It all began on a cold and rainy day (I do not remember the weather conditions) when I was perusing the book section at Goodwill. They say to never judge a book by its cover but that is exactly what I do. I pick up books that look interesting to me and then decide, based on a few short paragraphs on the back (or inside if that's how they wanna play it), if I think it's something I will be interested in. When I saw the bright yellow book sitting on the shelf, I just had to pick it up. Plus, with a name like Body Movers, I figured it had to be something good. Here is what I read:Carlotta Wren's life hasn't turned out as she'd planned. She didn't plan for her parents to skip bail for a white-collar crime, leaving her to raise her brother. She didn't plan on having the silver spoon ripped from her mouth and forgoing college to work retail. She didn't plan on her blue-blood fiancé dumping her. And she didn't plan on still being single ten years later, working at Neiman Marcus, with no idea where her fugitive parents are.
She's coping. Until…
…her lovable brother is arrested, and the hunky cop decides to reopen her parents' case.
…her brother becomes a body mover for the morgue and his sexy boss gets Carlotta involved.
…her former fiancé's wife is murdered, fingering Carlotta.
With three men in her life, Carlotta has added motivation to help bag a murderer to keep her own well-dressed body from being next on the list!
I used to read Nancy Drew a lot as a kid and I've always had a soft spot for a good mystery. So I purchased this book, clueless as to what awaited me.
A few months later, after finishing my most recent Sophie Kinsella book (love those!), I began browsing my bookshelves for something else to read. I came upon Body Movers and decided yes, I am in the mood for a sexy mystery!
I was about halfway through the book when I begun to realize that there were a lot of unanswered questions and I couldn't help but wonder how they were all going to be answered. Becoming suspicious, I Googled Body Movers and much to my surprise, I discovered I was reading book one of an ongoing series. I was not ready for this kind of commitment. But it was too late! At the end of book one, I headed to the Kindle store to purchase book 2. It spiraled from there.
So here I am, finished with book 7 and waiting for the next installment. The trouble is, there is no set release date and these books have been coming out sporadically over the past 10 years. What is a girl to do?!My obsession with the characters and their stories had just begun to subside, sure to be replaced by my next great read (or the return of any of my TV ships) when Stephanie Bond found a sneaky way to drag me back in. I've never read a serial novel before, but in case you were wondering, it is just as frustrating as TV shows and the podcast Serial. I discovered in mid-July that Ms. Bond had begun releasing a daily serial called Coma Girl. Beginning July 1st, she has released a new chapter each day and will continue to do so through December 31st. If you're impatient like me, you can purchase a whole month's worth of chapters on the 1st of each month.
Coma Girl is the story of...you guessed it...a girl in a coma. She can't move or speak or even open her eyes, but she can hear everything that goes on around her. It's a little bit mystery, little bit sad family tale but now I'm hooked. But what makes matters worse (or better, depending on how you look at it) is one of my favorite Body Movers characters makes an appearance. Just when I thought I was moving on...
And since I am now re-obsessed, and will be until at least the new year, I figured I would lay out all of my thoughts and theories.
If you have not read the Body Movers or Coma Girl series, turn back now! Spoilers ahead! Additionally, this review is very biased towards certain characters so expect nothing less.
Let's first get our main characters straight:
Carlotta Wren- Fashionista. Magnet for trouble.
Wesley Wren- Gambling addict. Needs to grow up.
Detective Jack Terry- Tactless but caring. Commitment-phobe.
Dr. Cooper Craft- Recovering alcoholic. Nice guy.
Peter Ashford- Richie Rich. Kinda pathetic.
Hannah Kizer- Best friend. Goth.
Liz Fischer- Harlot.
For info on other characters (or less biased descriptions of those listed above) go here: Body Movers Characters
Months have passed since I finished the last Body Movers book so a lot of the specifics have faded from my brain, leaving only those moments I loved and hated the most. But that's normally how it goes right? Here's my rundown of what's happened:
Carlotta and Wesley's parents left after her dad was accused of some sort of crime. Embezzlement maybe? Doesn't matter. Wesley was only 9 at the time so Carlotta, only 18ish, had to raise him on her own. Their family had lost all of its money so she wasn't able to go to college. Also, her first love, Peter, broke up with her.
It's 10 years later and Carlotta is struggling to make ends meat. Wesley isn't making things any easier, walking around with a chip on his shoulder and wracking up gambling debts. The books really begin with Wesley getting arrested for breaking into courthouse records. He's become obsessed with finding out about his parents and proving his dad's innocence.
In book one, Peter is arrested for murdering his wife, who is also one of Carlotta's customers at Neimen Marcus. She and Peter reconnect and he admits he never stopped loving her and his parents made him dump her (with threat of taking away his trust fund probably). Carlotta meets Detective Jack Terry, her brother's arresting officer, and dislikes him, and his ugly tie, immediately. He's a bit tactless and makes a lot of innuendos, but does seem to genuinely care about the Wrens.Wesley meanwhile gets a job as a body mover for the morgue, helping Doctor Cooper Craft. Coop crushes on Carlotta immediately but she's pretty stuck up Peter's butt so doesn't really seem to notice.Turns out Peter did not kill his wife (damn it). Also, Carlotta's dad calls her at the end of the book. She hasn't heard anything from him, besides the occasional postcard, in 10 years.
In book two, Carlotta's identity is stolen by a woman who later commits suicide. After this makes headlines (and all three men spend a few hours thinking Carlotta is dead), the DA decides to use this to lure Randolph Wren out of hiding. Just in case the senior Mr. Wren decides to show, Jack Terry posts up at Carlotta's house for a few days whilst she's pretending to be dead. It doesn't take long for things to heat up. Wesley gets involved with Liz, his father's ex-mistress and lawyer, and into further trouble with loan sharks. I think this is about when Wesley meets Meg, a girl his own age (Liz is like 40) who works with him at his probationary job. Carlotta's dad does come to her fake funeral but in disguise so they don't catch him. Turns out her co-worker Michael was the killer and he gets arrested. Oh, and Peter proposes.
In book three, Carlotta ventures off to Florida with Coop on a body recovery mission. Wesley secretly tags along and proceeds to steal the body they are after to help pay off some of his debts. (Yeah, it's weird.) Coop finally makes his move but they are interrupted by Wesley. What Carlotta doesn't tell Coop is that the real reason she came to Florida was to find her dad. Jack had told her he'd been spotted but wouldn't let her go with him (he took Liz, ugh) to find Randolph. Carlotta does see her dad who claims to be innocent before getting away.
In book four, a serial killer is on the loose. They call him the Charmed Killer because he leave charms in and around all of his victims. Carlotta is torn between all three men (what else is new) but ends up in bed with Jack again after nearly being blown up. Jack has a new partner, Detective Maria Marquez, who is lovely and exotic of course. Wesley is now doing oxy and acting a fool as per usual. Coop is acting strange. Peter finally convinces Carlotta to move in with him temporarily until they catch Michael, who has escaped the psych ward.
In book five, the Charmed Killer is still on the loose. Carlotta is living with Peter but try as they might, they just can't seem to have sex. Jack calls every night almost to chat (sometimes about the case, sometimes not). Coop is acting even stranger, getting drunk and making out with women in public. Wesley really likes Meg but is still sleeping with Liz and doing drugs and cleaning up after a loan shark. Towards the end of the book, Coop is arrested after the woman he was making out with turns up dead. HE IS THE CHARMED KILLER! So say the police.
In book six, Carlotta is determined to prove that Coop is not, in fact, the Charmed Killer. Which she does eventually manage to do. Turns out it was the current medical examiner who framed Coop because he was a hater or something. But they did not discover this until after Coop was released on house arrest and Maria is killed. Jack is peeved at Carlotta, since she was the one to get Coop out of jail (until they discover Coop was not the killer). But Carlotta also figures out that it was Maria's husband who killed her, not the charmed killer. And Coop was acting weird because of a woman he'd almost killed one time. Wesley finally gets clean, thanks to the loan shark's flunkies but finds out Liz is preggo and consequently loses Meg. Also, Carlotta's dad came to her rescue when the CK tried to K her. Sadness for him though because Jack arrived before he could leave and arrested him.
In book seven, Carlotta is bummed her dad is an jail and has decided she should take a break from all three men after everything that's happened lately. She gets assigned to run a Perfect Man booth at a wedding expo for work. Jack, who has been put on brief suspension for getting too close to the case, gets a gig doing security at the same event (convenient). Someone is murdered of course and Carlotta sets out on the case. Jack begins acting down and out and try as they might, they can't stay away from each other. After an incredible night together ("Something had shifted.") Carlotta realizes that she is in love with Jack (yay!) and he comes close to admitting he loves her too. She decides to break things off with Peter once and for all. Carlotta also visits her dad in prison and he still claims he's innocent but won't reveal where her mom is. Coop has a new kind-of girlfriend, Wesley discovers he is not the father of Liz's baby and Carlotta helps crack the case! But then, just as you think things will be okay, we find out Jack is in fact the father. Cue my tears.
There I was, finished with what exists of the series and saddened at this uncalled for turn of events. But I pushed through and read more Stephanie Bond books (rewarding her for bad behavior!). So when I discovered Coma Girl, I added it to my list. Imagine my surprise and delight when Detective Terry arrived at that hospital. We discover more facts about him that give me some hope for the future.
This next bit will be confusing if you haven't read any of these books. Just FYI.
Here's my theory about Jack Terry (thanks in large part to Coma Girl): I think Jack was in love once with a girl name Serena but something bad happened to her. She died most likely. And since, he's distanced himself from women emotionally. It's been all about no strings attached, casual sex. And it's worked out fine until now. I think Carlotta is the first woman Jack has really cared about in a long time and fear kept him from admitting it. He didn't take her to the dinner because he didn't want to get close to her. Same with Florida. But he still can't seem to stay away and hates the thought of her being with anyone else.
He didn't tell her where he lived because he knew she was more than a hookup. He kept saying he couldn't throw his hat in the ring because I think on some level he doesn't feel good enough for her. He knows he's somewhat emotionally unavailable and damaged and can't be her Prince Charming. As Carlotta put it, he's sexily imperfect. But does that mean he's not perfect for her? I think he is.
The baby thing obviously puts a damper on a blossoming relationship and ticks me off to no end! WHY, STEPHANIE, WHY?! But perhaps it's only a roadblock. A literary plot device to keep Carlotta from her happily ever after until the last book. BUT...
Keep in mind that in book 7, Liz tells Wesley that the baby can't be his because she is too far along. SO...she would have to have been preggo before book 2, which means she didn't get knocked up after Carlotta and Jack slept together. Given, that doesn't mean Jack didn't sleep with Liz after Carlotta BUT IT COULD MEAN THAT! He kept saying he and Liz were just friends so maybe they really didn't hook up after he was with Carlotta. I know he's still having a baby with someone else (who has now slept with like every guy Carlotta knows) but at least he didn't conceive the child after being with her. Which is a little better anyway. Listen, #TeamJack I don't care what you say.
My worry is that Coop is going to swoop in at the end and get the girl. It's happened before (Southern Vampire Mysteries anyone?). And she does seem jealous of him with other women. Plus they've had a few missed moments. But really, I think it would be better for them to stay friends and that's all. I know it makes me sound like a shipper whose boat sprung a leak, but I would actually like to see Coop with Hannah. She's liked him from day one and I feel like they would have the whole opposites attract thing going on. Plus, Carlotta is kind of a jerk for blowing off Hannah's feelings for Coop. I get you can't make people like you, or stop people from liking you, but damn. If I'd had the opportunity to date the guy my best friend liked, I wouldn't on principal alone. Maybe that's just me.
I'm not too worried about Peter because he is literally an annoying pest. In every book, I just wish Carlotta would permanently dump him and he would trot off to New York and never look back. He's a bit pathetic, as I think I mentioned before, and I'm like dude, just let it go. You effed up. Deal with it.
Until the end of book 7, Jack was the obvious front runner. Despite the push-pull of their relationship, he's the one who most often had the biggest effect on Carlotta. And now, especially after Coma Girl, we know he's not just playing her. We know he loves her. And we know he doesn't want to lose her.
I hope that we will continue to discover more about Jack Terry in upcoming Coma Girls and Body Movers 8, which I'm praying comes out sooner rather than later so I don't lose my fangirl mind. I think there's a lot more to learn and I just want Carlotta to know everything! Also I want to know everything. I should write Stephanie and suggest a book from Jack's point of view.
As far as other characters...
Liz is the worst, no doubt, but I would actually kind of like to see a scene with her and Carlotta where they just talk everything out. I want them to come to an understanding. And I want Liz to encourage Carlotta to choose Jack because they obviously love each other. Then Liz can find herself an age appropriate husband and little Terry can have two step parents who love him or her and all will be right with the world. Just sayin.
I'm really tired of Wesley's crap at this point. I know he's only 19 but he acts like a six year old half of the time. His sister did so much for him and he keeps screwing her over and getting her caught up in his mess. He may be book smart but as far as making adult decisions goes, he is a certified dumbass. Maybe Meg can straighten him up but sheesh. I could do with less Wesley in general.
Hannah should just keep being Hannah, except she really needs to get on the Jack bandwagon. I know she's looking out for her friend but like...pot meet kettle. At least Jack doesn't sleep with married women.
A part of me wishes I had never found this series (this is the impatient and irritable part) but another is glad I picked it up off of the Goodwill shelves and made it part of my life.
So there you go...my thoughts on Body Movers. I'm not sure most of that made sense but I feel better now that I've gotten it off my chest.
If, for some reason, you read this blog without reading the books and are now intrigued, I would recommend them. Now, do not go into this thinking it will be the best thing you ever read or that it won't be a little bit cheesy and a lot of bit unrealistic. It is what it is. But I like it and look forward to more.
