To Die For: A Novel (Blair Mallory Book 1)

I'm having mixed feelings about this book. Is that good or bad?

I liked Blair - to a certain extent. Yes, she's a strong woman who goes the extra mile to get what she wants, and works hard for it. When Wyatt accused her of being `fluffy', to which she became furious and adamantly denying it, I thought it was an apt description of her. As she is the narrator of the book, the way she talks and thinks... the only word I can use to describe it is `fluffy'.

I liked Wyatt. Strong, cares right down to the bone, I liked the way he handled everything - from crime scene to hospital scene to family scene to being alone with Blair. There definitely was spark between them - something that made them `equal' and `perfect' for each other, even if he did seem barbaric every now and then.

Her ex, Jason, is as dense, self-centered and self-absorbed as she says.

I liked the plot twist - I hadn't seen that coming whatsoever. I wouldn't have thought it was possible, but it works brilliantly. However, I wish the author wouldn't have cramed the climax and ending in the last chapter and the epilogue! I don't like that - in fact, I hate it! It's not fair for the reader to sit through the suspense, trying to figure out who could possibly want to hurt Blair, come up with a way to take the reader completely by surprise, then slam them with the entire climax and ending in one chapter - 14 pages total. I'd have like to see more - maybe a bigger confrontation between Blair and Debra, Blair's ex-husband's wife. I needed more, as a reader, and am disappointed that there isn't. While the ending works out to the good, there was not enough substance, not enough `oomph'.

I thought the love scenes subtle but good, the action was great, the way Blair connects to people, especially her family. I had good laughs as well. I adored the banter between Blair and Wyatt - I do believe they are perfect for each other. But the ending is sticking like a thorn in my side. I can't give it a perfect rating - but close.

Blair Mallory is the stereotypical southern beauty from North Carolina with blonde hair, and a smile that could stop traffic. Being a former cheerleader, she thought she would use the money from her divorce settlement to open a gym. After all, who better to keep the locals fit, trim, and looking good? So far her gym had been a huge success, but she did have to deal regularly with a thorn in her side by the name of Nicki Goodwin. Nicki was out to copy Blair on everything from clothes to hair color. When Blair was leaving the gym late one night after closing, and saw Nicki's car, she thought she was in for a confrontation. She wished it were that simple because while she couldn't see inside the car, a man was standing outside, and before Blair realized what was happening, he started shooting at her. She ran for the gym door, and called 911 from inside. As it turns out, Nicki was murdered, and of course Lt Jefferson Wyatt Bloodsworth was on site to investigate. She hadn't seen him in the two years since they had dated, but he was looking really good. JW had dropped her like a hot potato without any warning, and that still grated on Blair because she thought of him often.

When Blair was shot in the arm while on her way to her parent's house, Wyatt stepped in and took over. He brought her to his home to recover since he was afraid her life was now in danger. It wasn't until she was settled into his home that she discovered he had no intentions of letting her leave. As he put it, he had exactly where he wanted her, and she wasn't getting away. Blair received her next shock when he started introducing her as his fiancé. For someone that had never proposed, she thought he had alot of nerve. Wyatt worked diligently to capture the killer, and once he had a confession, he thought Blair would be safe. The failure of her brakes was his next clue that this mess wasn't over. Her brake lines had been deliberately cut. Wyatt was determined to do whatever it took to keep Blair safe, and out of harms way.

This was an entertaining read with alot more humor than I had expected. Blair's character was completely over the top though, and that detracted from the story. Between that and the narration in first person, it was overwhelming. The murder plot was the biggest letdown. It was as if it were an afterthought contrived and forced on everyone that left a huge hole in the overall story.

To Die For is a different type of romance novel. I didn't like it at first because the heroine, Blair Mallory, came across as annoying as hell in the first chapter. She's stunningly beautiful, was a cheerleader and Homecoming Queen (which although I'm from England I still know about - who hasn't seen all those American teen movies usually starring the lovely Sarah Michelle Gellar / Mena Suvari or similar?), has a toned body, a tendency to play the `dumb blond' card and a rather hapless full-of-herself attitude. She comes from a well off family and through a large divorce settlement has been able to fulfil her dream to open a gym called `Great Bods'. So far, so yuck, right?

However, as the book went on I came to like and rather respect Blair Mallory. She has a fantastic sense of humour, a feisty attitude that means she never takes anything lying down, and the kind of gung-ho self confidence that is hard not to admire. Wyatt Bloodsworth is a good alpha-ish guy, although I agree with another reviewer who said that she couldn't get over the nasty way he `dumped' Blair two years ago. I mean, two years is a LONG time to wait before getting back in touch with her, and that only happened because of a murder. At the end of the novel I didn't feel that attracted to him as I do with other Linda Howard heros, although I could see that he was just right for Blair.

Overall, this book is fun. The story is probably 3 stars, but it gets bumped up to 4 because of the comedy. If you weren't stunning and hugely popular as a youngster then it's kind of hard to really like Blair that much at first, but she is certainly endearing and there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The plot is rambling but hilarious as Blair stumbles from one mishap to another. Throughout it all she still stays remarkably self-assured, puzzling over what colour underwear to put on that day and other equally important tasks...:-) Read this if you're looking for something light and fun.

JoAnne

Whenever I need some good belly laughs, I read the two Blair Mallory books over again. I don’t normally read books again that I have already read, but these two by Linda Howard are just too funny to only read one time. They aren’t her normal style, but she managed to pull off a couple of winners with Blar Mallory.

Violent, stalking, psychopaths in novels give me nightmares. So, misled by the blurb and a violent title (shame on the publisher!), I didn't read this light romance for days. When I did, I liked it, more than I thought I would.

Like many of you, I don't like first person point of view in romances because you don't know what the hero thinks or feels. However, we knew Wyatt's POV all the time by his expressions (he scowled), actions (he pulled her out of his chair and into his lap), his expressions (his face was deathly white after seeing Blair nearly killed) and dialogue ("I love you"). However, I wanted to see the meeting of Wyatt and Blair's former husband, the snake, but couldn't. In short, the POV was not a problem because of Linda's writing skill in her portrayal of Blair, such a fun character, similar to Susan Elizabeth Phillip's. And, oh yeah, note to other reviewers: it's not fair to authors to chide them for trying a new technique, when it works. Without something new, authors either repeat the same book (boring), become stale, or stop writing all together. Although I wish Linda would continue to write new novels like "MacKenzie's Mountain," I respect her for branching out.

I can't give this book five stars because it's not a keeper. Although I reread it as soon as I finished, I probably won't do so again. I also wish it had included the bread pudding recipe. So, do yourself a favor: buy the book and read it on this cold, dreary (in R.I., anyway) Jan. day. It'll probably make you smile. And maybe even laugh.

Linda Howard's To Die For is pure, frivolous fun. With a flirty former cheerleader engaged in battle with a sexy police lieutenant, sparks are sure to fly. Don't get me wrong; it may be laugh out loud funny, but it is still a romantic suspense--it just wouldn't be a Howard novel without it.

Blair Mallory has a pretty damn good life. She has the looks, confidence, a great family, and her own kick-ass gym. But her life is turned upside down when she leaves her gym one night to witness a woman's murder. The thing is, she knows this woman.

She's Blair's copycat.

So the question is: was Nikki the Copycat the target, or was Blair?

Enter the absolutely delicious Lt. Wyatt Bloodsworth. He and Blair had a thing two years ago, until he abruptly ended it after their third date. Blair hasn't heard from him since, but now he's thrust himself into her life, determined to save her from this murderer. And to get in her pants.

Right from the first word, we are immersed into Blair's voice. It's just so engaging, so fun. It's not often that I come across first person romances, and boy, am I happy to have found this one.

Ms Howard dedicates a few pages to establishing Blair's voice and her backstory. Usually an info dump causes me to lose interest, especially when it's the first thing I read--so not the case here. You get to know exactly who Blair is, with intriguing foreshadowing of this murder she's witnessed.

It's sheer brilliance plus flair; four points for Ms Howard.

And for those who will bemoan the loss of the male POV? Let's face it: there is nothing Wyatt's perspective could add to this comedic romance. I quite like just seeing him through Blair's eyes. Besides--using both POVs is not a rule!

Blair is outwardly fluff, but inside, she's feisty and savvy. She has to be one of Ms Howard's cutest and most amusing heroines. But the real kicker is the lists she makes--of Wyatt's flaws. She really knows how to push his buttons.

Wyatt is just so Male. All he thinks about is sex, sex, sex. And not in some kind of nymphomaniac way. It's really quite sweet--he believes that making love to a woman is how you show her your affection. Aww. Add to that his supreme self-confidence and a splash of arrogance, and you have a damn fine hero.

There's also the relationship part of the story that catches your heart. It's about rebuilding trust, compromising, and getting to know one another.

To Die For is, well, to die for.

Blair Mallory may be blonde, but she is business savvy. The ex-cheerleader married politically aspiring Jason Carson. Four years later they divorced. Blair got everything she asked for in the settlement thanks to a single photograph of him kissing her seventeen-year-old sister. She uses the money to follow her dream of opening a coed fitness center, "Great Bods". It is a huge success. Blair not only loves her business, but she actually cares for her staff and customers. All except for Nicole "Nikki" Goodwin. Nikki joins Great Bods and began to mimic Blair. Nikki colors her hair the same color, grows it long, purchases a similar car, and even buys the same workout clothes (all the way down to the leg warmers). But everyone, even the members of the gym, could tell that Nikki pure hates Blair. Many members of the gym complains about Nikki's attitude too and files formal complaints. So when time came for Nikki to renew, Blair simply pulls out the complaints and gently refuses to let Nikki renew her membership. Nikki's exit is violent, though she never hits anyone. That very night, as Blair locks up and leaves the building, Nikki is shot dead in the parking lot. Blair did not get a good look at the killer, but just being a witness is enough.

The police lieutenant, Jefferson "Wyatt" Bloodsworth, a man Blair once dated and to whom she is still very much attracted to, enters the picture. The media, of course, promptly put Blair on the front page and told the public that she witnessed the murder. NOT GOOD! Needless-to-say, the next gunshot Blair hears is directed at her. Nikki had been a case of mistaken identity. Now Wyatt and Blair must figure out who wants to kill her before they actually succeed.

***** This novel has plenty of romance, but is overflowing with suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The author, Linda Howard, writes the story as if Blair is actually talking to the reader. With Blair's witty mind and "don't mess with me, I'm no push over" attitude, I found myself actually laughing aloud often. I highly recommend this one for anyone going on vacation and wanting something wonderful to read. I specify to those on vacation because you may find yourself staying up late at night to read and will want to sleep late the next morning. Excellent! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This was a very fun read. It was witty, suspenseful, romantic, and I enjoyed the personal modern-day form of a more realistic tension filled romantic fairy-tale.

You didn't have to wait until chapter 15 before the story became interesting. The relationship is formed from the very beginning of the book, and you will greatly appreciate the pace. Has a very cool "first person" narrative technique to the story.

You get the suspense, the relationship dynamic, the humor, and the personality flaws and strengths. It is great that the female character is not always right in her decisions and behaviors, and she gets called on it. It is also great that the characters are forced to admit to the different levels of their good and bad feelings towards the one another, and yet they are still feeling vast amounts of love and affection. Enjoy!!!

I've been anxiously awaiting To Die For for quite a long time and I have to say, I wasn't let down. This book was a hoot and the heroine, Blair Mallory was a pleasure to get to know.

After witnessing a murder at the gym she owns, Great Bods, Blair is drawn back into the life of police Lieutenant J.W. Bloodsworth, a man who dumped her two years ago after only three dates. She's still mad and isn't about to let him get the best of her.

But Wyatt knows that Blair is the woman for him. Though he once backed away from her, knowing she would be too high maintenance, when he hears about the murder at Great Bods, he's stunned and fearful that it could be the sassy Blair who was the victim. He's very relieved to find out that Blair is safe and sound, but now he knows he has to ensure that she stays that way. She was the only witness to the murder, thus it's more than likely that she might be the next victim.

Wyatt hustles her into his house where he can protect her, while she proceeds to drive him up the wall. Though they grow closer the more time they spend together, the case is going no where fast. There are no clues, no witnesses and it looks like that Blair might have been the intended victim in the first place. How will they solve this and keep Blair safe? Will Wyatt be able to prove that this time around he's going to stick?

To Die For is very reminiscent of Howard's story Mr. Perfect. There is lots of humor, lots of romance, and a good mystery. This book is written in the first person point of view however, so the only thoughts the reader gets are those of Blair. Despite this, Blair is a great character with lots of witty asides and plenty of sass to keep the novel rolling through its almost 400 pages.

This is not a typical romance for Howard however. There are no hot and heavy love scenes, which have become trademarks of Linda Howard's books in the past. Blair doesn't go into the details, but there is still plenty of romance between these characters, it's just not what the reader has come to expect from Howard.

The secondary characters of Wyatt's mother and Blair's family are also wonderful additions to this story, adding to the humor and to the zaniness that is so much a part of Blair's world.

The one criticism I have is the fact that Blair's perkiness can get a bit annoying part way through the novel. I just wanted to tell her to tone it down a bit at certain points.

Despite this though, I was thrilled with this novel, especially after how disappointed I was with Kiss Me While I Sleep. Though it's not serious drama that many readers have come to expect from Howard, it is a great story that will hold your attention from the first page to the last. I am hoping that Howard might write more about these characters as I think Blair and Wyatt have more stories to tell.

This story is truly an oldie but a goodie. Linda Howard has written a book that has the male character you would love to date and the heroine that takes no crap. It is almost a handbook on how to not take any "stuff" from guys and how to view life with a slightly off kilter view point. I loved Blair Mallory, the way she views relationships and what she tries to get away with in her relationship with Wyatt is hilarious. Wyatt is the type of guy that you would feel safe with where you go, and he sees Blair's tricks for what they are, a shield to avoid hurt...He is supremely self confident...almost arrogant at times, but man o' man is he hot! Linda Howard is an amazing writer, fast paced story lines and characters that sizzle and jump off the page...loved, loved, loved this book! I have read my copy so many times, the binding is falling apart...the ultimate recommendation!

To Die For

Linda Howard

Ballantine; Jan 2005, $7.99, 378 pp.

ISBN: 0345476255

When Blair Mallory refuses to renew Nicole Goodwin's membership in her fitness center Great Bods, the latter throws a temper tantrum. After closing for the evening, Blair heads to her car only to see Nikki there. A shot rings out; Blair believes Nikki is shooting at her. She calls the police who find Nikki dead with a bullet in her.

Lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth heads the investigation though he dated Blaire a few times before dropping her like a hot potato. During his inquiries he makes it very clear that he wants a serious relationship with Blaire and even gets her to move into his home when someone tries to shoot her. When Nikki's killer is caught, everyone breaths a sigh of relief until someone cuts the brake lines of Blaire's car. Nikki's killer has an airtight alibi while someone else apparently wants the fitness guru dead.

After numerous well written romantic suspense thrillers, Linda Howard employs the first person narrative for the first time and makes it work as readers know everything the beleaguered heroine thinks and feels. This means the audience knows that Blair finds her protective champion hot, which makes their time out of bed quite an amusing battle of the sexes. There is no apparent suspect except the jailed killer so Blair and readers ponder who and why. TO DIE FOR is an excellent romantic suspense as expected from Ms. Howard, who always provides a fabulous read.

Harriet Klausner

Blair Mallory is the stereotypical southern beauty from North Carolina with blonde hair, and a smile that could stop traffic. Being a former cheerleader, she thought she would use the money from her divorce settlement to open a gym. After all, who better to keep the locals fit, trim, and looking good? So far her gym had been a huge success, but she did have to deal regularly with a thorn in her side by the name of Nicki Goodwin. Nicki was out to copy Blair on everything from clothes to hair color. When Blair was leaving the gym late one night after closing, and saw Nicki's car, she thought she was in for a confrontation. She wished it were that simple because while she couldn't see inside the car, a man was standing outside, and before Blair realized what was happening, he started shooting at her. She ran for the gym door, and called 911 from inside. As it turns out, Nicki was murdered, and of course Lt Jefferson Wyatt Bloodsworth was on site to investigate. She hadn't seen him in the two years since they had dated, but he was looking really good. JW had dropped her like a hot potato without any warning, and that still grated on Blair because she thought of him often.

When Blair was shot in the arm while on her way to her parent's house, Wyatt stepped in and took over. He brought her to his home to recover since he was afraid her life was now in danger. It wasn't until she was settled into his home that she discovered he had no intentions of letting her leave. As he put it, he had exactly where he wanted her, and she wasn't getting away. Blair received her next shock when he started introducing her as his fiancé. For someone that had never proposed, she thought he had alot of nerve. Wyatt worked diligently to capture the killer, and once he had a confession, he thought Blair would be safe. The failure of her brakes was his next clue that this mess wasn't over. Her brake lines had been deliberately cut. Wyatt was determined to do whatever it took to keep Blair safe, and out of harms way.

This was an entertaining read with alot more humor than I had expected. Blair's character was completely over the top though, and that detracted from the story. Between that and the narration in first person, it was overwhelming. The murder plot was the biggest letdown. It was as if it were an afterthought contrived and forced on everyone that left a huge hole in the overall story.

Linda Howard writes a wickedly funny book in To Die For.

Blair Mallory had led a charmed life. She had her good looks and a thriving business. When a member of her health club takes her fixation to far, Blair fires her. Blair then witnesses this Blair wannabe murder late one night. This thrust her back into the arms of Lt. Wyatt Bloodsworth.

Lt. Wyatt Bloodsworth had bailed on Blair after only a few dates several years ago. When he is called to investigate a crime at her business, all those feelings come rushing back... But this time Wyatt no longer wants to fight his feeling for Blair.

This book will have you laughing from page one. I can't remember when I have enjoyed a book more. Blair's thoughts and actions are priceless. The murder investigation has just the right tone to fit this book. Watching Blair and Wyatt's verbal battles as well as their sexual ones are a treat.

Don't let the fact that this is a first person book put you off from the book. It's a must read.

Romance, intrigue, and page-turning fun! Blair Mallory is a fun, quirky woman who seems to regularly get into predicaments. Her relationship with her Wyatt Bloodsworth is full of passion and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed To Die For and look forward to reading more of Ms. Howard’s books.

if this classified as romantic suspense or romantic thriller, well i give 1 star out of 5 for the suspense/thriller/mystery part. that part is flat out bad. there isn't much mystery there and it's not giving any suspense, even if it stars with a murder. the ending for that part is a bit silly.

however, i like this book because it's FUN! some of the scenes are really funny, i can't stop giggling. i love the banters between blair and wyatt. the dialogs are really enjoyable. there are some sweet stuffs too (he makes bread pudding for her!) the supporting characters are fun to read also, like blair's family -- which reminds me a bit of stephanie plum's family (from janet evanovich's novels), although stephanie's family is more dysfunctional. and the ending, where blair's mom "killed" her monitor in such a fashion, is totally cracked me up.

don't try to look for the mystery or suspense in this book, enjoy it for the sheer light funny moments it has.

I read these books backwards. I read Drop Dead Gorgeous first, but to tell the truth...the first book is just as funny as the second. Blair has a take on things that is lighthearted and at the same time can be cruel. I wouldn't change a thing about her. She is smart, funny, opinionated, independent and inventive. It is definitely a female point of view. I enjoyed the humor, the foolishness and it just plain made me laugh a lot. Both of these books will stay on my keep shelf. Everyone needs a good laugh. Her lists of wrongdoing that Wyatt committed and had him so frustrated were hilarious.

Like many, I was shocked to discover this book took place in the first person. I definitely thought I would miss out on Wyatt's or any of the other characters POV. But...I don't. In fact, Blair does such a great job of cluing the reader into everyone's thoughts and emotions that I don't miss the other viewpoints. This book is pure comedy...yes, there is a murder subplot, but it's not a suspense novel. There is a sequel to this book (Drop Dead Gorgeous) and I wish Linda Howard would revisit Blair and Wyatt once more and give me one more glimpse into their world.

If you love Linda Howard, this is definitely a must read (though, the sequel - Drop Dead Gorgeous - isn't quite as good, FYI).

Blair has a copycat client at the Great Bods, her fitness center in North Carolina, a member who starts to imitate her style and dress. Blair witness the murder behind the gym in the parking lot, and thinks that she was the intended victim.

This is a witty Southern version of womanhood, fit as a giddle and ready for love -- with her former lover, Wyatt Bloodworth, the lieutenant in charge of solving the homicide. Blair decides to investigate the other woman's life on her own and runs into trouble.

This romance plus mystery is shades of Linda Fairstein. Linda Howard has written many other such romances, including WHITE LIES, ALMOST FOREVER, MR. PERFECT and mysteries, KILLING TIME and DYING TO PLEASE. The climax at the apprehension of the killer proves to Blair that she needs a man to take care of her after all, and who better than Lt. Wyatt with whom she had a relationship a few years before her successful business venture.

This book was great. It was definetly better then the past few books. It was a catching story and it was a page turner. The kind you cant put down. The first person point of view is a little disorienting, but I just acted like she was talking to me. Made it a little easier. I really didnt care for that, but I got over it. The story was good enough for it to not matter too much. Actually, the story was great. It was lighter then I expected. I thought it would have been darker considering the story line. Not disapointed with that though. I did have one disapointment. Just one, but it is major. In most Linda Howard books there is, not sex, but the spark. The sizzle. You feel the connection and when there is sex, it is explosive. This novel did not follow suit. There was some sizzle, but not alot. There were no sparks and nothing close to an explosion. To me, that is a BIG missing element as well as an important one. Everything else was good Ol Linda writing, except the skimping of attraction. Where did it go and who stole it? It was somewhat there, but then always fizzled out. I wish I knew why. I hope the next book has the sizzle with no fizzle. Forever faithful to Linda.

I made two assumptions before reading this book that turned out to be WRONG. (1) The cover leads you to believe this is one of Ms. Howard's serious thrillers. WRONG. It's a comedy. (2) I thought I wasn't going to like the ditzy blonde first person style. WRONG, again. This book is hilarious. I did have a couple of problems with the plot and subtracted a star. Wyatt had stayed away from his soulmate for two years and only came running with an engagement ring when he thought she had been murdered. How long would he have stayed away if nothing had happened to Blair? Also, Blair was supposedly only a "dumb blonde" when it suited her. But I question the intelligence of anyone who thinks someone who cuts her brake line is just stupid and someone who shoots her with intent to kill is just a nitwit. I wonder if these things bothered anyone else. Still, these problems did not take too much away from my enjoyment of the book.

Finally! I absolutely love Linda Howard, but her past couple of efforts have either sucked (Kiss Me While I Sleep) or were so serious and depressing (Cry No More). This book is funny and lighthearted, although I have to honestly say I almost didn't read the book because it was in first person narrative. I HATE that. However, since it was a Linda Howard book, I took the chance. And I'm really glad I did. Once you get beyond the first person aspect, it was a fun read, although I don't like the fact that you never know what the hero is thinking or feeling. I've already read the book twice and I can't tell you the last time I did that with one of her books. Both the hero and heroine are likeable, and I also think his explanation of why he walked away two years ago was funny. It's not what you expected.

Anyway, I highly recommend this book. It's a fun read and only got the four stars (instead of five) because of the first person narrative. I'm actually looking forward to her next novel again instead of having this fear that she's going downhill. Buy this book, it's a keeper.

A long time Linda Howard fan, I consider her books to be an automatic buy, and didn't bother flipping through this one before buying it to see if I liked the writing. I just assumed it would be like her other books. I was extremely surprised when I dug into the book and realized it was in first person. As a general rule, I don't really care for stories written in the first person, and I was so disappointed that it wouldn't be the typical Linda Howard book.

Other reviewers are correct - the central character is spoiled, fluffy, and I can see how her rambling could be annoying. The plot is fairly weak and the Blair is not exactly the most admirable of heroines - but much to my surprise, I really, really enjoyed this book. There were times when I laughed out loud, and I was strangely charmed by Blair's rambling. I can see why the hero fell for her, and vice versa.

This book lacks Linda's trakemark combination of great characters and a gritty, suspenseful plot. But as a departure or experiment from her norm, I think it was successful. If you're a die hard Linda Howard fan and don't want any variation from her other stories, probably stay away from this one. But if you're looking for a brainless and fun beach read, I would recommend this. As I said, I definetly didn't expect to like it, but surprised myself.

Finally! I absolutely love Linda Howard, but her past couple of efforts have either sucked (Kiss Me While I Sleep) or were so serious and depressing (Cry No More). This book is funny and lighthearted, although I have to honestly say I almost didn't read the book because it was in first person narrative. I HATE that. However, since it was a Linda Howard book, I took the chance. And I'm really glad I did. Once you get beyond the first person aspect, it was a fun read, although I don't like the fact that you never know what the hero is thinking or feeling. I've already read the book twice and I can't tell you the last time I did that with one of her books. Both the hero and heroine are likeable, and I also think his explanation of why he walked away two years ago was funny. It's not what you expected.

Anyway, I highly recommend this book. It's a fun read and only got the four stars (instead of five) because of the first person narrative. I'm actually looking forward to her next novel again instead of having this fear that she's going downhill. Buy this book, it's a keeper.

One of my all time favourite books! Blair doesn't take prisoners - a real kick butt heroine. Who is trying to kill her? The romance angle kept me amused throughout the whole book. Wonderful story and again different to her normal books. Recommended

A long time Linda Howard fan, I consider her books to be an automatic buy, and didn't bother flipping through this one before buying it to see if I liked the writing. I just assumed it would be like her other books. I was extremely surprised when I dug into the book and realized it was in first person. As a general rule, I don't really care for stories written in the first person, and I was so disappointed that it wouldn't be the typical Linda Howard book.

Other reviewers are correct - the central character is spoiled, fluffy, and I can see how her rambling could be annoying. The plot is fairly weak and the Blair is not exactly the most admirable of heroines - but much to my surprise, I really, really enjoyed this book. There were times when I laughed out loud, and I was strangely charmed by Blair's rambling. I can see why the hero fell for her, and vice versa.

This book lacks Linda's trakemark combination of great characters and a gritty, suspenseful plot. But as a departure or experiment from her norm, I think it was successful. If you're a die hard Linda Howard fan and don't want any variation from her other stories, probably stay away from this one. But if you're looking for a brainless and fun beach read, I would recommend this. As I said, I definetly didn't expect to like it, but surprised myself.

Linda Howard's novels have been on my keeper shelf for over a decade. Combining suspense, action, and alpha heroes, there is something elemental about her writing.

That being said, this one is a little different. Writing in a first person point of view, Linda Howard experiments with a different style. Personally, I found it very funny.

Blair Mallory is a self-made woman. Southern belle bedammed. She knows how to get what she wants and more power to her. Unfortunately a murder makes her life very, very sucky. And it also brings back into her life a certain detective who dumped her after a handful of very hot dates.

I quite enjoyed reading Blair and Wyatt's story. Linda Howard really turns up the humor factor and I found myself laughing quite a bit. Of course, it's quite different from her usual fare, but a really fun read.

The heroine, Blair, was mouthy, snotty and unpleasant. My take on Blair is if you're beautiful, you don't need kindness or sincerity. Following is an example of her personality from page 344. She wakes up early at 5 am. She then wakes up her fiance, asking him to leave the room to turn down the thermostat and get her something warm to wear so she can get out of bed. He does so and returns to bed to sleep. She then gets up and tiptoes out of the bedroom because she "didn't want to disturb him." On page 375, she tries to do a backflip and messes it up but kicks the bad guy by accident. Some policemen are impressed with what they thought was a karate move. She thinks she is clever by letting them continue to think that, without telling them that it was accidental dumb luck. Throughout the book I was turned off by her thoughts and actions. Her love interest, Wyatt, says she's high-maintenance but he likes her because he's never bored. I would have preferred he find someone else. I did enjoy Wyatt's personality and actions, but Blair ruined the book for me. At the end of the book, the author dedicates the book as follows. "This is to my dear high-maintenance friend who provided me with so much inspiration for this story." Ok. So Blair is modeled on someone she knows. I prefer not to read about it. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: three. Setting: current day, North Carolina. Copyright: 2005. Genre: romantic mystery and suspense.

As I started reading this book, the heroine reminded me of another Howard character therefore I thought we have another Daisy Minor (OPEN SEASON) in the making...except Daisy was naïve and hysterically funny, but nowhere as silly as Blair Mallory.

Confident, sexy and beautiful pretty much sum up businesswoman, Blair. When she was a teenager, she knew what it was like to be envied by girls who aspired to be cheerleaders. But while her cheerleading days are over, the jealousy continues as she would find out when a troubled gym member becomes fixated on her. It started with the hair, then the makeup and clothes, and finally the car she drives. Then one night, as she leaves the gym, she witnesses the shooting murder of her copycat. Was it a case of mistaken identity, or was Nicole the intended victim?

As the police establish the reason behind the murder, Blair thought she could finally relax. But when a series of near-death accidents befall her, it was up to Lt. Wyatt Bloodsworth to convince Blair that she must continue hiding until the police uncover who is out to get her. But if Wyatt has a reputation for being a force to be reckoned with, he's in for a tough fight as he tries to prevent Blair from sticking her nose where she's not wanted. As for Blair, her hormones will once again start raging as she comes face to face with the man she dated two years ago.

I have enjoyed many of Linda Howard's novels and have admired her talent for blending wit, romance and thriller in most of her stories. I was expecting to find the same with TO DIE FOR and was unfortunately disappointed. While the humor managed to be entertaining, the crime side failed to meet expectations. The plot is rather weak in comparison to her similar novels like DREAM MAN or OPEN SEASON. The story lacked suspense and it was lacking the usual build-up to the ending as usually seen in how Howard profiles the killer. Don't expect that in this book. As for the main characters, Blair is actually funny although it is easy to overdose on her silliness. I guess the fact that this was written in first person adds to the silliness. Wyatt is your typical Howard hero so expect nothing less than pure testosterone. Their banters provide much laughter, although there was nothing exciting in the romance area. Overall, this was an entertaining enough book, but just not on par with other Howard novels.

As other readers mentioned, this book is written in the first person. I'm not a big fan of this style, and truthfully I cannot remember the last time I read something from that point of view. But, I was able to get into it!! I'll admit the character was not a real like-able person in my opinion (blonde, cheerleader, owns a gym) but I found her hilarious and was able to really enjoy the read. Her thought processes seemed realistic, she didn't seem like a character from a book but more like a real life person.

This book was refreshing after the last few books from LH ("Dying to Please", "Kiss Me While I Sleep", "Cry No More") which were all really wonderful books, but were very serious, dramatic etc. This book was more lighthearted (along the lines of "Mr. Perfect" I though) and overall very fun to read!

I have read "Open Season" and "Mr. Perfect" by Linda Howard and those novels are so much better than "To Die for". The main character, Blair Mallory, is so shallow and annoying that I found myself disliking her from about page 2. The romantic interest, Wyatt, seemed like he was never fully explained. Now I like love scenes just as much as the next person, but it seemed like all these two people had were sex. It seemed like if they weren't fighting they were having sex and it seemed like they based their relationship on that alone. Everything in this book seemed repetitive-the list that Blair makes about Wyatt, her complaining about her car, how pretty she is, her clothes, her arm. After while I was thinkin blah, blah, blah. When I picked up this book I wanted a good mystery after I had a chick-lit binge, but there was hardly any mystery and a lot of bad imitation chick-lit(for it to be good chick-lit, the character has to be likable). The murder seemed to be thrown in to makes Linda Howard's fans think that it was like the rest of her books while in reality it was all about the shallow relationship of Blair and Wyatt. If you want a good Linda Howard book read "open Season" or "Mr. Perfect" instead.

Jeez, you'd think Linda Howard had never written anything lighter than "Cry No More"! OK, before you buy "To Die For," let me clue you in:

(1) The title stinks and in no way reflects the content of the book.

(2) It is closer to "Mr. Perfect" than to the Mackenzie books (and it's light years away from "Cry No More").

(3) The first person point of view is hilarious because Blair is one of Howard's cutest and most amusing heroines.

(4) The readers who are lamenting the loss of the male POV are missing the point: this is not a typical romance: it is a comic-romance: think Tracy and Hepburn's classic comedies! Wyatt's POV wouldn't add anything to the comedy!

(5) It's a chick book! If you're looking for the alpha male, he's here, but the focus is on a flirty former cheerleader who is, in her own way, WOMAN! Hear her roar! So there.

(6) Buy the book, but put it aside until you're in a good mood and want some pure, frivolous FUN, and stop complaining because Linda--who can sometimes make you cry--this time makes you laugh out loud: She's a writer for all seasons. Appreciate her!

I like Linda Howard's venture into humor with this book. It seemed more of a romance/mystery to me rather than her usual romance/thriller. As always she develops great characters. While I couldn't really relate to Blair, she was somewhat endeering. Wyatt was a typical Linda Howard alpha male hunk. I found the first person narration to be very different from her other books. It took me a while to get used to it, but soon I got over being annoyed by Blair's spastic dialogue/thought process (which is by the way necessary to accurately represent her former Cheerleader turned town Fitness mogul character). Of all the books to write a sequel on (Drop Dead Gorgous), I was surprised Howard chose this one. But I'll probably read that one too - just now right away because of the spastic style.

Blair Mallory has been putting up with the copy cat Nicole for a year now and she's had enough. There was a few formal complaints against Nicole so she can decline renewing Nicole's Great Bod's membership. Nicole is angry about this and thrashes Blair's office then runs out. So it is only natrual when Blair sees Nicole's car parked in the back of the parking lot after closing time that night and is worried. Then Blair sees a man and thinks Nicole has hired a hit man. Only after hearing the shot no one comes to see if she was actually hit. Blair tried to call 911 but lost her cell phone when the gun shot went off. So she hurries back into the building and calls the police.

Only the gun shot wasn't meant for Blair, this time. Unless someone thought Nicole was Blair.

When Blair finds out that Nicole was shot she feels sick, and only feels sicker when leiutenant Jefferson Wyatt Bloodsworth shows up. A few years ago Wyatt and Blair had dated but he dropped her without even calling her. Blair is still mad two years later when he returns to her life. Only this time he is chasing her.

This book is a fun and quick read, Blair's antics are witty, and Wyatt is an excellent character.

