Bodies to Die For by Lori Brand

A Four-Star Book Review

Lori Brand’s Bodies to Die For takes readers into a world of fitness influencers, body image struggles, and a murder mystery that kept me turning the pages. Told from the perspectives of Gemma, a formerly obese woman turned fitness influencer, and Ashley, a woman grappling with her weight and her own approach to body positivity, the story dives deep into the complexities of societal expectations and self-acceptance, with a little murder along the way.

About Bodies to Die For

Gemma transformed her life when she lost weight and is now building her fitness influencer empire, but once her friend is murdered at a fitness expo, she starts to question if this empire is what she wants after all. Meanwhile, Ashley meets a mysterious figure who embraces a radical take on body positivity and pulls Ashley into an alluring group that targets influencers like Gemma while capitalizing on Ashley’s own skills. 

As more bodies fall, both women confront their own body images in a society quick to judge, with shocking twists at a bodybuilding contest with the ultimate award: survival.

What I Enjoyed about Bodies to Die For

Bodies to Die For takes the murder-mystery structure and adds a complex look the influences of body image, toxic body positivity, and social media.

• Gemma and Ashley are fascinating, if sometimes frustrating, characters. Their flaws and inner conflicts add layers of tension, making them feel real and relatable, even when they’re unlikeable. I appreciated how Ms. Brand didn’t shy away from portraying the less glamorous sides of their personalities, creating characters you may not always root for but can’t stop reading about.
• Bodies to Die For does an excellent job of exploring the nuances of body image and the body positivity movement. Ms. Brand captures the grey areas of these issues without reducing them to simple right or wrong answers, giving readers much to think about.
• The mystery aspect, while engaging, was somewhat predictable. But while I suspected where the story might lead, that didn’t detract me from enjoying the book.

Final Thoughts about Bodies to Die For

Bodies to Die For is an entertaining, fast-paced read that balances mystery with a thoughtful examination of self-image and societal pressure. Despite a few predictable plot points, the book is an enjoyable read for its characters and the honest portrayal of the struggles they face. If you’re a fan of mysteries with a touch of social commentary, Lori Brand’s novel is definitely worth your time.