To Die, or Not to Die...

by Sam McCarver

An intriguing mystery set in the time of post-World War I Britain, and written with McCarver's impeccable detail and attention to the period, "To Die, or Not to Die . . ." is another entertaining entry in the casebook of John and Penny Darnell. It's 1919 and John and Penny are called by the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon, England, to look into the appearance of what seems to be a ghost that could ruin the town's preparations for the 150-year anniversary...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786254440
• ISBN13: 9780786254446
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Five Star (ME)
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

interesting Darnell historical mystery

In 1919 English Professor John Darnell and his wife of seven years Penny are expecting their first child in a couple of months so he plans to so no sleuthing. However, Mayor Blake Aylmer of Stratford-on-the-Avon calls to ask John to look into two sightings of ghosts on the eve of the American John Barrymore performing Macbeth and Hamlet. Penny persuades John that they can enjoy the performances while he conducts an investigation.In Stratford, while John begins his inquiries, Penny visits the sights. However, the case begins turning ugly as dead cats (out of Othello) are found and a near fatal accident occurs. Soon the actress Portia Regan is murdered with suspicion on the director Rex Flint, who had an affair with the actress and offers a shaky alibi. A second murder follows, that of a night watchman, who must have seen something though he insisted he slept through the Portia killing. With a Scotland Yard friend on the scene with John, they investigate two homicides while the great Barrymore does justice to Shakespeare.The latest Darnell historical mystery is an interesting tale that places a great deal of emphasis on John Barrymore so that the audience receives a sense of knowing the actor. The investigation is fun, but takes a back seat to the era and the stage. The cast is a solid group that enables readers to better observe post WW I England. The answer to whether to read or not to read Sam McCarver's latest work is an affirmative for those fans of early twentieth century who-done-its with an emphasis on the times.Harriet Klausner