From Product Description:

Three deaths are linked to Broward's Rock Island's youth recreation center, and its director. When she asks Max to help clear her name, Annie is right there with her husband to help.

C. hart knows how to picque your interest. I like a fast paced book, not slow--or I'll be tempted to skip to another chapter to "advance" the story for myself. none of that here, she keeps it going for you. Now that the Darlings are finally in their "old" house--it's a shame there is no picture of it! sounds grand and historic! c. hart really wants you to visualize the setting, people & happenings on the island. just as long as "you the reader" don't end up as one of the murder victims! a really good read..worth getting now, before it finally makes it to paperback.

<br />great, as usual. I love Death on Demand and they never disappoint.

The 20th entry in this charming series brings back Annie Darling, proprietor of Death on Demand mystery bookstore, and her husband, Max, among other things proprietor of Confidential Commissions. One of Max's other interests is the Haven, a youth recreation center where he volunteers. The shocking death of a teen who frequented the Haven is quickly followed by the killing of Booth Wagner, a pompous, wealthy retired businessman who had been intent in replacing the Haven's director, Jean Hughes. The latter had pleaded with Annie and Max to intervene to save her job. When she becomes the prime suspect in Wagner's death, their efforts evolve into a murder investigation. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Wagner was a man who "saw most things as a big joke unless the laugh was on him," and the list of enemies he'd made is long and varied. Max is a man who always keeps his promises, and he promises Jean he will get to the bottom of things. There are many with motives, and he thinks "How could he judge what mattered enough to make one of these people kill?" <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />All the usual characters, human and feline, are present: Laurel, Max's empathic, much-married and libidinous mother, and her investigative-minded friends; Agatha, the plump black cat who rules the bookstore, and Dorothy L, the fluffy white cat who "reigns supreme at home." The book, as always, is replete with the names of worthy mystery authors, one of the many delights of Ms. Hart's series, as are the descriptions of Broward's Rock, the South Carolina sea island where the action takes place. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />The writing seemed a bit padded and repetitious at times, slowing down the pace, but overall it is a well-plotted mystery with characters the reader can always look forward to meeting again, and it is recommended.

Laughed Til He Died by Carolyn Hart <br />- a review by Sherry Benic - <br /> <br />The Haven is a recreation center for teens on the Island of Broward's Rock, the Pollyanna Home of Max and Annie Darling. The Haven's Director, a former lounge singer named Jean, comes to Max for help in keeping her job. <br /> <br />It seems that everyone's favorite villain, the rich and powerful Booth Wagner, is determined to end Jean's tenure with the Haven. At the Haven's Friday night summer program, Booth is unexpectedly murdered. The Chief of Police's attention is immediately riveted on Jean. He conveniently ignores all other possible suspects and focuses all of his energies into railroading Jean for the murder. Although Hart frequently tells us what a solid, upstanding man our police chief is, the character fails to live up to the descriptions. <br /> <br />This reader is left wondering why he inexplicably works so hard to prove Jean guilty, conveniently ignoring other citizens with means, opportunity, and motive. Hart keeps us wondering until the last page or two. <br /> <br />In spite of Hart's great reputation and the popularity of the Death on Demand books, (Laugh Til He Died is the twentieth in the series), this mystery is disappointing. <br />

This is a lively book with old friends in it like Annie and Max Darling, Max's spinny mother, and a few others that have become familiar over time. Ms. Hart writes a good cozy mystery story and this book is no exception. I noticed there wasn't as many references to other mystery writers and mystery books and that is actually a positive thing because it allowed me to focus more on this story. This book focuses around the local youth shelter and a mysterious death as well as two murders. It is apparent that things have not settled down in the supposedly idyllic little town of Broward's Rock. I really enjoy these stories and this book was a nice retreat for me. I look at Ms. Hart's books as retreats from the reality of life. They're fun, cozy and the puzzles are always good ones that keep me guessing. And Annie and Max are just so likeable that it makes reading about their lives a pleasure. Thanks Ms. Hart for pure escapism.