Three-Day Town

A Deborah Knott Mystery

By: Margaret Maron

Narrated by: C.J. Critt

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Margaret Maron’s meticulously crafted Judge Deborah Knott mysteries display the work of a master. In the series’ 17th entry, Deborah and Sheriff’s Deputy Dwight Bryant are on their way to New York City for a belated honeymoon. Once in the city, however, they get swept up in a mystery involving a stolen package and a murdered doorman.

©2011 Margaret Maron (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Another satisfying mystery

Listening to CJ Critt reading Margaret Maron is such a treat! I prefer the stories that are set in NC but meeting Sigrid Harald in this novel, set in NY City, was worth leaving the South!

Disappointed...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The Deborah Knott series is one of my favorites. However, this was one that I could have skipped. I would have liked to see Deborah and Dwight work together as a team with a little more time spent on their personalities/relationship, with less spent on all the various NY characters who seemed to get more time than they were worth (such as the NY detective and her roommate) while not advancing the story.

Has Three-Day Town turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. I'll still read the next in the series.

What does C.J. Critt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is by far my favorite reader. I've tried new authors because she was the reader.

Could you see Three-Day Town being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No. But there are other stories in the series that would work.

Deborah and Sigrid in same book

Margaret Maron always delivers a well-written story with excellent characterization, and this is no exception, albeit not one of the strongest entries in either the Deborah Knott or Sigrid Harald series. I read this book on paper when it came out last fall and found it a bit flat and the Sigrid character non-engaging. Then, I read the Sigrid books over the past few months before listening to Three-Day Town. I found it much more interesting with the background on Sigrid fresh in my mind. I think that those who know only Deborah will be disappointed as she is not really the focus here, and frankly seems a bit stupid.

Fans of the either or both series will want to read this one, but I don't recommend it as a stand-alone. It's an interesting update on the characters from both series, but does not fare well as a stand-alone. The mystery is one of the Maron's weakest and least plausible.

The final scene with Dwight and Deborah on the train home was weird--and rather icky. I'm going to try to forget it.

CJ Critt does a very good job of narrating, as usual.

As good as ever

I don't like the ones as much that don't take place in the country and talk about Deborah's family, but this was still as good a book, and probably has broader appeal; I absolutely love the series, and it definitely holds its own; too, it would get boring if every book was the same!

One of the best yet!

I've read all of the Judge Knott series and this one was especially good. I enjoyed the characters it this one very much and would like to see more of Seghird Harrell again

Start to finish enjoyment

I’m listening to these books from start to finish so of course it seems Deborah has been through a ridiculous amount of deadly situations…but isn’t that what you would expect from a mystery novel series. They are all wonderful with so much information. I know some criticize C J Critt, but I love her take on Deborah and feel it shows how Judges have a human life too with curiosity, ups and downs, family and friends. Margaret Maron was well versed in North Carolina, legal matters and has kept me going from one book to
the next…quite a gift!

Never Disappointed By Maron

Where does Three-Day Town rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Read these books to relax and refer to known things, since I am a Southerner. Not surprised much in these books but they keep my interest and I like Ms Maron's knowledge. I always learn something from listening to her. This time I learned some new art terms. The good writters in this world know human nature very well, and Ms Maron's understanding and tolerance for human foilbles sits well with me.All her books are good and this one is more interesting to me since I just got back from NYC and spent time in very great grocery stores. I rented an apartment and when Judge Knott's husband heads for the wonderful grocery and wants to cook and eat in, I was sold. Would recommend these books if you want comfort, not too much gratuitous violence and a few laughs along the way.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that Judge Maron and hubby decided to take it easy and realize that getting to know the peiple there and not trying to see everything in such a massive city has to offer in the three days they had was very impressive. The author has an outlook very similar to mine.

What about C.J. Critt’s performance did you like?

Again when you are into a story, the narrator disappears from your thoughts which means they are excellent and as they should be. Perfect for the task at hand.

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

No extremes here for me, but I am older and surpises come a little harder for me. The author had great skills to impart empathy for the characters. I am always ready for the next book as I empathize with this author for many reasons.

Any additional comments?

Ready for the next book. Ms Maron makes you car about her characters.

Great Series

C. J. Critt makes the characters come to life, it's hard to believe they all come from the same voice!

Can't Get Past The Narration

I very much enjoy Margaret Maron's books. I've read them all and have enjoyed each one. I thought listening to them would be a pleasure as well but I'm sorry to say I cannot 'hear' Deborah in C.J. Critt's narration. She sounds like a New England transplant, not the "Bootlegger's Daughter". There's not a trace of any Southern accent. Curiously however Dwight sounds quite Southern. So I will stick to Margaret Maron in print.

I went with a neutral rating for the story since I only got about 1/3 of the way through when I decided the printed version would better suit.

Finally brought the 2 series together

If you could sum up Three-Day Town in three words, what would they be?

Well written, well narrated - as expected.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Deborah, but the secondary characters are good as well

What about C.J. Critt’s performance did you like?

Love C.J. Critt. Would probably like listening to her read the phonebook.

Any additional comments?

Contrived plot, but it works.