Customer Reviews

A Body to Die For

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

A Body to Die For is the second book of a new series featuring Bailey Weggins, a freelance magazine writer who specializes in true crime stories. In this installment, Bailey travels from NYC to Massachusetts for some rest and relaxation at a spa owned by a long time friend of Bailey's mother. Shortly after Baily arrives, a spa employee is found murdered. Bailey soon discovers that this is not not the first death during the past few months at the spa, and that several other intrigues are also going on.

In the true spirit of nosy writers who interfere with police work, Bailey begins interviewing reluctant spa employees and other bystanders, and following up on clues. At the same time, Bailey is managing her conflicted romantic life, finding herself interested in both a boyfriend from the past and one of the policemen involved in the murder case.

Kate White's writing style is breezy and not unlike that of the fashion / beauty magazine Ms. White edits. The phrasing is awkward or blunt at times, and Bailey frequently acts like too much of a neophyte for her crime writing background. However, A Body to Die For is a swift paced read perfect for lazy summer afternoons.

Although "A Body to Die For" did possess a rather intriguing storyline, ultimately the book did prove to a bit of a bland read for me.

Bailey Weggins is in dire need of some rest and relaxation -- her workload is beginning to get to her and her promising romance with Jack Herlihy (a professor of psychology) seems to have mysteriously fizzled. So that when close family friend, Danny Hubner, who owns and runs a health spa and inn (Cedar Inn) in Warren, Massachusetts invites Bailey to spend the weekend there, it seemed to be just the ticket. Except that Bailey discovers the dead body of one of the massage therapists in one of the treatment rooms. A quick talk with Danny reveals that things have been rather strained lately, and that Danny has been at a lose to figure out what's been going on. And so Bailey volunteers to help out her friend by snooping around. But the clues are few and leads hard to come by. However Bailey is determined to discover what's going on at Cedar Inn as well as unmask the killer, esp after the killer sends Bailey an ominous message warning her to stop her investigation...

If you're stuck somewhere over the weekend with nothing to do and no where to go (like an airport, or a hotel room) then you really won't feel too shortchanged if you invest your time (and money) on this book. The trouble with "A Body to Die For" was that it was 1) a bit of a bland read; 2) the mystery took too long to unfold; 3) the clues and suspects were really scarce; 4) there were very few clever twists and turns; and 5)for a seasoned professional crime columnist, Bailey seemed unbelievably naive. On the plus side, some of the dialogue was snappy and humourous and Bailey Weggins was easy to relate to and empathise -- in fact was what really saved the book for me and made it readable (even if I found it really amusing that Bailey's rolodex was full of 'phone numbers of people whom she had never met but who were willing to help her figure out what was going on at Cedar Inn). So, if you're looking for a book to while away the time and that is entertaining as well, "A Body to Die For" will do; but if you're looking for a good mystery novel that will keep you riveted by the events that are unfolding between the pages, then you might want to try something else.

This is the first book I've read by Ms. White, and while I might read the earlier book, chances are I'll check it out of the library rather than purchase. I never saw the supposed closeness in the relationship between Bailey and Danny so, although I finished the book, it was tough for me to generate any empathy for the characters.

Bailey, a crime-writing divorcee from Manhattan comes across as Nancy Drew without George, Bess, or Ned. Having said all that, if you're looking for a nice easy read while laying in the beach or taking a flight --- this may be the book. If you leave it behind, you probably won't spend alot of time wondering whodunnit.

Crime reporter Bailey Weggins is in need of some rest and relaxation, and there is no better place than the Cedar Inn, an out of the way country spa, but Bailey's restful weekend is about to turn into the hunt for a killer.

Bailey doesn't like mingling with the snooty and up-tight, but a good massage is a good massage, and she's enjoying all the pampering until she stumbles, literally, over a dead woman wrapped up like a mummy in one of the spa's treatment rooms.

Now on a full murder investigation, Bailey begins interviewing the socialites that inhabit the spa and finds a long list of suspects, among them; a jilted lover, a shady husband, and a group of employees with something to hide. As Bailey gets deeper and deeper into her investigation she finds more questions than answers, and to make matters worse she finds herself falling for the detective assigned to the case.

Hoping to help the owner of the spa, Bailey wants to catch the killer, but another murder pushes her farther away from the truth, and forces her across state lines chasing clues until she becomes the killer's next target.

` A Body To Die For' is a great follow-up to `If Looks Could Kill,' and fans of breezy, entertaining mysteries are in for a treat. The plot unfolds quickly as the murder sets the stage in an enjoyable page-turner guaranteed to keep you engrossed. Bailey is a funny, quirky, and quick-witted character, one that readers will root for no matter what situation she is thrown into. Kate White's fun mysteries are the much needed spark in a genre that is becoming stale. Her novels are fast-paced and smart, with plot twists that are exposed at just the right time with just the right amount of suspense to keep you engrossed.

A good, enjoyable mystery, perfect for the beach or plane ride.

Nick Gonnella

I'd read Kate White's non-fiction self-help books years ago, but didn't know she'd ventured into the realm of mystery. I was pleased with her plotting and writing and will be tracking down her other books.

"When I think back on everything terrible that happened that autumn --- the murders, the grim discovery I made, the danger I found myself in --- I realize I probably could have avoided all of it if my love life hadn't been so sucky." So begins A BODY TO DIE FOR. Author Kate White continues this amiable, breezy style throughout this fast-paced story.

Bailey Weggins lives in New York City and is a freelance writer --- of crime stories mostly --- with an occasional contracted article that is meant to expand the horizons of women who read Gloss magazine. She has an optimistic outlook on life and is immediately likeable. A friend invites her to spend a weekend at the spa that she owns and although Bailey is not into most of the "goofy" spa stuff, she does enjoy a good massage. And besides, her mother has been worried about her and thinks a vacation could cheer her up. So she jumps in her Jeep and heads up the Connecticut Turnpike to be pampered for the weekend.

Amateur detective novels can be implausible at times, what with psychic cats and stuff, but here the tie-in with her job lends credibility as Bailey discovers a dead body within hours of arriving at the Spa and then spends the next few weeks tracking down clues to discover whodunit. Like a professional detective, Bailey is methodical in her investigation, constantly reviewing clues she logs in composition books and following threads of evidence that she keeps pulling at until the whole mystery unravels.

Mysteries are so popular and there are hundreds of good writers out there, but only a few stand out above the rest. What set them apart are the additional strengths that go beyond telling a good story. Top writers create memorable characters, people who readers can love or hate or identify with. They write dialogue that sounds realistic, and they put into words insights and observations that cause the reader to smile in agreement or nod knowingly. For example, Bailey is thinking about the hunky cop she just met and she decides "...it was a complete aberration --- like one of those blinding pains you get in your temple one day that convinces you (that) you have a brain tumor the size of a beefsteak tomato but never occurs again..."

A BODY TO DIE FOR, which follows Kate White's successful debut novel, IF LOOKS COULD KILL, is the second of a great new series for us fans of Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, and the two Roberts --- Crais and Parker.

--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding

This story was only mildly interesting and just barely had enough "oomph" to keep me going until the end. I really enjoyed White's first novel but this one didn't live up to my expectations. By page 200, I had thought I knew who it was that had committed the crime and why, but I was wrong, and I readily admit that; however, by the time I did find out "whodunit", I didn't really care and I thought my hunch would have been a better one anyway. Her relationship issues barely scratched the surface of believability, and it just seemed to be thrown in for the heck of it.

Bailey Wiggins a freelance crime journalist is visiting her good friend Danny who runs the Cedar Inn a couple of hours outside of New York City. Discovering that she left her watch behind after a massage, Bailey discovers the dead body of a beautiful masseuse wrapped mummy style in silver paper. Bailey proceeds to investigate the murder but discovers a lot of things others do not want uncovered, putting herself in extreme danger.

A good story with a great female lead character. The ending however is a little too convenient and it is not real likely the police force would respond in the way they do upon just hearing what they do, which is all that drops this great book from five to four stars. Highly recommend read. I'll definitely check out other novels by Kate White.

Popular stage, television and film actress Kate Walsh has numerous roles to her credit. Perhaps best remembered for portraying Drew Carey's girlfriend on The Drew Carey show, she is also recognized for appearances on TV's Norm and Law and Order. This wealth of experience is brought to her articulate reading of Kate White's latest action packed adventure.

Protagonist Bailey Weggins, a crime reporter for a high end magazine, returns to super sleuth again. When a friend invites her to enjoy a gratis few days at a posh spa in Massachusetts Bailey can't get there fast enough. She's ready to be pampered, pedicured, and polished.

Amenities vanish when she discovers a corpse trussed like a mummy in a treatment room. What kind of treatment is this? And, who administered it - a tossed aside lover, double-dealing ex, a number of other assorted characters?

If you know Bailey, you know there's romance mixed with murder - this time in the form of a good looking detective looking into the slaying. However, there's not much time for moonlight and roses as Bailey tracks down leads only to find herself a target.

Another yarn both suspenseful and sensual from Kate White.

- Gail Cooke

Bailey Weggins, freelance writer of true crime stories for Gloss magazine is spending the weekend at the friend's spa in rural Massachusetts. She is looking forward to getting away from her hectic work life and her ho-hum romantic life. Bailey barely arrives at the spa before the first body turns up. Since she is on the scene she decides to help out her friend and perhaps get a story while she is at it.

This is the second book by Kate White featuring Bailey Weggins. I liked the first one, but this one just did not connect with me. When I read this book, I couldn't help but compare it to the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. Unfortunately, it compares unfavorably. Stephanie pulls off the sarcastic wit. Bailey fails miserably. Stephanie knows she is inept at her job, Bailey thinks she is good, but she's just lucky. She grills various people with question after question and they answer her. I just want to scream, "why are you telling that woman a thing. Tell her to bug off."

Dialogue is stilted, characters are unpleasant, and plot is substandard. My advice would be to skip it.