All of us at Quail Ridge Books, as well as readers and writers throughout North Carolina and beyond, lost a good friend when beloved local mystery writer Margaret Maron passed away on Tuesday, February 25th.
Margaret was more than an acclaimed writer whose awards included Edgars, Anthonys, Agathas, and McCavities, and being chosen a Grandmaster by the Mystery Writers of America. She was also a staunch supporter of independent bookstores, a huge advocate for her fellow authors (especially those starting out), and a president of Sisters-in-Crime (a crime writing association focused on equity and inclusion).
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Along with her writing skills Margaret was graced with a green thumb and culinary prowess that she liked to share. She and her husband Joe were known to generously drop bags of pears and blueberries by the store when they had a bumper crop. We hosted Margaret for packed crowds whenever she had a new book to launch. Jim Olson (husband of Quail Ridge Books founder Nancy Olson) would supply the champagne and Margaret would bring a great wheel of Brie over which she poured her famous and delicious homegrown fig preserves.
Margaret had a wicked sense of humor that carried into her books. Lucky for us that after bouncing around Brooklyn and Italy she and Joe came home to Johnston County and she created the unforgettable Judge Deborah Knott, 12th child of a moonshiner in Colleton County. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Margaret's books start with Bootleggers Daughter and keep going through all 20. You'll learn things you never knew about North Carolina and have a wonderful time along the way. Then head to New York City for her different, but equally wonderful, nine Sigrid Harald mysteries.
Margaret, we'll miss you.