This was a wonderful surprise! I love Linda Howard and read all of her books, but this one was a wonderful change. Being written in the first person was a great touch and the characters were so hilarious! Blair is such a great character, from her "list of transgressions about Wyatt, to the way she subtly wins over the entire police force, she just makes you laugh. The banter between her and Wyatt is so funny, and the other family members and friends truly make this a book hard to put down. I laughed out loud so often, my family thought I was nuts. I would love to see this cast be in a series of books. If you want a book filled with mystery, romance and a lot of humor, this is the book for you!

Normally I love Linda Howard 's work. But Blair Mallory is a whiny, manipulative drama queen, so it makes it tough to like her. Maybe it's because I listened to the audio book, so the character came across more grating and calculating than she may have in print. I prefer a female lead who doesn't constantly need to pout, stomp her feet or purposely manipulate someone she supposedly cares about just to get her way.

Linda Howard is usually one of my favorite authors. She generally makes her female protagonists strong and independent with a feminine side. In To Die For, her main character, Blair Mallory, is a shallow, materialistic, judgemental prima dona. Even the male protagonist lacked character. There was really nothing between these two people except physical lust. I usually listen to books on tape or CD. I started listening to the audio version of this book and within 15 minutes, I couldn't take the fake southern accent that the reader was using to narrate. I ended up buying the paperback to read on the plane of a recent trip I took. It actually took me much longer to finish the book because I could only read a few pages before Blair started to irritate me. There really wasn't much to like about her. It almost seems like Linda Howard was experimenting with her fans by introducing a totally fluffy, pampered unlikeable character. I mean Blair actually told the chief of police that he should wear more blue because she thought the colors he was wearing didn't do him justice. Plus, the plot, such as it was, moved at an excrutiatingly slow pace. Most of the book was taken up with silly, meaningless conversations she would have with her family.

If you have come to love Linda Howard because of her strong, savvy women characters, then I encourage you to pass on this one. Stick to "Dying to Please" or "All the Queen's Men." They are much better in every way.

I had to double check after the first few chapters that yes this was really a Linda Howard/Howington book, and it was not a re-release of one of her earlier books. It really is her...but the writing was very different. The first person outlook threw me. I almost felt like I was reading a dear diary novel.

I am primarily a romance novel reader and secondly a mystery/suspense novel reader. Basically I read the mystery/suspense novels written by my favorite romance authors. The last few years I have seen a trend of my favorite romance novelists turning more to mystery suspense...Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, Iris Johannsen, Catherine Coulter and many more. Unfortunately I think that when an author tries to bridge two genre's they don't do justice to either one.

I had previously been disappointed with her (Howard) last two novels (Cry No More and Kiss and Tell) since I thought they were neither great romances nor great mysteries. This book was definately a romance with a little mystery thrown in. It's not her finest romance in history in my opinion, but still has the witty dialogue and situations I loved from her previous books.

If you are looking for a great mystery...this isn't it. Even I figured it out before the end of the book ;) As for a fun read with romance and humor...I liked it.

Linda Howard is an author I have recommended to many people. This book I will be sure tell them to skip. Had I not known better I would have thought it was self published, by a very young person who had what could have been a good plot, but whose characters were very immature, as was the dialogue.

Although I have always been a HUGE Linda Howard fan, I was very disappointed with her last two novels - Kiss Me While I Sleep and Cry No More.

While I must admit that the first person narrative in this book was a major distraction, I'm happy to say that To Die For is more reminiscent of her classic storytelling. This story brings back the romance, chemistry, laughter and suspense that I missed in her last books.

It's a fun read that makes me look forward to her next release.

Everybody else has given excellent synopses of To Die For, so I won't bore you with another. If you do not like first person POV, then I won't try to change your mind. If you don't have a sense of humor about Southern Bells and Steel Magnolias, well, you don't have to read this anyway.

Now, for the rest of you, you are in for a fun read. As a multi-generational Southern Bell, I just loved Blair! She may be blond, but she is smart and tough. She has worked hard for every success that she has achieved. She knows when to play the dittzy blond, or when to settle down to the hard nosed negotiations, whatever it takes. She is brutally honest with herself and her own motives (this may be hard for some readers who do not care to examine their private thoughts quite so closely). The things that Blair can't take are dishonesty, and cowardice. When you get right down to it, that is exactly what Wyatt Bloodsworth was guilty of two years before, when he dumped her with no explaination. But Blair is no victim... well, except for her harmones, that is. Wyatt is your typical, Linda Howard, uber-alpha male. He thinks he is going to run everything. Poor man! Blair is exactly the woman to keep him in line; and to tell the truth, Wyatt is exactly the man to keep her in line. They are perfect for each other.

BTW, Blair would fit right in with my Girls Night Out Group. Frightening isn't it?

Have you ever read a book where you just instinctively KNEW how to figure out the main character right away? Well, in this story, you can pin down the main character in a few paragraphs: A cheerleader with brains and vanity.

Despite that, the main character is a hoot. Her attitudes and mannerisms were just plain fun to read, and her past history with the police Lt. was brilliant. The constant bickering and playful banter made the romance come to life, while the thrill of the mystery surrounding who is trying to kill her comes across vividly.

Linda Howard is all about incredibly detailed characters and fun plots. This story fits that bill well. I enjoyed it, and I recommend it.