I found this to be a quick and easy read due to its thought-provoking social commentary, satirical humor, multiple POV (with a 3-person audiobook narrating cast!), and fast-moving plot. I never got bored, and I was invested in the two main characters, Gemma and Ashley. They had incredible character arcs throughout this book!

In terms of the murder mysteries, I really had no clue what was the truth until it was revealed to me! There were so many moving parts, possible suspects (catty competitors, creepy Instagram stalkers, secret relationships), and motives that I couldn’t guess whodunnit.

I also appreciated the overarching message from the author. There were many themes, but what I personally took away from it is that diet culture and fatphobia don’t just hurt fat people - the harmful beliefs hurt everyone, from people so focused on looks and their disordered eating, to people facing medical discrimination and dismissal, and the perpetuation of toxic masculinity and upholding the patriarchy. In a time where we have been bombarded with thin ideals and ways to lose weight (diets, medications, surgeries, etc) since we were young, and all of the emotional baggage this has caused many of us to carry with us throughout our lives, it was a refreshing read. I’ve never seen these themes explored so well in a book, and definitely not in a thriller.

My only critiques? There was obviously body diversity in this book, but as far as I could tell, everyone was white. And the one character that didn’t turn out to be straight, it only seemed to be used a plot twist. So I would have appreciated some more intersectionality in this book, since body size affects marginalized communities in different ways than straight, cis, white people.

I think that people who loved Lisa Jewell’s “None of This is True” or Amy Tintera’s “Listen for the Lie” will eat up this clever book!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced listening copy! The audiobook was wonderful. This book is OUT NOW!

⚠️ Be aware of these sensitive topics/possible triggers (may consider some of these spoilers but important to include):
.
.
.
.
Fatphobia, disordered eating, pregnancy, death/murder, physical assault, mentions of blood/strangling/explosions

This one was started out pretty slow for me and I was beginning to think maybe it wasnt for me but it did pick up a bit. The topic could definitely have triggers for people trigged by weight loss topics. The mystery part on who was killing these fitness girls got to be pretty fun by the end. The narrator was ok for me.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

Publish date: 06/11/2024

Great audiobook. I enjoyed the different narrators. This was a fun thriller and I enjoyed the peek into the world of body building. I appreciate listening to this fun thriller.

Diet culture and murder!

Very much entertaining with the varying perspectives of body image, health trends and public perception! Fast paced and different POVs!

This was an interesting spin on the online fitness influencer industry and how toxic it can be. It gave me more cozy mystery than thriller vibes. There was a lot of craziness and commentary around diet culture that made this a good read!

I enjoyed this and think this would be a great book club selection to dive into!!

This was an intriguing thriller, involving a wide cast of women. Gemma is a bodybuilder and personal trainer, preparing for a bikini competition; Ashley is a software developer who gets involved with a group of vigilantes promoting a “fat and fabulous” message. The story provides an informed look at the female body from many perspectives, incorporating body shaming and the influence of social media on fitness, diet culture, and self-confidence. But, it is also an interesting thriller, told from multiple viewpoints and revolving around a cast of characters who all possess motives to kill. I enjoyed this on audiobook and felt that the cast of narrators did a fantastic job of telling this story. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

I really liked this book because it not only has the thriller element but it also immerses the reader into the debate of diet culture vs body positivity.

The book is told in dual points of view. Gemma is a fitness influencer. Ashley owns her own company but deals with being morbidly obese. Both of these women’s points of view are drama filled.

The book begins with a murder. After more deaths, in addition to the drama there is the mystery of who is the “Fit Girl Killer”.

Both Gemma and Ashley suffer from extremes. I think this leads into an excellent book for a group discussion about moderation.

There were some nice twists in this one and the book does a great job of giving multiple legit suspects for the Fit Girl Killer.

