11th in the Judge Deborah Knott series set in North Carolina.[return][return]Not only reconciled but now eagerly anticipating her marriage to Dwight Bryant just before Christmas, Deborah is caught up not only in preparations for the wedding but for the season as well. But marring the festivities for everyone is the murder of a young, attractive assistant DA, Tracy Johnson, and the consequent death of her infant adopted daughter.[return][return]Along with some fairly humorous and obviously nostalgic descriptions of preparing for a wedding and almost everything that can happen, Maron has written far more of a police procedural book than she has previously, something hard to do when her protagonist is not a police officer. But with this books, Maron brings Officer Mayleen Richards more to the fore, and through Mayleen and other officers in the Colleton Conty Sheriff s Department, Maron can lean more towards the procedural side. However, it s still no New York or Los Angeles type of case, and she stays utterly true to her regional slant on characters, dialogue, and behavior. The details of the preparations for the wedding are well done in that nothing is cloying; again, a major strength of the series is the very size of Deborah s family and the fact that Maron has given more or less distinct voices to Deborah s brothers and especially their wives.[return][return]The plot is good and the intertwining of murder investigation and wedding preparations works because Maron is a skillful writer who has this material thoroughly in hand.[return][return]Highly recommended.
I've said this before, but I'll say it again, I like Judge Deborah Knott. Yes, she gets involved in solving murders; however, she's much smarter about it than most cozy heroines. Also, as judge, she's involved at least tangentially on a professional level. In this one, she's really involved on a personal level - she knew the victims. As the countdown winds down to her wedding with childhood friend and "brother", Dwight, she's finding her way in how involved she can be in Dwight's cases and still remain impartial as a judge. It's tough for Dwight too. Obviously, as his love and partner in life, he would like to discuss and confide in Deborah, but doing so, on both their parts can compromise their professional careers.I find these books well above most cozies written today. You have an intelligent, professional woman, who does not act impulsively and stupidly. Yes, she does find herself involved in very dangerous and life threatening situations, but she didn't get there by going off half-cocked and confronting murderers because she can't contain herself and has no impulse control. Hear that cozies.
What do You think about Rituals Of The Season (2006)?
RITUALS OF THE SEASON by Margaret MaronADA Tracy Johnson is shot while driving on the freeway crashing her car and killing her adopted baby daughter. Judge Deborah Knott is stunned. Who could have murdered her friend and co-worker? Deputy Sheriff Dwight Bryant, Deborah’s fiancé, is handling the case. He and Deborah are planning their wedding in two weeks. Her brothers are building a room on to her house and promise to have it completed by the wedding. Deborah has her doubts. She is running around trying to get everything done, but she also wants to help Dwight solve the murder. Two law students are looking into the guilt of a woman on death row for murder. They are convinced that she didn’t do it.As Dwight investigates the murder, Deborah questions the people who knew Tracy. Several things come to light pointing in different directions, but no one seems to know much about Tracy’s personal life. She also gets involved with the law students while she is trying to get ready for her wedding. Beautifully written and an excellent story, Margaret Maron keeps readers on their toes trying to figure out who the culprits are. She is able to juggle both stories and come to a satisfactory conclusion.
—Marilyn Heyman
This book started out very slow. I was half way through the book and did not have a clue as to how the victim died in the first chapter. The second half of the book picked up the pace and gave you clues.Along with the murder, a wedding is the main focus of the book. It is a nice combination. The writer, really brought the two events together. She made the two story lines twist together.I did not know this book was part of a series until after I was finished reading it. I would read another by this author.More reviews at Ope's Opinioins.com
—Margie
With only weeks left until the wedding, one would think that Judge Deborah Knott would be focused on preparations at hand, but a new murder case and an old one have her and Dwight tangled up in work. An attorney is shot in her car on the highway after looking into a death-penalty case, where the woman is due to take her final gurney ride in just a month. Are the two connected? Can the murders be found--the ones who killed the attorney and the one who really should be on death row?Perhaps I shouldn't be reading about other people's weddings right now with my own only two months away; I get too emotional. But I have to say, Deborah and Dwight's wedding is as perfect as one could wish it to be.
—Caitlin
