Murder, Forgotten

by Deb Richardson-Moore

Julianna Burke, bestselling mystery novelist, has a secret that those closest to her are hiding from the world. Julianna is losing her memory, and with it her powerful gift for storytelling that propelled her to fame.

A further devastating blow comes when Connor, Julianna’s beloved husband, is murdered. Even this is not something Julianna’s mind can hold on to, and every day her assistant has to break the heart-wrenching news all over again.

Julianna is desperate to know what happened to her husband. As she battles her failing mind to investigate, a detail of the murder surfaces that makes Julianna question everything she’s ever known. Somehow she must fight to find the truth, even though her grip on reality is fading…

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Crime

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2020

About the author

Deb Richardson-Moore is a former journalist and former pastor of a church whose parishioners included homeless people. Those experiences combined in her first four books -- a 2012 memoir about her early years at the Triune Mercy Center, and the three-book Branigan Powers mystery series featuring a news reporter and a homeless man.

She has now turned to darker domestic thrillers with the release of "Murder, Forgotten" in 2020.

Deb lives in Greenville, SC, with her husband. They are the parents of three adult children.

(Author's photo by Susan Hood)

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com

This is one of the most well written mysteries I’ve ever read – I was hooked from the first page and my attention was held until the very end.

The chapters alternate between the POVs of Julianna, a famous author with a penchant for daydreaming, and her adult daughter, Logan, who is witnessing the decline of her mother’s health and memory.

Connor, Julianna’s husband and great love, is murdered in their home and nobody can determine how anyone could have entered the house without waking the entire household.

Julianna is an unreliable narrator with her diminishing memory and tendency to daydream for long stretches of time while writing her books, we know that she misses a great deal of what’s going on around her. This is also a massive contributing factor to her relationship with her daughter – Logan is now an adult and coming to understand her mother as a person rather than a disappointing parent.

Logan is more attentive to the things going on around her and is the driving force of the investigation, uncovering secrets within the small island community.

The clues are subtle but dished out liberally so you have plenty of potential leads to consider if you like trying to work out whodunnit while you’re reading, but it’s impossible to be sure until last few pages of the book. The pacing is perfection, with a lot of characters and events propelling the story onwards.

I would certainly recommend this book for fans of murder mysteries. The paperback edition includes some questions for book groups at the end and I’m inclined to agree that this would be a fantastic read for a group to discuss.

[Jypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you PICT and Lion Fiction for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Murder, Forgotten
By: Deb Richardson-Moore


REVIEW ☆☆☆☆

Deb Richardson-Moore's Murder, Forgotten poses the question of whether murder actually can be forgotten. Successful murder mystery author Julianna Burke is secretly, but surely, slipping into possible dementia. Then, one fateful day, Connor, her husband of over twenty years, is found murdered in a manner eerily similar to a murder penned by Julianna. Desperate for answers, Julianna, her assistant, Margot, and her distant daughter, Logan, tackle the case.

Julianna claims no memories of the tragedy, and yet... I wonder if Julianna actually has memory loss, or is she an expert liar? Or, a more philosophical question is whether an author can become so entrenched in their work as to blur the line between fiction and reality? Julianna might believe her creation is real and herself a character. This is part of the problem that Logan is attempting to solve. Only relying on Julianna's word complicates things more because she she says she is slipping in and out of memories. Not being close, Logan and Julianna don't have a baseline for referencing normal behavior or an established history for clarification.

This story is more than a murder mystery as it delves into the ever complex mother daughter dynamic, mental illness and the infinite number of secrets and lies present everywhere. Does anyone really know anyone else? The red herrings and twists are clever and well executed at the right moments. The characters are not static or without personality. Many of their attributes are relatable, adding authenticity and familiarity, and giving us something to root for, or against, depending upon the situation.

Overall, Murder, Forgotten is unique, compelling, unpredictable and possesses that certain something that makes a story difficult to put down for even a moment. This story is ideal for murder, mystery or suspense fans. I definitely recommend trying this book!

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julianna Burke is a celebrity. Her books are best sellers. Suddenly her perfect world is torn apart. Connor, her husband, is murdered. She and her assistant were the only ones home when it happened. Logan her daughter, finds that Julianna suffers from confusion and memory loss. Could she have had an episode and killed the love of her life? Julianna wasn't close with her children which is why Logan wasn't aware of her mother's mental issues. Logan stays to help Julianna which bring closeness between the two. I liked how Logan worked to understand what happened. Connor was like a father to her. All the characters were well developed and easy to relate to. I understood why Julianna acted why she did. Logan was determined to get answers. She wasn't afraid to ask the difficult questions to get to the truth. This story had so many twists that I couldn't stop reading. There were so many unanswered questions and the past had the ability to influence the present. The setting added to the story with its scenic beauty. Murder and treachery don't belong here, but appearances can be deceiving. Many people had motives. Murder, Forgotten focuses on the murder as well as the mother-daughter relationship which enhanced the drama. I found this book thought provoking. It made me look deeply into past relationships as well as the murder. Deb Richardson-Moore has written an exceptional book. I found it was an emotional roller coaster. When I read the last page, I was exhausted.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deb Richardson-Moore brings us a modern southern mystery, a family drama, set in Charleston and Sullivan's Island, North Carolina, a small, insular community of lifelong friends, and on the Eastern coast of Scotland, along the Fife Coastal Path. Our story is told from the vantage point of Logan Arnette, mid-20s, an artist and office maven for a physician's office in Charleston. Logan is the daughter of well-known mystery novelist Julianna Burke, and step-daughter of Connor Burke. Julianna is going through a mental crisis in the midst of writing her seventh mystery and during that period of possible dementia/early Alzheimer's, her beloved husband of 22 years, Connor, is murdered in their home on Sullivan's Island.

The rapidly accelerating confusion Julianna is suffering and the possibility that she might be in danger herself convinces Sheriff Royson of Charleston County to allow Julianna and her live-in assistant Margot to retreat to their second home in Scotland while the investigation into Connors death is underway. When the family home crime scene is released, Logan moves back temporarily from her Charlotte apartment to care for her mother's Shiba Inu, Annabelle, while her mother is overseas. Julianna's dementia symptoms are intensifying daily even isolated in Scotland, and she feels compelled to return home in just a matter of days. At that point, her mom is so frail and confused that Logan feels a need to remain in the family home with her and Margot despite the lengthy daily commute to her job in the city. Representatives of Julianna's publisher are in and out as is Harrison Arnette, Julianna's son and as is normal, the neighbors come and go. But clues are few and far between, and it is reluctantly suspected that perhaps in her altered mental state Julianna may have killed her husband Connor. Everyone who knew them can't believe that. Theirs was the sort of relationship songs are written to honor. Everyone who knew them also had keys to their home where the welcome mat was always out, making for an ever-widening investigation. Julianna though, can't be sure she didn't, which only adds to her mental confusion and angst. Logan would do anything to give her mother peace of mind. But that is something neither law, church or daughter can provide. Is it a mystery Julianna can live with?

I received a free electronic ARC of this novel from Netgalley, Deb Richardson-Moore, and publisher Lion Hudson, LTD. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.
pub date September 18, 2020
Lion Hudson Ltd
Reviewed on September 22, 2020, at Goodreads, Netgalley, Amazon, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me much too long to get through unfortunately. I think the main problem was the over abundance of characters.
The core mystery is really good, lots of great twists and it's not easy to puzzle out who the culprit is, even though there are quite a few clues given. I did figure out some of the twists ahead of time (the "forgotten" part was pretty obvious), but the author has quite a clever explanation for the motive and it made the book shine.
Like I said, I got really bogged down with the sheer number of characters and how they all related to the story. I almost needed to keep a list of who was who and the relationships because there were so many.
Overall, this is a solid mystery with surprises, if you can take the time to sort it all out.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Forgotten is one of those murder mystery novels that will honestly have you page-turning and second guessing yourself as you scramble to discover the true killer before the big reveal. This book by Deb Richardson-Moore isn’t going to start out the way that you expect, but it is going to have the author’s desired effect of grabbing you and seducing you into putting off other responsibilities to learn the truth.
When I first read the blurb for Murder Forgotten I knew that this was a book I wanted to read. I’m given a main character who writes murder mystery novels, but then murder comes and hits home. The way that the story started I wasn’t sure that I would be able to get into it at first. I’m so used to the set-up and lead up to the murder, but in this book the murder has already taken place and now the characters are dealing with the aftermath. I have to admit that I was quickly hooked into this story as I piece together that the main character, Julianna, is struggling with her mental health.
I feel that this is a character driven story. The characters are the primary focus of the storyline and the mystery helps to color it all. The author takes readers to the shores of Scotland and back again to South Carolina. I’m a suspicious person, so when strange things begin to happen with Julianna, I’m immediately picking at things to figure out what is going on. I have to admit that I’m proud of Julianna when she has her moments of clarity. I like her daughter Logan. Logan is the one who chooses to be there with her mother and really begins to step up. I was worried at first that Logan would harbor some resentment towards her mother for the issues that she’s struggling with, but I’m pleased that she never does.
Now, if you’re like me you like to try and figure out who the murderer really is. I honestly thought that I had it figured out a couple times, but the author showed me that I was wrong and kept me guessing until the very end. The author writes in a couple of twists that had me hoping for a different result, but they are part of what fuels the story. I really kept waiting for this book to have a dull moment; however, there is not a single one! I dove into this book and before I knew it I was halfway through in my eagerness to devour this novel.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. If you love a good mystery novel that hooks you in and has you page-turning to the end, then this book is a perfect fit for you. I love how true to life this book is. You’ll hope for a different turn out with certain situations, but the way that this story comes together is absolutely perfect. I truly look forward to reading more books from this author in the future. I could easily see myself becoming a fan. This is a successful creation of a mystery novel and one that I encourage others to check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

[Toni Nyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read this author before, what a find. This is a true mystery from start to finish. Julianna is a top writer who is keeping a big secret. It appears she is losing her memory and they help her cover it. Her husband and her assistant are the only ones who really know. After her husband Connor is murdered at home her life begins to unravel. She is stricken every time she is told he is dead. When a trip to Scotland doesn't seem to help, she heads back to family summer home in Louisiana. Her daughter Logan is there for a visit and turns up some clues that change what she believes is wrong with her mother. Julianna remembers things that could change what has really happened. Will Margot and Logan be able to find out was is real. Logan and her mother had not been close while she was growing up. Connor, her stepfather, was her more the parent. The women start tiny steps to have a better relationship. That is such a great part of the story. This is definitely a must read. I am so happy to have received an arc copy and give a true review.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Forgotten by Deb Richardson-Moore was a mind twisting read that I could not put down but at the same time I did not want to end. The story is set Scotland and with the skill of the author I could taste the salt of the sea and feel the bone chilling wind whipping around me as I read. Julianna is the main character and also a mystery author whose world is shrouded by suspicion and doubt which made me want to help figure out what happened to her beloved husband. I can honestly say this book shocked me but I appreciate the way it entangled me in the story. Every character was thoroughly developed and I got to know about each and their lives. It was not solely leaving them as back up to the main character but each had their own story. This is the first book I have had the pleasure of reading by Deb Richardson-Moore but I can happily say it will not be the last!

[Fictionophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for an engaging murder mystery? This just might be the book for you.

Set for the most part on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, the novel features a tight-knit community - yet one of them is a killer! Logan Arnette questions everything she previously assumed about her friends and neighbors, and this suspicion upsets her life and world view.

Featuring some interesting plot devices, the author surprised me on occasion, though several factors of the 'how' the murder was done seemed overly obvious to me. That didn't really mar my enjoyment of the read however, for the 'who' evaded me until the last pages.

I was riveted to "Murder, Forgotten" while reading it, and recommend it highly to all lovers of a good 'whodunit'.

4.5 stars rounded up

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could not put this one down! It reminded me a little of Ruth Ware’s thrillers, although a little less creepy - which is fine with me. In fact, I had to chuckle when one of the characters on the book is actually reading a Ruth Ware novel!)
I liked that the main character is a mystery/thriller author, working on a book entitled “Murder, Forgotten ” I really liked the switch between the two main characters, a mother and daughter, who begin to rebuild their relationship after the stepdad is murdered. I also like Julianna and Connors marriage, although it clearly seemed to exclude the children in some ways. I found both characters compelling and believable
I especially liked that Julianna had some sort of memory disorder, thus creating a sympathetic and yet unreliable narrator. I had a little sense of how some of the mysteries would resolve themselves, but for almost all of the story, I suspected just about everyone in the story of the murder(s) - as did daughter Logan and her friend and neighbor Britt.
I also enjoyed the setting: Sullivan’s island, SC. The author is local to me, and I’ve read her memoir of her tenure in running a mercy ministry in Greenville SC, near where I live. She’s a good writer and I respect her as a person. Im delighted that she is trying her hand at mysteries, and even more delighted that it was so un-put-downable!
Thank you, Deb Richardson-Moore!

