What do you think?
Rate this book
Mai Tais and Murder
With their relationship still new, Helen Hardy and her partner, retired LAPD detective Mel Nelson, go to the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii. The idea is for Helen to do research for her next sapphic romance novel. However, things don’t go as planned. When their reclusive neighbor hints he is working on a dangerous story and then suddenly disappears, everything becomes much more complicated. The two of them find themselves caught up in a web of secrets and suspicious characters. Using Mel’s detective instincts as their guide, they work together to try and uncover the truth before it’s too late.
Sun, sand, and suspense come together in a sapphic tale of love, mystery, and danger that you don’t want to miss.
Part of the Sapphic Suspense Nine Romantic Suspense Novels and Novellas
This curated collection brings together nine distinct voices in sapphic romantic suspense. Each book delivers a complete story of passion and peril, featuring protagonists who navigate both danger and desire. Several entries serve as gateways to forthcoming series, offering readers a first glimpse of worlds their creators will soon expand. From gritty city streets to seaside villages harboring secrets, these tales explore the exhilarating intersection of attraction and jeopardy. Each author introduces characters who've never appeared in their previous works, ensuring fresh terrain for both longtime fans and new readers.
And don't miss the prequel that introduces Helen and Mel's love story - In the Twilight Hours.
Sun, sand, and suspense come together in a sapphic tale of love, mystery, and danger that you don’t want to miss.
Part of the Sapphic Suspense Nine Romantic Suspense Novels and Novellas
This curated collection brings together nine distinct voices in sapphic romantic suspense. Each book delivers a complete story of passion and peril, featuring protagonists who navigate both danger and desire. Several entries serve as gateways to forthcoming series, offering readers a first glimpse of worlds their creators will soon expand. From gritty city streets to seaside villages harboring secrets, these tales explore the exhilarating intersection of attraction and jeopardy. Each author introduces characters who've never appeared in their previous works, ensuring fresh terrain for both longtime fans and new readers.
And don't miss the prequel that introduces Helen and Mel's love story - In the Twilight Hours.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
57 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 17, 2025
I was bored with this one.
July 12, 2025
FABULOUS CONCEPT
As an elder myself, I was delighted to find this gem. What a cute couple. The mystery was interesting too. Hawaii was an inspired location for the tale to unfold amid wonderful sunsets, beautiful beaches, and tourists from all over the world.
Helen”s quiet intelligence and Mel’s steadfast “get ‘er done” attitude will go a long way toward what is surely ( hope) a highly successful series of older lesbian women solving problems and cases concerning would be criminals. Can’t wait to dig in…THANKS KC!
As an elder myself, I was delighted to find this gem. What a cute couple. The mystery was interesting too. Hawaii was an inspired location for the tale to unfold amid wonderful sunsets, beautiful beaches, and tourists from all over the world.
Helen”s quiet intelligence and Mel’s steadfast “get ‘er done” attitude will go a long way toward what is surely ( hope) a highly successful series of older lesbian women solving problems and cases concerning would be criminals. Can’t wait to dig in…THANKS KC!
January 2, 2026
✔Sapphic Book Bingo Challenge 2026 🌈✨: Hidden Gems Board - Main Character is 50+
4 stars. I loved the prequel novella so I’m glad that I finally got around to reading this. This was so lovely and so much fun. Reads like a romantic cozy mystery and I really hope that Luck is planning on giving us more adventures of Mel and Helen being adorable together and solving mysteries. This was great and made me want to go on vacation just to be nosey as well. LOL.
Spice: 0.5/❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥(Very tame and vaguely described sex scene)
4 stars. I loved the prequel novella so I’m glad that I finally got around to reading this. This was so lovely and so much fun. Reads like a romantic cozy mystery and I really hope that Luck is planning on giving us more adventures of Mel and Helen being adorable together and solving mysteries. This was great and made me want to go on vacation just to be nosey as well. LOL.
Spice: 0.5/❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥(Very tame and vaguely described sex scene)
June 16, 2025
Good book
Even when you retire you are still on the job. Mel is a retired LAPD detective that just can't stop herself. We she see something that doesn't make sense she's on the hunt along with her partner Helen. A good mystery that keeps you read to see who's done it and to figure out what the big story is about. A good story with older characters that think they are young at heart.
Even when you retire you are still on the job. Mel is a retired LAPD detective that just can't stop herself. We she see something that doesn't make sense she's on the hunt along with her partner Helen. A good mystery that keeps you read to see who's done it and to figure out what the big story is about. A good story with older characters that think they are young at heart.
May 12, 2025
"Mai Tais and Murder" is Book 2 in this series from K.C. Luck following "In the Twighlight Hours" featuring seventy-year-old retired LAPD detective, Mel Nelson, and sixty-six-year-old sapphic writer, Helen Hardy. This book was a murder mystery related to sports corruption that left me guessing until the final pages. It was an engaging book set in Hawaii with some nice descriptions of excursions that the women took in between their investigation-by-proximity.
The action was taking place directly across the resort building where they were staying. Now six months into their relationship, I am pleased to see the love between Mel and Helen as strong as ever.
The ending of the book alluded to a possible Book 3 related to art gallery break ins. I can't wait for another adventure with Mel and Helen!
The action was taking place directly across the resort building where they were staying. Now six months into their relationship, I am pleased to see the love between Mel and Helen as strong as ever.
The ending of the book alluded to a possible Book 3 related to art gallery break ins. I can't wait for another adventure with Mel and Helen!
June 25, 2025
This is a shorter sort of cozy mystery book.
As usual I jumped straight in to read it and didn't realise until the end it is book 2 in their series. It can be read as a standalone though - as I hadn't noticed! I have downloaded Book 1 though now.
I liked the mature characters who have already had a life before embarking on their adventures. A retired LAPD detective (Mel) is guaranteed to run into trouble when on holiday - ably assisted by her retired middle school girlfriend (Helen) who has now taken up sapphic fiction writing.
On holiday in Hawaii, enjoying the weather and the relaxation - with a little danger and mystery to make sure to keep them on their toes.
The story was interesting, and when they reach home a story in the paper that caught the eye of Mel and got her thinking about the crime, setting them up for the next book perhaps?
Definitely recommended.
As usual I jumped straight in to read it and didn't realise until the end it is book 2 in their series. It can be read as a standalone though - as I hadn't noticed! I have downloaded Book 1 though now.
I liked the mature characters who have already had a life before embarking on their adventures. A retired LAPD detective (Mel) is guaranteed to run into trouble when on holiday - ably assisted by her retired middle school girlfriend (Helen) who has now taken up sapphic fiction writing.
On holiday in Hawaii, enjoying the weather and the relaxation - with a little danger and mystery to make sure to keep them on their toes.
The story was interesting, and when they reach home a story in the paper that caught the eye of Mel and got her thinking about the crime, setting them up for the next book perhaps?
Definitely recommended.
May 16, 2025
These old timers still have it!
First of all I love that retired LAPD detective Mel is 70 and her girlfriend, retired teacher Helen, is 66. It's nice to see this mature couple portrayed as having brains and intuitions, not just feeble old ladies meddling with everyone in town!
kid's writing was serious, yet cute. Their love was affectionate and tender, but not steamy. I really loved their relationship. They are so loveable. b then KC throws them smack dab in the middle of the mystery. It's just delicious! I really enjoyed it and hope to read some more about them in the future!
First of all I love that retired LAPD detective Mel is 70 and her girlfriend, retired teacher Helen, is 66. It's nice to see this mature couple portrayed as having brains and intuitions, not just feeble old ladies meddling with everyone in town!
kid's writing was serious, yet cute. Their love was affectionate and tender, but not steamy. I really loved their relationship. They are so loveable. b then KC throws them smack dab in the middle of the mystery. It's just delicious! I really enjoyed it and hope to read some more about them in the future!
May 9, 2025
Excellent Quick Mystery
I just love a story that begins, unfolds, and keeps me guessing all in one nice quick package. No need to be convoluted and carry on for pages and pages, just "zap" here's the story. I love it.
The two main characters are loveable, smart, and believable. The extra characters are interesting and don't drag the story down. The mystery is captivating and also believable.
Try this novella, it's a great read.
I just love a story that begins, unfolds, and keeps me guessing all in one nice quick package. No need to be convoluted and carry on for pages and pages, just "zap" here's the story. I love it.
The two main characters are loveable, smart, and believable. The extra characters are interesting and don't drag the story down. The mystery is captivating and also believable.
Try this novella, it's a great read.
July 23, 2025
A really enjoyable read for many reasons. Mel and Helen are an older and established couple, so their appreciation of each other's strengths and individuality stands out. I liked that their involvement in the mystery was not unwitting, nor too nosy. The pacing, tension, element of danger and resolution of the mystery was also well executed. I'll definitely be following this series.
May 4, 2025
Fun read
Very good book. The story and mystery is interesting the character are likable and interesting. The romance is sweet mature women solving a mystery and enjoying life and each other.
Very good book. The story and mystery is interesting the character are likable and interesting. The romance is sweet mature women solving a mystery and enjoying life and each other.
May 3, 2025
Life doesn't end at 60
Helen and Mel are awesome. They are a fun and loving couple. The book is full of love and mystery. I can't wait for their next adventure. Great job KC.
Helen and Mel are awesome. They are a fun and loving couple. The book is full of love and mystery. I can't wait for their next adventure. Great job KC.
May 27, 2025
Nice mystery.
September 24, 2025
An entertaining and occasionally angsty story of love, murder, and intrigue. I particularly liked the main protagonists being retired women.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews