Book Review: If Looks Could Kill | Kate White | Bailey Weggins #1

Welcome to my Kate White book review series! I am a huge fan of Kate White, and I because I read many of her previous books before I started my blog, I want to bring a series of my reviews of her work forward into 2019 features for my blog. She has a new book coming out this year (I already pre-ordered it!) and hers are actually my go-to books to pull me out of a reading slump. I find them fun, witty, intriguing, and completely satisfying every time. I’m never disappointed by Kate White. As the former editor of Cosmopolitan magazine and current mystery writer, Kate White is the perfect mix of Nancy Drew meets Sex and the City—perfect for me!

I’m starting my Kate White series off with the first book in her Bailey Weggins novels, If Looks Could Kill. Bailey is a journalist and an amteur sleuth, and she begins the series in quite a tricky situation when she receives a cryptic phone call from her boss early one Sunday morning. Bailey Weggins is smart, sassy, and won’t back down from threats. I loved this book and it started my obsession with the Bailey Weggins series!

About the Book | If Looks Could Kill

True crime writer and journalist Bailey Weggins receives a call from her boss Cat Jones, the editor of Gloss magazine, in a panic. Cat is calling first thing Sunday morning, and she is worried about her nanny Heidi’s well-being. Despite the fact that Bailey is currently shacked up with a gorgeous new love interest, she gives in to Cat’s panic and goes over to help.

When Bailey arrives at Cat’s townhome though, something is definitely wrong. Heidi’s lights in the basement apartment are on and jazz music is playing. Even worse, Bailey notices that there is a foul smell coming from the apartment. Something is definitely wrong!

When Bailey enters the apartment only to find Heidi dead and a box of chocolates on the table, she finds herself smack in the middle of a murder investigation. As the police arrive and discover that the chocolates may have been meant for Cat, not Heidi, Cat becomes even more upset. She asks Bailey to help with her own investigation because she may be able to get people to confide in her in a way the police won’t.

As Bailey begins her investigation, she can’t help but become a target herself! Is someone targeting successful editors of Women’s magazines? Or is this intentionally directed at Cat herself, and disguised as a serial killer? Will Bailey be able to figure out what happened before her own life is in danger?

Review | If Looks Could Kill

I first discovered Kate White when I read her standalone novel The Sixes (which I loved and I’ll post at some point in this spotlight). Her first installment in the Bailey Weggins novels If Looks Could Kill is wonderful—a  perfect vacation read or commuter read. I actually started it on some time off and finished it on the airplane home for Thanksgiving break.

Bailey is a fantastic leading character. She is intelligent, courageous, and a bit sassy, but she is also wonderfully imperfect. I love when writers allow their leads to have some flaws. To not always get what they want, and to not always make the exact perfect moves. Bailey is so relateable in that way!

The mystery itself is fast-paced and moves quickly. Lots of twists and turns along the way of her investigation, but Bailey can’t let the case go. I felt like I was reading my childhood heroine Nancy Drew all grown up and in the modern city of New York! As the mystery progresses, White keeps lots of paths open before you get to the final reveal. I found myself suspecting many people along the way and I didn’t guess the reveal!

Cat is a great character as well! She’s admirable but kind of ridiculous—cold but kind at times. She is a narcissist, but I got the impression she cares for Bailey and trusts her. But Cat definitely had the feeling of a woman with some secrets!

One writing element I loved was the level of detail and description White uses. Even in seemingly frivolous areas such as the clothing and looks of a character, I really loved it because it helps me picture who this person is and what the scene looks like. The scenes and characters were very vivid to me, which I enjoy!

I loved this first book in the Bailey Weggins series, and I’m excited to share more! I’ll be linking my reviews as I post them in my Kate White series. I hope you enjoy!