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a man is murdered in his home late one evening, there is no shortage of suspects, including his loving wife.

Celebrated novelist Julianna Burke is devastated over the death of her husband, Connor. When she can remember it. Struggling for several months with memory loss and blackouts, it’s believed she was sinking into dementia. Her late husband and her assistant, Margot, were her social buffers, reminding her of dates, places… and names.

When Margot takes Julianna to Scotland to “rest,” her daughter, Logan, dog sits her beloved Annabelle. When her mother returns early, unannounced, and more alert than she’s been in months, Logan decides to stay with her mom to learn more about her condition. Mother and daughter are not estranged, but Logan and her older brother, Harrison, have always felt like outsiders since their mom married Connor twenty-two years ago, even though Connor Burke never excluded them and treated them better than their own father had.

Proximity not only gives Logan time with Julianna, but also allows her to follow the police investigation more closely. She learns the day before Connor’s murder, he and Julianna hosted a happy hour for their close-knit group of neighbors and the police are questioning all of them. Logan has known the group—and most of the residents of the tiny South Carolina island—for most of her life. However, whispered words and shared confidences lead her to wonder if she ever knew any of the neighbors she considered family.

Reading the manuscript of her mother’s latest book, Murder, Forgotten, also makes Logan suspicious… and guilty. How well did she know her mother? Could she be a killer?

Tragedy rocks Logan’s family again but brings with it an explanation for Julianna’s constant confusion and potential links to the past, Julianna’s manuscript, and Connor’s murder.

This slow-burner deftly uses misdirection and distraction to keep you guessing. Before story’s end, Logan will suspect everyone including her brother, her best friend’s father, and her mother’s assistant. As both she and the police investigation get closer to the truth, a killer shows killing again to keep a secret is not a problem.

This was an excellent read! The characters are well-sketched personalities that will invoke a myriad of emotions. Harrison is an entitled jerk. There, I said it. Logan is steadfast and searches not only for justice but also for confirmation Julianna and Connor were the loving, devoted couple she knew them to be.

Murder, Forgotten is a definite page-turner for readers of suspense and crime fiction.

Enjoy!

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julianna Burke is a celebrity. Her books are best sellers. Suddenly her perfect world is torn apart. Connor, her husband, is murdered. She and her assistant were the only ones home when it happened. Logan her daughter, finds that Julianna suffers from confusion and memory loss. Could she have had an episode and killed the love of her life? Julianna wasn't close with her children which is why Logan wasn't aware of her mother's mental issues. Logan stays to help Julianna which bring closeness between the two. I liked how Logan worked to understand what happened. Connor was like a father to her. All the characters were well developed and easy to relate to. I understood why Julianna acted why she did. Logan was determined to get answers. She wasn't afraid to ask the difficult questions to get to the truth. This story had so many twists that I couldn't stop reading. There were so many unanswered questions and the past had the ability to influence the present. The setting added to the story with its scenic beauty. Murder and treachery don't belong here, but appearances can be deceiving. Many people had motives. Murder, Forgotten focuses on the murder as well as the mother-daughter relationship which enhanced the drama. I found this book thought provoking. It made me look deeply into past relationships as well as the murder. Deb Richardson-Moore has written an exceptional book. I found it was an emotional roller coaster. When I read the last page, I was exhausted.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julianna Burke, a popular mystery writer, is going through tough times in her life. Someone murdered her husband, and she is experiencing memory problems. Even though Julianna is the one who discovered Connor’s body in her home office, at times she has no recollection of his death and expects him to appear. Are the pills she’s taking causing the memory loss or is she in the early stages of dementia? Julianna’s partially completed manuscript for her latest book is based on a true crime story and when Julianna is cognizant, she begins to wonder if she might have confused Connor with a character in her book and killed him. Julianna’s children, Logan Arnette and Harrison Arnette, are at odds with one another on what to do about their mother’s struggle with differentiating reality from fantasy.

