Book Review: Sugar Plum Dead

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Sugar Plum Dead     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Carolyn G. Hart
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Cozy   Amateur Sleuth   Woman Main Character
Series: Death on Demand # 12
Morrow, Sep 2000, $24.00, 352 pp.

Margaret Ladson looks forward to the upcoming Christmas holidays inviting all her relatives to spend the Yuletide with her at her mansion on a South Carolina barrier island. On Broward’s Rock, Margaret lives with her assistant who was once her double when the former was movie star, her sister Happy, and her teenage niece Rachel as well as assorted other step-relatives and servants. All the Ladson extended family members are coming to Broward’s Rock in hope of finagling some cash out of Margaret.

During her birthday party, Margaret announces that she will leave her fortune to con artist Emory Swanson of the Evermore Foundation for enabling her to talk with her deceased husband. This angers and shocks her relatives. The next day, someone murders Happy with the evidence pointing towards Pudge Lawrance. He is Annie Darling’s estranged father who left his daughter and wife years ago. Annie and her spouse Max begin sleuthing, as they believe Pudge and the alternate suspect Rachel are innocent.

A DEATH ON DEMAND mystery is always a treat because the plots tend to show the forgiving side of humanity as well as the deadlier perspective. This time the heroine and her father reconcile enabling Annie to find some inner peace. Annie also embraces her stepsister for the first time. However, do not think this is a relationship drama only. The entertaining who-done-it is loaded with suspects on an exotic locale as the amateur detective duo searches for the truth. With a well designed mystery augmented by a family drama and a great teen character, SUGAR PLUM DEAD highlights Carolyn Hart at her delightful best.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner