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Paradise #2
Torch Ginger
The island of Kaua`i is remote jungle, golden beaches and ancient culture—but transients are disappearing in paradise, and only Detective Lei Texeira notices.
Fleeing a failed engagement, Lei transfers to the island of Kaua`i, where she uncovers a pattern of disappearances that may be related to a bizarre cult—or is it just one madman at work? In Lei's world, everyone is guilty until proven innocent.
In Blood Orchids Lei battled her personal demons and won—but now they've come roaring back with reinforcements, including charming real estate magnate Alika Wolcott and former fiancé Michael Stevens. In the midst of the biggest case sleepy Kaua`i has ever seen, Lei must also discover who she loves.
Fleeing a failed engagement, Lei transfers to the island of Kaua`i, where she uncovers a pattern of disappearances that may be related to a bizarre cult—or is it just one madman at work? In Lei's world, everyone is guilty until proven innocent.
In Blood Orchids Lei battled her personal demons and won—but now they've come roaring back with reinforcements, including charming real estate magnate Alika Wolcott and former fiancé Michael Stevens. In the midst of the biggest case sleepy Kaua`i has ever seen, Lei must also discover who she loves.
247 pages, ebook
First published July 12, 2012
1557 people are currently reading
2424 people want to read
About the author
Toby Neal
84 books986 followersToby Neal was raised on Kauai in Hawaii. She wrote and illustrated her first story at age 5. After initially majoring in journalism, she eventually settled on mental health as a career and loves her work, saying, “I’m endlessly fascinated with people’s stories.”
Toby credits her counseling background in adding depth to her characters–from the villains to Lei Texeira, the courageous and vulnerable heroine in the Lei Crime Series, to the wounds and psychological implications of the heroes of the Scorch Series.
Get TWO FREE full length Toby Neal books by signing up for her newsletter here! http://www.subscribepage.com/TobyNeal...
Toby credits her counseling background in adding depth to her characters–from the villains to Lei Texeira, the courageous and vulnerable heroine in the Lei Crime Series, to the wounds and psychological implications of the heroes of the Scorch Series.
Get TWO FREE full length Toby Neal books by signing up for her newsletter here! http://www.subscribepage.com/TobyNeal...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
December 23, 2022
Lei Texeira is a detective on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, but all is not well in paradise. Lei has a complicated love life and she's about to have a very complex time at work too when she recognises a pattern among the transient community - they're going missing, have been for some years, and the local police never picked up on it before. Are the disappearances just a coincidence, is it just how that particular community come and go, does it involve a cult that lives on the island, or is there a serial killer at work?
Toby Neal keeps up the suspense here, and the descriptions of the lush tropical landscape definitely add to the atmosphere, as does the Hawaiin culture and beliefs, which are deeply steeped in mystery. The finger of suspicion falls on more than one individual, and much as I thought I'd got the killer sussed out, I was wrong. This book is part of the Lei crime series. I haven't read any of the others in the series, but I'd be happy to do so now.
Toby Neal keeps up the suspense here, and the descriptions of the lush tropical landscape definitely add to the atmosphere, as does the Hawaiin culture and beliefs, which are deeply steeped in mystery. The finger of suspicion falls on more than one individual, and much as I thought I'd got the killer sussed out, I was wrong. This book is part of the Lei crime series. I haven't read any of the others in the series, but I'd be happy to do so now.
January 30, 2020
Lei Texeira has now been made Detective, and she's transferred from the Big Island to Kauai. When a case comes her way involving a missing man, it soon turns into something much bigger when a pattern of missing transients over the past years is discovered. Is someone kidnapping and killing these missing people or could this be the work of a mysterious cult on the island? Added to this, Lei is torn between two men, her ex-boyfriend who wanted to marry her, and a new handsome, charming man who is romancing her.
This was a very entertaining story. I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first book (Blood Orchids) in this series, and I found Lei's character more likable this time around. I loved the setting on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The descriptions were vivid and it really made the story for me. I also found the references to Hawaiian culture interesting. The story had an intriguing cast of characters. I especially liked Lei's father, Lei's fellow detective and partner Jenkins, and the FBI lady Marcella. All around a very enjoyable story with a wonderful setting.
