Cheryl R. (Spuddie) -
This review applies to the audio version.
In this latest Judge Deborah Knott and clan mystery, it's Christmas time once again and Deborah and Dwight are celebrating their first anniversary as well. A series of fatal car crashes involving young folks has set a bit of a pall over Colleton County's festivities, though, especially the most recent, involving Mallory Johnson, head cheerleader at West Colleton High.
By everyone's account, she's practically perfect, so when a small amount of alcohol is found in her blood, everyone is shocked, and her father insists that someone must have spiked her soda pop. Otherwise why would she have crashed on a straight stretch of road in good driving weather? And who would do such a thing? As the town mourns her loss, deeper investigation of course reveals that Mallory wasn't without her flaws, but it takes two more deaths for Dwight to connect the dots.
A very enjoyable visit to Colleton County, laced with big doses of family lore and Christmas tradition and history. Great story, and as always, the author tackles social issues along the way and gives you something to think about, although the mystery wasn't too much of a puzzle to figure out fairly well in advance. Wonderfully read by CJ Critt, as always.
In this latest Judge Deborah Knott and clan mystery, it's Christmas time once again and Deborah and Dwight are celebrating their first anniversary as well. A series of fatal car crashes involving young folks has set a bit of a pall over Colleton County's festivities, though, especially the most recent, involving Mallory Johnson, head cheerleader at West Colleton High.
By everyone's account, she's practically perfect, so when a small amount of alcohol is found in her blood, everyone is shocked, and her father insists that someone must have spiked her soda pop. Otherwise why would she have crashed on a straight stretch of road in good driving weather? And who would do such a thing? As the town mourns her loss, deeper investigation of course reveals that Mallory wasn't without her flaws, but it takes two more deaths for Dwight to connect the dots.
A very enjoyable visit to Colleton County, laced with big doses of family lore and Christmas tradition and history. Great story, and as always, the author tackles social issues along the way and gives you something to think about, although the mystery wasn't too much of a puzzle to figure out fairly well in advance. Wonderfully read by CJ Critt, as always.
Cindy M. (cindymcc) reviewed Christmas Mourning (Judge Deborah Knott, Bk 16) on + 44 more book reviews
I have thoroughly enjoyed most of the Judge Deborah Knott's mysteries. Reading them reminds me of summer afternoons sitting in a chair outside sipping sweet tea or lemonade. Characters have been developed throughout the novels, and picking up the latest is like visiting your favorite relatives who live far away, but who you like to see during short visits.
The first in the series is "Bootlegger's Daughter" and sets the stage for all the rest; however, each mystery can be read on its own. "Christmas Mourning" was an enjoyable quick read, and I'm almost sorry I got it from the library instead of buying it. It would give me great pleasure to pass it along to friends.
The first in the series is "Bootlegger's Daughter" and sets the stage for all the rest; however, each mystery can be read on its own. "Christmas Mourning" was an enjoyable quick read, and I'm almost sorry I got it from the library instead of buying it. It would give me great pleasure to pass it along to friends.
Cyndi J. (cyndij) reviewed Christmas Mourning (Judge Deborah Knott, Bk 16) on + 1031 more book reviews
16th in the series, a pleasant way to spend a few hours with familiar characters and a bit of a mystery to solve. Also contains an unsubtle lecture on the perils of distracted driving. Maron does make the point that this is a small town, but it seems really, really small this time - everyone is either related or went to high school together or both, and there are a lot of characters. Plus someone integral to the mystery shows up in the last 3 pages. This one, like almost all the others, has a lot of detail about Deborah's family - where they go, what they eat, what she wears - and because it's the holiday season it's all intensified. Sometimes, and this is one of them, I quite like all the extraneous bits. If you like the series, you'll like this one, and if you're not familiar with it, start with an earlier entry.
Marianne M. (marimij) -
I really enjoyed this book. When some authors write a holiday book, they drop the ball. But not this book. It kept me guessing until the end. You get to know Deborah's family a little bit better. It is a great series and I enjoyed this one as much as the first!
Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Christmas Mourning (Judge Deborah Knott, Bk 16) on + 648 more book reviews
We return to Colleton County, North Carolina just in time for the holidays. Sadly they are overshadowed when a very popular Senior in high school, Mallory Johnson, dies in a car crash on the way home from a party. This was not the only tragedy this area has had to face, a few days later two not so popular kids were found shot to death. This happening all after another car accident just two months earlier where two other youths were killed and another was severely injured. To stay the town in stunned by these events is an understatement. Mallory was known not to drink or do drugs so what caused her to go off the road is a mystery and is her accident connected to any of the other deaths.
As usual Deborahs many nieces and nephews are always dropping by for a visit, plus it is time for the annual cookie baking party. All these kids either knew or went to school with the victims. So Deborah does what any judge/wife of a chief deputy sheriff would do, she keeps her eyes and her ears open. As she and Dwight share their gathered information they find the clues may connect to a death from several years ago. It is time to solve these mysteries before anyone else is lost and Dwight and Deborah are on the case.
Dollycass Thoughts
This has been one of my favorite series and I enjoy every trip into the world of Deborah Knott. The closeness and trials and tribulations of the whole family dynamic never disappoint. The mystery that tags along is an added bonus.
The author is a wonderful storyteller and her characters continue to grown and develop. In this edition it was about the teenagers. I have to say I was very impressed in the way she took on a very relevant teen issue, cell phones and texting. She also makes us aware of dangerous things that can happen at teen parties, stupid pranks can have deadly consequences. She handled them without being preachy, she just put it out there and reminded us all about the dangers. This week the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that all cell phone use be banned all non-emergency use of cell phones and other portable devices for drivers. This makes this story quite timely. I realize it was published last year but I didnt get to it for last years holiday season and saved it for this year and I am glad I did. It helped me to remind my own kids of these dangers. Teenagers always think it cant happen to them. In this story it happened to kids that probably felt exactly that way. The mystery was great but the message was gripped me and held me in this story.
This is not your typical Christmas story but you knew that from the title. It is an excellent addition to this series.
As usual Deborahs many nieces and nephews are always dropping by for a visit, plus it is time for the annual cookie baking party. All these kids either knew or went to school with the victims. So Deborah does what any judge/wife of a chief deputy sheriff would do, she keeps her eyes and her ears open. As she and Dwight share their gathered information they find the clues may connect to a death from several years ago. It is time to solve these mysteries before anyone else is lost and Dwight and Deborah are on the case.
Dollycass Thoughts
This has been one of my favorite series and I enjoy every trip into the world of Deborah Knott. The closeness and trials and tribulations of the whole family dynamic never disappoint. The mystery that tags along is an added bonus.
The author is a wonderful storyteller and her characters continue to grown and develop. In this edition it was about the teenagers. I have to say I was very impressed in the way she took on a very relevant teen issue, cell phones and texting. She also makes us aware of dangerous things that can happen at teen parties, stupid pranks can have deadly consequences. She handled them without being preachy, she just put it out there and reminded us all about the dangers. This week the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that all cell phone use be banned all non-emergency use of cell phones and other portable devices for drivers. This makes this story quite timely. I realize it was published last year but I didnt get to it for last years holiday season and saved it for this year and I am glad I did. It helped me to remind my own kids of these dangers. Teenagers always think it cant happen to them. In this story it happened to kids that probably felt exactly that way. The mystery was great but the message was gripped me and held me in this story.
This is not your typical Christmas story but you knew that from the title. It is an excellent addition to this series.
Arlene L. (poolmysteryreader) reviewed Christmas Mourning (Judge Deborah Knott, Bk 16) on + 63 more book reviews
Interesting addition to the series.
