A Killer Workout

A Fat City Mystery #2

by Kathryn Lilley

Welcome to Durham, North Carolina, the diet capital of the world…

A KILLER WORKOUT

After suffering yet another setback in her War on Fat, plus-sized reporter Kate Gallagher decides the time has come for a full-on offensive.  Taking time off from Channel Twelve, she signs on for active duty at Body Blast, a boot camp-style fitness program.  In addition to a regimen of brutal exercise and bland food, the rules are so tough that Kate's roomie, Marnie Taylor, is almost thrown out for smuggling in candy, and then again for skirting an obstacle wall.

The next day, Marnie is missing—and when she's discovered with a broken neck at the foot of the wall, the "boots" suspect foul play.  It's not the first suspicious accident at the camp—another woman recently fell to her death during a Wilderness Challenge.  Kate knows that losing weight is hard, but it shouldn't be mortal combat!  If someone is picking off dieters, she'd better kick her investigative skills into high gear—before the sights land on her...

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

292 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 25, 2008

About the author

As a pre-teen, I had two passions: Nancy Drew mysteries and Pralines ’n Cream ice cream. So it was perhaps inevitable that I grew up to write a series called the Fat City Mysteries.

My stories are set in Durham, North Carolina, the self-proclaimed “Diet Capital of the World.” And like my journalist sleuth, Kate Gallagher, I understand the Battle of the Bulge all too well. I once lost 90 pounds to land a job on camera as a TV reporter. And even today, I avoid the street that goes past 31 Flavors.

The first book in the Fat City Mysteries series will be Dying to Be Thin, scheduled to be published in October 2007. It’s a story about dieting, sex and murder set in a residential diet clinic (read: “fat farm”). In this clinic, the only things more dangerous than the food are the fondue forks…

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little darker and not quite as much fun as her last book. I still enjoyed it, but the humor that I so loved in her first book was missing in most of this book. Although I will say that there is a scene at the end of the book that redeemed it as far as the humor goes. I was laughing out loud and could not stop. Kate's butt really saves the day as well as the humor in the book.

I like where the author is going with Kate's love life and the mystery was interesting to figure out. Looking forward to the next book in the series as well.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. I like the main character, Kate, very much. I love the sense of humor she has and her strong personality. Will be reading the next book in the series very soon.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been on my TBR book case for years. I had started it, then put it down. It's really true about the right book at the right time and reading this during Thanksgiving week was great timing. This is the first book in the series I have read--I found this book in a used book store and took a chance.

Well, I don't think I will be going to any fat camp anytime soon. I am not interested in hearing instructors screaming in my face to move faster! But Kate is braver and more determined than I am. This was a fun mystery with a number of twists. I really enjoyed the chapter headers giving advice on how to lose weight--lots of good ideas for healthy eating and living a balanced life. I may take up yoga again! Kate is a strong, but ethical reporter. There is a bit of romance, but Kate is rightly focused on her career.

North Carolina is a great setting and such a beautiful state. I could relate, having visited Ashland and stayed at Montreat for a pickleball workshop this past August.

[siempretrece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mi primer libro en inglés. La historia es bastante rara, pero no ha estado nada mal

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The main character is a reporter on TV so you get to learn a lot about how TV news works behind the scenes which was really interesting. There was also a lot of action and a little bit of romance which was fun. The series is called "Fat City Mysteries" so I thought maybe the main character would be obsessed with her weight but she really wasn't- she was more like a regular woman who tries to watch what she eats from time to time and has a hard time with exercise. She was very endearing because she wasn't constantly worried about her weight and how she looked- she was comfortable in her own skin and even joked a bit about her few extra pounds. I plan to read the others in this series.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

“After suffering yet another setback in her War on Fat, plus-sized reporter Kate Gallagher decides the time has come for a full-on offensive. Taking time off from Channel Twelve, she signs on for active duty at Body Blast, a boot camp-style fitness program. In addition to a regimen of brutal exercise and bland food, the rules are so tough that Kate's roomie, Marnie Taylor, is almost thrown out for smuggling in candy, and then again for skirting an obstacle wall.”

I read it in a day so it was ok but just wasn’t very believable! The main character goes though boyfriends like I can’t believe! Lots of action and stuff going on just not a believable story.

[Lai Parcon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started reading the book yesterday morning while waiting in line at the Immigration Bureau and did not put it down until i finished it that very same day.

It has all the elements of a good whodunit sustaining the reader’s interest to the end, especially as the killer turns out to be the most unlikely suspect.
And i adore the heroine – she is bubbly yet feisty and has an immense sense of humour that carries her through what should otherwise be embarrassing and frustrating situations.

Will look for copies of the other books in this series.

[Alannah Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book in this series, "Dying to be Thin," and loved it so much that I put up 5 stars and then immediately downloaded this one to my Nook. It's even better than the first one. Plus-size TV reporter Kate Gallagher signs up for the Body Blast boot camp in her quest to shed a few pounds. Her roommate dies in a suspicious accident. Further, it's similar to an accident that killed someone else months earlier. Kate and her friends are an absolute delight, and the mystery is fun. I love this series! Will be reading #3 in the series very soon.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate goes to a boot camp, where she is supposed to report on the camp and a fund-raising triathalon. After a grueling first day of camp, Kate’s roommate is found dead on the athletic field. It turns out that another woman was murdered several months earlier at the camp, there have been some accounting problems (boyfriend of the owner, who Kate knows from high school), and some arson. Kate gets involved in the investigation. Light, but entertaining.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This made for a good "summer reading" mystery. I enjoyed the North Carolina setting (which included the mountains in this installment of the series), and the main character's love interest in this second in the series seems more realistic.

I'd probably give this one a 3.5, given the chance, but liked it well enough to round up instead of down this morning.

[Heather Truckenmiller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a cozy mystery, but a better than average one. Not too cheesy, not ridiculously implausible, and the charactars are not cutesy nor bumbling. I expected something more silly, and was surprised to find it to be a little, tiny bit, more like a detective novel than a cozy mystery. I'll be looking for more from this series.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh! Awful! This is a series about a fat girl who miraculously has all these gorgeous and rich guys after her. Fantasize much???? Totally unbelievable and a lame ending where the pretty girl is the murderer. Lame!!!!!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book as a goodreads giveaway and I'm so glad I did. This is the second book in the series and I've really enjoyed both books. The mysteries are good, it's fun to see the behind the scenes workings of a TV newsroom and I really like the characters. Can't wait to see what happens next!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Television reporter, and more plus-sized than she's happy admitting, Kate Gallagher goes to an exercise camp run by her old Boston friend Riley, but her fish-out-of-water dies the first orning there. That piques Kate's curiosity, and soon she's up to her eyebrows in excitement and danger.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think I would like this book since I had practically nothing in common with the main character other than unwanted pounds. But it turns out I'm glad I continued reading and gave her a chance to win me over.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in a cozy mystery series that takes place in North Carolina.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again, an only "ok" book. But-I finished it.

[Knicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and easy read

[Amber Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another quick read cozy mystery. I enjoy the humor that Lilley uses in her books.

Quick, light read.

I'm starting book 3 tonight

[Donnajo · Rating 4 out of 5]

NL's book crawl NC
good read. Probably will see about getting the next book in the series at some point.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed thise books by Lilley. suspenseful and funny. well-written, easy read. I highly recommend.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

good series. I love the main character.

[Dee Depoe]

A fun cozy mystery.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good cozy mystery with a dash of humour thrown in for good measure. Kate is a delightful heroine.

[Cindi Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun cozy read. I figured out who done it before Kate did.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these Fat City Mysterys! Fun,Fun,Fun !!