Stephanie Bond

I had to force myself to finish this, and I wasn't sure I would continue the series, but I think I will. I read about Carlotta in Party Crashers, and I wasn't sure whether to like her then. I'm still not entirely sure. I don't want a perfect heroine, but it's kind of annoying to read about someone who makes the wrong decision at every opportunity. Carlotta and Wesley both. At least Wesley has the excuse of being a 19yo male. He's still young and stupid. I'm going to try one more book in the show more series before I give up, because I like Bond's other work. show less

The thing about Stephanie Bond is that near as I can tell she's writing the same book over and over. Luckily for me, I like that book. In this case, the three women thrown together by circumstance are the "wives" of Ray Carmichael, newly deceased polygamist. Ray's death left them with scandal, no money--since he'd been secretly spending it all--and murder charges. Since just about nobody believes they didn't kill him the wives team up to find out who did and, along the way, find out that show more they're more family to each other than Ray ever was to them. show less

Mystery, murder romance, family relationships are parts of the whole. This series always has multiple stories going on, though I am tired of the abandoned by parents" thread and would like to see its conclusion. A light-hearted enjoyable read.

But the real reason for the 5th star I added to this rating was the depiction of drug addiction and what it takes to detox. Stephanie Bond has provided an enlightening discussion for teens without any talking down or lecturing.

Fans of Stephanie Bond may remember Carlotta Wren and her brother, Wesley, from the “Party Crashers” novel. I am delighted to see Bond continue with the characters, as that is the one novel in her backlist where I feel that she left readers hanging. What happened to Hannah? Jolie? Carlotta? Bond expertly draws characters that the readers would want to get to know. Carlotta is a bit wonderful in that all of the age appropriate single men in the novel are enamoured of her (those who like show more the ladies). She’s also quite the enabler when it comes to young Wesley. She is financially unstable and deeply caring of her brother who furthers their financial instability. She is the complete written package. A real character with really bad judgment complicated by really bad luck.

The mystery plot was interesting. While the resolution came a bit out of nowhere it was logical that Carlotta would be a suspect. What was not logical was how close she was permitted to the crime scenes especially in light of her potential suspicion. Coop, a disgraced M.E. who moves bodies for his uncle’s funeral home would only get her so far and never as far as the investigation.

What I didn’t find creditable is that a man who is 30+ years old and married would still be mooning and pining over a woman he dated in high school no matter how he felt he wronged her. Also hard to believe is that a 30+ year old woman with the sort of financial challenges that Carlotta had faced would hold on to a very expensive engagement ring for 10 years. I can see why Peter would play a role in the first novel but not why Bond would renew the romantic tension when she has two other viable candidates in the wings. Beyond believability, does the character really need three potential beaus?

Despite the 384 page length, “Body Movers” was a quick and fun read. Be prepared to invest yourself for the long haul on this one. Currently there are six novels in the “Body Movers” series. I own them all and have already blasted through the second (review pending) and started the third. Whether you read this novel or any other in Bond’s backlist, she is an author worth checking out. show less