Hard Row

Deborah Knott Mysteries #13

by Margaret Maron

As Judge Deborah Knott presides over a case involving a barroom brawl, it becomes clear that deep resentments over race, class, and illegal immigration are simmering just below the surface in the countryside. An early spring sun has begun to shine like a blessing on the fertile fields of North Carolina, but along with the seeds sprouting in the thawing soil, violence is growing as well. Mutilated body parts have appeared along the back roads of Colleton County, and the search for the victim's identity and for that of his killer will lead Deborah and her new husband, Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant, into the desperate realm of undocumented farm workers exploited for cheap labor.

In the meantime, Deborah and Dwight continue to adjust to married life and to having Dwight's eight-year-old son, Cal, live with them full time. When another body is found, these newlyweds will discover dark truths that threaten to permanently alter the serenity of their rural surroundings and their new life together.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Southern, Crime, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2007

About the author

Born 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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Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newlywed Judge Deborah Knott and her husband, Colleton County Sheriff Major Dwight Bryant are adjusting to married life, raising his 8-year-old son after the recent death of his mother, and meeting with her family as to what crops they should plant on their farmland. As a presiding county court judge, Deborah is hearing cases on equitable distribution of a contentious family case, assault between an ex-husband and his ex-wife’s new date, handicap parking violations. Dwight is investigating body parts that have begun appearing in the wintry cold of February and March and an Alzheimer’s resident of a nursing home that went missing at Christmas time. The story realistically tackles immigration, Mexican farm workers’ rights and treatment, and the struggles one faces to live within one’s means. An enjoyable but gruesome mystery set in North Carolina where the small-town South comes out in the attitudes, speech, foods, and relationships.

[Kaitlyn Dunnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good one, but not for the faint of heart. Of necessity, the body parts are described in some detail. I am enjoying the subplot with the female detective, especially since, although I've read all the books in the series, I can't remember how that worked out for her. A bad memory is a good thing when it comes to rereading favorite series.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reading a 'stash' of novels in the Deborah Knott Mysteries series that have been on my tbr shelves, I began with Book 2, and continued to read Book 3, Book 6, and Book 7. In reading Book 13, there is welcome news for the series readers but for me it was also bittersweet in missing the developments of Book 8-12. I'm sure that at some point I will read all the books I missed and including up to when the series ended in 2015 with Book 20. I can easily imagine that fans of the series eagerly await "Tales from Colleton County" with anticipated publication date of April 30, 2020. The author is said to have "gathered some of Deborah's shorter adventures...a dozen stories of mystery and mayhem beginning with the very first tale from Colleton County, North Carolina, and concluding with a never-before-published Deborah Knott story."

I was excited to see that "Deborah Knott's Family Tree" is again available on the opposite page of Chapter 1 as it is very useful. The 1st time that I viewed the family tree was in Book 6, "Home Fires." After reading several books in the series right in a row I'm more familiar with Deborah's large family but it is a good resource and I wish it would have been available in the first book I read in the series which was Book 2, "Southern Discomfort.”

This novel continued a feature which I enjoy as it provides a "heading" and/or very effective "lead-in" at the beginning of each chapter. In this novel the italicized sentences are verses of hymns which are credited on the copyright page: All chapter epigraphs are from "Profitable Farming in the Southern States," by J. W. Fitz. “Assisted by a Large Corps of Prominent and Successful Agricultural Writers,” 1890. Franklin Publishing Company, Richmond, Virginia. Margaret Maron's selected epigraphs are as true to farming today as they were when written in 1890.

In this series Margaret Maron used the foundation of a strong, independent female, Deborah Knott and a large and yet close-knit family to explore diverse issues from rape to elections to building homes for single mothers to racism to hurricanes to the challenges of farming from the family history of being tobacco farmers, the initial use of pesticides to the advent of the younger generation trying to explain the desire and need for organic farming. The writing is compelling yet straightforward. I also appreciated the sense of humor the author gave to Deborah Knott as throughout the series Deborah has 2 sides of her brain quietly talking to her - the preacher and the pragmatist.

I really enjoyed this series. Each book can easily be read as a stand-alone but to enjoy reading multiple novels in the series consecutively has been pure joy.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mystery book. Thirteenth in the DK series. Issues: Migrant workers, being a stepmother, pesticides, birth defects, racism.

[Joanne Duhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still like her - good plots, politics, characters, setting. A fast & fun read.

[Richard Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all of Deborah Knott stories I have read, this one focuses on a particular aspect of life. This was farming. Within that large topic there was a piece about her family farming and a piece about migrant workers and farming. This was probably the most gruesome murder story that Dwight Bryant has had in the series. There were lots of little side issues like the new arrangement for Mr. Bryant's son living with them. If you are reading the Knott series, you are well aware of the nice gentle human style of Mrs. Maron. She has created a very nice world that is almost like Mayberry. There is dismemberment of two bodies and the search for both reasons and doers is the major thrust. The endings are possible, and in fact, justice is not assured.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The discovery of a dismembered body leads to the eventual unraveling of a gruesome crime in a mystery that explores the agricultural setting of Judge Deborah Knott’s North Carolina as well as Deborah’s new life as a stepmother.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story about the migrant workers.

[Janet Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cut my mystery teeth on Margaret Maron, but forgot about her over the years. This is a pleasant, easy read, and picks up the story past where I left her. So, I’ll have to go back to fill in some pieces.

[Merlot58 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My most favorite series of books, ever.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

HARD ROW (Mystery-Police Proc-Deborah Knott-North Carolina-Cont) – VG
Maron, Margaret – 13th in series
Warner Books, 2007, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 044658433
First Sentence: El Toro Negro sits net to an abandoned tobacco warehouse a few feet inside the Dobbs city limits.
*** Judge Deborah Knot has a case before her dealing with race, class and illegal immigration. For her new husband, Sheriff’s Deputy Dwight Bryant, tt starts with the discovery to two bare legs. Than a hand and, literally bit-by-bit, other body parts turn up. Even before the police can look for the killer, they need to find the identity of the victim.
*** I wasn’t certain how Maron was going to incorporate Deborah’s marriage into the stories, but I needn’t have worried. Maron is such a wonderful writer, she really makes it work. Each character is dealing with their own jobs with the link being their home, family and Dwight’s son Cal who lives with them since the murder of his mother in the previous book. For me, this lends real levels to the story and the characters. All the characters are wonderfully dimensional and real, the location as important to the story as the characters and great dialogue. The plotting is excellent and the ending completely unexpected yet not out-of-the blue. Highly recommended

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deborah and Dwight are dealing with being both newlyweds and full-time parents while both are trying to keep up with very challenging jobs. When stray body parts start showing up all over Colleton County Dwight is chasing leads and Deborah is trying to help while not getting in the way of the investigations.

There are at least three different stories running through this story as well as another two or three as subtext. It is that layering and weaving together of lives in and around crime and punishment that keep me coming back to the Judge Knott stories. Both Deborah and Dwight are very bright people, they talk about things that they can without compromising each other (with her a judge and him a cop there can be conflict of interest issues) yet both manage to realize that it is important to trust the other to do their job. The very large family that Deborah has just bring interest and drama to the story. I loved the sub-story about the "younger generation" getting some acreage and deciding what they can grow organically -- all the while the "older generation" is not happy about it because they remember what it was like to try and get crops that were pest or disease free.

I'm catching up, only a couple more books to read and then I'll be like all Maron's other fans, waiting impatiently for the next in the series.

[Cat. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have somehow missed reading about Judge Deborah Knott up to this point. This is apparently the 13th book in the series. I'm debating whether I should add the series to my list of books to read. The prime motivator, besides being a generally good, character-driven story, is that I have family in the general area.

This one finds Deborah presiding over several interrelated cases: a domestic abuse case, a nasty divorce, and immigrant-worker issues. Her husband, Dwight, is the sheriff and has some icky remains turning up to figure out as well as a missing elderly man. Meanwhile, on the home front they are both trying to integrate their 2-month marriage along with learning to deal with an 8-year-old 'instant son' who used to live with Dwight's first wife.

Good story with lots of local color in the best sense. You really get a sense of the community and of North Carolina people. I think Maron is probably going on The List.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in he series which I have come across. It was a quick and enjoyable read and I will certainly pick up more in this series. Deborah is a judge and a newlywed who has just become a full time step mom as a result if the unfortunate death of her new husbands ex-wife. She is faced with issues related to racism , sexism, and poor work environments
Of Foreign farm workers. Her position as a judge puts her in contact with many of the same people her husband encounters in his role as sheriff. Unfortunately she also sheds light on the inescapable dilemma caused by situations of domestic violence - and all in an easy to read, enjoyable presentation. I give this book 3 stars.

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Maron has an appealing character and a lot of interesting detail about her life and family - the mystery is just an excuse for the rest of this. That's the kind of mystery I like.

[Ann]

Good read. This book beyond being a great mystery, shows an insiders view of life in NC. The importance of family - the changing tobacco crop - the immigrant influx.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

Judge Deborah Knott is faced with the regular entertaining cases in her court at the same that her new husband Deputy Major Dwight Bryant is investigating the gruesome finding of body parts around the community. Little by little the parts show up until the body is finally identified as Buck Harris, a farmer, who has been missing for a while. He was supposed to appear in Deborah's court in the disposition of assets following his divorce from his wife, Suzanne. He is identified by his mistress who he was to marry, Robbie "Flame" Lane-Smith, from scars on his torso. His head remains missing along with his penis for some time.

Harris was known for his disdain for the Mexicans that worked the vast fields of vegetables, especially their tomatoes. He and his wife had built the vast farms from scratch, and he hated to see anyone not working. So he sent workers into the fields in less that the required forty-eight hours after spraying with toxic chemicals. He had the workers living in foul conditions. His wife, however, made sure that their accommodations clean and safe. She and Buck had fought over her finding that when their regular foreman went to California for his father's funeral and Buck took over he again had workers covered in green toxic materials. One woman was in the early stages of her pregnancy. When her child was born it had no arms or legs and died shortly after birth. Mrs. Harris gave her money to return to Mexico and start her own business. But Ernest Palmiero took revenge for the loss of his child and the birth defects caused by Buck's treatment.

A very solemn and sad installment of this series, and serious commentary on the treatment of immigrants, and their contribution to our country. The relationship between Deputy Mayleen Richards and Mexican Miguel Diaz, whom she loves, is addressed through the conflict in her family, who are vowing to shun her if she marries him. Additionally, the story comments on the change in the lives of Dwight and Deborah as they begin their lives with Cal, Dwight's son. Cal's mother was killed and he is now living with Dwight. He is going through the grieving process and there are challenges that they both face. Fascinating and well covered.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard Row by Margaret Maron is the thirteenth book of the Deborah Knott mystery series set in contemporary Colleton County, North Carolina. An easygoing, rambling tale of newlyweds Deborah and Dwight settling into life together with Dwight's son Cal amid Deborah's enormous family. Judge Deborah Knott's days are filled with court cases; Sheriff Dwight Bryant's with criminal investigations.

Deborah unexpectedly becomes a hockey fan, as she gracefully handles the challenge of discipline as an instant stepmother. Dwight fulfills a dream of planting trees at his own home, as Deborah's extended family decide what crops to plant on the family farm (after generations of raising tobacco).

Dwight's challenged by discoveries of dismembered limbs from two different people. Who are they? Why were they killed so savagely? Who did it? His investigation reveals mistreatment of farm workers; a budding romance is threatened by racism.

The overall theme of the story is the lasting goodness of family ties, trust among friends, ingrained Southern hospitality, Deborah and Dwight achieving the "happy ever after" they deserve. A cute touch: each chapter begins with a quote from a book originally published in 1890: Profitable Farming in the Southern States: The First Book on Southern Farming Written Exclusively for Southern Farmers, Treating the Southern Farm from a Southern Standpoint.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing in this series has regressed a bit. Mainly because Margaret Maron has trouble writing with multiple POV. One example in "Hard Row" is when one chapter starts out with the heading of "Mayleen Richards" and the date, alerting readers that this is Mayleen's POV. Except two pages into the chapter the POV suddenly shifts to Dwight. No paragraph break or a new heading. Very exasperating. If she couldn't resist the lazy technique, she should have stuck with telling the stories mainly from Deborah's POV. This happens numerous times throughout and can get confusing as well as annoying.

While an interesting and complex story, this one was also pretty depressing. And I really hope Mayleen stays true to her heart and convictions and doesn't give into the pressure placed on her by her family (and Dwight, of all people) to stop seeing Diaz. I did appreciate the way Deborah handled the situation with Cal.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following up on "Winter's Child," Judge Deborah Knott is trying her hand at parenting with husband Dwight Bryant's son, as she tries to put together a new home for him after the death of his mother. Dwight is trying to find a murderer but first he must find enough grisly body parts which are being left throughout North Carolina's Colleton County to even determine who was murdered. Members of Deborah's extended farm family is trying to find a substiitute crop for the tobacco they grew up growing. Throw in an elderly man who's gone missing from a nursing home, a spousal abuse case in Deborah's courtroom, and treatment of migrant workers, and you have another one of Maron's multi-layered tales.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was a great book! I actually picked this one from the library because I thought it was the first in a series (not sure how I missed the fact that it is actually number 13), so now I have to go back and read the first 12, and I don't mind a bit! Actually, not having read the first 12 didn't matter that much. I believe I may have been more well acquainted with the main character's very large family had I started at book number 1 and there may be some things that happen over the course of the series that I'll know earlier than I otherwise would have, but I don't think it will take anything away from the enjoyment.

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfectly enjoyable but unremarkable. The angle of Latino immigrants in North Carolina made it more intriguing for me, though that was not explored very much (and there was far less racism and antagonism in a small southern town than you would expect). The mystery is about who killed and dismembered a landowner.

The narrative itself is slow, with plenty of forays into Deborah Knott's personal life and extended family, some of which is interesting and some of which is not. There is one very unrealistic twist toward the end regarding grandfather and grandson, which served to explain what otherwise was a red herring.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

These kind of feel like they have shifted from Deborah Knott mysteries to Dwight Bryant mysteries over the last couple of books. We're getting all the details from Dwight; following him and his deputies around as clues about the case are being gathered. And then Deborah swoops in somewhere at the end and puts all the pieces together for them because some key piece of information has fallen in her lap. Not necessarily a bad thing, since Dwight is also a great character, but definitely has changed the timbre of the series.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judge Deborah Knott has her plate full as usual, but so does new hubby, chief deputy Dwight Bryant, after a pair of legs are discovered in a ditch. Dwight’s workload multiplies when more limbs are found, along with the body of a senior who’d gone missing from a retirement home.

It’s been many years since I read a Margaret Maron novel and I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed her style. The writing is informal, yet sophisticated. Every sentence flows beautifully into the next. I especially liked the way Maron incorporates everyday family life into the story. She reaches the heart of her characters in simple, intimate ways and portrays a large family who—despite disagreements—get along. It’s not something I often see in mysteries these days.

For a serious novel that is a blend of police procedure and amateur sleuth, Hard Row is a bit light on conflict and suspense. The only real tension in Deborah’s life comes from problems with her young stepson Cal. Although Deborah knows the killer through her work, there’s no other interaction between them. Still, the lack of a suspenseful buildup to revelation of the killer’s identity didn’t dampen my enjoyment of this book. I look forward to reading more of Maron’s eloquent prose.

[Owlsinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Real folks with real issues" read the entry on the Reader Review Comments in the back of my library copy of this book. Perfect summation of this whole series; except for the murders happening around Judge Knott's neck of the woods, with regularity, these characters could be people we all know. Not counting miscellaneous body parts turning up all over town, I can relate to all of them. The parts showing up make this one a tad grislier than most in this series, but it's a good read.

[RavenT · Rating 4 out of 5]

The killer in this mystery was easy to discern, although the threads in the tapestry kept the investigators distracted in a believable way. The little details of Southern rural life and family all added to the lifelike feel of the novel, and were so skillfully woven that a reader was carried along. As a Southern bred and raised woman, the rural life depicted is familiar and beautiful, although as a non-White woman I can't romanticize the way the author does.

[Tory Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard Row by Margaret Maron is part of a series featuring Deborah Knott, a judge with a large extended family who often finds herself in the center of a mystery. In this one, mutilated body parts are found in the countryside and Deborah and her husband, a police captain, are drawn into the mystery.

[Crystal Toller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judge Deborah Knott is presiding over the equitable distribution of property for a divorce when one of the parties fails to show. Very soon the sheriff's department gets calls for different body parts. How Deputy Dwight Bryant solves the mystery of the body parts with Deborahs help makes a great story. Another great addition to the series.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy all of the Knott books, I am only sorry that the author is no longer alive and that discovered the series too late (in that I would have sent her an email complimenting her on the wonderful skill she has and the excellent characters and books she wrote). I'm on book 11 or so, excellent with various interesting sub plots and wonderful texture to explain life in the south.

[Rela Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before you go

As usual Margaret Maron has kept me reading until the book was finished. In this book Maron shows the plight of migrant farm hands, which is very apropos in today's political climate.