Member Reviews
3.5⭐️s rounded up. I liked following the next murder mystery for Jack, Kate and Sarah, as well as the new members that have joined their group from the last couple books. It was an easy mystery - not dark, not super emotionally invested outside of the end with Sarah’s revelations - so I liked the little threads to unravel while still being relatively light.
There were some times it felt like there was little detail on what was happening - the settings were glossed over and all the sudden the characters were in another location or whatever. I would have liked it to be a little better described so I didn’t reread sections trying to figure out what just happened. The beginning I also couldn’t figure out if Kate was literally having a psychotic break or what was going on. The memory flashbacks were just weird.
And I still don’t get some of the timeline - the last couple books did the same thing where they keeps mentioning it’s been “years” of Jack and Kate being friends or that Randall was around after his release. But it just doesn’t make a lot of sense, given the actual timestamp of each book’s setting. Small pet peeve but still.
Overall, I liked the book and the easy mystery that it was, and I liked how it wrapped up with some of our MC’s.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of the book. All opinions are mine.
I really enjoy this series. This is the fifth novel in the #medlarmystery series, and it doesn’t disappoint. I loved this book for two reasons. One, the historical murder(s) that connect everybody in both the past and present were so well written. The Hollywood starlet, the crimes of passion, and the “sight” that only certain people have. There was such a romance about these murders, which makes sense since Sarah, our main character, is a former romance writer. And two, the personal lives of all the characters that I’ve come to love, and one that I hate, are wrapped up nicely with a pretty bow. I would definitely suggest reading the series in order to get the most enjoyment out of them, but you could read it as a stand alone. 4 ⭐️
I'm not going to post a review online for this book. Although I love Jude Deveraux- this book was a bit problematic for me. It seemed that too much of it was dependent on following plots from other books which if I had read- was too long ago to make reading coherent.
Sara, Kate and Jack are off to solve another mystery. This one a murder that took place decades ago in an old mansion that Kate lived in as a young child. There were so many characters introduced (at least ten) that I had trouble remembering who was who. I found the story very convoluted. I received an ARC from NetGalley and MIRA for my honest review.
Wonderful cozy mystery! I enjoyed every moment of reading it! I thought It was fun and interesting. I had lots of fun reading this
This story begins when Kate is given the listing for Lachlan House. When she, Sara, and Jack go to look at it, Kate is overwhelmed with memories of having spent time there as a child. Trauma had erased many of Kate's childhood memories so this ease in Lachlan House rings alarm bells for Sara and Jack.
Things escalate when they find a skeleton sealed up in a closet in the playroom and escalate more when they find one of Kate's toys stuffed with jewels in the skeleton's skull. Things become interesting when the Medlar Three, along with Kate's father Randal, decide to try to recreate the weekend party that ended with the death of the man who is now the skeleton in the closet.
The story is filled with interesting characters, many of whom have connections with Sara, Randal, Kate and Jack, who all have their reasons to come back to a place they left twenty-five years earlier because there are secrets there.
I enjoyed this twisty plot filled with suspicious characters. I also enjoyed a resolution to the romance between Kate and Jack which has been brewing since the first book. And we finally learn the secrets hidden in Sara's romance with Jack's grandfather.
An Unfinished Murder by Jude Deveraux is a captivating and suspenseful novel that is both witty and mind-blowing. The story is enchanting and exquisite, drawing me in with its intricate plot and engaging characters.
While I normally love Jude Deverauxs books this one was too busy for me. This is the first book I’ve read in the series. While investigating the murder there were just way to many people coming in and out and who they were talking about to keep track. I found myself getting confused and having to go back and reread pages to try and figure out who the person was and who they were linked to if anyone. Very frustrating.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
An Unfinished Murder, book 5, of the Medlar Mysteries by Jude Deveraux takes us back to Lachlan, FL with Sara, Kate & Jack. Kate gets a call asking her to be the listing agent for what was once a large estate that had sat empty for decades. Excited to inspect the house Sara, Kate & Jack immediately go there and of course discover a skeleton. Fast paced mystery with lots of twists that I couldn’t put down!
An Unfinished Murder is the fifth book in Jude Deveraux's Medlar series. Delving into the history of Kate's forgotten childhood, it successfully brings the storyline together - both revealing background information on characters and investigating a recent murder. Sara Medlar, a retired author and accomplished sleuth, has been matchmaking; she hopes her neice Kate and her honorary grandson Jack will finally give in to the simmering passion underlying their relationship. A quirky, fun read with memorable characters from the past and the present.
This book started slow and took awhile until about half way thru. I had trouble keeping the characters straight. This book is part of a series and I think it would have been easier if I had read the previous books. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
The Medlar Three are at it again, solving another mystery/murder in the town of Lachlan, Florida. Having read all previous books in the Medlar Mystery series I thoroughly enjoyed being back with characters who have become friends. Starring in the main roles are Sara Medlar a retired author, Kate her niece, and Jack Wyatt who Sara calls her ‘honorary grandson’. Now if there is a mystery/murder in the town of Lachlan this threesome will find it, just ask the sheriff. Their latest mystery seems to be all tied up with family or people they know. Kate, a real estate agent, is given the listing for Lachlan House which has quite the history behind it. Visiting the house, Kate finds missing childhood memories blasting out of nowhere, and they soon discover a hidden skeleton to make the listing much more than selling a house. So once again the Medlar-Wyatt three are off to solve the mystery. Now if there was a character map necessary this would be the novel for one, what a cast of characters and possibilities! The three determine the best possible solution is a party with all possible suspects invited, as they investigate a mystery that goes back to the 90’s and even earlier. You’ll enjoy the suspense, mind spinning thoughts of who is the murderer, some romance (got to get Kate and Jack together), family relationships, humor, and a satisfying feeling of reading what might be the last mystery of the Medlar Three. Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Twists and turns in a mystery set in Florida family secrets get revealed and love is found among the characters a old mansion is the setting for this who done it just when the reader is led in one direction things change and the mystery continues a great read
Well they’re back. Yes the threesome Sara, Kate, and Jack. And of course there is the requisite murder to solve. Old murder, new case and Sara Medlar and her group are on it. Gruesome discovery unveiled by accident, one would say, but not true in this case. The Lachlan House is finally being put on the market and the owner or caretaker requested Kate, as a realtor, to oversee it.
Nothing in any Medlar mystery is by accident. Jude Deveraux somehow manages to create the most cryptically designed murders. We know all the details of the victim but now to find who dun it.
You need a character map to sort through all the possible choices as likely suspects arrive at Lachlan. The road will ultimately lead to who killed Derek Oliver. And perhaps a motive will become clear. For now those folk who were at that fateful party many years ago are answering the invite that Sara and her little band of detectives sent out.
Who will accept the invite and who won’t. Not sure if their rsvp is an indication of guilt or innocence.
How many books by Jude Deveraux have you read. By my own count I have seventy five percent or more. Mostly for my own enjoyment and several for publishing reviews. While reading AN UNFINISHED MURDER the character Sara Medlar, author extraordinaire, I concluded that Sara is unflinchingly fashioned after Jude Deveraux herself. At least that is in my own estimation and mind. Never more so than in this latest Medlar-Wyatt story. There are references to past novels that truly made me break out in a smile of acknowledgment and recollection. Watch for them.
Suffice it to say you may need a flow chart to keep account of all the characters and their relationships to one another. The lines seem blurred at times which is of course by designed. Sara is a genius of plot lines after all her murder mystery books are best sellers. Sara has her team, Kate and Jack that support her idiosyncrasies and share her love of adventure. But there is something odd in the air surrounding their arrival at Lachlan House. The murder, surroundings and guests somehow seem almost connected to the Medlar-Wyatt trio. The guests are also much nicer than Sara had expected. She reluctantly has to admit that she likes most of them. Or at least doesn’t hate them. Everyone and no one a likely suspect. And the appearance of a trail of murders is an unexpected development.
The plot line is genius and vintage Jude Deveraux who knows how to dangle hints, clues, vagueness. AN UNFINISHED MURDER is a wondrous completion to this series. If indeed it is meant to be. Perhaps Jude Deveraux is already thinking of the next possible crime to solve. As always the characters are formidable and delicious. The dialog moves the story along at a fast clip. The house in itself becomes one of the characters as it holds so many clues left to unveil.
An Unfinished Murder is the 5th book in Deveraux’s Medlar series. It begins with Kate having a memory of a house party at her new listing. Her memories of the party, the people, the furniture, rooms, and the events that took place are so clear. But, she doesn’t remember ever visiting the property. Sarah, Jack, and Kate decide to explore the home to see how accurate Kate’s memories are.
Many of the questions that have been raised throughout the series are answered as the trio work to solve their latest mystery.
I enjoyed this installment of the series. The interaction between the characters made it feel like I was visiting with old friends. I found myself turning page after page to see what the 3 were going to uncover next. This book could be read as a stand alone, but I would recommend reading the series from the beginning.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is the 5th book of this series and I found it hard to catch up with the characters. The book started slow and gained momentum about halfway through the story. The main characters are likeable and I wonder if I had followed the series from the beginning I would have been more engaged by the story. Lots of characters and family relationships added to the confusion. Better selection for those who have followed the series.
I love this new installment of the Medlar Murder Mysteries. The gang is back together & stumble upon a skeleton while looking at a home Kate receives an unexpected listing for. Not only is the home familiar but she seems to have many memories of spending time there with her father.
I always enjoy the head on way they tackle there mysteries, this time the gather all the old visitors from the week the dead man went missing to try & solve his murder.
I enjoyed the intricacies of the who-done-it in this story, but because I had not read any previous books in this series, I had a bit of trouble keeping the characters straight! I'll just have to start with the first book to get into the right mindset!
Jude Deveraux brings us another chapter in the Medlar Mystery series. Real estate agent Kate is given a listing of Lacklan House. When she goes to check it out with her aunt Sara and Jack, they discover more than just a house put up for sale. With the discover of yet another body, the three decide to take on the case. In order to do this, they must recreate events from the past. When all the players arrive, they must figure out all the secrets that have been buried for so long before it is too late and they stay buried forever. Will they be able to figure it all out in time, or did they just allow the killer access to keep the secrets from getting out? In other news, Kate and Jack have come to an awkward stage in their relationship not knowing how to act with each other ever since Jack returns from a trip that was extended due to the lockdown. Will they figure things out, or will insecurities and doubts keep them from moving forward?
Jude Deveraux brings us back to Lachland, Florida and with the trio on their next adventure. It is like visiting old friends again and seeing what they have been up to since the last time you visited them. They take you on this journey as they try to figure out not only the murder mystery at Lachland House, but also their personal lives. You are with them as they go through the twists and turns as they investigate and make discoveries at the same time. You keep turning the page to see what else they find out and what the next step is in their search for the truth. I look forward to seeing where the next adventure leads them.
I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA for this privilege.
A slow start for me, but once I was able to sort out who’s who picked up. Actually was a good who did it. Kept me guessing all the way through!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own