ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Judge Deborah Knott travels to Wrightsville Beach for a summer conference for North Carolina District Court Judges, she stumbles upon the body of one of her colleagues. Meanwhile, Deborah's husband, Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant, is in Virginia with his son, tying up loose ends left by the death of his first wife. When another judge is found murdered at the conference, it soon becomes evident that Deborah may be the killer's next target. Her relaxing trip to the seaside soon transforms into a harrowing experience, and she must summon all of her strength and investigative expertise to track down the culprit before she becomes the next victim.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81yrAJiF8Z97dqPfe2v2PPOOd-tqZPj6231HqFCN2P5IpRYURpomOsLG6GvKSUhMbJdX5B1cOI7jVOVhMZChnCqCASvq6SwAOLALIPA0t_lcdThQJENaR_0Q126P9EHVzOJcYSwGajqjw/s400/MARGARET+MARON.jpg)
MY REVIEW OF SAND SHARKS
Where have I been? This is the first Margaret Maron book I have read and obviously, the first in the Deborah Knott Series and yet, there are I believe 14 books before this one going all the way back to 1992! At least, knowing that, let me assure you that if you are in the same boat as I am, you will still understand and be able to read SAND SHARKS as a stand-alone novel. Would it be easier to have read at least some of the others for more background on the main characters? I am sure... and so I will now go back and do that when time allows (+14 more on TBR/Wish List)!
SAND SHARKS does start with Judge Deborah Knott on a business trip to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina (and I always wind up in Jacksonville or Orlando....why?). She is attending a conference as she is a District Court Judge, and thus she is taken away from her usual stomping grounds of Colleton County, North Carolina. She is there on her own as her husband, Dwight Bryant, is with his son, Cal, in Virginia. Dwight is a Sheriff's Deputy and has traveled to Virginia to take care of things after his first wife died. So to say that Deborah is happier to be at her conference, would be an understatement. However, that feeling might come into question when early on, Deborah unfortunately finds, quite by accident, the body of Judge Pete Jeffreys. As the story goes, Jeffreys was not the most honest of judges, so could his death be a result of someone who had something personal against him? That is what is the first thought when the death is analyzed.
Unlike the conferences I go to, the break out session and coffee break were not the norm here as soon another judge is found murdered. Suddenly what looked to be a relaxing time at the beach with friends in her field of work, becomes a dangerous experience. Could Judge Knott be next? Suddenly being with her new husband and step-son Cal doesn't seem like such a bad idea!
Maron does a wonderful job of character studies in this book as the plot to me seemed secondary in comparison. In the first part of the book, you meet many characters and almost need a score card but soon the important ones are drawn out and given depth and catch your attention. I found Deborah Knott to be a fascinating and fun character to read about. The book was an enjoyable, easy read and although I thought the ending was a little predictable, it didn't matter as the richness of the characters carried the story for me. Knott herself seems more feminine than I thought she would be and from I have read about the series is more so in this book. Don't get me wrong when I say "feminine" I just mean I didn't find her to be a hard-nosed business only woman but rather one who I learned about her as a woman--wife and mother--as well as a judge and "detective".
I was happy I read Margaret Maron's book and met this new character and still can't believe I had not read her work before. I recommend this as a fast read that keeps your attention and the writing draws the reader well into the setting and the plot line. Thanks to Ms. Maron and to Miriam at Hachette for introducing me to a new friend in Judge Knott!
Where have I been? This is the first Margaret Maron book I have read and obviously, the first in the Deborah Knott Series and yet, there are I believe 14 books before this one going all the way back to 1992! At least, knowing that, let me assure you that if you are in the same boat as I am, you will still understand and be able to read SAND SHARKS as a stand-alone novel. Would it be easier to have read at least some of the others for more background on the main characters? I am sure... and so I will now go back and do that when time allows (+14 more on TBR/Wish List)!
SAND SHARKS does start with Judge Deborah Knott on a business trip to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina (and I always wind up in Jacksonville or Orlando....why?). She is attending a conference as she is a District Court Judge, and thus she is taken away from her usual stomping grounds of Colleton County, North Carolina. She is there on her own as her husband, Dwight Bryant, is with his son, Cal, in Virginia. Dwight is a Sheriff's Deputy and has traveled to Virginia to take care of things after his first wife died. So to say that Deborah is happier to be at her conference, would be an understatement. However, that feeling might come into question when early on, Deborah unfortunately finds, quite by accident, the body of Judge Pete Jeffreys. As the story goes, Jeffreys was not the most honest of judges, so could his death be a result of someone who had something personal against him? That is what is the first thought when the death is analyzed.
