Death by Bikini

Death By Mysteries #1

by Linda Gerber

"A fun, sexy, murder-mystery romance for all teen sleuths! 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. . . ."

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Chick Lit

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2008

About the author

Linda Gerber recently returned to life in the Midwest after four years in Japan where she served as the RA for SCBWI Tokyo. Her books include SASS: Now and Zen, SASS: The Finnish Line, Death by Bikini, Death by Latte, Death by Denim and the upcoming novel, Trance.

She currently lives and writes in Dublin, Ohio, blissfully ignoring her husband, four kids, and one very naughty puppy"

Reviews

[Jennifer Wardrip]

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

Looking for a fast-paced murder mystery? Look no further than DEATH BY BIKINI! I know if nothing else, the title alone should make you stop and consider the book.

Aphra Connolly and her father live on a tropical island. Her father left his resort in South Carolina to open the remote hotel four years ago. Most people would envy Aphra's life at the beach. But Aphra has no friends, no social life, and little to occupy her time except for the day-to-day operations of the hotel. The most her father can do to punish her is dock her pay. It's not like he can ground her. Where would she possibly go? To make life even more miserable for Aphra, her mother opted not to move to the island with them. She's had no contact with her mother in the four years they've been there.

Enter the Smith family. It's late at night and a family arrives, without reservations. Being such a remote location and requiring a helicopter to arrive, this is more than unusual. Aphra has the reservation system computerized, but her father insists on handling these new arrivals. Following up the next morning to ensure her father has entered everything properly; Aphra can find no record of them. And to confuse matters further, her father has supposedly put them in the one villa that is being renovated. It's off season, and many other options would be available for them. It makes no sense.

When the girlfriend of a frequent rock star guest is found dead on the beach, the intrigue picks up. From that point on, the action in the story is nonstop, rushing to the conclusion on the (expected) dark and stormy night.

Mysteries surrounding her mom's departure and the strange guests all are revealed by the end of the story. With a token love interest for Aphra in the form of the Smith's teenage son, Seth, there is plenty in the story to satisfy anyone that will pick it up. There is romance (though very clean), mystery, murder, tropical locales, and espionage. What more could anyone ask for?

It was a pleasant surprise to be so engrossed in DEATH BY BIKIN by Linda Gerber. I wasn't sure what to expect, having read her STUDENTS ACROSS THE SEVEN SEAS contributions. DEATH BY BIKINI is a totally different genre. But in all honesty, I believe that Ms. Gerber is much more suited to the thriller story than the S.A.S.S. series. I for one am eager to pick up the sequel, DEATH BY LATTE, to find out what Aphra is going to encounter next.

[MissAliceM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine if Nancy Drew tried to stop an international crime ring, ran afoul of frightening assassins, stuck her nose in everything and got in all kinds of sticky situations because of her meddling - oh wait, Nancy did all those things. Well, the Death by Bikini Mysteries are a kind of updated version of the Nancy Drew mysteries I loved as a kid. The meddler/heroine, Aphra Behn Connolly (lit reference alert!) is just as kick ass as Nancy and the stories are extremely fast-paced and exciting. The covers and titles of the books disguise the thriller-like nature of the stories within. I hope that Aphra becomes a hero to girls as much as Nancy was to me. Even an old jaded adult like me was rooting for Aphra the whole way. Just a fun, fun, fun read.

[Mel Steadman Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.5 stars*

Not really sure how to rate this because it's really not a genre I read very often, so I can't tell if I found this book boring because it was bad, or just because it's not for me. I think it's the latter in this case. It was interesting in a way, and served its purpose as a quick, easy read, but it wasn't something I would read again, and I probably won't continue with this series.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aphra Behn Connolly, lives on a tropical island, that would be paradise, if only her mom was there and if there were more kids her age. Aphra's mom, a government agent, mysteriously left Aphra and her dad a few years ago. Now Aphra is stuck on an island with no kids her age and is extremely bored. So when a family comes that has a son Aphra's age, you can imagine she is happy, but what she didn't expect was a murder on the same day. Now it is up to Aphra to figure out who she can trust and who she can't.
I fell in love with Death by Bikini at first sight, the summary sounded awesome and I thought the cover was extremely cool! And then when I started reading it, I fell in love again! You might be wondering why I love it so much, so I will tell you.

Aphra was a great funny character, who was incredibly fun to read about and listen to her thoughts. She has an excellent voice. I also really liked Aphra's friend Seth, who was just right for Aphra, he was extremely brave and wanted to keep Aphra safe when danger cam about. Which happened a ton.
I also enjoyed Gerber's style of writing, it was great and it made me want to keep reading.
The plot was great, I won't tell you much about it because I don't want to spoil it. All I can tell you is that a girl is found strangled, by her Bikini strings! Isn't that really a unique?! So take my word for it, because Death by Bikini was awesome.

