So pretty it hurts : a Bailey Weggins mystery (utgåvan 2012)

This was an entertaining read. The main character, Bailey, was likable. The mystery itself was interesting, a supermodel dies under mysterious circumstances. I liked that the book was set in the world of tabloid journalists, and the modeling industry, but I don't feel we got much information as to how the industries work. The reasons for the murder were a little convoluted, but still made sense in the end. I was a little annoyed at the ending. Considering this is the 6th mystery starring Bailey, you would think she would have learned not to confront the killer by herself. Yet off she goes, not even telling anyone where she is going. Overall, this was a good book, and I would be happy to read more of the series in the future.

I received an uncorrected proof copy of this book through goodreads first reads program. ( )

Kate White books are a perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon when you don't want a lot on your mind, but still want a good read. I can so picture this glossy mystery series being made into a basic cable tv program that would become a mild hit on maybe a Monday night after "The Closer" leaves TNT. ( )

I thought this was a great mystery novel. I read this book in two days and would have been done sooner, but I work an eight-hour day too. The plethora of suspects in the death of a super model kept me guessing all the way to the end. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have to wade through a sea of sex to read this book. However, there were some sexy moments that actually added to the drama of the story. Even though there was some question as to the cause of death, one had to suspect that it was not from natural causes. The characters in this novel were so interesting that more could have been written about each one. I had to stay up late to finish this one. Congratulations Kate White on a wonderful novel. ( )

So Pretty It Hurts had all of the ingredients of a good mystery in the making but unfortunately I found it to be lacking. Part of this may be my fault as I'm jumping in to the middle of a series (which I absolutely hate) but I didn't realize when I picked it up that it was part of a series. The story begins when Bailey Weggins goes on a weekend away with a close friend of hers to a house in the country. Bailey finds herself closed in with a bunch of strangers including a famous model named Devin Barr while a snowstorm brews outside. When Devin is found dead the real mystery begins...

Like I said previously, this book had all of the ingredients for a really good thriller or mystery. An isolated house in the country, a snowstorm that cuts off contact with the rest of the world, a dead body....what more could you ask for? For whatever reasons though, this book just didn't quite work for me. One of my main problems that I had was that I never connected with Bailey. I'm not sure that if I had read the previous books in this series if it would be an issue but I just never quite figured Bailey out. Her actions and need to "figure out" the mystery just rang a bit false. And I just didn't connect which took away from my enjoyment of the book. On a more positive note, I really enjoyed the creepy setting that the author created with this book. I loved the tense atmosphere during the time of the snowstorm and after Devin's body had been found. The author has a knack for creating really great settings as I felt similarly when I read The Sixes by her. I just wish that I had been more interested in the mystery and characters in this book.

Overall, I found that this just wasn't the book that I had been expecting. I didn't hate it by any means but found it to only be an okay read. If you are thinking about trying this author, I would recommend The Sixes instead which I found to be a much better read. As for me, I think that I'll go back and start with book one in this series at some point. Because I'm hoping that it will help with my lack of connection to Bailey and because the author has such a knack for great settings. Recommended with reservations (unless you are already a fan of this series...then I'm sure that you will enjoy it more than I did).

Bottom Line: A mystery that could have been so much more...

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher. The thoughts are my own. ( )

Maybe it's been too long between Bailey Weggins stories (the last one was out in 2007), but I was a little disappointed in this one. Bailey and a co-worker head for a house party weekend at a remote (albeit fancy) cabin in upstate New York. When a supermodel ends up dead, Bailey latches on to the thought it must be murder, even though events point toward an eating disorder fatality. The Bailey I remember had a great relationship with next door neighbor Landon, who spends his few scenes with a head cold in this story. Her mother was a hoot, and is limited to a couple phone calls this time. And her relationship with Beau, supposedly of so much concern, began so long ago that I don't remember her angst over his trip to Turkey. To be honest, White's last two stand alone novels were much better, and the early Bailey books a treat. ( )