This was a very entertaining story. I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first book (Blood Orchids) in this series, and I found Lei's character more likable this time around. I loved the setting on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The descriptions were vivid and it really made the story for me. I also found the references to Hawaiian culture interesting. The story had an intriguing cast of characters. I especially liked Lei's father, Lei's fellow detective and partner Jenkins, and the FBI lady Marcella. All around a very enjoyable story with a wonderful setting.
June 22, 2021
I liked this one a lot. So much going on but all tied in together at the end. Very exciting too. And who doesn’t love Hawaii as a setting?
July 8, 2022
Neal’s second offering in the Detective Lei Texeira series has Lei on the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i investigating the disappearances of transient travelers. Neal’s descriptions of the lush tropical landscape and Hawaiian culture are wonderful. As for the plot, she is definitely improving her craft. I still have a problem with her inclusion of a romance subplot though. I would prefer that she just stick with crime solving,
November 7, 2018
The Lei Crime novels are my new favorite series! I can't wait to read the next book in the series--BLACK JASMINE.
August 3, 2012
In TORCH GINGER, Toby Neal's main character Lei Texeira finds herself on the beautiful island of Kaua'i. She's recovering from the painful end to a relationship and still trying to prove her worth as a detective when she recognizes a pattern among the 'disappeared' on the island. Thanks to Texeira's doggedness and initiative, her boss realizes that she's discovered a horrifying truth that the local department has been all too comfortable to ignore.
While searching for the most recently missing person and investigating a few burglaries, Texeira identifies links between a series of seemingly disconnected leads that plunge her into the midst of a cult-like group. Through her investigation, she meets a handsome man who helps her get over her broken heart, only to find that her boss has called her ex-fiancee to the island to help with the missing persons case! Poor Texeira! Through all the turmoil, she manages to keep her head and even deal with the reappearance of her father after his release from prison. (Neal shows absolutely no sympathy for her characters!)
As she did in BLOOD ORCHIDS, Neal uses her ability to draw the reader into the physical and cultural experiences of Hawaii to create an absorbing novel. You can feel the humidity, smell the air washed fresh after a rain, and see the amazing landscapes. She incorporates locals and their knowledge into the story to help Texeira in her investigation and impart a sense of Hawaii's culture.
TORCH GINGER is a race of a read. Its ending will have you reaching for the next novel in the Lei Crime Series, and hoping that Neal is a fast writer...
While searching for the most recently missing person and investigating a few burglaries, Texeira identifies links between a series of seemingly disconnected leads that plunge her into the midst of a cult-like group. Through her investigation, she meets a handsome man who helps her get over her broken heart, only to find that her boss has called her ex-fiancee to the island to help with the missing persons case! Poor Texeira! Through all the turmoil, she manages to keep her head and even deal with the reappearance of her father after his release from prison. (Neal shows absolutely no sympathy for her characters!)
As she did in BLOOD ORCHIDS, Neal uses her ability to draw the reader into the physical and cultural experiences of Hawaii to create an absorbing novel. You can feel the humidity, smell the air washed fresh after a rain, and see the amazing landscapes. She incorporates locals and their knowledge into the story to help Texeira in her investigation and impart a sense of Hawaii's culture.
TORCH GINGER is a race of a read. Its ending will have you reaching for the next novel in the Lei Crime Series, and hoping that Neal is a fast writer...
October 1, 2016
Book two in the Lei Crime series has the protagonist,now a detective on the island of Kaua`i chasing a serial killer. While chasing said killer, she tries to deal with her love life and her past tribulations with the help of an island healer.
Overall this was a good follow-up to book one. As before the mystery is the meat of the story with romance/personal growth providing good secondary interest. I enjoyed the cultural information provided by the author as the plot unfolded.
Overall this was a good follow-up to book one. As before the mystery is the meat of the story with romance/personal growth providing good secondary interest. I enjoyed the cultural information provided by the author as the plot unfolded.
February 13, 2020
I found the mystery portions of the book to be utterly fascinating. It seemed as though the immature romance parts of the book had me constantly rolling my eyes, however. I don't know how old Lei is supposed to be but this felt very much like a young adult novel.
October 6, 2013
This is the first book I read in the Lei Texeira series, and it got me hooked.
In it, it’s hard to say which is more conflicted, Lei’s professional life or her private life.
In flight from her broken engagement to Stevens, she transfers to Kaua’I, a land of jungle and secrets. She is a detective now, but as new members of the squad, she and her partner are excluded from all the good cases. Even when they develop the cases, they find themselves shouldered aside. When they discover a large meth lab, the head of the drug squad appropriates the investigation. When they discover a series of missing persons going back several years, they are pushed aside again. The captain thinks they need help, so he invites Stevens come from the Big Island to take over the case. The case finally becomes to big that the FBI is called in. It takes all of Lei’s initiative, her going where she shouldn’t and putting her life in danger, to get into the violent conclusion.
Her love life is in shreds. Stevens wants to get married, and the very thought panics her. The sexual abuse she endured from Charlie Kwon when she was a child has made her unable to love or accept love. In addition, her past gives her no good opinion of marriage.
Her other demons continue to haunt her, although her relationship with her father, now on parole from a drug dealing charge, begins to mend, but she still nearly blacks out in times of stress. She is physically and mentally strong, but her heart is still fragile.
When Stevens comes to take over the missing persons case, she is overwhelmed with conflict and guilt: conflict because she still has deep feelings for him, and guilt because she knows that she hurt him badly.
In the course of an investigation, she meets a handsome half Hawaiian man to whom she is powerfully attracted, and she hopes that Akika will help her get over Stevens for good.
Torch Ginger is more overtly Hawaiian than Blood Orchids was. Esther Ka’awai, a Hawaiian wise woman and psychic contributes to solving the missing person case and has some insight into Lei’s troubled life that helps Lei decide what she really wants. The missing persons case leads Lei to a secret cult, TruthWay, that may have Hawaiian cultural implications, and the island itself holds clues that are hard to read for an outsider, even a Hawaiian, to read.
Lei and Stevens have become deeper and more layered characters, and the supporting cast is also well developed. The plot is complex and original, and Neal’s writing involves you so that you care about her characters as well as the mystery.
Neal was born on Kaua’i and obviously loves the mysterious island with its jungled mountains and beaches fringing the azure sea. Her descriptions and the weaving of the scenery into the plot makes the natural world of Kaua’I almost a character in itself.
In it, it’s hard to say which is more conflicted, Lei’s professional life or her private life.
In flight from her broken engagement to Stevens, she transfers to Kaua’I, a land of jungle and secrets. She is a detective now, but as new members of the squad, she and her partner are excluded from all the good cases. Even when they develop the cases, they find themselves shouldered aside. When they discover a large meth lab, the head of the drug squad appropriates the investigation. When they discover a series of missing persons going back several years, they are pushed aside again. The captain thinks they need help, so he invites Stevens come from the Big Island to take over the case. The case finally becomes to big that the FBI is called in. It takes all of Lei’s initiative, her going where she shouldn’t and putting her life in danger, to get into the violent conclusion.
Her love life is in shreds. Stevens wants to get married, and the very thought panics her. The sexual abuse she endured from Charlie Kwon when she was a child has made her unable to love or accept love. In addition, her past gives her no good opinion of marriage.
Her other demons continue to haunt her, although her relationship with her father, now on parole from a drug dealing charge, begins to mend, but she still nearly blacks out in times of stress. She is physically and mentally strong, but her heart is still fragile.
When Stevens comes to take over the missing persons case, she is overwhelmed with conflict and guilt: conflict because she still has deep feelings for him, and guilt because she knows that she hurt him badly.
In the course of an investigation, she meets a handsome half Hawaiian man to whom she is powerfully attracted, and she hopes that Akika will help her get over Stevens for good.
Torch Ginger is more overtly Hawaiian than Blood Orchids was. Esther Ka’awai, a Hawaiian wise woman and psychic contributes to solving the missing person case and has some insight into Lei’s troubled life that helps Lei decide what she really wants. The missing persons case leads Lei to a secret cult, TruthWay, that may have Hawaiian cultural implications, and the island itself holds clues that are hard to read for an outsider, even a Hawaiian, to read.
Lei and Stevens have become deeper and more layered characters, and the supporting cast is also well developed. The plot is complex and original, and Neal’s writing involves you so that you care about her characters as well as the mystery.
Neal was born on Kaua’i and obviously loves the mysterious island with its jungled mountains and beaches fringing the azure sea. Her descriptions and the weaving of the scenery into the plot makes the natural world of Kaua’I almost a character in itself.
September 13, 2013
Sometimes a second book in a series isn't as good as the first. That isn't the case here. Torch Ginger has all the tension of Blood Orchids.
Too often authors create fully formed characters that are perfect right out of the box and never need to change. Or who in the first book bear burdens so onerous they would crush mere mortals, yet by some magic, shed them like a bird molting feathers by the end of the book. The flip side is the damaged character whose damage defines them and the never grow beyond it.
Neal provides a much more realistic character in Lei, who has grown, having reined in somewhat the demons from her past that plague her. She still has them but they don’t dominate her as much as they did in the first book.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Too often authors create fully formed characters that are perfect right out of the box and never need to change. Or who in the first book bear burdens so onerous they would crush mere mortals, yet by some magic, shed them like a bird molting feathers by the end of the book. The flip side is the damaged character whose damage defines them and the never grow beyond it.
Neal provides a much more realistic character in Lei, who has grown, having reined in somewhat the demons from her past that plague her. She still has them but they don’t dominate her as much as they did in the first book.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
January 2, 2014
I'm now addicted to all things Texeira.
Lei is a heroine deserving of the title, and Toby Neal's writing does what Dicken's said to do--make 'em laugh, make 'em cry, make 'em wait. Lines like "Making love all night after killing a man does strange things to you," gets a reader's attention. Complex, multi faceted and, yes, addictive, I've now moved on to the third Toby Neal book, Black Jasmine.
I want to know whether Lei Taxeira wreaks vengeance on nasty Charlie Kwan, the pedophile who raped her when she was nine. I want to know how her relationship with her father, just out of prison, progresses. I need to know whether her relationship with hunky Michael Stevens progresses.
Needless to say, I love this series!
Lei is a heroine deserving of the title, and Toby Neal's writing does what Dicken's said to do--make 'em laugh, make 'em cry, make 'em wait. Lines like "Making love all night after killing a man does strange things to you," gets a reader's attention. Complex, multi faceted and, yes, addictive, I've now moved on to the third Toby Neal book, Black Jasmine.
I want to know whether Lei Taxeira wreaks vengeance on nasty Charlie Kwan, the pedophile who raped her when she was nine. I want to know how her relationship with her father, just out of prison, progresses. I need to know whether her relationship with hunky Michael Stevens progresses.
Needless to say, I love this series!
January 4, 2021
Peace and light
A very intense and suspense filled book. There is a very strong plot that is well developed and a very surprising conclusion.
A very intense and suspense filled book. There is a very strong plot that is well developed and a very surprising conclusion.
July 17, 2012
On the picturesque island of Kaua'i where Lei is newly stationed, hippie backpackers -- transients with no fixed address and that few people will notice missing -- have been disappearing for the past few years, a pattern nobody detected until now. Could these disappearances be the work of a cult, or just one madman? Lei Texeira is on the case, but things become complicated with the addition of former fiancé Michael Stevens and the entrance of hot property developer Alika Wolcott.
Ms. Neal ramps up the mystery by keeping us guessing as to who the culprit is: so many suspects, so many secrets, and when I thought I had most things figured out, she hits me with a whammy of a climax, which may or may not make you face-palm yourself for not seeing it earlier. Fans of whodunits and police procedurals, you will not be disappointed by this epic puzzler!
In terms of her personal life, it is good to see Lei slowly moving on from her traumatic past. I almost cried when I realised Stevens proposed to her and she broke off the engagement (poor Stevens!), but Alika more than made up for it in the eye candy department. I felt torn for Lei as she struggled with her feelings for both men, and her decision at the end, well, let's just say I know it's probably for the best, but still feel ambivalent about it.
One character I would like to see more of is Lei's dad, Wayne. Newly released from prison, he seems determined to make up for lost time with his daughter, and I would really like to see how their relationship will progress.
As with the first book, there is no lack of atmosphere in Torch Ginger. Poetic descriptions of lush jungles, soaring cliffs, and endless beaches of Kaua'i place the reader in the midst of the idyllic island, and references to the island's peoples, language and customs add further flavour to the rich tapestry of the setting.
I loved the first book in the Lei Crime series, Blood Orchids. With Torch Ginger, Ms. Neal has firmly planted herself on my list of all-time favourite crime authors.
Ms. Neal ramps up the mystery by keeping us guessing as to who the culprit is: so many suspects, so many secrets, and when I thought I had most things figured out, she hits me with a whammy of a climax, which may or may not make you face-palm yourself for not seeing it earlier. Fans of whodunits and police procedurals, you will not be disappointed by this epic puzzler!
In terms of her personal life, it is good to see Lei slowly moving on from her traumatic past. I almost cried when I realised Stevens proposed to her and she broke off the engagement (poor Stevens!), but Alika more than made up for it in the eye candy department. I felt torn for Lei as she struggled with her feelings for both men, and her decision at the end, well, let's just say I know it's probably for the best, but still feel ambivalent about it.
One character I would like to see more of is Lei's dad, Wayne. Newly released from prison, he seems determined to make up for lost time with his daughter, and I would really like to see how their relationship will progress.
As with the first book, there is no lack of atmosphere in Torch Ginger. Poetic descriptions of lush jungles, soaring cliffs, and endless beaches of Kaua'i place the reader in the midst of the idyllic island, and references to the island's peoples, language and customs add further flavour to the rich tapestry of the setting.
I loved the first book in the Lei Crime series, Blood Orchids. With Torch Ginger, Ms. Neal has firmly planted herself on my list of all-time favourite crime authors.
September 7, 2012
Second book in the series and there is improvement on my major criticism of the first book, the 'damaged cop syndrome'. The sense of location is as vivid in this book as in the first, something I can definitely enjoy even though I've never been to Hawaii it gives me a real feeling for the island. I think this is one of the major attractions of this series for me.
The book continues on with a new police involvement, the usual in-house and political conflicts and a plot that seems realistic. Personally, still more focus on the romantic/relationship issues of the main character than I prefer in a police procedural mystery, but not as intrusive or graphic as some I've read.
There seemed to be less focus on the character's issues from past trauma, an improvement from the first book for me. That seems a prevalent gimmick by authors, something I am getting annoyed with. I'm a character driven reader and when the trauma issues overshadow the character to the point where I think of the 'trauma' as the definition of that character, rather than a well rounded and in depth personality, then that's too much.
Overall, an entertaining summer read with no major flaws for me but a sense of 'hey, grow up!' in the back of my mind for some of the scenes.
The book continues on with a new police involvement, the usual in-house and political conflicts and a plot that seems realistic. Personally, still more focus on the romantic/relationship issues of the main character than I prefer in a police procedural mystery, but not as intrusive or graphic as some I've read.
There seemed to be less focus on the character's issues from past trauma, an improvement from the first book for me. That seems a prevalent gimmick by authors, something I am getting annoyed with. I'm a character driven reader and when the trauma issues overshadow the character to the point where I think of the 'trauma' as the definition of that character, rather than a well rounded and in depth personality, then that's too much.
Overall, an entertaining summer read with no major flaws for me but a sense of 'hey, grow up!' in the back of my mind for some of the scenes.
October 19, 2018
Read as my 'book set in Hawaii' for YLTO 2018 challenge.
A pleasant enough read, if somewhat shallow: I must admit, I quite enjoyed it. This, despite the annoying inplausabilities in the way the case was handled by our heroine. In the real world, Lei would have been up for multiple disciplinaries and not in the frame for promotion... Oh well. I did like the Hawaii setting and the occasional (too brief) sentence in pidgin English and the mystery was unusual enough to keep me interested. I don't think I'll be rushing to buy the rest of the series however.
A pleasant enough read, if somewhat shallow: I must admit, I quite enjoyed it. This, despite the annoying inplausabilities in the way the case was handled by our heroine. In the real world, Lei would have been up for multiple disciplinaries and not in the frame for promotion... Oh well. I did like the Hawaii setting and the occasional (too brief) sentence in pidgin English and the mystery was unusual enough to keep me interested. I don't think I'll be rushing to buy the rest of the series however.
August 3, 2015
Solid second book, good story
I'm enjoying watching the characters grow and change. Keiki is still one of my favorites. This book had a solid plot with few deviations. I'm so pleased to have discovered this series.
I'm enjoying watching the characters grow and change. Keiki is still one of my favorites. This book had a solid plot with few deviations. I'm so pleased to have discovered this series.
January 14, 2015
I love this series. Another exciting episode in the life of Lei. And I didn't want to slap her as much as I did in the first book :)
November 11, 2017
This is book two in the Lei crime series, set in Hawaii, about a year after the events of the first book. Lei Texeira is now a detective on another island, having fled her relationship with Stevens when he proposed. She discovers that some of the transient hippies who camp on the island have been disappearing for years, but the police had not been interested. She goes undercover as a hippie, but also starts dating a wealthy property developer, but is conflicted when Stevens comes to join the investigation, followed by the FBI when it becomes apparent they're chasing a serial killer.
Like the first book, I enjoyed the descriptions of the island scenery and culture, and the story is pretty good. I don't like Lei's arrogance and recklessness, she knows she's inexperienced but doesn't want anyone taking over "her" case even when she knows she can't handle it on her own. I also don't like love triangles and disapproved of her messing both men around while she makes up her mind. Not that it will stop me continuing the series.
Like the first book, I enjoyed the descriptions of the island scenery and culture, and the story is pretty good. I don't like Lei's arrogance and recklessness, she knows she's inexperienced but doesn't want anyone taking over "her" case even when she knows she can't handle it on her own. I also don't like love triangles and disapproved of her messing both men around while she makes up her mind. Not that it will stop me continuing the series.
December 5, 2012
4.5 Stars. I really enjoyed this one...first time I've read this author. I loved the characters, especially Lei & I loved the story itself. I've always found Hawaiian culture quite fascinating, so that was an added bonus. I am going back to read the first in the series now, because I didn't realise I already had it. I think it will give me a stronger perspective on Lei, but you can definitely read this book as a stand alone. Then on to number 3! This is definitely an author I will keep reading.
February 25, 2013
My favorite parts were the descriptions of the island. Otherwise this was a fairly good story with well drawn characters. I would rate higher but I had trouble believing in Lei as a detective - she pulled some stunts which were much less than well thought out. In addition the action bogged down quite a bit after the first half of the book and I had a really hard time making myself pick the book back up. What should have been a two evening read took much longer for that reason.
June 24, 2019
If you are looking for a great new mystery series with a strong female protagonist (along the lines of Kinsey Milhone by Sue Grafton or the Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs) then look no further. The Hawaiian island setting makes these novels even better (think the Gamache novels by Louise Penny and how her settings just make the story). I am excited to suggest this series!!!!!
May 23, 2019
Really intense and interesting. Just when I thought I understood what was going on, there would be a new twist and I was in the dark all over again! Now I want to go back and read the previous book in the series.
August 3, 2012
Ms. Neal does it again! A suspenseful, page-turning book, with an ending you don't see coming. This is a writer worthy of the best seller's list.
August 5, 2012
A solid 4 and a half stars!
You can read my review here:
http://abshepherdsreinventedreader.bl...
You can read my review here:
http://abshepherdsreinventedreader.bl...
February 9, 2024
Intense, interesting, intriguing and suspenseful.
A good read. Well written with creatively crafted
characters..
A good read. Well written with creatively crafted
characters..
October 9, 2020
We enjoyed Toby Neal’s debut of Detective Lei Texeira appearing in “Blood Orchids”, and gladly sought out this second, “Torch Ginger”, in her currently 13-book set. Lei has relocated from the Big Island (Hawaii) to the police force of the much smaller island of Kauai, jilting her fellow detective fiancé in the process. When she and her new partner snag a missing persons case, she soon discovers a seeming pattern of missing persons occurring in alternating May and October dates – and thus the plot is off and running. We occasionally hear from the serial killer in first person, but have really no clue who it might be until a surprising and suspenseful resolution occurs late in the tale, with all manner of police and FBI agents involved in the discovery.
We found the novel to be a really fine police procedural, with two competing love interests for Lei adding to the fun. A bit of help from a psychic was entertaining as well – all told, a really enjoyable tale in a unique setting.
We found the novel to be a really fine police procedural, with two competing love interests for Lei adding to the fun. A bit of help from a psychic was entertaining as well – all told, a really enjoyable tale in a unique setting.
February 16, 2024
Lei is a detective on the Hawaiian island of Kawai. When a tourist goes missing, she starts looking deeper, and learns that several people have disappeared in the last few years. Could these disappearances be tied to a hippie cult? And are some local burglaries related to meth production? She's broken up with her longtime love, and now he has been called in to help with the investigation, which is awkward to say the least. Lei is a complex but likable character, and I liked the novel's evocative Hawaiian setting.
February 3, 2019
A well written mystery with insights to the Hawaiian people and culture that pushes it above other good mysteries.
March 9, 2016
My Review
http://audiothing.blogspot.com.au
I didn't read the first in the series, "Blood Orchids" but there is enough back story in "Torch Ginger" to ensure the reader doesn't feel bewildered by how and why Lei finds herself now working on Kaua'i.
Lei is the new girl, low in the pecking order and as such, gets all the boring jobs. She is working hard to fit in but after only two months on an island described as "a jungle paradise of secretive people and strange spiritual forces" Lei is finding life to be "slow and boring".
It's while plodding her way through one of her dull cases that Lei is asked to talk to Kelly Waterson, Kelly reports her boyfriend Jay as missing. It has only been 24 hours since she last spoke to him by 'phone, but the circumstances catch Leis attention. When a worried Kelly flew in and visited Pine Trees, the unofficial camp site, she discovered Jays belongings dumped in the rubbish bin. His wallet still held his credit cards and also some strange origami shapes, three stones were left on his shoe.
Now the story really begins! During the course of her investigation she meets many strange and intriguing characters and she becomes convinced that the disappearances aren't merely people who have simply taken themselves off the grid. Getting others to take her convictions seriously is a hard task.
There are so many threads to this story, yet they are woven skilfully to produce a story that is difficult to put down. The characters are all so well described that they seem totally believable, even the more way out types.
Mystery and intrigue abound, there is, in some characters, a sense of other worldliness which is at odds with Leis own world view.
I thought the reunion of Lei and her father beautifully written, his gentleness and his love for his daughter so sensitively described.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a mystery set in a lush and exotic location and with many intriguing extras. I for one shall be reading more of Toby Neil's work.
Narrator
This is the first book I have listened to narrated by Sara Malia Hatfield, and what a wonderful voice she has. Sara has all the attributes of a good narrator, but, for this book, it took a special person to pull it off. Born and raised in Hawaii, she was the perfect choice to perform those subtle differences in accents. The more I listened the more fascinated I became by both her voice and the pidgin speak, just wonderful! I look forward to more.
Just a word about the Audible sample, should you listen to it, it in no way does justice to the audiobook, for some reason, the sample seems of lesser quality.
This audiobook was provided, without condition, by the representative of the author.
http://audiothing.blogspot.com.au
I didn't read the first in the series, "Blood Orchids" but there is enough back story in "Torch Ginger" to ensure the reader doesn't feel bewildered by how and why Lei finds herself now working on Kaua'i.
Lei is the new girl, low in the pecking order and as such, gets all the boring jobs. She is working hard to fit in but after only two months on an island described as "a jungle paradise of secretive people and strange spiritual forces" Lei is finding life to be "slow and boring".
It's while plodding her way through one of her dull cases that Lei is asked to talk to Kelly Waterson, Kelly reports her boyfriend Jay as missing. It has only been 24 hours since she last spoke to him by 'phone, but the circumstances catch Leis attention. When a worried Kelly flew in and visited Pine Trees, the unofficial camp site, she discovered Jays belongings dumped in the rubbish bin. His wallet still held his credit cards and also some strange origami shapes, three stones were left on his shoe.
Now the story really begins! During the course of her investigation she meets many strange and intriguing characters and she becomes convinced that the disappearances aren't merely people who have simply taken themselves off the grid. Getting others to take her convictions seriously is a hard task.
There are so many threads to this story, yet they are woven skilfully to produce a story that is difficult to put down. The characters are all so well described that they seem totally believable, even the more way out types.
Mystery and intrigue abound, there is, in some characters, a sense of other worldliness which is at odds with Leis own world view.
I thought the reunion of Lei and her father beautifully written, his gentleness and his love for his daughter so sensitively described.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a mystery set in a lush and exotic location and with many intriguing extras. I for one shall be reading more of Toby Neil's work.
Narrator
This is the first book I have listened to narrated by Sara Malia Hatfield, and what a wonderful voice she has. Sara has all the attributes of a good narrator, but, for this book, it took a special person to pull it off. Born and raised in Hawaii, she was the perfect choice to perform those subtle differences in accents. The more I listened the more fascinated I became by both her voice and the pidgin speak, just wonderful! I look forward to more.
Just a word about the Audible sample, should you listen to it, it in no way does justice to the audiobook, for some reason, the sample seems of lesser quality.
This audiobook was provided, without condition, by the representative of the author.
January 4, 2017
I got this book as a e-book from the author in exchange for a honest review. It is my first book by this author and I was disappointed in reading it. It had a good story to it. I like the variety of characters in it.
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