[Jessica 🥨 (kinda inactive rn because of school) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i haven’t read a mystery book in a long time and i think it was exactly what i needed.


🏝️🌊👙🤫💋🦇

the perfect mystery to read for summer! a teenage girl who lives with her dad at the resort he owns, and works there too. the perfect amount of mystery that doesn’t leave you scared to go to sleep, and some good plot twists, with a perfect pinch of romance

what i loved:
- the storyline
it was so unique to read a book based at a resort and i thought it was really cool! the plot was really quick moving which i loved so i didn’t find myself getting to bored
- Aphra and Seth
i liked that they started out as friends but there was suspense in the relationship. their dynamic worked so well and as the story progressed it was revealed how much Seth had grown to care about Aphra
- i actually wanted to read it
i don’t know why but lately reading has just not been hitting the same for me. i can love a book and want to keep reading it, yet i wont have any motivation to actually pick it up and read it. i think maybe i was getting bored with the romance books? i think this was perfect to help

what i didn’t like:
- the last little bit
i felt like the ending was really stretched out. this could be because i guessed that Hisako was the killer, but when it was revealed i was excited that i was right but not too bothered. anyway, i felt like because i had guessed it everything was just going by so slow and it felt like nothing was happening. it started to feel very repetitive, how Aphra kept having a burst of motivation to keep going for some reason. idk but i just felt like because of this the last bit of the book was less enjoyable than before.

would i recommend this? yes! i would recommend this. this is a cozy summer mystery that is perfect to curl up with at the beach if you don’t feel like reading romance. but it is also not too far of a stretch away from it for the people who mainly read romance

[Lillie Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Death by Bikini my favorite part was when Aphra Connolly finds out who Adam and his family really are. She is shocked and starts calling Adam, Seth. His full name is Seth Mulo. They both are in love but their parents don't want them to be together since what happened between the two families. Mr. Mulo is trying to keep their identity a secret but Aphra already knows about it and that could end up deadly. All of these new problems keep springing up and the person who is behind it is after the Mulos.

I enjoyed the story. I like the story because it was filled with twist, turns, and action. Once you start reading it is hard to stop. Aphra and Seth are trying to help but they keep on getting kicked out and something else happens.

[Jeff Rhine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book in a doctor's office, and like the cover. Started reading it, liked it , now own a copy myself.

[Amy Rosenkoetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great high school murder mystery with loads of intrigue, betrayal, and fun!

[Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it as a kid, read it now. Still good lol

[Princess Bookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: 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...

My Thoughts: We meet Aphra who works on an island with her dad. Her mom left a long time ago. Every day is the same, people checking in and out, Aphra helping out, doing her usual day routine. Than a family shows up, she is immediately drawn to the young boy her own age, Seth. She tries to find out more and more about them, and she starts to develop feelings for Seth. Her dad warns her to stay away from him! She realizes she must know now what is going on and why they are there. She realizes they are hiding out. This book is really cute! I liked Seth! He reminded me a lot of the friends I had when I was a kid. She learns where her mom is, she learns why the family is there. Read this book if you want to know the ordeal they are in! What happens between Aphra and Seth? Wheres her mom? Pick up a copy and find out!

Overall: I loved this one! It was a fast short cute read! And, it will fit in your purse so you can carry it around with you! I really liked Seth and I want to find out what happens to him in the next two books!

Cover: Its cute! Come on, a cover with a swimsuit, you know you have to read this one!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death By Bikini
211 pages
Linda Gerber

Aprha has the life that any teenager would die for. She lives on an island in a resort. Who wouldn't love that! Aphra missses out on having her friends nearby and having the normal life any other teenage has. She may have a luxury but she does not see it as that. Her father lives with her but her mother hasnt been in her life for 4 years. Aphra's life is turned around when a handsome guy almost her age, Seth and his family come to stay at the resort. They arent the average family. They're different. Most importantly someone want them dead and that person is on that exact island. After Aphra's dad falls ill Mr. Mulo, Seth's dad comes to the rescue. To buy time Aphra pretends to be Mr.Mulo and goes out in a storm risking her own life as the assasiner is chasing her thinking she is someone else. Some they want dead. Seth notices Aphra sneaking out and he follows her. Seth and Aphra have this connection and neither seem to ever make a "move". Seth is wanted dead and ends up being shot in the arm. They make their way through the islands land trying to find a way out in pitch black. Seth and his family later find out that the assasiner is on the island and have to leave. Aphra is heartbroken to know that Seth must leave but knows she will soon see himn again. The question is how does death by bikini come into the story. Earlier a girl, Biance is murdered with her bikini straps so tight they choked her to death. Who is the killer? What does she or he want? Why are they on the island? Whats the story with Setha nd his family? I recommend this book to anyone whos looking for a thriller to make them not want to put the book down. I know thats how it made me feel!

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not terrible, but not really my kind of book. I only read it because I picked up book 2 at a library sale a while back, and I'm obsessive about reading things in order. If not for the fact that I own the second one, I probably wouldn't continue.
I'm glad it's a quick read, but it really needed more depth to make you care about the characters and to allow Aphra and Seth's relationship some time to develop. As it is, it seemed kind of silly that they were so close after basically two conversations. And I'm sorry, but Aphra is a weird name. It doesn't matter where it comes from or how awesome she thinks her namesake is, it's weird. It was goofy for her to act like everyone should just be familiar with it.
The plot was somewhat predictable and the writing is alright, but it bothered me that Aphra seemed aware that she was the heroine of a mystery. Her actions fueled the plot but didn't make a whole lot of sense for your average sixteen year old.
I also thought it was silly that Hisako tries to shoot her again and again, and misses every single time, but then has the precise aim to shoot the gun out of Seth's hand. In the dark.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by bikini is about a 16-year old girl named Aphra that lives in a resort on a island that her and her dad own. Things in life are easy for Aphra, until someone is found on the beach strangled by a bikini. Aphra is determined to solve the case of her friends death, and all eyes point to a family that mysteriously shows up on the island and shushes her dad with all their secrets. Will she solve the murder case? Is it the family that that seems to mysteriously show up on the island?

"Death by Bikini" is a fast moving mystery that is full of adventures, mystery, and secrets that will keep you stuck in the book until the very end. I love this book because of the mystery that keeps you wanting to keep the book in your hands and turn the pages that brings you deeper and deeper into the clues and secrets inside.

[Mary Kevan]

Death by bikini may sound like a strange book but it is very suspenseful and quite a thriller.
You may think it would be so cool to live on a resort island and be in the sun all day. But not for Aphra, she works at her dad’s resort, which happens to be the only resort on the whole island. She was just wishing for a normal life and she thought she had gotten her life when a new boy and his family moved onto the island. But she had little time to enjoy it when Aphra found one of her favorite guest lying dead on the beach from being strangled by her bathing suit strings. Aphra won’t admit that it was just an accident so she decides to investigate. She finds out May things that lead to one person, and other mysterious events keep happening.

I thought this was a very good that was also very thrilling. It was also an easy read.

Genre- Thriller

[Olivia H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is amazing!! Death by Bikini is about Aphra and Seth. Aphra is a 16 year old girl living on an island with out any boys except her guest she attends to. Did I say that her dad owns a hotel on that island? Well Seth is just a very good looking guy who he and his family ends up in her dads hotel one night. Then strange things start happening the day after they arrive. It's a really fast page book because every page is better than the last and next thing you know your down with the book. If you really liked this book she also has two more books called: Death by Latte(which is the second one) and Death by Denim, the last one.

[Cifa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't be trusted to write a review for this story because I read this at a time when I had some seriously questionable tastes. I remember really loving this story.

But I feel like like this one was genuinely good.

Interesting plot + cool characters + cute romance =perfect for my attention-deficient brain, at the time.

[Ciara Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This feels like a hastily written book due to the plot holes and big narrative jumps. The characters and their relationships are not developed well. It is what you read at the beach when you don't really want to think that much. At just over a hundred pages, you can read it in an afternoon by the pool.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

what a fun light read full of mystery and fun characters. It's a very quick read with a quirky main character called Alphra.

Adam/Seth was a cute addition to the usual mystery and the tropical setting was just wonderful to read when it's cold where I live right now!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Cleverly written and easy to read. The young-adult genre (especially mysteries) is an untapped resource for great writers like Linda Gerber.

[Seaira · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was an ok book

[heba · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really shocking. Typical mystery.

[Emily Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aphra Behn Connolly in the book Death by Bikini by Linda Gerber isn’t like any regular teenage girl. Being sixteen years old living on an island resort can sound fun to most but boring for her. Until one late July night when the Mulo family showed up. Aphra had a strict rule when it came to guest no getting personally involved with them. She starts to bend the rule when she notices Seth Mulo, who seems to notice her as well. The day after the Mulos arrive a girl shows up on the beach dead, with her bikini strings tied around her neck. Having a mysterious family arrive and a dead body found in a twenty-four-hour range is unusual on the island. But that’s just the beginning. As she starts to get more interested in the craziness she soon finds something she never expected. Danger, love, and lies can make a girl go crazy… or maybe even smarter.

Combining mystery, action, and romance this is a book anyone would enjoy, both genders and teens. Even though this book may have a sixteen-year-old female as the main character, it appeals to everyone. This book pulls you in right away and soon you won’t be able to put it down. The storyline goes from calm to exciting in the perfect time. Death by Bikini not only gets you excited but it also surprises you so many times. This book shows a shy girl turn into an amazing leader. I highly recommend this book. Once you get a taste you may become addicted.

[Library Lady 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a cute, quick little mystery. It was definitely engaging, and the mystery kept me going even when I wasn't clicking 100% with the main character. She wasn't very 'deep' as far as character development, but she was likeable enough that it didn't put me off reading. Seth, the dad, and the other characters were also needed for plot, but didn't really get me invested. Darlene was actually my favorite. But the highlight of this is definitely the mystery, not the characters.

The mystery being solved felt a bit anti-climactic because there were so many other little mystery subplots that it detracted from the big mystery being solved (the who-dun-it). I guessed the culprit, as there were several clues. It was a bit frustrating when the characters didn't figure it out, too. And some of the explanations were rushed and didn't feel satisfying, such as who the Smiths really were. It's told in about three sentences, then it's over. I would have liked more explanation and depth all around, I guess. But it was still a good, exciting mystery.

Recommended for mystery lovers of all ages.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aphra and her father live on a remote island and run a resort there. Aphra is surprised that they have so many visitors in the off season, including the mysterious Smith family and Mr. Watts, who seems as desperate to see her father as her father is to avoid him. Aphra begins to suspect that there is more to the Smith family than they are saying as she spots her father carrying a file on them. When the Smith's teenage son, Adam lets it slip that they know Aphra's long missing mother, things heat up quickly.
The mystery of the Smith family moves this story along, but the real mystery of where Aphra's mother is and why she didn't accompany her and her father to the island will be left unsolved until future books in the series. Overall, Death by Bikini is a good young adult mystery and a promising beginning to a mystery series.

[Angel Boucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great young adult book! Mystery mixed with murder mixed with romance mixed with self-discovery. Nothing was repetitive in here. It kept me wanting to keep reading.

A girl and her dad run a resort. Several guests appear within days of each other. Without knowing, they're all connected. But how? Are they family? Is it coincidence? Are they here for a wedding?

After being introduced to all the characters, connections are being made. What i inferenced was their relationship definitely was not.

During the introduction of these characters, the protagonist begins to fall for a boy. She soon discovers he's holding his own secrets. Is he Seth? Is he Adam? Is he Dylan? So many questions. She uses her inherited genes to do some research and spying to discover the connections between all the people. Some are not who she thought they were...

[Matt Kimery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this is a quick and entertaining read. It is a throw back to old reluctant spy novels. It has the flair of intruige, misdirection, spies, and of course a chase scene.
Aphra doesn't know a lot about her mom since she left. Aphra and her dad moved to run an island resort. So when unexpected gusts start to show up, things get strange and she begins to investigate. As ecpected, there is a connection to her mother. Aphra puts pieces together, but the puzzle doesn't fit together as easily as she thought. So Aphra winds up in the middle of it before she finds all the pieces to the puzzle.

[Caprica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a very surprising read, all in all, despite the exotic setting, there is a bit of romance but it must not be your only interest if you're going to read this book. As for the plot,it is neat,no loose ends left to the wind....
It lacks the little "something more" to make it a really good book,in my opinion at least..
It does makes a good teenage/YA summer read though, easy to read and fast paced

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! Nothing groundbreaking happens in this book, but it was a fun mystery that kept me wanting to read. Plot holes here and there and a lot of typos did take me out of the story occasionally, but I kept my expectations appropriate and had a good time. I look forward to the next one.

Content warnings for injury, abandonment, guns, panic attacks, confinement, and illness.

[Brielle Betit · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was such a quick read, finished it in like 2 hours. I got it from Goodwill for 99 cents and probably wouldn’t recommend reading it unless you get it for that price LOL. The story was definitely crazy and did make me wanna read the next book so, I guess it did impact me in the end. A mystery story that would be good for kids as is not very scary at all just poses questions.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was debating between 2 and 3 stars, and I decided on a 3 because I think the intended audience would like it. As an adult, I rolled my eyes quite a bit, but I think teens would like a mystery like this. It's short, fast-paced, and there is a cute little romance.