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Medlar Mystery #1
Dokonalá vražda
Sara Medlarová je královnou romancí, s miliony prodanými výtisky. Po odchodu na odpočinek se však začíná nudit, a tak se vrací do svého rodného městečka Lachlanu na Floridě a pustí se do přestavby starého sídla, jež obdivovala už jako dítě. Pro ni samotnou je příliš velké, ale raději by umřela, než by to někomu přiznala.
Pak však v Lachlanu získá práci Sařina neteř Kate, která chce prorazit jako realitní agentka. Kate tedy osloví tetu, jestli by nemohla zůstat u ní, než si najde něco vlastního. Když však dorazí k Saře domů, zjistí, že není jediným dlouhodobým hostem. V domě má už svůj pokoj i Jackson Wyatt, a ačkoliv se nedá popřít, že je to okouzlující fešák – je jasné, že má její tetu omotanou kolem prstu – ještě nikdy nepotkala nikoho, kdo by ji rozčiloval tolik jako Jack.
Poté co jsou v městečku náhodou objeveny dvě lidské kostry, toto nepravděpodobné trio se spojí pod společným cílem: vyřešit záhadu, kterou zřejmě chtějí všichni uchovat pod pokličkou. Sara, Kate a Jack, spojeni smyslem pro spravedlnost a touhou napravit staré křivdy, se budou muset pustit do temných tajemství městečka a přivést na světlo ošklivou pravdu.
Světoznámá autorka románů Jude Deveraux přichází se svým debutem ve světě detektivek, s příběhem plným starých tajemství, smrtící nevraživosti a nepravděpodobné skupinky přátel, kteří jsou odhodlaní odhalit pravdu bez ohledu na následky...
Pak však v Lachlanu získá práci Sařina neteř Kate, která chce prorazit jako realitní agentka. Kate tedy osloví tetu, jestli by nemohla zůstat u ní, než si najde něco vlastního. Když však dorazí k Saře domů, zjistí, že není jediným dlouhodobým hostem. V domě má už svůj pokoj i Jackson Wyatt, a ačkoliv se nedá popřít, že je to okouzlující fešák – je jasné, že má její tetu omotanou kolem prstu – ještě nikdy nepotkala nikoho, kdo by ji rozčiloval tolik jako Jack.
Poté co jsou v městečku náhodou objeveny dvě lidské kostry, toto nepravděpodobné trio se spojí pod společným cílem: vyřešit záhadu, kterou zřejmě chtějí všichni uchovat pod pokličkou. Sara, Kate a Jack, spojeni smyslem pro spravedlnost a touhou napravit staré křivdy, se budou muset pustit do temných tajemství městečka a přivést na světlo ošklivou pravdu.
Světoznámá autorka románů Jude Deveraux přichází se svým debutem ve světě detektivek, s příběhem plným starých tajemství, smrtící nevraživosti a nepravděpodobné skupinky přátel, kteří jsou odhodlaní odhalit pravdu bez ohledu na následky...
357 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 2018
3161 people are currently reading
9712 people want to read
About the author
Jude Deveraux
199 books7,051 followersJude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 916 reviews
March 29, 2019
A Willing Murder by Jude Devereaux is a 2018 MIRA publication.
An impressive beginning for this new mystery series!
Kate wants to learn more about her deceased father, a man she never had a chance to know. To that end, she hunts down her father’s sister, Sara. To her surprise, Sara is a famous romance author, now retired.
After Kate manages to find a job in her Aunt Sara’s hometown, Sara invites her to stay with her at the old mansion she is re-modeling.
However, Kate is not Sara’s only guest. Jackson Wyatt, is also living on the estate, while recovering from a devastating car accident.
Unfortunately, Kate and Jackson seem to rub one another the wrong way. However, the trio becomes focused on the unsettling discovery of a pair of skeletons found buried beneath a rotting tree. As it turns out, Jack had a bittersweet relationship with one of the victims, which prompts Sara and Kate to help Jack find closure by discovering what really happened to them.
However, there are forces at work preventing them from unearthing anymore small- town secrets.
Addressing the elephant in the room first: Yes, this is the Jude Devereaux, who has written 31 New York Times bestsellers as a historical and contemporary romance author.
To my knowledge, this is her first attempt at writing a pure mystery.
In my opinion, Devereaux has done an admirable job with laying the groundwork for what could be the start of a long running mystery series.
Things did get off to a shaky start with too many convenient developments taking place, and I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Jack and Kate’s banter, in the beginning. What has apparently supposed to pass for humor fell flat, but after the story progressed and I became better acquainted with the characters, the more I appreciated the dialogue.
I did enjoy the quirkiness of the story, the eccentricity of the characters, and of course I just love small town secrets and drama. Another thing I enjoyed about this story was the cold case element, which is one of my favorite mystery tropes.
One thing I think is worth mentioning, however, is that while not marketed as such, specifically, this book could also fit into the cozy mystery category- (and some readers have already caught on to that).
