Book Review: Winter's Child

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

Winter's Child     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Margaret Maron
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character
Series: Deborah Knott # 12
Mysterious Press, 2006

Judge Deborah Knott and her new husband Dwight Bryant have just begun settling into married life when Dwight receives one of those last- minute calls for help with a school assignment from Cal, his son by his first marriage. On arriving in the small Virginia home town where his son and former wife now live, he discovers that she has vanished. Then Cal disappears as well, and Deborah arrives to join in the search. Meanwhile, back in North Carolina, the shooting death of a local ne'er-do-well has some puzzling features.

Maron's latest installment in Deborah's story has the rich detail readers have come to expect from her books. The narrow society of the remnants of the old families in the small Virginia town was painted with perhaps a slightly too critical brush - I have some sympathy with attempts to keep one's difficulties private, although little for those who would spend money they don't have to do so. But small town helpfulness and the sense of connectiveness and history were also evident. This book also gives more insight into Dwight's character, as the reader learns more about his earlier marriage and life.

Overall, this is an excellent addition to Maron's series, and will be enjoyed by all her fans.

Cheryl - RAM

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