Death's Half Acre (2008)

by Margaret Maron

Series: Deborah Knott (14)

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443	24	60,113	(3.76)	30
Unchecked urbanization has begun to eclipse the North Carolina countryside. As farms give way to shoddy mansions, farmers struggle to slow the rampant growth. In the shadows, corrupt county commissioners use their political leverage to make profitable deals with new developers. A murder will pull Judge Deborah Knott and Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant into the middle of this bitter dispute and force them to confront some dark realities.… (more)

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Unchecked urbanization has begun to eclipse the North Carolina countryside. As farms give way to shoddy mansions, farmers struggle to slow the rampant growth. In the shadows, corrupt county commissioners use their political leverage to make profitable deals with new developers. A murder will pull Judge Deborah Knott and Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant into the middle of this bitter dispute and force them to confront some dark realities. (

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jepeters333 | Aug 1, 2019 |

Deb'rah takes us on a look into the sleazy world of real estate chicanery and blackmail when the chairperson of the county commissioners apparent suicide is found to be murder. This self-made successful woman may have paid the price of her wheeling, dealing, and extortion so there are many suspects.
A missing flash drive causes another death and some dangerous intervention by the Judge. Keezie seems to be engaged in funny business with a sleazy preacher. Another facet of old-time values eroding in this good episode of this fine series (

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jamespurcell | Mar 19, 2018 |

Local county commissioner Candace Bradshaw is found dead in whats first believed to be a suicide but soon becomes apparent is murder. Judge Deborah Knott becomes interested in the case partly because her husband Dwight is investigating it. Much of the plot revolves around the building boom in North Carolina and the pressures with city moving into the country. A side plot involves Deborah's father Kezzie and his involvement with a questionable preacher. A return to form after the last, below par, entry in the series. Time is spent on Deborah's family and court cases but most of the book is solving a mystery. I like this series and was especially glad Kezzie played a larger role this time. he's an awesome character. (

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RachelNF | Jan 15, 2016 |

As usual, I enjoyed this Margaret Maron mystery set in the North Carolina countryside just east of Raleigh. The story was well paced, and the performer did a nice job of the audiobook reading. (

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dukefan86 | May 29, 2013 |

southern,Amazon received

romsfuulynn | Apr 28, 2013 |

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Deborah Knott (14)

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Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (Mystery – 2008)

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Canonical title

Death's Half Acre

Original title

Death's Half Acre

Alternative titles

Original publication date

2008

People/Characters

Deborah Knott

Deputy Sheriff Dwight Bryant

Important places

Important events

Related movies

Epigraph

Dedication

For Rebecca Blackmore, Shelly Holt, and John Smith
with deep appreciation
for their time, their wisdom, and their endless generosity

First words

Inside the windowless Church of Jesus Christ Eternal, the Easter Sunday sermon is drawing to a close.

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Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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As family-owned farms and lush fields in North Carolina's picturesque countryside start to give way to shoddy mansions and housing developments, discontent begins to rile the inhabitants of Judge Deborah Knott's beloved Colleton County. Beneath the surface of her seemingly peaceful town a tide of corruption is rising, and even her strong-willed father might be led down a dark path.

At the same time, a murder of a controversial high-profile woman commissioner pulls Deborah and her husband, Sheriff' Deputy Dwight Bryant, into the shadows of the past where even the most prominent townsfolk - including the honourable judge herself - have something hide. Intent on protecting those who love her most, Deborah must balance her own concerns with her commitment to justice, and the knowledge that a vicious killer is still on the loose.

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