Good murder plot, interesting location although I felt I learned more than I wanted to know about North Carolina's fishing industry, coastal development etc. To me there was a definite flavor of "As you know," type of dialogue. I had never heard of "Down East" as applying to anything NC so I did learn something new. But all in all, a tight story that doesn't stray far off point, some good suspects, and a believable ending.
#3 in the Judge Deborah Knott series, this one taking place on the Crystal Shore of North Carolina where Deborah has gone to sit in for a judge in another county while she spends time at her cousins' seaside island cottage. Before she knows what's going on, Judge Knott is standing over the dead body of a neighbor who's been shot. Though determined not to get embroiled in the investigation, it isn't long before Deborah is hearing far too much local gossip and finds her interest piqued. When she discovers a second body a few days later and uncovers some other illegal goings-on, she begins to wonder what information is connected to what, and which are red herrings. Enjoyable, light read though all the southern dialogue with the "ya'lling" and "Daddying" gets old after a bit for this northern girl. LOL I still like this series, though!
From back of book:
Judge Deborah Knott is taking a working vacation on North Carolina's lush Crystal Coast, where a centuries-old way of life is as endangered as loons and sea turtles. The frustration and fear the local fisherfolk feel toward the well-to-do week-end crowd and the developers is palpable, and on the bench and off, Deborah can't escape the soon-to-be bloody conflict. On a picture-perfect Sunday she goes looking for clams--and finds the body of Andy Bynum, a peacemaker between the groups. Then the violence escalates, a lover from her past falls under suspicion, and Judge Knott is swept into a dangerous riptide of old grudges and new greed...one that could very well take her life.
Judge Deborah Knott is taking a working vacation on North Carolina's lush Crystal Coast, where a centuries-old way of life is as endangered as loons and sea turtles. The frustration and fear the local fisherfolk feel toward the well-to-do week-end crowd and the developers is palpable, and on the bench and off, Deborah can't escape the soon-to-be bloody conflict. On a picture-perfect Sunday she goes looking for clams--and finds the body of Andy Bynum, a peacemaker between the groups. Then the violence escalates, a lover from her past falls under suspicion, and Judge Knott is swept into a dangerous riptide of old grudges and new greed...one that could very well take her life.
