Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Too Big to Miss: An Odelia Grey Mystery (The Odelia Grey Mysteries Book 1)” as Want to Read:
Too Big to Miss: An Odelia Grey Mystery
(An Odelia Grey Mystery #1)
by
Too big to miss--that's Odelia Grey. A never-married, middle-aged, plus-sized woman who makes no excuses for her weight, she's not super woman just a mere mortal standing on the precipice of menopause, trying to cruise in an ill-fitting bra. She struggles with her relationships, her crazy family, and her crazier boss. And then there''s her knack for being in close
...moreGet A Copy
Kindle Edition, 340 pages
Published
October 8th 2013
by Midnight Ink
(first published January 1st 2001)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Too Big to Miss,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Too Big to Miss
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Too Big to Miss: An Odelia Grey Mystery (The Odelia Grey Mysteries Book 1)
Jun 27, 2011
Marfita
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fat, middle-aged paralegals
Shelves:
mysteries
Disclaimer: I'm fat, middle-aged, and a former paralegal.
I devoured this in one day. Most of the ickier bits (the death is a gritty one that's revisited through retrieved screen captures) I skimmed over. Jaffarian has created some interesting characters, many of them plus-sized which is nice to see. The mystery was a good one and there is a spot of romance, where Jaffarian falls into the fatal blunder of making the sex "the best [Odelia] ever had." Writing like that makes me want to bang my ...more
I devoured this in one day. Most of the ickier bits (the death is a gritty one that's revisited through retrieved screen captures) I skimmed over. Jaffarian has created some interesting characters, many of them plus-sized which is nice to see. The mystery was a good one and there is a spot of romance, where Jaffarian falls into the fatal blunder of making the sex "the best [Odelia] ever had." Writing like that makes me want to bang my ...more
I'm usually not too big on the whole cozy mystery thing, but something about this one just hit the right buttons and had enough in the way of humor to get me through. A cool dog and grumpy cat didn't hurt things either.
Odelia is overweight, middle-aged, and happily single and all of those things seem to be pretty rare in a lot of books. Now, there is some romance in the series, but Odelia isn't absolutely dying for companionship. She has her best friend, her bestie's husband and kids who all ...more
Odelia is overweight, middle-aged, and happily single and all of those things seem to be pretty rare in a lot of books. Now, there is some romance in the series, but Odelia isn't absolutely dying for companionship. She has her best friend, her bestie's husband and kids who all ...more
So, this one is quite difficult to review... I really liked the premise - larger, middle-aged woman who was comfortable in her own skin investigating the mysterious death of her good friend.
But it just wasn't terribly enjoyable. I wanted to get to the end so that it would be over! I couldn't just put it down without knowing the conclusion... but getting there was painful.
There was just too much extraneous description. So much fluffing wasn't necessary - I really don't need to know EVERY small ...more
But it just wasn't terribly enjoyable. I wanted to get to the end so that it would be over! I couldn't just put it down without knowing the conclusion... but getting there was painful.
There was just too much extraneous description. So much fluffing wasn't necessary - I really don't need to know EVERY small ...more
Jan 25, 2016
Kshitij
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
thriller-espionage-mystery
Very ironic and funny:
"From the first time Adam noticed shrinkage and explained it to Eve, men have been trying to tell women that size didn't matter when it came to their manhood. Small penis. Big penis. Made no difference. Both were good. The same men have been telling women that size does matter when it comes to breasts, butts and hips. To add to the confusion, big and small could also be good and bad at the same time. Big smile good. Big ass bad. Small waist good. Small tits bad.
It was a ...more
"From the first time Adam noticed shrinkage and explained it to Eve, men have been trying to tell women that size didn't matter when it came to their manhood. Small penis. Big penis. Made no difference. Both were good. The same men have been telling women that size does matter when it comes to breasts, butts and hips. To add to the confusion, big and small could also be good and bad at the same time. Big smile good. Big ass bad. Small waist good. Small tits bad.
It was a ...more
Entertaining read. Read the books out of order and it may have increased my liking this book. I like our intrepid protagonist - Odelia is plus-sized paralegal who stumbles upon a suicide that turns into a murder. Some of the outside plot details are a little outrageous. I like the sweet love story, the friendship, and the description. Our author is a fan of the details. Not bogging you down details but little throw aways that make the read enjoyable.
Not the tightest of tales but entertaining.
Not the tightest of tales but entertaining.
Aug 30, 2018
Dawn Michelle
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Dawn Michelle by:
Brandi Conn
I cannot even review this excellent book right now because I just found out all the remaining books have no accompanying audiobook. I loved this book. And now I cannot read any more of them. I am angry and sad and am going to go sit in the corner for awhile and cry while the rest of the world just carries on.
Hmph!
Hmph!
I really like Odelia Grey. I wasn't sure if this book would be my cup of tea - I don't tend to read amateur sleuth mysteries - but this was a great cup of tea. Solid writing, memorable characters, a good mystery, and a protagonist I just fell in love with. I think I'll get the next one!
I had really high hopes for this. I love a cozy mystery and the premise sounded interesting. The biggest problem that I had here was the bland prose (sometimes described as an "easy read" but to me just feels like reading something written by a sixth grader). I also found some of the character descriptions (of the "trailer trash" and Odelia's family specifically) to be insulting, lazy, and classist.
Apr 29, 2018
Betsy
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
wom-bayb-2018,
z-2018-apr
What a great start to the Odelia Grey series! The book had me right from the start. A perfectly written character who is thoroughly entertaining. I cannot wait to read more in the series. 4 stars
A gifted author-Bravo, October 9, 2011
By Ellen Rappaport
This review is from: Too Big to Miss (The Odelia Grey Mysteries) (Paperback)
I've previously read 2 of Jaffarians other series and loved them. This was my first book in her Ophelia Grey series and Jaffarian does it again. This author included all the characters most writers wouldn't dare to include. Thank-you Sue Ann for your consideration of all of us.
This story opened up more of each character with each passing page. I became one of ...more
By Ellen Rappaport
This review is from: Too Big to Miss (The Odelia Grey Mysteries) (Paperback)
I've previously read 2 of Jaffarians other series and loved them. This was my first book in her Ophelia Grey series and Jaffarian does it again. This author included all the characters most writers wouldn't dare to include. Thank-you Sue Ann for your consideration of all of us.
This story opened up more of each character with each passing page. I became one of ...more
Oh yes, Odelia Grey is large--like 5'1" and 215 pounds. She is also middle aged and the way she looks at it, if you don't like it, you can kiss her big you-know-what. Odelia is comfortable in her own skin, however, she would like to be able to stand up for herself more. In her professional life, Odelia is a corporate paralegal who is highly regarded within her law firm--which leads to her being assigned to an attorney she can't stand. She also has relationship issues, a family that is beyond
...more
Jul 01, 2011
Elaine
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
kindle,
free-kindle-finds
I really liked this one. And that says a lot.
Instead of the svelte beauties typical of murder investigations in this genre, we have an overweight perhaps average-looking woman in Odelia trying to piece together an apparent suicide of her close friend Sophie.
Not only is inspirational and successful Sophie one of the last persons one would expect to commit suicide, there are other details about her that only come to surface after her death, throwing Odelia into a tailspin.
There’s much suspense ...more
Instead of the svelte beauties typical of murder investigations in this genre, we have an overweight perhaps average-looking woman in Odelia trying to piece together an apparent suicide of her close friend Sophie.
Not only is inspirational and successful Sophie one of the last persons one would expect to commit suicide, there are other details about her that only come to surface after her death, throwing Odelia into a tailspin.
There’s much suspense ...more
This book was a free kindle download and I had never heard of it, so I didn't come into it with any particular expectations. But I like mysteries, so why not?
I was quite pleasantly surprised - this was a fun read. I liked the characters, I thought the plot was interesting, and the whole background - the relationship of overweight women to society - was so true!
Another thing I enjoyed was the relationship between the amateur detectives and the police. The primary police officer on the case was ...more
I was quite pleasantly surprised - this was a fun read. I liked the characters, I thought the plot was interesting, and the whole background - the relationship of overweight women to society - was so true!
Another thing I enjoyed was the relationship between the amateur detectives and the police. The primary police officer on the case was ...more
Ever since I read two of the later books in this series I've been eager to find earlier titles. This is book #1. In it we meet Odelia Grey, a 40 something single paralegal who is a plus-sized sassy woman. In this first story Odelia gets involved in the whys of the suicide of her good friend, Sophie London, a large beautiful woman who is the advocate for overweight women everywhere. But something doesn't seem right that confident Sophie would kill herself, even though she did so on camera in
...more
This was an interesting start to a series. I just saw it at the library and decided to try it on a whim.
Odelia Grey is a large lady, a paralegal whose best friend has just committed suicide. Odelia doesn't think he friends would have done that and so starts digging into her friend's background. She uncovers a large can of worms - adult websites, sleezy businesses and practices, prostitution - and finally sorts out what happened.