Deb Richardson-Moore has written a gripping story that is a wonderful blend of thriller, suspense, mystery, intricacies of family relationships, underhandedness, materialism, the value of friendships, loyalty, heartache, distress, and skepticism. Murder, Forgotten takes place in Scotland and South Carolina, and sensory details make the setting come alive. Readers get a bird’s eye view into the thoughts and feelings of Julianna and Logan as they each approach events and challenges in their lives from a different perspective. The number of plausible suspects along with well-placed false clues keeps readers guessing until the final reveal as to the guilty party. The Shibu Inu dogs are charmingly portrayed and play an important role in the story. The discussion questions at the end encourage readers to think more deeply about topics addressed in the book. Richardson-Moore is a talented writer, and she caught my interest in reading other books penned by her.

[Melanie Mckinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julianna Burke is a bestselling mystery writer and her husband Connor has been murdered. The crazy part is that her husband was murdered just like what she recently wrote in her latest book. Julianna can’t remember what happened the day of the murder as she is suddenly looking like she has dementia. Julianna and her daughter Logan are trying to determine what happened to Connor. This is a very fast-paced book with a case of who killed Connor? This book will keep the reader guessing. There were times at the beginning especially that I became very confused due to the fast pace of the book. It took me a little bit of time to really get into the book. Once I got more familiar with the characters I was then really involved in the book and very interested in it. This book has a very complex cast of characters. This book contained a lot of unanswered questions. Including the fact of did Julianna kill her husband and want to live in denial or is she facing dementia and really has no idea what she is doing? I loved how the author incorporated the small beach town in South Carolina. Being a huge fan of the beach myself and not being able to go due to Covid, I loved reading about this small town and thinking about being at the beach. I could easily see myself renting a cottage at this beach town and fitting right in. This book contained a murder, mystery, love, loss, and family connections. I found myself second guessing myself throughout the book.
This fast-paced book was well written. The book has many twists and turns and will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. I highly suggest that you pick up this book today and start reading it.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Lion Hudson Ltd for the arc of Murder, Forgotten by Deb Richardson-Moore.

Main Character Julianna, who is a best selling writer for mystery but she has has a secret that those who is closer to her are hiding from the entire world. She is is losing her memory, but her story telling has brought her to fame from this.

Another devastating blast comes when her husband Connor is tragically murdered. Her mind can't grip that reality due to her memory problems, so in which her assistant has to break it to her.

She is really desperate to know what actually happened to her husband. She battles with her mind in which is to investigate. Details of the murder of Connor comes to light in what really makes her question everything. She must fight to find the truth of it When even though her grip on reality is failing slowly....

This was a 4 Star Read for me⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a great read for me in which had me gripped right from start to finish, had me on the edge of my seat and really enjoyed it, i recommend to anyone.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder, Forgotten by Deb Richardson-Moore is a stand-alone novel that is basically a story within a story. The book centers around Julianna Burke, a famous crime novelist who is trying to hide the fact that she is losing her memory. The person she relied on the most to cover for her is her husband, Connor, who has just been murdered. She is trying to handle both of these things plus finishing her latest book. Helping Julianna discover who murdered her husband are her daughter, Logan, and her assistant, Margot. The unfinished book could be based on a true crime and, because of things Julianna has said, could be connected to the murder.

For most of the book, I couldn’t decide how much I liked it. First, I felt that I was dropped in in the middle of the story, since Julianna’s memory was already a problem and Connor was dead. I also think it was because there were several parts to the story which took a while to connect. There are also a lot of secondary characters, mostly Julianna’s friends and neighbors which were just similar enough to be difficult to tell apart.

My only complaint about the writing was in the dialogue. The book takes place in the south and some male characters have strong southern accents. She frequently translated what they said into a southern drawl (“You ah thuh spittin’ image of yoah mama”). Once was okay, but it was unnecessary to repeat it several times.

Once I connected the various parts, I enjoyed the book. I was able to figure out the how and why of Connor’s murder, but the who was a mystery. There were definitely several unexpected twists, which kept me guessing.

I received a free copy of this book for my review.

[Gayle B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent thriller. The author does a great job showing us what Juliana, a popular mystery writer, is thinking and what she can remember or can't remember day to day. The apparent beginnings of dementia.

They mystery unfolds after Juliana finds her second husband, Connor, stabbed with a letter opener in his study. Her daughter Logan comes to stay with her. Margot is Juliana's assistant and lives with her. As the days go on after the memorial for Connor, Logan starts picking up clues to what maybe happened, who killed Connor. It had to be someone well known to the household because the dog Annabelle did not bark. Trouble is, everyone in the neighborhood, has a key to everyone's ones house in this close knit, well established neighborhood. But who has a key to Juliana's mind, to unlock what she is forgetting. As the days go on, everyone could be a suspect; including Logan's brother who has made it clear the house on the beach should be sold and a bundle made. Did Harrison want to get his stepfather out of the way and declare his mother incompetent? Was Connor having an affair and the lover's husband has taken revenge? Or the lover? Juliana in a moment of confusion? The answer may be in the latest novel Juliana is working on.

The story also shows the complicated relationships between family and friends, step-parents and step-children. The island setting adds to the mystique because it limits who the suspects could be and what could have happened.

Very fast paced, suspenseful surprise ending.
I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Spoiler-free) This is a fantastic whodunnit, the main mystery and a few other mysteries always having lots of suspects and red herrings, as the best mysteries do. The start was a bit slow and I was a little confused, seeing the world through the murky mind of a woman who was having obvious memory issues; I was afraid it was going to be depressing. But it wasn’t really, and things became clearer, as I began seeing what was going on more through the woman’s daughter’s eyes. Parts of the book were intermittently a bit sad, but there was great insight into the life of a very famous mystery author, who was likable despite her shortcomings as a mother and a bit of a temper that is sometimes seen when a person’s memory is failing. The artist daughter becomes a bit of an amateur investigator as she tries to help the police solve what become multiple crimes, with lots of twists and turns. The creeping feeling of danger really builds into a great revelation—I couldn’t put the book down for the last third, despite the time. I highly recommend this book; I was provided an arc, but these opinions are my own.

[Vicki May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book but my review is entirely voluntary. Bestselling mystery writer, Julianna Burke's husband has been murdered in a manner mirroring her latest book. Julianna not only can't remember what happened the day of the murder but appears to be slipping away to dementia. Now Julianna and her daughter, Logan, are trying to determine what happened to Connor no matter how unthinkable it may be to them. Murder, Forgotten is a fast-paced whodunnit that keeps that reader guessing. I enjoyed the writing style and the very interesting, complex cast of characters in Julianna's neighborhood. I started a little slowly reading it but was soon sucked in to the story and trying to determine how many elements were not what they appeared. I highly recommend Murder, Forgotten.

[Elke · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Murder, Forgotten' was a good mystery that needed some time to get warm with. I found the beginning slow with too much thoughts and dialogue, but at some point - I think when the story's focus switched more and more to Julianna's daughter - I got hooked and really dug into it. The solution to the murder was cleverly built and concealed long enough, with several surprises along the read. The premise of the story, that famous author Julianna Burke starts showing signs of dementia, forgetting the death of her husband and having to be reminded of it each new day, in the end doubting herself and her actions, even believing she might have something to do with the murder, was really tragic, but the resulting turn of events was even more sad. An interesting new twist on the mystery genre that kept me guessing and provided some entertaining reading time.

(thanks to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery in Murder, Forgotten by Deb Richardson-Moore is well thought out, fast-paced, and well-written. The story was engaging and had many twists and turns on what was happening. There were several times I thought I knew what was happening, only to be surprised that I was wrong. I also had the killer wrong. There were some sad parts about Julianna having to deal with the murder of her husband while grappling with a failing memory. I really liked Julianna's daughter, Logan, and the dogs in the story were a nice bonus.

The author does a great job of executing details and little side stories that kept me guessing. The story was a mix of murder mystery, love and loss, and family connections.
I read this book in two days because I could not wait to find out what was going to happen and how it would all turn out. I look forward to more if this becomes a series. Plus, I love the cover.

[John Jeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deb Richardson-Moore, with her trademark skill to yank readers in from the first sentence or two, tells a compelling whodunit that makes the reader wonder: Can a writer/artist's intense, immersive creativity be dangerous?

Although the book's description says that Juliana, the blockbuster mystery writer and immediately sympathetic character, is losing her memory, Richardson-Moore unleashes twists from the start: Is Juliana's memory really slipping away or has she fallen so deeply into her made-up worlds that real-life murder actually becomes inevitable? Is that the real mystery?

Writing with her delightful turns-of-phrase, Richardson-Moore not only makes you wonder about that, she also makes you become the detective who must solve this richly multilayered mystery: What in the world happened here -- and in what real world did this murder actually happen? A delicious premise vibrantly told.

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Forgotten, for me was book forgotten I was attempting to read it during one of the darkest times of my life as my boyfriend was battling cancer. So for so long it set here on my list partly read, and I made no attempt to finish the review on the book. This was a page turning murder mystery, and one that has a writer suffering with memory issues, her daughter and assistant trying to solve the mystery of whodunit. I would recommend this book to others.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julianna is a best selling author with a secret, she is losing her memory. Told in alternating POVs from Julianna and her daughter Logan, they try and solve the murder of Julianna’s husband Connor. Can Julianna remember before it is too late?

I was changing my guess on what would happen until the very end. Those twists.

[Tama Fortner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Agatha Christie, Murder Forgotten is a wonderful, old-fashioned murder mystery that kept me guessing up to the very end. With layers of hidden clues and a mid-book plot twist that had me sitting up and saying, “What!?! No!”—I absolutely loved this book!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julianna Burke, author and her personal
assistant, Margot have just arrived in East
Neuk. This is an area located on the
coast of Fife in Scotland. The sheriff
advised Julianna take the trip there. Great
details in the house where they are staying
plus the area.
They were leaving behind the South
Carolina beach town on Sullivan’s Island,
where Julianna Burke and her husband,
Connor lived. Sullivan’s Island was
described in such vivid detailed that the
reader will feel like part of the community.
We meet all the couple’s friends and
neighbors as they come and go in each
other homes. The neighbors all have keys
to each other’s properties in case of
emergencies.
Julianna has been having memory fades
that they have been keeping secret among
her assistant, her husband and family.
When she writes she gets lost in her story
so is going into character part of her problem.
By means of entering into a trance like world
Julianna is able to produce complex mysteries
that are read and like by readers and critics.
Then Julianna finds Connor stabbed to death
by her letter opener. How did this happen?
There was no sign of break-in and the little
dog, Annabelle didn’t bark at all that day.
So who killed Connor?
Dynamic, intriguing, well plotted book with
plenty of mystery and drama spiked with edge
and suspense. Vivid description. Each of the
characters has great dimension and are
colorful in there own way which I feel add to
the flavor of this story.
I was drawn into this story immediately and
it kept my attention until the dramatic
conclusion.
Come along as we follow Julianna on her
search for the truth.
I volunteered to read Murder, Forgotten.
Thanks to the Cozy Mystery Review Crew
for the opportunity. My opinion is voluntary
and my own.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Murder, Forgotten, author Deb Richardson-Moore transports the reader to Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, and a short jump across the pond to Crail, Scotland, for an intriguing southern murder mystery story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

Julianna Burke is a best-selling murder mystery author, who has been experiencing a gradual memory loss that leaves her writing career in jeopardy. When Julianna's husband Connor is murdered in their home office while neither Julianna or assistant Margot Riley heard anything that occurred, the wheels are set in motion to try and figure out what really happened, and if Julianna's writing plot style and progressive memory loss had any part in it.

As Julianna struggles to make sense of her husband's murder and the progression of her memory loss, daughter Logan delves into the murder investigation, and the more information Logan discovers, the more danger, potential motives, and suspects are added to the list, and one of them is determined to stop Julianna and Logan before they reveal the truth of Connor's death at any cost.

Author Deb Richardson-Moore weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in the third person narrative that alternates between Julianna and Logan as they try to uncover the truth behind the death of Julianna's husband, Connor Burke.

I loved reading this intriguing murder mystery. The reader will be easily drawn into this richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as family secrets, a growing list of possible suspects, motives, and clues are uncovered. You can't help but feel for Julianna as she struggles with her memory loss, it is so devastating and heartbreaking. I loved how Logan steps in to investigate her step-father's murder, I was kept guessing as the person and reason behind the murder mystery was slowly revealed.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed the rich description of the eastern coast of Scotland, and the low country setting of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. I have property in Calabash, North Carolina, and I have been fortunate enough to know that the beautiful low country locales are truly worth the visit.

Murder, Forgotten has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, intrigue, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man killed. A woman's sanity questioned...

I'm still reeling from this one. Murder, Forgotten started off so quietly. Just a lady staying at her vacation house trying to rest as as she can't seem to remember from day to day that her husband is dead. And just her adult daughter trying to come to grips with her stepfather's death and her mother's mental decline.

Just a quiet heart-tugging story... Yeah, well, it didn't stay that way. Next thing you know I'm suspecting everyone of ulterior motives and murder, from the woman's son to the next door neighbor to the local pastor! Seriously, author Deb Richardson-Moore led me on such a wild goose chase I hardly knew what end was up! And yet each clue was intentionally laid out, building on the previous one, and all leading to the final frantic and spine-tingling showdown with a killer. When the author dropped a shocker bombshell about ¾ of the way through, well, I was shocked all right, and shaken. It was a gutsy move on her part but well played and it left you questioning pretty much everything.

Depending on how you feel about the subjects, the following content may be an issue for you. Some language. The characters all drink like fish and more than one get sloshed. And there is some open discussion, not graphic, of cheating and sexual affairs between several characters.

Of the two books that I've read by Deb Richardson-Moore Murder, Forgotten is by far my favorite. Despite the, in my opinion, rather excessive alcohol consumption I enjoyed the book quite a bit. The psychological elements, the complete questioning of whether a main character might actually be the killer, was very very good. I also loved the generational aspects to the story with both mother and daughter trying to solve the mystery. Oh, and it's worth reading this book just for the exquisite setting, South Carolina's Sullivan's Island, alone.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

[Iola]

Julianna Burke is a murder mystery writer who is experiencing memory issues, cleverly indicated with an odd feeling of distance in the scenes from Julianna’s point of view. As the title implies, Julianna’s memory issues are a key and tragic plot point: Julianna’s husband, Connor, was murdered recently, but Julianna doesn’t remember.

Logan, Julianna’s daughter, returns to the family home to help her mother cope with Connor’s death. The police don’t seem to getting anywhere in the murder investigation, but Logan finds some information that could help … even if she doesn’t like where that information is pointing.

One of the challenges of reading a mystery novel is always seeing if I can work out whodunit.
With Murder, Forgotten I was on the right track in terms of who, but didn’t know why. That ended up being a little convoluted, perhaps because there were a lot of characters and relationships to keep track of. That’s also a key point in a good murder mystery. After all, there have to be several possible evildoers, and Murder, Forgotten had a strong cast of characters, many of whom had motive or opportunity.

There were some writing oddities which annoyed me a little, such as the creative dialogue tags (she thought peevishly), the slips into omniscient point of view (I’m not a fan), and the fact that one factoid was dropped in so often that it was obvious that it was going to be Very Important (and it was).

Apart from those small niggles, an excellent murder mystery.

Thanks to Lion Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a warm day in February on Sullivan’s Island, SC and neighbors and friends have gathered for an impromptu cocktail party at at the home of author Julianna Burke and her husband Connor. The next day, Connor is dead and everyone is a suspect.

There’s one big problem. Julianna, although desperate to discover her husband’s killer, is in the early stages of dementia. Slipping in and out of a mental fog, she tries desperately to remember what happened the day Connor died. Her daughter Logan, staying with her mother at the beach house, is investigating on her own. As the two women move closer to the truth, devastating secrets are revealed, secrets that they might not survive.

Told in the alternating voices of Julianna and Logan, this dark and heartbreaking mystery grabs you from the first pages, set in an eerie cold Spring in Scotland. The plot quickens after Julianna returns to South Carolina. The settings are evocatively described, the characters are realistic and the story is suspenseful with a totally unexpected ending. I especially loved the fragile Julianna who bravely fights losing her memories. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lion Hudson Ltd and Deb Richardson-Moore for this ARC.