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An Unfinished Canvas: A True Story of Love, Family, and Murder in Nashville
This true crime saga reveals the case of a missing Nashville woman, a husband on the run, and a rare cold case murder conviction.
Janet March had it all -- a corporate lawyer husband, two beautiful children, a promising career as an artist, and a dream house she designed herself. But behind closed doors, her husband led a destructive double life. On August 16, 1996, Janet had an appointment to finally file for divorce. But she never arrived. On the night of August 15, she vanished.
Janet’s disappearance incited a massive search and media frenzy that revealed her husband Perry’s seedy dealings. When he absconded with his children to a new life in Mexico, Janet’s parents began a decade-long, international custody battle that culminated in Perry’s dramatic extradition to Tennessee.
Meanwhile, the Nashville Police Department never found Janet’s body. In spite of overwhelming odds, cold case detectives and prosecutors were determined to get justice—and with the help of a shocking surprise witness, they did.
Janet March had it all -- a corporate lawyer husband, two beautiful children, a promising career as an artist, and a dream house she designed herself. But behind closed doors, her husband led a destructive double life. On August 16, 1996, Janet had an appointment to finally file for divorce. But she never arrived. On the night of August 15, she vanished.
Janet’s disappearance incited a massive search and media frenzy that revealed her husband Perry’s seedy dealings. When he absconded with his children to a new life in Mexico, Janet’s parents began a decade-long, international custody battle that culminated in Perry’s dramatic extradition to Tennessee.
Meanwhile, the Nashville Police Department never found Janet’s body. In spite of overwhelming odds, cold case detectives and prosecutors were determined to get justice—and with the help of a shocking surprise witness, they did.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2021
285 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 16, 2022
While the story itself if very interesting, the author is repetitive. There were many moments in the book where I thought “Haven’t I read this already?” And the multiple historical background references has nothing to do with the story and I don’t understand why the author did that. It was a struggle to read to the end.
August 28, 2022
I’ve come to think that there are roughly four basic types of real-life murder, and hence basically four types of true crime books:
I. perpetrator is unknown, crime is investigated, and
I(a) murderer is never identified
I(b) offender is identified, caught, tried & incarcerated
II. killer (almost always by a close relative) is immediately suspected,
II(a) but never convicted, often never even tried, because of inadequate evidence
II(b) they eventually (often a very l-o-n-g kind of eventually) get the goods on the guy (and it is almost always a guy) and he is doing time even as we speak.
Michael Glasgow’s An Unfinished Canvas is type II. Several reviewers have noted its repetitiousness; my guess is that when the author introduced a new character/event he had to remind readers of who/what preceded him/it. Real life (as opposed to TV or fictional) mysteries are often like that. So the book is recommended for true crime fans who can tolerate the boredom and repetition involved in - well, true crime.
What I found most significant in An Unfinished Canvas was its clear picture of the murder’s collateral damage. As has been the case in many other such murders, the death was followed by a prolonged and extremely bitter fight for custody of the victim’s small children (strangely, grandparents or sisters-in-law rarely spend tens of thousands trying to get custody of a 15-year-old ...) - indeed such murders are not infrequently committed to “settle” an already ongoing such dispute. That it wouldn’t be fair to allow a criminal to enjoy the proceeds of his crime trumps every other consideration, including the hearts, minds, and very lives of the human beings whose welfare is nominally at stake.
I. perpetrator is unknown, crime is investigated, and
I(a) murderer is never identified
I(b) offender is identified, caught, tried & incarcerated
II. killer (almost always by a close relative) is immediately suspected,
II(a) but never convicted, often never even tried, because of inadequate evidence
II(b) they eventually (often a very l-o-n-g kind of eventually) get the goods on the guy (and it is almost always a guy) and he is doing time even as we speak.
Michael Glasgow’s An Unfinished Canvas is type II. Several reviewers have noted its repetitiousness; my guess is that when the author introduced a new character/event he had to remind readers of who/what preceded him/it. Real life (as opposed to TV or fictional) mysteries are often like that. So the book is recommended for true crime fans who can tolerate the boredom and repetition involved in - well, true crime.
What I found most significant in An Unfinished Canvas was its clear picture of the murder’s collateral damage. As has been the case in many other such murders, the death was followed by a prolonged and extremely bitter fight for custody of the victim’s small children (strangely, grandparents or sisters-in-law rarely spend tens of thousands trying to get custody of a 15-year-old ...) - indeed such murders are not infrequently committed to “settle” an already ongoing such dispute. That it wouldn’t be fair to allow a criminal to enjoy the proceeds of his crime trumps every other consideration, including the hearts, minds, and very lives of the human beings whose welfare is nominally at stake.
February 24, 2023
This was a book I just noticed because of the picture of Nashville on the cover and the title, and it just hit me - oh wasn't Janet March an artist? I instantly chose it because I followed the trial closely back then. Watched Newschannel5 coverage with Nick Beres and the call-ins.
Like previous have mentioned it was very repetitive, like I know the address where they lived now. It seemed to get sidetracked about history matters that felt like a distraction from the story....
But! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to someone! Especially any locals around here in middle TN that may have followed this in the local news.
Like previous have mentioned it was very repetitive, like I know the address where they lived now. It seemed to get sidetracked about history matters that felt like a distraction from the story....
But! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to someone! Especially any locals around here in middle TN that may have followed this in the local news.
October 7, 2023
The story of the disappearance of Janet March and the subsequent trial of her husband Perry consumed much of the airwaves in Nashville between 1996 and 2006. It was considered Nashville's "trial of the century" in part because it contained so much that captured the public's imagination:
👉 a couple with an outwardly lovely life living in one of the most exclusive areas in Nashville with 2 beautiful kids
👉 the wife's parents (Carolyn and Larry Levine) were loaded and indulged their daughter's and grandchildren's every desire
👉 suspicious disappearance of Janet was not reported for 2 weeks, leaving ample opportunity for shenanigans
👉 a few police missteps, extensive body searches over years ranging from the exclusive areas in Forest Hills and Belle Meade to rural areas in southern Kentucky
👉 efforts by Perry March to divert money from the home (solely in Janet's name) and the (presumed) estate of Janet as well as moving from Tennessee to Illinois to Mexico to evade the court system
👉 the Levine's efforts over years to see their grandchildren, using the power of the courts to obtain visitation, only to be thwarted by Perry March moving them out of jurisdiction, and ultimately resulting in the grandparents whisking the children from Mexico
👉 a trial with a jury from Chattanooga, testimony from a range of witnesses, including from Perry's father (Arthur March), and smart lawyers on both sides
It was a convoluted tale and the authors do a good job of presenting it. I did think that there were a few places where almost the same thing was presented in almost the same words - those could have been almost a cut and paste that was missed and ended up in 2 spots had it not happened more than once. It was easy enough to skim over those spots.
I also think that I enjoyed this because it was set in Nashville, in neighborhoods not far from where I lived in West Meade. Janet's parents lived less than a mile from my childhood home. The authors also note some of the other high profile cases from that time including:
🔴 The "samurai sword" death of prominent businessman John Wilson in 1963 - his death was ruled as accidental (!?) when his wife accidentally plunged the blade 5 inches into his chest while trying to defuse an argument between him and her son. She said she had turned around with the sword just when he lunged towards her. She called the family physician to his aid (not the cops or an ambulance) but he was dead when he arrived at the home on Harding Road. And the defense attorney called - John Hooker - was an associate of the man my mom worked for in the 70s. Just another strange coincidence.
🔴 Marcia Trimble - a Girl Scout who disappeared just steps from her Green Hills home in February 1975 while delivering cookies and sparked a massive search for weeks, before her body was found over a month later on Easter Sunday. I remember this so vividly as I was in college and returned to school that day after the news broke that her body was found. It was a huge cold case for years and only in the late 2000s was the murderer indicted and convicted.
🔴 Murders of 7 restaurant workers by Paul Reid (the "Fast Food Killer") in 1997 - he killed workers at a Captain D's and McDonald's in Nashville and at Baskin-Robbins in Clarksville. Again I remember this because I lived in Clarksville and the girls' bodies were brought to the hospital that I worked at after they were found. The trial was front page news here and there is still a memorial to the girls in front of the B-R.
🔴 The pay-for-pay murder on Music Row in Nashville that occurred in 1989 and not solved until the early 2000s. Before it was solved, it was featured on Unsolved Mysteries.
🔴 They mention that one of the prosecutors (Thurman) retired after winning another high profile, controversial case in 2015. That was the Vanderbilt rape trial where 4 Candy football players gang-raped a woman and photographed and videotaped it on their cell phones. One took a plea deal but 3 others were convicted and sentenced to at least 15 years.
So it was very interesting to me as it analyzed the March case as well as brief mentions of many of the more prominent cases of the past 30+ years. If you like true crime stories where the bad guy eventually gets his comeuppance, this is for you. It's also an interesting examination of the investigative process and the dogged determination of the detectives.
