The third book in the Medlar Mysteries sees retired romance novelist Sara Medlar, her niece real estate agent Kate Medlar, and her adopted grandson contractor Jack traveling to England to visit an estate with a mystery.

Sara knows the owner of Oxley Manor as she was instrumental in funding the restoration of the manor in its new incarnation as a boutique hotel. Sara has become curious about the disappearance of two young people from there in 1994 and wants to see if she can solve the mystery. To do so, she has invited those who were there at the time of the event to come to stay at the hotel during its closed month.

Also at the estate for the investigation are Bella who is the new owner, Mrs. Aiken who is the long-time cook, and Puck who was a young teen at the time of the disappearances and who now makes and sells herbal wreaths.

Back in 1994, Oxley Manor was the weekend hangout of the pack - students from Cambridge - hosted by Nicky who was the heir to the estate. The pack included Nicky's best mate Byon, his next estate neighbor Nadine, Diana a chauffeur's daughter, Willa an outsider who funded much of the pack's fun, and Cliff who was the poor relation working as the estate manager. Peripheral to the pack was Sean Thorpe who was the stable manager in charge of Nicky's father's racing stable.

When Sean and Diana disappear on the same night, the pack breaks up. Sara is bringing them together to try to uncover the secrets of that disappearance.

Since we learn, when Puck stumbles on Sean's bones in an old abandoned well in a fenced off nature preserve, that Sean never left the estate, the three - Sara, Kate, and Jack - know part of the mystery that the others gathered to discuss it do not.

The story is told partially in flashbacks to 1994 which let the reader know more about the conflicts of that time. It was interesting to see how the pack members had changed since that time.

I enjoyed this mystery. The narration was well done and good at distinguishing the characters from one another. ( )

An English manor home, an unsolved mystery, too many suspects to count... It's the perfect holiday for romance novelist Sara Medlar. After solving two murder cases in their hometown of Lachlan, Florida, Sara Medlar, her niece Kate and their friend Jack need a change of scenery. Sara arranges for them to visit an old friend of hers in England. Upon arrival at Oxley Manor, a centuries-old estate that has been converted to a luxury hotel, Kate and Jack quickly realize that Sara is up to something. They learn that Sara has also invited a number of others to join them at Oxley. When everyone assembles, Sara lets them know why they are there. Decades earlier, two people ran off together from Oxley and haven't been heard from since-and Sara wants to solve the case. As the people who were there the night the two went missing, the guests find themselves cast in a live mystery-theater event. In reenacting the events of that night, it becomes clear that everyone has something to hide and no one is safe, especially when the discovery of a body makes it clear that at least one of the people who disappeared was murdered. Sara, Jack and Kate are once again at the heart of a mysterious case that only they are able to solve. But someone is willing to continue to kill to keep the truth about Oxley Manor buried, and none of the guests are safe. ( )

Next one please?! ( )

Given to me by a neighbor who said it was a good mystery and a nice break from the pandemic. I couldn't get into the story.

I typically really enjoy Jude Devereaux’s novels, but this one missed the mark for me. I suspected the murderer almost instantly, but not the motive. I also completely distrusted the person responsible for the latter incident. (Being cryptic here to avoid spoilers)
I did enjoy the banter between Jack and Kate. Hope the next one is more fulfilling.
#AForgottenMurder #JudeDevereaux ( )