Dead, White, and Blue (Death on Demand Mysteries)
It’s the Fourth of July on Broward’s Rock, the sea island off the coast of South Carolina that is home to Death on Demand, the mystery bookstore run by Annie Darling, and to Confidential Commissions, the problem-solving agency run by her husband, Max. At a dance at the club that holiday night, it seems that Max and Annie are the only happy couple. Most notably, Shell, the younger, second wife of Wesley Hurst, is making things miserable for him, his first wife, her lover, his kids, and her blackmailer. Several days after the dance, Wesley’s daughter comes to Confidential Commissions to ask Max for help in finding Shell, who is missing along with her new green Porsche. Also missing is a waiter at the club. Annie and Max suspect a connection, but, until a body is found, others assume both Shell and the waiter are just away. As always, Annie and Max use conversations and subterfuge to seek out the truth. Fans of this series will enjoy the twists on the monthly store contest and the involvement in the case of Max’s mother, local author Emma Clyde. --Karen Muller