Laurel McKay Mysteries Book 3
Book Blurb:
When Laurel McKay attends a Hawaiian wedding, her vacation soon becomes more deadly than the calorie count in her daiquiri. Her post-wedding holiday upends after a beautiful hula dancer is found dead on the rocks below the oceanfront restaurant owned by Laurel’s brother and sister-in-law.
When a family member is arrested for the murder, Laurel is plunged into a mystery where exotic Big Island locations–a coffee plantation, black sand beaches and a volcano–reveal their deadly side. And where is her hunky on-again/off-again boyfriend detective when she needs him?
Laurel zip-lines and four-wheels her way through the island paradise unearthing long hidden secrets. Will ingenuity and pluck be enough? Or will this hula be her last?
My Review:
While I’m not usually a fan of the klutsy amateur sleuth trope, I have to say I was hooked on this one pretty quick. It’s that sense of humor, you know?
My first outing with a Cindy Sample book, it was offered free on Amazon recently and I liked the title, the blurb, and that it is usually located in Sacramento? Our old stomping grounds for more than 45 years!
This time the setting is gorgeous Hawaii. We commented after our first trip to Hawaii, that there is San Francisco time, Sacramento time, and then there is Hawaiian time. The pace of Hawaii is just the perfect antidote to anyone seeking to slow down life, smell the orchids, enjoy those Mai Tai’s—or in this case Daiquiris—it’s just fruit juice. Right?
Laurel, with her mother and Stan, is in Hawaii for her best friend Liz’s wedding. Her brother Dave and sister-in-law own a bar and restaurant oceanside where the reception is held, but it’s obvious from the get-go that the sis-in-law isn’t happy with the entertainment, one hula dancer in particular. Regan isn’t shy about accusing Dave of cheating. But her brother Dave? Not Daaave!
So when the voluptuous Hawaiian dancer is found on the rocks below in the surf, it doesn’t look good for Laurel’s family.
We are talking light-hearted, cozy mystery, not something to be taken seriously. It is peppered heavily with humor while keeping a good pace in a well-plotted murder mystery.
The location lends itself to salty Pacific air descriptions combined with an abundance of wild island habitat further mingled with the delightfully descriptive aromas of fresh Kona coffee. The characters are lively and are eventually joined by Laurel’s boyfriend, Detective Tom after Laurel’s second close brush with accidental (on purpose) close calls. So there is a bit of romance interspersed with fast action-paced chapters.
Enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, glued to the pages, chuckling or gasping as you go. It’s delightful escapism, even given the seriousness of murder. The conclusion wraps it up well and leaves you reluctant to leave these characters. You need some fun? Discover this series; it’s a happy find.
I received a promo copy of this book from the author through Amazon that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts. I’ll be back.
Rosepoint Rating: Four Stars 
Book Details:
Genre: Lawyers & Criminals Humor, Cozy Culinary Mystery, Cozy Culinary Mysteries
ASIN: B00FK5UW4Y
Print Length: 267 pages
Publication Date: January 20, 2014
Source: Amazon promo
Title Link(s):
The Author: Cindy Sample is a former corporate CEO who decided plotting murder was more entertaining than plodding through paperwork. She retired to follow her lifelong dream of becoming a mystery author. Her national bestselling LAUREL McKAY HUMOROUS MYSTERY series is set in the California Gold Country, unless Cindy feels like traveling. Then the characters tag along with her on trips to Hawaii, the Caribbean and Las Vegas. Her new SPINDRIFT COVE series, featuring Sierra Sullivan, is set in Washington State. Cindy is a five-time finalist for the LEFTY Award for Best Humorous Mystery, a two-time finalist for the SILVER FALCHION Award for best traditional mystery, and a two-time finalist for the Chanticleer MURDER & MAYHEM AWARD.
Cindy is a past president of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime and has served on the boards of the Sacramento Opera and the YWCA. She has two wonderful adult children, a lovely daughter-in-law, and a grandson who live too far away.
Visit Cindy on her website at http://www.cindysamplebooks.com
http://www.facebook.com/cindysampleauthor
http://www.twitter.com/cindysample1
©2023 V Williams
Rosepoint Publishing 