Book Review: Rituals of the Season

Reviewed By: Luke Croll - RAM

[4 stars]

Rituals of the Season Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Margaret Maron
Class/Genre: Mystery Woman Main Character Police Procedural Legal Setting
Series: Deborah Knott # 11
Time Warner, August 2005, 303 pages, 23.95USD

In the latest addition to Margaret Maron’s Judge Deborah Knott series, we find the judge and her fiancé, Deputy Sheriff Dwight Bryant, preparing for their Christmas wedding. However, when a young and ambitious colleague is brutally murdered, the couple find themselves involved in a case that threatens to occupy all of their time and put their marriage on the backburner.

As ever, Margaret Maron has written a fun and enjoyable tale. The story is narrated from dual perspectives, in that we get to hear about the developing investigation from both Bryant and Judge Knott. In addition, Maron has featured an enormous cast of characters, including Knott’s vast family members. Her chatty, friendly style of writing, as well as her reproduction of the southern style of speech, make for an easy read. Whilst having a character shot to death would seem to rule out ‘Rituals of the Season’ fitting into the cozy genre, you could easily be fooled into thinking that this book were a cozy.

Although Maron has written ten novels featuring Knott before this one, the book can still be read as a standalone novel. Maron provides enough information on the characters and past events, as well as a genealogical tree, for the reader to be able to pick up the book and read about Deborah Knott as though they have known her forever. Another success for Maron and a delight for fans of the series.

Luke Croll - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

Luke Croll - Conference interpreter and translator
http://lukecroll.translatorscafe.com