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Murder Worth the Weight
Whenever Terry Mangel's body acceptance revival meeting rolls into town, local diet execs and "fat shamers" turn up dead, often in grotesque, ironic ways. All single murders in small suburbs, no one's noticed a pattern, until rookie investigative reporter Camarin Torres takes a closer look.
Torres is a crusader against discrimination. She reluctantly accepts a job offered by handsome publisher Lyle Fletcher, a man with a vendetta, who sees the recent college grad as salvation for Trend, his fledgling fashion magazine. Torres, however, detests everything the publication stands for, and joins solely to transform its judgmental, objectifying content.
As an unexpected romance blossoms, the overconfident, justice-hungry reporter defies orders and infiltrates Mangel's world, only to find herself in the crosshairs of a vigilante group targeting the $60 billion diet industry. To this vindictive mob, murder is definitely worth the weight. But as Torres soon learns, unmasking the killer may save her life but shatter her heart: every clue seems to implicate Fletcher, her mercurial mentor and lover, as the group's mastermind.
Previously published as Slashing Mona Lisa
Torres is a crusader against discrimination. She reluctantly accepts a job offered by handsome publisher Lyle Fletcher, a man with a vendetta, who sees the recent college grad as salvation for Trend, his fledgling fashion magazine. Torres, however, detests everything the publication stands for, and joins solely to transform its judgmental, objectifying content.
As an unexpected romance blossoms, the overconfident, justice-hungry reporter defies orders and infiltrates Mangel's world, only to find herself in the crosshairs of a vigilante group targeting the $60 billion diet industry. To this vindictive mob, murder is definitely worth the weight. But as Torres soon learns, unmasking the killer may save her life but shatter her heart: every clue seems to implicate Fletcher, her mercurial mentor and lover, as the group's mastermind.
Previously published as Slashing Mona Lisa
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2018
About the author
D.M. Barr
10 books274 followersWHO IS D.M. BARR?
By day, a mild-mannered salesperson, wife, mother, rescuer of senior shelter dogs, happily living just north of New York City. By night, an author of suspense, satire, and sweet romance.
My background includes stints in travel marketing, travel journalism, meeting planning, public relations and real estate. I was, for a long and happy time, an award-winning magazine writer and editor. Then kids happened. And I needed to actually make money. Now they're off doing whatever it is they do (of which I have no idea since they won't friend me on Facebook) and I can spend my spare time weaving tales of debauchery and whatever else tickles my fancy.
The main thing to remember about my work is that I am NOT one of my characters. For example, as a real estate broker, I've never played Bondage Bingo in one of my empty listings or offed one of my problem clients.
But that's not to say I haven't wanted to...
By day, a mild-mannered salesperson, wife, mother, rescuer of senior shelter dogs, happily living just north of New York City. By night, an author of suspense, satire, and sweet romance.
My background includes stints in travel marketing, travel journalism, meeting planning, public relations and real estate. I was, for a long and happy time, an award-winning magazine writer and editor. Then kids happened. And I needed to actually make money. Now they're off doing whatever it is they do (of which I have no idea since they won't friend me on Facebook) and I can spend my spare time weaving tales of debauchery and whatever else tickles my fancy.
The main thing to remember about my work is that I am NOT one of my characters. For example, as a real estate broker, I've never played Bondage Bingo in one of my empty listings or offed one of my problem clients.
But that's not to say I haven't wanted to...
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 29, 2021
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
MURDER WORTH THE WEIGHT by D. M. Barr is a thriller/mystery mash-up with a young female protagonist in her first journalism position after college on a crusade against discrimination. I am fast becoming of fan of D.M. Barr’s original characters and smart, witty dialogue. This is a standalone novel that I was sorry to see end.
Lyle Fletcher purchases a struggling gossip and style magazine and wants to take the magazine in another direction. He witnesses Camarin sticking up for another passenger being fat shamed at the train stop and is immediately taken with her and offers her a job. Camarin knows about Trend and does not want to work for them until Lyle tells her about his plans for change.
