What do you think?
Rate this book
Surfing Detective Mystery #5
Murder at Volcano House
Kai Cooke comes to the Volcano House for his strangest case yet-protecting the CEO of a geothermal venture from the wrath of Pele, legendary goddess of volcanoes. Rex Ransom is here in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park to attend the funeral for his second employee to die mysteriously in Pele's domain. His wife sees a pattern and fears that Rex, having offended Pele by drilling in her sacred rainforest, is next. Kai is not so sure. But his faith in common sense receives a jolt when Ransom turns up in a steam vent, boiled alive. Kai investigates and finds others besides Pele who might want Ransom dead. An ex-wife, a former business partner, an anti-drilling activist, a loony woman who fancies herself Pele's sister, and more. Did the goddess herself strike down Ransom? Or is the answer closer to home? A quick-paced, vivid, island-hopping ride, Murder at Volcano House gives fans of the Surfing Detective reason to cheer, and fans of Hawai'i-who is not?-a welcome journey to these storied isles.
234 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2014
124 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
About the author
Chip Hughes
23 books26 followersChip Hughes learned to surf in San Diego in the late 1960s. He earned a Ph.D. in English at Indiana University in 1981 and taught American literature, film, writing, and popular fiction for nearly three decades at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. His
non-fiction publications include two books on John Steinbeck and numerous essays and reviews.
An active member of the Private Eye Writers of America, Chip launched the Surfing Detective mystery series in 2004 with Murder on Moloka‘i. Since 2011 the series has been published exclusively by Slate Ridge Press.
When not working on the series, Chip enjoys walking and running with his wife and companion of thirty-five years, surfing with his buddy, practicing the piano, getting together with Porsche club friends, and hanging out with his golden retriever. He tries to live "green" with recycling, solar panels, and an electric car. He generally eats vegetarian. Chip and his wife split their time between homes in Hawai‘i and upstate New York.
non-fiction publications include two books on John Steinbeck and numerous essays and reviews.
An active member of the Private Eye Writers of America, Chip launched the Surfing Detective mystery series in 2004 with Murder on Moloka‘i. Since 2011 the series has been published exclusively by Slate Ridge Press.
When not working on the series, Chip enjoys walking and running with his wife and companion of thirty-five years, surfing with his buddy, practicing the piano, getting together with Porsche club friends, and hanging out with his golden retriever. He tries to live "green" with recycling, solar panels, and an electric car. He generally eats vegetarian. Chip and his wife split their time between homes in Hawai‘i and upstate New York.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
February 7, 2020
This is light fiction... very light.
The private investigator protagonist visits landmarks of 3 islands, notes the foliage, and speaks in pigeon.
The characters are cardboard the Miss Hawaii runner up is on her second marriage to an old rich man. The PI likes to surf with his ex-girlfriend's dog. There is a perfect woman who is battered. Many people the PI meets believe Pele (the volcano goddess) has murdered the executives of the geothermal company that is intruding on her land.
If you want to re-live your vacation in Hawaii and test your local knowledge and Hawaiian vocabulary - you might want to read this. It won't take long.
The private investigator protagonist visits landmarks of 3 islands, notes the foliage, and speaks in pigeon.
The characters are cardboard the Miss Hawaii runner up is on her second marriage to an old rich man. The PI likes to surf with his ex-girlfriend's dog. There is a perfect woman who is battered. Many people the PI meets believe Pele (the volcano goddess) has murdered the executives of the geothermal company that is intruding on her land.
If you want to re-live your vacation in Hawaii and test your local knowledge and Hawaiian vocabulary - you might want to read this. It won't take long.
March 28, 2015
This book is a quick read, taking place in some well-described locations on Oahu, Kauai and The Big Island. The main character is a likable detective who is working on two cases that conveniently overlap and lead to an easy resolution. I mostly enjoyed the book... However, I thought that there were a few problems. First of all, when the dialogue between Hawaiian characters lapses into local pidgin, it really slowed down my reading. I had to slowly "translate" what they were talking about. This was only a minor irritation and I can appreciate that it shows local mannerisms, but it did bother me. I'm mentioning it here just to give others a heads up.
Also, the supporting characters were fairly stereotypical. His girlfriend is so jealous that one lie is enough to cut off their relationship, the young girl in the lei shop downstairs has a big violent bully for a boyfriend, the other young girl in the story is a complete airhead and the murder victim's wife is an aging beauty queen who is married to a much older, richer man. I think the author could improve his future stories (this is a series.) if he invests more complexity into the people who surround his main character.
Also, the supporting characters were fairly stereotypical. His girlfriend is so jealous that one lie is enough to cut off their relationship, the young girl in the lei shop downstairs has a big violent bully for a boyfriend, the other young girl in the story is a complete airhead and the murder victim's wife is an aging beauty queen who is married to a much older, richer man. I think the author could improve his future stories (this is a series.) if he invests more complexity into the people who surround his main character.
February 14, 2017
This was a quick read and a decent mystery made even better because of the location. Having been to most of the places used as important settings for the story made this a fun book. I picked it up at the Volcano House Gift Shop on the Big Island--a great souvenir for a wonderful vacation. The best part--I would have liked this book even if I hadn't been to Hawaii!
April 10, 2015
I chose this book for it's Hawaiian setting, but did not like the main character, or when the author chose to write in "pidgin." (No offense.) It seemed to me like he took his job as something to fill the time until he could go surfing again.
January 3, 2023
Entertaining Read
A nice cozy story that kept me reading until the end! I'll have to check out more books by this Author!
A nice cozy story that kept me reading until the end! I'll have to check out more books by this Author!
May 4, 2015
This was a free book from Amazon via BookBub. It is #3 in the Surfing Detective mystery series by Chip Hughes an author who knows Hawaii, the setting of the series. I really enjoyed this mystery and had no trouble getting connected to the main character even though I haven't read the first 2 books. I've never been to Hawaii but the descriptions of the different islands were so good I felt like I was there. Kai, the detective, is very smart and likeable. There is a bit of a love interest in Maile, but she plays a very small part in this book. I will read the earlier books to get the back story of that relationship. In fact her Golden Retriever, Kula, appears more than she does (very cool dog)! Some reviewers complained about not understanding the pidgin dialect of the native characters (and Kai lapses into it in their conversations). This did not hinder my understanding at all and gave the story verisimilitude. I look forward to reading more of this charming series.
July 1, 2016
This is the kind of book you can sit back, enjoy, and just have fun with. It’s well written, with short scenes that come at you fast and move on to the next. There’s no sex, foul language, or on-camera violence. Surfing Detective Kai Cook heads to the Big Island where he has been hired to protect a client from none other than the Goddess Pele herself. When the client dies, Pele seems to be the prime murder suspect. I especially enjoyed the setting at Volcano House and Volcanoes national Park, one of my favorite places in the world. Hughes knows Hawaii, the people, and the culture. His use of Pidgin is authentic and not the least bit contrived. If you love the islands, you’ll feel right at home with this story. If Hawaiian culture feels foreign to you, give this book a shot anyway. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
July 14, 2016
The surfing detective books not only provide an interesting and though-provoking story, but include inspirational glimpses of all the fine things that make Hawaii different from the rest of the world. This is a great detective story laid in paradise, with no end of different and interesting characters. Occasional lapses into dialect keep the reader amused and thinking. There are no big surprises in the plot, but the background of a smoldering volcano and lava jets keeps things fresh and interesting, and a number of subplots make for a great read.
August 28, 2016
Several people get killed near the famous Volcano House on the big island of Hawaii, and it looks like they're all related to a geo-thermal company that had an ill-fated attempt to profit from the volcano's power. A local detective is hired to prevent what might be the next murder/death. The lead suspect? Pele, the hawaiian goddess of the volcano, exacting her revenge. Not a bad premise. Not badly executed. In all, a fairly entertaining book. Nothing exceptional, but well done. It would make a pretty decent TV show or a pretty bad theatrical movie.
January 15, 2023
My sister gave me this book as a souvenir from her trip to the Big Island and I'm glad she did. Kai Cooke is a PI on Oahu. He's reluctant to take a case babysitting a bigwig on his trip to the Big Island he does it as a friend. When tragedy strikes, it looks like the main suspect is the goddess Pele. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Kai meets some very interesting and dangerous characters.
The mystery is fun, Kai is very likable, and the cast of characters both new and recurring and engaging. I liked reading about familiar places and discovered some I'd like to visit on my next trip to the islands. You don't need to read the series in order, but I do plan to go back to the first one and read all rest in order. What's not to like about a surfing detective in paradise who also owns a Golden Retriever named Kula?
The mystery is fun, Kai is very likable, and the cast of characters both new and recurring and engaging. I liked reading about familiar places and discovered some I'd like to visit on my next trip to the islands. You don't need to read the series in order, but I do plan to go back to the first one and read all rest in order. What's not to like about a surfing detective in paradise who also owns a Golden Retriever named Kula?
August 16, 2017
Another great installment for the Surfing Detective! This one had to do with the death of a guy who did geothermal felling outside of Volcanoes National Park. Besides making the locals mad it appears that Pele is taking her revenge. As Kai investigates the clues begin to reveal what was really going on between grieving widow and dead husband. The mystery is exposed and the bad guys revealed. We also get a glimpse into Kai's private like and the surfing dig Kula makes an appearance! It ends in such a way that it appears that there will be another novel, but no new titles yet! I can hardly wait!!!!
July 8, 2017
Good old fashioned murder mystery!
Starting from the beautiful state of Hawaii, this story is a mini travelogue with 4 murders thrown in. Kia Cooke has several jobs on the books that you follow throughout the story. By the time you finish the book all are brought to conclusion very satisfactorily. Enjoy the visual descriptions as you follow along with the cases. The author has a way with local dialects.
Starting from the beautiful state of Hawaii, this story is a mini travelogue with 4 murders thrown in. Kia Cooke has several jobs on the books that you follow throughout the story. By the time you finish the book all are brought to conclusion very satisfactorily. Enjoy the visual descriptions as you follow along with the cases. The author has a way with local dialects.
March 21, 2019
Enjoyable mystery - Kindle freebie through BookBub. This would be a great beach read, especially if the beach were in Hawaii! This is no. 5 in the "Surfing Detective" series, although the first one I've read. There were references to situations from past books, but the story held together even without having read them. I would definitely read more of this series.
October 7, 2019
I enjoyed this mystery novel, which takes readers from O'ahu to the Big Island and Kauai. Did Pele cause the death of the victim or was there a more human motive? The surfing detective eventually puts the pieces together in a way that will lead me to pick up another in the series.
January 12, 2022
I loved the storyline. There were a few unexpected twists in the story. The author clearly has an understanding of Hawaii and the landmarks. I did not like how the book kept switching to pigen. it made it difficult to read at times.
June 22, 2017
3.5 stars. Nice mystery. MC more likable here than in some earlier ones.
September 5, 2017
Potential
My expectations were a bit high. The plot has potential, but the tie ups were weak. That being said, I would try another installment.
My expectations were a bit high. The plot has potential, but the tie ups were weak. That being said, I would try another installment.
September 18, 2017
I liked the characters and the setting. The mystery was a little obvious - I saw the solution a mile away.
January 11, 2018
The best parts of the book were the settings at Hawai'i Volcanoes Nat'l Park, Waikiki, and K'aua'i. It was a good prelude to next month's trip, except for the murders.
June 4, 2018
Hawaii murder
Totally enjoyed this murder mystery. Interesting learning some facts about Pele, volcanoes, and Hawaii. This was a hard to put down read.
Totally enjoyed this murder mystery. Interesting learning some facts about Pele, volcanoes, and Hawaii. This was a hard to put down read.
March 13, 2019
read it on the plane. a perfect vacation mystery
June 13, 2019
I love to read local authors and local settings. Great mystery!
March 25, 2020
An easy read, kinda corny. Not the kind of book I normally read. But I enjoyed reading it on my flight home from Hawaii, because I had just been to all the places mentioned in the book.
April 27, 2022
Great story
The story was extremely interesting and easy to follow. I loved the descriptions of the Hawaii landscape and the volcano.
The story was extremely interesting and easy to follow. I loved the descriptions of the Hawaii landscape and the volcano.
May 18, 2022
Good reading
Entertaining to read not so convoluted like some of the other mystery novels I've read good side stories. Two more words
Entertaining to read not so convoluted like some of the other mystery novels I've read good side stories. Two more words
March 8, 2017
A fun mystery, especially for visitors to Hawaii's Big Island, and Volcano House.
Kai, the surfing detective, is at the center of multiple plot lines: the main plot: he's hired by a 40-something ex-beauty queen to shadow and protect her husband, and things go sideways; at the same time, Kai's working a case about a deadly drunk driving incident; and he's trying to win back his love interest; and when he can, he's protecting a young neighbor from an abusive ex-boyfriend.
The plots all tie together neatly and the outcome is no great surprise. But getting there is fun.
I enjoyed revisiting the Big Island in author Chip Hughes spot-on narration of places I saw on a recent vacation there. And oh, this surfing detective does not just catch waves on his own. He also has a tandem board so he can surf with his dog.
Kai, the surfing detective, is at the center of multiple plot lines: the main plot: he's hired by a 40-something ex-beauty queen to shadow and protect her husband, and things go sideways; at the same time, Kai's working a case about a deadly drunk driving incident; and he's trying to win back his love interest; and when he can, he's protecting a young neighbor from an abusive ex-boyfriend.
The plots all tie together neatly and the outcome is no great surprise. But getting there is fun.
I enjoyed revisiting the Big Island in author Chip Hughes spot-on narration of places I saw on a recent vacation there. And oh, this surfing detective does not just catch waves on his own. He also has a tandem board so he can surf with his dog.
June 14, 2014
Aia lā ‘o Pele i Hawai‘i ‘eā
Ke ha‘a mai lā i Maukele ‘eā
‘Ūhī‘ūhā mai ana ‘eā
Ke nome a‘e lā iā Puna, ‘eā
‘Owaka i ka lani, nokenoke
Ē Pele ē Pele ē.
Pele is in Hawai‘i
She is dancing at Maukele
She rumbles and mutters
As she consumes Puna.
Flashing in the heavens, on and on
O Pele, Pele
Hughes crafts a cozy mystery with Pele the Volcano Goddess. Kama'aina (locals) warn tourists from taking lava rocks - the essence of Pele - home to the mainland. Kama'aina know that bad luck will follow the lava rock. The Park Service displays the rocks mailed back by tourists who have felt Pele's wrath.
MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE brings Pele's wrath to a CEO who cut through a sacred forest. Kai Cooke, the Surfing Detective, is skeptical yet he encounters others who are believers, including the CEO's wife, an activist, and the desk clerk at Volcano House. The historic hotel is perched on the rim of Kilauea's caldera - Pele's home.
Hughes delivers another action adventure for the Surfing Detective as Kai navigates through Hawaii's cultural history while trying to avoid Pele's wrath himself. I enjoyed Hughes sprinkling in the Hawaiian language, local slang, and a homage to the extraordinary landscape of the Big Island. Recommended read for those who appreciate Hawaii's culture heritage.
I purchased a print copy of MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE for my reading pleasure.
Ke ha‘a mai lā i Maukele ‘eā
‘Ūhī‘ūhā mai ana ‘eā
Ke nome a‘e lā iā Puna, ‘eā
‘Owaka i ka lani, nokenoke
Ē Pele ē Pele ē.
Pele is in Hawai‘i
She is dancing at Maukele
She rumbles and mutters
As she consumes Puna.
Flashing in the heavens, on and on
O Pele, Pele
Hughes crafts a cozy mystery with Pele the Volcano Goddess. Kama'aina (locals) warn tourists from taking lava rocks - the essence of Pele - home to the mainland. Kama'aina know that bad luck will follow the lava rock. The Park Service displays the rocks mailed back by tourists who have felt Pele's wrath.
MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE brings Pele's wrath to a CEO who cut through a sacred forest. Kai Cooke, the Surfing Detective, is skeptical yet he encounters others who are believers, including the CEO's wife, an activist, and the desk clerk at Volcano House. The historic hotel is perched on the rim of Kilauea's caldera - Pele's home.
Hughes delivers another action adventure for the Surfing Detective as Kai navigates through Hawaii's cultural history while trying to avoid Pele's wrath himself. I enjoyed Hughes sprinkling in the Hawaiian language, local slang, and a homage to the extraordinary landscape of the Big Island. Recommended read for those who appreciate Hawaii's culture heritage.
I purchased a print copy of MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE for my reading pleasure.
March 20, 2015
I REALLY HAD A HARD TIME STAYING FOCUSED ON THIS BOOK TOO MANY BORING SPOTS. ITS TAKES PLACE IN BEAUTIFUL HAWAII AND YOU REALLY GET THE FEEL OF THE PLACE BY THE AUTHOR. I THINK HE SPENT WAY TO MUCH TIME DESCRIBING THE ISLANDS GREAT DETAIL. THE BOOK COULD DOUBLE AS A TRAVEL LOG WITH A TINY BIT OF A MURDER MYSTERY ENCLOSED. IT IS NOT A TERRIBLE READ IF LESS OF THE SIGHTS-SOUNDS-TASTE-FLORA AND FAUNA ETC. I KNOW I WOULD HAVE ENJOYED IT MORE. I FINALLY FIGURED IT ALL OUT AT ABOUT 84% AND I WAS RIGHT. ONE THING I DID REALLY HATE KAI’S GIRLFRIEND HER ATTITUDE WAS TERRIBLE SHE JUMPS TO CONCLUSIONS (all the wrong one’s) TO QUICK. I FEEL SORRY FOR HIM IF HE HOOKS UP WITH THAT NUTTY BROAD HE’S JUST ASKING FOR TROUBLE, BUT LOVE TENDS TO BE VERY BLIND TO SUCH THINGS. ;)
May 21, 2016
I liked this story and the lead Kai Cook is terrific. I just wish there were more full length novels. The investigator is a surfer and gets his best ideas while waiting on a wave. In this the 4th book in the series, he is asked by a wealthy man's wife to protect her husband while attending a funeral. He is paid well and flies to the big island to be near while the couple is waiting on the funeral. There is much back story provided about the geothermal company and how protestors fought it 20 years ago. The funeral is of the 2nd geothermal executive to die. The investigation is involved but rewarding. I like these stories because of the location, Hawaii, and the investigator's lifestyle. Hope there are more books soon.
July 2, 2015
A Lava-hot Mystery
An enjoyable story that proved to be an immersive trip to Hawaii. Well researched, the real locations used enabled me to feel the heat of the lava, breath the acrid smoke, and see the natural beauty of the islands.
Caught up in the seemingly unrelated cases that detective Kai is hired to solve, I was blown away when the two cases overlap just enough to make it interesting. The characters are well drawn, the rare surfing scenes are just enough to break the intensity, and the story has enough how's to keep you reading.
A definite must-read.
An enjoyable story that proved to be an immersive trip to Hawaii. Well researched, the real locations used enabled me to feel the heat of the lava, breath the acrid smoke, and see the natural beauty of the islands.
Caught up in the seemingly unrelated cases that detective Kai is hired to solve, I was blown away when the two cases overlap just enough to make it interesting. The characters are well drawn, the rare surfing scenes are just enough to break the intensity, and the story has enough how's to keep you reading.
A definite must-read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews