DEATH BY JELLY BEANS by Susie Black

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

4****

Blurb: Mermaid Swimwear President Holly Schlivnik discovers the Bainbridge Department Store Easter Bunny slumped over dead and obnoxious swimwear buyer Sue Ellen Magee is arrested for the crime. Despite her differences with the nasty buyer, Holly is convinced the Queen of Mean didn’t do it. The wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to nail the real killer. But the trail has more twists than a pretzel and more turns than a rollercoaster. And nothing turns out the way Holly thinks it will as she tangles with a clever killer hellbent on revenge.

Thoughts: Holly is at it again in this fifth installment of the Holly Swimsuit Mysteries. In this one, the store Easter Bunny is found dead and the store buyer is the main (re: only) suspect. Even though Holly and her friends can’t stand the woman, Holly hates to see an innocent accused of a crime she didn’t commit. So she goes on the hunt for the real killer. Along the way, someone poisons her dog (he’s okay!), and tries to kill Holly (multiple times). But she can’t leave well-enough alone and keeps plugging away—until she gets caught by the killer.

I continue to enjoy the characters and the author gives us lots of details not just on the fashion industry, but on other things as well. Like the in-depth lesson on botulism. And the lovely description of a Quinceanera (15th birthday party for girls of Latina descent). I’d love a little more description of her houseboat though. And since this is the fifth in the series, we aren’t given a lot of background on the relationships between characters. I did find it funny that the ghostly wife and daughter of one of Holly’s two boyfriends is trying to get her to commit to marrying that one! Just a touch of the paranormal to lighten the story a little.

Overall, like the other stories in the series, these are good stories with satisfying endings and quirky moments that leave you smiling. Do yourself a favor and get to know Holly and her friends in the swimsuit design industry.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”