Death On Demand by Carolyn Hart

 

Annie Laurance has inherited her uncle's bookstore on the exclusive island of Broward's Rock.  It specializes in mysteries and there are several famous mystery authors also living there.  They make a point of getting together on Sunday evenings when the store is closed to other patrons and call themselves the Sunday Night Regulars.

But one Sunday things go awry.  Elliot Morgan, who owns the building, threatens to raise Annie's rent and run her out of business.  At the gathering he stands up and says he has secrets about everyone there and is writing a book that will expose everyone.  Then the lights to out and when they are restored, Morgan is dead.  

The next day Max Darling arrives.  He is a handsome, wealthy man who is determined to win Annie but she doesn't think he takes life seriously and resists his advances.  He agrees to help Annie find out who murdered Morgan as the police chief has Annie in his sights and believes she murdered her uncle as well.  As more and more victims start to accumulate, things aren't looking good for Annie.  Can she and Max solve the murders?

Carolyn Hart is a well-known author in the mystery genre.  This is the first Death On Demand entry but there are currently twenty-six novels in the series.  Annie is an interesting character but it's Max Darling that steals the show.  He is so determined to win Annie that the reader will fall in love with him, even if Annie won't admit she has as well.  There are plenty of suspects and the ending is satisfactory.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.