Death by Bikini (Death by Mystery #1)

Reader reviewed by Megan

Available Now from Puffin/Sleuth!


A day at the beach can be murder&

Aphra Behn Connolly has the type of life most teenage girls envy. She lives on a remote tropical island and spends most of her time eavesdropping on the rich and famous. The problem is that her family's secluded luxury resort allows few opportunities for her to make friendsmuch less to meet cute boys. So when a smoldering Seth Mulo turns up with his parents, she's immediately drawn to him. Sure, he's a little bit guarded, and sure his parents are rather cold, and okay he won't say a word about his past, but their chemistry is undeniable.

Then a famous rock star's girlfriend turns up dead on the beachstrangled by her own bikini topand alarm bells sound. What exactly are Seth and his family hiding? And is it too great a coincidence that they turned up just one day before a murder? As Aphra digs into the mystery, she discovers that Seth and his family are in hiding from a dangerous terrorist organization. And, what's more, her motherwhom she hadn't heard from in yearsmight be involved. As the plot thickens, Aphra finds that danger lurks behind even the most unexpected of faces. . . .


This a super good series. I so was shocked at the turn of events in the book and the endeing was really good and super addictive.  This was a great introduction to a sereis and was really explaining about the character and just got right into the action which not alot of first in a series do. This book was really good and you should definetly read it.

Reader reviewed by Bookluver-Carol

Aphra Behn Connolly has the type of life most teenage girls envy. She lives on a remote tropical island and spends most of her time eavesdropping on the rich and famous. The problem is that her familys resort allows few opportunities for her to make friendsmuch less to meet cute boys. So when a smoldering Seth Mulo arrives with his parents, shes immediately drawn to him. Sure, hes a little bit guarded, and sure his parents are rather cold, and okay he wont say a word about his past, but their chemistry is undeniable. Then a famous rock stars girlfriend turns up dead on the beachstrangled by her own bikini topand alarm bells sound. Is it too great a coincidence that Seths family turned up just one day before a murder? As the plot thickens, Aphra finds that danger lurks behind even the most unexpected of faces. .

This book was amazing. It has romance, mystery, and murder which I love in a book. Although I wold have loved for it to be a bit more mysterious but it was really good. The book was well-written and it was funny at times. I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait for Death by Latte. Linda Gerber is a great writer.

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Aphra Connolly lives on a tropical island, but its not a complete fantasy life. She works for her father at their resort that caters to the rich who want to be out of the spotlight. But when several unannounced guests show up, things start to get weird. One of the previous guests turns up dead on the beach, looking like she was strangled by her bikini strings. The combination of this and Aphras father acting distant prompts Aphra to begin her search for the truth.

Aphras determination to find the guests killer leader to a lot of sneaking, lock picking, and even Internet stalking. Aphra digs up new information and discovers that the newly arrived and secretive family are not who they say they are. Things become even more complicated when Aphra finds out, from their very hot son Seth, that this family is somehow connected to her mother, whom Aphra thought had abandoned her four years ago. It soon becomes apparent that something more sinister and dangerous that Aphra could imagine is taking place on her island home. But how can Aphra find the answers when she doesnt know whom to trust?

I usually dont judge books by their titles or covers, but Death by Bikini immediately caught my eye, and Im very glad that the novel lived up to my high expectations. Death by Bikini is one of the more original novels I have read recently, in addition to Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott. I definitely enjoyed the high action and suspense, especially near the ending of the book, and the maybe romance between Aphra and Seth. It had surprising twists as every good mystery novel should, and everything was more interesting because of the unique setting.

So, if youre looking for a good combination of mystery and romance, then definitely grab this book when it hits shelves mid-May. I was a little disappointed that the story was not longer, but I look forward to reading the next installment, Death by Latte.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com