A Killer Workout

This book was very enjoyable. I liked it so much that I ordered the rest in the series! (Can't wait for the upcoming release...)

After reading the first in the series, "Dying to Be Thin", I was excited to read this entry. It did not disappoint. This book was full of mystery, humor and even romance. I was pleased with the character development, plot lines and sub plots. I liked that we learned more about Kate's past and her mother's murder. All in all it was a great read. I cannot wait for the next one in the series. Here's hoping that this series continues for a while.

When I read the first installment of the Fat City Mystery series, I had some second thoughts about Ms. Lilley's abilities as a mystery author. She proved me wrong with this second novel featuring Kate Gallagher, investigative reporter. Whereas previously there were a lot of plot points that were very easy to pick out from the very beginning, in A Killer Workout that was not the case. Ms. Lilley managed to throw enough curveballs to keep me guessing with this one. I really liked the fact that this wasn't a straight "who killed whom" mystery story. The added layers of insurance fraud, arson and narcotics rings served to provide the reader with plenty to contemplate. As before, Kate didn't disappoint in the humor department either. She delivered several one liners that forced me to laugh out loud, causing my husband to give me several strange looks from the opposite end of our couch. And, best of all, her romantic involvements took a turn for the better in this book (at least in my mind). Here's hoping that this particular pairing holds firm the next time we see Kate during her Fat City antics.

The second book in the Fat City Mystery series is another fun read. Kathryn Lilley spins a great story about Kate Gallagher's weight loss pursuit, weaving some characters from the previous book "Dying to be thin" into this tale. We learn more in this book about why Kate's father is so protective of her - her mother was killed in a armed robbery of a bakery -(can this lead to the next book?)

It is not easy being a plus size female TV reporter as Kate Gallagher knows first hand from the not so supple hints about her weight from the suits. She decides to trim down so goes to Body Blast run by her old South Boston friend Riley Matthews whose partner is his lover Kahn.. The place is run like a boot camp more than an exclusive exercise spa, but Kate finishes the obstacle course. Her roommate Marnie Taylor fails. The next morning, Kate awakens to find Marnie gone though her bed looks used. Marnie's body is found on the wall in the obstacle course. Although the evidence points heavily towards murder, the authorities treat the incident as an unfortunate accident. Kate sees the connection between the death of her "body buddy" and another woman who died lat year; the latter's parents sued Body Blast for negligence. Kate asks questions even as someone goes through her things in her room. Kate remains determined to solve what she now believes is two homicides although by continuing to sleuth she could end upping the murder count with her death. It is fascinating to learn how a television news story comes together even before the on screen journalist gives the report on the air. Late is a complete professional who knows she needs to lose weight if she wants to move on to the big city TV news shows, but isn't panicking to do so as she is overall comfortable with herself as she is. Her investigation is fun to follow as she uses her investigative news skills in search of a killer. Harriet Klausner