Camarin Torres lands the job of her dreams as an investigative journalist right out of college by standing up for a stranger. While she works to prove herself, she stumbles onto a pattern of murders of local “fat shamers” after Terry Mangel’s body acceptance revival rolls into each town. She is determined to uncover the truth, but the killer has other plans to eliminate Camarin’s threat and those she cares for.
I loved this story, and the way Ms. Barr handled the serious topic of body shaming in our culture. Camarin is a protagonist who is hard-working, intelligent, empathetic and flawed and all of these qualities make her quite memorable. The sub-plot romance with Lyle Fletcher was entertaining and very sexy, but I do wish the romance had not been with her boss. All the secondary characters are fully fleshed and believable. The plot starts out slowly setting up the murders and red herrings, but it continues to pick up speed and has two major twists before the conclusion.
This is an entertaining thriller/mystery mash-up with a memorable protagonist.
MURDER WORTH THE WEIGHT by D. M. Barr is a thriller/mystery mash-up with a young female protagonist in her first journalism position after college on a crusade against discrimination. I am fast becoming of fan of D.M. Barr’s original characters and smart, witty dialogue. This is a standalone novel that I was sorry to see end.
Lyle Fletcher purchases a struggling gossip and style magazine and wants to take the magazine in another direction. He witnesses Camarin sticking up for another passenger being fat shamed at the train stop and is immediately taken with her and offers her a job. Camarin knows about Trend and does not want to work for them until Lyle tells her about his plans for change.
Camarin Torres lands the job of her dreams as an investigative journalist right out of college by standing up for a stranger. While she works to prove herself, she stumbles onto a pattern of murders of local “fat shamers” after Terry Mangel’s body acceptance revival rolls into each town. She is determined to uncover the truth, but the killer has other plans to eliminate Camarin’s threat and those she cares for.
I loved this story, and the way Ms. Barr handled the serious topic of body shaming in our culture. Camarin is a protagonist who is hard-working, intelligent, empathetic and flawed and all of these qualities make her quite memorable. The sub-plot romance with Lyle Fletcher was entertaining and very sexy, but I do wish the romance had not been with her boss. All the secondary characters are fully fleshed and believable. The plot starts out slowly setting up the murders and red herrings, but it continues to pick up speed and has two major twists before the conclusion.
This is an entertaining thriller/mystery mash-up with a memorable protagonist.
September 7, 2021
If the author of 50 Shades could actually write and had her protagonist be a spunky reporter who exists beyond a purpose of biting her lip constantly, we would have this book. Cam uncovers a plot that seems to be targeting "fat shamers," who are killed off in ironic fashions.
The book is a wild ride. There is not an ounce of fat on the book (not shaming - please don't kill me). It expertly balances the murder storyline with a budding romance. It does get graphic from time to time, but if you're a fan of the serial killer genre, gore and sex probably doesn't bother you.
Run, don't walk (or walk - again, no shaming here) and pick up a copy of this book.
Thank you to PICT for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
The book is a wild ride. There is not an ounce of fat on the book (not shaming - please don't kill me). It expertly balances the murder storyline with a budding romance. It does get graphic from time to time, but if you're a fan of the serial killer genre, gore and sex probably doesn't bother you.
Run, don't walk (or walk - again, no shaming here) and pick up a copy of this book.
Thank you to PICT for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 21, 2021
What does a religious revival have to do with fat shaming? And where does murder fit in?
Murder Worth the Weight is a fun whodunit that explores the issues of body image; our own self-image, as well as the expectations and biases of others. Discrimination comes in many forms, with some being more obvious than others. Biases toward or against body shape have become an insidious part of our culture that often go unnoticed—or unchecked. I love that this story shines a spotlight on the problem.
The mystery is complex but easy to follow. While a serious topic, we have many moments of levity to keep things light, along with an unexpected romance.
Overall, a quick but thought-provoking read.
*I received a review copy as part of the Partners in Crime book tour.*
Murder Worth the Weight is a fun whodunit that explores the issues of body image; our own self-image, as well as the expectations and biases of others. Discrimination comes in many forms, with some being more obvious than others. Biases toward or against body shape have become an insidious part of our culture that often go unnoticed—or unchecked. I love that this story shines a spotlight on the problem.
The mystery is complex but easy to follow. While a serious topic, we have many moments of levity to keep things light, along with an unexpected romance.
Overall, a quick but thought-provoking read.
*I received a review copy as part of the Partners in Crime book tour.*
September 16, 2021
This is my second D.M. Barr book and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! From the beginning, I was hooked and could not put this book down. I had to know how it ended despite the book being a bit graphic from time to time.
Filled with lots of twists and turns. The characters are well developed and believable. The plot is well developed and I felt like I was there with them.
Thank you Booksirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Filled with lots of twists and turns. The characters are well developed and believable. The plot is well developed and I felt like I was there with them.
Thank you Booksirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 11, 2021
‘A slim, stylish woman clad in black came out of nowhere and snatched the chocolate bar.’
New York author D.M. Barr has worked in travel marketing, travel journalism, meeting planning, public relations, and real estate. After success as award-winning magazine writer and editor she became a mother and writing is her business. EXPIRED LISTINGS was her debut novel, MURDER WORTH THE WEIGHT is her second novel and fulfills al the promise of that first excellent book.
Though it is obvious it isn’t Barr’s point to get political she certainly has chosen a topic – the obesity epidemic and how the manner in which people are struggling with both sides of the dilemma – flag waving weight loss companies vs. those who are BBW and see no need to alter that. What she does is offer s a story that puts things into perspective while producing a very fine mystery romance.
Her approach is obvious in the first page – ‘Leticia Regan, the shapely and dark-haired owner of Illinois’ original Blubber Be Gone weight loss clinic, hugged the last of her clients and wished them a pleasant and ‘on target’ week as they wandered back onto the calorie-laden, Chicago streets. The enemies all beckoned: deep dish pizza, Garrett Mix popcorn, Maxwell Street Polish kielbasa, not to mention the béchamel-heavy pastitsio in Greek Town. The majority of her minions didn’t stand a chance against the city’s delicacies, she acknowledged with a twinge of regret, but that was the secret sauce that kept her coffers filled. As she straightened the cartons of BBG boxed meals that lined the shelves, and picked up diet candy wrappers left behind by clients too hungry to wait until they got home, Leticia reflected upon the evening’s meeting. Attendance had been light, only about thirty out of her usual fifty, but that was to be expected, what with all the commotion. She wasn’t too concerned. Weight loss fads were transient and therefore not real competition. Those who had strayed tonight would likely be back next week, contrite and perhaps a few pounds heavier than before. And she would greet them as she always did, with a hug and a smile, reassuring them that if they stayed the course—her course—one day, they’d be as thin and beautiful as they’d always dreamed. She wasn’t in the weight loss business, she’d known that from the start. She marketed the world’s most desirable commodity: hope. She’d quickly learned that hope had no price ceiling, a realization that had catapulted her to the top. In the last two years, her franchise had become the hallmark of the chain, winning awards for both attendance and profit. Not bad for a waitress from Honduras who’d taken her cue from the dining gluttony she’d studied daily, saved her tips, and risked them on one life-altering gamble that had paid off big time. Just as she noticed the BBG signature pink-and-green tote bag on one of the chairs—Mrs. Pascucci must have left her welcome materials and introductory recipes behind—she heard the doorbell’s chime. Had she returned to retrieve them? Scooping up the tote, she headed into the front room. Rather than the 250-pound, curly-haired woman in the Bulls jacket she’d expected, a large figure in a black fedora and raincoat stood on the ‘BBG Moment of Truth’ scale, back turned toward Leticia. Normally, she would have been concerned. While the South Side was rapidly gentrifying, gangs occasionally did roam the streets, remnants of the neighborhood’s past. However, few of them took time to check their weight, so she approached less cautiously than she might have otherwise, eager to add another client to her roster. “Hello, I’m Ms. Regan, the owner of Blubber Be Gone. I’m sorry, tonight’s meeting is over, but we’d love to have you come back tomorrow morning and learn about our program. We open at nine AM.” To her surprise, the figure neither stirred nor spoke. She felt her pulse rate increase, anger at being ignored mixed with unease over a stranger in her midst. Territoriality superseded caution and she approached, putting a hand on the intruder’s shoulder. “Excuse me, perhaps you didn’t hear. I said we’re closed.” “Maybe it’s time you were opened.” The figure turned quickly, pulling a machete from underneath the raincoat and plunging it into the diet clinic owner’s stomach. “Arghhhh—” The tote bag and its contents plummeted to the floor as Leticia staggered backward, torn between shock and searing pain, her eyes staring into the coldest expression she’d ever seen. She fell to her knees, hand on her abdomen, unsuccessfully trying to stymie the torrents of blood pouring through her dress onto the cold, white tile floor. The stranger used a foot to push her onto her back, and she collapsed, feeling the life force slip from her body, the room growing dark. Too weak to move, through the haze she watched in horror as the interloper raised the knife again and brought it down with a vengeance, slicing off half of her right thigh. “Thin enough now?” was the last thing she heard before unconsciousness sucked her into the abyss.’
And from that frightening opening the story progresses – ‘Killer body or body killer? When fat shaming backfires…Most people are dying to lose a few pounds. Not so in Murder Worth The Weight, where it's the weight-loss advocates who are losing their lives. Whenever Terry Mangel's body acceptance revival meeting rolls into town, local diet execs and "fat shamers" turn up dead, often in grotesque, ironic ways. All single murders in small suburbs, no one's noticed the pattern…until now. Rookie journalist Camarin Torres is a crusader against discrimination, partially to assuage the guilt she feels over the suicide of her obese, bullied twin sister. She reluctantly accepts a job offered by handsome publisher Lyle Fletcher, a widower with a vendetta, who sees Torres as salvation for Trend, his fledgling fashion magazine. Torres, however, detests everything the publication stands for, and joins solely to transform its judgmental, objectifying content. As an unexpected romance blossoms, the overconfident, justice-hungry reporter defies orders and infiltrates Mangel's world—only to find herself in the crosshairs of a vigilante group targeting the sixty-billion-dollar diet industry. Unmasking the killer may save her life but shatter her heart: every clue seems to implicate Fletcher, her mercurial mentor and lover, as the group's mastermind. With a sassy, snarky voice and multi-cultural overtones, Murder Worth The Weight explores body shaming and its victims: the disenfranchised who don't conform to society's arbitrary norms, and the lengths they will go to for love and acceptance.’
A fine novel with both a solid message and a romance - A Winner!
New York author D.M. Barr has worked in travel marketing, travel journalism, meeting planning, public relations, and real estate. After success as award-winning magazine writer and editor she became a mother and writing is her business. EXPIRED LISTINGS was her debut novel, MURDER WORTH THE WEIGHT is her second novel and fulfills al the promise of that first excellent book.
Though it is obvious it isn’t Barr’s point to get political she certainly has chosen a topic – the obesity epidemic and how the manner in which people are struggling with both sides of the dilemma – flag waving weight loss companies vs. those who are BBW and see no need to alter that. What she does is offer s a story that puts things into perspective while producing a very fine mystery romance.
Her approach is obvious in the first page – ‘Leticia Regan, the shapely and dark-haired owner of Illinois’ original Blubber Be Gone weight loss clinic, hugged the last of her clients and wished them a pleasant and ‘on target’ week as they wandered back onto the calorie-laden, Chicago streets. The enemies all beckoned: deep dish pizza, Garrett Mix popcorn, Maxwell Street Polish kielbasa, not to mention the béchamel-heavy pastitsio in Greek Town. The majority of her minions didn’t stand a chance against the city’s delicacies, she acknowledged with a twinge of regret, but that was the secret sauce that kept her coffers filled. As she straightened the cartons of BBG boxed meals that lined the shelves, and picked up diet candy wrappers left behind by clients too hungry to wait until they got home, Leticia reflected upon the evening’s meeting. Attendance had been light, only about thirty out of her usual fifty, but that was to be expected, what with all the commotion. She wasn’t too concerned. Weight loss fads were transient and therefore not real competition. Those who had strayed tonight would likely be back next week, contrite and perhaps a few pounds heavier than before. And she would greet them as she always did, with a hug and a smile, reassuring them that if they stayed the course—her course—one day, they’d be as thin and beautiful as they’d always dreamed. She wasn’t in the weight loss business, she’d known that from the start. She marketed the world’s most desirable commodity: hope. She’d quickly learned that hope had no price ceiling, a realization that had catapulted her to the top. In the last two years, her franchise had become the hallmark of the chain, winning awards for both attendance and profit. Not bad for a waitress from Honduras who’d taken her cue from the dining gluttony she’d studied daily, saved her tips, and risked them on one life-altering gamble that had paid off big time. Just as she noticed the BBG signature pink-and-green tote bag on one of the chairs—Mrs. Pascucci must have left her welcome materials and introductory recipes behind—she heard the doorbell’s chime. Had she returned to retrieve them? Scooping up the tote, she headed into the front room. Rather than the 250-pound, curly-haired woman in the Bulls jacket she’d expected, a large figure in a black fedora and raincoat stood on the ‘BBG Moment of Truth’ scale, back turned toward Leticia. Normally, she would have been concerned. While the South Side was rapidly gentrifying, gangs occasionally did roam the streets, remnants of the neighborhood’s past. However, few of them took time to check their weight, so she approached less cautiously than she might have otherwise, eager to add another client to her roster. “Hello, I’m Ms. Regan, the owner of Blubber Be Gone. I’m sorry, tonight’s meeting is over, but we’d love to have you come back tomorrow morning and learn about our program. We open at nine AM.” To her surprise, the figure neither stirred nor spoke. She felt her pulse rate increase, anger at being ignored mixed with unease over a stranger in her midst. Territoriality superseded caution and she approached, putting a hand on the intruder’s shoulder. “Excuse me, perhaps you didn’t hear. I said we’re closed.” “Maybe it’s time you were opened.” The figure turned quickly, pulling a machete from underneath the raincoat and plunging it into the diet clinic owner’s stomach. “Arghhhh—” The tote bag and its contents plummeted to the floor as Leticia staggered backward, torn between shock and searing pain, her eyes staring into the coldest expression she’d ever seen. She fell to her knees, hand on her abdomen, unsuccessfully trying to stymie the torrents of blood pouring through her dress onto the cold, white tile floor. The stranger used a foot to push her onto her back, and she collapsed, feeling the life force slip from her body, the room growing dark. Too weak to move, through the haze she watched in horror as the interloper raised the knife again and brought it down with a vengeance, slicing off half of her right thigh. “Thin enough now?” was the last thing she heard before unconsciousness sucked her into the abyss.’
And from that frightening opening the story progresses – ‘Killer body or body killer? When fat shaming backfires…Most people are dying to lose a few pounds. Not so in Murder Worth The Weight, where it's the weight-loss advocates who are losing their lives. Whenever Terry Mangel's body acceptance revival meeting rolls into town, local diet execs and "fat shamers" turn up dead, often in grotesque, ironic ways. All single murders in small suburbs, no one's noticed the pattern…until now. Rookie journalist Camarin Torres is a crusader against discrimination, partially to assuage the guilt she feels over the suicide of her obese, bullied twin sister. She reluctantly accepts a job offered by handsome publisher Lyle Fletcher, a widower with a vendetta, who sees Torres as salvation for Trend, his fledgling fashion magazine. Torres, however, detests everything the publication stands for, and joins solely to transform its judgmental, objectifying content. As an unexpected romance blossoms, the overconfident, justice-hungry reporter defies orders and infiltrates Mangel's world—only to find herself in the crosshairs of a vigilante group targeting the sixty-billion-dollar diet industry. Unmasking the killer may save her life but shatter her heart: every clue seems to implicate Fletcher, her mercurial mentor and lover, as the group's mastermind. With a sassy, snarky voice and multi-cultural overtones, Murder Worth The Weight explores body shaming and its victims: the disenfranchised who don't conform to society's arbitrary norms, and the lengths they will go to for love and acceptance.’
A fine novel with both a solid message and a romance - A Winner!
October 4, 2021
In Murder Worth The Weight, author D.M. Barr weaves an intriguing romantic suspense tale that follows a young woman's determination to use her investigative reporter position, and as a passionate crusader against discrimination especially body shaming, to solve a pattern of weight-loss industry murders.
Camarin Torres is a recent NYU graduate with a degree in journalism and prelaw. After Camarin stopped a fat-shamer on a train platform, she met Lyle Fletcher, an ex-lawyer turned new owner/publisher of Trend fashion magazine on the train. Lyle was intrigued by her passion to make a difference as a anti-discrimination body acceptance crusader. He tells her that the magazine is going in a different editorial direction, and he offers her the position as an investigative reporter. When Camarin starts to research a recent weight-loss clinic owner's murder in Chicago, she discovers a pattern of gruesome weight-loss and body-shamer murders that occur in the cities that weight-loss evangelist Terry Mangel's Feel Good About Yourself revival events were held. As Camarin delves into Mangel's world against Lyle's orders, she puts herself in danger trying to identify the killer when she discovers that Lyle, who she's becoming romantically involved with may also be connected to a weight-loss vigilante group. Camarin is determined to figure out the killer at all costs, especially before it's too late.
Murder Worth The Weight is an intriguing romantic suspense tale that easily captivates the reader's attention, and draws them into Camarin's investigation. Camarin's determination to find the weight-loss industry killer is interwoven with her unexpected steamy romance with Trend Magazine owner Lyle Fletcher, who has his own vendetta that he's determined to see completed. As the dual storyline unfolds, it is told in a clever way, and is interwoven with enough raw emotions, chilling suspense, secrets, treachery, surprising twists and turns, and thought provoking intrigue, that easily keeps the reader engaged and guessing until the surprising conclusion.
Murder Worth The Weight is a cleverly written romantic suspense tale that takes the reader on one heck of a rollercoaster ride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
Camarin Torres is a recent NYU graduate with a degree in journalism and prelaw. After Camarin stopped a fat-shamer on a train platform, she met Lyle Fletcher, an ex-lawyer turned new owner/publisher of Trend fashion magazine on the train. Lyle was intrigued by her passion to make a difference as a anti-discrimination body acceptance crusader. He tells her that the magazine is going in a different editorial direction, and he offers her the position as an investigative reporter. When Camarin starts to research a recent weight-loss clinic owner's murder in Chicago, she discovers a pattern of gruesome weight-loss and body-shamer murders that occur in the cities that weight-loss evangelist Terry Mangel's Feel Good About Yourself revival events were held. As Camarin delves into Mangel's world against Lyle's orders, she puts herself in danger trying to identify the killer when she discovers that Lyle, who she's becoming romantically involved with may also be connected to a weight-loss vigilante group. Camarin is determined to figure out the killer at all costs, especially before it's too late.
Murder Worth The Weight is an intriguing romantic suspense tale that easily captivates the reader's attention, and draws them into Camarin's investigation. Camarin's determination to find the weight-loss industry killer is interwoven with her unexpected steamy romance with Trend Magazine owner Lyle Fletcher, who has his own vendetta that he's determined to see completed. As the dual storyline unfolds, it is told in a clever way, and is interwoven with enough raw emotions, chilling suspense, secrets, treachery, surprising twists and turns, and thought provoking intrigue, that easily keeps the reader engaged and guessing until the surprising conclusion.
Murder Worth The Weight is a cleverly written romantic suspense tale that takes the reader on one heck of a rollercoaster ride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
October 3, 2021
This mystery explores the realm of weight, losing it, being shamed because of it, the struggle to accept one's body, and the potential of being murdered because of it. There is much about how media influences the public image, like magazines. Barr seems to tackle a particular subject in a novel and does a thorough job in this one of showing us the toxic world of body image.
I like Barr's writing style. Yes, there is a graphic sex scene in this novel, something I don't appreciate, but other than that, this is an engaging novel with a good mystery, well developed characters, and a strong message about body image. There is some humor included though it is often like sarcasm and is generally dark. There is lots of alcohol flowing, lots of flirting and certainly foul language. There are some surprising psychological twists too.
This novel would appeal to career age mystery lovers. You'll find some thought provoking comments about accepting yourself and others.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
I like Barr's writing style. Yes, there is a graphic sex scene in this novel, something I don't appreciate, but other than that, this is an engaging novel with a good mystery, well developed characters, and a strong message about body image. There is some humor included though it is often like sarcasm and is generally dark. There is lots of alcohol flowing, lots of flirting and certainly foul language. There are some surprising psychological twists too.
This novel would appeal to career age mystery lovers. You'll find some thought provoking comments about accepting yourself and others.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 5, 2022
Leticia Regan, owner of Blubber Be Gone wight loss clinic is stabbed after a meeting. Camarin Torres sees the mirror image of her late twin sister, Monaika. She stands up for Lexie, when a stranger tries to fat shame her. Then she meets Lyle Fletcher--the new owner of Trend Magazine--the same one that caused so much pain for her sister with their fashion and gossip. But when Lyle offers her a job with the magazine's revamped direction. As she starts her new job, she finds herself up against Wyann, the editor and friend of Lyle. He isn't impressed with her being hired. Meanwhile there is some personal electricity between her and Lyle. She has stumbled on something very interesting and dangerous about some recent murders- and she believes she knows why. Is she right? I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
October 17, 2021
Powerful, gripping and insightful.
Murder Worth the Weight is brilliant. There are many twists and turns to keep you guessing who the murderer is, which I love.
It also calls to me, I'm a large woman and this strikes a cord. The thoughts, feelings, situations etc are like they've been plucked from my mind and that's what really sets the scene. You feel included.
Camarin is relatable, she's like so many people who have been pressured into trying to attain perfection, having ridiculous standards pushed at them and being held accountable for someone else. It's quite heartbreaking.
Acceptance and self-love are big themes, along side the murders, of course. Well worth a few cuppas and some chocolate biscuits sat in your comfy seat.
Murder Worth the Weight is brilliant. There are many twists and turns to keep you guessing who the murderer is, which I love.
It also calls to me, I'm a large woman and this strikes a cord. The thoughts, feelings, situations etc are like they've been plucked from my mind and that's what really sets the scene. You feel included.
Camarin is relatable, she's like so many people who have been pressured into trying to attain perfection, having ridiculous standards pushed at them and being held accountable for someone else. It's quite heartbreaking.
Acceptance and self-love are big themes, along side the murders, of course. Well worth a few cuppas and some chocolate biscuits sat in your comfy seat.
March 27, 2023
Murder. Fat shaming. Religious revival. What do they have in common?
Terry Mangel travels across the USA with a revival saying be yourself. You don't need to lose weight. You are fine the way you are. And in every city, there is a business geared toward losing weight. And when they leave, one person has been killed who operates that type of business.
Cam is a young reporter and is offered her first job. They don't want her investigating this story. She's young, knows what she wants, and goes after this story on her own. But at what cost? She is accused of being the killer from damning photos.
Her boss, who is smitten with her, and she is with him, each has past trauma to deal with. Can he save her as he knows she isn't the killer?
Terry Mangel travels across the USA with a revival saying be yourself. You don't need to lose weight. You are fine the way you are. And in every city, there is a business geared toward losing weight. And when they leave, one person has been killed who operates that type of business.
Cam is a young reporter and is offered her first job. They don't want her investigating this story. She's young, knows what she wants, and goes after this story on her own. But at what cost? She is accused of being the killer from damning photos.
Her boss, who is smitten with her, and she is with him, each has past trauma to deal with. Can he save her as he knows she isn't the killer?
October 31, 2021
I have not read anything by D.M. Barr before and was intrigue from the beginning. The story kept me turning the pages trying to figure out what twists Camarin would discover next. The characters were amazing and the storyline was well written. You get suspense, danger, romance, secrets and so much more.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews