Fitness Kills: A Nora Franke Mystery    by Helen Barer Order:  USA  Can Five Star, 2007 (2007) Hardcover     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Nora Franke, a New York food writer, has come to a Baja California spa to make over its menu. Then murder rears its ugly head and the whole concept changes as she tries to discover who could have killed two of the spa's guests. Nora had accepted this job for a change of scene after her romantic life seemed to have hit the skids. As she investigates, she discovers a little more about the background of the spa and those who own it. Her research becomes a bone of contention with spa employees as well as with the guests. One bold action on her part leads to another as she immerses herself in hot water. Her ex-lover comes to the rescue and his male authority is a little hard to swallow. Fitness Kills is the first in a new series by Helen Barer. It's full of action as well as full-blown characters – the type of personalities that would band together in a spa setting and wouldn't probably see each other otherwise. Barer is no novice where writing is concerned. She has spent many years as a non-fiction writer. This, her first work of fiction, is a job well done. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews