Large Target

Josephine Fuller #2

by Lynne Murray

Lynne Murray's first mystery featuring Josephine Fuller--published by a small press-- netted an astounding 12,000 hardcover copies! In a heated auction, St. Martin's bought paperback rights and ultimately secured a multi-book hard/soft deal for future Josephine Fuller mysteries. We couldn't be happier to have such a fun, fresh and well reviewed series.

Josephine Fuller is a "woman of size" and proud of it. Working as an investigator for San Diego philanthropist Alicia Madrone, she evaluates potential charities worthiness of Ms. Madrone's money and does the occasional odd favor. Now Josephine is asked to look into a young lady's involvement with a mysterious band of do-gooders. Its' an easy job that quickly gets messy.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 8, 2000

About the author

I'm the author of
Runaway Dragonette (what if "the Bachelorette" was a shapeshifting dragon princess?),
Valkyrie on Planet Fury (why the Furies make really bad hostesses),
Gravitas: Valkyrie in the Forbidden Zone (a unique look at human-alien First Contact),
Valkyrie in the Demon Realm (demons and aphrodisiacs don't mix),
The Falstaff Vampire Files (Sir John Falstaff, undead and misbehaving in San Francisco),
The Bride of the Living Dead (a romantic comedy for women who love monster movies too much),
and four books in the mystery series featuring Josephine Fuller, sleuth of size who doesn't apologize
Larger Than Death, Large Target, At Large and A Ton of Trouble.

Newspapers and magazines have published my essays, reviews and interviews--including my favorite with Darlene Cates, star of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape"! Many of these short pieces can be found on my web page. I live in San Francisco. When not writing, I can be found reading and spoiling my cats.

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love series books, but I normally try to start at the beginning. I'm currently reading the first book, so I'm hoping it will help put some items in place from "Large Target," the 3rd book in this series. Don't get me wrong, this book can be read as a stand-alone, but I suggest starting at the beginning. I liked this book, it had an interesting story, or I guess I should say, stories, and I'm glad that the main character, a "woman of substance" was confident in herself and the large women she encounters all seem to have positive self-images. People who complain about a seeming focus on the fact that the main character is a plus size woman, just don't understand how it feels to be the last group that it's ok to make into a punch line. Get some sensitivity, people. I look forward to reading more stories about Jo and her confidant, well-adjusted, worthy and able self. Thank you, Lynne, for bringing this particular heroine to the pages.

[Norma Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a sense, this is a cathartic work being true to life of that of a large person as there is the self-deprecation, name-calling and shame that comes with not being able to control one's size--a theme that runs throughout the book. Beyond that, there is a varied cast of characters that lend themselves to the story-line of Jo, who works for a philanthropic lady as her personal sleuth to find out who are deserving of her gifts to the arts. This has a little of something for everyone--a dead body, mourning the loss of a friend, a chase and fractured relationships.

This is my first exposure to Ms. Murray's works and thought she would never stop developing the plot. As expected, closure was quick with a tying up of loose ends.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun to have a heroine who is sassy, beautiful, and NOT a size 2! I regret that this series is so short, there are only three or four of them, and that I didn't discover them YEARS ago!

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Amy Rosenkoetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this immediately after the first in the series, and loved it just as much. I really liked the interesting little side story. It helped color the lives of the main characters some and have a little background color.

Once again, I was thrilled with the size-positive attitude of the characters and story. I've since discovered that Lynne Murray and I travel in some of the same social activist circles which gives me even more respect for the work she's doing to speak positive words about fat people in our world.

[Therese]

$0.0

[Jerrilynn Atherton · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Deaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, though. Not my favorite of the three I have read. Still love the strong female protagonist who can take care of herself!