Sand Sharks: A Deborah Knott Mystery

Sand Sharks is a undulating mystery with several plotlines running at the same time. In addition, there are very specific descriptions of the Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach area that are entirely accurate. I like Margaret Maron's writing style as she describes Deborah Knox, the lead character along with detailed history of her family and friends. This author drew me back to her books because they integrate North Carolina history and culture with the plotline of each book. I will continue to read this author's works because each one is uniquely entertaining.

I have read all of the Judge Knott books, I'm a huge fan of Maron's, and I live in NC. However, I just couldn't get into this novel. A lot of it had to do with CJ Critt's sleepy voice. I found myself thinking, "get to the point already". My two star-rating also came from the fact that there were too many details pulling me away from the main focus. I think this book would be better read than listened to. Plus, in this novel, Deorah Knott didn't seem like her good old Southern girl self.
I don't plan on finishing listening to this audiobook and I'm sorry I used my monthly credit on it. Read Judge Knott's earlier stories - far more intriguing.

The story and narrator were interesting and engaging. The narrator, C.J. Critt is very talented in differentiating the voices of the characters.

This is not the best book in the Deborah Knott series, but it is a good story, well written and I enjoyed reading the print version. However, the narration by CJ Critt is awful. She hesitates ever so slightly in the middle of sentences thereby putting the emphasis on the wrong words. Her so-called southern accent is painful to listen to, and she makes a lot of characters sound like idiots with her exaggerated intonations.

I have become so attached to the Knott clan that I wanted Deborah to hurry and get back home from her judges conference. Alas, the entire story takes place at the conference. Still, a good mystery and, as always, well narrated.

I discovered this series recently and loved it right away.

Main character Debrorah Knott appeals to me. She is smart and interesting. She is complex, but well adjusted.

In this book, as in others in the series, I find a very strong sense of place. I can "see" the locations in my mind. I'm not sure how Margaret Maron does this. There aren't long, detailed paragraphs describing the setting. And I've never been to the location where the story takes place. Yet with some well chosen words, Margaret Maron takes me there.

The mystery and the characters in the story held my attention. This is the kind of story that I would listen to in one or two sessions if I had the time.

Narrator C.J. Critt is excellent. Her voice is smooth, her diction is clear and her inflections add interest. Her reading adds interest, but is not distracting.