This was a very interesting mystery, mostly because I learned alot about carnivals, and the "carnies" themselves. Not as honest as I believed, but for them its business and making money. Judge Deborah Knott finds herself in the midst of carnival time, with family ties and murder, making #9 another good mystery. I am becoming seriously addicted to this series and looking forward to the next book. From Amazon: The multiple winner of the most coveted prizes for mystery fiction, including the Edgar, Agatha, Macavity, and Anthony Awards, Margaret Maron has received immense acclaim for her highly popular Deborah Knott series. She has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Malice Domestic and the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. Now, in Slow Dollar, her ninth novel featuring the tough and quick-witted North Carolina judge, a ragtag carnival comes to Colleton County—with murder as the main attraction. Opening night at the annual Harvest Festival carnival and the moonlit autumn evening has brought out half of Colleton County to ride the Tilt-O-Whirl and Ferris wheel, throw quarters at Polly’s Plate Pitch, or toss ping-pong balls into bowls of live goldfish against a cacophony of music, clacking machines, and hucksterism. The air is sweetly redolent of hot grease, fried dough, grilled meats, and spun sugar…and one whiff is all it takes to send Judge Deborah Knott straight back to her childhood, holding her mother’s hand, riding on the shoulders of one of her eleven brothers, or clinging to her daddy’s pants leg, dazzled by the bright neon tubes and colorful chasing lights. Unfortunately, all is not try-your-luck and stuffed prizes this year. Murder stalks the midway, and when one gaffed game ends with a brutal death, Deborah discovers more than a body.
Not sure if I'll pick up more of this series, I liked the parts from Deborah's point of view, and the chapter from Dwight's POV was interesting, but the scattered in chapters from other characters POV seemed unnecessary and didn't really add to the story. The content could have been revealed in other less jarring ways.Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
What do You think about Slow Dollar (2003)?
9th in the Judge Deborah Knott of North Carolina series.[return][return]A small carnival comes to Widdington, and Judge Knott is asked to rule on damage done by three drunken Colleton County boys to a ride; for some reason, the owner of the ride, Tallahassee (Tal) Ames, seems familiar. Later, when the same carnival appears in Dobbs for the Harvest Festival, a young man is murdered at the game where Deborah and Dwight are playing. To her shock, Deborah discovers that his mother is Tal Ames, and that Tal is a long-lost niece.[return][return]That s the matrix for this latest installment, where Maron again enjoys giving the reader insight into yet another business carnivals along with a good plot. As is her wont, Maron uses yet another one of her myriad family members her brother Andrew to use as a believable plot device. Also in this book, Deborah and Dwight make an unusual business arrangement that simply blows the mind of all friends and family.[return][return]A much earlier book, Slow Dollar is reminiscent of Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen. although a shorter book, Slow Dollar looks at carnival life in almost as much depth as the much longer book by Gruen. In fact, Maron, who has a long-time association with the carnival through her cousin, actually gives a broader perspective on the carnival, talking in depth about the games, food wagons, and basic needs of he carnival itself from the owner's point of view, rather than from that of the employees, as in the Gruen book. Both are something of expos
—Joyce Lagow
SLOW DOLLAR by Margaret MaronFans of Deborah Knott will appreciate this novel that introduces some long lost relatives, visits a carnival and finds murder among the rides and “stores.” You will learn quite a bit about carnivals and the carnies that populate them. Deborah’s relatives are kind, forgiving, mean spirited, long suffering, angry – you name it. They are all here just like in real life. Maron supplies us with another tightly crafted, engaging mystery. Although the 8th tale in this series, you can read this book without having read any of the others. The family tree is helpful in identifying all of Deborah’s many brothers and their progeny. A satisfying read. 4 of 5 stars
—Becky
I enjoyed this one a lot! It was unusual as it was set in a carnival atmosphere, with all the varied vocabulary and all the expected characters. There are the murders of course and then there is the subplot of Judge Knott and her love life. This time, it is gratifying as the man she marries in later entries to the series, proposes and against their initial inclinations, they fall in love. I like reading about her quirky family members, her grizzled old bootlegger father and her amusing cases. This one was solved in an unusual way as sometimes in real life, things just fall into place and you see a situation clearly. Can't wait to read the next entry.
—Jill