👉 a couple with an outwardly lovely life living in one of the most exclusive areas in Nashville with 2 beautiful kids
👉 the wife's parents (Carolyn and Larry Levine) were loaded and indulged their daughter's and grandchildren's every desire
👉 suspicious disappearance of Janet was not reported for 2 weeks, leaving ample opportunity for shenanigans
👉 a few police missteps, extensive body searches over years ranging from the exclusive areas in Forest Hills and Belle Meade to rural areas in southern Kentucky
👉 efforts by Perry March to divert money from the home (solely in Janet's name) and the (presumed) estate of Janet as well as moving from Tennessee to Illinois to Mexico to evade the court system
👉 the Levine's efforts over years to see their grandchildren, using the power of the courts to obtain visitation, only to be thwarted by Perry March moving them out of jurisdiction, and ultimately resulting in the grandparents whisking the children from Mexico
👉 a trial with a jury from Chattanooga, testimony from a range of witnesses, including from Perry's father (Arthur March), and smart lawyers on both sides
It was a convoluted tale and the authors do a good job of presenting it. I did think that there were a few places where almost the same thing was presented in almost the same words - those could have been almost a cut and paste that was missed and ended up in 2 spots had it not happened more than once. It was easy enough to skim over those spots.
I also think that I enjoyed this because it was set in Nashville, in neighborhoods not far from where I lived in West Meade. Janet's parents lived less than a mile from my childhood home. The authors also note some of the other high profile cases from that time including:
🔴 The "samurai sword" death of prominent businessman John Wilson in 1963 - his death was ruled as accidental (!?) when his wife accidentally plunged the blade 5 inches into his chest while trying to defuse an argument between him and her son. She said she had turned around with the sword just when he lunged towards her. She called the family physician to his aid (not the cops or an ambulance) but he was dead when he arrived at the home on Harding Road. And the defense attorney called - John Hooker - was an associate of the man my mom worked for in the 70s. Just another strange coincidence.
🔴 Marcia Trimble - a Girl Scout who disappeared just steps from her Green Hills home in February 1975 while delivering cookies and sparked a massive search for weeks, before her body was found over a month later on Easter Sunday. I remember this so vividly as I was in college and returned to school that day after the news broke that her body was found. It was a huge cold case for years and only in the late 2000s was the murderer indicted and convicted.
🔴 Murders of 7 restaurant workers by Paul Reid (the "Fast Food Killer") in 1997 - he killed workers at a Captain D's and McDonald's in Nashville and at Baskin-Robbins in Clarksville. Again I remember this because I lived in Clarksville and the girls' bodies were brought to the hospital that I worked at after they were found. The trial was front page news here and there is still a memorial to the girls in front of the B-R.
🔴 The pay-for-pay murder on Music Row in Nashville that occurred in 1989 and not solved until the early 2000s. Before it was solved, it was featured on Unsolved Mysteries.
🔴 They mention that one of the prosecutors (Thurman) retired after winning another high profile, controversial case in 2015. That was the Vanderbilt rape trial where 4 Candy football players gang-raped a woman and photographed and videotaped it on their cell phones. One took a plea deal but 3 others were convicted and sentenced to at least 15 years.
So it was very interesting to me as it analyzed the March case as well as brief mentions of many of the more prominent cases of the past 30+ years. If you like true crime stories where the bad guy eventually gets his comeuppance, this is for you. It's also an interesting examination of the investigative process and the dogged determination of the detectives.
October 18, 2023
I followed this case closely from the time it started in 1996. Janet March was my age, her children near my children’s ages. I put myself in her shoes, along with the shoes of her parents and children. I’m glad her parents were able to achieve some level of justice for the daughter whose life meant more to them than their own.
August 28, 2025
An Unfinished Canvas
True crime story of Janet March’s murder by her husband Perry March. They lived in Nashville, Tennessee and to others, their life looked like a perfect life, but it was far from that. Janet paid with her life for trusting in Perry March. It was a good story but kind of slow for me. Lots of law talk and evidence talk. That was good but it can go on too much for me sometimes and I get overwhelmed by it I guess. Recommend to anyone who likes true crime mysteries and suspense.
True crime story of Janet March’s murder by her husband Perry March. They lived in Nashville, Tennessee and to others, their life looked like a perfect life, but it was far from that. Janet paid with her life for trusting in Perry March. It was a good story but kind of slow for me. Lots of law talk and evidence talk. That was good but it can go on too much for me sometimes and I get overwhelmed by it I guess. Recommend to anyone who likes true crime mysteries and suspense.
December 29, 2024
Poorly written.
Story as written is too command facts are redundant! I don't recommend this. I finally just googled this murder and bc h was rewarded with a concise account of what happened..
Story as written is too command facts are redundant! I don't recommend this. I finally just googled this murder and bc h was rewarded with a concise account of what happened..
December 31, 2023
A great true crime read,that took 10 yrs.& 2days for a family to get a conviction & justice for the murder of their beautiful daughter,who was murdered by her own husband.
I especially wanted to read this particular book as it happened in Nashville in 1995 & consumed the State & the Nation as well,with
over 300 articles at one count,being written in various newspapers across the country.
Two of the lawyers who were instrumental in helping the case were from Cookeville & Crossville,Tn. & we're practically neighbors.
The man who murdered his wife was an attorney as well & had graduated from Vanderbilt University with honors.
He had an outstanding career,beautiful wife & 2 small children & why he would do this,will shock you.
This will definitely hold your interest,as it shows just what our law enforcement officials go thru everyday,that they are on the job & the Courtroom antics are really something.
I especially wanted to read this particular book as it happened in Nashville in 1995 & consumed the State & the Nation as well,with
over 300 articles at one count,being written in various newspapers across the country.
Two of the lawyers who were instrumental in helping the case were from Cookeville & Crossville,Tn. & we're practically neighbors.
The man who murdered his wife was an attorney as well & had graduated from Vanderbilt University with honors.
He had an outstanding career,beautiful wife & 2 small children & why he would do this,will shock you.
This will definitely hold your interest,as it shows just what our law enforcement officials go thru everyday,that they are on the job & the Courtroom antics are really something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2024
Although quite interesting it was a tad discouraging knowing that vermin like that exist in our society and we can do little or nothing to stop them.Perry got caught in the end but managed to destroy so many other lives and waste millions of taxpayer dollars over a ten year period.Our legal system does work however,NOT WELL ENOUGH.I shall refrain from reading this type of lit. again as the thought of unsolved crimes makes me sick.A close friend of mine who was in law enforcement at the state level tell me that less than 80% of major crime goes unpunished.Our undercurrent society reeks.
May 26, 2024
I enjoyed the book very much. Repeated itself several times but skipped thru those quickly. I live in Metro Nashville and kept up with it live but had forgotten a lot of the details so this was refreshing. Forgot how rotten Perry March was.
August 11, 2022
Interesting story but if all the VERY repetitive material was removed the book would have been half as long.
March 3, 2023
What a rambling fucking mess.
October 14, 2024
Very repetitive. Book could have been a much quicker read. That said there were a lot of interesting details about how the investigation was carried out. Sad story and grueling investigation.
November 16, 2022
Great book
I enjoyed reading this book! I like the author's style. He kept me interested all through the book. Very interesting story but sad that there is people like Perry March! It amazes me how his in-laws sent him to law school & not only does he kill their daughter but he uses the knowledge they paid for to keep them in court & keep their grand children from them. If anyone deserves closure & triumph it is Mr. & Mrs. Lavine. Perry March is evil!!!
I enjoyed reading this book! I like the author's style. He kept me interested all through the book. Very interesting story but sad that there is people like Perry March! It amazes me how his in-laws sent him to law school & not only does he kill their daughter but he uses the knowledge they paid for to keep them in court & keep their grand children from them. If anyone deserves closure & triumph it is Mr. & Mrs. Lavine. Perry March is evil!!!
October 16, 2023
Good story, needed better organization .
The story sells itself. It runs like a thriller mystery.
However, the writing was at times unclear as it jumped back and forth in time, making the timeline and sequence of events confusing.
The story sells itself. It runs like a thriller mystery.
However, the writing was at times unclear as it jumped back and forth in time, making the timeline and sequence of events confusing.
April 10, 2025
Very sad and true account of a killer who had everything.
Being arrogant and obnoxious did him in. Unfathomable that a husband and father would kill his wife, sacrificing his children. Then, playing the game with his children’s and in law’s emotions.
Well written.
Being arrogant and obnoxious did him in. Unfathomable that a husband and father would kill his wife, sacrificing his children. Then, playing the game with his children’s and in law’s emotions.
Well written.
July 25, 2022
Last part of the book dragged on.
Case was very interesting but parts of the book were repetitive. Starting skipping pages. Not sure if the problem was me or the authors!
Case was very interesting but parts of the book were repetitive. Starting skipping pages. Not sure if the problem was me or the authors!
August 14, 2022
Although an interesting case, it would have been an interesting book if it was not so repetitive.
March 1, 2023
Another one bites the dust
Perry March clearly was not in his right mind at any time in this book. He belongs in an institution for the criminally insane. He got off too easy.
Perry March clearly was not in his right mind at any time in this book. He belongs in an institution for the criminally insane. He got off too easy.
March 8, 2023
Excellent book. Easy to follow and read. So glad the authorities stuck with getting the murderer arrested and sentenced.
October 22, 2023
Boring as heck.
Most boring book I’ve ever read. Skipped through it to get to end, which was boring too. Sorry I wasted my time.
Most boring book I’ve ever read. Skipped through it to get to end, which was boring too. Sorry I wasted my time.
December 10, 2023
Interesting case to learn about, but there was a lot of repetitiveness that could have been cut out to tighten up the narrative
January 18, 2025
Repeats too much. Superfluous info that could be cut. Lost interest 80% in and skimmed rest.
February 17, 2025
This is an incredible true crime story.
July 2, 2025
Interesting since I live in Nashville, but listened to it on Audio and narrator was not the best.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews