Copyright: 2006
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 300
Challenges: What's in a Name?, TBR
Author's Website
My rating: 2.75/5
Simple Description:
James Henry is not where he thought he would be in life. He's divorced and living at home. To be fair, he moved back to his small home town and into his childhood home after his Mom passed away, in order to take care of his Dad. Still, he thought he would be somewhere else in life. He's a shy man, a bit socially awkward. He's also the town librarian. He's also a bit over-weight.
Things begin to change for James when he joins a Supper Club. They call themselves the Flab Five. There are 5 of them, 2 men and 3 women. All of them have one goal, to start eating healthier in order to lose some weight.
The 5 of them really come together when a young man dies, and it's murder. This sort of thing doesn't happen in their small town. When a girl they believe is innocent is arrested, the Flab Five begin to make some inquires into the murder themselves. Lucy works in the Sheriff's department and wants to lose weight in order to take the Deputy physical (and pass). Lucy wants to show the Sheriff and the other Deputies that she does have what it takes.
Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
I thought this book was just ok. I had a hard time relating to James, and he's the main character. I think because his character is supposed to be socially awkward, which means he was socially awkward to me. I just couldn't really connect with him. I thought he got better towards the end, but still.
The story itself is good though. I liked the idea of the 5 people coming together, all are different, but they come together and decide to investigate this murder on their own in order to help one of their own supper club members and to help a young girl in the community. The investigating wasn't over-the-top, I thought it was just right for a bunch of amateurs.
I also have to admit that one thing that bothered me about the book was the diet the members go on. I know, I know..it's really not something that should bother me, but it did. As I've made changes to diet myself over this last year, as I've read more about processed foods and aspartame, etc, I've really educated myself on what is healthy and what people think is healthy but isn't. Sugar-free items, low-fat, and diet soda are not healthy items. These members start to eat more of that in their food and I just wanted to yell "Stop!" and take the items away. I have no idea if this is something that kept me from liking the book more or not. I cringed every time I read it and it was very noticeable to me, it was something that jumped out at me. I really don't think this is something that would bother others but I mention it here because I'm just not sure if it's one reason I didn't like the book as much or not.
I've talked to a friend who has read the first two books in this series and she said she liked the 2nd one more than the first. I had planned to read the 2nd anyway and that just makes me much more interested in reading it.
This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.
6 comments:
Well, it's nice to know the series gets better as it progresses.
Bermudaonion - That's exactly what I was thinking.
I like this premise and believe I will try this series.
I, too, have made modifications, stumbled, got back up...etc...so I bet I can identify with the Flab Five as they look to make changes in their eating habits...and solve a mystery.
Vickie..when I was reading this one I was also having a setback in eating healthy lol! So when the characters had setbacks I totally understand.
I'll be curious to know what you think if you read the next book in the series. The premise sounds interesting enough.
I admit there are things that bother me in books, especially when they involve a topic I am well versed in.
Literary Feline - I'm curious to find out what I think of the 2nd one too. haha! I'm glad I'm not the only one that can feel bothered by certain times too.
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