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Islands of Aloha Mystery #5
O'ahu Lonesome Tonight?
Maui wedding planner Pali Moon is taking a week off from sulky diva brides, Devil-Wears-Prada mothers and hung-over grooms. She heads to Honolulu for a bit of sibling bonding with her brother, Jeff. They plan to spend a week playing tourist in the big city—seeing it all, doing it all and eating it all. But after sweating Jeff’s long-overdue plane and then being guilt-tripped into meeting her ‘new family’ from her absent father’s side, she wonders if maybe vacation is tougher than the mystery meat the caterer tried to pass off as ‘Kobe beef’ at her last wedding gig. But a week of vacation is a week with no work, so how bad could it be? When the City of Honolulu dumps nearly 50 million gallons of raw sewage into a local waterway, she learns the answer.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2013
59 people are currently reading
79 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 12, 2023
Entertaining!
January 17, 2021
Pali Moon adventures are the next best thing to going to Hawaii. Now on to the 6th~
January 4, 2018
Hawaii stories
It is always fun to read a story that takes place in my favorite place in the world. I can almost see the beauty in the locations on descriptions. Pali is a fun character to follow.
It is always fun to read a story that takes place in my favorite place in the world. I can almost see the beauty in the locations on descriptions. Pali is a fun character to follow.
August 19, 2020
Pali Moon always knew she had one younger brother, Jeff Warner. She and Jeff had been raised by their "Auntie Mana" after their mother died. She is looking forward to spending a few days with Jeff in Honolulu when he flies in from San Francisco for a visit in September.
However, a few months ago, Pali had unexpectedly learned that she had several other siblings, from some of her father's other wives. She arranges to meet two of them, Stuart Wilkerson and his brother Michael, AKA Moko, while she is in Honolulu. A couple of days after she meets her "new" brothers, Stuart is dead from a massive bacterial infection that he got from being immersed in canal water tainted with massive amounts of raw sewage.
The police are writing it off as an accident, implying that Stuart fell into the canal while he was drunk. But an eyewitness claims that Stuart was pushed ...
Accident, or murder? Even though Pali only knew Stuart for a few days, he was still her brother, and she's not giving up until she finds out the truth.
However, a few months ago, Pali had unexpectedly learned that she had several other siblings, from some of her father's other wives. She arranges to meet two of them, Stuart Wilkerson and his brother Michael, AKA Moko, while she is in Honolulu. A couple of days after she meets her "new" brothers, Stuart is dead from a massive bacterial infection that he got from being immersed in canal water tainted with massive amounts of raw sewage.
The police are writing it off as an accident, implying that Stuart fell into the canal while he was drunk. But an eyewitness claims that Stuart was pushed ...
Accident, or murder? Even though Pali only knew Stuart for a few days, he was still her brother, and she's not giving up until she finds out the truth.
August 13, 2023
Fun series in Hawaii. Great mystery..
November 2, 2023
My favorite!
This is my favorite of all the books preceding this one! I did think it was the wife but I did not know exactly how it would play out.
This is my favorite of all the books preceding this one! I did think it was the wife but I did not know exactly how it would play out.
March 12, 2017
Family here today...
Pali Moon is finally going to spend time with her newly found siblings while her boyfriend is off learning about wildfire containment. What a tangled web of deceit and drama she lands herself in. With her brother's fall into the sewage filled canal and his hospilisation Pali steps in to be a supportand of course investigate what really happened. Another fast-paced story set in the fabulous islans of Hawaii, I love this series Pali is a caring and determined character.
Pali Moon is finally going to spend time with her newly found siblings while her boyfriend is off learning about wildfire containment. What a tangled web of deceit and drama she lands herself in. With her brother's fall into the sewage filled canal and his hospilisation Pali steps in to be a supportand of course investigate what really happened. Another fast-paced story set in the fabulous islans of Hawaii, I love this series Pali is a caring and determined character.
November 9, 2013
When the bride at Maui wedding planner Pali Moon’s latest wedding bails out at the altar, Pali’s ready for a break. She and her brother Jeff have agreed to meet in Honolulu and spend a week playing tourist. Jeff has borrowed a swanky condo in Waikiki. The only downside to the trip Pali sees is that she’s been contacted by relatives she didn’t know she had and they want to meet her while she’s in Honolulu. Getting chummy with Stu and Moku, her long-lost half-brothers, is at the bottom of Pali’s “want to do” list, but she feels obligated. It doesn’t help that Honolulu is experiencing a steady rain that won’t let up.
