Book Review: Rituals of the Season

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

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

Margaret Maron's Judge Deborah Knott is back in a new story. With the preparations for her big Christmas wedding and the preliminary socializing with her family, friends and co-workers, Deborah's life is busier than ever when she and the rest of the local legal community is stunned by the murder of one of their own. Several possible leads quickly came to the attention of investigators. The victim had recently shown some interest in the long-ago case of a convicted murderer who, still claiming innocence, was about to be executed. On the other hand, the solution to the murder might be found in much more recent incidents, much closer to home, among the Colleton County legal community itself.

Maron provides her usual warm portrayal of Deborah, her extended family and small town life in the southern US. The plot is satisfyingly complicated, and the solution is plausible. I thought the details of the wedding and the related socializing got in the way of the mystery, but many readers may consider these important parts of the story of Deborah and her family.

Cheryl - RAM

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