Synopsis

The Mart Murder Magnet Meets her Match

Obnoxious Mystique Swimwear sales rep Simon Posnick was universally despised by competitors and customers alike. So the question wasn’t who wanted the lying, cheating scoundrel dead. The question was who didn’t. Mariel Levine, Laurie’s Fashions’ swimsuit buyer and Holly Schlivnik’s career mentor, is wrongly arrested for murdering Posnick by impaling him with the jagged edge of a coconut shell at the base of his skull. The wisecracking, irreverent President of Mermaid Swimwear jumps into action to uncover the real killer. But the treacherous trail holds more dangerous human predators than the alligators and black pythons in the Everglades. Everything turns out differently than the way amateur sleuth Holly thinks it will as she tangles with a killer hellbent on revenge.

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Review

I have enjoyed Holly’s adventures in this series. I know about clothing buyers, but never delved into this world, so I am intrigued by how people choose what lines to purchase for stores and ultimately the consumer.

This mystery gives us multiple suspects for the killer. While several of them have good motives for killing Simon, the true killer was a surprise to me. This character put on a good act and fooled me and Holly. I think this character even fooled the police! But in the end, justice prevails.

This story also brings back Holly’s love interest, Mo. Yes, she is dating Buddy, but is he really ready to move on? Holly is not so lucky to have Buddy’s wife and daughter’s ghosts visiting her, expecting her to help him move on. We all know that it takes time, and some people might never be ready to move forward. I think she has a better chance with Mo because of their history and family ties. But they live on different coasts. Will that work for them or will someone make a move?

This is a fun series filled with interesting characters that round out the story.

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now, she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries.

She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.

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