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A Jaine Austen Mystery #10
Pampered to Death
Jaine Austen is looking forward to an indulgent spa getaway - until she learns it's more about deprivation that relaxation. Between miniscule meals and a deadly brush with fame, surviving this vacation will be no piece of cake.
228 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2011
93 people are currently reading
964 people want to read
About the author
Laura Levine
57 books1,234 followersGrew up in Brooklyn, New York, back when mastodons (and Edsels) still roamed the earth.
Education: Barnard College
First job: Reporter/photographer at a newspaper so small, we had our photos developed in the local camera shop.
Advertising claim to fame: I created Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills.
TV gets invented, and I get a job as a sitcom writer, turning out scripts for shows like The Bob Newhart Show, Three’s Company, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
Current (and favorite) incarnation: Author of Jaine Austen mysteries.
Marital status: Wedded blissfully to business journalist Mark Lacter (aka Mr. Hubby), whose insightful coverage of the Los Angeles business scene can be checked daily at http://www.laobserved.com/biz/
Favorite authors: COMEDY: Joe Keenan. MYSTERY: Agatha Christie. SERIOUS STUFF: Anne Tyler.
Hobbies: Reading, swimming, gardening, and lots of walks (mainly to the refrigerator).
Education: Barnard College
First job: Reporter/photographer at a newspaper so small, we had our photos developed in the local camera shop.
Advertising claim to fame: I created Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills.
TV gets invented, and I get a job as a sitcom writer, turning out scripts for shows like The Bob Newhart Show, Three’s Company, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
Current (and favorite) incarnation: Author of Jaine Austen mysteries.
Marital status: Wedded blissfully to business journalist Mark Lacter (aka Mr. Hubby), whose insightful coverage of the Los Angeles business scene can be checked daily at http://www.laobserved.com/biz/
Favorite authors: COMEDY: Joe Keenan. MYSTERY: Agatha Christie. SERIOUS STUFF: Anne Tyler.
Hobbies: Reading, swimming, gardening, and lots of walks (mainly to the refrigerator).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
March 24, 2022
Jaine and her cat Prozac are off to a relaxation spa as a treat, courtesy of her neighbor, Lance. Unfortunately, when she gets there she discovers it’s a forced diet spa. Diets are so not Jaine’s thing. Worse, they force Prozac on a diet, too. I’ll admit, I was sooo hungry reading this book with the descriptions of how they were starving the program participants and Jaine completely unable to find nourishment, so fair warning, read this book with a hearty plate of carbs in hand. This being a murder mystery, someone at the resort turns up dead of course, and Jaine has to figure out who the killer is because the police will not allow anyone to leave the premises until they’ve cleared them as suspects. Meanwhile the reader just continues getting hungrier… This also had a fun subplot with her parents involving their emails, a HOA, and garden gnomes.
October 30, 2017
Makes for wonderful light & cozy reads.
August 1, 2019
Snarky humor, fast paced, and a good murder mystery are the strengths of this cozy mystery, part of a series. I like Jaine's cat Prozac. The emails sent from her parents are a riot. Fun read.
September 30, 2011
There's lots of disagreement, I notice, in the various reviews of Laura Levine's Jaine Austen series, sometimes even in the reviews of one book. Pampered to Death certainly ran a range of 2 to 5 stars. But generally all of them, from the lowest to the highest agreed that the book made them smile whether it was/was not the best in the series and that Levine is funny. Jaine is funny. Her parents are funny. Even her cat Prozac is funny, in the usual unfunny cat way that cats have.
I could say I agreed with all the reviews. In this 10th entry in the Austen series, Jaine's narcisstic friend Lance gives her the gift of an all-paid week stay at an exlusive spa. Jaine is extremely excited until it turns out that it's a strict "fat farm"-replete with a "fat vat" and a group of fellow inmates (including the owner, her maid, and the teen-age cook) that makes you wonder why it took as long as it did for someone to be murdered.
The list of suspects is almost longer than the list of characters.
And I will say that the book is somewhat shallow and predictable with lots of cheap shots, every one of which I loved. Or close enough. Combine the greatest fantasy-the pampering luxury of a spa- with everyone's worst fear (all right, my worst fear-a boot camp weight loss facility pretending to be something else-and I'm already hooked. The pace is brisk, the writing clean, and I was a happy camper.
Certainly a lot happier than the campers at the "spa."
I'd recommend it. Heck, I'm going to read it again. Only I think I'll wait for a thinner day (no pun intended. I think.).
I could say I agreed with all the reviews. In this 10th entry in the Austen series, Jaine's narcisstic friend Lance gives her the gift of an all-paid week stay at an exlusive spa. Jaine is extremely excited until it turns out that it's a strict "fat farm"-replete with a "fat vat" and a group of fellow inmates (including the owner, her maid, and the teen-age cook) that makes you wonder why it took as long as it did for someone to be murdered.
The list of suspects is almost longer than the list of characters.
And I will say that the book is somewhat shallow and predictable with lots of cheap shots, every one of which I loved. Or close enough. Combine the greatest fantasy-the pampering luxury of a spa- with everyone's worst fear (all right, my worst fear-a boot camp weight loss facility pretending to be something else-and I'm already hooked. The pace is brisk, the writing clean, and I was a happy camper.
Certainly a lot happier than the campers at the "spa."
I'd recommend it. Heck, I'm going to read it again. Only I think I'll wait for a thinner day (no pun intended. I think.).
July 22, 2020
Always fun!
These books are always fun! I love Jaine’s voice, her sarcasm and humor. Prozac is always a hoot as well. I’m so proud of myself for solving the mystery ahead of time. I figured I was wrong when I guessed but every once in a while I’m right. #readforkimberly
These books are always fun! I love Jaine’s voice, her sarcasm and humor. Prozac is always a hoot as well. I’m so proud of myself for solving the mystery ahead of time. I figured I was wrong when I guessed but every once in a while I’m right. #readforkimberly
February 8, 2024
The cat and the koi pond scene was hilarious. I adore Laura Levine’s writing!
July 22, 2024
Another fun romp with Jaine and Prozac - I especially enjoyed it after the depressing book I’d just read previously (The Storm We Made.). Our heroine is stuck at a Fat Farm, starving to death and then discovers a dead body. Whodunnit? Lots of options with a twist.
The murder usually occurs just before the halfway mark in the story and the killer is the one always missing from Jaines’s list of suspects!! Miss Marble she isn’t, but always fun and frivolous.
Loved the mangos - I have a tree in my yard that drops the fruit day and night, I can’t imagine eating one!! Even the raccoon and the possum pass them by. Sorry, Mallory.
The murder usually occurs just before the halfway mark in the story and the killer is the one always missing from Jaines’s list of suspects!! Miss Marble she isn’t, but always fun and frivolous.
Loved the mangos - I have a tree in my yard that drops the fruit day and night, I can’t imagine eating one!! Even the raccoon and the possum pass them by. Sorry, Mallory.
March 13, 2016
A half decent mystery book - there are so many, much worse ones - Pampered To Death scores in the humor department. The you've got mail chapters are a hoot, but then Laura Levine was in cahoots with someone (she mentioned that in her foreword) to chip in with the jokes. I did anticipate the unveiling of the murderer, but it was glaringly easy and I can't be proud of that epiphany. This book was the shortest of the first ten, for which I'm grateful, as it was all meat and no filler. Shame that the meat was not of prime quality. Gotta go now lambchop( I must say it, the caps lock gag was laugh out loud funny), I'm feeling peckish.
January 2, 2017
I love this series!
July 10, 2024
The setting is a luxurious spa getaway. Although luxurious is questionable. Poor Prozac and Jaine are on a diet from hell.
Okay, some of the characters and themes in this series are endless repetitions but nevertheless funny.
Light & cozy read.
Okay, some of the characters and themes in this series are endless repetitions but nevertheless funny.
Light & cozy read.
May 4, 2012
I think I've read all the book in this Jane Austen series--no, not 'the' Jane Austen, this Jane Austen is a struggling writer who solves murder cases on the side...though actually, its probably the other way around. She never has enough money, she eats too much and has to wear elastic waist jeans, has the most obnoxious cat (I would have killed the cat after the first book), and has the best looking neighbor who is, of course, gay. I read these books for fun. There is no redeeming value to any of them.
February 5, 2016
Not one of the better Jaine Austen books, but still a decent mystery (I didn't guess the whodunit) with some entertaining characters and some laughs. My biggest gripe with these books is that Jaine's constant self-deprecation about her weight has grown tiresome, as has all the parenthetical asides about the previous books. I'm also sick of this so-called "friend" of hers, Lance. He's more like a frenemy than a real friend. What friend tricks you into going to a diet camp?
January 10, 2020
Fun, fast read. This mystery series is formulaic with caricatures rather than characters, and the mystery solution is usually very obvious. But I get them from the library every once in a while when I want to read without working hard.
March 8, 2019
Another cute, cozy read by Laura Levine.
What she thinks is a week at a high-end spa turns out to be a spa from diet hell for Janie Austen and her cat, Prozac. When Janie's friend, Lance, sends her to a spa week without telling her it's a "diet spa" she is forced to live without her buddies Ben & Jerry and fork out major bucks to a maid who sells goodies on the sly.
When movie star Mallory shows up and starts threatening the spa director and other visitors, she ends up dead; killed with ehr own seaweed wrap. This sets Janie on the trail of the killer. While trying to figure out "who did it" Janie discovers that not only is she a diet cheater, but so is everyone else, even the director!
Janie figures out the killer and saves the day, and eventually she and Prozac are able to return home where kitty treats and Ben and Jerry continue to reside in Janie's freezer.
While the murder and Janie's ability to solve the crime are the crux of the story, the escapades of her dad, and long-suffering mother add to the humor of the book.
What she thinks is a week at a high-end spa turns out to be a spa from diet hell for Janie Austen and her cat, Prozac. When Janie's friend, Lance, sends her to a spa week without telling her it's a "diet spa" she is forced to live without her buddies Ben & Jerry and fork out major bucks to a maid who sells goodies on the sly.
When movie star Mallory shows up and starts threatening the spa director and other visitors, she ends up dead; killed with ehr own seaweed wrap. This sets Janie on the trail of the killer. While trying to figure out "who did it" Janie discovers that not only is she a diet cheater, but so is everyone else, even the director!
Janie figures out the killer and saves the day, and eventually she and Prozac are able to return home where kitty treats and Ben and Jerry continue to reside in Janie's freezer.
While the murder and Janie's ability to solve the crime are the crux of the story, the escapades of her dad, and long-suffering mother add to the humor of the book.
July 26, 2018
Jaime’s friend surprises her with a visit to a spa but when she gets there she finds the service and food awful, plus lots of hard exercise and chores. An unpleasant B-list movie star Mallory who makes life miserable for everyone. When Mallory is found dead Janie is stuck at the spa and wants to figure out who did it so she can leave, but she puts herself in grave danger. A little too much about the cat makes the story somewhat tedious.
May 10, 2022
Another totally delightful cozy mystery with one of my new favorite characters, Jaine Austen.
July 22, 2025
Not my favorite book in series but still a fun read! I love Prozac!!
April 9, 2012
I like this cozy mystery series because it is light and fluffy and has a great dose of laughs.
The latest installment, Pampered to Death, did not disappoint. This time Jaine and her cat, Prozac, are off to a health spa. As she tries to find cheesecake and chocolate bars and avoid celery fizz drinks, Jaine gets caught up in the murder of a hollywood actress.
This time it's Jaine AND Prozac that are trying to solve the case, and its a laugh-a-minute.
I really liked this one, especially since there is a hint of romance for Jaine. Poor Jaine needs some romance.
I can't wait for the next book to come out in September!
The latest installment, Pampered to Death, did not disappoint. This time Jaine and her cat, Prozac, are off to a health spa. As she tries to find cheesecake and chocolate bars and avoid celery fizz drinks, Jaine gets caught up in the murder of a hollywood actress.
This time it's Jaine AND Prozac that are trying to solve the case, and its a laugh-a-minute.
I really liked this one, especially since there is a hint of romance for Jaine. Poor Jaine needs some romance.
I can't wait for the next book to come out in September!
August 7, 2011
Jaine got a thank you gift from Lance. It was a week long visit to an exclusive spa. However, when she arrived, the spa was not at all what Jaine expected. This latest Jaine Austen mystery by Laura Levine, will keep you laughing all the way to the bookstore to buy another! Levine's wit is peppered throughout the book. Her spoiled darling cat, Prozac's antics will keep you in stitches as well as the emails from her parents who retired to a community in Florida called, Tampa Vistas. I highly recommend this book and all in this series.
September 3, 2011
I am a big fan of Laura Levine's books; they are light and laugh-out-loud funny! I have read the whole Jaine Austin series and find each one delightful.
This one was a particular favorite of mine because of the character involvement by Jaine's cat, Prozac.
I think I own a very close relative of Prozac by the name of Mae-Mae.
The mystery was fresh and the laughs were forthcoming throughout the book.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a light, fun read.
Completely unoffensive and sheer delight.
I look forward to the next in the series.
This one was a particular favorite of mine because of the character involvement by Jaine's cat, Prozac.
I think I own a very close relative of Prozac by the name of Mae-Mae.
The mystery was fresh and the laughs were forthcoming throughout the book.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a light, fun read.
Completely unoffensive and sheer delight.
I look forward to the next in the series.
August 7, 2016
Jaine does her thing in this book - she bumbles around, accusing people of murder and gets herself in trouble. It's a novel way to solve a crime and I have to wonder why the police weren't around this crazy spa trying to solve the murder themselves.
The damned cat is kind of funny, especially with the koi, but like the previous book, some of the shtick wears thin after awhile.
Lance is a devious one though.
The damned cat is kind of funny, especially with the koi, but like the previous book, some of the shtick wears thin after awhile.
Lance is a devious one though.
September 24, 2013
What's not to like about a witty, sarcastic heroine named Jaine Austen and her spoiled cat named Prozac trapped in a weight-loss spa with movie stars, a supermarket checkout clerk, and the diet Nazi? In between her snide judgements on everyone in sight and her escapades to procure snacks for herself and Prozac, she solves the murder mystery.
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March 6, 2020
A cute story complete with a pet cat named Prozac. Definitely a fast read and just the thing for a rainy day getaway. Nothing too serious, it's full of humor as Jaine pokes fun at herself, her cat, her parents, and other characters in the story. The mystery is almost incidental to the rest of the story I fully intend to read her other books; they're bound to be pleasant diversions on bad news days.
April 9, 2021
I was looking for a light-hearted read; maybe even funny. Unfortunately, what I found was a novel with very going for it. Yes, there were constant asides from the protagonist that were meant to be funny but I just found them to be annoying. She was not a character to easily love. In fact I found all the character one dimensional and certainly not anyone I could empathize with. Take to the beach to fall asleep with -- my only positive recommendadtion.
September 21, 2011
My friend Babs recommended this one and I had to find out for myself what a "fat vat" is.
I've heard about spas where the rich and famous go to be pampered and I've heard about the "fat camps" where you pay to be locked away from food.
What a shock to think you're getting one and get the other!
Funny too.
I've heard about spas where the rich and famous go to be pampered and I've heard about the "fat camps" where you pay to be locked away from food.
What a shock to think you're getting one and get the other!
Funny too.
March 29, 2021
I've been working my way through re-reading the series and I think this may be the best one so far. Twisty mystery that I legit didn't figure out, hilarious Jaine and Prozac antics, and Prozac the hero! Lance's emails with "kiss kiss hug hug" were icing on the cake.
December 13, 2023
This is one of my favorite series. It is so funny! At one point when reading one of the email sections between Jaine and her parents, I could not stop laughing! Jaine's experiences at this "spa" are just hilarious. Such an enjoyable series.
September 26, 2011
My least favorite of this series. Just not the usual laughs that I usually get from reading these books. However, I remain a fan and look forward to the next in the series.
June 9, 2017
It was a cute book and a quick read.
November 7, 2017
I always enjoy the books in this series. Laugh-out-loud good!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews