Murder Has No Calories [Mass Market Paperback]

Corinne Holt Sawyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 1995

"Another jewel from the pen of Corinne Sawyer...[She] has a knack for working wit, wisdom and humor into her stories."
--Abilene Reporter-News
When a beautiful staff member at a California fat farm is found brutally murdered, the owner pleads with the plucky senior sleuths from Camden-sur-Mer to investigate. So Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate quickly join the edgy little party at The Time-Out Inn to check out their fellow guests: grumpy Marceline, face-lifted Carmen, dimpled Cracker, saggy Judy, and roly-poly Tilly, among others. Very nice ladies, too--on the surface.
But beneath one of those mud-packs lurks a killer. Too bad that Angela's and Caledonia's impulsive sleuthing is pushing them toward a fate worse than aerobics. Namely death...
"A fun read...Fast-paced...It will relax you and even trigger a chuckle now and then."
--The Charleston Gazette

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sawyer's fifth outing for her elderly Southern California sleuths Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate, seen last in The Peanut Butter Murders, strains to emphasize the eccentricities of the previously more likable twosome as they track a killer at a posh spa. The owner of the Time-Out Inn, a fashionable fat farm where a staff member has just been poached to death in the sauna, begs Angela to visit and investigate. Grumbling all the way, overweight Cal agrees to join her friend undercover. Cal ducks the exercise classes in order to confer with her old friend, San Diego County Police Lt. Martinez, while Angela uses the physical activity sessions as a cover for questioning the guests. The killer, however, strikes again and clearly is not taken in by the detecting team's pretenses. Cal is locked into a walk-in refrigerator; after her rescue, she and Angela cooperate in a ploy to flush out the culprit, which only succeeds after the killer goes after Cal again. Angela's blathering and the duo's extended speculation about each guest's possible motives are likely to tire Sawyer's most ardent fans.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Series sleuths Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate, adventurous seniors, infiltrate an exclusive, weight-watching health spa in order to investigate the murder of a beautiful young employee. More clever humor from the author of The Peanut Butter Murders (Donald I. Fine, 1993).
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Fawcett (September 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449223388
• ISBN-13: 978-0449223383
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,557,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Down on the Fat Farm, March 29, 2000

By 

Julie L. Mink "higirl" (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder Has No Calories (Mass Market Paperback)

Another fun romp for senior sleuths, Angela Benbow and Caledonia Windgate, when they go to a California fat farm to help a friend solve the murder of a beautiful staff member. As usual they can not leave the sleuthing to the police and especially their friend Lieutenant Martinez. They march straight into danger while trying to avoid aerobic classes and hunger. A good quick read with a few plot twists and some good chuckles. Have enjoyed all of the books in this series and when I need some light reading will pick up the next. The author seems to have a good feeling for the thoughts and problems of those of us who are getting older and slowing down but still like adventure.

4.0 out of 5 stars Seniors at it again, July 17, 2009

By 

pastapig (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder Has No Calories (Mass Market Paperback)

One of the retirement center mysteries, this one takes place "off site" at a weight loss retreat. It's fun and and quick, easy cozy.

4.0 out of 5 stars Dieting Can Be Murder!, July 21, 2003

By 

L Smith "acozylover" (Macomb, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Murder Has No Calories (Benbow/Wingate Mystery) (Hardcover)

The 5th book in the Retirement Mysteries by Corinne Holt Sawyer finds the ladies from Camden-sur-Mer a bit out of their element. Friends Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate are asked by friend and owner of The Time Out Inn to investigate the death of one of her workers. To their chagrin, they find out the inn is an exercise and diet spa, and they must suffer through exercise classes to try and blend in with the group (of which one is the murderer!) Even though these two are in their 80's, no one dares to tell them that they are too old to investigate murders and they dive in with relish. When Caledonia is attacked, the two friends (along with Lt. Martinez and crew) must catch a murderer before she becomes another of this clever killer's victims!

I enjoyed the latest book in this series about the irrepressible Angela and Caledonia. It was very amusing to imagine Angela sweating all day long while Caledonia relaxed, and I could just picture the meal scenes with all the ladies gobbling their food after a long day of exercise. I like the spunk and determination of the characters in this series, and I found myself laughing aloud at their antics. The mystery was decent, and although I guessed the identity of the killer early, I was surprised at the motive in this case. This was definitely a cold-hearted killer who even surprised me at the lengths that he/she would go to in order to keep everyone quiet.

This book shows that retirement does not mean "out to pasture" and shows how valuable the elderly are (to those that, unfortunately, need a reminder!). This was a delightful look at feisty friends that do not let their age hinder them from solving murders. The characters grow with each book in the series and this book was a great addition to the first four. Great for all ages!

The first book in this series is "The J Alfred Prufrock Murders". Enjoy!

A Cozy Lover