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Sigrid Harald #10
Take Out
NYPD Detective Sigrid Harald is still reeling from the untimely death of her lover, acclaimed painter Oscar Nauman, when she is called to investigate the poisoning of two homeless men in the West Village. As she examines the mysterious deaths, Sigrid uncovers a grim neighborhood scandal surrounding two influential women: one a haughty mafia widow, the other a retired opera prima donna, both with dark secrets they've kept under wraps for decades. Was the poison really meant for the homeless men, or were they merely unintended victims as the decades-long feud between the two women comes to a head?
And still, Sigrid can't stop wondering what brought her late lover so urgently across the country to the winding mountain road that took his life--until she meets a man who may hold the answers she seeks . . . .
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 27, 2017
267 people are currently reading
1737 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Maron
116 books758 followersBorn and raised in central North Carolina, Margaret Maron lived in Italy before returning to the USA. In addition to a collection of short stories she also authored numerous mystery novels.
Her works have been translated into seven languages her Bootlegger's Daughter, a Washington Post Bestseller won Edgar Anthony, Agatha, and Macavity awards.
She was a past president of Sisters in Crime and of the American Crime writers' league, and a director on the national board for Mystery Writers of America.
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Her works have been translated into seven languages her Bootlegger's Daughter, a Washington Post Bestseller won Edgar Anthony, Agatha, and Macavity awards.
She was a past president of Sisters in Crime and of the American Crime writers' league, and a director on the national board for Mystery Writers of America.
Like Margaret Maron on Facebook
Follow Margaret Maron on Twitter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
July 11, 2017
Oh what a pleasure it was to read this book! There were no out-in-left-field twists or turns, no OMG how did I miss that. Just an old fashioned police procedural featuring beloved characters from the 1990's. Not the least bit boring despite "just" being a police procedural.
This is the final novel featuring Lt. Sigrid Harald who is still recovering from the death of lover Oscar Nauman. The novel with her and Judge Knott, Three Day Town, chronologically has not yet taken place.
Two men are found dead on a bench, poisoned by food left by do-gooders. Each man has a connection to two very old ladies who live on a near-by street. Each of the old ladies, one the widow of a mafia don, the other a world famous opera singer have reason to wish one of the victims dead. There are lots of surprises in this book, it's just that each is logical and does not come from left field, leaving the reader feeling conned.
With a few deft sentences Maron brings the secondary characters to life, both those from Harald's detective team and those from her new art world.
The sad life of the homeless and near homeless victims was was explored with compassion. Visits to homeless shelters where the volunteers could become clients on a moments notice was particularly sad and thought provoking.
The two main suspects and their worlds of being an opera diva and mafia widow were well drawn by Maron. There were also interesting peeks into the world of fine art and publishing.
It's been a long wait for another Harald book, sad this is the last one. I just read an interview with Maron and she again said this was the last Harald book and that she was also finished with the Deborah Knott series.
No gunfights, no car chases, just a very well done exploration of how so much can go wrong in life and how sometimes a start toward recovery can be made.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
This is the final novel featuring Lt. Sigrid Harald who is still recovering from the death of lover Oscar Nauman. The novel with her and Judge Knott, Three Day Town, chronologically has not yet taken place.
Two men are found dead on a bench, poisoned by food left by do-gooders. Each man has a connection to two very old ladies who live on a near-by street. Each of the old ladies, one the widow of a mafia don, the other a world famous opera singer have reason to wish one of the victims dead. There are lots of surprises in this book, it's just that each is logical and does not come from left field, leaving the reader feeling conned.
With a few deft sentences Maron brings the secondary characters to life, both those from Harald's detective team and those from her new art world.
The sad life of the homeless and near homeless victims was was explored with compassion. Visits to homeless shelters where the volunteers could become clients on a moments notice was particularly sad and thought provoking.
The two main suspects and their worlds of being an opera diva and mafia widow were well drawn by Maron. There were also interesting peeks into the world of fine art and publishing.
