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Holly Swimsuit Mystery #1
Death by Sample Size
Everyone wanted her dead…but who actually killed her? The last thing swimwear sales exec Holly Schlivnik expected was to discover ruthless buying office big wig Bunny Frank's corpse trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey with a bikini stuffed down her throat. When Holly's colleague is arrested for Bunny's murder, the wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to find the real killer. Nothing turns out the way Holly thinks it will as she matches wits with a wily murderer hellbent for revenge.
- GenresMysteryHumorCozy Mystery
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2021
10 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Susie Black
8 books83 followersNamed 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 has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.
Looking for more? Reach her at mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com
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 has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.
Looking for more? Reach her at mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
October 16, 2021
“The question isn’t who wanted the victim dead; who didn’t?”
No kidding, Columbo. Get in the boat and row.
Bunny Frank may have been diabolical but that doesn’t mean she deserved to be murdered. Swimwear sales executive Holly never expected finding big wig buyer Bunny dead humorous, but her reaction echoed off the parking garage. Sure, everyone had a reason to hate Bunny, Holly included, but murder? Nah. The police call it a rage murder and seek Holly’s assistance. Holly reluctantly agrees, especially after they arrest her coworker. Holly slyly investigates on her own time. As she narrows the suspects, she herself becomes a target. Can Holly nab the killer before she becomes the next death by sample size?
Death by Sample Size is a hilarious cozy mystery that will have you clutching your sides. In my previous life, I worked in fashion on the store level. Fashion is a cutthroat industry, and I am sure there were many people who wanted to off conniving buyers. From the start, the one-liners of Holly’s inner dialogue kept me invested in the story and gave me comic relief. My favorite lines are at the top of this review. Classic. Holly is an honest character, to a fault at times, and it endeared me to her. I connected with her on so many levels. The mystery itself is so well-conceived with quite a few twists and turns, I didn’t know who the killer was until it was revealed to me. Kudos to Susie Black for a superb cozy plot with red herrings, a full cast of characters, a wise-cracking ME, and a bumbling detective. An added bonus was the ins and outs of the swimsuit industry. That, in itself, was worth the read. Death by Sample Size is Susie Black’s debut novel, yet you’d never guess by the quality of the writing. Sophisticated prose, characters that leap off the page, snappy dialogue, all make Death by Sample Size a must-read. I look forward to reading more from Susie Black. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
No kidding, Columbo. Get in the boat and row.
Bunny Frank may have been diabolical but that doesn’t mean she deserved to be murdered. Swimwear sales executive Holly never expected finding big wig buyer Bunny dead humorous, but her reaction echoed off the parking garage. Sure, everyone had a reason to hate Bunny, Holly included, but murder? Nah. The police call it a rage murder and seek Holly’s assistance. Holly reluctantly agrees, especially after they arrest her coworker. Holly slyly investigates on her own time. As she narrows the suspects, she herself becomes a target. Can Holly nab the killer before she becomes the next death by sample size?
Death by Sample Size is a hilarious cozy mystery that will have you clutching your sides. In my previous life, I worked in fashion on the store level. Fashion is a cutthroat industry, and I am sure there were many people who wanted to off conniving buyers. From the start, the one-liners of Holly’s inner dialogue kept me invested in the story and gave me comic relief. My favorite lines are at the top of this review. Classic. Holly is an honest character, to a fault at times, and it endeared me to her. I connected with her on so many levels. The mystery itself is so well-conceived with quite a few twists and turns, I didn’t know who the killer was until it was revealed to me. Kudos to Susie Black for a superb cozy plot with red herrings, a full cast of characters, a wise-cracking ME, and a bumbling detective. An added bonus was the ins and outs of the swimsuit industry. That, in itself, was worth the read. Death by Sample Size is Susie Black’s debut novel, yet you’d never guess by the quality of the writing. Sophisticated prose, characters that leap off the page, snappy dialogue, all make Death by Sample Size a must-read. I look forward to reading more from Susie Black. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
April 28, 2021
Death by Sample Size relates the perilous adventures of ladies’ swimwear sales executive Holly Shlivnik. When nasty buyer Bunny Frank is found dead in the California Apparel Mart and Holly’s colleagues are implicated, she sets on the trail of a ruthless killer. Can she trust anyone who works in the merchandise mart? Soon someone is after her, and Holly had better find the culprit fast or she’ll end up hung up to dry next on the clothing rack. Details about the wholesale fashion industry are a bonus while you’re trying to figure out whodunit. The well-drawn suspects kept me guessing throughout the story, and I especially enjoyed the heroine’s unique outlook on life. Holly is a hoot! This is one humorous cozy mystery you won’t want to miss. Disclosure: I received an advance reading copy from the author and freely give this unbiased review.
October 11, 2021
This is quite a fascinating new cozy series set in LA where it takes hours to get anywhere, even down the street, and is home to the swimsuit fashion industry portrayed in this book. The book is filled with wise-cracking characters who cracked me up at the craziest times and lost of humorous descriptions that will have you shaking your head in disbelief.
Holly discovers a dead body in the elevator and how does she react when confronted? She laughs. It is her defense mechanism and thankfully her friend, the coroner, can confirm that tidbit so they don't think she is too crazy laughing at death. But from there it is a race for Holly to figure out who killed Bunny and why. It is a huge cast of characters because no one really likes Bunny, she is manipulative and devious, a good way to end up murdered.
The book does start off with Holly finding the body and then it goes back in time leading up to the murder so we can get a better picture of who Bunny is and why no one likes her. There are many suspicious characters and the author does a great job of throwing in red herrings to keep us guessing who the real killer is. I think I had narrowed it down to this character because none of the others seemed to fit in just right. I was quite surprised at the ending and the confrontation with the killer. Definitely not a traditional ending.
This is definitely a book worth picking up and I'll be interested to see what shenanigans that Holly will be up to in the next book. We give this book 4 paws up.
Holly discovers a dead body in the elevator and how does she react when confronted? She laughs. It is her defense mechanism and thankfully her friend, the coroner, can confirm that tidbit so they don't think she is too crazy laughing at death. But from there it is a race for Holly to figure out who killed Bunny and why. It is a huge cast of characters because no one really likes Bunny, she is manipulative and devious, a good way to end up murdered.
The book does start off with Holly finding the body and then it goes back in time leading up to the murder so we can get a better picture of who Bunny is and why no one likes her. There are many suspicious characters and the author does a great job of throwing in red herrings to keep us guessing who the real killer is. I think I had narrowed it down to this character because none of the others seemed to fit in just right. I was quite surprised at the ending and the confrontation with the killer. Definitely not a traditional ending.
This is definitely a book worth picking up and I'll be interested to see what shenanigans that Holly will be up to in the next book. We give this book 4 paws up.
June 9, 2021
Murder in the Fashion World . . .
Swimwear sales exec, Holly Schlivnik, was definitely not expecting to see the buying office big shot Bunny Frank's corpse in the elevator, although laughter was perhaps not the initial appropriate response in that situation. It was especially distressing that she had a bikini stuffed down her throat and a blue pallor on her cheeks.
Fortunately Los Angeles County Assistant Medical Examiner Sophie Cutler was Holly’s close friend from school days and able to vouch for her when Detective Miguel Martinez commented about her laughter whenever death was mentioned. But the detective arrests Holly's colleague, Sonia Wilson, for Bunny's murder, and Holly has no choice but to dive into the case to find the real killer. Who hated Bunny enough to make her want to die such a horrible, painful death that the ground up Foxglove plant in her drink would have caused? With all of Sonia’s alleged “garden flowers” in her high-rise city apartment, all were artificial, made of silk or plastic and nothing death-inducing.
So Holly begins her investigation to find answers and clear her friend. But danger is close by. Can she keep herself out of reach, or will she get up close to the killer and risk her own life?
This was a delightful mystery with humor interspersed to keep it lively. And I adored the book cover, by the way. The story line was done well and the many characters kept the reader involved in trying to figure out who might have committed such a personal murder. Grab your copy and enjoy this fun mystery. Holly is amazing and fun to watch in action! You won’t want to miss this one.
Swimwear sales exec, Holly Schlivnik, was definitely not expecting to see the buying office big shot Bunny Frank's corpse in the elevator, although laughter was perhaps not the initial appropriate response in that situation. It was especially distressing that she had a bikini stuffed down her throat and a blue pallor on her cheeks.
Fortunately Los Angeles County Assistant Medical Examiner Sophie Cutler was Holly’s close friend from school days and able to vouch for her when Detective Miguel Martinez commented about her laughter whenever death was mentioned. But the detective arrests Holly's colleague, Sonia Wilson, for Bunny's murder, and Holly has no choice but to dive into the case to find the real killer. Who hated Bunny enough to make her want to die such a horrible, painful death that the ground up Foxglove plant in her drink would have caused? With all of Sonia’s alleged “garden flowers” in her high-rise city apartment, all were artificial, made of silk or plastic and nothing death-inducing.
So Holly begins her investigation to find answers and clear her friend. But danger is close by. Can she keep herself out of reach, or will she get up close to the killer and risk her own life?
This was a delightful mystery with humor interspersed to keep it lively. And I adored the book cover, by the way. The story line was done well and the many characters kept the reader involved in trying to figure out who might have committed such a personal murder. Grab your copy and enjoy this fun mystery. Holly is amazing and fun to watch in action! You won’t want to miss this one.
November 29, 2021
In Death by Sample Size, Susie Black takes readers on a fun, hip whodunit set in the world of ladies’ fashion. After obnoxious fashion buyer Bunny Frank is murdered, ladies’ swimwear sales executive Holly Shlivnik sets out to track down the killer. First-person narrator Holly is the heart of this book, and what a heart she is! Her voice is witty and irreverent with a unique outlook on life and on her cut-throat industry. Holly’s salty observations and honesty keep the narrative perky and moving forward.
This is a well-paced story, studded with amusing details about the fashion industry and the characters who run it. While the guessing game at the heart of the plot keeps you turning pages, Holly’s voice makes it memorable ride you won’t forget. In her debut novel, Susie Black hits an entertaining homerun, leaving readers with the promise of more to come.
This is a well-paced story, studded with amusing details about the fashion industry and the characters who run it. While the guessing game at the heart of the plot keeps you turning pages, Holly’s voice makes it memorable ride you won’t forget. In her debut novel, Susie Black hits an entertaining homerun, leaving readers with the promise of more to come.
May 21, 2021
The casual, colorful first-person narration, stuffed with action tags (“He spat out the words like seeds from an orange,”) helps to define the character of Holly Schlivnik. I’ve always cared more about procedure than whodunit, and I enjoyed watching Holly bumble her way toward a solution with plenty of humor and suspense. The business talk was over my head but set the background to possible motives for murder. The character of Ernesto, who appears only once, is stereotypical, but balanced by the portrayal of hunky Detective Martinez. Martinez will likely be back, along with Holly and her quirky friends, in future installments.
June 30, 2021
I went to The Tobé-Coburn School (for fashion careers) back in the day, and worked for a buying office in New York city. Good thing I didn’t make it my career. I could have been murdered, my mouth stuffed with culottes, since they were all the rage at that time. All this silliness to say that nothing prepared me for the riotousness and down and dirty shenanigans running amok in Susie Black’s garment biz cozy mystery. The blurb is enough to make you grab this book.
I’m not that familiar with cozies, so I was eager to see how the events leading up to the murder played out. Wow, what a great and varied cast of characters in this romp. Too bad I can’t be more empathetic towards the murdered Bunny Frank, but hating on Bunny is part of the fun. At one point, Bunny gets assailed by a latte and no one deserves a good dunking more.
Debut author Susie Black was an executive in the garment industry. The author’s background shows in the attention to detail throughout Death by Sample Size. So well done.
I’m wondering if police detective Martinez and the main character, Holly Schlivnik, (Can you pronounce her last name? I had to practice.) will start hanging out together for real in the next book. No spoilers here, just guessing, but it increases my interest in this new series. This a definitely LOL material.
Am I a terrible person to treat murder so lightly? I have to keep reminding myself this is fiction.
I received an ARC of the book and this is my honest review.
June 1, 2021
Buyers Beware: Death in the Garment District
Who killed buyer Bunny Frank? In this humorous, page-turning cozy mystery with murders galore, Death by Sample Size by Susie Black, Ditzy Swimwear sales exec (and amateur sleuth) Holly Schlivnik finds the body and the killer. I did not guess who the killer was since everybody (and I mean everybody) hated the victim. I loved Detective Martinez and hope he’ll return in the next book of the Holly Swimsuit Mystery series, perhaps as Holly’s love interest? As many times as Detective Martinez warned Holly to leave the detecting to the detectives, she cannot leave well enough alone. It was fun to learn more about the “rag trade” in the Los Angeles garment center and the characters were memorable. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Who killed buyer Bunny Frank? In this humorous, page-turning cozy mystery with murders galore, Death by Sample Size by Susie Black, Ditzy Swimwear sales exec (and amateur sleuth) Holly Schlivnik finds the body and the killer. I did not guess who the killer was since everybody (and I mean everybody) hated the victim. I loved Detective Martinez and hope he’ll return in the next book of the Holly Swimsuit Mystery series, perhaps as Holly’s love interest? As many times as Detective Martinez warned Holly to leave the detecting to the detectives, she cannot leave well enough alone. It was fun to learn more about the “rag trade” in the Los Angeles garment center and the characters were memorable. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2021
When reading this fun book be prepared to not be able to put it down! For me it was worth losing sleep over as I read until early morning. The book grabbed me from start to finish.
I loved the unusual setting of the story ( instead of bakery or bookstore), the fun little comments ( sometimes sarcastic), the humor, realistic characters and the twists. The foods mentioned did make me hungry lol.
If you like a clean and fun paced mystery, this fits that book cover.
This is the first book for a new author and I can't wait for more. I'd have given it 10 stars if I could. I am for sure going to be putting it on my to be gifted list. A great book.
July 11, 2021
I received a copy of this book from VRO and this is my voluntary honest review.
I love this hilarious book cover! It really sets the tone for this book.
Fabolous! It was laugh out loud funny (in a serious way, of course).
This some what clean cozy mystery murder, had a few unnecessary (cuss) words in it. They could have been left out entirely. They served no purpose.
The dialogue (Written in first person) was snappy and to the point.
The characters were energetic, quirky, nosy, funny, colorful, unique, and delightful. They really draw you in quicky and you can't stop reading.
Wow! Two hours of pure pleasure. Don't miss this delightful read. Enjoy!
I love this hilarious book cover! It really sets the tone for this book.
Fabolous! It was laugh out loud funny (in a serious way, of course).
This some what clean cozy mystery murder, had a few unnecessary (cuss) words in it. They could have been left out entirely. They served no purpose.
The dialogue (Written in first person) was snappy and to the point.
The characters were energetic, quirky, nosy, funny, colorful, unique, and delightful. They really draw you in quicky and you can't stop reading.
Wow! Two hours of pure pleasure. Don't miss this delightful read. Enjoy!
June 3, 2021
Who killed Bunny? This is the question thrust upon readers in the opening scenes of this humorous cozy! The premise immediately draws the reader into the mystery and will keep you turning pages long after your bedtime!
With its swimsuit theme, Death by Sample Size promises to be an entertaining summer read.
Ms. Black sets up for a fun and funny cozy series in the unique niche of fashion. With witty dialogue plunked onto the LA scene, this cozy series promises to provide great entertainment!
*I was provided with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
With its swimsuit theme, Death by Sample Size promises to be an entertaining summer read.
Ms. Black sets up for a fun and funny cozy series in the unique niche of fashion. With witty dialogue plunked onto the LA scene, this cozy series promises to provide great entertainment!
*I was provided with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2021
I know nothing about the world of wholesale fashion sales, of designer swimwear, and the people who populate that world. Sounds pretty glitzy and fun. Ms. Black plunks the reader down in the middle of it, and once I got the lay of the land, I had an enjoyable read. I love character novels, and Death by Sample Size has a ton of characters to keep a reader happy. The book is clever and humorous.
February 6, 2022
Holly Schlivnik works in Los Angeles' garment district as a sales rep for a swimsuit company.
Read full review in the 2022 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2022 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 26, 2025
Holly Shlivnik works in the bustling world of California swimsuit fashion, a competitive industry full of backroom deals, strong-arming, and gossip. When Holly finds Bunny Frank’s body in the elevator, and her coworker Sophie is arrested, the gossip machine takes over. Holly, unable to keep her nose out of the investigation, rallies her female cohorts to find the killer.
I’d characterize this story as part Chick Lit and part cozy mystery, with a large dollop of humor. This is the first book in the series, so there’s a bunch of colorful characters introduced in the first few chapters. Holly carried the point of view. She’s one of those people who can’t help being witty and snarky, and her act-now/think-later approach gets her and her friends into some tight spots that are quite entertaining.
Except for Detective Martinez, the men in the story are gossip-worthy, and there are some vicious women, including the deceased Bunny. Bunny isn’t the only one who gives up the ghost along the way. The pace speeds along, and the plot works, little clues dropped along the way for the epiphany and final showdown. The cast of conniving characters generated several red herrings, and I was in the dark about the murderer until the end.
Though the women’s personalities drive the story, I also enjoyed the glimpse into the swimwear industry, which provides the backdrop for all the action. I highly recommend this book to readers of cozies who also want something light-hearted and fun. The book stands alone and is a delightful introduction to the rest of the series.
I’d characterize this story as part Chick Lit and part cozy mystery, with a large dollop of humor. This is the first book in the series, so there’s a bunch of colorful characters introduced in the first few chapters. Holly carried the point of view. She’s one of those people who can’t help being witty and snarky, and her act-now/think-later approach gets her and her friends into some tight spots that are quite entertaining.
Except for Detective Martinez, the men in the story are gossip-worthy, and there are some vicious women, including the deceased Bunny. Bunny isn’t the only one who gives up the ghost along the way. The pace speeds along, and the plot works, little clues dropped along the way for the epiphany and final showdown. The cast of conniving characters generated several red herrings, and I was in the dark about the murderer until the end.
Though the women’s personalities drive the story, I also enjoyed the glimpse into the swimwear industry, which provides the backdrop for all the action. I highly recommend this book to readers of cozies who also want something light-hearted and fun. The book stands alone and is a delightful introduction to the rest of the series.
September 11, 2022
I loved the setting! My husband and I used to belong to a sailing club in Marina Del Rey and Death by Sample Size brought me right back to the marina. I always wondered who lived on those boats full time. Who wouldn’t be envious of Holly.
