Too Rich and Too Dead (Murder Packs a Suitcase)

by Cynthia Baxter

Book Overview

Have suitcase, will sleuth... Mallory Marlowe, travel writer for the Good Life magazine, heads to Colorado to answer the question: Can nonskiers have fun in Aspen? It's also a chance to visit a now... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553590367
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 0.9" x 4.1"

Customer Reviews

Travel and Murder

Mallory Marlowe finds out Carly Cassidy Berman, her old high school classmate, has opened a superexclusive Tavaci Springs spa in Aspen. So when Mallory's editor calls to discuss her next assignment, she gets him to send her to Aspen to do an article on whether nonskiers can have fun in Aspen. She goes to dinner at Carly's house and goes along to watch one of her presentations about the new Rejuva-juice that is supposed to help keep you looking younger. The next day Carly's corpse is discovered in the mud bath at her spa. The spa's accountant, Harriet, who discovered the body is soon one of the top suspects. She asks Mallory to help prove her innocence. Can Mallory uncover the identity of the real killer without putting herself in danger? Or did Harriet really kill Carly? There's a plethora of suspects, but there's plenty of danger too. I love this series. Mallory is near my age and has two college-aged children. But thankfully I don't find dead bodies everywhere I go! Yet, I love Mallory. She is such a sensible woman, but yet she is a risk taker. But even in her risks, she makes good choices. I love that each book is set in a different locale. I like that there is some romance for Mallory along the way as well. And she always knows her responsibility to her family and career. I can't wait for the next installment in Mallory's life. I highly recommend this book and series.

Totally Enjoyable

From the beginning, I enjoyed the character of Mallory Marlowe, a travel writer. I loved hearing some tips and descriptions of what life in Aspen for nonskiers could be. The quotes at the beginning of every chapter were a favorite feature of this book for me. The mystery was good and I didn't get who-dun-it right at the beginning. I'll read more from this author. Short, sweet, cozy mysteries. A good book to take when you're traveling.

Entertaining...

Travel Writer Mallory Marlow is on to her next assignment, traveling to Aspen, Colorado to ask people if non-skiers can have fun on the slopes. This is a perfect way to get away, visit with an old friend and write an entertaining piece. She isn't expecting her trip to Aspen to drop her into a mystery where her high school classmate, Carly Cassidy Berman dead body turns up in a mud bath in the mega exclusive spa she owns. Now instead of writing a fluff piece, Mallory is going to play super sleuth and amidst the backdrop of beautiful Aspen, she realizes there are more suspect than motive and she needs to keep one step ahead of a killer bent on keeping her silent. My only complaint with this story...the rush to the ending was unsatisfying. Ms. Baxter took a great deal of time setting up the ending so I don't understand the race to the finish. Otherwise, Mallory and the cast of characters will engage the reader as will the whodunit storyline. This was an enjoyable read, fans of mysteries should like.

Travel and Murder Mix Again

Mallory's new assignment is to research Aspen, Colorado. But she's not doing it for skiers, an idea that has been done to death. Instead, she will be seeing if non-skiers can find something worth doing there. And as part of the assignment, Mallory is going to profile her old high school acquaintance Carly Cassidy Berman. Carly is the founders of Tavaci Springs, an exclusive health resort outside of Aspen. She also perfected the health drink Rejuva-Juice. But despite the years and the fact the two were never close, Carly welcomes Mallory with open arms. The two have dinner together and all seems well. The next morning, however, Carly is found submerged in one of the mud tubs at her spa. When a new friend begs Mallory to help clear her name, Mallory reluctantly begins gather information. But the evidence seems to lead every which way. Can Mallory find the right piece that will solve the murder? I was really looking forward to this second book in the series, and I wasn't disappointed. The plot was fairly strong with several nice clues and red herrings. The climax was a little rushed and a couple character's actions seemed unclear, but all the major pieces fit together and I was satisfied. What really makes the book work is Mallory. I liked her even better this time around. The rest of the cast of mostly new characters are equally memorable. And once again we get some nice bits of information about Aspen. They really were part of the story this time, giving me a travel log without distracting me from the story. I hope that Mallory is traveling for a long time to come because I enjoy these trips.

fun amateur sleuth

Fortyish Widow Mallory Marlowe has not felt the empty nest syndrome with her two children away at college because of her work as a travel reporter for Good Life magazine. When she reads in the paper about the success of an acquaintance from her student days at JFK HS, she suggests to her boss Trevor Price, an article on what to do in Aspen if you do not ski. She will also try to obtain an interview with her former classmate Carly Cassidy Berman, creator of ReJuva Juice and owner of the high class Tavaci Springs Spa. In Aspen she calls Carly who invites Mallory to dinner with her, her spouse Brett and has been Hollywood director Gordon Swig. The next day Mallory attends a pitch given by Carly. Soon afterward, spa accountant Harriet Vosci finds her employer dead. Brett has an alibi provided to him by statuesque city PR beauty Astrid Norland who insists he spent the night with her. The police find evidence that makes Harriet the prime suspect. A desperate Harriet asks Mallory to prove her innocence, but the reluctant amateur sleuth keeps finding proof the accountant killed Carly. Putting aside the obvious of Harriet asking an amateur instead of hiring a professional with a murder rap hanging over her or a lawyer to deal with her issues with Carly, fans will enjoy the latest "Murder Packs A Suitcase" mystery (see REIGNING CATS AND DOGS). The support cast is solid and Aspen comes across as being more than just a wealthy ski resort; in fact much of the first half of the tale focuses as an engaging travelogue. Amateur sleuth fans will enjoy Mallory's investigation into the city and the murder of her high school acquaintance with a hint of romance in the mountainous air. Harriet Klausner