If Looks Could Kill

Rating:
Summary: MYSTERY WITH A FASHION FLAIR!!!!
Review: Kate White's debut novel introduces amateur sleuth Bailey Weggins (what a name!); she is newly divorced, and dating, albeit somewhat reluctantly. Bailey writes for a Gloss, a sexy fashion magazine run by good friend Cat Jones. Cat lives the dream life of a high-powered Manhattan magazine exec, married to a dreamboat...until her nanny is murdered. The intended victim appears to be Cat herself, however, and Cat calls friend Bailey to have her do a little investigation herself outside of what the police are doing...she wants to make sure that gorgeous-and-now-dead nanny Heidi wasn't involved in anything that could prove embarrassing to her or the magazine. But Bailey may be in over her head...as it seems as though the murderer is now stalking Bailey herself.

A serviceable mystery, it's certainly an enjoyable read. Readers may find themselves becoming annoyed with "heroine" Bailey and her lapses in common sense ( who walks around Bucks county in the dead of night when they know they are being stalked?) with regard to both her own safety and her love life (i.e., the elusive commitmentphobic K.C.)...but a fun read it is, although I felt it lacked a certain spark. There was not enough insight into the behind-the-scenes activities of a fashion magazine; it is certainly not deserving of a Sex In The City comparison (as indicated in one review). But if you'd like a fun, uncomplicated mystery with a Manhattan backdrop, this may be what you're looking for.


DYB

Rating:
Summary: Very good read
Review: I really enjoy this book. I kept me turning the pages. I cannot wait to read what other adventures Bailey Weggins will get herself into. This book got me into reading mysteries. I would recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: A pedestrian mystery
Review: LOOKS COULD KILL by Kate White

Warner Books, 2002 $22.95 0-446-53023-9

This debut novel by COSMOPOLITAN editor in chief Kate White arrived in the bookstores with much advance buzz. I was afraid that the buzz would be based on who the author is rather than the actual merits of the book. Given the plethora of superb mystery novels being published by authors who are themselves not celebrities, as well as, the fact that this novel is merely ordinary, my fears are well realized.

Bailey Wiggins is a true crime writer who works for "Gloss" magazine one of the major woman's magazines. She is called one Sunday morning to Cat Jones' NYC apartment. Cat is the editor and chief of "Gloss". The problem is that Cat has gotten no response from her child's live in nanny, Heidi, who appears to be at home in her apartment but is not answering her phone or door. Bailey is asked to come over and investigate. Heidi is soon discovered dead-poisoned, apparently, by chocolates intended for Cat. The murder might be similar to the recent death of an editor at another magazine. Could there be a connection? Cat asks Bailey to investigate.

When a celebrity decides to write a mystery the question must arise as to why?

Perhaps it could be to attempt to explain what their life is like or to give an insider's view into a certain industry be it entertainment, politics, warfare, law etc. They might have a favorite agenda to push such as environmental or medical concerns. The hope is the individual will succeed in, not only pushing their agenda, but, in writing a solid and entertaining mystery. Kate White has managed to put together a competent book. Actually, it is quite good considering that writing fiction is not what she does for a living. Her mystery is relatively routine and offers nothing unique to the habitual mystery reader. Characters range from highly stereotypic to the somewhat interesting. In reading this book, there is little to be learned about the world of the glamour glossy magazines. Kate White simply did not adequately use her background as one would expect given that Cat is very much based on herself. However, Ms. White's prose flows quite smoothly through the pages and the story is entertaining enough. However, the mystery aficionados will probably not be fully satisfied.

Rating:
Summary: If You Must, Get if from the Library
Review: Kate White's novel mixes sex, surprise, and mystery skillfully, but not with out a few mishaps along the way. The story follows an Amateur Investigation by a magazine reporter, Bailey Weggins, a 33 year old divorcee who is more then eager to help out her boss and semi-friend Cat Jones, magazine head honcho, check out the facts after Cat's 22 year old nanny Heidi dies.

There are a number of colorful characters throughout the novel, but I found at times both Kate White and Bailey were trying to hard to place them into labelled boxes, while the theories Bailey developed opened them up for far too much discussion. Read: The characters were a bit cliched at times, but for the most part enjoyable enough. Although Bailey's life is relatively interesting, you are only given glimpses of it as she forges through with her case.

The story itself is a very very detailed look at what a person goes through to get to the heart of the truth. In this case, Bailey has amazing skills and should really just be a detective, because even when she discusses other articles she is actually working on, you see the amount of detail and questioning she is up to. While some of the clues and details Bailey stumbles on are a bit far-fetched, and a lot of the leads end up dead (in a metaphorical sense only) the book is very intriguing and kept me wanting to read, mainly just to get it out of the way! Whether or not the killer is obvious, right under your nose, or if you are looking for hidden clues within the book, you'll have a good time reading it. The book does end somewhat abruptly in my opinion, and wraps up the conclusion extremely fast, but leaves the reader relatively satisifed in what the purpose of the book is: To see how BAILEY handles the case, not the police. I reccommend it as a good book to curl up with on a rainy day.