Books › Big Boned
Big Boned
384 pages
A delightfully chaotic blend of campus murder mystery and romantic comedy.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like catching up with a hilarious, slightly chaotic friend who just happens to stumble over dead bodies. The pace is brisk and entertaining, driven by a breezy, conversational prose style that perfectly balances the stakes of a murder investigation with the lighter, relatable drama of romantic entanglements and career reinvention. The mood is surprisingly upbeat for a mystery, leaning heavily into the cozy, humorous tropes of chick lit and campus life. It is a world where a dorm is just another workplace hazard, and dodging a marriage proposal is almost as stressful as clearing your name of homicide. This is a perfect escape for readers who love their amateur sleuths armed with self-deprecating wit and a messy love life.
- Mood
- cozy
- chaotic
- upbeat
- Tone
- wry
- humorous
- breezy
- lighthearted
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- romantic entanglement · workplace chaos · amateur sleuthing · reinvention
- The writing
- Breezy, conversational, and laced with self-deprecating humor.
- The arc
- A chaotic juggle of romantic confusion and workplace crisis that resolves into a clearer sense of self and direction.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love their murder mysteries served with a generous side of romantic comedy and campus drama.
Content notes
- murder
- workplace homicide
- accusations of sexual misconduct
About the book
Life is reasonably rosy for plus-size ex-pop star turned Assistant Dormitory Director and sometime sleuth Heather Wells. Her freeloading ex-con dad is finally moving out. She still yearns for her hot landlord, Cooper Cartwright, but her relationship with "rebound beau," vigorous vegan math professor Tad Tocco, is more than satisfactory. Best of all, nobody has died lately in "Death Dorm," the aptly nicknamed student residence that Heather assistant-directs. Of course every silver lining ultimately has some black cloud attached. And when the latest murdered corpse to clutter up her jurisdiction turns out to be her exceedingly unlovable boss, Heather finds herself on the shortlist of prime suspects—along with the rabble-rousing boyfriend of her high-strung student assistant and an indecently handsome young campus minister who's been accused of taking liberties with certain girls' choir members.With fame beckoning her back into show business (as the star of a new kids' show!) it's a really bad time to get wrapped up in another homicide. Plus Tad's been working himself up to ask her a Big Question, which Heather's not sure she has an answer for...
Description from Open Library.
Books like Big Boned
See why they match
Size 14 Is Not Fat EitherMeg CabotA witty, fast-paced romp that balances gruesome collegiate crimes with the relatable chaos of ex-boyfriends, demanding jobs, and simmering romantic tension.
Size 12 Is Not FatMeg CabotA breezy, laugh-out-loud mystery that pairs amateur sleuthing with a heavy dose of relatable, quarter-life reinvention.
Bare bonesKathy ReichsA gritty, science-forward thriller where clinical detachment gives way to visceral, close-to-home danger.
Ten Big Ones (A Stephanie Plum Novel)Janet EvanovichA hilarious, high-energy romp through Jersey where exploding cars and romantic entanglements are just another Tuesday.
206 bonesKathy ReichsA tense, claustrophobic forensic thriller where scientific certainty clashes with professional sabotage and mortal danger.
Good in bedJennifer WeinerA sharp, big-hearted journey through public humiliation and private grief that feels like venting to your funniest, most vulnerable best friend.