In association with Partner In Crimes Virtual Book Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Murder, Forgotten by author Deb Richardson-Moore!
FROM CHAPTER 2 –
In the days following Connor’s death, Logan had spent more time with her mother than in the past several years. Julianna had gone to stay with her neighbor, Liza Holland, and had moved through Liza’s house like a ghost – or a mental patient. She had appeared vacant at the funeral, with Margot hovering at her elbow to cover her lapses with both local mourners and New York publishing executives. Just last week, after deputies allowed Julianna back into this house, Logan had brought dinner. Through all that, her mother had never mentioned a new book.
But then she wouldn’t have. She was spacey at the best of times. After Connor’s death, her sleep became more disrupted, her empty stares more pronounced, her answers more nonsensical. Frankly, Logan had been relieved when Margot whisked her out of the country. But if you didn’t have to deal with the real Julianna Burke, the thought of a new Julianna Burke mystery was delicious. Logan would snuggle into bed sooner than she had planned and see what Martin Engler’s problem was. But first, she had to lock up downstairs. She stood, nearly tripping over Annabelle, who’d followed her into Julianna’s room unnoticed.
The dog whimpered.
“I know, baby girl,” Logan said. “Your mama will come back. I promise. But you get to sleep in my room tonight. How’s that?”
Annabelle trotted out of the room and dashed to Logan’s childhood bedroom. She sat at the door, looking up expectantly. “Back in a flash,” Logan assured her. She walked down the stairs and through the living quarters, turning off a living room lamp, rechecking the security alarm, and locking the door that led from the kitchen on to rickety side stairs. Circling back, she saw the glow from her mother’s office. She knew she’d left a light on, but the hairs on the back of her neck bristled nonetheless.
She’d never been afraid in this house, not once, not even as a teen left alone overnight when her mother and Connor remained in Columbia or Greenville or Asheville after a book signing. “The neighbors are so close,” she’d whined in her successful campaign of persuasion not to be dragged along. But those close neighbors hadn’t prevented Connor’s murder. For that matter, neither had the other two people in the house.
Logan took a steadying breath and returned to the office, the black binder still in her hand.
She reached to turn off the desk lamp but then thought about this treasure she’d unearthed in Connor’s bedside table. What else might there be? Resolutely turning her back on the blood-stained chair, she pulled open the slender top drawer of her mother’s desk. She felt guilty for a moment. Though she’d talked to her distracted mother from the office doorway or slouched on the couch as a teen seeking permission for one thing or another, she’d never been alone in this space.
***
Excerpt from Murder, Forgotten by Deb Richardson–Moore. Copyright 2020 by Deb Richardson–Moore. Reproduced with permission from Deb Richardson–Moore. All rights reserved.
Julianna Burke is a best-selling murder mystery author, who has been experiencing a gradual memory loss that leaves her writing career in jeopardy. When Julianna's husband Connor is murdered in their home office while neither Julianna or assistant Margot Riley heard anything that occurred, the wheels are set in motion to try and figure out what really happened, and if Julianna's writing plot style and progressive memory loss had any part in it.
As Julianna struggles to make sense of her husband's murder and the progression of her memory loss, daughter Logan delves into the murder investigation, and the more information Logan discovers, the more danger, potential motives, and suspects are added to the list, and one of them is determined to stop Julianna and Logan before they reveal the truth of Connor's death at any cost.
Author Deb Richardson-Moore weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in the third person narrative that alternates between Julianna and Logan as they try to uncover the truth behind the death of Julianna's husband, Connor Burke.
I loved reading this intriguing murder mystery. The reader will be easily drawn into this richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as family secrets, a growing list of possible suspects, motives, and clues are uncovered. You can't help but feel for Julianna as she struggles with her memory loss, it is so devastating and heartbreaking. I loved how Logan steps in to investigate her step-father's murder, I was kept guessing as the person and reason behind the murder mystery was slowly revealed.
Murder, Forgotten has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, intrigue, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
RATING: 4 STARS
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Deb Richardson-Moore. There will be 4 winners. Two (2) winners will each win one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card and Two (2) winners will each win one (1) ebook copy of Murder, Forgotten by Deb Richardson-Moore. The giveaway begins on October 1, 2020 and runs through October 18, 2020. Void where prohibited.
I have this one on my wish list and can't wait to get a copy.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl! You'll enjoy this mystery, it really kept me guessing who the killer was. Great storyline and setting.
DeleteOh, my, Calabash? You know something about good seafood then. Thank you so much for this generous review. Deb
ReplyDeleteHi Deb! Thank you for the opportunity to feature your book on my blog. I really enjoyed reading it, kept me guessing all the way to the end. Yes, my family has property in Calabash, I have spent many vacations there over the years and visiting the low country locales in SC too. You're right about the good seafood, you can smell it coming from the restaurants as you drive into town. My favorite restaurant is Captain Nance's right on the waterway, they have the best hushpuppies too. :)
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