It's been a long wait for another Harald book, sad this is the last one. I just read an interview with Maron and she again said this was the last Harald book and that she was also finished with the Deborah Knott series.
No gunfights, no car chases, just a very well done exploration of how so much can go wrong in life and how sometimes a start toward recovery can be made.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
June 27, 2017
This is both the first book I have read in the Sigrid Harald series and the first book by Margaret Maron. To be honest, hadn't I heard of Maron before I read this book. But, after finishing this book can I only say that Maron is an author that I want to read more books from.
It wasn't hard to get into the book, despite being book nine in a series that I previously didn't know a thing about. Vice versa, to be honest, I felt right from the start that this was a book just for me. I liked Sigrid Harald (One of the reasons I was curious to read this book her Scandinavian name), she's a tough cop, but the loss of her lover, Oscar Nauman, one year previously still rattles her. Especially when she learns something unexpected concerning Oscar Nauman in this book.
Then we have the murder of the two homeless men in West Village. I liked the case, the secrets the murders uncovered among the people that were interviewed and those among them that had a connection to either of the men. There are a lot of people in the book, but still, it wasn't so hard to keep track of them after a while.
Take Out turned out to be an excellent mystery book and I'm eager to get my hands on the rest of the books in the series.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
It wasn't hard to get into the book, despite being book nine in a series that I previously didn't know a thing about. Vice versa, to be honest, I felt right from the start that this was a book just for me. I liked Sigrid Harald (One of the reasons I was curious to read this book her Scandinavian name), she's a tough cop, but the loss of her lover, Oscar Nauman, one year previously still rattles her. Especially when she learns something unexpected concerning Oscar Nauman in this book.
Then we have the murder of the two homeless men in West Village. I liked the case, the secrets the murders uncovered among the people that were interviewed and those among them that had a connection to either of the men. There are a lot of people in the book, but still, it wasn't so hard to keep track of them after a while.
Take Out turned out to be an excellent mystery book and I'm eager to get my hands on the rest of the books in the series.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
February 7, 2018
4 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this ebook. This is the final book in the Sigrid Harald police procedural series. It is also the first book in the series that I have read. I thought that worked ok as a standalone. Sigrid and her team are investigating two suspicious deaths. They follow up numerous clues and eliminate suspects. They discover some decades old secrets. I liked the characters and the very satisfying ending. It takes place in New York city in the 1990s
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this ebook. This is the final book in the Sigrid Harald police procedural series. It is also the first book in the series that I have read. I thought that worked ok as a standalone. Sigrid and her team are investigating two suspicious deaths. They follow up numerous clues and eliminate suspects. They discover some decades old secrets. I liked the characters and the very satisfying ending. It takes place in New York city in the 1990s
July 14, 2017
3.5 stars. NYPD detective Sigrid Harald investigates when two homeless men are found dead after eating takeouts of lasagna and fettuccine which someone had left for them. Many people in the neighborhood tried to help one of the men. The neighbors include the widow of a mafia don with her household and an aging opera star writing her memoirs.
I have read many of the Deborah Knott mysteries written by Margaret Maron but never one of the books in this series. Sigrid is a strong and interesting character. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if I'd been reading this series from the beginning. I was able to follow the story well but I didn't have the emotional buildup for Sigrid, her co-workers, and her friends.
I have read many of the Deborah Knott mysteries written by Margaret Maron but never one of the books in this series. Sigrid is a strong and interesting character. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if I'd been reading this series from the beginning. I was able to follow the story well but I didn't have the emotional buildup for Sigrid, her co-workers, and her friends.
July 16, 2017
Margaret Maron has said that she didn't intend to write another Sigrid Harald novel and she that might have been a good idea. "Take Out" has too many characters and too many subplots. The main plot is too silly to hold the rest of the book together. Once again a good writer has pushed a character through one too many books. Blah!
December 12, 2017
The only other Maron novel I've read is Up Jumps the Devil. I liked this one a lot more. It might be the more urban setting and the more straightforward crime story.
Apparently the story is set in 1990. The date was only mentioned in the author's note at the back. This distracted me for a bit. There was a reference to the twin towers that tweaked me to it being set pre 9/11. Very readable, though
Apparently the story is set in 1990. The date was only mentioned in the author's note at the back. This distracted me for a bit. There was a reference to the twin towers that tweaked me to it being set pre 9/11. Very readable, though
December 18, 2017
Two men are found poisoned to death on a park bench by food left by a "do-gooder" (I use that term loosely!) Sigrid recovering from the loss of love is on the case to bring justice. The book has twists and turns to which all readers enjoy! 5 stars.
January 16, 2018
Take-Out is a stand alone novel about a NYPD detective who is still grieving from the death of her lover, Oscar Nauman, when she is called to investigate the deaths of two homeless men in the West Village. Containers of take-out food are found nearby and taken to be tested. When it is discovered they contain poison, a closer look must be given to the area. A neighborhood search yields a mafia widow, her disgraced godson, a retired opera star, an unsolved hit-and run, and a missing painting. A treasure trove of crime in the West village! Sigrid still questions why Nauman drove across the country to the mountain road where he was killed. There are a lot of questions and the reader must read on to discover the answers.
May 19, 2018
"For Joe -- What a trip it';s been.! I wish we could do it all, all over again."
This is the dedication Ms. Maron penned at the start of this book, assuming to her husband, Joe.
This is her last book and while that's sad because Maron writes some great mystery fiction, I am also pleased to note that there are a few of the Sigrid Harald series that I have yet to read.
To say the least, I'm disappointed that this is her last book, that she's chosen to take a permanent leave of absence from writing novels. At the same time I rejoice that she has chosen a career where she's shared a part of her life, that which Judge Deborah Knott lived in North Carolina and too, her time in New York City through Sigrid Harald.
In this last of the series, many things are wrapped up; some things I wasn't aware of by not having read previous books - an error I plan to rectify.
If you are not familiar with Ms. Harald, she is a lieutenant in homicide for the NYPD. She leads a team of new and experienced detectives and in this, the final case to be shared with us, they solve a double murder, an old fatal hit and run, and learn some fictional history of opera and art. It was all done with teamwork.
This takes place before Google and Facebook, while the twin towers still stood tall. Ms. Maron explains that at the end of the book but if one is paying attention they should come to that conclusion on their own.
I look forward to those few books I haven't read yet and to Ms. Maron, thank you for sharing your corner of North Carolina and New York City with us. It's been a wonderful trip.
This is the dedication Ms. Maron penned at the start of this book, assuming to her husband, Joe.
This is her last book and while that's sad because Maron writes some great mystery fiction, I am also pleased to note that there are a few of the Sigrid Harald series that I have yet to read.
To say the least, I'm disappointed that this is her last book, that she's chosen to take a permanent leave of absence from writing novels. At the same time I rejoice that she has chosen a career where she's shared a part of her life, that which Judge Deborah Knott lived in North Carolina and too, her time in New York City through Sigrid Harald.
In this last of the series, many things are wrapped up; some things I wasn't aware of by not having read previous books - an error I plan to rectify.
If you are not familiar with Ms. Harald, she is a lieutenant in homicide for the NYPD. She leads a team of new and experienced detectives and in this, the final case to be shared with us, they solve a double murder, an old fatal hit and run, and learn some fictional history of opera and art. It was all done with teamwork.
This takes place before Google and Facebook, while the twin towers still stood tall. Ms. Maron explains that at the end of the book but if one is paying attention they should come to that conclusion on their own.
I look forward to those few books I haven't read yet and to Ms. Maron, thank you for sharing your corner of North Carolina and New York City with us. It's been a wonderful trip.
August 5, 2017
Thanks to goodreads I found this last book in the series. I hadn't realized another was being written. Wound up things nicely, hopefully after author received many reader comments. I actually read all the other books not that long ago. When it ended someone suggested her other series. Ugh. Not for me. Never made it to "50 page test".
