Yankee Doodle Dead (Death on Demand Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

I'm about the biggest Annie and Max fan there is, and I've often wished Broward's Rock was a real place that I could visit (I think I could probably find anyplace I wanted, I have it so clear in my mind) but this book was a disappointment to me. Of course, anything by Ms. Hart beats a Nancy Pickard or Susan Conant anyday, but the writing, and the title(!) are weak. I know Carolyn can do better, and I still have high hopes for White Elephant Dead (another lame title, let's hope that's not indiciative of the contents.) When I first started reading the Death on Demand books, I hoped Carolyn would write them forever, but I hope now that if the next one is as weak as this one that she lets the series die a graceful death. Henny was very disappointing in this book. I did not like the direction her character took. I suspect that Carolyn likes her Henrie O. books better, and is spending more time on them than the Death on Demands. I for one, don't care for Henrie O., and would be happy to see that character retire for good. She's conceited and annoying. I really hope Annie and Max get the attention they deserve in the future. I'd love to read about them for another couple of decades if the quality of writing can remain in the leagues of the first 9 books, especially A Little Class on Murder, the Christie Caper and Mint Julep Murder.

In many ways *Yankee Doodle Dead* is rather like the paperback mysteries that Annie Laurance Darling praises in chapter one and it's obvious that's intended. This book kept me up until my eyes refused to stay open any longer and I made sure to finish it during breakfast, even though it meant I had to scramble to get to work. The references to other mystery books and authors were fun when I recognized them and gave me some idea what the other fictional detectives were like when I didn't. The reason for Edith Wentworth's non-stop lifestyle came as no surprise when it was revealed, because it's similar to one of Leslie Ford's classic Grace Latham-Colonel Primrose mysteries. (Given the the emphasis Patricia Wentworth of Miss Silver fame placed on honorable conduct, the choice of surname for Jonathan and Edith was quite appropriate.) General (Retired) Bud Hatch raised my hackles from his first appearance. I didn't care how many men (including Max)thought he could be a great/good guy. As the book progressed, I knew he wasn't. I'm a DAC(Department of the Army Civilian), as was my mother. I received my certificate and pin for 20 years' service last year. My father was Air Force, so I'm a former military brat, too. I can assure the reader who is unfamiliar with our military that Hatch is no caricature. I find the premise of the Dark Deed that led to the General's death chillingly plausible. Even though I cannot condone Hatch's murder, I understand why his killer shot him. Got a good chuckle out of the way that our modern gallant women of South Carolina foiled Hatch's plot to make sure that the Fourth of July festival honored only patriotic men. It was also satisfying that Hatch was the disgrace to his former uniform, not the gay Vietnam veteran that Hatch thought shouldn't be allowed to wear a uniform. Max Darling actually stirred himself quite a bit in this book, which was a pleasant surprise. On the other hand, if his mother, Laurel, hadn't been so kind to Gail Oldham, it would have been prudent for Max and Annie to have locked her in a bedroom with a bath until the murder was solved. Laurel is a woman who scarcely comprehends the meaning of moderation. A welcome departure from old mysteries is the depiction of minorities and "just plain folks" as intelligent, honest, and capable. Loved Annie's "speak your mind" thoughts that she was so wise to leave unspoken. I also loved the depictions of Dorothy L. and Agatha, Annie's cats. Yes, indeedy, Ms. Hart knows cats. (It's a good thing those cats are fictional, or our cover designer and illustrators might find themselves on the business end of Agatha's claws for putting her at the bottom and Dorothy L at the top. By the way, that's a delightful grin on the face of the alligator that forms the "D" in "Dead". At least I think it's meant to be an alligator, although the snout seems more like a crocodile's.) In short, this update of an old kind of murder mystery is as welcome as a glass of lemonade or ice tea on a hot day. Ann E. Nichols

Annie and Max are back again in this Carolyn Hart mystery. After reading The Triumph and the Glory I was ready for some lighter fare and greatly enjoyed Yankee Doodle Dead. I'm a big Mary Higgins Clark fan and usually stick to her novels when I'm in the mood for a mystery but Hart is very entertaining in her own way. Some people don't care for her but I love her touch. Thanks Carolyn, good job.