To Die For (Blair Mallory)

by Linda Howard

2004

Status

Available

Publication

Ballantine Books (2004), Edition: First, 384 pages

Description

Fiction. Romance. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:She was a dead ringer. Now sheâ??s just dead. . . . Blair Mallory lives the good life. Sheâ??s pretty, confident, and the owner of a thriving up-scale fitness center. But in the shadow of success, a troubled member of the club develops a strange fixation on Blair, imitating her style and dress. Matters take a darker turn when the look-alike is shot deadâ??and Blair witnesses the horror. As the media speculates on the tawdry details of the homicide and pushes Blair into the harsh spotlight, she locks horns with police lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth. He wants to lead an investigation without interference, while Blair is determined to probe the dead womanâ??s life on her own. But when someone begins to menace Blair with mounting threats, Wyatt takes notice: Was this murder indeed a lethal case of mistaken identityâ??and was Blair the intended vic… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Written in the first person by someone who is more used to using her looks and he fact that people underestimate her than using the smarts she was born with. Someone who knows that that's the way the world works and is willing to use it. Her name is Blair Mallory, she runs a health club, founded
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with the procedes from her divorce. The club is successful and she's happy with her life until Nicole Goodwin. Nicole decides that she wants to be Blair so she slowly makes herself over to be her, however she's not a nice woman and when several of Blair's clients approach her with complaints, Blair is only happy not to renew her membership. When Blair discovers Nicole's car in the parking lot as she's closing up she's sure it spells trouble, and it does, only not what Blair expects. There's shots, that Blair assumes are from Nicole only to discover that Nicole is dead. When Blair starts having more accidents that's when she wonders was it because of how she looked that Nicole died.



Lt Wyatt Bloodsworth enters the fray. An ex of Blair's he's used to being in charge, but Blair isn't having any of that. Having to live with him to keep her from harm doesn't suit her, particularly as they're both very attracted. He can turn her no's into yesses too easily.

It's fluffy and reminds me of early Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich, only without some of the annoying tendencies to rush into danger. A fun character that I look forward to reading more about.
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LibraryThing member Tam2603
One of my all-time favourites. Funny and sexy - I loved Blair and Wyatt.
LibraryThing member encbks
This is one of the funniest of Ms. Howard's since Mr.Perfect. I have to say since Mr. Perfect I have been diappointed by what has been out but this book has put Ms. Howard back on the top. I found the heroine too refreshing for words, I found myself agreeing for her logic and her attraction for her
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sexy hero. Both of them were fun, rude, loud and passionate. With statements like "I'm sure someone wants to kill you, you were a cheerleader" and his mother suggesting that she not sleep with him because he can't always get his way. You'll love this book.
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LibraryThing member cenneidigh
Laugh out-loud funny, Blair is a character and then add Wyatt to the mix and you have a formula for combustion. Loved the romance and the story. Fun to read and hard to put down. He can save me anytime.
LibraryThing member chrissywest
I thought this was a little different writing style then I am used to from Linda Howard. I suppose books would be boring, and predictable if authors used the same style all the time. The first thing I noticed about the book was it was written in first person, which kept me in stitches from the very
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start. I really enjoyed Blair’s character. She was a riot. Blair’s strong personality, and the humor in the book made up for the lack of plot, and depth to the story.
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LibraryThing member SaltyGirl
I've been getting a little worn out by the hyper-intense and dark books Linda Howard has written lately, so this was a refreshing change of pace. I didn't think the heroine was a ditz at all....anyone with a sense of humor that sharp and quick is bright. Quite a prima donna, and I was a little
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tired of her by the end, but overall I really liked the book.

My only complaint was that it lost a little steam by the end. Blair and Wyatt started out sooooo intense, that there really wasn't very much room for them to grow. I wanted some sort of conflict other than the nit-picky stuff they fussed over. So I guess I'd like to have seen a little more depth in the relationship. Given that the book seems to take place in a window of 8 or 10 days, maybe that wasn't possible.
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LibraryThing member HeavenLeAngel
I'm choking, I'm dying, I cannot breathe... I am laughing at how hilarious this book is! Great characters, great story! I could go on for hours about the memorable little moments of this book that make me want to laugh out loud all over again. But, you will get no spoilers from this review. Read
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this book, you will not be disappointed.
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LibraryThing member jonahfied
I read this book a while back, and I remember thinking it was funny. I read the sequel recently and hated it. Maybe I've changed as a person and the result is less tolerance for women like Blaire, or maybe the first book was better. I'm not willing to re-read "To Die For" to find out, so it must
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not have been THAT good.
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LibraryThing member Kaetrin
after I got over the awful voice Blair was stuck with for most of the book, it was a great listen. so funny and I love Wyatt. I think the narrator's voice for Blair got deeper and better, certainly less grating as the book progressed.
LibraryThing member utoeid1
Not the greatest LH book. The female character was annoying, self centered and by 1/2 through the book I hated her. Not enough focus on Wyatt Bloodsworth he seemed to be one walking talking neaderthal penis.
LibraryThing member AryaDragon
I love Blair so much. I haven't love a heroine in a really long time.
LibraryThing member AddictedToMorphemes
Heroine is what I think of when I think of a sassy Southern girl (I'm picturing Miranda Lambert in the starring role); hero is hubba-hubba (actually Blake Shelton could play his part too). Funny pairing of a respected police detective and a high-maintenance woman who is being targeted by an unknown
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killer.
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LibraryThing member Dawn772
A very entertaining romantic comedy with lots of action and intrigue. I liked the alpha hero but the self confident heroine stole the show with her witty first person narrative. Sometimes I had to roll my eyes at the bad guys motivation. Health club owner Blair witnesses a murder and an old
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boyfriend police Lt. Wyatt is investigating the case.
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LibraryThing member Carol420
Blair Mallory witnesses a murder. The victim is one of the members of her club, Great Bods who had taken to dressing like Blair. In fact she was so good at it that she could easily been mistaken for Blair. Lt. Wyatt Bloodworth dumped Blair cold two years ago after only three dates without any
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explaination or phone call. When he hears that a blond woman was murdered at her club his first thought is that it was Blair so he rushes over to the club. Upon discovering that Blair is fine he decides that he wants a second chance with her and that he is going to protect her. No matter if Blair wants him to or not.

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.
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LibraryThing member bagejew
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.
LibraryThing member Talaskat
This book was ok, i thought the main female character was a little flighty and there was a bunch of fluff that could have been edited out.
LibraryThing member Lauren2013
To Die For
5 Stars

Blair Mallory loves her life - she has a loving family, a successful business and an incredible wardrobe. The only problem is Nicole Goodwin - a wannabe stalker with a bad dye job. Thus, Blair is horrified but also relieved when Nicole is murdered. Unfortunately, sexy yet
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irritating homicide lieutenant, Wyatt Bloodsworth, believes the killer might be after Blair, and his suspicions are confirmed when she is targeted. Who would want to kill Blair and why?

A completely delightful read and the audiobook narrated by Franette Liebow is totally "to die for"!

The mystery is entertaining and it is fun trying to figure out who has it in for Blair. Even though the resolution comes somewhat out of left field, it makes sense and the final confrontation is intense.

However, the real highlight of the book is the romance. Blair and Wyatt's chemistry is off the charts and their sex scenes are sizzling. While Blair might not be everyone's cup of tea, I loved her. She's snarky and cute and knows how to wrap her man around her little finger. No TSTL moments either!

Wyatt is also a fantastic hero. He is a man who knows what he wants and goes after it full steam ahead. Moreover, he has the patience of a saint considering all of Blair shennanigans.

All in all, a really fun book and I've already listened to and enjoyed the sequel.
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Awards

AAR Top 100 Romances (44 — Most Recent Rank - 2007)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2004-12-28

Physical description

384 p.; 4.2 inches

ISBN

0345476255 / 9780345476258

Barcode

1602452
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