R.I.P. Margaret Maron

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R.I.P. Margaret Maron

1rosalita
Bewerkt: feb 25, 2021, 12:33 pm

I was so sad to read this morning that one of my favorite authors, Margaret Maron, has died from complications of a stroke. I adore her mystery series featuring North Carolina judge Deborah Knott and her sprawling family. If you haven't read any of it, the first book is Bootlegger's Daughter and is well worth your time.

I didn't vibe as much with her other series featuring NYPD detective Sigrid Harald, but I know others who loved it, with its insight into the art world (I believe Maron's husband was an artist, which lent authenticity to that portrayal).

Some details on her passing: https://poisonedpen.com/2021/02/24/margaret-maron-rip/

Does anyone have a favorite Maron book or memory they'd like to share?

2rhinemaiden
feb 25, 2021, 11:20 am

Margaret Maron was a friend... I always loved seeing Margaret and Joe at mystery conferences, being on panels with Margaret... and all the good talk we shared. She was the epitome of southern charm and generosity.

My favorite of her Deborah Knott books is Slow Dollar... which I just pulled from my bookshelf to re-read.

It's been sad time... losing mystery writing friends... Sue Henry, Parnell Hall, and now Margaret Maron.

3rosalita
feb 25, 2021, 11:56 am

>2 rhinemaiden: Please accept my condolences on the loss of your friend.
She was the epitome of southern charm and generosity.

That is exactly the impression I had from afar; it's gratifying to know that she was the same in real life.

I enjoyed all of the Deborah Knott books but I really liked the ones that spotlighted North Carolina's unique flavor, like Killer Market about the furniture industry and Uncommon Clay featuring the pottery artisans. Home Fires also stands out in my mind.

I think it's time to do a chronological re-read of the series.

4lilithcat
feb 25, 2021, 12:31 pm

Oh, what a shame. I truly enjoyed her Deborah Knott series. They were as much about place as about people, and I like that.

5rosalita
feb 25, 2021, 12:32 pm

>4 lilithcat: Well put! Place (and the characters) were the main appeal for me as well.

6gmathis
feb 25, 2021, 3:09 pm

Thank you for sharing. I loved the Deborah Knott series because (a) they were recommended to me by a dear friend and mentor and (b) mystery or no mystery, they were just plain good writing!

7Jim53
feb 25, 2021, 3:14 pm

I met Margaret at Bouchercon and she was very gracious. I was not that much of a Deborah Knott fan, but I loved some of her short stories, including one that was all dialog.

8rosalita
feb 25, 2021, 4:09 pm

>6 gmathis: I really enjoyed Maron's writing style — never stilted or forced. Almost conversational.

>7 Jim53: How nice that you got to meet her, Jim. Somewhere around here I have a copy of Shoveling Smoke, which is a collection of at least some of her short stories. I should see if I can dig it up and re-read it.

9laytonwoman3rd
mrt 24, 2021, 8:40 pm

I really enjoyed all of Maron's novels, including the Sigrid Harald series. I hated to see her bring the Deborah Knott series to a close, but isn't it nice that she did get to wrap it up to her own satisfaction, unlike Sue Grafton, for instance, who didn't live long enough to finish the alphabet for Kinsey Millhone.

10gypsysmom
mrt 25, 2021, 12:13 pm

>1 rosalita: Thanks for recommending her books as I have not read any. Went to my library's catalogue and found that Bootlegger's Daughter was available as an audiobook free download.

11rosalita
mrt 25, 2021, 4:20 pm

>9 laytonwoman3rd: Yes, that missing "Z is for Z____" will haunt me forever!

>10 gypsysmom: You're welcome! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.