A Willing Murder

by Jude Deveraux

Overview

New York Times bestselling romance author Jude Deveraux makes her debut in the world of mystery with a story of old secrets, deadly grudges and an improbable group of friends who are determined to uncover the truth regardless of the consequences…

Sara Medlar is a household name in romance, with millions of books sold. But lately, retirement has been boring her and she’s found herself back in her hometown of Lachlan, Florida, remodeling the grand old mansion she’d admired as a child. It’s much too big for her alone, but she’d die before letting anyone in town know that.

Then Sara’s niece Kate is offered a job in Lachlan—a start in what could be a very successful career in real estate. She accepts immediately, but with so little saved up, she’ll have to approach her estranged yet incredibly famous aunt for a place to stay while she gets herself settled. But when she arrives at Sara’s home, she finds she’s not the only long-term houseguest. Jackson Wyatt already has his own room, and though it’s impossible to deny his good looks and charm—he’s clearly got her aunt wrapped around his finger—she’s also never met anyone who irritates her quite like Jack does.

However, when two skeletons are accidentally uncovered in the quiet town, this unlikely trio is suddenly thrust together by a common goal: to solve a mystery everyone else seems eager to keep under wraps. United by a sense of justice and the desire to right old wrongs, Sara, Kate and Jack will have to dig into Lachlan’s murky past to unravel the small town’s dark secrets and work to bring the awful truth to light.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780778369295
Publisher:	MIRA Books
Publication date:	09/18/2018
Series:	Medlar Mystery Series , #1
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	17,001
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Jude Deveraux is the author of forty-three New York Times bestsellers, including For All Time, Moonlight in the Morning and A Knight in Shining Armor. She was honored with a Romantic Times Pioneer Award in 2013 for her distinguished career. To date, there are more than sixty million copies of her books in print worldwide.

Hometown:

Connecticut

Date of Birth:

September 20, 1947

Place of Birth:

Fairdale, Kentucky

Website:

http://judedeveraux.com/<p>http://www.facebook.com/JudeDeveraux

Editorial Reviews

07/16/2018
Bestselling romance author Deveraux (Ever After) sets her overwrought debut mystery, an apparent series launch, in familiar territory. Successful romance writer Sara Medlar has returned in style to the Florida equivalent of Peyton Place, her hometown of Lachlan, which teems with rivalries, jealousies, and long-held grudges. Finding retirement dull, Sara welcomes her long-estranged niece, Kate Medlar, to live with her in her newly renovated mansion. Sara and Kate, along with local contractor Jack Wyatt, the self-made grandson of Sara’s first love, soon get caught up in a murder investigation when two skeletons are discovered on land Jack purchased to develop. One of the murder victims is long-missing Cheryl Morris, a beautiful girl from the wrong side of the tracks. The necklace Jack gave her years before not only identifies her body but stirs up ugly rumors from the past. Kate, Sara, and Jack’s attempt to solve the murders reveals Lachlan’s dark underbelly. Mary Higgins Clark fans will best appreciate this one. Agent: Robert Gottlieb, Trident Media. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 08/01/2018
When best-selling romance author Sara Medlar retires to her hometown of Lachlan, FL, and buys the mansion she'd admired as a child, she hires Jack Wyatt, grandson of her childhood boyfriend, to remodel it. She also offers her niece a place to stay when Kate accepts a job as a real estate agent in Lachlan. But Kate and Jack, who is also a house guest, are like oil and water, each irritating the other. When a storm knocks down a tree and uncovers human remains, the trio discover they do have something in common: the need to seek justice for the two women who disappeared 20 years earlier. It's not easy to uncover secrets in a small community. However, Sara, Kate, and Jack are pushy enough to ignore warnings and additional murders, even as they bicker with one another. Acclaimed romance author Deveraux (A Knight in Shining Armor) makes her mystery debut with this delightful small-town tale headed by three engaging leads, whose banter is amusing. At the same time, readers will sympathize with the victims. VERDICT Suggest for readers who enjoy witty mysteries, such as those by Deborah Coonts, as well as Deveraux's many fans. [See Prepub Alert, 3/12/18.]—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Library Journal

"The mystery debut of bestselling romance author Deveraux (As You Wish, 2018, etc.) starts with an unhappily-ever-after-an unsolved murder. But its heroine, a romance novelist, has a better ending in mind. Fans of Deveraux and the cozy mystery genre will find common ground in this twisted tale of forgotten graves, small-town grudges, and new friends." -Kirkus Reviews on A WILLING MURDER

"Deveraux's charming novel has likable characters and life-affirming second chances galore." -Publisher's Weekly on As You Wish

"Jude Deveraux's writing is enchanting and exquisite...." -BookPage

"Deveraux's touch is gold." -Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

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