Girl time is hard to come by for new moms. So, when Kate's best friend, Paula, invites her to Spa Day, Kate jumps at the chance for break from diaper duty. But when a body is recovered from one of the saunas, it may prove that the guest was Pampered to Death! The killer has an agenda and it may include deadly face masks! Suddenly everyone has a motive and Kate must solve the mystery before the next victim falls prey to a ghastly seaweed wrap.
Diana Orgain is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Maternal Instincts Mystery Series. She is also the Author of the Love or Money Mystery series and The Roundup Crew Mysteries (Yappy Hour and Trigger Yappy). Diana is the New York Times Bestselling co-author of the Scrapbooking Mystery Series with Laura Childs. Diana's latest release is 4 Sleuths and a Bachelorette, a fun collaboration with USA Today Bestselling Authors, Leslie Langtry, Traci Andrighetti, and Arlene Mcfarlane. Right now she's working on the next release in the Maternal Instincts Mystery, Murder Comes Crawling. To keep up to date with the latest releases visit Diana at www.dianaorgain.com
Book 5. This one in series is the best one yet. Kate and her best friend Paula decided to go to a yoga class. Pampered to Death. Kate thought it would be great hanging out with Paula and having a mommy?'s day out. But no Kate could not believe that Paula had suggested yoga. She hated it. When the were there they took advantage of the spa. Some bride to be Kelly and her brides maid and the groom Ryan mom Mrs. L. They were getting roudy. All of a sudden Mrs L. Tells Kelly to go get coffee to sober up. So a girl that Ryan dated ( Kelly and her were friends) and another friend Brittany left to get it. Come to find out they got a massage and Kelly lay dead on the table. And Brittany face looked burnt. Brittany screamed at Hannah the masseuse that she killed her. Now the owner Jane wants to hire Kate to investigate. What Kate discovered about Kelly is that she was a beautiful human being always helping the needy.i always loved these books. Kate daughter Laurie is 5 months in this one. Love the bonding together and Kate has a surprise to tell
Pampered to Death is the name of the spa featured in this mystery; it might be time for a name change! The delightful 5th in the Maternal Instincts Mystery series can be read as a standalone or with the series. Kate, who is a new mom of the adorable 5-month-old Laurie, is a PI in training. She and her best friend Paula went to the spa for some adult time. Paula is an interior designer, just getting back into the swing of working after having her second child, Chloe, and surviving her son, Danny, going through the terrible twos.
Kate hit the hot tub and met Jane North, owner of the spa as well as Julie, future mother-in-law of Kelly, a young woman having a spa day with her maid of honor, Brittany, and her bridesmaids. They were at the next hot tub and having a loud, fueled-by-booze great time. Kelly and Brittany were called for their facials and massages. It seemed like only a moment later that they heard screams – Kelly had stopped breathing, and died on the massage table. Before the morning is over, Kate has a new client as well as new friend, Jane North, who is in the midst of expanding the spa. Jane is the ex-wife of embittered police inspector Patrick McNearny, who is also the former partner of Kate’s mentor and man she is interning for, Albert Galigani. A few days later, Kate’s mother – and girlfriend of Galigani – almost died in the sauna. The stakes are becoming way too personal. And that was before her baby girl was threatened!
I enjoyed this visit with Kate, Paula and their respective families. Kate and Paula share funny and not-so-funny tales about being mommies and the days of needing an adult to talk with about something other than diapers and potty training. I very much like Kate and Paula, and even Kevin, the teen musical prodigy and their preferred babysitter. The characters are well-rounded people who I wouldn’t mind having as neighbors. I think my only question is how much is Kate to tell a potential suspect; I had the feeling that in the heat of the moment, a little too much spills out. Especially since for some reason, Kate is feeling too hormonal and despite her best efforts, it is coming out all over.
What a way to go – murdered days before the wedding while at the spa! Hannah, the aesthetician and massage therapist, was horrified, especially when being accused of murder. Kate tends to take the witnesses – all Kelly’s friends – at face value. I was drawn into this novel from the beginning and it held my attention throughout. I thought I knew who the bad guy(s) might be from the start, but changed my mind for a while…only to change it back quickly. What makes Kate a good sleuth is how she is willing to look at everyone involved. She is young, energetic, with a sharp mind (and wit!). I do hope we see more of Jane in the future. I highly recommend Pampered to Death; the author brings humor to first-time parenthood while juggling a new business as a PI. We are also treated to an exciting preview of A Witch Called Wanda, which sounds like another fun mystery from Diana Orgain.
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the author, and this is my honest review.
So, in this fifth installment in the Maternal Instincts Mystery Series, Pampered to Death, PI in training Kate Connolly is supposed to be having a fun day with her best friend Paula at the spa Pampered to Death when a young bride-to-be whose bridal party is having a spa day at the same time mysteriously dies on the massage table. The spa’s owner hires Kate to investigate in what she hopes will be a pre-emptive strike against bad publicity.
This is a fun, but thankfully not too serious series featuring Kate and Paula, Kate’s husband, Jim, her boss and mentor, ex-cop Galigani, Kate’s mom, and her teen-aged neighbor and part-time babysitter, Kenny. All in all, a likable bunch. Usually, only the suspects are mean.
So, whodunnit? Was it the groom’s ex, who is one of the bridesmaids? Or somebody else with an axe to grind with the bride? Perhaps the bride’s future mother-in-law? Or was there a less obvious motive? Is somebody actually out to discredit the spa owner? Some kind of business politics related to the ongoing merger between the spa and its neighbor, a nail salon?
Scary times, especially as the escalating number of dangerous incidents put Kate and her mother at risk as well. But when the suspected perp pushes baby Laurie across a crowded parking lot in her stroller, all bets are off as mama bear Kate goes on the attack.
Pampered to Death: Maternal Instincts Mystery Series Book 5 by Diane Orgain. This mystery series is combined with a comedy to make people laugh at both PI’s and having a baby. The main characters in all the books are Jim, Kate, her Mom, Paula, Albert Galigani, and Inspector Patrick McNeary. Kenny, the neighbor boy takes a larger part as the series continues. After Paula has her baby, she treats herself and Kate to a spa day at a new spa. While they are there, they meet the owner, Jan North. Then a Bridal group comes in along with the groom’s mother, Mrs. Lozano. Among the girls is Merida, who at one in had dated Ryan. Now she and Kelly are best friends. . The girls are drunk so before she gets a facial, the bride is persuaded to get some coffee. She then goes to get a facial. Just as Paula and Kate are relaxing, a scream comes from the facial room and they find Kelly is dead. What killed her and who? As Kate investigates Kelly, she finds nothing to indicate anyone had bad feelings towards her, so who was the target? The mystery gets harder.
Not kindle unlimited, why haven't read any of her books basically. Did have some questions, mostly about was/wasn't and other words being switched and typos and run together words {did no one proof the story}, but also things such as she was getting hungry because the house was smelling like Italy {lasagna} yet quite a bit later it went in to detail about her STARTING dinner, again PROOF. A spa is open before 8 in the morning, but people in the adjoining nail salon getting their hours cut are closed? You are looking for footage of small things but not someone carrying in 'huge' canisters of carbon monoxide? You're going to question a suspect, a very probable one who has already killed a at least 2 times and attempted it more times, with your 5 month old baby in a stroller next to you but no backup, and no witnesses to any confessions? Then it turns out you had recorded the whole thing, but instead of just saying goodbye and going to the police, you let a serial murderer/attempted murderer know you taped her, then when she rushed you, pull the phone out her way BUT leave your child's stroller wide open for her to take/push toward traffic etc? Uh, hello, the salon is right across the street, and it leads straight in to the spa, so you're not to go to the salon but you can go to the spa? Yeah...you took out 'both perps' with a soccer mom van, WITH YOUR KID IN THE VEHICLE, and what was the daughter doing outside the nail salon anyway, that's where she worked. -- Will have to assume that since my windows actually read the 2 witch stories to me that there were these issues, too, just didn't notice them. However, this particular story/story type was not a 5, at best a 4, more like a 3 1/2 but since they don't do halves, say 3and start PROOFING, oh and ever heard of child protective services for when people do the type of things in this story, putting their child and their unborn child in harm's way? Beyond 'not cool', more like chargeable offense. Book should have been called NON Maternal Instincts or Lacking Maternal Instincts. The reason for the 3 instead of the 4, is because all the issues AND guessed the killer a long way back; red herrings are usually much better.
Girl time is hard to come by for new moms. So, when Kate's best friend, Paula, invites her to Spa Day, Kate jumps at the chance for break from diaper duty. But when a body is recovered from one of the saunas, it may prove that the guest was Pampered to Death! The killer has an agenda and it may include deadly face masks! Suddenly everyone has a motive and Kate must solve the mystery before the next victim falls prey to a ghastly seaweed wrap.
Book 5 of 5 in A Maternal Instincts Mystery (5 Book Series), other series, including iwitch series, see amazon writer page.
In the Maternal Instincts Mystery Series Bundle of Trouble Motherhood is Murder Formula for Murder Nursing a Grudge Pampered to Death
In the iWitch Mystery Series A Witch Called Wanda I Wanda Put a Spell on You
In the Love or Money Mystery Series A First Date with Death A Second Chance at Murder Third Time’s a Crime
In the Roundup Crew Mystery Series Yappy Hour Trigger Yappy
A spa day for Kate with her best friend Paula goes astray when a bride is discovered dead in a treatment room. Fortunately for Kate, she had met the owner and discussed her PI career while in the hot tub. Because of that, owner Jane immediately hires Kate to get to the bottom of the murder. It seems Jane is unwilling to trust the police to get the job done. It turns out her ex-husband is a detective on the force, and once Kate learns who he is, she totally understands Jane's reasoning.
What follows is an interesting mystery with a lot of potential suspects. Interspersed with solving the murder, Kate has a personal mystery to solve and a five month old baby to take care of as well. She juggles everything with the help of her husband, a neighbor boy, and friend Paula. Her neighbor, Kenny, is a terrific babysitter, and when Paula's two year old and infant are added to the mix he remains unflappable. I laughed at the thought of Kenny entertaining them with his trombone! How nice to see a confident young man in the role of babysitter.
The intricate plot and suspicions will make you enjoy the book. I have to say the ending was a neat twist and surprise.
Another fun book in the series. No spoilers, but I am going to say that this is a very good book to make sure and read for those that are into the lives of the characters in this series.
The story was well laid-out and gave me that nice sense of accomplishment that comes of solving mysteries just before the main character did. I thought there was more sifting through suspects and trying out different theories than in the last book, which was good. I do think Kate put herself and her baby in a dangerous situation at one point.
For me, the real draw in this series is its cozy aspect. I like catching up with Kate and her family. I especially enjoy seeing how Laurie is growing. The author really makes the baby feel real. I really like that each book only has her aging about a month, so as a reader I sort of feel like I'm getting to watch her grow up.
This is a great book; this is the fifth book in the Maternal Instincts Mystery Series written by Diana Orgain. Girl time is hard to come by for new moms. So, when Kate's best friend, Paula, invites her to Spa Day, Kate jumps at the chance for break from diaper duty. But when a body is recovered from one of the saunas, it may prove that the guest was Pampered to Death! The killer has an agenda and it may include deadly face masks! Suddenly everyone has a motive and Kate must solve the mystery before the next victim falls prey to a ghastly seaweed wrap. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
I'm so glad the author has continued this fun series! I really enjoy Kate's P.I. adventures, with baby Laurie often accompanying her clever mom as she searches for clues. Kate, her best friend Paula, and Kate's husband Jim are all likable characters. Paula is helpful to Kate in her investigation and Jim is supportive of Kate, even when the cases take a dangerous turn. The case in this book seems straightforward at first, but then Kate learns it's more complex that she originally thought, but refuses to give up.
I've read the prior books in the series, but this mystery stands alone and new readers will have no problem connecting with Kate and enjoying the book. Fans who like Ayelet Waldman's "Mommy Track" series will definitely enjoy the latest by Diana Orgain. I already have the next book in the series and am eager to find out what happens next both in Kate's personal life and her career.
Other than the rough narrator and her different voices, I really liked this book. I loved the storyline. I enjoyed the plot with the spa. I thought Kate was hilarious, and I knew from the beginning that there was going to be a surprise family member. She is definitely increasing her skills as a private investigator, but I don’t know how she’s going to balance all the responsibility she has now. In book 2 I said I really liked Kenny, and here we are finishing book 5 and he is growing on me so much. What a great character. Well written.
I really enjoyed Diana's latest book. It was filled with humor and fun dialogue. I loved the interaction between Kate and her husband and baby. It was so much fun to read, it just made me laugh. I also enjoyed the mystery aspect. I have read all of Diane Orgaine's books and loved them all. This one was no exception.
Kate and her friend Paula plan a visit to a spa and while there run into a bridal party.Not long after the bride is dead and Kate's next PI case drops in her lap.There's a surprise at the end! Enjoy!
I really liked this one, it was shorter, though. 4 hours in audiobook This book flowed quicker and seems to have more action. Good story. Didn't like the high squeaky voice she used for one of the characters. But the rest was great
Previous books stated that the cop and Galigani were former partners and still friends. Suddenly the author has us being told they'd had a falling out. She needs to get better at keeping her back stories consistent.
This is one of the best series I have encountered since getting my kindle. Fast paced and the fact that now a baby is also in peril makes page turning even faster!