High Country Fall (A Deborah Knott Mystery (10))

This book was a nearly perfect read, a fantastic blend of mystery and what is great about good fiction - relationships and character development. This is the fourth book in the Deborah Knott series that I've read. I didn't care for the really early works much but since she's started with Dwight as lover/husband, for me, at least, the series has really improved. In this one, there's a great little mystery with interesting characters, but there's also wonderful descriptions of the scenery, fleshed out secondary characters and a really believable quandary that Deborah herself is in. I love how the author puts the relatives in the story, here it's two college age nieces. I'd also recommend the two books that follow this one: Rituals of the Season and Winter's Child, both also great books. There's just something about this one, though, that makes it stand out for me...

Love this entire Deborak Knott series!
Hard to put down! Judge Knott seems to end up in the middle of trouble whether she is looking for it or not. The characters are believable and never boring. There is a murder, a mystery, and a little romance in each book. Maron is a wonderful storyteller!

I thought the development of this case was a bit weak. I also thought Judge Knott's confusion about her upcoming marriage was in line with the lyrics from "it's in his kiss". If you're a fan of this series you will at least enjoy this book. If you're a fan of good mysteries this might be somewhat slow.

Continue to enjoy Deborah Knott's family, friends and, of course, the mystery that involves them this time. give me more.

Dr. Carlyle Ledwig and Norman Osborne are movers and shakers in the picturesque Appalachian town of Cedar Gap, North Carolina. They were the major proponents for turning the sleepy town into a high-end seasonal destination for Floridians wanting to beat the heat. They aim to keep it that way any way they can. So we first meet them trying to bully 77 year-old Simon Profitt into selling his rough-around-the-edges Trading Post, a gift & snack shop smack on Main Street with the temerity to have a rusty sign in front and gifts that one could call cheap.

But what's even more interesting is when Norman gets home to his dear wife, Sunny, "fear tightening her heart". Especially when Norman tells her, "If anybody ever asks, you didn't know a thing."

A month later, our hero, District Court Judge Deborah Knott, resides and practices the next county over. But when the district judge sitting in Cedar Gap needs a short-term substitute, Deborah drives up the mountain expecting a relaxing break from her family. She loves them, but they've been a little much since she got engaged to Dwight Bryant, Colleton County Detective. "My family's so crazy about Dwight that you'd have thought someone had handed me a cool ten million and it was their duty to help me invest it before I threw it all on the nearest bonfire."

One of the first cases she hears is the arraignment hearing for Daniel Freeman. The young man is accused of smashing his prospective father-in-law over the head with a hammer. Not the least, because said father-in-law, Carlyle Ledwig, was trying to stop the marriage.

Wouldn't you know, Deborah even has relatives in Cedar Gap, and they are determined to prove Daniel is innocent.

"High Country Fall" is the first Margaret Maron mystery I've read, and I very much enjoyed it. Her prose is a bit above average, and her plotting and characterizations are excellent. There is a lot of personal ruminations in this book - Deborah is having, maybe not cold feet, but certainly cool feet, over her engagement. But those personal issues did not take over the mystery plotting and were presented realistically.

Very recommended book. Now I'll have to check out the whole series.

Happy Reader

A really good read. Maron's Judge Knott is always interesting and and it is like visiting with an old friend.

There are no surprises here -- quick read, nothing taxing to think about, bought for a reading challenge and I'm glad I chose this book. It wasn't insulting, didn't include gratuitous sex scenes. It was well written and made me want to take a trip to the mountains ... just maybe not in the fall, so as to avoid annoying the locals. Ha ha!

I wrote a review that was returned?
I posted pictures. This book was not in good condition

good

enjoyed this very much