Drop Dead Gorgeous: A Novel (Blair Mallory) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: bad dye job, wedding shoes, Great Bods, Monica Stevens, Las Vegas (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although someone is trying to kill fitness salon owner and former cheerleader Blair Mallory yet again, she retains her winning comedic voice in Howard's follow up to 2005's To Die For. Southern belle Blair remains perfectly matched with police Lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth, who has given her one month to execute their wedding, or else he's taking them to Vegas. Things take a turn when a crazed driver nearly runs Blair down in the mall parking lot; it's not long before Blair starts receiving strange phone calls and spots a car tailing her, but the normally astute Wyatt doesn't put two and two together. Though the danger is real-and escalates violently-this is no heart-thumping suspense novel, but instead an old-fashioned clash of the sexes: Blair's high-maintenance style versus Wyatt's alpha male tendencies. Funny and sexy throughout, Howard's latest is marred only by Wyatt's shoddy policework, a convenient misstep that propels the plot but rings false. Regardless, fans of this couple will delight in their rematch, and Howard's recently revealed comedic talents are sure to secure her new readers.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

“Linda Howard is a superbly original storyteller.”
–Iris Johansen

Blair Mallory has already survived one murder attempt. Now, while planning her wedding and dealing with holiday-season madness, Blair once again dodges a bullet. Or more precisely, a Buick. And though the driver’s identity remains a mystery, his or her murderous intentions are all too clear.

Or are they? After all, Blair’s homicidal ex-husband and his partner in crime/wife are safely behind bars. And even Wyatt Bloodsworth, her police detective groom-to-be, isn’t inclined to believe she’s being targeted again. All of which makes Blair wonder if her close call was simply a mishap. But the wondering stops when she narrowly cheats death again in another seemingly innocent accident. Two strikes is all it takes to convince Blair that she’s back in someone’s crosshairs. And the only thing more frightening is that Wyatt still doubts her. That means this time, no one will be watching Blair’s back when she sets out to get the drop on her would-be killer–before whoever it is finally drops her.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (November 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345486587
• ISBN-13: 978-0345486585
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #197,086 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #68 in

  Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( H ) > Howard, Linda

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Blair & Wyatt are back - transgressions and all, December 1, 2006

By	Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Blair Mallory has just lost some footing in the jostling for the upper hand in her upcoming marriage to police lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth. He gives her a drop-dead date of one month to plan the nuptials or off they go to Vegas. While shopping for her wedding dress, Blair is nearly run down in the mall parking lot and furious that no one seems to notice her lying on the ground until she has already called for help.

After being released from the hospital, she's sure that she's being followed. Wyatt thinks she's just being the typical high maintenance gal she is and chastises her for continually bothering him at work with what he thinks are frivolous thoughts. This make narcissistic Blair's blood boil and she starts writing up a list of his transgressions. When yet another attack is made on her life, causing her condo to go up in flames, Wyatt thinks she might have a point after all. But is it too late?

Howard first introduced the duo of Blair and Wyatt in "To Die For," using a new writing style of first person, which was unfamiliar to her fan base, therefore was either loved or hated. This one uses the same voice, that of Blair. While her observations are hilarious at times, it can also be grating. Because the reader is never allowed into Wyatt's head, we cannot figure out what his attraction to Blair is other than physical, since let's face it, she lacks depth. Howard usually fleshes out both her male and female leads. And the list of transgressions - while refreshing in the first novel - are just redundant this time out. As for the mystery of who's after Blair, it's pretty predictable and the ending a bit rushed, in fact, it is a re-hash of the previous novel, making the reader wonder if the prolific Howard isn't writing on auto pilot now. But having said that - even a not so great Howard novel is a good novel, as it captured my attention and had me laughing from page one.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved it..., May 22, 2007

By	ThisThatNEverything "thisthatneverything" (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

Although I preferred the 1st book in this series (To Die For), I found myself loving this book as well. My only disappointment was that I figured out who the "bad-guy" was at the first available opportunity. I even guessed what their relationship was to Blair. With that being my only complain I loved this book. The first person is a huge plus to me. I didn't feel the need to go into Wyatt's head in either of these books & Although I found Blair to be very spoiled & annoying I enjoyed viewing the story through her eyes because she very witty, funny & sneaky. I highly recommend this 2-book series.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book..., November 30, 2006

By	Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Blair Mallory has already survived attempts on her life. In fact, that is what brought Police Lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth back into her life. Wyatt drives her crazy, in various good and bad ways. Now he has tired of waiting for Blair to set a date and has thrown down a gauntlet. Blair has exactly thirty days to wed him or he will kidnap her to Vegas for a tacky wedding. Blair knows he means it too. So she is now racing all over the place, trying to get everything set up. Even with the help of her family and friends, there just does not seem to be enough time to coordinate her dream wedding.

To make matters worse, someone tries to run over Blair while she is walking out of the mall with her wedding shoes (and a few other items she simply HAD to have, of course). She also believes that someone is following her car often. Wyatt believes Blair is making a mountain out of a mole hill. Okay, so Blair may be a drama queen at times, she may be high maintenance all the time, and she certainly demands Wyatt's full attention if he is not dealing with something truly important such as his work. But Blair just knows that she is on someone's hit list again and it is frustrating not to be believed by her own fiancé!

But when Blair's stalker gets really serious, even Wyatt has to admit that Blair has managed to tick someone off...again. Wyatt better get busy, because Blair is writing up her own list of grievances against Wyatt and making sure everyone knows them!

**** Blair Mallory and Wyatt Bloodsworth starred in a previous novel titled "TO DIE FOR". If you read and enjoyed it, then you are bound to love this one! Wyatt is still a hunk and very serious about work as a cop. Blair is still gorgeous and totally hilarious. Both still love to push each other's buttons. All-in-all, it blends together for a dangerous and hilarious ride on the wild side. In my opinion, it is too easy to figure out who the stalker must be; however, readers will have a fun time just watching everything happen. A wonderful novel for the Christmas season especially. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.