Mystery Monday: Kate White

--by Hanje Richards

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Because I am a huge mystery fan, "Mystery Monday" was born. Because I like to read mysteries in order, I'm going to list and talk about them in chronological, rather than alphabetical, order.

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If an author has written more than one series (and many authors have), I'll talk about different series in different posts to keep things as clear as possible. For those interested in reading some of the featured titles, I've noted at the end of each book's summary whether it's available at the Copper Queen Library or at another library in Cochise County through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

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Kate White is the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan and writes the opening section for the magazine every month entitled "Behind the Scenes at Cosmopolitan." She is also the author of the best-selling Bailey Weggins mystery novels, for which she has received critical acclaim.

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White was born and raised in Glens Falls, New York. She graduated from Union College in 1972, a part of its first coed class.
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If Looks Could Kill (2002) - Debut novel about a true crime writer for New York’s hottest women’s magazine. Bailey Weggins, a clever writer for Gloss, is dragged into a murder investigation by her editor-in-chief and boss from hell, Cat Jones. Cat is a woman who gets what she wants from her employees, so when she discovers that her nanny has been murdered, she insists Bailey find the killer before the police do. Was the chocolate that poisoned the nanny meant for Cat, known for her love of truffles? But then, the beautiful, duplicitous nanny has an enemy list all her own. The investigation takes Bailey from the streets of New York City to the swankiest Connecticut suburbs and Bucks County retreats, and everyone is a suspect, including the catty editors at Gloss. Bailey proves that she is the original gutsy girl when she outwits the clever killer. (available at CQL)

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A Body to Die For (2003) - Magazine writer-turned-sleuth Bailey Weggins takes a spa vacation — and finds murder. Weggins is in desperate need of a little R&R after solving the murder of her boss' nanny. A trip to the Cedar Inn Spa seems like the perfect remedy. But when Bailey goes to the massage room to retrieve her lost watch and finds a dead body getting a seaweed wrap, her detective instincts are unable to go on hiatus. As Bailey uncovers the victim's mysterious past, she finds herself becoming infatuated with Jeffrey Beck, a detective working on the case. Meanwhile, another horrifying murder is committed at the inn — and Bailey finds herself the killer's next target. (available at CQL)

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‘Til Death Do Us Part (2004) - When Bailey Weggins receives a phone call from Ashley Hanes, she assumes Ashley needs a fashion or publishing related favor. After all, Bailey only met the woman once when they were both bridesmaids in a wedding, and they didn't have anything in common. But Ashley needs more from Bailey than help getting into a Chanel sample sale. It turns out that two of the bridesmaids from the wedding have died in what appear to be freak accidents. One was electrocuted in her bathtub and the other had a fatal reaction to antidepressants. Ashley is sure the two cases aren't just a horrible coincidence and convinces Bailey to investigate. Before you can say "'Til death do us part," Ashley's lifeless body is found at the bottom of a flight of stairs, and Bailey realizes that she easily could be next on the killer's list. (available through ILL)

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Over Her Dead Body (2005) - Talk about rapid turnover! In a matter of days, Bailey Weggins has been axed from one New York magazine and hired by another. Her new job at Buzz, a weekly filled with sizzling gossip, has Bailey covering celebrity crime. Bailey doesn't have to look far for her first big story when she finds her boss, Mona Hodges, gasping her last breath after being bludgeoned with a blunt object. A raging tyrant, Mona made Buzz a top magazine but racked up an impressive list of enemies. Now it's up to Bailey to get the scoop on whodunit — even though one of her closest friends is at the top of the suspects list. (available at CQL)
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Lethally Blond (2007) - Now that the TV show Morgue is shooting in Manhattan, the crime journalist for Buzz is remembering her fling with its gorgeous star, Chris Wickersham. But when Chris does contact Bailey Weggins, his intentions are all too honorable: It's to tell her that an actor from the show has gone missing.

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Delving deep into the glamorous yet crazy world of TV, Bailey soon finds herself in the middle of a killer story — literally. And as the case gets hotter, so does the action under the covers — especially the moment Bailey's crush Beau Regan comes back to town. With a dead body on the scene, ominous phone calls, and a stalker targeting her, it's clear that this reporter must unearth the truth now — before she becomes the inspiration for Morgue's next episode. (available at CQL)