Christmas Mourning

September 27, 2010
The death of Mallory Johnson, a popular high school cheerleader, in a suspicious car crash propels Edgar-winner Maron's satisfying 16th Deborah Knott mystery (after 2009's Sand Sharks). While Deborah, a Colleton County, N.C., judge, and her huge clan are preparing for a big North Carolina Christmas, her husband, chief deputy Dwight Bryant, looks into the shooting of two trailer-park brothers. Deborah's countless nieces and nephews pop up frequently, and Deborah, with her realistic and appealing combination of common sense and a sharp ear, pulls clues from the kids' random comments. Mallory's less popular half-brother, her slighted best friend, and all the boys she toyed with are all possible bad guys, though how the one-car accident was orchestrated is a mystery in itself. As usual, interludes with relatives overshadow the investigating, but of course the warm and authentic family relationships are the heart of this evergreen series.

In her 16th Judge Deborah Knott mystery, Edgar-winning author Margaret Maron focuses on solid family relationships, affection, and open communication between generations. A popular North Carolina cheerleader is killed in a one-car crash on her way home from a party. Another crash, months earlier, killed two students, crippling a third. Deborah's husband, Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant, doubts these were accidents. When two brothers are murdered, an investigation begins in earnest. C.J. Critt's performance is appealing, full of life and youthful energy. Critt is amusing as Deborah juggles work with preparing for her enormous family's holiday gathering and completely believable as Dwight and Deborah garner information from the constant texting of their teenaged relatives. An intriguing mystery read by an engaging narrator makes this fine listening. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine