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Deborah Knott Mysteries #4
Up Jumps the Devil
Murder usually begins at home, and Colleton County, North Carolina, proves no exception. When truck driver and childhood neighbor Dallas Stancil is shot and killed in his own backyard, Judge Deborah Knott figures she owes his memory at least the respectful ritual of taking his widow one of her Aunt Zell's best chicken casseroles.
Mistake Number One.
Dallas wasn't rich, but with development eating up the farms and forests of North Carolina his land is suddenly worth a fortune. His trashy, chain-smoking third wife and grown stepchildren are all too aware of its value. Opportunistsincluding one Deborah's own brothers - are coming out of the woodwork. And she knows big money makes people do bad things.
Hardworking, redneck, and salt-of-the-earth, the Stancil men have lived side-by-side with Deborah's family. When the Stancils suffer another tragedy, a long-hidden skeleton rattles its bones and jumps out of what she thought was her long-dead past. She can run the culprit back out of town or maybe get him charged with murder, but ignoring him would be Mistake Number Two.
All around the changing South, Deborah sees hunting dogs, rowdy funerals, backwoods moonshine stills, and long-bed pickups clashing with BMW-driving professionals and housing tracts. With one foot in the rural past and the other in today's high-tech present, she knows her personal world is changing too. This bootlegger's daughter sits on the judicial bench and sees both sides of the law. But she also feels the tug of her roots...and the pull of her heart.
Mistake Number One.
Dallas wasn't rich, but with development eating up the farms and forests of North Carolina his land is suddenly worth a fortune. His trashy, chain-smoking third wife and grown stepchildren are all too aware of its value. Opportunistsincluding one Deborah's own brothers - are coming out of the woodwork. And she knows big money makes people do bad things.
Hardworking, redneck, and salt-of-the-earth, the Stancil men have lived side-by-side with Deborah's family. When the Stancils suffer another tragedy, a long-hidden skeleton rattles its bones and jumps out of what she thought was her long-dead past. She can run the culprit back out of town or maybe get him charged with murder, but ignoring him would be Mistake Number Two.
All around the changing South, Deborah sees hunting dogs, rowdy funerals, backwoods moonshine stills, and long-bed pickups clashing with BMW-driving professionals and housing tracts. With one foot in the rural past and the other in today's high-tech present, she knows her personal world is changing too. This bootlegger's daughter sits on the judicial bench and sees both sides of the law. But she also feels the tug of her roots...and the pull of her heart.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
112 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Maron
121 books757 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.
Like Margaret Maron on Facebook
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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 123 reviews
June 24, 2013
As with the previous books in the series, I loved the home state flavor of this 4th Deborah Knott mystery. Rural development is the issue at hand this time as a developer tries to buy land from some farmers who are eager to sell and others who don't want to see change in the landscape or way of life they've always known. The issue is relevant in Durham. I grew up in a neighborhood built on farmland in the 1960s. When my parents bought their house, my grandmother, who lived downtown, cried because they'd be "so far out" in the country. The farms and woods that surrounded us then are now more neighborhoods and shopping centers. Found the same theme in Backroads, a Kickin' Grass CD we recently acquired: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55rrIW... and in an article in Sunday's Herald-Sun: http://www.heraldsun.com/opinion/opin.... In it, Tom Campbell writes, "It is in North Carolina's best interests to have both a vibrant urban and rural population. Otherwise we will find ourselves in a state of poverty-filled ghost towns or overcrowded and overtaxed cities. Surely we have the brainpower to meet this challenge. The question is whether we have the will."
October 16, 2021
Not my cup of tea
October 20, 2015
This is book four in the series about life in a contemporary rural small town in North Carolina. The book was published in 1996. Our protagonist Judge Deborah Knott is a personable character that makes the series work. Even though the book is placed in North Carolina it could be any small rural town. I think that is one of the things that hooked me into continue reading the series. I grew up in a small rural town so much of the stories resonate with me.
In this story we see the effects of growth and increasing property values with the arrival of the interstate highway. The action begins with two murders after they had refused to sell their land to a real estate speculator. Judge Knott set off to investigate on her own and finds herself suspicious of one of her eleven brothers and some lifelong friends. I enjoyed the twist and turns of the plot and the legal turn to the story with laws about inheritance. Humor runs throughout this story as it has in the prior three stories.
Maron is an excellent writer and a great story teller. I enjoyed her descriptions of various behaviors toward the land. I am looking forward to book five. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. C. J. Critt does a great job narrating the story. I noted the book was produced by Recorded Books; they always publish a polished recorded book.
In this story we see the effects of growth and increasing property values with the arrival of the interstate highway. The action begins with two murders after they had refused to sell their land to a real estate speculator. Judge Knott set off to investigate on her own and finds herself suspicious of one of her eleven brothers and some lifelong friends. I enjoyed the twist and turns of the plot and the legal turn to the story with laws about inheritance. Humor runs throughout this story as it has in the prior three stories.
Maron is an excellent writer and a great story teller. I enjoyed her descriptions of various behaviors toward the land. I am looking forward to book five. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. C. J. Critt does a great job narrating the story. I noted the book was produced by Recorded Books; they always publish a polished recorded book.
January 31, 2010
This book has excellent narration. Ms. Critt gets the voices just right. I had been thinking she's from NC until she read the part about Kinston, NC. She pronounced it "KinGston" :) Otherwise, it was a perfectly smooth narration.
I really enjoy the sense of place in these novels. I enjoy Ms. Maron's writing. Unfortunately, I just don't enjoy the novels overall, and this was no exception. It's hard for me to articulate exactly why.
I think my problem is that the book has just enough of a murder mystery in it to put it in the mystery genre, but the mystery takes a distant back seat to the lives of the characters. Mind you, I like the characters, but the unfulfilled promise of a mystery story ruins my enjoyment of the these-people-in-this-place story.
Spoilers ahead!!!
Spoiler warning!
In this book, the climax is an exciting scene wherein our heroine figures out who did the murder just in time for the murderer to turn on her. It's a great scene, bringing together a lot of the things discussed earlier in the book.
But you never find out why the killer did it, or if he was caught. The usual explain-it-all denouement is replaced with a family scene that doesn't involve the murder at all. I'll grant you, it's a lovely scene. It brings together the threads of the novel, without tying any artificial bows. It leaves room for future stories, while being a satisfying end to the novel - if you leave out the murder mystery part.
I'm tempted to listen to more of the Deborah Knott mysteries, as I would like hear more about the characters. I'm just not sure it's worth putting up with the second-rate murder mystery.
In searching online to see if there really is a Colleton County NC (there isn't - it's a remarkably detailed fictional county) I found a list of book series set in NC here. I will have to see if the library has any of them :)
I really enjoy the sense of place in these novels. I enjoy Ms. Maron's writing. Unfortunately, I just don't enjoy the novels overall, and this was no exception. It's hard for me to articulate exactly why.
I think my problem is that the book has just enough of a murder mystery in it to put it in the mystery genre, but the mystery takes a distant back seat to the lives of the characters. Mind you, I like the characters, but the unfulfilled promise of a mystery story ruins my enjoyment of the these-people-in-this-place story.
Spoilers ahead!!!
Spoiler warning!
In this book, the climax is an exciting scene wherein our heroine figures out who did the murder just in time for the murderer to turn on her. It's a great scene, bringing together a lot of the things discussed earlier in the book.
But you never find out why the killer did it, or if he was caught. The usual explain-it-all denouement is replaced with a family scene that doesn't involve the murder at all. I'll grant you, it's a lovely scene. It brings together the threads of the novel, without tying any artificial bows. It leaves room for future stories, while being a satisfying end to the novel - if you leave out the murder mystery part.
I'm tempted to listen to more of the Deborah Knott mysteries, as I would like hear more about the characters. I'm just not sure it's worth putting up with the second-rate murder mystery.
In searching online to see if there really is a Colleton County NC (there isn't - it's a remarkably detailed fictional county) I found a list of book series set in NC here. I will have to see if the library has any of them :)
October 10, 2012
The best part of this book, which is true of most of her books, is Deborah's family ties. It's interesting because at it's base they are a bunch of farmers. But the base branched out into other careers (teacher, lawyer/judge, auctioneer, entrepreneur, etc.). No matter the level of success you achieve in a family, you will always have that base - some will try to hold on to it, while others will try to forget it ever existed. Most of the Knott's have tried to hold on to the base. Big brother Adam is the exception. He ran all the way to the other side of the country trying to forget where he came from and was doing a pretty good job of it for a while with a big a big house, fancy cars, kids in private schools, etc. When the good times stopped rolling out west he had to return home to get some fast cash so that he could resurrect his new life. Isn't that always where we go when all else fails?
It seems that a few people in town were getting their fast cash from the same place as Adam. Someone is planning on developing houses on some prime real estate close to Knott land. That person has been secretly buying all of the surrounding land so that he can sell big. One of the people in on the sell is murdered. The question is why was he murdered? Was it for money, the secret sale, family jealousy, or for some other unknown. The list of suspects includes a few Knotts who are acting suspicious, Deborah's ex-husband, and a couple of underhanded businessmen.
Most of the book was interesting, but the ending was weak, which is why it got an okay rating.
It seems that a few people in town were getting their fast cash from the same place as Adam. Someone is planning on developing houses on some prime real estate close to Knott land. That person has been secretly buying all of the surrounding land so that he can sell big. One of the people in on the sell is murdered. The question is why was he murdered? Was it for money, the secret sale, family jealousy, or for some other unknown. The list of suspects includes a few Knotts who are acting suspicious, Deborah's ex-husband, and a couple of underhanded businessmen.
Most of the book was interesting, but the ending was weak, which is why it got an okay rating.
April 29, 2015
A good mystery book. Fourth in the DK series. This one is about land, ownership, selling out. We find out that Deborah has been married...wow. I was shocked. And to a real jerk, too. Also that she got so mad at him she attacked him with a butcher knife and landed him in the hospital. Both of these things just don't gel with her general personality, I don't think. But it makes a good story, I guess.
July 6, 2016
This is another delightful Deborah Knott master. It is full of good family, good story, and good issues, but the fact that it has a sudden frightening ending does not make it great as I never did see why the person who supposedly did the killings did them. There was no real explanation as to how the events played out as they did. But we did have a nice family pow wow at the end and everybody is happy.
May 19, 2018
I like books that bring me to a new place, and this book brought me to rural South Carolina. It’s interesting that though this book is 90% dialog it has a ver strong sense of place. The dialect conveyed a micro-culture along with the narrator’s accent.
Yes, there is a murder mystery wrapped up in there. But it’s almost not the point. We learn more about judge Knott’s family and her love life. But it’s mostly about what goes on around her.
Yes, there is a murder mystery wrapped up in there. But it’s almost not the point. We learn more about judge Knott’s family and her love life. But it’s mostly about what goes on around her.
July 20, 2016
This book, the fourth in the series about Deborah Knotts, may be the last one I read. I've enjoyed the three previous books, but had a difficult time finishing this one. There really seems to be very little plot, and what there is drags on. It's mostly about the Knott family, none of whom I care much about.
May 3, 2023
SPOILER ALERT
Another hoot in the annals of NC. Judge Deborah Knott is called to sub for a ill judge on the Outer Banks. We get the usual entertaining cases that come before her and her equally entertaining judgements. But as she is moving through her routine days she is confronted with the murder Dallas Stancil. Allen Stancil is her ex-husband to whom she was married briefly, her family getting the marriage annulled. However, she will discover during the investigation that he was in fact already married at the time and her marriage was never legal. Allen is there now and she sees him. He reveals that he has a couple of kids, one of whom he is still paying child support, only one year to go. However, ties into another case, where it is revealed that a local test facility worker was bribed to give false information about DNA, in order for the father to not be liable for child support, Deborah finds that Allen had also paid for false DNA results, and she has him prosecuted.