August 13, 2017
Clumsy and simplistic. I made myself finish it.
June 30, 2017
Sad! I have looked forward to reading each book in Margaret Maron's two series, and her rare non-series books, and now this is the the end, the last. Sigrid is such a lively, conflicted character and so good at her job. Her detective crew was so fun and well developed. The stories twisted and turned, the endings surprised and satisfied.
Damn. Re-reading the Sigrid series got me through a bad time earlier this year. thank you Margaret Maron!
Damn. Re-reading the Sigrid series got me through a bad time earlier this year. thank you Margaret Maron!
February 21, 2018
Reads like an episode of Murder She Wrote - complete with the elderly has been celebrities.
July 25, 2017
I recently said this about Anne Perry but it also goes for Margaret Marion: you can always count on her for a good mystery book. Take Out takes place in New York but since its told about a particular neighborhood in of course a particular precinct it has a small town feel to it. Maron also writes with her usual tongue in cheek style and the characters are likable both those on the good and the bad side of the law.
Two men are murdered as they sat sharing takeaway provided for them by neighbors but they both wind up dead. The mystery goes from the present to the past for the solution and along the way we get to know the characters better which is the fun part but it's also educational in a light type of way. The Metropolitan opera and the American fine arts world come up but don't expect to learn a lot about either though both fields hall make the story interesting.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-copy.
Two men are murdered as they sat sharing takeaway provided for them by neighbors but they both wind up dead. The mystery goes from the present to the past for the solution and along the way we get to know the characters better which is the fun part but it's also educational in a light type of way. The Metropolitan opera and the American fine arts world come up but don't expect to learn a lot about either though both fields hall make the story interesting.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-copy.
July 15, 2017
What a wonderful surprise in that I had not read any of the Sigrid Harald mysteries before! 8 more titles await which is great news for me, a huge Deborah Knott fan! Take Out reads much like the Bootleggers series and Sigrid is as equally bright, capable, and engaging as Deborah. Although I miss the familiar NC settings, she makes New York City feel like a background character in much the same way. I liked this book and look forward to reading more with Margaret's detective in the lead.
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February 19, 2018Last book in the Sigrid Harald series. The previous book was published in 1995, which is quite the gap (and shows Maron's strong development as a writer). This delivers no major new developments, but a tidying-up and an easing of the raw grief that Sigrid had been left with in the previous volume.
Definitely not a place to start reading the series, but an enjoyable revisit for fans of the original series.
Definitely not a place to start reading the series, but an enjoyable revisit for fans of the original series.
April 24, 2021
This was a re-read fon me. I read it more slowly this time, enjoying the connections to earlier books in the series. I miss additions to both series, but Maron did a good job of tying up loose ends in this series and in the Deborah Knott series.
July 10, 2017
Actually 4.5 but I refuse to knock it down to 4.
October 29, 2017
This is my first book by Maron and I really enjoyed it. There was something about her writing style that I found to be very interesting and meaningful, as well as so very hard to put down. I was brought into the world she created was was glad to be there. There was so much to try to figure out and I never really knew what was going to happen next. Her characters were some that I felt connected to. The story was original and well plotted. A great read and one I highly recommend.
June 9, 2017
I’ve read almost everyone book by Margaret Maron. The Sigrid Harald series predates the Deborah Knott series by Maron and although I’ve always preferred the friendly down-to-earth Deborah, Sigrid is an interesting character. As reserved as Deborah is outgoing, Sigrid is an intelligent, dedicated New York City detective who has put aside her personal tragedy to go on with her job and with life. This new Sigrid Harald novel is as well-written as you would expect from Maron and the case Sigrid is working on is intriguing. I enjoyed the solution to the case as well as to a personal mystery that Sigrid must handle. Fan of Maron and especially this series will enjoy the gift of another Sigrid adventure and new readers who enjoy an intelligent, no-nonsense detective will like the book.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Grand Central Publishing. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Grand Central Publishing. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2017
As much as I love the Deborah Knott series, Detective Sigrid Harald has always held a special place in my reading heart. What a pleasant surprise when the opportunity arose to read about her again. This was a wonderful story and an excellent portrayal of the many steps taken to solve a crime. Several surprises will keep you off guard and the ending will leave you shaking your head.