I also loved the deep dive into the swimsuit industry in Southern California. The romantic entanglements, camaraderie and competition of the many characters led to a cast of potential murderers. Who knew selling swimsuits could be so cutthroat?
Holly was such an original character not afraid to speak her mind, and what a mind it was. Working overdrive to find the killer. Don’t speak ill of the dead, forget it. Loved the gossipy tone and her tight knit group of caring friends. Let’s not leave out the handsome officer. It all wraps up neatly in a thrill ride of a scene.
Can’t wait to see what happens in book two.
I also loved the deep dive into the swimsuit industry in Southern California. The romantic entanglements, camaraderie and competition of the many characters led to a cast of potential murderers. Who knew selling swimsuits could be so cutthroat?
Holly was such an original character not afraid to speak her mind, and what a mind it was. Working overdrive to find the killer. Don’t speak ill of the dead, forget it. Loved the gossipy tone and her tight knit group of caring friends. Let’s not leave out the handsome officer. It all wraps up neatly in a thrill ride of a scene.
Can’t wait to see what happens in book two.
October 1, 2022
If you like your mysteries cozy, fast-paced, and with a wisecracking and spunky amateur sleuth, Death By Sample Size is for you! The setting is the whirlwind world of the LA fashion scene. The book reads like a TV crime show. A host of new characters arrive on the scene every second as we are swept from cafe to restaurant to marina and back. The dialogue is witty and snide, sometimes laugh out loud funny, and the mystery absolutely kept me guessing until the end. Even when Bunny Frank’s killer was revealed, the plot made another hard left turn and our heroine had to use every resource available to dodge disaster! A fun read that tosses you into the fascinating world of fashion like a plunge in the Pacific Ocean. Can’t wait to see what Holly’s next adventure brings!
February 10, 2022
This "not your usual cozy mystery" cozy mystery set in the swimsuit apparel industry was a hoot. I really enjoyed the world building and learning about the life of sales reps and other supporting staff surrounding the main character. The author's style is fast-moving and she weaves a tale of a murder in the garment industry that holds interest and is super entertaining. She definitely has experience in that world, but also knows how to knit together a fun whoodunit.
May 15, 2021
Unlike most cozy mysteries, this one starts off with the murder, then we are taken back in time to meet the people surrounding it. That was a little…startling at first. I had a little trouble switching gears from “now” to “then” and then back to “now” later on to find the killer. It was also confusing trying to follow who was who and what they all were doing. I know nothing about the clothing industry and how it works so the whole buyer/supplier/designer/etc. thing was a bit confusing.
The main character, Holly, is the VP of Sales for Ditzy Swimwear. She’s the one who finds the body – Bunny Frank. It seemed that everyone hated Bunny and everyone had a motive for killing her, including Holly’s best friend. Holly can’t let her friend take the fall for this, so like any good amateur sleuth, she goes after the real killer—which makes her a lot of enemies, including the real killer.
What I liked: The cover is…unique. And the author’s sense of humor matches. The characters are well-done and believable.
What I didn’t like: the “now/then/now” setup. Also…a question—and maybe it’s a timeline thing that I missed—but in one part of the book, two characters (Angela and Louis) are together. Then Angela leaves and Louis takes up with another woman. And two pages later, Angela and Louis are sitting at a table together. So either she came back, or I definitely missed something somewhere timeline wise. I was very confused about this.
Recommendation: It’s a decent story with a satisfying ending and good characters. I got a bit lost at the beginning, but it eventually evened out and became better for me. If you don’t mind the setup, add this one to your cozy mystery stack for a fun read.
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.”
5/15/2021
The main character, Holly, is the VP of Sales for Ditzy Swimwear. She’s the one who finds the body – Bunny Frank. It seemed that everyone hated Bunny and everyone had a motive for killing her, including Holly’s best friend. Holly can’t let her friend take the fall for this, so like any good amateur sleuth, she goes after the real killer—which makes her a lot of enemies, including the real killer.
What I liked: The cover is…unique. And the author’s sense of humor matches. The characters are well-done and believable.
What I didn’t like: the “now/then/now” setup. Also…a question—and maybe it’s a timeline thing that I missed—but in one part of the book, two characters (Angela and Louis) are together. Then Angela leaves and Louis takes up with another woman. And two pages later, Angela and Louis are sitting at a table together. So either she came back, or I definitely missed something somewhere timeline wise. I was very confused about this.
Recommendation: It’s a decent story with a satisfying ending and good characters. I got a bit lost at the beginning, but it eventually evened out and became better for me. If you don’t mind the setup, add this one to your cozy mystery stack for a fun read.
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.”
5/15/2021
May 6, 2021
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Death by Sample Size is a humorous mystery written by Susie Black.