As much as she doesn’t want to admit it, Pali almost likes her new status and agrees to a dinner at Stu’s expensive home. She discovers that Stu’s life has all the trappings of wealth—the beautiful home, a maid and a gorgeous wife. With the rain and Jeff’s work major killjoys on the week’s events, Pali finds herself spending more time with her new family than with Jeff. That time increases when Stu falls into the Ala Wai Canal and contracts multiple life-threatening infections from the sewage the City of Honolulu has been dumping into the canal. Stu’s condition deteriorates until he dies without regaining consciousness.
Pali, determined to find out how Stu fell into the canal, launches an investigation. As she closes in on the truth about Stu’s “accident,” Pali realizes she could be the killer’s next target.
Bassett brings Oahu to life as she takes readers to hot spots on the island. From malasadas to surfing, this vibrant tour of Oahu will delight tourists and locals alike. The questions surrounding Stu’s death will keep readers guessing until the final climax.
FTC Full Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by its publisher.
As much as she doesn’t want to admit it, Pali almost likes her new status and agrees to a dinner at Stu’s expensive home. She discovers that Stu’s life has all the trappings of wealth—the beautiful home, a maid and a gorgeous wife. With the rain and Jeff’s work major killjoys on the week’s events, Pali finds herself spending more time with her new family than with Jeff. That time increases when Stu falls into the Ala Wai Canal and contracts multiple life-threatening infections from the sewage the City of Honolulu has been dumping into the canal. Stu’s condition deteriorates until he dies without regaining consciousness.
Pali, determined to find out how Stu fell into the canal, launches an investigation. As she closes in on the truth about Stu’s “accident,” Pali realizes she could be the killer’s next target.
Bassett brings Oahu to life as she takes readers to hot spots on the island. From malasadas to surfing, this vibrant tour of Oahu will delight tourists and locals alike. The questions surrounding Stu’s death will keep readers guessing until the final climax.
FTC Full Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by its publisher.
July 28, 2015
What's better than a good beach read? A good beach read set in Hawaii!
I love these happy, unpretentious mystery stories set in the islands. Pali Moon is a delight, and her experiences as a wedding planner coping with the Bridezillas that want a beautiful wedding in paradise without the bother of paying any attention to the advice of the one person who can make it happen is the frosting on the cake.
In this book, Pali has the challenge of learning to cope with her sudden plunge into coping with the facts that she is A) filthy rich and B) part of a large, dysfunctional extended family. Fortunately our Pali can cope with anything, even murder.
Moving on to #6. Keep 'em coming, JoAnn, and I'll keep buying them.
I love these happy, unpretentious mystery stories set in the islands. Pali Moon is a delight, and her experiences as a wedding planner coping with the Bridezillas that want a beautiful wedding in paradise without the bother of paying any attention to the advice of the one person who can make it happen is the frosting on the cake.
In this book, Pali has the challenge of learning to cope with her sudden plunge into coping with the facts that she is A) filthy rich and B) part of a large, dysfunctional extended family. Fortunately our Pali can cope with anything, even murder.
Moving on to #6. Keep 'em coming, JoAnn, and I'll keep buying them.
July 29, 2015
I love the Island of Aloha mysteries!
Wedding planner Pali Moon flies to Oahu to spend some vacation time with her brother from the mainland. Her roommate Steve goes to Oahu to interview as the photographer of a magazine. Her boyfriend is fighting forest fires in Minnesota. But her best friend Farrah wins a trip to Oahu, but she is afraid of flying. And then, the step-family she never knew she had until her missing-from-her-life father reappears. When Pali and stepbrother Stu and Moko meet, all seems well until Stu is hurt and dying from a mysterious disease days later. Family matters, no matter how dysfunctional, and no matter if they are family by design. Pali figures it all out.
Wedding planner Pali Moon flies to Oahu to spend some vacation time with her brother from the mainland. Her roommate Steve goes to Oahu to interview as the photographer of a magazine. Her boyfriend is fighting forest fires in Minnesota. But her best friend Farrah wins a trip to Oahu, but she is afraid of flying. And then, the step-family she never knew she had until her missing-from-her-life father reappears. When Pali and stepbrother Stu and Moko meet, all seems well until Stu is hurt and dying from a mysterious disease days later. Family matters, no matter how dysfunctional, and no matter if they are family by design. Pali figures it all out.
August 6, 2016
I was a little disappointed in this latest in the Islands of Aloha series. Compared to the previous books, this one just seemed to take too long to get going. On my Kindle, it was somewhere around 40% before there was really any hint of a mystery. Plus, it was pretty easy to figure out "who done it." Having said that, though, I still enjoyed the book. I like the characters, and I love Hawaii. My suggestions for the next book? More mystery and a little less travel/tourist guide.
March 26, 2014
This is number five in the Aloha Mystery series. If you haven't read the first four, you can still enjoy this book, but it makes more sense and more enjoyable to start with book one and work your way through.
I especially enjoy the characters and the story line of each book. Loving Hawaii as I do, it is wonderful to read a book that uses Hawaiian language and is written by someone who know the layout of the land! Enjoy!
I especially enjoy the characters and the story line of each book. Loving Hawaii as I do, it is wonderful to read a book that uses Hawaiian language and is written by someone who know the layout of the land! Enjoy!
September 3, 2015
I found a true writer
Book was the best of the five first books. Well written and edited. How JoAnn Bassett expects to top it remains to be seen. This is clean but keeps one on the edge of the chair and being surprised constantly. 'Course what do I know - I've only been reading fiction for 73 years. And I will not read sloppy writing. Thanks so much. I'm glad I found this author's writings. And I'm surely enjoying the peek into Hawaiian life and geography. PDD
Book was the best of the five first books. Well written and edited. How JoAnn Bassett expects to top it remains to be seen. This is clean but keeps one on the edge of the chair and being surprised constantly. 'Course what do I know - I've only been reading fiction for 73 years. And I will not read sloppy writing. Thanks so much. I'm glad I found this author's writings. And I'm surely enjoying the peek into Hawaiian life and geography. PDD
November 17, 2014
A good mystery
I like the book because because I have been to Hawaii four times and reading about it took me back to the times that I had spent their of the characters came alive which was is always good and I like I Disneyfied with them and I look forward to reading more of her books and more about the Hawaiian Islands
I like the book because because I have been to Hawaii four times and reading about it took me back to the times that I had spent their of the characters came alive which was is always good and I like I Disneyfied with them and I look forward to reading more of her books and more about the Hawaiian Islands
May 25, 2015
Really enjoyed it
Never really cared about going to Hawai'i as there are so many places in this world to visit and I figured it was all about tourists but these novels totally make me feel like there's a lot to see and experience there. I love the plots and characters and look forward to every chapter's twist.
Never really cared about going to Hawai'i as there are so many places in this world to visit and I figured it was all about tourists but these novels totally make me feel like there's a lot to see and experience there. I love the plots and characters and look forward to every chapter's twist.
June 28, 2015
Not usual best
Ok although I really enjoy the characters and location in this series I was very disappointed in Pali's stupidity this one. Even I knew who did it right away and her insistence that it was an accident wasn't true to the normal intelligence of the character. Also the smack at heavy women w uncalled for in her description of going through the doorway....
Ok although I really enjoy the characters and location in this series I was very disappointed in Pali's stupidity this one. Even I knew who did it right away and her insistence that it was an accident wasn't true to the normal intelligence of the character. Also the smack at heavy women w uncalled for in her description of going through the doorway....
July 13, 2014
Since I got hooked on the characters & location from book one in the series - I ended up reading each book one right after the other. I have yet to be disappointed and I can't wait for book #6 on the Big Island!
January 19, 2015
I enjoy the Pali Moon series. Fun to travel around the Islands. The characters are likable and the plot interesting. I have read most of the cleverly named books and would recommend this series to those that like a light, humorous at times, mystery.
November 7, 2013
As always - a fun read.
March 1, 2014
Fun series to read...on the Kindle.
May 13, 2015
2.5 stars - I read it to read a book that takes place in Oahu so I loved that part of it and it served it's purpose!
December 5, 2014
This was not my favorite book in this series. There were too many new characters and not enough about the island. Still love this series, this installment was just not my favorite.
March 29, 2015
# 5 in the Islands of Aloha Mysteries.
Good series.
Pali meets two of her half brothers that she found out about in book #4.
Good series.
Pali meets two of her half brothers that she found out about in book #4.
September 21, 2015
Love Pali Moon! Always entertaining.
January 3, 2016
Another enjoyable, light mystery from a favorite author.
September 29, 2016
The kama'aina discount for airfare is particularly useful.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews