Size 12 Is Not Fat is vintage Cabot, but with a twist: this is the first book in her new mystery series aimed at an adult audience.

The story goes like this: washed up, size 12 former teen pop star sensation Heather Wells has found a job as an assistant director at one of the dorms — I mean residence halls — at New York University. While living with her ex-fiancé’s brother, she’s waiting out her 6 month probationary period, so the college will start paying for her degree. But while she’s waiting, tragedy strikes when one of the coeds dies in a bizarre elevator surfing accident. Heather’s not convinced this shy, quiet girl was the type to jump off a moving elevator, and when another girl meets a similar end, she’s even more convinced something’s not right. But the police aren’t listening to her, and even Cooper, her very-hot PI landlord, thinks she might be concocting this story for the attention. But Heather’s sure she’s right, and she’s willing to risk her own life to prove it.

Heather is definitely a Meg-type heroine, willing to voice those thoughts many of us have but are afraid to say for fear of sounding, well, shallow. I figured the mystery out before the end, but it wasn’t so obvious that the book wasn’t worth it. In fact, I rather enjoyed this fast, fluffy read (great mind candy!), and I’m looking forward to Heather’s next adventure.
 

 

Review published in The Hub Weekly

January 26, 2006