#BookReview: Killer Getaway By Amy Korman

Reviewer: Allie

I received a review copy

Summary:

The wild and crazy crew from Killer Wasps is back again with a light-hearted mystery. Winter in Bryn Mawr, a posh suburb of Philadelphia, gets too cold for Kirstin Clark, so she heads to the Gold Coast of Florida for a getaway.  Her nosy friend Bootsie tags along as well, because the Lily Pulitzer-worshiping reporter doesn’t want to miss out on all the fun in the sun. The ladies rendezvous with their northern friends who are fortunate (and wealthy) enough to spend winters in the Florida WASP enclave of Palm Coast. Their friend Channing has opened Vicino, the newest hot spot for beautiful people to dine and be seen. Unfortunately, rest and relaxation is not on the menu.

A rival chef’s a new restaurant opens right across the street from Vicino, and it’s being featured on a HGTV reality show. As if that wasn’t enough, a series of “accidents” make Kristin and her friends wonder if there’s more at stake than bragging rights for the featured special of the day. Throw in some bad clams, local real-estate development scandal, a jealous husband, a vengeful ex-boyfriend, and a cocktail swilling, caftan wearing society diva – and you’ve got elements of a wild caper.

Review:

Just like Korman’s previous novel, Killer WASPs, this book is the quintessential beach read. Appropriately, I read my copy while on vacation in Florida. The author is fantastic at creating unique and irresistible characters – and the dialogue is smart and cleverly humorous. I laughed out loud more than once. The relationships among all the main characters are unusual and yet, realistic. I’m very familiar with the area where the fictional Palm Cast is located and the author definitely did her research. She paints a perfect setting for her story, right down to wardrobe choices and menu selections.

The mystery is fun, but not suspenseful. Honestly, I didn’t even care who “did it,” because the “it” was rather frivolous – but certainly appropriate given the cast of characters. I enjoyed all the lead up to the big reveal. I wouldn’t mind hanging out with Kristin and her friends. I do wish the author had written more about Kristin’s (who’s presumably the heroine, although at times it was tough to tell) personal life. Cumulatively, her “love interests” only garnered a few paragraphs. Still, I really enjoyed the story and look forward to reading another WASP adventure. Pack this one in your beach bag.

4 stars