The death of Dallas brings to light the development intentions of Dick Sutterly. He has gotten an agreement from Adam, her brother to sell the small parcel of land that will open a right of way for the development. Other land adjacent to her father's and other family members is also up for grabs. The area is changing and she is mourning the changes. Land is the holy grail for the family. She sees Adam's sale as a betrayal. Besides, he is rich. But he has recently been laid off from the tech field, and his income is gone. He needs the money. Then Jap Stencil murdered.
It seems the community needs a good lesson in the rules of inheritance. Dallas' wife and family is accused of his murder. But Jap's property, for which he had signed an agreement with Sutterly is worth a huge amount, and there is more than one person who believes they have a right to it. Jap had intended to split it between Allen and Marrilee Grimes, but was killed before he could sign a new will. Pete Grimes killed him. This was a complex and confusing story with all of the players and the motives and the greed.
Another hoot in the annals of NC. Judge Deborah Knott is called to sub for a ill judge on the Outer Banks. We get the usual entertaining cases that come before her and her equally entertaining judgements. But as she is moving through her routine days she is confronted with the murder Dallas Stancil. Allen Stancil is her ex-husband to whom she was married briefly, her family getting the marriage annulled. However, she will discover during the investigation that he was in fact already married at the time and her marriage was never legal. Allen is there now and she sees him. He reveals that he has a couple of kids, one of whom he is still paying child support, only one year to go. However, ties into another case, where it is revealed that a local test facility worker was bribed to give false information about DNA, in order for the father to not be liable for child support, Deborah finds that Allen had also paid for false DNA results, and she has him prosecuted.
The death of Dallas brings to light the development intentions of Dick Sutterly. He has gotten an agreement from Adam, her brother to sell the small parcel of land that will open a right of way for the development. Other land adjacent to her father's and other family members is also up for grabs. The area is changing and she is mourning the changes. Land is the holy grail for the family. She sees Adam's sale as a betrayal. Besides, he is rich. But he has recently been laid off from the tech field, and his income is gone. He needs the money. Then Jap Stencil murdered.
It seems the community needs a good lesson in the rules of inheritance. Dallas' wife and family is accused of his murder. But Jap's property, for which he had signed an agreement with Sutterly is worth a huge amount, and there is more than one person who believes they have a right to it. Jap had intended to split it between Allen and Marrilee Grimes, but was killed before he could sign a new will. Pete Grimes killed him. This was a complex and confusing story with all of the players and the motives and the greed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2019
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars. I liked the main character, a District Court Judge named Deborah Knott, writing in in first person. She lives in what was once completely rural N.C. but is changing with tract houses because of its closeness to Raleigh (?). Dallas Stancil is shot but that murder is immediately solved and the book goes on from there to questions about land sales/ownership and family relationships. I had to make a list of the names as she has 11 brothers, the oldest 35 years older than she. Took me awhile through the book to find that her father had 2 wives, the second obviously younger than the first but this makes the brother 69 and her father is in his 80's? Haven't read the first book in this series so maybe it says her father was in his teens when he fathered his first child. Not being a dog person I was glad that the stuff about dogs and dogs hunting rabbits wasn't too lengthy!
July 3, 2022
Dallas Stancil is murdered by, supposedly, two hunters he had driven off of his land. This leaves his wife, two step children, and a stepson in law. Jap Stansel, the dad, is broken up. We find out early on the wife did it to cash in on a land offer made to Dallas. She and the kids wanted to go back to Florida. Allen Stancil, troublemaker, shows up to help the uncle. Both love to tinker with cars. Allen also happens to be Deborah‘s ex. He is a womanizer with children by a few different women.
So everyone is land crazy including one of Deborah‘s brothers Adam. Jeff Stansel is killed. Deborah‘s nephew Reece is under suspicion, Adam, dad, etc. Turns out it was Stancil‘s nephew by marriage, Pete. He and Merrilee killed the old man.
Good with family. Deborah dating Kidd. It needed to have a better summing up of the murder.
So everyone is land crazy including one of Deborah‘s brothers Adam. Jeff Stansel is killed. Deborah‘s nephew Reece is under suspicion, Adam, dad, etc. Turns out it was Stancil‘s nephew by marriage, Pete. He and Merrilee killed the old man.
Good with family. Deborah dating Kidd. It needed to have a better summing up of the murder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2023
I genuinely love Margaret Maron's works. Deborah Knott is perhaps her best character. She is so typical of the Southern women I have known. And Maron absolutely gets the culture of North Carolina.
This book has the subtext of exploring the "gentrification" of rural North Carolina. What were once fields are now upscale housing developments. Mom-and-Pop stores get squeezed out in favor of the known quantity of big-box stores. Are we losing the joy of rural life to the lure of lots of money in hand?
Of course, to really look at this, there must be a murder. And, of course, Deborah must investigate. While she does so, we learn more about her past, including her large family. The author did play fair with the reader in the reveal.
This cozy mystery series should appeal to anyone who enjoys mysteries and to those who enjoy North Carolina fiction. Highly recommended!
This book has the subtext of exploring the "gentrification" of rural North Carolina. What were once fields are now upscale housing developments. Mom-and-Pop stores get squeezed out in favor of the known quantity of big-box stores. Are we losing the joy of rural life to the lure of lots of money in hand?
Of course, to really look at this, there must be a murder. And, of course, Deborah must investigate. While she does so, we learn more about her past, including her large family. The author did play fair with the reader in the reveal.
This cozy mystery series should appeal to anyone who enjoys mysteries and to those who enjoy North Carolina fiction. Highly recommended!
June 10, 2023
I really enjoyed the message in this one. The buying up and bastardization of the land and the feelings of sadness experienced by members of the Knott family. I also like the way most of the them eventually realize change happens in life and hope to find an acceptable way to effect that change without completely destroying family tradition.
The one part of the story that suffered was the mystery. I think Pete had the lamest excuse for the killings and was a little disappointed by the way it ended. Almost like an afterthought to the rest of the story.
One point I've been meaning to make for four reviews now. Why are the "preacher" and the "pragmatist" called he/him? Aren't they Deborah's conscience? Why wouldn't they be referred to as her/she? Weird. I call them "she/her" in my mind.
The one part of the story that suffered was the mystery. I think Pete had the lamest excuse for the killings and was a little disappointed by the way it ended. Almost like an afterthought to the rest of the story.
One point I've been meaning to make for four reviews now. Why are the "preacher" and the "pragmatist" called he/him? Aren't they Deborah's conscience? Why wouldn't they be referred to as her/she? Weird. I call them "she/her" in my mind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2020
Land is the focus and greed. Someone has killed a neighbor - is it hunters or his greedy family? Debra's California brother is in town and rumor is he's selling his land to developers. Debra sees surveyor markings but is busy kissing Kidd and trying to find the killer.
The neighbor's father is also killed and there is a signed note he's agreed to sell the son's land once it reverts to him. He's killed before he can execute his new will which gives half his holdings to Merrilee and half to Alan, Debra's first husband. Alan was a race car driver with kids all over the state.
This is a good look at country life, Thanksgiving vs Harvest, but not much of a murder mystery. Unconvincing at best.
The neighbor's father is also killed and there is a signed note he's agreed to sell the son's land once it reverts to him. He's killed before he can execute his new will which gives half his holdings to Merrilee and half to Alan, Debra's first husband. Alan was a race car driver with kids all over the state.
This is a good look at country life, Thanksgiving vs Harvest, but not much of a murder mystery. Unconvincing at best.
May 17, 2023
This is a good Southern mystery that keeps you laughing and turning the pages to find out who murdered the local man, known to the community and to Judge Deborah Knott. She thinks she will pay a condolence visit to the family, but soon realizes that this is definitely not a 'grieving' family. There is a lot going on with Deborah's family, especially her brother Adam, one of her ten older brothers, who suddenly returns to their North Carolina homestead from California with some ideas that Deborah does not like. This is a good mystery with great characters and a very good setting.
April 29, 2021
Deborah Knott is surprised to hear of the killing of a neighbor of her father, Dallas Stancil. After Dallas's death, his cousin Allen returns to the area and Dallas' father is making big plans to have a garage with Allen. When Jap Stancil is also killed the police think they have the killer but when a local developer who is fronting for a local landowner is killed and Deborah is confronted by the killer and barely escapes alive the killer is revealed. Another good addition to the series.
September 27, 2021
I really like this series even if some of the material is kinda offensive. I just call the character a idiot and read on. 😊 Deborah is a hoot and I 'm glad she can keep all the brothers and sisters-in-law straight. 😉 Not sure what is going to happen with the family land situation but I hope it turns out good 👍. Never saw the killer coming and I was kinda shocked 😲. Love it when a author does that! 😁
September 25, 2025
Who knew that family land could produce so many consequences. Judge Deborah Knott returns home after substituting in another district, and finds that developers have discovered their tiny hamlet. They are dealing with one man in particular, Sutter, who is approaching all the neighbors begging to buy parts of their acreage. Even her brother Adam shows up from California. A successful computer professional, he is now desparate to sell his small 3 acres to raise $60,000 because he lost his job. Complicaions ensue...and murder is the result. Great story.
November 12, 2017
This was a 2.5 star read but I am in a generous mood. Although I find Deborah Knott an engaging character, I thought the pace of the story was a little slow. Knott, or one of her family, just happen to find themselves at just the moment and in the place where something happens. One of them is always there and it just seems a little unlikely.
April 16, 2018
I enjoy this series and the fact that I know a lot of the locations in the story. And I love Deborah's family and the interaction she has with them, especially her father. The resolution to this was a shocker, and not a very satisfactory solution for me due to the supposed motive. But I'll still continue with the series and watching what happens next in the Knott family sags.
February 13, 2019
What will people do for money? What will people do to avoid embarrassment? What will people do for those they love - or those they no longer love.
One of the more interesting bits was the Right of inheritance and how you measure who has the closest blood relationship with someone who dies without spouse, child, or parents.
One of the more interesting bits was the Right of inheritance and how you measure who has the closest blood relationship with someone who dies without spouse, child, or parents.
June 19, 2019
To be fair, it might have been my reading, but I thought that the plot got way too complicated for too little return; it would have helped to have had Deb'rah engage in an explanatory chat with Bryant, as the revelation of the perp felt as if it came out of nowhere. On the other hand, the writing moves right along, is engaging, and has a nice amount of Southern and North Carolina background.
June 20, 2020
Thoroughly enjoying this series. One of the best so far, and I have skipped around a bit in this series; even though I do like to read them in order. Did not have the culprit figured out until near the end. But I'll never be able to keep all the siblings straight! Too many for this only child! Can't even imagine having that many brothers, sisters, etc.
May 8, 2020
This was not one of my favorite Deborah Knott books. It is all about land, the selling and development of the land. The book does give a lot of information about all of Deborah's many brothers, a few sisters-in-law and some of her nieces and nephews.
June 6, 2020
I enjoyed the extended family (11 brothers and one sister) and descriptions of life on the east coast of North Carolina. But the book felt dated to me, written in the mid 90s. And the "murder mystery" was weak.
January 11, 2021
Great writing
Another well written book by Margaret Maron. The protagonist of the series, Deborah Knotts, is such a great character with depth, wit and charm. It is easy to visualize all of the landscape described.
Another well written book by Margaret Maron. The protagonist of the series, Deborah Knotts, is such a great character with depth, wit and charm. It is easy to visualize all of the landscape described.
October 29, 2016
Loving the quick reads of mystery and murder in the Blue Ridge Parkway and the good old down South humor insinuated throughout the books.
November 14, 2016
Just as good as Bootlegger's Daughter, a fantastic return to focusing on the incredible setting and it feels like Thanksgiving with a big southern family.
July 12, 2018
I just love this series! I highly recommend Maron's books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews