A Willing Murder

By: Jude Deveraux

Narrated by: Susan Bennett

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling 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.

©2018 Deveraux Inc. (P)2018 Recorded Books

Beyond wonderful

This was fascinating. I listened more than read but that will change soon when I go back to read it. I LOVED the audible version. Narration was beyond perfection. It’s a good little mystery told expertly. I leave this story feeling very happy to have met these characters and a little sad to be leaving them. This is a fantastic way to spend your reading hours. Note: this is a well written story, it is not an erotic jump from one bed to another (which I am not necessarily oppose to as long as the story is good.) Enjoy this one. I certainly did.

30 people found this helpful

A Willing Murder

Very good! Fast paced, entertaining, funny, & scary! The murders kept building, real sociopaths!! Figured out one of the killers!!

26 people found this helpful

Excellent as Always!

No words! Just pure joy in reading Ms. Devereaux's work. From the minute I started reading this novel I couldn't put it down til I finished.

20 people found this helpful

Still My Favorite Author

I love everything Jude Deveraux has ever written. A Willing Murder is her first trip into the mystery genre and it was quite enjoyable. Unfortunately, I figured out the murderer very early on, but it’s still Jude’s voice. After so many years of reading and listening to her stories, I’ve become familiar with her cadence and speech patterns. For that alone, i loved this book. It’s not frightening or overly romantic, but it is a solid story by the magical Jude Deveraux.

18 people found this helpful

One of the her best

Book was exciting, funny, suspenseful and very entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone.

8 people found this helpful

Classic Writer Moves Forward

Great $3.95 daily deal to introduce this wonderful writer to a new mystery fan base. I have been a fan of Ms Deveraux since the 80’s with her historical romances. All time best A Knight in Shining Armor, the closing paragraph will stay with you for years to come! Not to be missed the Velvet Montgomery Annuals which also shows off Ms Deveraux great writing skills.
The Publishers summery is spot on so no need to add to it.
This is a series so if you do not like cliff hangers, then beware. Author leads you to the next book which may leave certain explanations to your imagination. The characters are wonderful as author knows how to develop personality as the tale evolves.
Since Ms Deveraux had at one time, and may still live in an English castle, her eye for detail and furnishings is great if you are a fan of that type of narrative.
I do use the 1.25x speed for all mysteries to match an authors intentions. See Marcia Clark mystery series, both Rachel Knight and Samantha Brinkman if you enjoyed this mystery.
Were my comments of help?

6 people found this helpful

Reading the book might have been a better idea.

Jude Deveraux wrote one of my all-time favorite stories that I have in hardback, paperback, Kindle and Audible - A Knight in Shining Armor. I've been a fan of many of her books. This story is the first of hers that I've bought in a few years though.

The premise of the story promised to be good. The telling of it left me unengaged, and I found myself fast forwarding through a lot. The "heroine" was a naive sappy young woman who seemed to be attracted to any man who looked her way. Her phobia about calories was a constant war with the running description and consumption of food described throughout the story.

Her immediate connection with an aunt she had never known existed and immediately moving into the aunt's house was not plausible.

The character, Jack, was involved in more action walking around with a leg cast and crutches than the usual able-bodied man. Susan Bennett, the narrator, relied on a lazy rendition of a southern drawl in an effort to give Jack some personality. It didn't work. It was just sloppy.

Overall, I think this book would be a PG romance or Hallmark movie format.

5 people found this helpful

Well read!

As always Jude's books capture and delight! I can't wait for the next in the series.

10 people found this helpful

Disappointed but still worth a listen!

I’ve read every single book of Jude Deveraux’ over the years. I’ve grown up with them from 15 to now 45. But this one had ZERO romance. There were GREAT characters and intrigue. Wonderful banter and enjoyment! But I would have loved another 2 chapters to tie up the end. The murder gets solved, but my heart is not fulfilled.

31 people found this helpful

Excellent...as always

I've always loved JD, this one was no different. A good mystery and story writing.

7 people found this helpful