2008 Woodie Awards
'Princess Diaries' novelist's new book is funny, heartfelt
By: Frank Wisswell
Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Lifeline
- Page 1 of 1
Murder is fun.
And Meg Cabot's latest murder mystery novel, "Big Boned," is a pretty exciting read.
Cabot, best-known for her work on "The Princess Diaries" series, is a New York Times best-selling author of more than 40 books for teens and adults.
"Big Boned" is the third mystery involving Heather Wells, an ex-pop icon turned college Resident Assistant turned amateur sleuth.
As a Residence Hall Coordinator at New York College's famed "Death Dorm," Wells finds herself at the center of a murder mystery after she finds her boss dead in his office.
As you would expect from the author of "The Princess Diaries," Wells' love life plays a big part in the novel.
Wells is in the midst of a steamy relationship with her math professor, but after he maybe (or maybe doesn't) propose marriage to her, Wells' lingering crush on her roommate comes back with a vengeance.
Cabot uses humor in the novel to keep the story from becoming melodramatic.
Dark humor (this is a murder mystery, after all), pop culture references and Wells' self-deprecating 'big boned' jokes offer a little something for everybody.
The book brilliantly plays out some awkward moments where the reader may laugh out loud, no doubt eliciting some awkward stares from surrounding classmates, roommates, or people who are trying to get work done in the library.
While none of the jokes seem contrived, some jokes fall flat, and the reader may groan rather than laugh.
There also are a few occasions when a joke or two seems out of place.
Of course, maybe that's what makes Heather Wells a good heroine - she's flawed.
Heather is a bigger girl with no interest in physical activity of any sort, she's still not sure what she wants out of life and she cracks jokes to help her deal with death and relationship issues.
If you're a pretentious hipster expecting something existential and/or philosophical, steer clear of "Big Boned."
If you're an English major who admires Shakespeare and Tennyson, you too probably are not the target audience for "Big Boned."
But if you're looking for a funny, unpredictable murder mystery. "Big Boned" might just be your style.
Three out of five stars.
lifeline@cm-life.com
And Meg Cabot's latest murder mystery novel, "Big Boned," is a pretty exciting read.
Cabot, best-known for her work on "The Princess Diaries" series, is a New York Times best-selling author of more than 40 books for teens and adults.
"Big Boned" is the third mystery involving Heather Wells, an ex-pop icon turned college Resident Assistant turned amateur sleuth.
As a Residence Hall Coordinator at New York College's famed "Death Dorm," Wells finds herself at the center of a murder mystery after she finds her boss dead in his office.
As you would expect from the author of "The Princess Diaries," Wells' love life plays a big part in the novel.
Wells is in the midst of a steamy relationship with her math professor, but after he maybe (or maybe doesn't) propose marriage to her, Wells' lingering crush on her roommate comes back with a vengeance.
Cabot uses humor in the novel to keep the story from becoming melodramatic.
Dark humor (this is a murder mystery, after all), pop culture references and Wells' self-deprecating 'big boned' jokes offer a little something for everybody.
The book brilliantly plays out some awkward moments where the reader may laugh out loud, no doubt eliciting some awkward stares from surrounding classmates, roommates, or people who are trying to get work done in the library.
While none of the jokes seem contrived, some jokes fall flat, and the reader may groan rather than laugh.
There also are a few occasions when a joke or two seems out of place.
Of course, maybe that's what makes Heather Wells a good heroine - she's flawed.
Heather is a bigger girl with no interest in physical activity of any sort, she's still not sure what she wants out of life and she cracks jokes to help her deal with death and relationship issues.
If you're a pretentious hipster expecting something existential and/or philosophical, steer clear of "Big Boned."
If you're an English major who admires Shakespeare and Tennyson, you too probably are not the target audience for "Big Boned."
But if you're looking for a funny, unpredictable murder mystery. "Big Boned" might just be your style.
Three out of five stars.
lifeline@cm-life.com
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