The violence, language, and sexual chemistry are very mild and of course, Sara, Kate and Jack are amateur sleuths, so technically, this one might also appeal to those who enjoy the reading cozies. However, fans of pure, standard mysteries may be the targeted demographic.
The emotional issues at play, such as Kate’s relationship with her mother, the questions she has about her father, and Jack’s torment over his tragic car accident, didn’t weigh the story down, or take center stage. However, I did wish for a little more information about Kate’s father.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It’s an easy, light, mystery with likeable characters, mixed with humor and a few mild sarcastic jabs, here and there. I am looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Sara, Kate, and Jack develops and what this unique trio will get up to next!
An impressive beginning for this new mystery series!
Kate wants to learn more about her deceased father, a man she never had a chance to know. To that end, she hunts down her father’s sister, Sara. To her surprise, Sara is a famous romance author, now retired.
After Kate manages to find a job in her Aunt Sara’s hometown, Sara invites her to stay with her at the old mansion she is re-modeling.
However, Kate is not Sara’s only guest. Jackson Wyatt, is also living on the estate, while recovering from a devastating car accident.
Unfortunately, Kate and Jackson seem to rub one another the wrong way. However, the trio becomes focused on the unsettling discovery of a pair of skeletons found buried beneath a rotting tree. As it turns out, Jack had a bittersweet relationship with one of the victims, which prompts Sara and Kate to help Jack find closure by discovering what really happened to them.
However, there are forces at work preventing them from unearthing anymore small- town secrets.
Addressing the elephant in the room first: Yes, this is the Jude Devereaux, who has written 31 New York Times bestsellers as a historical and contemporary romance author.
To my knowledge, this is her first attempt at writing a pure mystery.
In my opinion, Devereaux has done an admirable job with laying the groundwork for what could be the start of a long running mystery series.
Things did get off to a shaky start with too many convenient developments taking place, and I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Jack and Kate’s banter, in the beginning. What has apparently supposed to pass for humor fell flat, but after the story progressed and I became better acquainted with the characters, the more I appreciated the dialogue.
I did enjoy the quirkiness of the story, the eccentricity of the characters, and of course I just love small town secrets and drama. Another thing I enjoyed about this story was the cold case element, which is one of my favorite mystery tropes.
One thing I think is worth mentioning, however, is that while not marketed as such, specifically, this book could also fit into the cozy mystery category- (and some readers have already caught on to that).
The violence, language, and sexual chemistry are very mild and of course, Sara, Kate and Jack are amateur sleuths, so technically, this one might also appeal to those who enjoy the reading cozies. However, fans of pure, standard mysteries may be the targeted demographic.
The emotional issues at play, such as Kate’s relationship with her mother, the questions she has about her father, and Jack’s torment over his tragic car accident, didn’t weigh the story down, or take center stage. However, I did wish for a little more information about Kate’s father.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It’s an easy, light, mystery with likeable characters, mixed with humor and a few mild sarcastic jabs, here and there. I am looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Sara, Kate, and Jack develops and what this unique trio will get up to next!
September 26, 2018
I had a not-so-nice review typed up, but I’ve deleted it.
Here’s the gist: I love OG Jude and am willing to forgive her many things as a result.
I was almost on board with this story by the end, but I could NOT get past the protagonist obsessing about food being “sinful”. It just went ON AND ON. Find another way to show how “flawed” your otherwise perfect character is. Maybe don’t have her love interest tease her about needing to go to the gym after she eats a sandwich. So cringeworthy.
Food is amazing. I don’t need this negativity in my life.
Here’s the gist: I love OG Jude and am willing to forgive her many things as a result.
I was almost on board with this story by the end, but I could NOT get past the protagonist obsessing about food being “sinful”. It just went ON AND ON. Find another way to show how “flawed” your otherwise perfect character is. Maybe don’t have her love interest tease her about needing to go to the gym after she eats a sandwich. So cringeworthy.
Food is amazing. I don’t need this negativity in my life.
September 24, 2018
This was a hard pass for me. Way too much in-story narration to explain away the plot points that didn't make sense and the very unrealistic things going on during a murder investigation. I was not engaged, I did not care about the characters (alive or dead) and was especially annoyed that the author felt the need to close the story with a "no the villain is really a bad person" bit instead of allowing the story to rest.
I'm also not sure what the tone of this was supposed to be--it was a weird mix of lots of angry people really obsessed with small town family dynamics and playful banter (not well done) plus people with short tempers who did a lot of throwing things or punching things and then quickly returned to playful banter. Plus there was a murder mystery going on in the background with a lot of people being killed in real time and yet the tone never felt serious or ominous. It was just... odd. Do not recommend.
I'm also not sure what the tone of this was supposed to be--it was a weird mix of lots of angry people really obsessed with small town family dynamics and playful banter (not well done) plus people with short tempers who did a lot of throwing things or punching things and then quickly returned to playful banter. Plus there was a murder mystery going on in the background with a lot of people being killed in real time and yet the tone never felt serious or ominous. It was just... odd. Do not recommend.
