Unchecked urbanization has begun to eclipse the North Carolina countryside. As farms give way to shoddy mansions, farmers struggle to slow the rampant growth. In the shadows, corrupt county commissioners use their political leverage to make profitable deals with new developers. A murder will pull Judge Deborah Knott and Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant into the middle of this bitter dispute and force them to confront some dark realities. ( )

Deb'rah takes us on a look into the sleazy world of real estate chicanery and blackmail when the chairperson of the county commissioners apparent suicide is found to be murder. This self-made successful woman may have paid the price of her wheeling, dealing, and extortion so there are many suspects.
A missing flash drive causes another death and some dangerous intervention by the Judge. Keezie seems to be engaged in funny business with a sleazy preacher. Another facet of old-time values eroding in this good episode of this fine series ( )

Local county commissioner Candace Bradshaw is found dead in whats first believed to be a suicide but soon becomes apparent is murder. Judge Deborah Knott becomes interested in the case partly because her husband Dwight is investigating it. Much of the plot revolves around the building boom in North Carolina and the pressures with city moving into the country. A side plot involves Deborah's father Kezzie and his involvement with a questionable preacher. A return to form after the last, below par, entry in the series. Time is spent on Deborah's family and court cases but most of the book is solving a mystery. I like this series and was especially glad Kezzie played a larger role this time. he's an awesome character. ( )

As usual, I enjoyed this Margaret Maron mystery set in the North Carolina countryside just east of Raleigh. The story was well paced, and the performer did a nice job of the audiobook reading. ( )

southern,Amazon received