A smart, suspenseful island cozy mystery where a seaside paradise hides secrets, suspicion, and a case that hits far too close to home.
 
Annie Darling and her husband Max have built a peaceful life on Broward’s Rock Island — until a young woman is found murdered on the mainland and all evidence points to Max. With the police convinced they’ve found their man, Annie must take matters into her own hands. Determined to clear her husband’s name, she dives into a tangled web of lies, jealousy, and betrayal — and soon realizes that the truth could destroy everything she loves.
 
 
In Dead Days of Summer, Carolyn Hart takes her Death on Demand series to chilling new depths. When Max Darling is arrested for a brutal crime he swears he didn’t commit, Annie’s world unravels. Refusing to believe the man she loves could be guilty, she begins her own investigation — uncovering a trail of deception that leads from their island home to dark corners of the past.
 
Set against the sun-drenched beauty of the South Carolina coast, this mystery combines Hart’s signature charm with high emotional stakes. As Annie races to prove Max’s innocence, she confronts her deepest fears and the limits of trust. With deft pacing and heartfelt storytelling, Dead Days of Summer captures everything readers love about cozy mysteries — community, courage, and the enduring power of love.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A gripping mystery with emotional depth and heart.
Features Annie and Max Darling — cozy fiction’s favorite sleuthing couple.
Evocative coastal setting full of charm and atmosphere.
Perfect mix of suspense, warmth, and relationship-driven storytelling.
A standout installment in Carolyn Hart’s Death on Demand series.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of Ellery Adams, Lorna Barrett, and Kate Carlisle.
Readers who enjoy small-town or island-set cozy mysteries.
Cozy collectors continuing the Death on Demand series.
Book clubs looking for mysteries that balance character and suspense.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed Dead Days of Summer, you might also like:
Engaged to Die by Carolyn Hart — island intrigue and romantic tension.
Dare to Die by Carolyn Hart — secrets resurface in paradise.
Murder on the Half Shelf by Lorna Barrett — another bookshop cozy full of charm.