book by Jude Deveraux

– A Medlar Mystery, Book 3 –

Description

Sara Medlar, her niece Kate and their friend Jack need a change of scenery so Sara arranges for them to visit an old friend in England. Upon arrival at Oxley Manor, a centuries-old estate converted to a luxury hotel, Kate and Jack quickly realize Sara is up to something. They learn that Sara has also invited a number of others to join them.

When everyone assembles, Sara explains. Decades earlier, two people ran off together from Oxley and haven’t been heard from since—and Sara wants to solve the case. As the people who were there the night the two went missing, the guests find themselves cast in a live mystery-theater event.

In reenacting the events of that night, Sara, Jack and Kate are once again at the heart of a mysterious case that only they are able to solve. But someone is willing to continue to kill to keep the truth about Oxley Manor buried, and none of the guests are safe.

Just the Facts

  • Title: A Forgotten Murder

My Thoughts

The Setting

The setting for this book is perfect. After all, what fan of suspense can resist an unsolved mystery revolving around a large English manor that’s been converted into a hotel?

Oxley Manor, a centuries-old estate, is the perfect location for old friends to gather, not just to catch up on what’s been going on for the last twenty-five years, but to solve an old mystery.

The Cast of Characters

And Sara Medlar, the instigator of the weekend, wants to encourage a romance between her niece Kate and her friend Jack. So she insists that both come along for the adventure.

Though Kate and Jack are blindsided by the other guests that Sara has invited to the old hotel, they aren’t terribly surprised.

And the Plot Thickens

Sara informs the group that 25 years ago two people ran off together from Oxley. Since that time, no one has heard from them so, bottom line: Sara wants to know what happened. Thus, she has gathered the same people who were there. She expects some help and answers.

Da Da Da DDuuhhhhh

But it seems everyone is hiding secrets.

What Concerned Me

I had a hard time with this book for several reasons.

  1. There were quite a few characters to keep track of.
  2. While it was understandable, the story went back and forth between what happened 25 years ago and the present.
  3. I found the dialog was noticeable rather than just blending in with the story.

What I Liked Most

I really liked the setting for this story. It felt just right for this type of book.

The Bottom Line Is . . .

I think if you were a little more familiar with the characters it would help. (Although, I’m wondering if the guests that were invited to the manor were just introduced in this book.)

If you like cozy mysteries and feel like reading this series from the beginning, I’m sure you will enjoy it.

My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin-MIRA for the ability to review this book and offer my opinion.

About the Author

Jude​ ​Deveraux​​ ​is​ ​the​ ​author​ ​of​ ​forty-three​ ​New​ ​York​ ​Times​ ​bestsellers,​ ​including​ ​​Sweet​ ​Liar​,​ ​the​ ​Nantucket series,​ ​and​ ​​A​ ​Knight​ ​in​ ​Shining​ ​Armor​.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​honored​ ​with​ ​a​ ​Romantic​ ​Times​ ​Pioneer​ ​Award​ ​in​ ​2013​ ​for​ ​her distinguished​ ​career.​ ​To​ ​date,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​more​ ​than​ ​sixty​-​million​ ​copies​ ​of​ ​her​ ​books​ ​in​ ​print​ ​worldwide. Click for some interesting information about Jude.



~Let's Share Thoughts~