Bodies to Die For is a murder mystery set in the world of female fitness competitions. Someone has killed several women connected to the competition--could it be a jealous rival, a spurned coach, or possibly the group of diet culture protesters that seem to be ramping up? I was interested in the book because of the conflict between the fitness industry and the body positive movement, and this conflict does play a major role in the story. As a story, it felt a little bit like a cozy mystery,

Overall, however, I liked but did not love this book, as I often found myself rolling my eyes at the gross stereotypes portrayed by the characters and the simplistic conflicts and conversations between characters. Some of my responses were likely due to the audiobook narration, in which one of the characters was read with a cadence and tone that I found annoying (although this may have been an intentional choice due to the less than likeable character). I likely would have enjoyed the book more in print format.

Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Audio for the complimentary audio copy of Bodies to Die For by Lori Brand. The opinions in this review are my own.

I just....first off, if fat phobia is a trigger for you, do not read this book. its almost on every page. 90% of the book I had no idea what the point of the book was. It just gave me the ick. SOrry.

I enjoyed the multiple POVs in this mystery thriller. I wouldn’t say it’s the type of thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat, afraid to read on while simultaneously needing to know what happens next, but it was a decent read. I enjoyed that was something different. I have never read a story surrounding the world of women’s bodybuilding/bikini competitions so it was interested. Normally I finish audiobooks this size in one sitting, but I did take a few breaks with this one as I wasn’t fully invested in any of the characters. I enjoyed the narration and felt the narrators voice suited the story well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lori Brand for this ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Lori Brand's "Bodies to Die For" is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on edge. Centered on a series of mysterious deaths in a small town, the novel expertly weaves suspense with intricate character dynamics. Brand's sharp prose and vivid descriptions create an atmosphere of palpable tension. The story delves into themes of trust and betrayal, revealing dark secrets and hidden motives. With its unexpected twists and well-crafted narrative, "Bodies to Die For" is a compelling read for fans of the genre, offering both intrigue and psychological depth.

This wasn’t for me but it always was not a genre I often read. The topic of fit/fat culture seemed relevant in parts but didn’t make any new or novel points. I was not invested in any of the characters or the mystery.

I have to start by saying that I was a bit hesitant to even apply for the #alc of this audiobook because of the tough topics it tackles. As someone who’s spent her life caught in the web of diet culture but now knows better, I was intrigued but cautious. Plus, as a plus-size woman who’s struggled with weight and self-acceptance for as long as I can remember—losing weight, gaining it back, losing it again—I’ve been on both sides of this story. I’ve been the person dieting, strength training, and counting calories, and I’ve been the plus-size person tired of society judging me just based on my weight. This book hit close to home in many ways.

Now, about the book itself. Bodies to Die For is marketed as a psychological thriller, but honestly, I wouldn’t call it that. It’s more of a murder mystery with a heavy dose of social commentary on the extreme lengths people go to for thinness—think waist trainers, dangerous competitions, and sketchy diet products. It sometimes felt like a reality TV show, a bit like a train wreck you can’t stop watching.

The story is told from multiple POVs, and to be honest, I felt there were too many, especially the male perspectives, which I could’ve done without. None of the characters were particularly lovable. They had me cringing most of the time, and I suspected everyone at some point—they were all pretty terrible people.

Ashley, the plus-size software engineer, was the most relatable to me. I loved that she was a female programmer! But I didn’t always agree with her actions. Gemma, on the other hand, felt a bit too naïve to be the main character in a whodunit.

Despite my criticisms, both characters showed personal growth by the end, which I appreciated.

The narration by Jennifer Aquino, Chelsea Stephens, and Joe Hempel was decent, though Gemma’s voice annoyed me (sorry, narrator!). The audiobook format really helped me stick with it, despite the multiple POVs, which might have been a deal-breaker if I were reading it in print.

This book stirred up a lot of emotions for me because of its focus on diet culture and fat shaming. Despite everything, I’d give it somewhere between 3.75 and 4 stars. I’ll probably round up to 4 stars because the audiobook kept me engaged!

Thank you to @netgalley, Blackstone Publishing, and Lori Brand for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

"Bodies to Die For" by Lori Brand is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark side of the fitness industry and the pressures of social media. The novel follows two main characters, Gemma and Ashley, whose lives intersect in unexpected and dangerous ways.

Gemma is a popular fitness influencer who has built her brand on the image of perfection. She has transformed herself into a thriving business woman with and a seemingly perfect life. However, beneath the surface, Gemma struggles with the constant pressure to maintain her image. Her personal life is also in turmoil, with a husband who shows little concern for her well-being.
On the other side, Ashley is a software engineer who is frustrated with failed diets and societal expectations. Ashley finds a sense of purpose and belonging within a fat activists group, but her newfound zeal leads her down a dangerous path.

Lori Brand expertly explores themes of body image, societal pressure, and the impact of social media on mental health. Through Gemma and Ashley’s contrasting experiences, Brand highlights the extremes of both the fitness and body positivity movements, showing how both can be harmful when taken to the extreme. The alternating perspectives between Gemma and Ashley add depth to the narrative, allowing readers to see the story from different angles. Brand’s background as a former bodybuilder and fitness instructor lends authenticity to the portrayal of the fitness industry and its challenges. ⠀

Brand’s writing is engaging and fast-paced, with short, punchy chapters that keep the reader hooked. The suspense builds steadily throughout the novel, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. The mix of top-notch suspense and social satire makes Bodies to Die For a compelling read. ⠀

"Bodies to Die For" is a thought-provoking and thrilling debut novel that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries. Lori Brand’s keen insights into the fitness industry and social media culture make this book both entertaining and enlightening. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the darker side of the quest for physical perfection.

This book may be a great fit for someone either passionate about fitness or the body positivity movement but neither are areas I have a huge interest in so this book did not hold my interest. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the book but not the surrounding characters or set pieces.

I enjoyed the narration of this. It was well done. I struggled with the story. I appreciate the warnings for content. But I just wasn’t super into the story. I wanted more focus on the mystery and the weird things happening

This book was fun, but a bit too cheesy/kitsch for me overall. What I did like was the different POV and guessing whodunit. It was pretty lighthearted for a serious story, which almost made it feel like a cozy mystery.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book! I give it 4 stars. I thought it was very interesting and different being that it was a thriller based on female body builders. It was a plot setting I haven’t seen before, so I was so excited for it, and it did not disappoint. This book touches on the insecurities of women, and how catty women can actually be,m to each other. The character development was great, I had strong feelings, either good or bad, for every character, and I really thought I knew whodunit! It kept me guessing until the last chapter!

Thank you NetGalley, Lori Brand, and Blackstone Publishing for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and words are my own.

Short Synopsis:
I always recommend going into thrillers blind, but it’s a psychological thriller that centers around a bikini model and body shaming activists.


My Thoughts:
I loved how unique this thriller is. The multiple POVs and juxtaposition of the bikini competitors and the fight against body shaming was entertaining to read. It was well written with great drama and bodies piling up.

I did see the twist coming, but it was a fun ride getting there.

What You’ll Find:
Psychological thriller
Short chapters
Multiple POV
Fitness and body shaming
Serial killer

I enjoyed this book. It was a fast read & kept me reading. I loved the ending with a twist. The character buildup was intense. The writer really made me feel like I was in the middle of the body building industry.

This book is SO MUCH FUN! The action is non-stop, the fitness influencers are dropping like flies, and there is a dark sense of humour that permeates every aspect of the storytelling.

Ashley hates the fact that being a large woman means enduring continuous contempt from the people around her. When she meets the mysterious and fascinating Lydia though , her entire life changes. She becomes a fatness activist and feels increasingly empowered - until things threatens to careen out of control.

Meanwhile, Gemma seems to have the perfect life as a successful fitness influencer, with a good-looking husband and excellent prospects of winning a forthcoming bikini bodies contest.

But with someone apparently picking off other "fitness girls" she knows, Gemma starts feeling that she is up against a serial killer who may target her next!

Meanwhile , although Ashley and Gemma find themselves in an increasingly adversarial relationship, given that Gemma was once a fat girl like Ashley, they may find out that they have more in common than they ever dreamed...

With plenty to say about society's attitudes towards women's physical attributes, and the widespread prevalence of body shaming, this book comes with a razor sharp message and is delivered by a writer with an equally sharp wit. Highly recommended!