5 Bodies to Die For

Body Movers #5

by Stephanie Bond

The Charmed Killer is on the loose in Atlanta and Carlotta Wren is caught up in the terror�especially when her body-moving side business brings her dangerously close to the action.

And then…

She's forced to take refuge in her former fiancé's house�much to the chagrin of other interested parties…

Her brother Wesley begins to behave as if he has his own death wish…

And someone close to her is implicated in the mass murders.

Meanwhile, Carlotta can't shake the feeling that danger is dogging her seemingly cursed family�and that the serial killer's exploits are starting to get personal….

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Chick Lit, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Humor

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 28, 2009

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Stephanie Bond was seven years deep into a systems engineering career and pursuing an MBA at night when an instructor remarked that she had a flair for writing and suggested that she submit to academic journals. But Stephanie, a voracious reader, was only interested in writing fiction–more specifically, romantic fiction.

Upon completing her master’s degree and with no formal training in writing (her undergraduate degree is in computer programming), she started writing a romance novel in her spare time. Two years later in 1995 she sold her first manuscript, a romantic comedy, to Harlequin Books.

In 1997, with ten sales under her belt to two publishers, Stephanie left her corporate job to write women’s romantic fiction full-time. In 2011,

Stephanie launched a self-publishing business. Since that time, she has sold more than 1 million copies of her own books. To-date, Stephanie has published over 70 novels and has over 6 million copies of her work in worldwide distribution in numerous languages and formats.

Reviews

[Lizz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I'm team Jack. I could be Team Coop. I am NOT Team Peter. Not sure why....

[Barbara ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not to enamored of this one. It's a continuation of the storyline from 4 Bodies And A Funeral with a lot of the story retold. I'm beginning to be bored with Carlotta's misadventures and Wesley's drug and gambling problems. It seems as if the author could continue dragging the story out forever. There's no closure on the father's situation yet he is constantly a suspect in everything that happens in town even though he's been gone for 10 years. Wesley just keeps getting deeper and deeper into trouble with no end in sight. And I just don't understand the whole thing with Peter. He dumped her when she needed him most and ten years later he's repenting. give me a break. She's supposed to be an intelligent woman so why does she keep falling for his charm? And Jack seems like a nice guy regardless of the fact that he's a cop and trying to catch her father. And Coop seems like the best of the three but it seems like she missed her opportunity there too.

I do know that I own book six but that will probably be my last in this series unless something dramatic happens.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

good - but getting frustrated with the fact that Carlotta can't realize that she's better off not hanging with the country club crowd and that she doesn't want the wealthy lifestyle she had as a child. And that Wesley just keeps getting in deeper & deeper - when is he going to grow up & get over all his addictions? I think he's basically good hearted, but completely unable to make a good decision...It would be nice to see them solve a few of their problems.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book needed some serious editing down. I wanted to like this book, and in parts I did. I realize I came into this series in the middle, having started with #5. But if I liked it enough, I would have tracked down 1 - 4. A good author will fill in enough details so that the reader doesn't feel totally out of the loop, and for the most part Ms Bond did do that. What I wasn't happy with was the fact that nothing really happened in the book.

The female lead, Carly was apparently struggling with having feelings for 3 men (hookups with each apparently happened in previous books.) There is a serial killer on the loose. There was mention of a former co-worker who was a prime suspect (apparently that action happened in a previous book). She even made the creepy discovery that said prime suspect was secretly living in her house (but that happened in a previous book.) She's a social outcast due to possible wrong-doing by her father, who's on the run but she's recently been in contact with (in a previous book.) In this book, she hangs out with a former fiance who still travels in those social circles, but she reconnected with him....wait for it... in a previous book. By the time "something" happens, it's literally the 2nd to last page. A very unsatisfactory read.

I've got nothing against series. In fact, I love them. Once I find a good 'world' I like to stay in it for a while. My problem with this book is that it doesn't seem to advance the series very far. The small amount of character development and action in this book could easily have been edited down and be about a 1/3 of a book. I have no desire to read 1-4, or even 6 which is already out.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved reading this series but by this time I am getting really frustrated with everybody's inability to just tell the stinkin' truth! Hannah's not honest with Carlotta not honest with Jack, Peter or Coop and Wes is not honest with anyone, Of them all, Carlotta is the most infuriating. Rather than just being open and honest, she always uses avoidance or just runs away. It is most frustrating with Coop. She claims to be such a good friend to him but many times she knows he needs her to open up and instead she consistantly disregards it and walks away. I guess this trait can be expected with Wes, as he is completely immature anyway but it doesn't make it any less annoying after awhile.

[Xenos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, the "Body Movers" series is hitting its stride. Though I still can't claim to love this series, I'm not disliking it as much...even though I'm still frustrated and hate the direction it's going. Sounds weird, I know. Maybe I'm becoming a masochist. At any rate, I'll be going to the library for book six.

A number of things need to happen in order for me to not kick myself for wasting my time. (The bad thing is I have no idea if or when this will happen...Stephanie Bond sounds like a politician when asked how many books will be in this series. All she'll say is that book seven will be released in late 2012. This leads me to believe that she doesn't have a plan...and that makes me nervous.)

1) First and foremost, Coop must be acquitted of being the Charmed Killer. I absolutely hate that he's been arrested. (And if it turns out he really is the killer, I'll go back and give all these books one star. Aargh!!!) Minus ten points.

2) Randolph must man-up and face not only Carlotta and Wesley but also the police. Though in my opinion he could never make amends, he must beg and grovel for me to have one ounce of respect for him.

3) Carlotta must woman-up and kick Peter to the curb. There's just something very namby-pamby about him that grates on me. Maybe because he didn't stand by Carlotta when she needed him the most. Maybe because he married another woman not out of love but because it was socially correct. Maybe because he continues to live in the huge, sterile, lonely house that his wife was murdered in. Maybe because he continues to associate with shallow people who shun Carlotta.

4) Wesley must kick his drug and gambling habits, complete his community service and go to college.

5) Michael Lane must be caught and put behind bars.

6) Jack must conquer his commitment phobia OR Carlotta must realize that Coop is the one for her. Either outcome will satisfy me...Though if Carlotta ends up with Jack, Coop must find a good woman to love. (At this point -- despite the fact that it looks like Coop is a mass murderer, which I don't believe for a second -- wishy-washy Carlotta isn't good enough for Coop and must get her act together.)

So, I'll keep reading and pulling my hair out...But there'd better be a payoff!!!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to like this series so much. She has decent characters and a story line that could actually work if the author could write well enough to actually make both work. I feel like the author is trying so hard to stretch this out or make it Stephanie Plum like that she is failing. So far I feel like we have read the same thing wrote differently in each book; which is probably why her hair dresser remarks are on the front of the book instead of a peer or critic. I said this before on the prior book, but I feel that she did no research what so ever to actually write this book and she just sat down and started typing. Good authors research for months before they actually write a book. I agree with someone else, Carlotta is nothing but a spoiled rotten brat who is trying so hard to be what she couldn't be because of her parents and truthfully I'm tired of her. In real life if anyone was to meddle as much as she did, they'd be arrested. Wes is a smart guy who is doing ALOT of stupid stuff, Hannah is interesting, but really what's up with the secrets? You can tell already that she is probably some rich girl who doesn't want to brag in front of Carlotta. Jack and Coop are the only interesting ones. I really want to like this book and I really want to be into it, but it's got to get better and like someone else said, I just don't think this author has the skills to make the ending good.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coop is no killer!!! No no no! Now I'm pissed! I'm starting to hate every character in this series! And what happened to the parents?!!!

I donno why.. but I've always suspected that the parents are the gay couple next door in disguise .. it's just a feeling

[Donna Meland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still interested in the charmed killer. Can't wait to read book six.

[K.T. Egan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it’s Peter.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series. I don’t like Peter. Wesley…😒

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My guilty pleasure series!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Charmed Killer is on the loose in Atlanta and Carlotta Wren is caught up in the terror--especially when her body-moving side business brings her dangerously close to the action.
And then. . . She's forced to take refuge in her former fiancé's house--much to the chagrin of other interested parties. . . .
Her brother Wesley begins to behave as if he has his own death wish. . . .
And someone close to her is implicated in the mass murders. Meanwhile, Carlotta can't shake the feeling that danger is dogging her seemingly cursed family--and that the serial killer's exploits are starting to get personal. . . .
The story continues. I only have one book left, (that i know of) and i'm sorry to see it end. A great story with many many twists and turns. Wonderfully told, intriguing story. 5 stars.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay but not great. I am so over Peter and Carlotta needs to move out of his house and keep him out of her life. The country club ladies were so snooty and entitled; everything you would expect them to be. I was glad that one of them ended up being the purse thief. I was sad that Wes blew his shot with Meg, but maybe this will help him kick his Oxy habit. I'm over Hannah and her refusal to be open and honest with Carlotta. I do not like the dynamic between Jack and Maria; they may not be together but she wishes they would be. I do not for one second believe that Coop is the Charmed Killer. No way. And what was he doing at the neurological floor of the hospital? This book felt like filler. There were more questions than answers. I was surprised that Michael was alive and basically stalking Carlotta; that's weird.

[Stef · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps on getting better. Must read them in order for sure. . . Very complex, still unknown who the charmed killer is. Charlotta and Wesley have great adventures through out the books. Read this book in a matter of hours on my day off.

Fast read, keeps you right in the story. Suspense, romance, action packed. Would recommend.

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Update 6-3-2016: If you are looking for other great suspense/action/Comedy/Laugh Out Loud / Romance books check out my other reviews. I Recommend this series and the following:
> Rose Gardner Mystery Series by Denise Grover Swank
> Body Movers Series by Stephanie Bond
> Rock Chick Series by Kristen Ashley
> Bobbie Faye's Series by Toni McGee Causey
> Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich
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[Lois Baron · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm still reading this series mostly because I want to find out what happens with Coop and Jack, as in, which one what's-er-face will pick.
Anything to do with Wes, her brother, usually involves crass language or descriptions.
I'm picking all sorts of holes in the plot. The writing is barely OK. I don't really trust Bond to come wup with an end that's going to be satisfying, but I want to see what she does come up with.
If this series goes on longer than No. 6 I am going to be so annoyed. Thank goodness No. 6 comes out at the end of the month.

[Kara Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listen to this series on IPOD and the voices are great! Oh the ending of this one is horrible! Of the three men in Carlotta's life Cooper is my favorite so this book was harder for me because Coop all but disappeared. Carlotta is her normal busybody self and solves a few crimes/questions in crimes, keeps every male around her at high alert, and manages to wreck a few motor vehicles. Wesley is still causing trouble. The charmed killer never gets caught (I guess that is what 6 is for) however Peter is making some major moves and may catch Carlotta!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am starting to get bored with this series. The library has #6 and then I will decide, at this point I wouldn't spend money on #7. Carlotta is too conflicted with her men including her worthless father. Honestly, I don't know what any of them see in her. Wes is such a loser, he is getting tiresome, grow this character up already!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be a definite four stars if it did not have that cliff hanger for an ending. Ugg. I can't get my hands on the next book right now. This is a fun read just make sure you have all the books available at one time.

[Fey · Rating 2 out of 5]

BLARGH!!!!!

I am baffled as to why these books are called "Sexy Mysteries". They are not sexy, and there is barely any sex in them (if any) at all.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, light read.

[IAmTheHolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Charmed Killer is still on the loose, Carlotta is still spending too much time with Peter (okay, opinion, not just a plot point…), Wesley still makes dumb choices, and it’s all pretty much just a continuation from the last book.

If you haven’t checked this series out, I recommend it. (Start with Body Movers by Stephanie Boyd!) It’s quite a little drama filled series but it’s a good distraction from reality and mostly a pretty light read. I am enjoying that the plot is continued in the next book. I sometimes don’t like that the plot totally wraps up in one book and the next in the series has very few plot points that carry over.

Pretty quick read, so I’ll leave it at that and go 7 of 10 for enjoyment and 4 of 5 for readability. Fun, light series – unfortunately, I’m already halfway through #6 and my Overdrive doesn’t have any of the more recent ones! I believe #9 is out as of this year?

For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book in the series that doesn't wrap up anything & pushes the story to the next book. The country club purse thief was arrested but we don't get any of the fall-out/redemption from that sub-plot. Carlotta and Wesley are still majorly screwed up and not working together on fixing any of their issues. The cat in this story was idiotic - not your cat, then keep it out of the house so it doesn't destroy the house, clothing, or people. And ten years and counting without any actual investigating into clearing Randolph-seriously the Wren family has sooo many issues that they never work to resolve; the entire family is annoying. I'll listen to the rest of the books to get answers since I'm about half-way through now but I wouldn't recommend this series to anyone.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Body Movers #5. 2009. Read by Cassandra Campbell. The Charmed Killer is supposedly, randomly killing random women in Atlanta. Carlotta seems to be tied to each in various ways. She did even witness an attempt on a famous women's life at Nieman Marcus, her place of work. Charm bracelets were the featured "thing" being marketed. At each body pick up, a charm was discovered in the mouth of the victim. All the charms were different. Meanwhile, Wesley, Carlotta's brother, is using Oxycontin in a definite addictive way. Wesley goes undercover for the Atlanta PD to work for the Carver.So much goes wrong, the Wren family must be cursed.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Charmed Killer is on the loose in Atlanta, and Carlotta Wren is caught up in the terror, especially when her body-moving side business brings her dangerously close to the action.
And then…

She's forced to take refuge in her former fiancé's house, much to the chagrin of other interested parties…

The first half tested my patience a bit. It was slow and had a lot of recapping. Unfortunately, I don't like the Carlotta - Peter story- It's pretty boring. Her life seems much more intriguing with Jack or even Coop but NOT Peter.

The whole Porche thing and the cat??? I don't know.
And the whole Wesley and his Oxy, I'm over that.

Its a toss-up if I finish the series.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars because I'm not convinced that the author had a plan for what direction she wanted to take this series. Entirely too much material was regurgitated from book 4, which makes this feel like it should have been combined with that into a more cohesive story that actually goes somewhere. The series is still dated, both main characters are idiots, the Stephanie Plum influence is heavy, and the love quadrilateral is tiresome. Because I'm a masochist, I keep reading and, if anything, it's to see what happens to an eccentric friend side character and to clear this series off my bookshelves.

[Nessy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is starting to really piss me off. Once again no movement on any major story arcs. However I have now decided that Carly is just an annoying twit when it comes to men. She always feels uncomfortable around Peter and dragging out their relationship is so irritating. All that being said the writing is still good but the biggest cases that have been solved in the last two books are a missing charm bracelet and a purse theif... not very exciting.

[Hattie M. Gillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of this was redundant and too much of Carlotta’s musings. Get on with the story and get Coop out of jail since he never should have been arrested in the first place. Carlotta’s insecurities over which man is really her love needs to be decided. All this blathering is making me tired of the series.
Maybe book six will be better making our heroine more decisive. I have begun #6 but already I’m ready for bed instead of reading. Too bad. I really liked the first books.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

Each book gets better and better! Always leaves you with a cliff hanger. Foreshadowing makes you think, “Ok, duh... I know what’s coming” then, “ok well that wasn’t what I thought was coming..” or what you thought the author was foreshadowing just didn’t happen at all. Lol Keeps you constantly on your toes because just when you think you know what’s going on, SURPRISE!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this book was part of a series. I enjoyed most of the characters and the story with all its twists and turns was good. The only part is the end, it left you hanging and you had to read the next book to find out the end of the story. I had never thought about the morgue and its 'body movers', not a job that everyone can do but one that if done right gives dignity to the deceased. The only down side to the story was a too much graphic sex, it's better without the detail.