Alice's Review: Size 12 and Ready to Rock

Summary: Summer break . . . and the livin' ain't easy! Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself—who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead . . . and it's clear that the star was the intended victim. Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright—who just happens to be Heather's new fiancÉ. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, this reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated. ~amazon.com

Review:  It has been almost five years since we last saw Heather Wells.  Not much has changed since then.  She is happily and secretly engaged to sexy private eye Cooper, she’s still the Assistant Director of the “Death” Dorm, err I mean Residence Hall at fictional New York College, and she’s still funny.

I really enjoy this series.  Heather’s shenanigans are what keep me coming back.  In this adventure, Jordan (International Pop star, Coopers’s brother, and Heather’s ex-boyfriend) is back with his now wife Tania Trance (the very one who stole Jordan from Heather).  Tania is pregnant and someone is out to get her.  For reasons Heather can’t explain, Tania feels safe with her and knows she’ll help her.  Let the drama ensue.

Meg Cabot doesn’t waste any time throwing us into Heather’s newest adventure.  Although this is the fourth book in the Heather Wells Mysteries series, Ms. Cabot gives her readers enough background to follow along without feeling lost or confused.  Keeping with the theme of the other books, each chapter starts with song lyrics written by the characters.  Some of the songs are heartfelt and warm, others are laced with humor.  I like to figure out how they are linked to the chapters.

Although I enjoyed this novel, there was one thing that disappointed me.  I thought the novel was very short. I realize it’s supposed to be a quick, fun read but it was too short.  It’s the kind of book you take with you for a long weekend to read while you are lounging at the beach or pool.  The substance however, is funny and well written.  On one hand, I’m glad it wasn’t a drawn out mystery but on the other, it would have been nice to spend a little more time with Heather, Cooper and the NYC gang.

Final Take: 4/5