On the barrier island of Broward's Rock off the coast of South Carolina is the Death on Demand Mystery Bookstore owned and operated by Annie Darling. She is sponsoring a mystery cruise with the proceeds donated to the Island Literacy Fund. On the night of the cruise, things are going smoothly until Pamela Potts falls into the water. Annie's husband Max jumps into the water to rescue her but later the next morning it is announced she died.
The sheriff feels that the tragedy was either an accident or suicide but Annie is positive it was murder for a number of reasons. Famous island mystery writer Emma Clyde believes that Pamela was hit on the head because of something she knew and when Annie looks into her activities, she learns that Pamela was visiting Meg Heath, a wealthy widow who didn't have long to live. Both Emma and Annie believe these deaths are linked as is the murder of a tourist found on a deserted part of the island. They intend to prove their theory or die trying.
Every book featuring Max and Annie Darling is a pleasure to read but in MURDER WALKS THE PLANK Carolyn Hart even outdoes her usual great work. The mystery is so twisted with some many possible suspects and motives that readers will have a difficult time trying to figure out who the killer is leaving the audience with a big cerebral puzzle to solve...
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book descript. of violence and chases - 10% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 70%
Kind of investigator
- amateur citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- life in small town
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- small businessman
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- none
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- wealthy
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- money/treasure
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Southeast
Water?
Yes
Water:
- pleasure/love boat
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 1
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
