TO DIE FOR

Blair Mallory owns Great Bods, a successful gym in North Carolina. When a client who is imitating her "style" is murdered in the parking lot, Blair realizes she was the intended victim. Franette Liebow delivers an accurate portrait of a 30-year-old bobble-head doll. The ex-cheerleader's observations run to the color of her underwear, home furnishings, and commentary on why she can't resist the Neanderthal moves of macho cop Wyatt Bloodsworth. Liebow does a creditable performance of all characters, but when Blair becomes excited, Liebow's voice reaches beyond shrill. One can only hope Linda Howard hasn't permanently departed from her usually engrossing mysteries for something this fluffy, frivolous, and flawed. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 05]