Unlike the conferences I go to, the break out session and coffee break were not the norm here as soon another judge is found murdered. Suddenly what looked to be a relaxing time at the beach with friends in her field of work, becomes a dangerous experience. Could Judge Knott be next? Suddenly being with her new husband and step-son Cal doesn't seem like such a bad idea!
Maron does a wonderful job of character studies in this book as the plot to me seemed secondary in comparison. In the first part of the book, you meet many characters and almost need a score card but soon the important ones are drawn out and given depth and catch your attention. I found Deborah Knott to be a fascinating and fun character to read about. The book was an enjoyable, easy read and although I thought the ending was a little predictable, it didn't matter as the richness of the characters carried the story for me. Knott herself seems more feminine than I thought she would be and from I have read about the series is more so in this book. Don't get me wrong when I say "feminine" I just mean I didn't find her to be a hard-nosed business only woman but rather one who I learned about her as a woman--wife and mother--as well as a judge and "detective".
I was happy I read Margaret Maron's book and met this new character and still can't believe I had not read her work before. I recommend this as a fast read that keeps your attention and the writing draws the reader well into the setting and the plot line. Thanks to Ms. Maron and to Miriam at Hachette for introducing me to a new friend in Judge Knott!
Audio and Video
GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO MIRIAM AND THE
HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I HAVE
5 COPIES OF THIS MARVELOUS BOOK
TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT YOU
NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!
RULES:
U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
NO P. O. BOXES
INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!
HOW TO ENTER:
THANKS TO MIRIAM AND THE
HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I HAVE
5 COPIES OF THIS MARVELOUS BOOK
TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT YOU
NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbpzrXeDOwMVyrIi30HHJvAYY73ssbbD1TZ_0XHAYxUYghlPnRBU00UmhVDzrx37gBGJb69M1aqa8LwtNJBOIUl-HpJ1NRTW0R2ret99N8Q4KYPyAg6Lv_Kt5_FFsFnRcw9I7EEr5pNfx/s200/ss.jpg)
U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
NO P. O. BOXES
INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMPTCGwbMoP51NL1_QROm3ELJXnY8ubI9ZHBnkVv-U1NiMfRCqZj4fMQejifFgKV1JqV5mySl3LV7MYZzYnJSkYP6xVCc5vfbSBMP8Xn2lnO8EtAfwaNWqqR8qK1eus022S6g4Y7abWzY/s200/sandsharkin+water.jpg)
+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHY YOU THINK THIS BOOK IS TITLED SAND SHARKS
+1 MORE ENTRY: IF YOU BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY, LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW
+5 MORE ENTRIES: IF SOMEONE READS ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY FROM YOUR BLOG POST OR TWEET AND MENTIONS YOUR NAME (AS GIVEN IN YOUR ENTRY) YOU GET 5 EXTRA ENTRIES!
+1 MORE ENTRY: IF YOU BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY, LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW
+5 MORE ENTRIES: IF SOMEONE READS ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY FROM YOUR BLOG POST OR TWEET AND MENTIONS YOUR NAME (AS GIVEN IN YOUR ENTRY) YOU GET 5 EXTRA ENTRIES!
ALL ENTRIES ARE DUE BY
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GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
6 PM, EST, SEPTEMBER 20
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
71 comments:
I have no idea why this book is called "Sand Sharks" but it sounds very interesting. I love whodunits.
Please enter me in your drawing.
belchers@jccal.org
I'm not familiar with this author either! I'm going to guess that the title means that the book takes place a the beach and the murdered judges are like sharks. Thanks for another great giveaway! milou2ster(at)gmail.com
Ok, I have heard a few things about this book and I am dying to read it!! I can't wait! Please count me in. I have you on my contest blog too
bjwaldron(at)gmail.com
I have to read this one! Last year my book club was lucky enough to have an author chat with Ms. Maron and she was telling us all about this book -- how she got the ideas, etc.
bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the beach and a good book. This one has me wanting to read more. I would guess it is called Sand Sharks because of the location and finding them on the beach could mean a sharks had a snack.
I want to know!!!! :)
misty@mistywright.com
I'm going to blog about this one at www.mistywright.blogspot.com and bareasscottagewriters.blogspot.com
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway. Sand Sharks looks compelling. The judges are being murdered at the beach.
saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm not familiar with sand sharks, but maybe because the book is a mystery and sand sharks are sneaky and mysterious?
Thanks for sharing it.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
I would guess: the story is set at the beach, and someone is killing judges so it's like shark attacks.
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
Another new to me author! This sounds like a book I'd enjoy!
chey127 at hotmail dot com
Well people in the law profession area always called sharks and the old joke is sharks will never eat lawyers because of professional courtesy, and the book is set at the beach so Sand Sharks makes perfect sense. I have never heard of this author either.
rebecca[dot]cox[at]charter[dot]net
http://twitter.com/ccqdesigns/status/3431383901
here is my tweet
rebecca[dot]cox[at]charter[dot]net
The slang use of the word shark has referred to shady characters/dishonest businessmen which is what these murdered lawyers sound like. And it takes place at the beach hence the sand.
melacan at hotmail dot com
I think of sharks as predators. Sand sharks may be predators on the beach???
mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net
Please, please, I really want to win this one!
Sand sharks hide in the sand so the killer is hiding in the group of judges. Just like the shark, he blends in.
clenna at aol dot com
Sand Sharks could mean "criminals on the beach".
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
Maron is new to me as well! I love discovering new authors. Since Knott a judge and vacationing at the shore, maybe the sharks represent the less than honorable lawyers that populate her courtroom.
Thanks for another great giveaway!
JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com
maybe called that for dangerous people lurking on the sand
wheresmyrain(at)yahoo(dot)com
i am a subscriber
and follower
wheresmyrain(at)yahoo(dot)com
It's probably called "Sand Sharks" because of the locale the story is and because lawyers can be such shysters. Anyway, it sounds like a great book. I can't believe I've never read her stuff.
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/3441427520
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
Not sure from reading your review, but could be to do with the location in NC and the character of some of the characters in the book.
glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com
Well, I'm gonna assume that the title is sort of like that old Jimmy Buffet song that talks about "the sharks that live on the land". We've got too many sharks in our lives to worry about sharks in the seas and oceans!
Please count me in. Thanks!
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
It may be called Sand Sharks because the story takes place on the beach and sharks like prey(judges). Thanks for this giveaway and please count me in.
chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com
Tweet- http://twitter.com/chinook92
chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com
not really sure why it's called sand sharks maybe where is takes place at the ocean
thanks count me in
wadesherry@hotmail dot com
I would love to win this, please enter me in the giveaway, thanks!
roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
Perhaps it pertains to something similar to "JAWS"?? Yikes!!
roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
I tweeted about this great giveaway!
http://twitter.com/coolcanucks
roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am not quite sure why the book is titled Sand Sharks other than the fact that it is taking place at the beach and lawyers are referred to as sharks (referring to them being spineless and whatnot). Could the killer be a lawyer? :) Please enter me in this interesting giveaway. I'll have to look up Margaret Maron!
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
I blogged your giveaway here: http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaways-to-enjoy.html
Thank you again for the wonderful giveaways. You are certainly busy!
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
Well, a shark can be a person who is greedy and dishonest - and a sand shark is a bottom feeder shark from shallow waters... So maybe this is a dishonest "bottom feeder" who is killing the judges. . .
I would love to find out!
kherbrand at comcast dot net
I would guess it is called Sand Sharks becuase of the location of the story.
I would say it is called Sand Sharks because there is something dangerous on the beach. Book looks so good. Please enter me.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
The book is probably called "Sand Sharks" because the murderer laid in wait without detection for the prey (judges)in the book.
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com
Count me in - titled Sand Sharks because it takes place in a beach setting>?
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
sand sharks are the only sharks that surface to gulp air. does the novel take its name from the habit of the sand sharks to gulp air and then float motionless as they hunt?
does the novel have villains that are very good at hiding and attacking?
gaby317nyc at gmail dot com
I think it must mean that the sharks are mean and go to any length for a snack!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I have no idea why it is called sand sharks but I would love to read the book and find out.
Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at CoolCanucks.ca
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/Prairiebelle/status/3635428738
Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at CoolCanucks.ca
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
I do adore a good mystery. I assume sand sharks means that whomever is responsible for the murder lives near the beach.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Danger at the beach...hence, Sand Sharks.
I enjoy reading Margaret Maron & appreciate the chance to read this one.
tatamagouche AT netbundle DOT ca
I'm not sure why this book is called Sand Sharks. But I love mysteries, and would really like to read the book. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Mary D
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I'd love this! Sounds like a very good mystery :)
I think the title is a double entendre because, aside from the beach murder aspect, Sand Sharks are very deceptive in their hunting habits. They 'play dead' / 'possum'.
Please PLEASE count me in to win and thank you for the chance!
The sand appears to refer to the location and sharks appears
to refer to the killer, as sharks have a reputation for being killers.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
I'm a follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
Because the killer is preying on the beach?
amanda
catss99@yahoo.com
I blogged it:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2009/09/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-09-13-09.html
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I have no idea but maybe about someone not being what they seem to be.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say that the title comes from the fact that the judges are killed on the sand and the killer represents a shark.
booklogged AT gmail DOT com
judging from the description of the book, because it takes place at the beach and sharks are deadly animals and people are turning up dead at the beach, she has named this "sand sharks", the sharks being the killers.
i can't wait to read this book!
mollydawn1981(at)aol(dot)com
Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/JnJzMommi/statuses/4038339003
mollydawn1981(at)aol(dot)com
Hi! I read this giveaway through Buuklvr81's tweet on twitter! sounds like a great book!!!
connieed53(at)aol(dot)com
I'm guessing it's about those that prey on others at the beach or on vacation.
misusedinnocence@aol.com
saw your giveaway via buuklvr81s tweet on twitter @jnjzmommi. book sounds good.
justme8102002 at gmail dot com
oh a book based in NC..cool! Buuklvr81 posted a link for this giveaway on twitter and i though i would check out the giveaway. looks cool!
booksgalore04@yahoo.com
clicked to the giveaway on twitter from buuklvr81. sounds intriguing. thanks!
dle194706 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Saw Buuklvr81's tweet about this contest over at Twitter! Sounds like a yummy book! :)
dawnedwards76@yahoo.com
No idea but the bodies seem to be found on the beach and sharks are killers ...(not really sand sharks though)
It would be fun to find out.
Please enter me. LooseEnds AT Snet Dot Net
sounds like a good book. came by to post acomment through buuklvr81's tweet on twitter! thanks for the chance to win it!
kerrdrugtech2007/at/aol/dot/com
Sounds like a great book! My guess is that sand sharks are also known as spinners which lawyers do to spin the story their way. The fact that it takes place on a beach could also play into the title.
susan.byerly@comcast.net
You've heard of loan sharks. They are shady characters that loan money! The setting is on a beach (sand) And we're dealing with obvious shady characters. Sand Sharks!
I would love to win this. It must be called Sand Sharks because the lawyers and judges are getting killed and it is near a beach??
mwflynn63 / at / gmail / dot / com
I tweeted about this giveaway
http://twitter.com/phraud2001/status/4126168009
mwflynn63 / at / gmail / dot / com
I blogged about this giveaway
http://contestcrazycanada.blogspot.com/2009/09/booking-with-bingo-sand-sharks-giveaway.html
My friend Mark (mwflynn63 at gmail dot com) sent me tweet about this so I am entering as well.
csinsofsky at gmail dot com
I left a comment earlier about a tweet but I do not see it so I am re-submitting
http://twitter.com/phraud2001/status/4126168009
I guess it's called "Sand Sharks" because it takes place at the beach in North Carolina at the Atlantic Ocean. Sharks kill in the ocean, and the murderer in on land (sand), so they put the two together and came up with the name. I am rambling now so I will stop.........:)
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Tweet! Tweet!
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/4127410391
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I think Sand Shark's because while you're there you can relax on the beach but beware of predators. I don't know. I'm not very good at this kind of thing.
ryanw@mts.net
Stopping by to enter a contest that my good friend Molly~Buuklvr81~sent me a tweet about. Sounds interesting! Sand Sharks in a book like that sounds very much like "killer sharks" leaving their prey for dead on the beach.
jakobsgma082002/at/nc/dot/rr/dot/com
I'm on Twitter and my friend Buuklvr81 sent me a a tweet! Sounds deliciously yummy! Thanks!
parkershanice@rocketmail(dot)com
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