Adjusted to Death

Kate Jasper #1

by Jaqueline Girdner

Meet Kate Jasper, Marin County, California's own, organically grown, amateur sleuth. ("She's smart, funny, vulnerable, and unpretentious."--Marilyn Wallace, editor of the SISTERS IN CRIME series.) In this first Kate Jasper mystery, Kate visits her chiropractor for a simple spinal adjustment, but instead finds a dead man on one of the tables...dead of a broken neck. And it seems everyone in the chiropractor's office knew the victim, Scott Younger, in one way or another, except for Kate herself. Maggie, Kate's friend and chiropractor, has known Scott for years, as has her staff. Her receptionist, Renee, even dated him. Devi knew Scott from college. Guru-follower, Valerie, accuses Scott of being a drug pusher! And Wayne, Scott's now unnecessary bodyguard, a shy, homely man who almost makes Kate forget her husband has left her, knew him the best of all. But Kate can't forget murder, especially since Wayne is the main suspect. And there's the pesky matter of Kate's fingerprints on the metal bar that broke Scott Younger's neck. Kate Jasper's in for a spine-tingling, bone-chilling adventure.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

aka Claire Daniels

Jaki Girdner lives, works, practices tai chi, and eats her vegetables in Marin County, California, along with her favourite computer peripheral, Famous Spouse Gregory Booi.

Series:
* Kate Jasper

Reviews

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

First one I've read in this series. I like Kate, dislike some of her friends, and think I love her new love interest!

I didn't guess the killer and was surprised by the ending so that always makes it a good book to me.

Kate is visiting her chiropractor when she discovers a dead body in one of the examination rooms. Maggie, the chiropractor, asks Kate to investigate because she doesn't trust the cops to get it right. Kate sets to work checking out all the people who were in the office at the time of the murder.

I can understand why the cops get frustrated with her, she does tend to go off on weird tangents and puts herself and others at risk.

I'll be looking for more in this series.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likeable enough, but nothing special, and I couldn't understand why it kept referring to a murder Kate had been involved in before - despite being the first in the series, and not then going into any details.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****Spoiler Alert******


This is #1 in a Kate Jasper Mystery.

This is really on the cozy side and a bit more romance than some. Even though it is a cozy, the ending was a bit brutal. It seemed you need a list of the particular people in this book because the names for me all ran together and I had trouble keeping them straight.

Kate is very head strong and going after information even though it appears that the only person that wants her to find out who murdered her patient is Maggie the chiropractor.

I am giving it 4 out of 5 stars and will read the next in the series in the next year or so.

[JoAnn Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it was a very enjoyable book, it followed another series as she stated to her almost ex - "I found another murder" which leads me to think this was another series that starred Kate and Craig, her almost ex as she explains why they are finally divorcing. This made the book confusing

[Michelle V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5

It was a really good book.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Jasper goes to chiropractor and another patient is killed on a table.
Marin County.
One of the suspects becomes her boyfriend.
Good.