Last Lessons of Summer

By: Margaret Maron

Narrated by: Kate Forbes

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Margaret Maron is The New York Times best-selling author of the acclaimed Deborah Knott series of southern mysteries. In a rare departure from the Knott series, Maron ratchets up the suspense in the dark and captivating stand-alone mystery, Last Lessons of Summer. Amy Stedman is the young heiress of a prosperous children's book publishing company. She arrives in North Carolina from New York City to clear the family house of her grandmother's belongings and hopefully find clues to her murder, which remains unsolved. While cleaning and rummaging through the woman's dusty possessions, Amy reflects on her own unfulfilling life. Married to a vain man who doesn't love her so much as value her family's lucrative legacy, Amy realizes that their relationship strangely echoes her parents' unfortunate marriage. Soon after giving birth to her, Amy's mother Maxine committed suicide under suspicious circumstances. Amy's father, a brash businessman and unapologetic opportunist, fostered deceit and deeply seated feelings of doubt in the family. Within the walls of this old house, dark recollections of unnatural death are beginning to permeate the air, adding a premonition of menace to Amy's increasingly troubled thoughts. Was Maxine's death really a suicide? And if it wasn't, what terrible secrets may be lying in wait for Amy?

©2014 Margaret Maron (P)2016 Recorded Books

Critic Reviews

"The book builds to a climax that hits like a hot bullet blast." (Publishers Weekly)

Last Lessons of Summer

A satisfying book with an appealing small town flavor. I stayed interested even though the main character is a little weak and irritatingly "nice." She is balanced, however, by stronger supporting characters.

3 people found this helpful

ok-worth listening, but not the best

I enjoy some of her earlier books better, but this book was worth reading (listening to). My only real objection is with the reader- she repeatedly mispronounced the town of Beaufort, NC. In N.C., it is pronounced "Bo-fort". Seems as if the reader would at least attempt to ascertain the correct pronunciations. Characters, as usual, were pretty well-developed. I miss "Judge Deborah", though!

2 people found this helpful

Margaret Maron can write the best stories

Really enjoyed this audible book! Margaret Maron never disappoints!! Easy mystery - I listened to this while packing to move to the area where the story takes place. Would enjoy meeting Mrs Maron some time and tell her of my enjoyment of her books Sigmun to this one - all good!

Another fantastic book by Margaret Maron

Excellent book! I love Margaret Maron's books! In each of her books one feels like the characters are folks you know. I hope there will be a follow up to this book!