Sand Sharks (Deborah Knott Mysteries)

Margaret Maron
Grand Central Publishing (2009)
ISBN 9780446196116
Reviewed by Val Spencer for Reader Views (10/09)

An annual judicial conference at a North Carolina seaside resort is the setting for “Sand Sharks,” Margaret Maron’s latest addition to her wildly popular “Judge Deborah Knott Mystery” series. On the judicial “robe-tails” of such other Deborah Knott mysteries as her initial novel “Bootlegger’s Daughter” and other installments such as “Southern Discomfort,” “Storm Track,” and “Death’s Half Acre,” Ms. Maron has potentially written her most intriguing mystery novel yet. “Sand Sharks” opens when the annual conference of North Carolina’s district judges is suddenly shattered when one of Judge Knott’s constituents is murdered and another one critically injured. Thus begins this page-turner as the author’s knack for writing puts the reader in the main character’s shoes, both in her personal and professional life.

With Maron’s colorful descriptions of the “lay of the land” of North Carolina as well as her intriguing characters and storyline, surpassed only by her Southern finesse and legal/judicial (yet layman-like) knowledge, the reader comfortably finds her/himself ensconced in the plot of this novel from “opening” to “closing arguments.” The main character, although a judge, is one to whom the reader can easily relate and commiserate.

And Ms. Maron has certainly done her legal research — both in and out of the courtroom. Her acknowledgment states “My thanks to all the members of the North Carolina Association of District Court Judges, who over the years have let me sit in on their conferences, shared their stories of humor and heartbreak, and answered my endless questions.” This experience shines through from beginning to end of the novel. Yet another delight is that each chapter is prefaced by a legal quotation which gives the reader further insight into the upcoming chapter.

With this reader’s personal experience of working for a federal appellate court judge in the second highest court in the nation, as well as having had 30-plus years experience working in the legal community, I would like to simply state ... In summation, this reader’s verdict of “Sand Sharks” is GUILTY ... of being extremely well written! I, personally, cannot WAIT for the next installment in the “Deborah Knott Mystery” series and give “Sand Sharks” my unqualified recommendation! “Affirmed,” Ms. Maron!

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