Designated Daughters

By: Margaret Maron

Narrated by: Margaret Maron

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

When Judge Deborah Knott is summoned to her ailing Aunt Rachel's bedside, she assumes the worst. Thankfully when she arrives at the hospice center she learns that Rachel hasn't passed; in fact, the dying woman is awake. Surrounded by her children, her extended family, and what seems like half of Colleton County, a semi-conscious Rachel breaks weeks of pained silence with snippets of stories as randomly pieced together as a well-worn patchwork quilt. But the Knott family's joy quickly gives way to shock: Less than an hour later, Aunt Rachel is found dead in her bed, smothered with a pillow.

Who would kill a woman on her deathbed? Was it an act of mercy, or murder? As Deborah and her husband, Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant, investigate they cross paths with an unlikely set of suspects: Rachel's longtime minister; her neighbor, the respected local doctor; the friendly single father who often sought her advice; and perhaps the most puzzling party of all, the Designated Daughters, a support group for caregivers that Rachel's own daughter belongs to.

Soon Deborah and Dwight realize that the key to solving this case is hidden in Rachel's mysterious final words. Her mixed-up memories harbored a dark secret - a secret that someone close to them is determined to bury forever.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2014 Margaret Maron (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

In MWA Grand Master Maron's outstanding 19th mystery featuring judge Deborah Knott of North Carolina's Colleton County (after 2012's The Buzzard Table), Deborah's elderly aunt, Rachel Morton, lies near death in a hospice. Rachel attracts a crowd of friends and relatives as she talks of "babies, fires, and unpaid debts, of someone who beat his wife and of cowbirds and vegetables and broken jars." A distraction allows a killer enough time to slip into Rachel's room and smother her with a pillow, thus ending her ramblings, which apparently concealed deadly secrets. Unraveling those secrets - some 60 years old - is a slow, difficult process with lots of suspects among friends and family. Maron achieves a delicate balance as she explores differences between mistakes, sins, and crimes, and shows that justice is not always arrived at by conventional means. Humor (e.g., Deborah outfoxes an unscrupulous auctioneer) and social issues (e.g., the difficult role of caregivers to the elderly) add to the warmth of a large family with all its foibles, squabbles, and quirks. ( Publishers Weekly)

Designated Daughters

What did you love best about Designated Daughters?

The same as I have loved in all the Deborah Knott books-the story and the character development. Margaret Maron tells a wonderfully interesting story.

What other book might you compare Designated Daughters to and why?

All of the other Deborah Knott books. Why? Same as above-story and character development.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Margaret Maron?

I have mixed emotions. I was disappointed when I learned C.J. Critt wasn't the reader, but I did enjoy the story as told by Ms. Maron. That being said, I have listened to the entire series - more than once - and C.J. Critt has become the voice of the characters, almost like an old friend. Although I enjoyed the book, and I think Ms. Maron is a good reader, I really missed the familiar voices.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Find books so much better than movies, just don't see how any movie could do this series justice.

Here Comes the Judge-Again.

What did you love best about Designated Daughters?

Maron is known for her ability to create a good mystery surrounded by descriptions of family, friends and food-all Southern style. Essentially a cozy, this book meanders through the small town of Dobbs and the lives of Judge Knott and her husband.

What other book might you compare Designated Daughters to and why?

While essentially a "cozy" Maron's books have a little more grit than the average cozy. She provides an entertainng view into the vagaries of small town life.

Have you listened to any of Margaret Maron’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I have heard Ms Maron read one of her books. While her voice reminds me of ladies I have known growing up in the deep South the professional narration of the other books keeps the story moving a little more smoothly. (I feel a little guilty for feeling this way).

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Many of the interactions with Judge Knott's elderly friends and realtives touched me deeply as I remembered my relatives who have made such an impression on me and who I miss greatly. Her descriptions of family dinners and Southern cooking were wonderful to imagine.

Bring back CJ

For 18 books, CJ Critt was the voice of Judge










For 18 books CJ Critt was the voice of Judge
KNott, now a 40 year old. Margaret Maron is a great writer but all of a sudden the judge sounds like she is 70. Also a lot harder to understand.

Good story but let C.J. Critt read, NOT Maron

Where does Designated Daughters rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Story was good. I've read a lot of good books so I'd say it's in the top several hundred. I actually liked it probably in the top 5 of Margaret Maron books I've read -- Slow Dollar is my favorite, and I also especially liked Three-Day Town & Winter's Child. Not so much The Buzzard's Table. I've read them all up to the latest - which I don't plan to buy since Maron again is reading instead of C.J. Critt.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Deborah, of course, but Aunt Zell and Marcus create the scene that made Deborah my favorite -- for their late-night incursion into Aunt Sally's house. I really love Marcus. Deborah ought to find a way to help his family so he doesn't have to shoplift dresses for his little sisters. Honorable mention to Will the auctioneer for helping the Designated Daughters who were taken by a crooked auctioneer.

What didn’t you like about Margaret Maron’s performance?

It took me 3x starting this book to persist with it because of Margaret Maron's voice. I didn't like her voice at all compared w/C.J. Critt's who is, to me, the voice of Deborah Knott. I finally got used to it--good drawl but still prefer Critt. If I'm not mistaken, Maron reads the next book too. I won't be buying it--on strike till return of Critt.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Actually many: Rachel's room full of family and friends; auctioneer Will's helping the designated daughters recoup the silver tea service profit; Deborah's chat on the bench with Mr. Collins...

Any additional comments?

LET C.J. CRITT READ THESE BOOKS!

Narrator Disappointing

I have loved every book until this one. The author should stick to writing. The main character is supposed around 40 but the narration made her sound like someones great grandmother.

True North Carolina accent

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This story hits home with me as I am currently one of "the daughters" - caring for my parents (87 & 92), I can truly say Ms Maron captures the experience and all the emotions- this is a wonderful addition to the series.

What about Margaret Maron’s performance did you like?

Margaret Maron narrates for the 1st time. The stye here is more straight reading rather than performance, but I appreciate hearing a true North Carolina voice. Her soft tones and cadence brings a different dimension. This is old time story telling - I feel like I'm sitting outside of the tobacco barn listening to my mom & her brothers and sisters talking.

Any additional comments?

Wonderful story

Please bring back CJ Critt.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator... I have listened to the Deborah Knott series by Margaret Maron for several years. I found the narrator, while a wonderful author, to be very distracting to the story for me. Her voice does not fit the character of Deborah at all.

Would you be willing to try another one of Margaret Maron’s performances?

Not likely unless it is narrated by CK Critt, who I identify with as Deborah Knott.

Please bring CJ Critt back!!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Another good story from Ms Maron, but she really shouldn't be reading her books. Her voice just isn't suited to Deborah Knott stories- it would be great if CJ Critt would come back to the series!

Would you be willing to try another book from Margaret Maron? Why or why not?

Always

Would you be willing to try another one of Margaret Maron’s performances?

No

Reader disconnect

CJ Critt has been Deborah Knott for too
long. Won't listen to another one without her narration. Sorry. The narrator can make or break an audiobook.

Loved the book

The story is very well written about real life situations and the consequences of behavior.