The characters were very good, and there was quite a bit of humor ...more
Odelia Grey is a large lady, a paralegal whose best friend has just committed suicide. Odelia doesn't think he friends would have done that and so starts digging into her friend's background. She uncovers a large can of worms - adult websites, sleezy businesses and practices, prostitution - and finally sorts out what happened.
The characters were very good, and there was quite a bit of humor ...more
I was at a BBW Bash, and happened to meet the author. In fact, after I bought a copy of her book and had her sign it for me, I won another during a lecture she was giving. Luckily for me, the copy that was later stolen was NOT the signed one!
I haven't gotten to read her other books yet, but they are on my list of books to get soon!
–--------------------------------------
Since I wrote this review in 2007, I've read each "Odelia" and "Granny Apples" books as they came out. I still love them, and ...more
I haven't gotten to read her other books yet, but they are on my list of books to get soon!
–--------------------------------------
Since I wrote this review in 2007, I've read each "Odelia" and "Granny Apples" books as they came out. I still love them, and ...more
I enjoyed this murder mystery. Odelia Grey is a great character. I loved that she is plus sized. I felt that Sue Ann Jaffarian had the insecurities of a plus size woman down pat. Even though I figured out who down it halfway into the book; I still was not sure until the end. There are alot of suspects that I was left wondering to the end. I loved this positive role model for women of any size and of any age. I have the next book in this series on order at the libray and I can't wait to get.
Wow, Was I surprised by this book! This is the first of a series of 4 by author-Sue Ann Jaffarian and boy was I on end trying to discover "who dun it", in fact I even tried reading the end of the book and the answer wasn't at the end but mixed-up or mixed with the "near end?"
Anyhow...I was impressed!
Anyhow...I was impressed!
A really good read. I liked the main and secondary characters - many seem the kind of people you usually meet -, the humour, the focus on a variety of feelings and emotions that surpasses the romantic couple.
The heroine and the hero, both physically not according to the canon, are witty and heartwarming and very interesting from the human point of view.
The heroine and the hero, both physically not according to the canon, are witty and heartwarming and very interesting from the human point of view.
So good I had to read the second one....Bet you can't read just one.
Love this mystery series. Odelia makes me giggle :)
Mar 18, 2018
Moondance
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
plus-size,
california,
mystery,
mythology,
twists-and-turns,
angst,
family-secrets,
first-in-series,
friends,
secrets
My weekend was D.O.A....dead on arrival.
Odelia Grey is a single, middle-aged, plus-sized paralegal who learns that a close friend has committed suicide. Sophie London was a larger than life advocate for plus size women who had a secret life. Odelia is stunned by Sophie's death and begins investigating the twists and turns that led to the suicide.
Good grief! I don't know why it took me so long to start this series. I love Odelia! She is smart and funny with just enough snark. She is a true and ...more
Odelia Grey is a single, middle-aged, plus-sized paralegal who learns that a close friend has committed suicide. Sophie London was a larger than life advocate for plus size women who had a secret life. Odelia is stunned by Sophie's death and begins investigating the twists and turns that led to the suicide.
Good grief! I don't know why it took me so long to start this series. I love Odelia! She is smart and funny with just enough snark. She is a true and ...more
As a "bigger woman" myself, this book was a breath of fresh air! Very empowering to read about a strong female heroine who also struggles with the daily issues faced by "BBWs" ("big beautiful women"). I loved that this book also addresses some "taboo topics" such as escort services, adult websites, and the needs (beyond the physical) that sexuality/sensuality fulfill especially for women who aren't considered to be "sexy" by mainstream media, among others.
And there was also a good whodunit ...more
And there was also a good whodunit ...more
Too Big to Miss is the first in a long series of mysteries featuring Odelia Grey, a smart, single, curvy woman in her mid-50s. Early in this book, her friend Sophie dies and Odelia doesn't think things are as they appear. She's a paralegal in a big law firm which gives her access to resources to investigate and the story unfolds from there.
I liked Odelia and will read other books in the series. Like her, I struggle with body image issues that the author touched on very accurately. I enjoyed the ...more
I liked Odelia and will read other books in the series. Like her, I struggle with body image issues that the author touched on very accurately. I enjoyed the ...more
A clever novel celebrating horizontally-challenged ladies. One of them, Odelia Grey (the protaganist), tries to solve the mystery of her friend, Sophie London's, apparent suicide. What she uncovers is a mix of past coming into the present.
Not a very light read I must say, but very interesting nonetheless. Love Jaffarian's use of prose and the fact that Odelia is kinda mirrored upon her own self - abit fleshy and a paralegal at that.
Looking forward to starting book 2! In my opinion, kinda better ...more
Not a very light read I must say, but very interesting nonetheless. Love Jaffarian's use of prose and the fact that Odelia is kinda mirrored upon her own self - abit fleshy and a paralegal at that.
Looking forward to starting book 2! In my opinion, kinda better ...more
First the guy is a daily viewer of my fat, BBW friend on her adult web site. Next he says my naked, middle aged, 200 lb body is "luscious" . I would run, thinking he had a fetish instead of loving me for myself. And this is the good guy!
Or, there is a conversation between the 2 of them being not quite whole people in society. Is that the attraction? This makes Odelia the opposite of strong and confident in her skin.
I am curious enough to see what happens in book 2. More green cat and the ...more
Or, there is a conversation between the 2 of them being not quite whole people in society. Is that the attraction? This makes Odelia the opposite of strong and confident in her skin.
I am curious enough to see what happens in book 2. More green cat and the ...more
well written and of the day voice mystery that makes you root for the character have compassion for the deceased.
Ofelia Gray is a plus size single looking for love turned P.I. who got herself into crime solving because her friend seemingly killed herself which dod not sit well with Odelia from the start so she sets out to prove that th re vfc suicide was i dead murder along the way she find companionship (the l word was not mentioned) and all the dark secrets that people hide right in front of ...more
Ofelia Gray is a plus size single looking for love turned P.I. who got herself into crime solving because her friend seemingly killed herself which dod not sit well with Odelia from the start so she sets out to prove that th re vfc suicide was i dead murder along the way she find companionship (the l word was not mentioned) and all the dark secrets that people hide right in front of ...more
Sep 15, 2017
LVLMLeah
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mature,
cozy-mystery
I really liked this book. Odelia is a character I could get into. She's a reluctant detective but finding out what happened to her friend pushes her into a world she never expected.
Liked she's a big girl and comfortable in her skin.
It was a good mystery. Flowed well. I actually wanted to get the next book when this was done. Unfortunately none of the next are in audio so I haven't.
Narrator did a great job on this book.
Liked she's a big girl and comfortable in her skin.
It was a good mystery. Flowed well. I actually wanted to get the next book when this was done. Unfortunately none of the next are in audio so I haven't.
Narrator did a great job on this book.
The plot is thick with humor and intrigue, with an unlikely pair of sleuths solving a series of mysteries. It's a fun read.
Favorite passages (2009 paperback edition):
"Stunned, I sat in the leather conference room chair like a piece of petrified wood." (page 19)
"It was a gob of grief, sitting just over my heart; a big, solid wad of pain and emotions that would have to come out sooner or later, like a hairball." (page 43)
Favorite passages (2009 paperback edition):
"Stunned, I sat in the leather conference room chair like a piece of petrified wood." (page 19)
"It was a gob of grief, sitting just over my heart; a big, solid wad of pain and emotions that would have to come out sooner or later, like a hairball." (page 43)
I have picked up, started, put down this series many times. This is the first time that I read book 1 completely through. Overall, I did enjoy it, it was well written and as someone who has struggled with my weight my entire life, it is nice to read a protagonist who struggles with the same issue. I must confess that this first installment didn't leave me wanting to read the next book in the series. I am not sure why-- I will revisit but just now right away.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
Sue Ann Jaffarian is the author of the popular Odelia Grey mystery series, the Ghost of Granny Apples mystery series and the Madison Rose vampire mysteries, as well as short stories.
Sue Ann also writes the Winnie Wilde romance novellas.
Like the character Odelia Grey, Sue Ann Jaffarian is a middle-aged, plus-sized paralegal. She lives in Los Angeles.
In addition to writing, Sue Ann is sought after ...more
Sue Ann also writes the Winnie Wilde romance novellas.
Like the character Odelia Grey, Sue Ann Jaffarian is a middle-aged, plus-sized paralegal. She lives in Los Angeles.
In addition to writing, Sue Ann is sought after ...more
Other books in the series
An Odelia Grey Mystery
(1 - 10 of 12 books)
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Usually when I’m stressed, I’ll eat everything not nailed down. Only small children and family pets are safe. And okra—I won’t eat okra under any circumstances.”
—
3 likes
“It had been a fix-up, a blind date set up by a well-meaning skinny coworker who had no clue that most men in Southern California placed overweight women in the same category as serial killers and believed them worthy of the same punishment - the death penalty. I finally had given in to her assurances that this man and I had a lot in common. Which, sadly, we did. But I saw the look of disappointment on his face when he entered the restaurant and realized that I was his date. I had seen that look before. It was unmistakable disgust encased in civility. Like a dead fish wrapped in clean white butcher paper, the covering kept your hands from being soiled but could not stop the stink.”
—
2 likes
More quotes…
