6 Killer Bodies

Body Movers #6

by Stephanie Bond

Carlotta Wren's world is crumbling beneath her well-shod feet. One of her closest friends has been arrested as the Charmed Killer, but Carlotta refuses to believe it. And to prove her friend's innocence, Carlotta goes against her boyfriend Peter's wishes and resumes her after-hours body-moving duties.

And then…

Peter pressures her for an answer to his proposal…

Her troubled brother Wesley goes missing…

And the madman stalking the city strikes again, this time a little too close to home.

But when Carlotta finds herself in the clutches of the Charmed Killer, is she destined for her own body bag?

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Chick Lit, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Humor, Audiobook

314 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 26, 2009

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Stephanie Bond was seven years deep into a systems engineering career and pursuing an MBA at night when an instructor remarked that she had a flair for writing and suggested that she submit to academic journals. But Stephanie, a voracious reader, was only interested in writing fiction–more specifically, romantic fiction.

Upon completing her master’s degree and with no formal training in writing (her undergraduate degree is in computer programming), she started writing a romance novel in her spare time. Two years later in 1995 she sold her first manuscript, a romantic comedy, to Harlequin Books.

In 1997, with ten sales under her belt to two publishers, Stephanie left her corporate job to write women’s romantic fiction full-time. In 2011,

Stephanie launched a self-publishing business. Since that time, she has sold more than 1 million copies of her own books. To-date, Stephanie has published over 70 novels and has over 6 million copies of her work in worldwide distribution in numerous languages and formats.

Reviews

[Xenos · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK...I'm beyond confused. I'm baffled. (Yeah, I know...they mean the same thing. But 'baffled' sounds worse, doesn't it?) When I reviewed "5 Bodies To Die For", I said six things needed to happen for me to not end up completely hating this series. I also noted that according to her website, Stephanie Bond was writing a seventh book to be released later this year (2012), which made me happy. What I didn't realize was that the sixth book -- "6 Killer Bodies" -- was written back in 2009...which makes me nervous because 1) it only resolved two-and-a-half of the issues I felt needed to be sewn up and 2) it leads me to believe Ms. Bond doesn't know what she wants to do with this series. I mean, come on! Who takes three freakin' years to write a follow-up book for an established series? Was she originally going to end it with "6 Killer Bodies"? If so, did she really think readers would be satisfied with the ending? Why such a delay with book seven? Did she lose interest in the series? Is she planning on wrapping it up or is she gonna leave it open-ended so that she can write more books whenever the spirit moves her? To phrase it simply...What the hell?!?!

Like I said in my previous review of "5", I really think Ms. Bond has finally hit her stride. "6" grabs you from the get-go and keeps you on a rollercoaster ride the entire time. And although some issues are (thankfully) resolved, the book still leaves you hangin' (in a major way) and wondering how on earth things will turn out. (I'm not the type of reader who needs everything spelled out for me...but I do need closure for the big stuff. Otherwise, what's the point in reading it at all?)

All I can say is that I'm glad there will be a seventh book to hopefully ease my frustration because right now, not only do I want to smack most of the characters, I also want to smack Stephanie Bond, too. Please, Ms. Bond, I'm begging you...Get a plan...Figure out how you're going to wrap up all the dangling storylines...Release all future books on a schedule and in a reasonable amount of time...And for heaven's sake, give us closure!!!

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I've enjoyed the entire 'Body Movers' series from Stephanie Bond, but I must say I'm a little peeved. Everything I had read intimated that "Killer Bodies" would be the last book of the series. Apparently not! It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, I did, very much...but I was expecting ALL the issues to be resolved. Silly me.

Carlotta feels a bit like Chicken Little. Now that the cops have arrested her 'friend' Cooper, everyone seems to be convinced he's the 'Charmed Killer'...everyone but Carlotta. No matter how much evidence seems to be piling up, she just can't shake her belief in Cooper. And that's not Carlotta's only problem. The escaped, insane, former co-worker who tried to kill her is still on the loose and, as far as Carlotta is concerned, HE's a great suspect for the 'charmed' killings. And her former fiance Peter, who dumped her when her father and her family's wealth disappeared, is pressing her to deepen their relationship. And then there's her brother Wes, 19 years old. He's more of a child to Carlotta since she's the one who raised him for the last ten years...he's in BIG trouble--woman trouble, drug trouble, and mob trouble. Poor Carlotta would really like it if she only had to handle one problem at a time!

If you haven't read the previous five books, for goodness sakes don't start here. This series is filled with mystery, romance, and humor. Carlotta has three, count 'em three, men on a string and STILL can't decide which is right for her. She doesn't walk, but RUNS, where angels fear to tread in her efforts to clear her friends and find the killer and there are more red herrings than on a Maine fishing boat! I think I suspected just about everybody in the darn book, before the real killer was revealed.

"6 Killer Bodies" does have closure...of a sort. The 'Charmed Killer' mystery is solved. The mystery of Carlotta's father is not, but he does make another appearance. Wesley's issues become better...and more convoluted at the same time. And Carlotta's men...are still her men since there's just something special about each one. If only she could make a composite!

I did enjoy this book. Stephanie Bond knows how to mix humor, mystery, and romance and come up with intriguing stories and great plotting. But there's no way this is the last we've heard about Carlotta. So now I'm off to do more research on when I can expect the next installment in her crazy, mixed-up life.

[Kara Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am soooo bummed! I finally reached the end of the series so far! This is a love/hate relationship with any good book series! You work so hard and read so quickly to get to the end, but then when you finally do, you feel bereft! The good news is I was right on with a lot of what happened in this book-not in the "oh it is so predictable" kind of way, but in the absolutely not kind of way. I was suspect about Michael all along, so it was a huge surprise when he confessed. I am not at all thrilled about Vegas. I do not like Peter, to be honest, he is starting to scare me a little. I suspected Liz and her relationship well in advance. I had no idea that mouse would turn into such a complex character-I love that! I also like the fact that we learned who was listening in on the 10 yr. old bug and how we learned it. It made me question the ethics of that person a long time ago for sure. This book made me think more and I liked the development of the characters. I truly suspected Mitch for the past two books.

[Kaylee Alyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why hasn't the 7th book been released!? It had been 5 years and I need to read it already!

[Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I did not guess who the killer really was. I had some suspicions, but they were all red herrings and the killer kind of came out of the blue. Plus, someone, who I wasn't expecting, got killed. Did not see that coming either. I really enjoyed 4, 5 and 6 because there was more time to expand the mystery, though I hated waiting for everyone in front of me on the waiting list to get through them before I could read them.

I liked that, out of everyone who was telling Wesley to quit taking drugs, it was the killer henchman he worked with that actually did something about it. It gives Wesley a nice moral(-ish) dilemma, because this bad person actually helped him. And I'm curious as to how the meeting went between Jack, the cop, and Mouse, the bad guy, when Jack picked up Wesley and got instructions from Mouse. Perhaps Jack can turn Mouse and have him too turn on 'The Carver'.
And here's my relationship predictions: Peter ends up with Carlotta's co-worker, Patricia.(based solely on Patricia mentioning Peter and they move in the same 'circles) Liz's baby is actually Jack's, so they end up together. Which leaves Carlotta with Coop, because she was the only one to still believe in his innocence despite everything, that's got to mean something... or not. =P

One part made me laugh out loud, Carlotta called a female police officer she is friendly with at the station for help, which was given, along with this(paraphrasing) "I don't want to know what you're doing. And if I'm called to the stand I don't have a problem with committing perjury."

[Andrea Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read one of the Body Movers series. I usually don't jump into a series with the most recent book, but I got a copy of this one really reasonably and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Not because I didn't think Stephanie could write, she's one of my favorite authors, but because the series is quite a bit reminiscent to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels.

Carlotta is very different from Stephanie, she's more upscale and she can hold down a real job! That doesn't stop her from having men problems. She has at least two, possibly three guys vying for her affections and a younger brother that keeps her on her toes, or as close to being on her toes as she can be. However, like Stephanie, she's always getting involved in a crime that she shouldn't be.

I loved the secondary character's like Carlotta's friend Hannah and Wes' friend Chance and Mouse. They really liven the story up.

As for the ending. It was a bit of a surprise, but a good surprise.

When this book came out, I was under the impression that it was going to be the last in the series, but from the ending as well as Ms Bond's site indicate, there's more to come in the Body Movers Series, and I'm glad of that. There's a lot left to be resolved, with Carlotta especially with her father...and it will be interesting to see if she can decide on a man.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

i wanted to do this in order but this one was available on audio & i wanted something light so i jumped ahead.
this picks up where i'm guessing #5 leaves off. but unlike another series i tried, this writer did little summaries to explain who people were & what happened previously so i wasn't lost.
that's the good thing.

let's start w/the Carlotta has 3 guys after her & apparently she has hooked up w/each of them in previous books. so, yeah...not 1 but 3 good looking guys. and the writer can't choose?
and then her brother now isn't just a gambler but also an oxy addict. plus, his lawyer... she had an affair w/his dad & now him. GROSS!!!!!

and of course, their parents drama hasn't been solved yet.

unfortunately, i didn't finish this as i'd had enough.

[Yvonne Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series!!

I can't get enough of Carlotta and her men. She loves them all and can't choose. I'm excited what happens next with this cliffhanger?

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series! It just keeps getting better and better.

[Ladiibbug · Rating 5 out of 5]

#6 Body Movers series - Romance/Mystery/Humor

Stephanie Bond is a desert island author for me. I can do without TV, civilization, maybe the internet (for awhile) as long as I have books like hers to enjoy.

The Body Movers series is one that must be read in order.

Carlotta Wren, a sales associate at Niemans, has a chaotic life. Her 19 y/o brother Wesley is book smart but has a gambling habit, seedy friends, and now a drug habit. Wesley even manages to jeopardize his community service work at ASS* (Atlanta Systems Services) using his computer expertise.

Carlotta continually finds herself up to her eyeballs in murder investigations, much to the annoyance of one of the three men in her life, Detective Jack Terry.

Books 3-6 focus on the serial murder case of The Charmed Killer, who leaves charms (as in bracelets) in the mouths of his victims. Finally, in Book 6, a suspect has been jailed -- but it's one of Carlotta's friends who she firmly believes is innocent. Carlotta enlists Wesley and other non-law enforcement friends to investigate.

Of Carlotta's three men that she's involved with, my #1 choice for her is Jack (he's exciting and sexy); Cooper is a keeper tho I think; I do not want her to settle for Peter (he may be rich, but he dumped her forever ago and that still bugs me).

I was left wondering just why Mouse helped Wesley, especially since Wesley had just done something very dangerous and stupid that would enrage the loan shark Mouse & Wesley work for.

Stephanie's blog confirms JJ's recent news that there *will* be a Body Movers 7, Seven Brides for Seven Bodies (Fall 2010) & 8 (Spring 2011) *happy dance!!!*:

http://stephaniebond.wordpress.com/

I've emailed Stephanie to ask what upcoming exciting Body Mover news she's referring to in the above post. Will make a comment on this review when I hear back from her.

www.stephaniebond.com

* Naming a company with an acronym "ASS": Plus ten points ;-)

[Lyndsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

So amazing. The last three books of the body movers series is more of a trilogy, all focused on the Charmed Killer. A serial killer plaguing Atlanta. In the firs one, the murders start, and a psycho who broke out prison is gunning for Carlotta. The second book ends with Coop being arrested for the crime, but Carlotta can't believe it.

Finally we have the answers to the question who is killing these women. What a shocker of an ending.
The last victim of the Charmed killer was actually killed by someone using the MO to cover up his crime. The psycho is found and the true killer revealed.

Also, Carlotta has yet to make her decision. She knows her head should choose Peter but she isn't ready to commit. She is getting ready to leave on a trip with Peter to Vegas and Jack asks her to stay. She wisely asks him "Don't go..or stay with you Jack. Those are two different things" He doesn't have an answer for her. Also Coop shows up and gives a parting kiss. Whats a girl to do. She has been "staying" with Peter for a few weeks but goes to bed every night on the phone with Jack. Jack doesn't do commitment and is leading the investigation to track down her father.

The last 3 pages are a doozy. Not going to spoil those here.

STEPHANIE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE write and release the next book soon.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do like this series but Carlotta is just one of those women that drive me nuts. She has three men panting after her - Peter Ashford (her rich fiance who dumped her when her father got caught embezzling funds and who is now back ten years later and begging for her love. WTH?), Jack Terry (the cop who wants sex more than a relationship but who is jealous of Carlotta's other men) and Cooper Craft (the ex-coroner who is hot and is in love with her). For her own protection, Carlotta is living with Peter. Obsessing over Jack and trying to prove that Cooper is not The Charmed Killer (since he was arrested as such). Her love life is almost as screwed up as her brother Wesley's life - drugs, gambling, loan sharks and let's not forget his probation officer).

That being said, I enjoyed this installment and really wish there was another one in the works. According to Ms. Bond's website, another two books should be published in 2011-2012. There are lots of loose ends that need to be tied up before the series can be over. Well so much for 2011 so here's hoping that Carlotta finally makes up her mind and picks the correct man and not just the rich one cuz he's an ass.

[Lois Baron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho. Hum. Thank goodness she got Coop cleared of murder by the end of the book--I would have been steamed if she'd let that drag on. As it was, the bad guy turned out to be a very minor character who barely gets mentioned in this volume at all. No good make-out scenes with anyone. I'm betting Coop ends up with the nice newspaper woman eventually and Jack finally sees that Carlotta is worth committing to. I was a little shocked that Jack's partner, Maria, got killed off, but I figure that removes her as an obstacle in Carlotta and Jack getting together in the end. Although I think it would be better if Jack picked Carlotta over a living Maria.

But how many more books are going to be in this series? I hate not knowing how long it will be till all the questions are answered. We still have to find out the whole Daddy-was-an-embezzler-maybe thing to resolve.

Wes was not so vulgar in this issue, but Hannah was bawdier. Whatever.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

We finally learn who the charmed killer is but that is about the only thing that gets wrapped up in this last novel. Carlotta is still living with Peter, but they have flamed out, important people go missing, die, or get thrown in jail, and worst off all, the story does not end!!! The love square is never made a line; we don’t know what happens to Wesley, the pregnant lawyer, the parents, nothing. Overall I find this a disappointing end. There is another short story after this but it does not really answer the big questions. And since it has been over 2 years since this book was published and the author has written at least 4 other new books, I doubt we ever find out.

[Michelle Kampmeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really glad that the charmed killer deal got resolved. However, this is another book that ended so abruptly. Hopefully the next one will pick up right where it left off.

I don't feel like these books deserve a 4 star rating even though I really enjoyed them. They have the same phrases repeated over and over again throughout all six, the story lines are a tad predictable (even if they're exciting), and some of the sex takes away from the integrity. The words she uses don't seem artistic as much as much as they seem crude.

[amydawn74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I love Stephanie Bond's writing and all of the twists she likes to throw out there to confuse the reader. I had an inkling about who I thought the Charmed Killer was - it's sure nice to be right for once! As I've heard other people say, I want to smack all three of the men and Carlotta at different points in this series. Especially the scene towards the end with Carlotta and Coop. Coop has hooked me and I just feel like they're meant to be. I'm bummed that we don't know when book 7 will be released since she's still waiting for the TV series development with Sony.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have mercy!!

If this is the first you're reading on the body movers...just stop and go to book one! you need to read every detail and probably go back and pick up a few missed things too. I love the triangle of men in Carlotta's life & I'm so curious who she ends up with. Wes & his drama with women and his collection job are keeping me guessing too. This is a great story, keeps you interested throughout and then BAM a twist. can't wait for 7!

[Fey · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is possible to throttle fictional characters? I feel like the main character is an incredibly lucky half-wit with exceptional taste in expensive clothing who is surrounded by ASSHOLES. I don't think we're even talking good characters at this point, these are just rotten people that I hate having to associate with even in a fictional capacity. I just hope this damned series ends soon so I don't have to put up with them much longer.

[Kristan Kirkreit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was a twist of an ending. I like the 3 books (4,5,6 go together) but I will definitley be pissed if she doesnt finish this. I need to know who she is going to end up with. Of course Im keeping my fingers crossed for Jack <3!!!! But there are just to many unanswered questions and open story lines. Hurry up with #7!!!!

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

6 Books in and Ms. Carlotta Wren is still dragging all 3 of her Mr. Maybes through the wringer...poor schmucks. I think Stephanie Bond was as confused as her leading lady about where the majority of the plot was going, and alas, her readers are left to endure the ineffectual writing roller coaster that is this series in hopes for some sense of closure.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little frustrated with Book 5 (5 Bodies), as many threads were developed but none were resolved. I love ongoing stories with multiple story lines, but each book has to have some type of resolution. I feel cheated otherwise. Thankfully, Book 6 provided some closure while keeping some threads active. Yeah!

[Stef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally another fast read in the series. keeps you right into the story and of course a few cliff hangers from the previous books intertwined with this one. Awesome series. Just a couple more books left in the series then I will need to find another series to read that is fun like this one. :-)

Fast read, suspense, action packed, a little comedy and romance.

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will keep reading simply to get some closure but this book felt really wandering then rushed at the end. I'm repeating my same critique of the last book but I can only suspend disbelief for so long. Get a grip Carlotta on which guy you want. The big twist at the end with who the killer was seemed sloppy and forced. I really hope some of the hanging storylines get resolved in the final book.

[Emmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall rating: 5 stars

Genre: Chick-Lit
Plot: 9/10
Ending: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Hero: Jack- 8/10
Coop- 9/10
Peter- 0/10
Heroine: 8/10
Humour: 7/10
HEA: n/a

Recommend: Yes
Re-read: Maybe
Read more from author: Yes

[Yuckamashe · Rating 3 out of 5]

More dead bodies and crazy near death experiences! Carlotta's life has way too much chaos and danger and far too little sex and fun!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well developed.
Had an ending.
Once again employed a gratuitous cliff hanger about Daddy.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy these characters. Waiting to get #7

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5* This book was fast paced and engaging. Like Carlotta I did not believe that Coop was the Charmed Killer. However, I was surprised that it was the medical examiner, Dr. Abrams. Michael Lane was found, Coop was exonerated, and the real killer was found. However, I did have some issues with this book. While I was not a fan of Maria's I'm sad she's dead. Her ex-husband doing a copy cat was surprising. I am glad that Wes is clean, and I'm really starting to like Mouse; it was nice of him to help Wes detox. Wes and Meg finally talked and seem to be in a good place and he the he found out about Liz and the baby. That is going to make for some issues later. I feel bad for not liking Peter; he's a great guy but he's not right for Carlotta. The fact that her father showed up in time to save her is both happy and devastating. He did plant the listening device and has been keeping tabs on them for the entire time he's been on the run which is heartbreaking. But, I'm glad he saved Carlotta and now that he will be on trial we can find out the truth.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a stack of more substantive books on my nightstand that taunt and judge me for reading stupid shit like this, but I'm six books deep and invested in the only non-punchable character and hope that he makes it out on top instead of any of the other idiots.

Again, in the words of Frank Costanza, I got a lot of problems with you people. Based on how this ends it feels like the author wanted to end the series here, but something screwy happened and another six books popped up like Gremlins. Along with the usual cast of idiots there are plenty of plot holes and a killer inserted in near the end as an afterthought. And the knight in shining armor to rescue the damsel in distress at the end is peak absurdity, which is on par with the female main character who is both an idiot and also Nancy Drew/Harriet the Spy/Hermione Grainger and able to solve mysteries that trained law enforcement somehow can't solve.

[IAmTheHolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is kind of ridiculous and not totally along the lines of what I’d usually read, but I definitely enjoyed the fluffiness. Been a good diversion these past two weeks – they’ve been stressful! As I said, I can’t find book 7 or any others more current in this series in my Overdrives or local library, so we will see if I manage to get back to this series eventually or not. I would recommend these books if you are into chick lit, fluffy reads, or very light mysteries. Not written terribly, just light and don’t take much thought.

7 of 10 overall (and that’s about what I’d go with for the whole series) and 4.5 of 5 for readability. Fluffy, one book rolls right into the next, but simple, fairly enjoyable reads with many interesting characters.

-Holly

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