Death by Bikini
by Linda Gerber
by Linda Gerber
Published: 2008
Genre: Mystery
Paperback: 225 pages
Rating: 5
Inspiration: hype for 3rd in series Death by Denim, released May 2009
Description from the book:
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 resort allows few opportunities for her to make friends - much less to meet cute boys. So when a smoldering Seth Mulo arrives 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 beach - strangled by her own bikini top - and alarm bells sound. Is it too great a coincidence that Seth's 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...
From inside book cover (behind the cute bikini cutout):
Bikini
1. Sexiest of all bathing suits
2. Sure-fire method for attracting teenage boys
3. Best way to show off toned abs
4. Quickest way to end up dead on the beach...
My thoughts:
In-a-word(s): Pepper Spray
Nothing like a story set on a tropical island setting to help get into the Summertime mood. Oh, how I would like to sit under a shady cabana on a beach with a cool drink and book in hand in front of a sparkling ocean. But, I digress. But, wait. This is exactly why I like this book. It takes you into vacation mode whether or not you're on vacation.
I enjoyed the first book of this series. In this book we watch the makings of a young female sleuth - an origin story of sorts. And, sparks of love, too.
When the main character, Aphra Behn, mentions that she is named after the first female writer I went over to Wikipedia to find out a little more about Aphra.
Aphra Behn (July 10, 1640–April 16, 1689) was a prolific dramatist of the Restoration and was one of the first English professional female writers. Her writing participated in the amatory fiction genre of British literature.
and
Behn worked for Charles II as a spy during the outset of the Second Dutch War, working to solicit a double agent. However, Charles either failed to pay her for her services or failed to pay her all that he owed her, and Behn, upon returning to England, needed money. She was widowed and destitute and even spent some time in debtor's prison before scoring a number of successes as an author.
Cool, eh? Aphra was a spy. hmmmm.
Series:
Death by Latte
Death by Denim
