A Body to Die For

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5<br /><br /><a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/341390.A_Body_to_Die_For__Bailey_Weggins_Mystery___2_" title="A Body to Die For (Bailey Weggins Mystery, #2) by Kate White" rel="noopener">A Body to Die For</a> by <a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/59972.Kate_White" title="Kate White" rel="noopener">Kate White</a> was such a fun second book to the Bailey Weggins series! It was shorter than <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/341388.If_Looks_Could_Kill__Bailey_Weggins_Mystery___1_" title="If Looks Could Kill (Bailey Weggins Mystery, #1) by Kate White" rel="noopener">If Looks Could Kill</a> and more concise, but still had the trademark descriptions that I have come to love White for. <i> <b>"In the mirror I noticed that my face was flushed. Nothing serious, just the same degree of red you'd see on someone who'd been scorched by a blowtorch or was in the throes of scarlet fever."</b> </i> How can I not love descriptions like that?<br /><br />White is seriously the best at casting suspicion on all the characters in her books. I always think I have it figured out and then BAM it's who I'm least expecting. I also like that you don't find out who the killer is until the very end. There is so much buildup, and I just love that about this series so far. <br /><br />There was a tiny bit of steam but less than book one had, and this time the setting wasn't New York City which was a nice change of pace. Bailey still totally reminds me of a Carrie Bradshaw type though, and I just love her character. Smart-ass comments and wit always make me laugh, and she's super relatable as a person too. She's not a good actress and when you put yourself into precarious situations like she does things get a little dicey! She's like the perfect combination of Carrie and Nancy Drew and I've loved the references to Nancy Drew in the books!<br /><br /><b>Final Thought:</b> Overall this was another win for me in the Kate White department. I realized recently that I read one of her books a couple years ago and didn't love it, but I'm really enjoying this series and I'm so happy I have six more books to look forward to. Plus she’s still writing them so that’s a win for me! If you like mysteries that are a little more old-school with a journalist sleuthing and some steam thrown in, then you need to check this series out ASAP!

<br /> I just recently discovered this series of 'Bailey Weggins' mysteries, this book being number two. I absolutely LOVED this series. It is a light mystery read and this suited me just fine as I grew a little tired of some of the over the top, extremely graphic murder mysteries I had been reading. One critic describes this series as "Nancy Drew meets Sex and The City" and I fully agree. This series has a refreshing, contemporary feel with a murder mystery thrown in. I enjoyed Bailey's sharp, sarcastic wit, not often seen with most protagonists. I also appreciated the way the bit of 'romance' in the series was written. Rather than that soppy, ridiculous--we just met on page 10 and on page 50, you profess your undying love---this series deals with romance in a far more mature and realistic way. Hence, the Sex and The City comparison. Growing up, I devoured the Nancy Drew series, and maybe that is another reason I am so crazy for this series.It was like going home again, a blast from the past, a huge part of my mid-childhood. I just finished the last book in this series--Lethally Blonde--and I feel as if I have just finished a GREAT meal, and now been told there is no dessert. I highly recommend this series to anyone who is in the mood for a lighter mystery, and anyone who grew up reading and loving Nancy Drew, a little cheesy dialogue and all.(less) <br /> comment · see review <br /> <br />

I don't think the author could decide whether she wanted this to be a Sue Grafton mystery or a Meg Cabot mystery, so instead, she settled for the worst of both worlds: two dimensional characters that run around like recently decapitated chickens, and a middle-aged main character with the emotional maturity of a high school girl.<br /><br />The blurbs on the back of the book said that the main character, Bailey Weggins, was down-to-earth, and self-deprecating, which is ironic, considering that she spent most of the book insulting OTHER people with ad hominems similar to those one might find in a novel by Ann Coulter.<br /><br />Okay, so maybe I'm bitter, but I'm really, really glad I didn't pay full price for this book.

Good read!

kate white's fluffy but oddly thrilling bailey weggins mysteries are my new favorite books to read. they are the perfect weight to hold in one hand while walking around a screaming infant and singing "The Alphabet Dirge". <br /><br />i wish i were joking about that last bit.<br /><br />these books are easily digestible, well-paced, and fun. they require minimal effort to read and the picture falls into place in a way that is predictable, yet satisfying.<br /><br />my biggest problems with the series are:<br />1. bailey is sort of a slut. look, i was single once upon a time ago, and i get that people aren't always monogamous. but this girl will literally have sex with one guy and then start fantasizing about another the minute the first is out of sight. i enjoy a good romance-side-plot in my mysteries, but it's a bit much.<br />2. the killers are also fairly predictable - the reason it works is because the motives are not always apparently clear. you will probably never be "shocked" by the end of the book (instead, more likely, you'll have "a feeling" about some characters in particular and then realize you're right about 25-75 pages before bailey does).<br />3. bailey knows EVERYBODY. she always has a friend who can tell her something useful to the plot but in a generic way (it reminds me of stanley kowalski in "streetcar" who always knows someone - a banker, accountant, lawyer, etc.)<br />4. there's no fucking way bailey would not know what a "happy ending massage" is. i'm sorry, there just isn't. she works for a glam mag in new york. it would not take a gay septuagenarian to point out that sometimes, just sometimes, massage therapists give a little additional release. and there's no way someone who has had as much sex as she purports to have had would need to call a detective/policeman to find out what "full service" means. <br /><br />3.5 stars for another jolly good time.

I like this series! I like the lead character Bailey Weggins including her vehicle of choice (Jeep). I'm not sure why I missed Book 2 as I've read Book 1, 3, and 4 but I knew that I wanted to go back and read the story missed and I'm glad I did. I don't want to miss any of Bailey's adventures and/or sleuthing.<br /><br />Bailey Weggins is still working as a contributing editor for <i>Gloss</i> magazine and an assignment isn't due until next Friday so it seems the perfect time to enjoy a little R&amp;R at the Cedar Inn and Spa owned by Danielle (aka Danny) Hubner, one of her Mom's college girlfriends. Bailey’s own friendship with Danny began after the death of Bailey’s father when Bailey was only 12. Bailey’s Mom was struggling with her own grief and at times it was hard to comfort her daughter too. Danny has been inviting Bailey to visit the spa ever since she opened it about 3-4 years ago but with Bailey’s work commitments and trying to recover from her own short-lived marriage it was easy to put off acceptance of the invitation. But those of us who know Bailey also know that a weekend away may bring either the encounter of a new love interest or a new story related to crime or both.<br /><br />Bailey is a natural sleuth not only with her experience that began as a crime writer for a newspaper in the 10 years after college but also as she’s a natural at asking questions. Her questions often put her in more danger than she realizes until she has more pieces of the puzzle or mystery of the crime. There are usually some handsome men during her sleuthing expeditions – either ex-boyfriends or ex-connections from previous cases or new possibilities. <br /><br />I also love the 70-year old neighbor, Landon who lives across the hall from Bailey as he’s a good listener who sometimes cooks for Bailey and sometimes they enjoy each other’s company at a local restaurant. Landon reminds me of Henry, landlord and neighbor of Kinsey Millhone who was not only a terrific baker but often invited Kinsey to dinner in his home or they shared a meal together at the neighborhood tavern owned by Henry’s sister Rosie.<br /><br />Time for me to read Book 5. I simply can't wait to spend more time with Bailey!

Fast paced easy to read murder mystery with a likeable amateur sleuth.

1.75 stars<br />Unfortunately this book was a miss for me. Honestly, I skim read from the halfway point to the near end. <br /><br />After the initial part of the plot was underway, I lost interest and it became rather amateur and cliched to me. I figured out who committed the crime early on, which is unusual for me, and I did not care for the romance whatsoever. It was just all kinds of wrong and I was surprised that such an intelligent woman, writer and investigator was unable to see that this man she was committing herself to was a player. It was outdated and rather insulting and offensive. <br /><br />Some of the dialogue felt dated and immature, thus making the feel of the novel as a whole, unrealistic. I enjoyed the first book in the series, as well as the latest, and since I own the next two books I’ll give them a chance to see if it was just this particular book that didn’t work for me. But in a world that is inundated with crime fiction offerings, one can be rather selective in reading choices and as far as this one goes, I believe there are better options available.

A Body to Die For by Kate White is a well written mystery that takes place in a spa. The characters are well developed, likeable and interesting. The main female character is a perfect example of why the book was interesting. It is a true page turner as I finished this novel in one day. My neighbour recommended this book because one of victims’ last name was Gianelli. I just had to read it and was not disappointed! Will look forward to reading more books by Kate White.

I’m loving Bailey and all she gets herself into! The middle of the book did kind of drag but I think that’s because I wasn’t connecting to some of the random thrown in characters. Who done it was definitely a shock and I had thought a few people before actually finding out who it was.