Recommended!
Recommended!
May 29, 2017
I've read a couple of Maron's books, but Take Out was the concluding installment of a series I haven't read. Although Sigrid Harald's character appeared in the Deborah Knott series, I haven't read any of the series that feature Sigrid and didn't know enough of the backstory to fully appreciate the book. Maybe I'll catch up with the previous books in Sigrid's series and enjoy it more.
July 10, 2017
A good story, but too much water over the dam since the last installment. I had lost track of the characters' back stories, and the reminders that Maron plants weren't enough to get me fully back into their lives.
July 18, 2017
This is the latest (and possibly last) book in the Sigrid Harald series. There is a gap of over 20 years since the previous one was published. After reading a few pages of Take Out, I decided I needed to familiarize myself with the characters. I downloaded Corpus Christmas from my library - and it gave me enough background on these characters to continue.
The plot was interesting (2 homeless men are poisoned from food they are given) and fairly believable. Subplots - two of which wrap up storylines from other books - involve an opera singer's secret, an art museum's mystery, and a possible son to Sigrid's (now deceased) significant other. While Corpus Christmas took 'forever' to get to the murder, I'm happy to see that in Take Out, things moved much more quickly. I can recommend this title to others.
Do yourself a favor - read (or re-read) Corpus Christmas first. People and subplots will make more sense as you read Take Out.
I had previously only read one Deborah Knott book (Bootlegger's Daughter) and didn't enjoy it enough to read more by Margaret Maron. I understand Sigrid Harald appears in some of the books in that series. I liked Sigrid's character enough to read more in both series.
Note that I was provided an advance reading copy by the publisher for this title.
The plot was interesting (2 homeless men are poisoned from food they are given) and fairly believable. Subplots - two of which wrap up storylines from other books - involve an opera singer's secret, an art museum's mystery, and a possible son to Sigrid's (now deceased) significant other. While Corpus Christmas took 'forever' to get to the murder, I'm happy to see that in Take Out, things moved much more quickly. I can recommend this title to others.
Do yourself a favor - read (or re-read) Corpus Christmas first. People and subplots will make more sense as you read Take Out.
I had previously only read one Deborah Knott book (Bootlegger's Daughter) and didn't enjoy it enough to read more by Margaret Maron. I understand Sigrid Harald appears in some of the books in that series. I liked Sigrid's character enough to read more in both series.
Note that I was provided an advance reading copy by the publisher for this title.
June 23, 2017
What a wonderful conclusion to the Sigrid Harald series. This is the 9th and final installment of a well written police procedural featuring Sigrid of the NYPD and the art world. This could be a stand alone because Ms. Maron takes the time to explain the background characters and back stories. This murder has two men dying on a park bench with no known connection between them. As Sigrid digs into the murders she unearths some connections with herself and her friends. Great story, great mystery. Sorry to see Sigrid will not be back.
January 31, 2024
The story is a little hard to follow. It was good but not as good as I thought it was going to be. I definitely had to reread a few pages because I was confused on who was actually speaking. Once I got that it was a decent story but you figure out who did it pretty quickly. My least favorite read of the year.
March 12, 2018
Sigrid Harald is investigating the death of two homeless men who ate poisoned takeaway given to them from rich women with lots of secrets. A Well woven and enjoyable read. Also nominated for an Agatha Award
September 30, 2018
It took a long time to rejoin this series. Worth the wait, have always enjoyed Sigrid Harold. Well done plot that includes Opera, art, and even a trip to Book Expo. Some of my favorite things.
April 11, 2021
Easy read, appreciated the slow plot unfolding that reminded me of Agatha Christie novels. This is my first Margaret Maron book (even though it's the last in the series, oops) but I'd go back to read more about Sigrid Harald and the other detectives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews