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Islands of Aloha Mystery #2
Livin' Lahaina Loca
It's Halloween night in Lahaina, Maui, and the Mardi Gras of the Pacific is in full swing. But wedding planner Pali Moon isn't in costume--she's on a mission. A bridesmaid has vanished and Pali's canvassing Front Street, ducking into every overcrowded waterfront watering hole hoping to spot a girl with long red hair and a lingerie model's figure. No luck. Back at her car, Pali opens the door and finds the remnants of a bizarre trick or treat stunt. Turns out, Halloween in Lahaina isn't just a night for island high-jinx, it's also a night for vengeance.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2012
225 people are currently reading
740 people want to read
About the author
JoAnn Bassett
27 books200 followersJoAnn was born and raised in Seattle, but always preferred palm trees to pine trees. She wrote instructional books and videos for a living but dreamed of "making stuff up" once she put the working life behind her. In 1996, she and her husband bought a home on Maui. Best day ever. She loved living on the beach but her husband longed to get back to "normal" so they moved to Arizona. Now JoAnn writes about life in the islands as a way to stay connected. Her "Islands of Aloha" mystery series will feature a story set in each of the major Hawaiian islands, starting with Maui.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
October 10, 2019
Maui wedding planner Pali Moon gets embroiled once again in a mystery, starting with the disappearance of a bridesmaid. The depth of the ensuing case is beyond what she and her friends could ever have imagined. I totally enjoyed this visit to Maui, land of my heart - totally enjoyed the mc's adventures set in familiar places.
April 28, 2012
Another priced right e-book for only $2.99 on Amazon/Kindle
http://amzn.to/I8l23l
I first met Pali Moon and her pals in Maui Widow Waltz, liked it so much I eagerly agreed when this second in the series was offered to me for a read-review. Even the author's clever titles make me laugh! (Hint: Every book title is a take-off of song titles and they all relate to Hawaii.)
This time, Pali has lost her business lease at her old location above a local market due to a fire (Maui Widow Waltz) and now she's reduced to a tiny office above a smelly restaurant with a back alley entrance. She's still scraping by in a bad economy as a wedding planner, because weddings, no matter the economy, are still happening in Maui. Adding to the fun, there's Steve, Pali's sensible gay roommate, Hatch her hot fireman boyfriend from the last book , and Farrah, a beautiful plus size Hawaiian woman, and best friend any girl could possibly have.
Enter Keith and Nicole, two California book-ends with money to burn for their upcoming nuptials. Keith hands out cash like party favors and Nicole is true to form as another incredibly bitchy bride. Then one of the bridesmaids goes missing, and Pali, though worried that her reputation as a wedding planner would really take a hit if word got around she "…was on the grim reaper's speed dial," she also can't ignore the possibility that something bad has happened to the young woman.
Someone else obviously doesn't want her ignoring the situation either, because they've left the severed pony-tail of the young woman's hair in the backseat of Pali's car. Then a ransom note shows up on her car window, and oddly, the local police and the wedding couple ignore Pali's assertion that the girl has been kidnapped and may be murdered. They may ignore her, but Pali is determined to find the girl. When the wedding couple decamp Maui without so much as a good-bye, Pali gets an envelope with more than enough cash to pay off her expenses.
I got a kick out of the next scene where she races to meet a potential client at the airport, the envelope of cash in her purse, and a drug-sniffing dog and a zealous agent part her from her hard earned, and (hilariously) drug-infested cash.
With surprising twists, lots of humor, and rich anecdotal asides of the Hawaiian culture, there's a really big surprise ending for Pali.
This is surely another winner for JoAnn Bassett and her Pail Moon series. And, lucky for everyone, I hear there are plenty more to come.
Highly recommended.
RP Dahlke
A Dead Red Cadillac: http://amzn.to/x5qSDD
A Dead Red Heart: http://amzn.to/tHsgi4
A Dangerous Harbor: http://amzn.to/uWzIUl
http://amzn.to/I8l23l
I first met Pali Moon and her pals in Maui Widow Waltz, liked it so much I eagerly agreed when this second in the series was offered to me for a read-review. Even the author's clever titles make me laugh! (Hint: Every book title is a take-off of song titles and they all relate to Hawaii.)
This time, Pali has lost her business lease at her old location above a local market due to a fire (Maui Widow Waltz) and now she's reduced to a tiny office above a smelly restaurant with a back alley entrance. She's still scraping by in a bad economy as a wedding planner, because weddings, no matter the economy, are still happening in Maui. Adding to the fun, there's Steve, Pali's sensible gay roommate, Hatch her hot fireman boyfriend from the last book , and Farrah, a beautiful plus size Hawaiian woman, and best friend any girl could possibly have.
Enter Keith and Nicole, two California book-ends with money to burn for their upcoming nuptials. Keith hands out cash like party favors and Nicole is true to form as another incredibly bitchy bride. Then one of the bridesmaids goes missing, and Pali, though worried that her reputation as a wedding planner would really take a hit if word got around she "…was on the grim reaper's speed dial," she also can't ignore the possibility that something bad has happened to the young woman.
Someone else obviously doesn't want her ignoring the situation either, because they've left the severed pony-tail of the young woman's hair in the backseat of Pali's car. Then a ransom note shows up on her car window, and oddly, the local police and the wedding couple ignore Pali's assertion that the girl has been kidnapped and may be murdered. They may ignore her, but Pali is determined to find the girl. When the wedding couple decamp Maui without so much as a good-bye, Pali gets an envelope with more than enough cash to pay off her expenses.
I got a kick out of the next scene where she races to meet a potential client at the airport, the envelope of cash in her purse, and a drug-sniffing dog and a zealous agent part her from her hard earned, and (hilariously) drug-infested cash.
With surprising twists, lots of humor, and rich anecdotal asides of the Hawaiian culture, there's a really big surprise ending for Pali.
This is surely another winner for JoAnn Bassett and her Pail Moon series. And, lucky for everyone, I hear there are plenty more to come.
Highly recommended.
RP Dahlke
A Dead Red Cadillac: http://amzn.to/x5qSDD
A Dead Red Heart: http://amzn.to/tHsgi4
A Dangerous Harbor: http://amzn.to/uWzIUl
July 1, 2022
Wow! That wasn’t the ending I expected. But I was glad to know the truth behind what was going on. A great mystery and interesting characters in a Hawaiian setting make this a truly entertaining read. I think she needs to ditch the boyfriend though 😉
November 21, 2020
Second of an 8 book planned series. Can’t wait to read number 3!!
June 15, 2013
I'd prefer to rate this book 2 1/2 stars, but it's not possible. This is the 2nd book in the series, and I'm somewhat disappointed. There are just too many loose ends and unlikely scenarios in the storyline. My major issue, though, is with Pali as a character. She's supposed to be a black belt in martial arts, but in many ways she comes across as a stereotypical woman - weak, stupid, unthinking, emotional. Also, more than once Pali describes herself as being direct and forthright, yet most of the time she doesn't communicate well at all other people. So many instances of really simple misunderstandings get blown into a huge event. Frustrating to read.
March 14, 2015
The lead character spends a lot of time driving around the island, to and fro, back and forth. Not necessarily what I want to remember about a light mystery. This book was only OK. It just didn't seem to hang together coherently. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood. Definitely a pool-side summer read, if then.
May 20, 2020
When wedding planner Pali Moon goes looking for a missing bridesmaid on Halloween, she doesn't expect to find a macabre "trick" in the back seat of her beat-up car: most of the girl's hair. She also doesn't expect the Maui police to disregard her report, or to block her at every turn when she and some of her friends try to investigate on their own ...
Editing oversights found in the Kindle version of Livin' Lahaina Loca: LOCATION 11, a night for island high-jinx / a night for island high-JINKS ; PAGE 16, Her eyes narrowed; her lips disappearing / Her eyes NARROWED, HER lips disappearing (needs comma, not semicolon) ; 17, Hey people / HEY, people ; 21, C'mon lover / C'MON, lover ; 22, right Keith? / RIGHT, Keith? ; 25, Hello Pali Moon / HELLO, Pali Moon ; 28, Not too early I hope / Not too EARLY, I hope ;
Page 29, Mind removing your slippas? / Mind removing your SLIPPAS?" (add end quote) ; 29, allowed guests to lay back and enjoy / allowed guests to LIE back and enjoy ; 31, laboring under florescent lights / laboring under FLUORESCENT lights ; 45, There were a couple others / There were a couple OF others ; 49, Oh, hi Pali / Oh, HI, Pali ; 49, Maybe me and Nicole wanted / Maybe NICOLE AND I wanted ;
Page 50, married at the Ritz: either in the chapel / married at the RITZ, EITHER in the chapel (needs comma, not colon) ; 56, than he'd lead me to believe / than he'd LED me to believe ; 57, Oh well then, sorry / OH, well then, sorry ; 58, into a visitor's center / into a VISITORS' center (more than one visitor) ; 58, I'm going fight this / I'm going TO fight this ; 61, to try and throw you off / to try TO throw you off ;
Page 63, Yeah well, it sounds to me / YEAH, well, it sounds to me ; 64, 'yeah sure' / 'YEAH, sure' ; 74, at five a.m. on Saturday morning / (using both "a.m." and "morning" is redundant; they mean the same thing) at five a.m. on SATURDAY (omit "morning" -- OR --) at five O'CLOCK on Saturday morning ; 79, Do busses come down / Do BUSES come down (a "buss" is a kiss; a BUS is a vehicle) ;
Page 84, my own best man: Jack Daniels / my own best man: Jack DANIEL'S (brand name includes apostrophe) ; 90, come right out ask him / come right out AND ask him ; 135, Hi wedding lady! / HI, wedding lady! ; 135, about me and Buddy's Christmas-time wedding / about MY and Buddy's Christmas-time wedding (about my ... wedding) ; 136, groom had cancelled wedding / groom had cancelled THE wedding ;
Page 136, Komo and me will only be able / Komo AND I will only be able ; 139, having his twenty-one birthday / having his twenty-FIRST birthday ; 140, It's better they decide not to do it then go ahead and be sorry later / It's better they decide not to do it THAN go ahead and be sorry later ; 142, Well there's nice / WELL, there's nice ; 142, My 'administrative assistant's' been very patient / My 'administrative assistant' HAS been very patient ;
Page 151, Are you going to tell me what I'm accused of?" / "Are you going to tell me what I'm accused of?" (needs opening quote) ; 154, a place to lay low for a while / a place to LIE low for a while ; 162, Okay, well fine / Okay, WELL, fine ; 162, didn't put it in gear; just in case / didn't put it in GEAR, just in case (see note @ p.16) ; 162, I said coming in the store / I SAID, coming INTO the store ;
Page 166, you'd find three-feet down in a Dumpster / you'd find THREE FEET down in a Dumpster (omit hyphen) ; 171, try and butter up the old man / try TO butter up the old man ; 180, a lot of screwy, scary people; especially after dark / a lot of screwy, scary PEOPLE, especially after dark (see note @ p.16) ; 182, relegated to Lower Slobovia; way out / relegated to Lower SLOBOVIA, way out (note @ p.16) ;
Page 188, Hey Pali / HEY, Pali ; 188, I'll try and find you / I'll try TO find you ; 192, Lay low for a while / LIE low for a while ; 194, acting very calm; not trying to escape / acting very CALM, not trying to escape (note @ p.16) ; 200, Hey Pali / HEY, Pali ; 201, He's never paid me a dime; or even given me / He's never paid me a DIME, or even given me (note @ p.16) ; 204, As soon as I sat,' Farrah's Jack Russell / As soon as I SAT, Farrah's Jack Russell (omit apostrophe after "sat") ;
Page 207, the Maui Visitor's Bureau / the Maui VISITORS' Bureau (multiple visitors) ; 217, Hi Pali / HI, Pali ; 217, Hi Trish / HI, Trish ; 218, Well then, we have plenty / WELL, then, we have plenty ; 221, Yeah, well as my Auntie Mana used to say / Yeah, WELL, as my Auntie Mana used to say ; 273, soaks into the ground making it possible / soaks into the GROUND, making it possible ;
Page 228, I think 'yippee,' is in order / I think 'YIPPEE' is in order (omit comma) ; 241, Yeah, well if I've learned anything / Yeah, WELL, if I've learned anything ; 252, Taken all together; well, it was nice knowing him. / Taken all TOGETHER, well, it was nice knowing him. (note @ p.16) ; 252, Hey Pali / HEY, Pali ; 252, Well then, I'm gonna make your day / WELL, then, I'm gonna make your day ;
Page 270, You killed somebody Beni? / You killed SOMEBODY, Beni? ; 270, Can it, okay Beni? / Can it, OKAY, Beni? ; 274, so quickly; especially since I hadn't seen him / so QUICKLY, especially since I hadn't seen him (note @ p.16) ; 275, Yeah, well those were the aliases / Yeah, WELL, those were the aliases ; 279, Yeah, well so does Maui / Yeah, WELL, so does Maui .
Editing oversights found in the Kindle version of Livin' Lahaina Loca: LOCATION 11, a night for island high-jinx / a night for island high-JINKS ; PAGE 16, Her eyes narrowed; her lips disappearing / Her eyes NARROWED, HER lips disappearing (needs comma, not semicolon) ; 17, Hey people / HEY, people ; 21, C'mon lover / C'MON, lover ; 22, right Keith? / RIGHT, Keith? ; 25, Hello Pali Moon / HELLO, Pali Moon ; 28, Not too early I hope / Not too EARLY, I hope ;
Page 29, Mind removing your slippas? / Mind removing your SLIPPAS?" (add end quote) ; 29, allowed guests to lay back and enjoy / allowed guests to LIE back and enjoy ; 31, laboring under florescent lights / laboring under FLUORESCENT lights ; 45, There were a couple others / There were a couple OF others ; 49, Oh, hi Pali / Oh, HI, Pali ; 49, Maybe me and Nicole wanted / Maybe NICOLE AND I wanted ;
Page 50, married at the Ritz: either in the chapel / married at the RITZ, EITHER in the chapel (needs comma, not colon) ; 56, than he'd lead me to believe / than he'd LED me to believe ; 57, Oh well then, sorry / OH, well then, sorry ; 58, into a visitor's center / into a VISITORS' center (more than one visitor) ; 58, I'm going fight this / I'm going TO fight this ; 61, to try and throw you off / to try TO throw you off ;
Page 63, Yeah well, it sounds to me / YEAH, well, it sounds to me ; 64, 'yeah sure' / 'YEAH, sure' ; 74, at five a.m. on Saturday morning / (using both "a.m." and "morning" is redundant; they mean the same thing) at five a.m. on SATURDAY (omit "morning" -- OR --) at five O'CLOCK on Saturday morning ; 79, Do busses come down / Do BUSES come down (a "buss" is a kiss; a BUS is a vehicle) ;
Page 84, my own best man: Jack Daniels / my own best man: Jack DANIEL'S (brand name includes apostrophe) ; 90, come right out ask him / come right out AND ask him ; 135, Hi wedding lady! / HI, wedding lady! ; 135, about me and Buddy's Christmas-time wedding / about MY and Buddy's Christmas-time wedding (about my ... wedding) ; 136, groom had cancelled wedding / groom had cancelled THE wedding ;
Page 136, Komo and me will only be able / Komo AND I will only be able ; 139, having his twenty-one birthday / having his twenty-FIRST birthday ; 140, It's better they decide not to do it then go ahead and be sorry later / It's better they decide not to do it THAN go ahead and be sorry later ; 142, Well there's nice / WELL, there's nice ; 142, My 'administrative assistant's' been very patient / My 'administrative assistant' HAS been very patient ;
Page 151, Are you going to tell me what I'm accused of?" / "Are you going to tell me what I'm accused of?" (needs opening quote) ; 154, a place to lay low for a while / a place to LIE low for a while ; 162, Okay, well fine / Okay, WELL, fine ; 162, didn't put it in gear; just in case / didn't put it in GEAR, just in case (see note @ p.16) ; 162, I said coming in the store / I SAID, coming INTO the store ;
Page 166, you'd find three-feet down in a Dumpster / you'd find THREE FEET down in a Dumpster (omit hyphen) ; 171, try and butter up the old man / try TO butter up the old man ; 180, a lot of screwy, scary people; especially after dark / a lot of screwy, scary PEOPLE, especially after dark (see note @ p.16) ; 182, relegated to Lower Slobovia; way out / relegated to Lower SLOBOVIA, way out (note @ p.16) ;
Page 188, Hey Pali / HEY, Pali ; 188, I'll try and find you / I'll try TO find you ; 192, Lay low for a while / LIE low for a while ; 194, acting very calm; not trying to escape / acting very CALM, not trying to escape (note @ p.16) ; 200, Hey Pali / HEY, Pali ; 201, He's never paid me a dime; or even given me / He's never paid me a DIME, or even given me (note @ p.16) ; 204, As soon as I sat,' Farrah's Jack Russell / As soon as I SAT, Farrah's Jack Russell (omit apostrophe after "sat") ;
Page 207, the Maui Visitor's Bureau / the Maui VISITORS' Bureau (multiple visitors) ; 217, Hi Pali / HI, Pali ; 217, Hi Trish / HI, Trish ; 218, Well then, we have plenty / WELL, then, we have plenty ; 221, Yeah, well as my Auntie Mana used to say / Yeah, WELL, as my Auntie Mana used to say ; 273, soaks into the ground making it possible / soaks into the GROUND, making it possible ;
Page 228, I think 'yippee,' is in order / I think 'YIPPEE' is in order (omit comma) ; 241, Yeah, well if I've learned anything / Yeah, WELL, if I've learned anything ; 252, Taken all together; well, it was nice knowing him. / Taken all TOGETHER, well, it was nice knowing him. (note @ p.16) ; 252, Hey Pali / HEY, Pali ; 252, Well then, I'm gonna make your day / WELL, then, I'm gonna make your day ;
Page 270, You killed somebody Beni? / You killed SOMEBODY, Beni? ; 270, Can it, okay Beni? / Can it, OKAY, Beni? ; 274, so quickly; especially since I hadn't seen him / so QUICKLY, especially since I hadn't seen him (note @ p.16) ; 275, Yeah, well those were the aliases / Yeah, WELL, those were the aliases ; 279, Yeah, well so does Maui / Yeah, WELL, so does Maui .
January 29, 2015
Gave this series a second shot, and that's where I stop; I won't read further into the series. I simply could not connect with the leading character; she was pushy, self-righteous, and knew better than anybody around her.
December 18, 2013
Good story for the L in my reading challenge. I enjoyed reading it.
January 13, 2018
Cozy fast paced murder, mystery and romantic story.
I enjoyed the read as it is well written and it was interesting to learn local expressions as well as certain traditions and food.
Personally I'm not too fond of colloquial jargon which is fine for speaking but not for reading but that is only my preference and others may not be bothered about it.
My only negative as such is that it ends without a real ending inviting you to carry on reading the following books which was a let down considering you have taken the time to read it to the end and left with an open ended story and no conclusion.
I enjoyed the read as it is well written and it was interesting to learn local expressions as well as certain traditions and food.
Personally I'm not too fond of colloquial jargon which is fine for speaking but not for reading but that is only my preference and others may not be bothered about it.
My only negative as such is that it ends without a real ending inviting you to carry on reading the following books which was a let down considering you have taken the time to read it to the end and left with an open ended story and no conclusion.
June 3, 2019
Though I found myself wanting to yell at the main character for some not-so-smart decisions, I am giving this all five stars for the more realistic treatment of someone not qualified trying to do the jobs of the police, without all the relevant information. All the black belts in the world aren't going to help when you have no training in how to conduct an investigation, and luck won't help you every time.
December 28, 2021
Like the first book in the series, this book is one of the most original, creative, and suspenseful mysteries I have read this year. It has an intimate tone, the characters are likable, the plot is very complex and the beautiful nature is described in detail. However the significant part of the book is about drug addiction, an addict, and consequences of addiction for the user and the people around him, and this gives a very enjoyable book a dark tone.
December 8, 2024
Well that was an abrupt ending. But I guess it worked since I checked my library system and discovered one of them has the series,so I think I I will continue with it. If it wasn't set in Hawaii, I'm not sure I would care enough to press forward,but we'll see how I feel about the next book.
August 5, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
March 13, 2018
This was a really good undemanding read i will certainly read more from the series especially as it is on Kindle Unlimited
October 27, 2018
Decent “local” book
Good read for locals to get a giggle and glimpse of Maui culture with memories of tourist spots visited! Mahalo!
Good read for locals to get a giggle and glimpse of Maui culture with memories of tourist spots visited! Mahalo!
November 21, 2020
More of a thriller than a mystery. Good balance of plot with personal life of main character Pali (sounds like Polly) Moon.
September 4, 2022
Fun exciting mystery series taking place in Hawaii. Wonderful series.
March 2, 2025
WOW!!! Never saw that coming. This book was filled with humor and mystery. Pali's compassion for justice and fairness is a lesson we all should learn. The ending was a complete surprise.
March 12, 2017
Hawaian mystery Bassett style
The author writes a beautifully crafted intrigue filled with weddings and crime. Her Hawaian settings, food and characters make this a great story. Pali's sometimes gungho antics lead her into trouble, she walks a dangerous path. I am enjoying the series, bring on my dream holiday!
The author writes a beautifully crafted intrigue filled with weddings and crime. Her Hawaian settings, food and characters make this a great story. Pali's sometimes gungho antics lead her into trouble, she walks a dangerous path. I am enjoying the series, bring on my dream holiday!
December 6, 2013
This series must be read in order. The first book is Maui Widow Waltz (Islands of Aloha Mystery Series #1).
I adore this series! Non-stop action and adventure peppered with thrills and chills keep readers on their toes and guessing from beginning to end trying to solve the latest mystery. Really never thought wedding planning could be this exciting (much less enthralling). By the time each book ends I am sad because that means the latest caper is over. Amazingly romance is on the back burner in this series almost like an afterthought and for some reason that works well here. Who could have guessed a series about a wedding planner could so effectively sideline romance and still be awesome? The characters' humor and dry wit make this series a comedic hit in my opinion .
New characters help the original characters which causes them to reach beyond their comfort zones and grow. A new wedding makes things hectic in the new shop during the busiest and craziest holiday (Halloween) on the islands. After the fire in the last book Moon has been forced to set up shop above a restaurant which brings it's own special set of problems... mainly a fishy smell and a rickety staircase in an alley. Pali has to work extra hard to impress clients as her shop is so unimpressive. I would recommend this series to Stephanie Plum fans. I can't wait for the next book!
***this series is suitable for mature young adult through adult readers
I adore this series! Non-stop action and adventure peppered with thrills and chills keep readers on their toes and guessing from beginning to end trying to solve the latest mystery. Really never thought wedding planning could be this exciting (much less enthralling). By the time each book ends I am sad because that means the latest caper is over. Amazingly romance is on the back burner in this series almost like an afterthought and for some reason that works well here. Who could have guessed a series about a wedding planner could so effectively sideline romance and still be awesome? The characters' humor and dry wit make this series a comedic hit in my opinion .
New characters help the original characters which causes them to reach beyond their comfort zones and grow. A new wedding makes things hectic in the new shop during the busiest and craziest holiday (Halloween) on the islands. After the fire in the last book Moon has been forced to set up shop above a restaurant which brings it's own special set of problems... mainly a fishy smell and a rickety staircase in an alley. Pali has to work extra hard to impress clients as her shop is so unimpressive. I would recommend this series to Stephanie Plum fans. I can't wait for the next book!
***this series is suitable for mature young adult through adult readers
July 31, 2013
Want to get married? Go to Hawaii and visit Polly moon. Unfortunately for Polly, things become more than interesting when one of the bridesmaids disappears and a chunk of her hair is left in Polly's car. She fears the worst, so she investigates, and she is stopped at every turn by the Maui police. This book is the second in the series and I enjoyed it for the most part. There were lots of plot twists and I totally did not expect the ending, which I didn't like by the way, it was too abrupt and quick. I also didn't like the way Hach and Ono treated her, like she owed them something or they were in some sort of relationship when really they never told her how they felt. I mean, I didn't see a ring on her finger, and the way both of them left her at the end, I found that frustrating. But besides that, it was a good read, and I plan on reading the next installment.
April 21, 2014
Livin' Lahaina Loca (Kindle Version)
Another fun mystery from JoAnn Bassett. I love the Maui setting! It helps me fondly remember areas, parks & beaches that I've enjoyed while vacationing on Maui. So it's almost like being present for crime-fighting with Pali Moon, the Wedding Planner! Her personality is easy-going, but conscientious. If Pali was a 'real person, I would want to be her friend! I also LOVE her BFF, Farrah, who should have lived in the 60's. She is a free--spirited sole who reads Tarot for personal interest & extra income. A very enjoyable quick read! And now I'll start the 3rd book in this series ;-) Happy to say they are reasonably priced at $3.99 each(Kindle). If they were higher priced, I probably would not be reading the series. Amazon & Ms. Bassett, please do NOT increase the price.
Another fun mystery from JoAnn Bassett. I love the Maui setting! It helps me fondly remember areas, parks & beaches that I've enjoyed while vacationing on Maui. So it's almost like being present for crime-fighting with Pali Moon, the Wedding Planner! Her personality is easy-going, but conscientious. If Pali was a 'real person, I would want to be her friend! I also LOVE her BFF, Farrah, who should have lived in the 60's. She is a free--spirited sole who reads Tarot for personal interest & extra income. A very enjoyable quick read! And now I'll start the 3rd book in this series ;-) Happy to say they are reasonably priced at $3.99 each(Kindle). If they were higher priced, I probably would not be reading the series. Amazon & Ms. Bassett, please do NOT increase the price.
March 7, 2013
OK, I should know better by now than to pick up a cozy series anywhere but at book 1. I admit, I was seduced by this one being free for the Kindle.
I still had trouble getting into this one. The main character was sort of likeable, but nothing about her really stood out. We kept getting vague hints about how she was living under a pseudonym, but no explanation as to why. I outright disliked most of the supporting characters ... the cops were slimy, the "boyfriend" was a jerk. The villain of the piece never really materialized, and we were left with a bizarre sort of cliffhanger.
I might pick up something else in the series if it pops up as free, but don't think I'd actually spend cash on it.
I still had trouble getting into this one. The main character was sort of likeable, but nothing about her really stood out. We kept getting vague hints about how she was living under a pseudonym, but no explanation as to why. I outright disliked most of the supporting characters ... the cops were slimy, the "boyfriend" was a jerk. The villain of the piece never really materialized, and we were left with a bizarre sort of cliffhanger.
I might pick up something else in the series if it pops up as free, but don't think I'd actually spend cash on it.
September 24, 2014
Wedding Planner Mystery
Maui, Hawaii is a perfect place for a wedding and Pali is one of the Island's finest wedding planners. Pali puts her former Airline Marshall backgroud and criminology skills behind her, to offer clients a fabulous and exclusive wedding with top notch professional planning.
Disaster strikes when the bridesmaid of one of her wealthy clients and the most expensive wedding Pali has done is missing, causing the bride unhappiness. A series of bizarre personal items belonging to the bridesmaid are left for Pali, that causes her to wonder if this is more than just a bridesmaid walking out on the bride and her Homeland Security Training kicks in. Intense, exciting, and mystery keep you involved.
Maui, Hawaii is a perfect place for a wedding and Pali is one of the Island's finest wedding planners. Pali puts her former Airline Marshall backgroud and criminology skills behind her, to offer clients a fabulous and exclusive wedding with top notch professional planning.
Disaster strikes when the bridesmaid of one of her wealthy clients and the most expensive wedding Pali has done is missing, causing the bride unhappiness. A series of bizarre personal items belonging to the bridesmaid are left for Pali, that causes her to wonder if this is more than just a bridesmaid walking out on the bride and her Homeland Security Training kicks in. Intense, exciting, and mystery keep you involved.
August 1, 2016
Pali Moon is a wedding planner with a missing bridesmaid. When a lock of the missing woman’s hair ends up on the backseat of Pali’s car, she really starts to worry, and when the woman’s fake fingernails are put in a sack and hung on her door, she knows something’s wrong. Unfortunately, the police don’t take her seriously, and tell her to keep her nose out of it. That’s the wrong thing to tell Pali, and pretty soon, not just her nose is in the mess, she’s up to her neck and sinking.
Livin’ Lahaina Loca by JoAnn Bassett is a thriller/mystery with equal parts humor and horror as we follow Pali and her friends in search of the missing woman. The author nails the local scene in Maui, and has characters you’ll swear you’ve had a drink or two with at some point.
A fun read.
Livin’ Lahaina Loca by JoAnn Bassett is a thriller/mystery with equal parts humor and horror as we follow Pali and her friends in search of the missing woman. The author nails the local scene in Maui, and has characters you’ll swear you’ve had a drink or two with at some point.
A fun read.
December 23, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery! Set in Hawaii, the main protagonist is Pali, a wedding planner who becomes embroiled in a mystery when one of the bridesmaids from a wedding Pali is planning goes missing, presumed kidnapped. Pali has a hard time convincing the police that the girl's disappearance is anything to be overly concerned about, so Pali does some investigating herself.
This was a fast paced easy read. The characters are an interesting mix, some a little eccentric and charming, others quite sinister. This is an ideal beach read, diverting entertaining and quick to read! I will definitely looking for more from JoAnn Bassett
This was a fast paced easy read. The characters are an interesting mix, some a little eccentric and charming, others quite sinister. This is an ideal beach read, diverting entertaining and quick to read! I will definitely looking for more from JoAnn Bassett
April 21, 2013
Pali Moon is actually an interesting character, but somehow not believable. She has so many things happen to her in everyday life... including some detective that doesn't seem to care at all. Heck, her boyfriend doesn't either. The jealousy bug, I guess. Kinda confusing as to why she keeps trying to talk to this man.
However Joann Bassett does know how to make a book very exciting to want to read.
I love hearing about the scenery in Hawaii. Imagining the sunsets. The state parks, etc. Bassett makes me want to go visit there.
Livin' Lahaina Loca was just an OK read for me. I plugged through it. There was loads of excitement, adventure, and I think most people would like reading this.
However Joann Bassett does know how to make a book very exciting to want to read.
I love hearing about the scenery in Hawaii. Imagining the sunsets. The state parks, etc. Bassett makes me want to go visit there.
Livin' Lahaina Loca was just an OK read for me. I plugged through it. There was loads of excitement, adventure, and I think most people would like reading this.
August 10, 2013
I really debated with 3 and 4 stars for the second book of the aloha mysteries. This book I feel is better than the 1st one but still holds the time descrepency. The west coast is 3 hours later in time than the islands and Ms. Bassett, in both novels so far continues to put the west coast as being earlier in time than Hawaii.
The story itself is good but the discrepancy in the first few pages regarding the hair and who she tells and doesn't tell is well illustrated.
I wasn't fond of the ending that didn't tie things together but requires the reading of the next book. I like things nice and tidy at the end of a book.
The story itself is good but the discrepancy in the first few pages regarding the hair and who she tells and doesn't tell is well illustrated.
I wasn't fond of the ending that didn't tie things together but requires the reading of the next book. I like things nice and tidy at the end of a book.
August 23, 2013
I think this is a fun mystery that captures the feeling of Hawaii well. The main character is likeable, supporting characters are unique and believable, and the pacing is very even and kept me wanting to turn the page. The "red herrings" seemed kind of obvious to me, but I don't read a lot of cozy mysteries so I don't know if that's the common way the genre is written.
I was about to recommend this to my mom (she LOVES Hawaii and I think she'd get a kick out of reading a mystery set there) but then I read the end which was very unsatisfying--essentially you have to read the next book in the series to find out the ending to this one.
I was about to recommend this to my mom (she LOVES Hawaii and I think she'd get a kick out of reading a mystery set there) but then I read the end which was very unsatisfying--essentially you have to read the next book in the series to find out the ending to this one.
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