j_rowley 's review for:

Up Jumps the Devil by Margaret Maron

3.0

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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.