Customer Reviews

Til Death Do Us Part

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

 

 

Kate White is rather good at writing fast paced, quick reads. The premises of her mystery novels are always rather good as well. For me, though, where things fail to satisfy is in the developments of the characters (they all remain rather superficially paper thin), and the plot -- things generally start of really well but then tend to stagnate for a good chunk of the book, before taking off somewhere around the last third of the book. And with "Til Death Do Us Part" much of this criticism was true. But is also true that of the three Bailey Weggins mystery novels published so far, this is the one I enjoyed most.

Someone seems bent on offing the bridesmaids of the Cross/Slavin wedding -- or so Ashley Haines (one of the bridesmaids at the wedding) claims to Bailey Weggins, a true crime writer who has also found herself entangled in a few murder investigations of her own. And while Bailey would like nothing better than to ignore Ashley's claims (esp since rich and super snooty Ashley just rubs her up the wrong way), this is one allegation that Bailey cannot ignore since she herself was one of the Cross/Slavin bridesmaids. What Bailey learns is that two other bridesmaids who had become rather close since the wedding have died in accidents within weeks of each other. Intrigued by the coincidence of it all, Bailey decides to look into to things. But she has barely started her investigation when Ashley is found dead! The police believe that Ashley's death was accidental, but by now Bailey is convinced that someone is out to kill every single bridesmaid from the wedding. Discovering why and who is proving more difficult than usual, esp since Bailey is now spending a great deal of time looking over her shoulder. Will Bailey solve the mystery before the determined killer gets to her? Or will she too, like the bridesmaids before her, become another victim of an "accidental" death...

If you're looking for a fast and light read, esp if you're en route somewhere, this is definitely the book for you. Events unfold at a brisk pace, and the authour's narrative style is snappy and engaging. Time definitely does fly when you're reading "Til Death Do Us Part." But I did think that the story and character developments left a lot to be desired. The book is a goodish read -- just not a stellar one.

Freelance true crime writer, and amateur sleuth, Bailey Weggins, is trying to get some relaxation on a frigid night in New York City, when she gets a frantic call from Ashley Hanes, a woman whom she was a bridesmaid with nine-months earlier, and scarcely knows. Bailey is expecting to be hit up for a couple of tickets to a big-time fashion show, but what she gets is much worse. According to Ashley, two of the bridesmaids from Peyton Cross's lavish Greenwich, Connecticut wedding have recently died in so-called freak accidents, but Ashley suspects foul play, and she's enlisting Bailey's help to prove it. Worried that she could be next on the hit list, Bailey dashes off to Ivy Hill Farm, home to Peyton Cross's catering empire. Bailey's just getting ready to interview suspects, when another bridesmaid ends up dead, proving to her that these freak accidents are definitely not accidents. Soon Bailey is following a trail of clues that lead her from her home in New York City, to Greenwich, Connecticut, and even to Miami, Florida, where she is being stalked by some sort of mad-man, or woman. As if that weren't bad enough, her relationship with Jack is on rocky ground, and she's unsure if it will stabilize anytime soon.

As Kate White has written the BAILEY WEGGINS mysteries, I have become increasingly more and more interested in Bailey's life, and crazy mishaps. It's always enjoyable to have the privilege to read about a sleuth/writer, and with Bailey, readers get the best of both worlds. Not only that, White has created an array of eccentric characters who accompany Bailey through each book, and make each installment that much better. Overall, 'TIL DEATH DO US PART was a marvelous new addition to Bailey's mystery series, and I look forward to reading the next book shortly.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Bailey Weggins is back and just as good as ever! In 'Til Death Do Us Part, Bailey is still working for Gloss magazine as a true crime story journalist. It's been a while since she was involved in her last "story", and her life is pretty mellow and normal. Until she receives a call from Ashley. a lady that she was an attendant with in a mutual friend's wedding. Two of the other bridesmaids have died mysterious (and accidental) deaths, but Ashley fears that they were murdered and that she might be next. She asks Bailey to get on the case and do some digging. Bailey, never one to turn down an opportunity to solve crimes, gets involved and finds herself in the middle of all kinds of various mysteries.

It was a page turner and I couldn't put it down! It's a must read...especially for Kate White fans. You think you know...but you don't...and then it's so obvious you'll question everything. Very good!

I didn't DISLIKE this book, but I didn't love it either. I think it just felt to formulaic, without enough charm in the writing to make me not mind. Other readers, obviously, differ. I agree with the reviewer who said that one just couldn't believe that Bailey would be involved with these people (although there WAS some motivation for becoming re-involved) and the people were too uninteresting to care about. Also, I think it is time to develop Bailey's character more -- I do not seem to know her better after each book. she could be anyone.

I picked up the first book at a library sale, and enjoyed it enough to order the next two off an Amazon seller. Both were as well-plotted and enjoyable (I didn't have a clue to the identity of the real killers until the very end). The first-person narrative is peppered with neat allusions, metaphors and wit. My main point of contention is that for a savvy, intelligent journalist and semi-investigator, Bailey is one pathetic chick at her relationships, expecially with men. She is too conflicted, and in too many instances acts like a doormat with her beaus and other people with whom she interacts. An example is her attendance as a bridesmaid at Peyon's wedding in this book: of course, it set the stage for the plot, but that could have been set through other means without her allowing herself to be terated like absolute garbage by the Bridezilla. Any self-respecting woman would and should have walked away from the wedding in order to maintain some semblance of dignity. However, all in all, a very good series, and I'm looking forward to book four. Maybe she can actually keep a man in this one... :)

Another great mystery by Kate White. It's so nice to read about an amateur detective who has a sense of style and a sex life. Well-plotted and fast-paced, this book -- like all the Kate White mysteries -- will keep you guessing until the end. Great balance of character and action. Nice!

She writes almost as humorous as Evanovich but the last few chapters will remind you of Mary Higgins Clark! You and the main character won't know who dunnit until the end! I can't believe some of the other reviews of this book. It's great and so are the rest of the series! I can't wait to read her next one! If you like a good mystery and a good laugh, then read this book!

This was a very light read - the writing seemed juvenile. The characters didn't give me anything to care about - they seemed very shallow and materialistic.

This book is the most interesting in the Bailey Wiggins series. It kept me guessing throughout the entire book! I also loved the ending, where Bailey finds a stronger sense of self.

Bailey Weggins is a true crime reporter for Gloss, a New York's woman's magazine. Bailey receives a phone call from Ashley Hanes, a fellow bridesmaid in Bailey's former college roommate's wedding. Ashley is very disturbed about the deaths of two of the other bridesmaids. She fears she is next. Bailey feels it is just coincidence until Ashley also turns up dead in a freakish accident. Bailey starts investigating the deaths. She is being stalked and her car is run of the road. Finding out who is behind the deaths becomes a life and death situation for Bailey.

As editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, Kate White, knows the world in which her books are set. Her characters are a too bit one-dimensional to be intriguing or even believable. The plot was a little short on reality too. What police department would really discount the deaths of three bridesmaids as coincidence. Bailey is a feisty character and the book is a light, easy read. It's not a bad book, but just don't expect too much out of it.