24 books and this woman can still plot a murder. I hope her friends are careful not to piss her off too badly.

Having said that, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as I've enjoyed past books. A reader would never be able to accuse Ms. Hart of keeping clues from her readers, but this book felt super heavy on the speculative introspection and lists of suspects; I started skimming over these sections pretty early on in the book. Also, the police chief, Billy Cameron, has been on the force and working with (and sometimes against) Max and Annie for 24 murder investigations and he's still trying to tell them they're barking up the wrong tree. Honestly, after more than 24 murders, if they tell him the sky is purple, he should just nod and say "absolutely!" Watching him get proved wrong...again, is just getting tiresome - no matter how graceful he is about it.

Both those issues together though are only a small part of what is still a very enjoyable, fast-paced read written by someone who knows how to write well beyond her genre's current standard. Ms. Hart is who cozy writers should want to be when they grow up. Generally, I strongly dislike multiple POV, third-person writing, because I find it rarely done well, but the Death on Demand books are both and I don't mind it a bit.

In cozies, this series is as close to a contemporary classic as you can get and I'm looking forward to the next one. ( )

There were a couple of things about this installment of the Death on Demand series that bugged me. First, was the way in which events of interest were disclosed - it was almost a let's go down the list approach - and it became tedious. There wasn't much thought put into the process - the usual supporting characters who often add fun elements to the story were used to help check off the list. The mystery itself was reasonably well thought out - I didn't suspect the killer till near the end of the book. But I thought that when Annie had figured it out, the story could have been wrapped up at that point. Putting her into a dangerous confrontation with the killer at the end was not very well done - and came off as completely cliche. It was a bit of a lazy effort, in my opinion. Perhaps Ms. Hart was rushed by a deadline. I hope she takes the time to get the next installment right, or retires the series. Annie and Max deserve better. ( )

I don't think this series as as good any longer. This is the 23rd of the series! Perhaps read earlier in the series, if at all. ( )

Death at the Door is the twenty-fourth book in the A Death on Demand series.

The morning after a party at the Wyler Art Gallery, Dr. Paul Martin is found dead from an apparent suicide by his sister Lucy. Lucy finds a cryptic message in her brothers study that alludes to the fact that Jane Corley's life is in danger. Shortly thereafter Jane's body is found by her husband Tom Edwards, she has beaten with a sculptor mallet of her husband. Tom immediately becomes a suspect in his wife death, but claims to have on the mainland when Paul Martin was killed.

Annie and Max find that there are many suspects other than Tom. Jane's brother David lives on allowance from his father's estate and administered by Jane. David is living beyond his means and possibly he wants all the estate. Also on Annie's list is Kevin Hubbard, who manages the marina that Jane owns and from, Hubbard has reportedly siphoning off money.

Annie and Max can once again count on Ingrid, Emma and Henry, loyal customer of Annie's bookstore, to help solve the mystery of who the killer is.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I have others. Characters were introduced , one after the other, just by their first name and with no mention of who they might be related to or how they fit into the story line. As the story progresses , more is learned, but I found myself having to flip back forth to try and get straight the many characters. ( )

It’s hard to believe that after twenty-three books in the same series, book twenty-four could be even better. It was! Author Carolyn Hart nurtures her Death On Demand series like a mother does her child, and it shows.

This book changed POVs among different characters and it kept the story fresh and gave me a glimpse into other parts of the story that readers don’t always get to see.

Main characters Annie and her husband Max really have their hands full in DEATH AT THE DOOR. With two deaths, and suspects around every corner, this story was everything a reader hopes for in a mystery. Page turning twists and turns had me second guessing myself through the entire book. When the truth finally came out, I was wide eyed and finally released the breath I had been holding.

Fans of the Death On Demand series are in for a true rollercoaster ride with this installment. I know I loved every minute of it! And happily, I have book twenty-five, DON’T GO HOME, waiting right next to me! ( )