Holly Schlivnik was the Vice President of Sales at Ditzy Swimwear. She worked in the LA garment center. One day on her way there she found Bunny Frank dead in the elevator. Bunny was one of the most successful people in the industry and the most hateful. So when the question
of who killed her poped up the list was long. When detective Martnez wrongfully arrested one of her best friends she made it her mission to discover the real killer. So like another Nancy Drew she started poking her nose in other people's business and that wasn't appreciated.
Soon she was threatened many times but that only made her more determined to finish her quest. What happens when you run out of luck and you're faced with a stone-cold killer?
This is one of the most entertaining mysteries I have ever read with a unique and kinda funny cover. It has a strange sense of humor and a lot of suspense. It began with the
the murder scene then went back to the past by explaining who were the characters, why they disliked the victim, and who had the biggest motive.
After that, the story continued from the murder scene and Holly's quest started. It's a well-written story with great descriptions and local slang phrases that were unknown to me but funny. It's easy to understand and follow despite the multiple twists it contains.
I liked the variety of characters and that they looked so realistic. Single moms, cheaters, a**holes, stuck-up people...You name them and they were in this book. Of course, Holly was my favorite, her sense of humor, her strange reaction to the death, and her determination made her
my new idol!!! My favorite parts were when she played the detective.
If you love a good mystery then this is for you. I will rate it with 5 stars.
Death by Sample Size is a humorous mystery written by Susie Black.
Holly Schlivnik was the Vice President of Sales at Ditzy Swimwear. She worked in the LA garment center. One day on her way there she found Bunny Frank dead in the elevator. Bunny was one of the most successful people in the industry and the most hateful. So when the question
of who killed her poped up the list was long. When detective Martnez wrongfully arrested one of her best friends she made it her mission to discover the real killer. So like another Nancy Drew she started poking her nose in other people's business and that wasn't appreciated.
Soon she was threatened many times but that only made her more determined to finish her quest. What happens when you run out of luck and you're faced with a stone-cold killer?
This is one of the most entertaining mysteries I have ever read with a unique and kinda funny cover. It has a strange sense of humor and a lot of suspense. It began with the
the murder scene then went back to the past by explaining who were the characters, why they disliked the victim, and who had the biggest motive.
After that, the story continued from the murder scene and Holly's quest started. It's a well-written story with great descriptions and local slang phrases that were unknown to me but funny. It's easy to understand and follow despite the multiple twists it contains.
I liked the variety of characters and that they looked so realistic. Single moms, cheaters, a**holes, stuck-up people...You name them and they were in this book. Of course, Holly was my favorite, her sense of humor, her strange reaction to the death, and her determination made her
my new idol!!! My favorite parts were when she played the detective.
If you love a good mystery then this is for you. I will rate it with 5 stars.
September 18, 2022
Death By Sample Size by Susie Black is the first of the Holly Swimsuit mysteries. I loved this quirky mystery because of its giant cast of unique characters. For the first time, I can say my favorite character in the book is the one who dies at the beginning. The organization of the book is that she dies first and then you see the events leading up to her demise. Bunny is one of those villains so outrageous that you turn the pages to see what she does next. She reminded me of Cruella de Ville, but selling bikinis instead of furs. I loved her every scene, but I couldn’t believe the stunts she pulled. I laughed out loud as she pushed over a dozen people to their limits and gave them a motive for murder. Instead of absolving each person, Black digs their hatred of Bunny deeper with each chapter and keeps the reader guessing until the very end.
My second favorite character in the book is the fashion industry itself. Black lets her expertise in merchandising shine in the politics behind your swimsuit’s journey onto the racks. This book shines a light on a sector of the fashion industry often overlooked. Yes, models are cut-throat, but so are the marketers and buyers who deliver those designs to your neighborhood boutique and box store—in this murder mystery the cutthroat business is literal. Our hero, Holly, is stuck in the middle like the “typical” daughter on the old TV show “The Munsters.” Surrounded by colorful characters, we get her perspective on everyone…and she’s a riot. I had no idea the intricate deals required to put swimsuits in stores. Not only was I entertained but I learned about an area of business by stepping into the roles of the players.
Overall, I recommend Death by Sample Size for not only fashionistas but also readers who love quirky, character-driven mysteries.
My second favorite character in the book is the fashion industry itself. Black lets her expertise in merchandising shine in the politics behind your swimsuit’s journey onto the racks. This book shines a light on a sector of the fashion industry often overlooked. Yes, models are cut-throat, but so are the marketers and buyers who deliver those designs to your neighborhood boutique and box store—in this murder mystery the cutthroat business is literal. Our hero, Holly, is stuck in the middle like the “typical” daughter on the old TV show “The Munsters.” Surrounded by colorful characters, we get her perspective on everyone…and she’s a riot. I had no idea the intricate deals required to put swimsuits in stores. Not only was I entertained but I learned about an area of business by stepping into the roles of the players.
Overall, I recommend Death by Sample Size for not only fashionistas but also readers who love quirky, character-driven mysteries.
January 30, 2022
A Crazy Fun Ride
Cozies are not my usual read, though if I encounter a few more like Death by Sample Size, I may need to change my reading habits. Death by Sample Size is a mystery with an unusual setting (the LA world of wholesale swimsuit marketing), crazy characters and more than enough laughs to keep you turning the pages. Susie Black creates an eccentric, witty and slightly outrageous protagonist, Holly, who leads readers on a journey into the tawdry side of the swimsuit biz, where people actually kill for a chance to get ahead. Of course, the story includes a truly nasty character in Bunny Frank (I love the name and it fits the woman perfectly) who will do anything to get ahead and manages to piss off nearly every business contact she has, and ends up being a victim. When she ends up dead—with an actual bikini stuffed in her loud mouth—that means the suspect pool is huge.
Our intrepid protagonist, Holly, discovers the body stuck in the elevator, no less, and she is thrust in the middle of the investigation. When her best friend Queenie becomes the number one suspect, Holly decides she needs to find the killer to get her BFF off the hook. The chase is on to narrow down the suspects, which puts Holly and her partner in some tight spots—pun intended—from which only her fast thinking and a good looking police detective can extricate her. Throw in a few threats and strategically placed red herrings and you have a well-paced, amusing whodunit.
The whole thing made for enjoyable hours of reading and distraction, especially during the frigid cold outside, and made me glad I wasn’t in this cutthroat business.
Cozies are not my usual read, though if I encounter a few more like Death by Sample Size, I may need to change my reading habits. Death by Sample Size is a mystery with an unusual setting (the LA world of wholesale swimsuit marketing), crazy characters and more than enough laughs to keep you turning the pages. Susie Black creates an eccentric, witty and slightly outrageous protagonist, Holly, who leads readers on a journey into the tawdry side of the swimsuit biz, where people actually kill for a chance to get ahead. Of course, the story includes a truly nasty character in Bunny Frank (I love the name and it fits the woman perfectly) who will do anything to get ahead and manages to piss off nearly every business contact she has, and ends up being a victim. When she ends up dead—with an actual bikini stuffed in her loud mouth—that means the suspect pool is huge.
Our intrepid protagonist, Holly, discovers the body stuck in the elevator, no less, and she is thrust in the middle of the investigation. When her best friend Queenie becomes the number one suspect, Holly decides she needs to find the killer to get her BFF off the hook. The chase is on to narrow down the suspects, which puts Holly and her partner in some tight spots—pun intended—from which only her fast thinking and a good looking police detective can extricate her. Throw in a few threats and strategically placed red herrings and you have a well-paced, amusing whodunit.
The whole thing made for enjoyable hours of reading and distraction, especially during the frigid cold outside, and made me glad I wasn’t in this cutthroat business.
January 12, 2022
Holly Schlivnik is a swimsuit executive, a thorn in the side of Detective Martinez, and a diehard friend. When Bunny (think wicked witch of the swimsuit industry) turns up dead with a bathing suit stuffed in her mouth, Holly’s friend, Sonia, is arrested. While Detective Martinez is certain he has his killer, Holly isn’t buying it. She puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test to exonerate her friend and snag the true culprit (while also remaining alive herself). While dragging along her friend, Queenie, they venture into breaking and entering and hurtling to conclusions. Between her sarcastic wit and a host of interesting characters populating the swimsuit industry, Holly is determined to solve the murder, despite Detective Martinez’s many protests. This is a fun read with twists and turns throwing the reader off track until the conclusion. I can’t wait to read Ms. Black’s next adventure involving Holly.
January 3, 2025
Fantastic new cozy mystery
Holly Shlivnik is a swimwear sales executive in Los Angeles and lives on a houseboat and a group of friends known as the yentas. When her friend Sonia is accused of murdering a buyer hated and feared by most everyone, Holly jumps in to solve the crime.
With the help of her quirky accomplices she manages to catch the attention of the killer and stumble onto the culprit
A wisecracking friend who is the coroner lends an assist and a handsome by-the-book detective who wishes Holly would stay out of his cases and a host of other interesting and hilarious characters make this so much fun to read. There are many laugh out loud moments (and I may even have snorted lol)
Great for the beach, or if you need a fun read, grab this one !
Holly Shlivnik is a swimwear sales executive in Los Angeles and lives on a houseboat and a group of friends known as the yentas. When her friend Sonia is accused of murdering a buyer hated and feared by most everyone, Holly jumps in to solve the crime.
With the help of her quirky accomplices she manages to catch the attention of the killer and stumble onto the culprit
A wisecracking friend who is the coroner lends an assist and a handsome by-the-book detective who wishes Holly would stay out of his cases and a host of other interesting and hilarious characters make this so much fun to read. There are many laugh out loud moments (and I may even have snorted lol)
Great for the beach, or if you need a fun read, grab this one !
February 10, 2023
Susie Black had me hooked from the very beginning of this book, book one of her Holly Swimsuit Mystery series. I loved every snide remark and dose of sarcasm the main character, Holly, dishes out to her friends, co-workers and frenemies.. Holly tends to be quite nosy and finds herself in the middle of Bunny Franks' murder investigation. I live near Los Angeles and am slightly familiar with the garment district here, so that made the story even more enjoyable. The way the author could make you laugh at the most cut-throat activities going on in the swimsuit industry was remarkable. Every time I thought Holly was solving the murder, there was a twist. The ending did come as a surprise that I will not spoil for readers here.
I can not wait to read book two. I'm guessing Holly, Queenie and the gang are going to get into more hilarious trouble.
I can not wait to read book two. I'm guessing Holly, Queenie and the gang are going to get into more hilarious trouble.
December 17, 2022
The first in Susie Black’s series, Death by Sample Size, gives the reader an up-close view of the fashion industry, warts and all. In this case, the swimwear industry is central to the story.
Vice President of Sales, Holly Schlivnik, is a hoot and can’t stop herself from discovering the killer of Bunny Frank, a not-very-likable swimwear buyer. The suspects keep you guessing until the end, but Holly is very persistent.
With a twisting and turning plot, the fantastic settings, good pacing, quick-witted dialogue, and funny, quirky characters make this an easy and fast read.
Another fun mystery by Ms. Black receives a five-star recommendation from this reader, and I look forward to more in this series.
Vice President of Sales, Holly Schlivnik, is a hoot and can’t stop herself from discovering the killer of Bunny Frank, a not-very-likable swimwear buyer. The suspects keep you guessing until the end, but Holly is very persistent.
With a twisting and turning plot, the fantastic settings, good pacing, quick-witted dialogue, and funny, quirky characters make this an easy and fast read.
Another fun mystery by Ms. Black receives a five-star recommendation from this reader, and I look forward to more in this series.
March 20, 2023
Susie Black takes us into the world of fashion as Holly attempts to help solve a murder. This well-paced novel had plenty of laugh out loud moments and I had a lot of fun trying to guess who would turn out to be the villain.
Death by Sample Size is a hilarious whodunit with plenty of witty banter and great characters. And I can’t not mention the cover. It’s one of my favorites.
This book is part of a series. Book 2, Death by Pins and Needles is out now. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.
Death by Sample Size is a hilarious whodunit with plenty of witty banter and great characters. And I can’t not mention the cover. It’s one of my favorites.
This book is part of a series. Book 2, Death by Pins and Needles is out now. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.
August 19, 2021
Death by Sample Size is the first in a series. Hope there will be more as it was quite enjoyable.
In this story, we find Holly a swimwear sales exec thought life was grand until she found a body. Of course, things go from bad to worse as Holly's colleague is arrested for the murder of Bunny Frank.
This is a great cozy mystery that should not be missed. A Must Read!!
In this story, we find Holly a swimwear sales exec thought life was grand until she found a body. Of course, things go from bad to worse as Holly's colleague is arrested for the murder of Bunny Frank.
This is a great cozy mystery that should not be missed. A Must Read!!
September 20, 2021
I loved this book! As far as cozy mysteries go, it ticks all of the boxes. There were parts when I laughed out loud and others when I wasn't sure what was going to happen next. I appreciated that the author threw in very niche-specific details, whether they were about the fashion industry or the city of Los Angeles. Am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
November 28, 2021
When head honcho in the buying business, Bunny Frank, is murdered, swimwear executive, Holly, is on the case. It could have been anyone as Bunny had a way of making enemies. A humorous female sleuth story filled with laughs, secrets, and nonstop intrigue. I enjoyed Susie Black’s fun, fresh voice. Definitely an author and book work checking out!! 5 Stars!
December 7, 2022
Phillip Marlow In A Two Piece Swim Suit!
You'll love the snappy patter and wry commentary in this wonderful mystery. Like those old Coppertone ads, the cut-throat world of women's swimwear is also revealed. A fun mystery full of murder, mayhem, and hilarious one-liners, Death By Sample Size is a great read!
You'll love the snappy patter and wry commentary in this wonderful mystery. Like those old Coppertone ads, the cut-throat world of women's swimwear is also revealed. A fun mystery full of murder, mayhem, and hilarious one-liners, Death By Sample Size is a great read!
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