Ua mau ke ea o ka `aina i ka pono.The life of the land is preserved in righteousness.Chip Hughes plunges right into the ongoing crisis facing the Hawaiian islands - tourist development. Kai Cooke, the Surfing Detective, is hired to investigate the death of an activist along the mule trail on Moloka'i. The mules are one way to visit Kalaupapa - the leper colony secluded on a penisula. The mules traverse almost three miles with 26 switch backs from "topside" to the beach. Yet the mules are reliable in their footing, so it raises suspisions that the activitist may have been murdered. But how?Hughes delivers a suspense filled story with vivid descriptions of the Hawaiian landscape. Having lived in Oahu, and visited Kalaupapa, I felt Hughes transported me back to the islands. He raised my consciousness of the real struggle between developer and preservationist. This is a quick read with little violence, other than references to the murder. Recommended read for fans of Hawaii, cozy mysteries, and quirky characters.I purchased this book from Chip Hughes when he was a guest speaker for the RWA Aloha Chapter.
In Chip Hughes's Murder on Moloka'i, the first installment of the Surfing Detective Mystery series, we're taken on a wild and thrilling ride in Hawaii. For Kai Cooke, a surfing detective for the Hawaiian islands, his first case was requested by Adrienne Ridgely, when her sister had died from an accidental death on the mule ride. That's when he looked into the array of suspects that ranged from her sister's ex-husband to the people who were also on the mule ride. As he dug deeper into Sarah's life, things get grim when Adrienne was hit by a car and threats were aimed at Kai. That's when he knew about the hui had some involved into it and needed to throw a monkeywrench into their landing zoning plans for good, even if he staked his life for it.
What do You think about Murder On Moloka'i (2004)?
This is my second book of his to read. I just LOVED the book. I wondered what happened to the dog in the other story I had read. I enjoyed this book immensely because I had been to Molokai and on that mule ride. I know first hand the narrow switchbacks, the awesome view, the drop of the side of the mountain and the surefooted mules. I figured someone had to poison the mule somehow, but it was intriguing what Kai had to do to find the killer. Very enjoyable yet easy and at times heart stopping reading. Will definitely read another "Kai" books!
—Vicky
