Too Rich and Too Dead

Murder Packs a Suitcase #2

by Cynthia Baxter

Have suitcase, will sleuth...

Mallory Marlowe, travel writer for the Good Life magazine, heads to Colorado to answer the Can nonskiers have fun in Aspen? It’s also a chance to visit a now rich and famous high-school classmate, Carly Cassidy Berman. Cheerleader, homecoming queen, and class president, Carly had it all then and still does—a sprawling mountainside home, an adoring husband, and a multimillion-dollar business centered around her super-exclusive Tavaci Springs spa. But not all is what it seems in Carly’s golden life, because within twenty-four hours of Mallory’s arrival, Carly’s corpse turns up in a mud bath.

Against a dazzling backdrop of majestic ski slopes, ritzy boutiques, and slumming celebrities, Mallory suddenly discovers that Aspen’s main attraction is a dazzling array of suspects—one of whom is eager to see this accidental sleuth’s travels come to an end. As Mallory begins to uncover the secrets hidden amid Aspen’s snow, will a desperate killer make this playground for the pampered and privileged Mallory’s final destination?

Includes Mallory’s article for the Good Life, with tips and reviews of real Aspen attractions!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

(from author's website)

Dear Reader,

Thanks for taking the time to check out my web site! I love the fact that the Internet makes it so easy to "talk" to readers (and to hear from them, too - my email address is below).

My favorite thing to do is read - and my second favorite is to write. Since 2003, I've been writing The Reigning Cats & Dogs Mystery Series, which features veterinarian Jessica Popper. The books also include the antics of Jessie's menagerie: her rambunctious Westie, Max; his shy sidekick, Lou the Dalmatian; aging pussycat Catherine the Great; newcomer Tinkerbell, a tiger kitten with the personality of a diva; mouthy Prometheus, a Blue and Gold Macaw with attitude; and last but not least, the silent yet seemingly wise chameleon Leilani. The newest book in the series is CROSSING THE LION.

I also launched a second mystery series, The Murder Packs a Suitcase Mystery Series, which will run concurrently with Reigning Cats & Dogs. The first book, also titled MURDER PACKS A SUITCASE, introduces Mallory Marlowe. Recently widowed at the age of 45, Mallory is still struggling to find her old self when she falls into a new job as a travel writer. In addition to researching exciting destinations, she happens upon the occasional murder - and she can't help getting involved in finding out whodunnit. The first book is set in Orlando, where she goes to discover whether or not the "old Florida," with alligator farms and pink plastic flamingoes and seashell jewelry, still exists despite the proliferation of glitzy theme parks. The second book in the series, TOO RICH AND TOO DEAD, is set in glamorous Aspen, where Mallory is trying to find out if even a non-skier can have a fun vacation.

Working on two different mystery series has been an interesting challenge. I've tried to make the two series different - but at the same time to include the same elements in the new series that readers of the original series seemed to enjoy. That means a likeable heroine, a compelling mystery with some quirky suspects and a few surprises, a touch of romance, and lots of humor. I'm really looking forward to seeing how readers respond to my new character and her adventures!

I always enjoy hearing from readers, so please don't hesitate to write and say hello. In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy my books!

Best wishes, Cynthia Baxter

Contact Cynthia: Cynthiab1@optonline.net

Reviews

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travel reporter Mallory Marlowe is off to Aspen, Colorado, to write an article aimed at non-skiers. Part of it will focus on former high school acquaintance Carly, founder of a fancy resort. But when Carly is murdered, Mallory finds herself investigating that as well. This is the second book in the series, and I enjoyed it as much as the first thanks to the real characters and strong plot. I'm going to have to start reading the author's other series.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Lori Whitwam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting... the suspects and motives abound, and there's plenty to discover. I understand that the protagonist is a travel writer, so I expect the narrative to be heavy on the descriptions of the places and events she is seeing, but it gets a little tiresome. I don't need to know quite this much about Aspen. Also, the scene in which the murderer is confronted and captured was a little lame. The final explanation of events was satisfying, though, so I'll read #3 when it's available.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Number two in this series finds Mallory Marlowe, travel writer for The Good Life magazine, heading to Aspen for a review of Aspen from a non-skier perspective. Well, she certainly doesn't go skiing. She makes an appointment to interview, Carly, a high-school acquaintance she hasn't spoken to since high school, as Carly has become rather famous in the celebrity world, selling a revitalizing drink that takes years off and operating a spa right there in Aspen. Dinner at Carly's sprawling mansion the night before the interview lets Mallory dip her toes into Carly's life, but when Carly is found dead the next morning, Mallory lets herself get dragged into the investigation by Carly's accountant, who is one of the suspects. Still hoping her article will provide a nice juxtaposition to the standard snowy white reviews of Aspen, even without the spa/ rejuvenating drink angle, Mallory wanders around time with a twofold mission: explore the town, as she's being paid to, and perhaps find a murderer in her travels.

[McKenzie Palm · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book of this series “murder packs a suitcase”. But, I felt like our author lost her footing in this one. The timeline was all over the place and above all...the blatant racist depiction of Juanita the maid was blinding. I felt it so completely unnecessary to write out that character’a accent in the way that our author decided to. It was embarrassing, tacky, and offensive. Very disappointed that she made that decision. I think I would have liked this tacky thriller much more if that character wasn’t written in such a terrible way.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever cozy, second in the series, that focuses a widowed travel writer who goes to Aspen to prove there are other things to do there besides skiing. Unfortunately, one of those other things is murder.
The story line moves quickly and there is a lot of description of Aspen!

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint about this series is that it ended after just two books. Mallory is such a great character and the story lines are wonderful. I sat down with this one and just couldn't stop reading till I got to the end.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable cozy mystery set in Aspen. Good characters and a good ending.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, Cynthia Baxter’s Murder Packs a Suitcase series is more about location than murder mystery. The “who-did-it” is secondary to the travel brochure feel that lead character Mallory Marlowe imparts on her readers.

Mallory Marlowe, a recent widow, is a travel writer for The Good Life magazine, wanting to introduce her readers to Aspen, Colorado, she takes a different approach - Aspen for the non-skier. A curious angle made even more temping when an old high school acquaintance lives in the area and is famous for a new health drink called Rejuva-Juice. All is not well in this swanky town when Carly Cassidy Berman is found murdered.

Like her previous book, Murder Packs a Suitcase – taking place in Orlando, Florida, Cynthia Baxter takes the reader on a guided tour of Aspen in the guise of finding Carly’s killer. The book does show its age a bit with references to now deceased celebrities, but that is okay, the atmosphere makes up for that.

As you read the book, any number of people could have killed Carly, she was not liked and the rich and famous – and those who tag along – are only after one thing. Who had the most to gain from this fountain of youth in a bottle, and who was willing to kill for it?

Unfortunately, this series ended after just two book, but Cynthia Baxter can be found through her other series, Reigning Cats and Dogs.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 2nd and unfortunately last book of this series (at this time per the author) was good. Too Rich and Too Dead takes the reader to Aspen CO and covers what a non-skier could do to keep entertained. Mallory Marlowe, protagonist, is a travel writer for the fictitious magazine The Good Life. Mallory convinces her boss to let her go to Aspen to let her interview a now rich and famous high school classmate. Unfortunately her former classmate is killed before the interview. And as in any good cozy, Mallory must solve the murder. I enjoyed the book and am sorry to hear that there won't be any more. I feel that it takes several books in a series to build the recurring characters backgrounds so that you know them and feel connected. It is a shame that Bantam Books has decided not to publish any more of this series. With that said, I would recommend the book but if you want a long continuing series this is not the book for you.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fun, breezy read and it left me wanting to visit Aspen. I only found the descriptions of the city to bogg the story down on one occassion- other than that I though Ms. Baxter wove the descriptions of the city and it's attractions into the book very nicely. I enjoyed the many twists and turns, the little bit of romance and the main character's voice (the book is writting in first person). All in all this was a fun read and I'll be sad if it's true that this is the last of the "Murder Packs a Suitcase" series.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this murder mystery/travelogue and want to go to Florida but I don't drive. A few picky holes in the plot -- how come everyone on the trip had some connection to the victim? Who set that up? How can you leave a giant loose end like the victim was with the protagonist's late husband on the day he died of an accident? Otherwise a fun read!

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a little sad because it seems that Ms. Baxter has stopped writing?? I really liked the Reigning Cats and Dogs series, and the Murder Packs a Suitcase series had some real potential.
This volume was particularly enjoyable, as I live in Colorado and have had the pleasure of staying at the Hotel Jerome myself. In fact, my two dogs got to stay with me! Fun to read about actual places in Aspen, and to know (hope!) that the murder is fictitious!

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I enjoyed the first book in this series so much, I was disappointed that this one didn't interest me more. I felt like the author just used the same basic outline and wrote the same book with different characters and a new location. Still, I did enjoy the plot and while the murderer was not a total surprise, there were enough suspects to keep me guessing. Not sure I'd read another in this series though.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I finished "Murder Packs a Suitcase", I ran right out and bought "Too Rich and Too Dead", the second book in the series. I wasn't disappointed with this one either. Baxter writes well and her books are easy to read. She's doing a good job of developing her returning characters and I look forward to the third book in this series.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery but was slightly disappointed in the handling of the solving of the mystery. What I really liked was the travelog and main character. It felt like, perhaps, the book should have been a romance rather than a mystery? I will look to see the next book to see how the character grows.

[Kshydog · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but lengthy descriptions of Aspen, CO as the travel writer solves the murder of an acquaintance from HS. Several suspects provide tension but her snooping goes beyond normal. Some humorous scenes as Mallory gets herself involved with 2 guys and her daughter questions her abilities. Many references to first book in series.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mallory ends up in Aspen, CO to write an article about things to do in Aspen if you don't ski, she goes to visit a lady she knew in high school, after having dinner with her and her husband, she turns up dead the next morning. Another Enjoyable book by Baxter

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this new series from Cynthia Baxter (although I do miss the critters from her Jessica Popper books....especially Max, the Westie!). This second book did NOT disappoint....when's #3?????

[Bonnie Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too Rich and Too Dead book 2 of ( Murder Packs A Suitcase ) was okay but I found it dragging in action as to were book 1 ( Murder Packs A Suitcase ) was filled with action. I mean that it was a good read and the Characters were great but it missed something. Still I gave 5 stars.

[Kaye]

Light reading. Mystery about a travel writer who goes to Aspen to report on what a non-skier can do there. Real tips included.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book in this series was so much fun. This one, frankly, was on the dull side. I will try one more and hope this one was the fluke rather than the first one.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and entertaining. A pleasant read.

[Sissi Mise]

I enjoyed this book a little bit better than the first book but the vet sleuth series this author also writes is much better.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 - Very Good

[Jean Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable cozy mystery, not great. Interesting look at Aspen added to the enjoyment.