To Die For

By: Linda Howard

Narrated by: Franette Liebow

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Blair Mallory lives the good life. She's pretty, confident, and the owner of a thriving upscale fitness center. But in the shadow of success, a troubled member of the club develops a strange fixation on her, imitating her style and dress. Matters take a darker turn when the look-alike is shot dead - and Blair witnesses the horror.

As the media speculate on the tawdry details of the homicide and push Blair into the harsh spotlight, she locks horns with police lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth - he wants to lead an investigation without interference, while she is determined to probe the dead woman's life on her own.

But when someone begins to menace Blair with mounting threats, Wyatt takes notice: Was this murder indeed a lethal case of mistaken identity - and was Blair the intended victim?

©2004 Linda Howard (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Loved the Story

I listened to the sequel first and loved the narrator. I'm not as enamored of the narrator for this story. She did a great job with the other characters but I had a hard time with the voice she chose for the main character. The narrator nailed the southern accent but her voice had a slight quiver I associate with older women, therefore I had a hard time picturing the heroine as young and vibrant. That's my only complaint. Everything else, the other characterizations and the plot, were great. The story had several laugh out loud moments, and enough heat to make it a great romance.

My comfort listen from Linda Howard

This book and book 2 which is Drop Dead Gorgeous are all time favorites from Linda Howard. When I just have to work through a though project I listen to them back to back. Make the task and time fly by. Funny, sweet and very Linda! Love all the older angst filled books from her too but these two are stress relievers for me. Hoping there is third book in the series. Want to know the after married life of Blair!

Funniest Romantic Suspense

It’s 13 years since I first read this book and I still laugh from beginning to end. Yes, I end up rereading or listening maybe once a year.
The audio adds a level up with Liebow’s pitch perfect voice and delivery.
I can’t recommend this book enough. Enjoy!

Wonderful Story with another book in the series

If you could sum up To Die For in three words, what would they be?

Love this story!

What was one of the most memorable moments of To Die For?

Blair Mallory and JW Bloodsworth

What about Franette Liebow’s performance did you like?

Well read with different nuances for different character's. Flowed nicely and was a pleasure to listen to

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Always the interaction between Blair and her Beau!

Any additional comments?

There's a second book, go listen to it!

Narrator needs help

Storyline was okay female character a little whiny I suffered through the narrative. Sometimes it was very painful.

Story is good, Narration Sucks

Several other people mentioned the narrator and I have to say, I thought I would be able to listen past that. But it is very hard to ignore a bad narrator some times. From the start it was like OMG this is horrible. The voices she did were the worst. But I was able to listen past it as soon as I got into the story. But again that took time to get to that state. But every time I paused or stopped audible book, I would have to restart and again try to listen past the bad narration just to get the story. I happen to love audible books, but I guess this proves, not all are worth it.

The story was excellent though. I love the Blair character. She is feisty and lovely and just plain crazy cool. This is a great character and she knows who she is and how to work it to her benefit. I have read/listened to books that the character is supposed to be like a James Bond type person, one who can do anything, fight anyone, kill someone with a toothpick, but yet then shows us clumsy side and you are like how is this person like James Bond. Don't get me wrong that clumsy side is funny as all, but it doesn't fit with the "I am a former CIA Agent" persona that the author is trying to portray. I still love those books, but that is a big sticking point for me, I mean give me James Bond or The Black Widow from Avengers. ANYWAY, this character is true throughout. She is who she is. She is funny, crazy, manipulative, clever, etc. And everyone in "her world" knows she is all this. And that creates the funny situations for her man to navigate through. And how she tries to double talk her way to getting what she wants. He loves her like this and would not like her any other way.

Anyway, if you want to read this book, I suggest in book version (not audible). Then you can do the audible version of her second book, Drop Dead Gorgeous. They did a good job with that one. No bad narration for that. She is still the same feisty character. You'll think I love the way she thinks. She is a bit crazy and has her priorities a little skewed but still there is a good purpose behind them. And that thinking is so clever and smart. You think her guy will have to keep on his toes. But he'll be able to handle it.

Wonderful, amusing -- the reader was PERFECT .

The reading was SO perfect for the part that it made the audible version better than the printed one.

One of my favorite Howard books

I love this story, and listened to the entire book, but I didn’t love the narrator. The accents made sense, but the female characters all sounded nasally and older than they are in the book. I also didn’t see the need to modulate the phone voices. Great story, though! Funny and gripping at the same time, with a wonderful romance.

Good once you get past the narrator.

After you decide to continue even though the narrator is horrible, the book is funny. I have the ability to ignore a bad narrator so that the sorry is my main focus. With that said it turns out to be a good book as long as you are not looking for something deep.

LOVE the book, hate the Narrator's accent

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I love this author and story. It's always worth listening to time and time again. I had already read the book when I purchase the much beloved audio book.

What other book might you compare To Die For to and why?

I would say this book reminds me of a mix of Elizabeth Lowell and Janet Evanovich. You have a mix of good humor and suspense.

How could the performance have been better?

I can't say how much I HATED the narrator's southern accent. I had read this book multiple time and never picked up on such a thick southern accent. The book is set in North Carolina NOT southern Georgia! I've seen that they have a different narrator for the second book in the series, one can only hope they have made the much needed improvement.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

A more truthful North Carolina accent!