March 8, 2019
I had this book in my TBR pile since it first came out. When I started to see the reviews, I put it aside. Then, the second book in the series arrived and I knew I had to read it. However, I'm a "series from beginning to end" kind of gal, so I picked this up.
Well, this is another reminder to me to not always take reviews as gospel. Frankly, I would like to slap myself right now. I have always been a huge fan of Jude Deveraux and have read just about every book she has ever written. Yep, I need to make note of this momentarily slip of mine and make up my own mind on the matter! I am so mad at myself, but lesson learned.
The three characters involved in this murder/mystery were just fabulous together! All three personalities, lovingly developed, find themselves becoming amateur sleuths investigating a 20-year old murder. One of the characters already has a personal interest in the murder, so he is fully involved from the get go. The other two of "The Three" become fully vested as more of the facts are uncovered and it becomes personal to them. As they delve further into the mystery, they find themselves way over their heads but refuse to give up at some peril to themselves.
I have to say, that the three different personalities, from three different backgrounds, ages and family types was fascinating to read. The one thing they had in common was dysfunctional family backgrounds. Interesting that they all lived together in the same house, had separate careers, went off on their own to work things out in their minds, yet came together constantly to work together on their common goal which was fascinating. Those interactions were my favorite parts. They each had their flaws. How they "gelled," how they became their own little family, loving and supporting and understanding each other was fabulous. Classic Jude Deveraux snappy, crisp, clever and oh-so-smart dialogue was ever present and, as always, a joy to read. The murders/mysteries themselves had lots of twists and turns. I had part of it figured out early, but was surprised at the end because I didn't even come close to having it all. That makes me happy because I like to be surprised.
Now, to address some of the "fat shaming" comments and reviews I was very dismayed to see. What we have here with the three main character is this. One is a healthy young man in his prime. I defy anyone to prove to me that men like to eat and have good appetites. The second character is also a healthy young woman who has a propensity to gain weight at the drop of a hat, which I can relate to from my experience in my younger years. She cares for herself and monitors her eating habits accordingly. The third character, the 60ish author who brings them altogether, is a woman with a history of weight problems, who lost her weight by cutting out carbs and sugar, works out, and, shock of shocks, takes care of herself by maintaining her health. (For the record, I am 64 years old. Nine years ago, I lost 90 pounds by cutting carbs and sugar. I have maintained that weight loss by CARING FOR MYSELF, watching those carbs and sugar! I am happier and healthier than I have been in years.) Now, when these three get together for their strategy/bouncing ideas around sessions, it is usually when they are working as a group, preparing breakfast/dinner, grilling, etc. You know, just like families used to do. Food is involved! Never once did I see any nasty comments made about fat, someone being fat, or anything even close to that. Never once did anyone shame anyone. Never once did anyone make fun of anyone for what they were or were not eating. People need to stop being so damn sensitive to everything. It is nuts!
Okay, off my soapbox now. I found this to be a great book! Ms. Deveraux's foray with a new publisher into the murder/mystery genre was great. No matter what genre she decides to pursue, the core of her writing, with her fabulous talent, her snappy, clever dialogue, still shines! Onto "A Justified Murder," the second book in this Medlar Mystery series.
Well, this is another reminder to me to not always take reviews as gospel. Frankly, I would like to slap myself right now. I have always been a huge fan of Jude Deveraux and have read just about every book she has ever written. Yep, I need to make note of this momentarily slip of mine and make up my own mind on the matter! I am so mad at myself, but lesson learned.
The three characters involved in this murder/mystery were just fabulous together! All three personalities, lovingly developed, find themselves becoming amateur sleuths investigating a 20-year old murder. One of the characters already has a personal interest in the murder, so he is fully involved from the get go. The other two of "The Three" become fully vested as more of the facts are uncovered and it becomes personal to them. As they delve further into the mystery, they find themselves way over their heads but refuse to give up at some peril to themselves.
I have to say, that the three different personalities, from three different backgrounds, ages and family types was fascinating to read. The one thing they had in common was dysfunctional family backgrounds. Interesting that they all lived together in the same house, had separate careers, went off on their own to work things out in their minds, yet came together constantly to work together on their common goal which was fascinating. Those interactions were my favorite parts. They each had their flaws. How they "gelled," how they became their own little family, loving and supporting and understanding each other was fabulous. Classic Jude Deveraux snappy, crisp, clever and oh-so-smart dialogue was ever present and, as always, a joy to read. The murders/mysteries themselves had lots of twists and turns. I had part of it figured out early, but was surprised at the end because I didn't even come close to having it all. That makes me happy because I like to be surprised.
Now, to address some of the "fat shaming" comments and reviews I was very dismayed to see. What we have here with the three main character is this. One is a healthy young man in his prime. I defy anyone to prove to me that men like to eat and have good appetites. The second character is also a healthy young woman who has a propensity to gain weight at the drop of a hat, which I can relate to from my experience in my younger years. She cares for herself and monitors her eating habits accordingly. The third character, the 60ish author who brings them altogether, is a woman with a history of weight problems, who lost her weight by cutting out carbs and sugar, works out, and, shock of shocks, takes care of herself by maintaining her health. (For the record, I am 64 years old. Nine years ago, I lost 90 pounds by cutting carbs and sugar. I have maintained that weight loss by CARING FOR MYSELF, watching those carbs and sugar! I am happier and healthier than I have been in years.) Now, when these three get together for their strategy/bouncing ideas around sessions, it is usually when they are working as a group, preparing breakfast/dinner, grilling, etc. You know, just like families used to do. Food is involved! Never once did I see any nasty comments made about fat, someone being fat, or anything even close to that. Never once did anyone shame anyone. Never once did anyone make fun of anyone for what they were or were not eating. People need to stop being so damn sensitive to everything. It is nuts!
Okay, off my soapbox now. I found this to be a great book! Ms. Deveraux's foray with a new publisher into the murder/mystery genre was great. No matter what genre she decides to pursue, the core of her writing, with her fabulous talent, her snappy, clever dialogue, still shines! Onto "A Justified Murder," the second book in this Medlar Mystery series.
October 2, 2018
A Willing Murder by Jude Deveraux
A murder mystery story. First in a series.
A fun read. Quirky character interaction. I actually loved how Sara, Jack and Kate bounce off each other. The three of them sitting on a couch together as they talk to suspects clearly shows how comfortable they are in each other’s space, yet they all find it necessary to go off to their own section of the house and do their own thinking. Intriguing personalities.
I’d like to read the next and see how they solve the next mystery.
I received an early copy of this book from the publisher.
A murder mystery story. First in a series.
A fun read. Quirky character interaction. I actually loved how Sara, Jack and Kate bounce off each other. The three of them sitting on a couch together as they talk to suspects clearly shows how comfortable they are in each other’s space, yet they all find it necessary to go off to their own section of the house and do their own thinking. Intriguing personalities.
I’d like to read the next and see how they solve the next mystery.
I received an early copy of this book from the publisher.
June 14, 2020
While I was reading I wrote a list of my thoughts which became a list of all the things I found wrong with this book. It includes everything from unnatural dialogue, baffling unfunny jokes, to fat/food shaming. Now that I've finished I realize this long, nit-picky list isn't going to help anyone decide to pick up this book or not. Instead I'm just going to say that this one was not for me. I know Jude Deveraux is a very popular romance writer and this is her first foray into the mystery genre. This is also the first book of hers I have read. I feel like I'm missing something because it was just straight up bad. The writing, the characters, the story, it was all just done very poorly. I'm assuming this is not true of this author in general. I'm giving it two stars instead of one because I did finish without skimming but I do not recommend it and I will not be continuing this series.
October 1, 2018
Well, it's not like her usual style of books at all. It was an OK mystery but I had pretty much figured out the mystery murderer ahead of time. No romance at all, which is odd for a Jude Deveraux book. Maybe the lack of romance is what turned me off? I don't know but I also got annoyed at the lame writing--not sure how to describe it but it came across as if it had been written by a child, with dorky references to romance and other aspects of the characters' relationships. The entire premise of Kate going to live with her aunt was because she wanted to find out about her dad. Did we find out about her dad? Nope. And what was the deal with Kate's and Sara's problem with weight? Who cares? Or is it because there are more of these planned that we're left hanging? Now that I think about it, I wonder if she's trying to write books like Janet Evanovich's number series. Personally, I think she should stick to trashy romance novels. I liked those much better.
Just one of the annoying passages:
""Immediately, Jack looked guilty. "Get the thick-cut kind." He swallowed. "Maybe Cheryl told me. I'm not sure."
"And you're just now remembering that important fact?"
Jack gave a weak smile. "Guess so. You want some hot dogs?"
"No. They're poison." Kate pulled her cell out of her bag.""
What. Was. The. Point of that entire paragraph???
Just one of the annoying passages:
""Immediately, Jack looked guilty. "Get the thick-cut kind." He swallowed. "Maybe Cheryl told me. I'm not sure."
"And you're just now remembering that important fact?"
Jack gave a weak smile. "Guess so. You want some hot dogs?"
"No. They're poison." Kate pulled her cell out of her bag.""
What. Was. The. Point of that entire paragraph???
May 10, 2019
An unlikely trio become a team of amateur sleuths in this first book in a new series by Jude Devereaux. Sara Medlar, an aging and rather prolific romance writer, has returned to her hometown of Lachlan, Florida. It is a huge home and before she knows it, she is sharing it. For starters, her first houseguest, Jackson Wyatt, is very special to Sara. He is the grandson of her one true love, and she loves Jack as her own. When Sara's niece, Kate, is offered a real-estate job in Lachlan, Sara gets a dual opportunity. Not only is she able to fill her home further, but she is afforded the opportunity to get to know her niece.
As two skeletons are uncovered on another site, the team decide to investigate things for themselves. As they do so, however, that people would much rather not talk about it, wishing even the bodies had never been discovered. This only drives, Sara, Jack and Kate further when it comes to getting to he bottom of things.
Lachlan is a quiet town, with an apparently quiet past. However, the past is indeed revealed and long-dead secrets are ultimately exposed. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the series, as well as the second, A Justified Murder. This is certainly like many of the cozy mystery series that I read. Lately, I have been reading several stories with amateur sleuths and this team, and their methods, is quite delightful.
As two skeletons are uncovered on another site, the team decide to investigate things for themselves. As they do so, however, that people would much rather not talk about it, wishing even the bodies had never been discovered. This only drives, Sara, Jack and Kate further when it comes to getting to he bottom of things.
Lachlan is a quiet town, with an apparently quiet past. However, the past is indeed revealed and long-dead secrets are ultimately exposed. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the series, as well as the second, A Justified Murder. This is certainly like many of the cozy mystery series that I read. Lately, I have been reading several stories with amateur sleuths and this team, and their methods, is quite delightful.
September 14, 2018
3 Stars - what gives it 3 stars instead of 4? I did enjoy this novel - it was a quick read, there were not pockets of time where the story dragged, and god, I love the relationship between Sara, Kate, and Jack - the sarcastic joking and quips between one another are right up my alley. The one thing that bothered me as I started reading (and obviously still does) was how quick some of the character/relationship building happened - for example, Kate walks into Sara's home for the first time - hasn't seen her for 20 plus years - and they don't really acknowledge that they barely know each other. It's hard to put into words exactly what I didn't like about how some of the characters originally meet, but it's almost unrealistic/unnatural to me. But that thought aside, I do look forward to the next installment - I can't wait to experience the relationship between Sara and Kate, and especially Kate and Jack(!) to grow.
April 3, 2020
Sara Medlar is a romance writer and she has been in retirement but is getting bored. She is remodeling a home she loved as a child. Her niece, Kate, is offered a job in her town and has asked to live with her until she has enough money to get an apartment.
When Kate gets there she finds out she isn't the only guest there. Jackson Wyatt is also living there. Sara has known Jackson just about his whole life. Kate thinks he is using Sara but it seems that things are not what she thought.
Then they accidentally stumble upon 2 skeletons and they turn into sleuths trying to solve the puzzle, because it seems like the town police aren't solving it.
I started reading book 3 of this series and once I realized that it was book 3 then I started this one and will continue on with the series.
When Kate gets there she finds out she isn't the only guest there. Jackson Wyatt is also living there. Sara has known Jackson just about his whole life. Kate thinks he is using Sara but it seems that things are not what she thought.
Then they accidentally stumble upon 2 skeletons and they turn into sleuths trying to solve the puzzle, because it seems like the town police aren't solving it.
I started reading book 3 of this series and once I realized that it was book 3 then I started this one and will continue on with the series.
March 6, 2019
Yikes. It's been years (maybe decades?) since I read a JD book, and this was a huge disappointment. After 5 chapters, I started skimming and reading the end. TBH, I think her writing has always been weak, but either it was entertaining enough or I was less picky (or both). There are some major holes in the story, and the characters were all over the place. They are unrealistically stupid many times. The dialogue is supposed to be funny, but it really came off as as just so shallow that I never felt engaged.
The prologue already had some issues, and when you find out the full story, it gets even more confusing. Why did no one notice that a giant pit was filled in and a tree planted on the day that two people mysteriously vanished (leaving most of their belongings?!)? How did such a pampered young man devise bunch of false fronts to hide his ownership of the house at that time? He was so weak that he couldn't deal with his gf's pregnancy without running to his mom, but he covers up the murders so easily? How exactly was the house "confiscated?" Apparently one or both of the victims was still alive when he buried them, but it seems to gloss over that. How would the murder weapon still have fingerprints on it more than 20 years later? How can they tell that the mom was stabbed, if there's only a skeleton? An old lady is asphyxiated and they decide it was by her sheets? Videos were spliced together and made into a dvd by a complete amateur in 1997? And the police believed that it was totally normal that they were given a dvd that had snippets that suggest the kid was abused yet was missing all other video of actual abuse? Jack was in love with a girl at 11 and he's weeping over her all this time later? Jack's brother came to pick him up because he was drunk, but drove Jack's truck instead of his own car? After the accident, the cops couldn't tell who was driving? And good job being buddy-buddy and always defending one of the main bad guys, and letting him see all your investigation work. I guess it's ok because charming and handsome men aren't killers. I also have to wonder about Alistair's crazy desire to see women dressed up all the time. Is it a mom complex?
Kate's obsession with calories and food was way too overdone. Shut up and eat already -_- Her mom was just nuts, and her uncles were always referred to as horrible, without really making it clear why. Kate's personality seemed strong at first, as she immediately moves across the country and is bold enough to get a new job and ask this long lost aunt to stay with her...but in other parts, it says she'll have to go home and live with her mom forever if things go wrong? Kate never seemed to question that her mother was a liar, despite clear evidence...and are we going to learn more about her dad, or what? Clearly her aunt was supporting her mom all these years. I also want to know if her mom grew up in this crazy town too.
What a complete mess of a book.
The prologue already had some issues, and when you find out the full story, it gets even more confusing. Why did no one notice that a giant pit was filled in and a tree planted on the day that two people mysteriously vanished (leaving most of their belongings?!)? How did such a pampered young man devise bunch of false fronts to hide his ownership of the house at that time? He was so weak that he couldn't deal with his gf's pregnancy without running to his mom, but he covers up the murders so easily? How exactly was the house "confiscated?" Apparently one or both of the victims was still alive when he buried them, but it seems to gloss over that. How would the murder weapon still have fingerprints on it more than 20 years later? How can they tell that the mom was stabbed, if there's only a skeleton? An old lady is asphyxiated and they decide it was by her sheets? Videos were spliced together and made into a dvd by a complete amateur in 1997? And the police believed that it was totally normal that they were given a dvd that had snippets that suggest the kid was abused yet was missing all other video of actual abuse? Jack was in love with a girl at 11 and he's weeping over her all this time later? Jack's brother came to pick him up because he was drunk, but drove Jack's truck instead of his own car? After the accident, the cops couldn't tell who was driving? And good job being buddy-buddy and always defending one of the main bad guys, and letting him see all your investigation work. I guess it's ok because charming and handsome men aren't killers. I also have to wonder about Alistair's crazy desire to see women dressed up all the time. Is it a mom complex?
Kate's obsession with calories and food was way too overdone. Shut up and eat already -_- Her mom was just nuts, and her uncles were always referred to as horrible, without really making it clear why. Kate's personality seemed strong at first, as she immediately moves across the country and is bold enough to get a new job and ask this long lost aunt to stay with her...but in other parts, it says she'll have to go home and live with her mom forever if things go wrong? Kate never seemed to question that her mother was a liar, despite clear evidence...and are we going to learn more about her dad, or what? Clearly her aunt was supporting her mom all these years. I also want to know if her mom grew up in this crazy town too.
What a complete mess of a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2018
I can't believe this was written by Jude Deveraux. She was one of the first romance writers I read and am pretty sure I have read everything she has ever written. The voice in this one is no where near her usual voice. It is billed as a mystery but it's more of a cozy -- which is fine. I enjoy cozies - they're usually fun reads with quirky characters and entertaining plots. This one started out sort of in the cozy mold but the writing was just bad. I figured out who did it almost immediately. I can't see myself continuing with the series.
January 16, 2020
Jude Deveraux needs to stick with romances because her first mystery was just a mess. It should have been called “Three Idiots Try To Solve A Murder”. That would be a perfect description of this book.
April 29, 2019
It was a good read, but it was very predictable.
December 18, 2018
Way too slow. It seemed like the entire plot hinged upon people not telling each other things. Never warmed up to Kate. It was SO STUPID how she started spewing to Alistair (a perfect stranger) personal information about an aunt she hasn't even met yet within seconds of walking into a new town. It didn't make any sense. And it took her a very long time for the TSTL vibe to start to wear off. And not once did her relatives call her on it. Instead, they apologize to her! I don't get it.....
May 30, 2019
I found this to be a well-crafted mystery with believable characters, a quickly paced plot and enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the reveal. I am on the wait list at my local library for the second book in this series.
June 27, 2018
You can tell this author is usually a romance writer but she wrote a nice mystery. I thought I knew the murderer fairly early but there were some surprises at the end. It’s written with characters and back story that will allow for additional books. I heard Jude talk about her book at ALA and she described a strong backstory to really set this up for a lot of potential future books. It was a fun read.
July 30, 2019
I hate to be this way, but this was one of the worst written books I’ve ever read. It was all so unbelievable and choppy with the dialogue that I couldn’t wait for it to be finished. The annoying banter between Jack and Kate, the almost creepy relationship between Jack and Sara, and the complete but irrelevant focus on calories.
March 3, 2019
This book is Jude Deveraux’ first foray into the mystery category. Jude Deveraux’s A Willing Murder (A Medlar Mystery #1) has her readable writing style, well-defined main characters, and a 20 year old murder to solve. The likeable threesome become amateur sleuths who find themselves in over their heads, but their determination to right a 20 year old wrong is stronger than their missteps or a warning from the from the local police chief ‘to back off’. It will be interesting to see where Ms. Deveraux takes the series with #2. I am going to check it out as I have enjoyed many of this author’s books. 4 stars.
April 30, 2019
Firstly let me say Jude Deveraux is a new author to me. This book appealed to me in part that it was set in FLORIDA, U.S.A. While it isn't Murder she wrote it is a tribute to the amateur sleuth.
The prologue sets the mystery up beautifully. There is a sense of malice and a righteousness in the act but an enduring threat of evil that persists into the present day.
Lachlan is a fictitious township within the Fort Lauderdale area in Broward County. A great setting for the elements the author wants to share in her wonderful story.
A place where old money doesn't mix, where family name and history is everything and although gossip may abound some secrets can be kept, but at what cost.
The novel is high on character and the chemistry that binds Kate with her Aunt Sara and her live in lodger she has almost adopted Jack Wyatt. There is a dynamic relationship that builds cleverly through the book as they get to know each other and work to solve a 20 year old cold case of murder. I loved the interplay and sharp dialogue between these three.
Used to writing romantic fiction I guess we can forgive the author for classic moments of boy meets girl. It did lead me to a false start reading the book. I'm glad the lure of a sinister crime story brought me back again.
The sexual tension drips at times as though the AC has packed in.
I loved the humour especially in what is often a dark tale. The fun with the satnav had me laughing out loud and almost rolling about the floor. So too the constant references to food, Jack eats for fun while Kate is on a no fun diet.
Ultimately it is a story about a tree that toppled over in a storm and exposed not only its roots but brought into the light local family trees that were not only damaged but unhealthy.
The role of Fathers is also a common theme. In Jack fighting his genes and Kate desperate to learn more about her Dad.
A well planned and finely tuned murder mystery that is easy to read, grabbing and maintaining your attention. The real skill is keeping the reader interested when we think we know everything from the very beginning.
A clever format in sharing different characters memories from the past is another aspect that makes this novel standout for me. There are also many layers of the natures and past of these people that you are hooked into this series and wanting the saga to continue.
The prologue sets the mystery up beautifully. There is a sense of malice and a righteousness in the act but an enduring threat of evil that persists into the present day.
Lachlan is a fictitious township within the Fort Lauderdale area in Broward County. A great setting for the elements the author wants to share in her wonderful story.
A place where old money doesn't mix, where family name and history is everything and although gossip may abound some secrets can be kept, but at what cost.
The novel is high on character and the chemistry that binds Kate with her Aunt Sara and her live in lodger she has almost adopted Jack Wyatt. There is a dynamic relationship that builds cleverly through the book as they get to know each other and work to solve a 20 year old cold case of murder. I loved the interplay and sharp dialogue between these three.
Used to writing romantic fiction I guess we can forgive the author for classic moments of boy meets girl. It did lead me to a false start reading the book. I'm glad the lure of a sinister crime story brought me back again.
The sexual tension drips at times as though the AC has packed in.
I loved the humour especially in what is often a dark tale. The fun with the satnav had me laughing out loud and almost rolling about the floor. So too the constant references to food, Jack eats for fun while Kate is on a no fun diet.
Ultimately it is a story about a tree that toppled over in a storm and exposed not only its roots but brought into the light local family trees that were not only damaged but unhealthy.
The role of Fathers is also a common theme. In Jack fighting his genes and Kate desperate to learn more about her Dad.
A well planned and finely tuned murder mystery that is easy to read, grabbing and maintaining your attention. The real skill is keeping the reader interested when we think we know everything from the very beginning.
A clever format in sharing different characters memories from the past is another aspect that makes this novel standout for me. There are also many layers of the natures and past of these people that you are hooked into this series and wanting the saga to continue.
September 7, 2018
A Willing Murder is the first book I’ve read from Deveraux, and when I finished I was happy that I gave this little murder mystery a try.
The story stars shortly after Kate Medlar moves herself to a little town in Florida with her very reclusive and mysterious Aunt. Sara is an author, and wants to keep to her self, that is until she receives a second house guest, Kate. This little town if Lachlan has some secrets that it would like to keep buried.
Kate is a real estate agent and has big hopes of making her a good career in this little town. I have to say, that I really enjoyed Kate. She is a woman who doesn’t hold back and is quite sassy and very determined. When she first meets her Aunts other houseguest, she doesn’t like him at all. In fact, he just rubs her the wrong way. But after the discovery of a set of bones found on a property that Jackson owns, these three amateur sleuths set out to find out what happened and who they are.
Kate, Sara and Jackson find themselves in some sticky situation, and it was clear who ever murdered these two was willing to do just about anything to prevent the truth from coming out. There was plenty of creepy and dangerous situations that the trio didn’t bargained for. I enjoyed following the clues that were sprinkled from start to finish. But while I was on the right track to figuring out who the murderer was, Deveraux threw a monkey wrench in my path and it ended up being a little different than I expected, but man was it good!
Overall this was a great read. It had some great characters too, one you love and ones you love to hate too. I thoroughly enjoyed Kate and Jackson with their slow building friendship turn slow burning romance. It was a nice little addition to the story. But at the heart of this was the murder mystery. And if you enjoy unraveling clues and a little bit of romance along the way, this would be a great one to pick up.
July 2, 2022
Mīlas romāni tomēr Devero padodas labāk.
October 5, 2018
I liked the characters in this first in a series enough that I'll probably read the next one, if only to find out more of the backstory, but a couple of times I misread a section because a character was being sarcastic and I took their comment seriously, missing the few words that clued in the person she was talking to. The ending was a bit rushed, with a TSTL moment and inadequate explanation for how the "good guys" got to a certain location. I've filed this under "cozy" but it's closer to a "traditional" mystery.
October 3, 2018
Jude Deveraux, one of my favorite authors of historical (and some contemporary) romance, has decided to make a foray into the world of cozy mysteries.
A Willing Murder has well thought out characters, complicated family relations, and a town where every seems to be in two camps. While the mystery was a little simple, it was nicely thought out. A fun entry for the genre.
A Willing Murder has well thought out characters, complicated family relations, and a town where every seems to be in two camps. While the mystery was a little simple, it was nicely thought out. A fun entry for the genre.
May 26, 2022
3.5 stars
A fun mystery recommended to me by a co-worker. I liked the three main characters, but pretty much had the mystery solved from very early on. There was one element of the murder I didn't get, but overall, very predictable. All the calorie talk also bugged me. As someone who is trying to get away from diet culture, the frequent calorie comments for losing or maintaining weight were not pleasant. Given all of this, I did still enjoy it overall because of the characters. I've already started book 2 and can say that the calorie talk has gone down considerably and I haven't figured out who did it, so I think my co-worker was correct when she told me they get better as you go. It's pretty clean, too.
Content: some sexual innuendo, but nothing graphic
A fun mystery recommended to me by a co-worker. I liked the three main characters, but pretty much had the mystery solved from very early on. There was one element of the murder I didn't get, but overall, very predictable. All the calorie talk also bugged me. As someone who is trying to get away from diet culture, the frequent calorie comments for losing or maintaining weight were not pleasant. Given all of this, I did still enjoy it overall because of the characters. I've already started book 2 and can say that the calorie talk has gone down considerably and I haven't figured out who did it, so I think my co-worker was correct when she told me they get better as you go. It's pretty clean, too.
Content: some sexual innuendo, but nothing graphic
January 31, 2019
Okay; so I had to resort to intense skimming after about page 40 because the writing in this book became tedious and incredibly boring to me. After a VERY strong and compelling prologue; it just devolved from "sinister and mysterious nefarious actions that need solving" to "it's a romance novel...but with corpses!" Add in some small-town politics, LOADS of truly boring and illogical conversations that are supposed to pass as witty banter, liberally sprinkle in some fat shaming and barely (but at least somewhat; hence the second star) address the near-constant slut-shaming; and you have this novel!
Read this one if it's the only thing you have around you and there's no shampoo bottles from the backs of which you could read the ingredients...
Read this one if it's the only thing you have around you and there's no shampoo bottles from the backs of which you could read the ingredients...
July 31, 2018
The author's move to contemporary mystery is a fun venture. The start is less cohesive than a solid murder suspense, but the plot tightens and moves forward. The witty dialog mentioned by some reviewers seemed to be more awkward than entertaining at the first, but that too smooths out and becomes part of the cohesive story line.
A fun read with the murder resolved satisfyingly but not the relationships. More to come?
Pub Date: 18 Sep 2018 by HARLEQUIN - MIRA (U.S. and Canada)
A fun read with the murder resolved satisfyingly but not the relationships. More to come?
Pub Date: 18 Sep 2018 by HARLEQUIN - MIRA (U.S. and Canada)
January 20, 2020
This book was an easy relaxing read. The ending wasn’t unexpected. The characters were interesting but I would have liked knowing more about main character’s father. Or what caused the family conflict. These were issues left unresolved.
March 23, 2021
Sara Medlar has gone home after a successful writing career and has become something of a recluse. But she finds herself becoming bored. When her niece Kate decides to move to Lachlan, Sara agrees to have her stay in the mansion she has bought. However, Jack is also a resident there. Jack is very good looking but annoying beyond belief. When two skeletons turn up on property Jack bought to renovate, Sara, Kate and Jack determine to find out what happened to the women that were buried under the tree. Not many will care because they were women from the wrong side of the track, a single mother and her daughter.
Really enjoyed the story on this one. I like the characters a lot and Sara was a very good character with lots of potential. A great story for a first in a series.
Really enjoyed the story on this one. I like the characters a lot and Sara was a very good character with lots of potential. A great story for a first in a series.
November 9, 2018
I enjoyed this story with plenty of action that moved right along. Although there really wasn't much of the typical romance involved, I particularly liked the interaction between the main characters. I did suspect the bad guy but had enough doubt to keep it interesting. Kate is offered a job near a newly discovered Aunt so stays with her at the same time recuperating Jack is also in residence.
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