Dolled Up to Die

I truly enjoyed the Lorena McCourtney’s first book in the Cate Kindkaid mystery series, Dying to Read. It was a light Christian-laced mystery — certainly no The Murder of Roger Ackroyd or Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death — but a pleasant enough read for passing the time. The second in the series, Dolled Up to Die, is still pleasant enough, but it’s simply not as good as the first one.

In Dolled Up to Die, the owner of the most expensive restaurant in Eugene, Ore., and a wedding chapel turns up shot to death in his ex-wife’s home. Cate intuits that the ex-wife, ditzy doll maker Jo-Jo Kieferson, isn’t the murder, so she persuades her Uncle Joe, owner of Belmont Investigations, to allow her to poke around. In Dying to Read, show more Cate bumbled about, and hilarity ensued. Here it all kind of falls flat. A secondary plot about a Bridezilla serves merely to annoy not just Cate but the reader, as well. The action in Dolled Up to Die crawls at a snail’s pace for more than half of the book, at which point, admittedly, McCourtney introduces a bit of suspense and action. All in all, Dolled Up to Die is simply not as funny or well plotted as the first.

As with Dying to Read, anyone who’s put off by prayer, habitual church-going, and unnatural cheerfulness, or who’s looking for sexy romance or edginess should definitely look elsewhere. I found this book more preachy than the first, and that wouldn’t have been an obstacle — for me, anyway — had the plot been less pedestrian and the laughs more plentiful. I didn’t think Dolled Up to Die was terrible, but I think I can do better elsewhere. show less

This is the second book in this series, and just as good as the first. We continue with Cate Kincaid, and her now cat Octavia.
Of course Cate gets herself into many predicaments, and sometimes near death experiences. There are some chuckles in among the difficulties. She is, it seemed, anyway working as an assistant PI, without getting paid on her current case. She is called to a murder before the police? Huh! You shall see. Once involved in these murders a few others pop up, and she is almost the victim a few times herself.
Once you pick up this fast pace book, you won't put it down. How would you like to be the replacement bridesmaid, because someone else can't do it, and the gown fits you? Cate does...and find out what else she does show more for a friend, loose term here. Also you will find out how Octavia helps her? Ummm?
Just when you think you know who committed the murders, my thought changed, and then changed again. I love it when I'm wrong!! This book doesn't let you know right away, and through it all, there is a strong reliance on our Lord. This is one great book to curl up with. Don't miss it, it is a good one!

I received this book through Revell Book Bloggers Tour, and was not required to give a positive review. show less

4 STARS

I liked Dolled Up to Die. I did not read #1 of the Cate Kincaid files but I would like to go back and read it. Dolled Up to die stands alone but does talk a little about the first case.

This is a Christian novel, but it mentions prayer and other things as part of the characters in the story. It fits in really good. It is also a clean read. I was kept guessing as who the murder really well until it was unveiled in the story line.

I like Cate. Her character is determined to find out what is really happening. She cares about people she just met. Not out for all she can get from someone. Cate because she cared in first book is getting a new house built for her and her cat. In fact it is mainly because of the cat and she helped save it. show more

Mitch is dating Cate. He is willing to help her in her P.I. cases with information and backup. He would rather her come work for him than risk her life.

Cate gets a phone call about three murder victims the lady found out at house. Cate asks if she has called the police and that they did not take on murder cases. Cate finally agrees to meet the woman at her house. She is surprised that she has beaten the cops their until she realizes that the victims that were shot were dolls. Then they find the dead body with the cops their too.

Dolled Up to Die is easy story to follow. I laughed in some scenes. Kept trying to figure who did what in other scenes. I would read Lorena McCourtney other books in the future.

I won this book on Goodreads. All thoughts about the book are mine. show less

DOLLED UP TO DIE by Lorena McCourtney is an interesting inspirational Mystery. #2 in "The Cate KinKaid Files" series, but can be read as a stand alone. See, " Dying to Read". Fast paced mystery with secrets, faith,a triple doll homicide, adventure,and love. Well written with engaging characters as well as an intriguing plot using what else, yes, dolls as victims. A fun cozy mystery from the first page to the last,with a bit of humor added into the mix. What a unique cast of characters as well as plot. A great read for both mystery, and suspense fans as well as Christian reader. Received for an honest review from the publisher.

*Available July 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*

RATING: show more 4.5

HEAT RATING: SWEET

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More show less