NetGalley Top Reviewer

NetGalley Top Reviewer
NetGalley Top Reviewer

Friday, November 15, 2024

Ghosts of Waikiki by Jennifer K. Morita

 Debut mystery thriller set on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.


I love Hawaii and all things Hawaiian. It's my happy place, but I've only been lucky enough to visit there 4 times in my life. So, when this title popped up on my request list, I had to read it.


The descriptions and details about the setting bring back memories for me and create the perfect backdrop for the story. The main character, Maya Wong, returns home to Waikiki to ghostwrite a book that a wealthy land developer, Parker Hamilton, wants to write about his family. She finds him and his kin to be a bit sketchy and things really get crazy when the elder patriarch, Charles Hamilton, is found dead, floating in the swimming pool. Of course, Maya is drawn into the investigation which brings her back into contact with her ex who is now Detective Koa Yamada. 


Soon Maya is nosing into things that bring her face to face with danger and that situation irritates Koa and the police. She can't help but continue her side snooping while also reuniting with her old friends and extended family. Meanwhile, some social issues are explored as the plight of locals versus wealthy investors starts putting their livelihoods in peril. 


I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The audiobook was fabulous and the narrator, Jennifer Robideau, was perfect in her performance. Her pronunciations and voice really enhanced the production, and I plan to look for more recorded books done by her. 


I don't know if this is the start of what could be a new series, but I really hope the author writes another book set in this locale. 

This is a debut standalone and not yet part of any series.

Genre - mystery, murder, Hawaii, Oahu, reporter

No comments:

Post a Comment