ISBN: 0-7887-0665-9 Order from: Order information Amazon.com
The story of economic and cultural conflicts in the rural South benefits from a well-drawn setting but is slowed down by lecturing, exposition-filled narration.
Reviewed by David on June 22, 2002
Genre: Mystery
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of Up Jumps the Devil. A North Carolina Judge Deborah Knott, now back in her home district in Colleton County, once more sees the conflict between the traditional way of life, and the encroaching development.
Farming, hunting, moonshine and tinkering with old cars is under pressure from the wealthy suburbonites seeking housing in the country, and the developers eager to help them.
Of course the old conflicts, driven by greed or lust are still just as potent. Deborah, in the midst of conflicts herself, with her large, farming family, and the more urban new generation, has few solutions except law and common sense—something that in her wild youth she herself conspicuously lacked.
Now, both old animosities and the new greed, the pressures finally cause murders. The police, aided and distracted by Judge Knott, have to uncover homocidal motives from venial sins.
Full Review: Once more, the author—and the protagonist—describe the colorful setting in the rural South, and the conflicts surrounding it. The Judge's habit of going off on a short lecture every time a new person, place or event is mentioned, helps draw the surroundings, but strains the pacing the reader's indulgence. There is plenty of personal involvement, with Deborah being related by blood or old acquintance with nearly all suspects, investigators, and passers-by. however, the slow pace, and the seeming desire to lecture rob this mystery of much suspense and emotional impact.
Overall: 5; Plot: 4.5; Characters: 5; Style: 4.5; World-building: 6; Originality: 5.5;
Copyright date 1996, Recorded Books, 1997, Audio cassette, 6 cassettes
ISBN: 0-7887-0665-9 Order from: Order information Amazon.com