Customer Reviews

Slow Dollar (Deborah Knott Mysteries)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the few mystery series going today that, even with this, the 9th entry, just keeps getting better. There has been only one book (Killer Market) in this series that I found to be even a bit lacking and that is quite unusual in a series that has gone on this long. In this episode, Judge Deborah Knott goes to the local carnival with her friends and discovers a dead body. As she works to solve the murder with her friend Dwight, we are exposed to more of her large family, but it really never gets confusing. Maron manages to make it clear who belongs to whom, even with the added relatives that this tale brings into the picture. The mystery is interesting and hard to solve and, just as importantly, there is progress in Deborah's personal life that is very satisfying to read. I know that Maron's next book is a stand-alone (neither a Knott nor a Harald book...will she ever write more Sigrid Harald books?) but I will definitely buy it. I just hope she returns to North Carolina soon.

Cozy mysteries are really of two types: Novels in the traditional cozy style whose main emphasis is a mystery and its resolution (e.g., Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers) and novels in the more modern cozy format, whose main emphasis is on social interactions (primarily between family, friends, and coworkers) with the mystery being a smaller component of the exposition. This is definitely a cozy in the latter form. Remove the additional social interactions, and this mystery could be presented in a novella or even a short story, although not as interestingly.

If you find modern cozies appealing, you will certainly find this an interesting book. Here, self-assured Judge Deborah Knott finds a dead worker while visiting the annual Harvest Festival Carnival. The reason for this death and the identity of the killer is the primary mystery. The preface provides a family tree of the Knott family, which is absolutely needed, as the Knotts are a large family, many of whom are presented in this novel. Readers will find themselves frequently referencing this chart to keep track of Knott family members. Fortunately, the number of carnival workers and additional characters is relatively small, but it may still pay to keep some brief notes of who they are as you read. There is also an informative addendum with a glossary of carnival terms, e.g., "cutting up jackpots", "plush", "rake `em and scrape `em" that are used in the novel.

I felt the story started somewhat slowly, but it quickly caught my interest, and as events unfolded it became harder to put down. Although the story is told in the first person, in terms that will probably appeal mostly to female readers, e.g., there are probably more descriptions of Judge Knott's clothing choices than would interest male readers, this novel should none-the-less appeal to both sexes.

The novel reads quickly and easily, and provides a very enjoyable way to relax.

#9 of the Deborah Knott series- The "carny" comes to town and with it a murder. Deborah is the one to find the victim. A long lost relative appears in this one as well. This book is a turning point for Deborah and the series. A surprise to the reader! I am starting to really enjoy this series. It took several of them to get there but I am glad I did not give up. The most notable aspect of this series is the author's way of highlighting something distinct about North Carolina in every book and weaving a mystery along with it.

I only recently discovered Margaret Maron and her delightful southern judge, Deborah Knott. I'm now trying to catch up on early books in the series. I liked Slow Dollar.

I'm so excited to discover an author that I have never read before. I couldn't put down Margaret Maron's mystery novel, Slow Dollar. I loved the way she introduced me to the Carnival Slang with her glossary in the back of the book. Slow Dollar is an intriguing plot with a murder taken place in a Traveling Carnival. Her protagonist Judge Deborah Knott a quick witted North Carolina Judge, who visits a ragtag carnival and discovers a murder most foul. Judge Deborah attends opening night at the annual Harvest Festival as a Judge in a yam contest. The night before the contest she strolls through the midway and encounters her past with the sights and smells of the Carnival. Half the Colleton County has come out to ride the Tilt-O-Whirl and Ferris wheel, throw quarters at a plate pitch. A Cacophony of music, clacking machines, and hucksters greet
her. The air is sweetly redolent of hot grease, fried dough, grilled meats and spun sugar...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, bedazzled by the bright and colorful chasing lights.

With a murder on the midway Deborah discovers more than a body. Deborah's discovery of her family connection to the murder victim has unleashed dark secrets of her large family, that without meaning to Deborah brings to light in her quest to solve this murder as family loyalties war with judicial responsibilities. I love her new love interest in Dwight. I actually know a North Carolina couple who started their engagement in exactly the same way as Deborah and Dwight have done. Maybe North Carolina knows something the rest of us could emulate. A marriage not of hot passion but of long term respect and enduring love that goes from a small spark to a roaring inferno of emotion and love. I can't wait to read all of the Margaret Moran books I can find this summer. Reviewed by Virginia Degner, author of Without Consent, an Eloquent Book due to be released in the fall of 2010.

SLOW DOLLAR by Margaret Maron returns to her fan base and gives us an excellent example as to why we've remained loyal after some disappointments.
Judge Knot goes to the fair and is whisked back to her childhood. While snooping around in a murder she discovers previously recognized family members as if she needs to add to the clan. For the reader I hope the see the carnival return to town.
Nash Black, author of Indie finalists WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and HAINTS.

I really liked this one. It was clear that Maron had fun writing it.

i really like this book! it's great to discover a new mystery author.