity is much in question. Marian is furious and hurls a hurricane lamp at the glass door in his direction. She then runs off down the path.

Annie shows herself and confronts Alex. Marian has been a friend, and others may be hurt as well, so she decides to withdraw her support from the occasion. Later that evening, Alex is late for his own event. Rae goes back to their room and finds him dead. Throughout the local police chief’s investigation of this apparent murder, both Annie and Marian show up repeatedly, opening themselves up to suspicion. Each time Annie steps back, a new clue arises that prods her to interfere.

DON’T GO HOME is a mystery in the full sense of the genre. Curious locals become dangerously involved in the crime’s solution. Perhaps Annie Darling may have overstepped her boundary this time. This is a good summer read that will delight Carolyn Hart’s countless fans.