Uncommon Clay

By: Margaret Maron

Narrated by: C.J. Critt

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Margaret Maron, winner of the Edgar, Anthony, Agatha, and Macavity Awards, has reached renowned success with the Deborah Knott Mystery series. Uncommon Clay delves into the intriguing world of the Nordans, a deep-rooted family of talented yet cursed North Carolina potters. Judge Knott is filling in for another judge who suffered a mild stroke. When she decrees that the divorcing Nordan couple split their valuable earthenware collection, the husband winds up dead, in his own kiln! Many people have motives and the clay wheel swirls with suspects. C.J. Critt's narration heightens the suspense in this family's story of long-time grudges, murder, unbearable pain, and loss. This exciting novel is as rich as the red clay pottery of North Carolina.

Don't miss the other books in the Deborah Knott mystery series.

©2014 Margaret Maron (P)2004 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"An exceptionally gripping tale of hate, jealousy and murder." (Publishers Weekly)

Htrsy light reading as always

What did you like best about this story?

unexpected ending

Which character – as performed by C.J. Critt – was your favorite?

Judge Knott

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

Just another book in this excellent series

Any additional comments?

I have read most of the Knott series st least twice because they are relaxing, well written and characters grow in their lives -

A fun book to listen to.

In book eight of the series, Judge Knott is a visiting Judge to a neighboring county. She is overseeing a divorce trial of two famous local potters who have been married for twenty-five years. The case is very complicated; then, James, the husband, is murdered.

Maron has her usual down home wit and humor in the “who-done it” story. Maron did a great deal of research about the world of potting and clays to write this story. The author’s portrayal of human relationships raises the novel above the usual fare in the genre.

Maron writes a great mystery, her books are fun to read plus I always learn something new about a North Carolina industry. Last time it was about the furniture industry, this time pottery. C. J. Critt does an excellent job narrating this series.

Just a bit predictable

I learned a lot about potters and their pride in their techniques. Overall, good listening.

Loved the art pottery industry setting...

I am really hocked on Margaret Maron books at the moment. Her research into the settings for her novels makes the books informative as well as providing mysteries that leave you surprised. C.J. Critt's narration is a real asset to these fascinating mysteries.

Great!

The Judge Knot series is well written. the characters are well formed, after reading just one Judge Knot book you feel you know the county and people, after a couple, you would swear they true exist and you have met them in person.

Loved the story and the narrator!

Another in the Deborah Knott series. Long time favorite author only made better by a great narrator! This story has a wonderful background of mountains and pottery, family and lust, power and greed! All the ingredients required to make a great read... and a mystery.

Love it

This is another fine mystery. Maron gives you just enough hints that the reader can figure out the killer at the same time Judge Knott does. I really like the realistic courtroom scenes. Appreciate that it more realistic than Perry Mason or any other tv legal drama. I love mysteries and for the last year Maron has been my favorite.

Review from a hobby potter

This book was so great!! I loved the research that went into it and hearing the correct terminology and know how of making pots. I listened to it while throwing on the wheel.

Good characters, but way too obvious plot

I like this writer and her recurring characters. This book also has some interesting stuff about the pottery craft. But the elements of the mystery (and its solution) are hammered in repeatedly. I was tempted just to fast forward to get it over with. Not her best.