Hawaiian Holiday Homicide

Aloha Lagoon Mysteries #26

by Rosalie Spielman

From author Rosalie Spielman comes a cozy Christmas caper !


For marine biologist Nelly O’Hare, "Mele Kalikimaka" on the island of Kauai means enjoying the holiday with her cute golf pro boyfriend, Jack Frango, getting ready for her bestie, Kiki Hepburn’s, wedding, and lots and lots of Hawaiian rain. Nelly is excited for it all—even the rain.

Mr. and Mrs. Barrington, Kiki’s high society parents, have come to Aloha Lagoon for the holiday and the wedding. Unfortunately, they've brought along some not-so-welcomed guests in tow. But when the rude and cantankerous couple create havoc among the wedding party, everyone is shocked when they're found dead on the golf course. Even more shocking is that the only people present at the scene at the time of the crime are Mr. and Mrs. Barrington—and Jack.

Nelly tries to stay out of the ensuing investigation, but despite her best efforts, she's soon drawn in by the murderer on the loose. The victims' adult children, their conniving female friend, and the family’s big-tipping lawyer all had a reason to want the couple gone, but it’s going to take some careful snooping to figure out who the putter-wielding killer really is. Will Nelly be able to find the truth before her friend's nuptials? Or will the wedding be derailed as the murderer strikes again...

What critics are

"This cozy series will hook you so you’ll want to read all that came before!"
~ Book review Crew

"Spielman has a magnificent imagination!! She sure has a knack with creating stories that have you coming back for more!! "
~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

"This was such a fun mystery with the perfect setting for armchair travel. I wish I could visit Aloha Lagoon (without the murder). I read this quickly and was sorry to say goodbye to the characters and setting. Thankfully there are many books available in the series and more publishing in the future."
~ Kings River Life Magazine


About Aloha
There's trouble in paradise...
Welcome to Aloha Lagoon, one of Hawaii's hidden treasures. A little bit of tropical paradise nestled along the coast of Kauai, this resort town boasts luxurious accommodation, friendly island atmosphere...and only a slightly higher than normal murder rate. While mysterious circumstances may be the norm on our corner of the island, we're certain that our staff and Lagoon natives will make your stay in Aloha Lagoon one you will never forget!

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2025

About the author

As a military brat, veteran and military spouse (retired), I've moved more times than I have fingers to count on! I only recently broke my record of six consecutive years at one address.

Somewhere along the way, I discovered that I could make other people laugh with my writing. I enjoy reading to escape from the real world, and hope to give you the same with my stories.

Join my newsletter at www.Rosalie-Spielman-author.com or on Facebook at “Rosalie Spielman author” or my readers’ group, “You Know The Spiel.” I look forward to sharing my experiences with you!

I strive to provide you an escape...one page at a time.

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is Christmas in Aloha Lagoon where Nelly is getting ready for Kiki and Dex's wedding on Christmas Eve. Kiki's parents arrive for the celebration in their jet but have a few unwanted tagalongs who want to spend the holidays in Hawaii. The celebrations are marred by murder that cast suspicion on some friends and family. This story has action, danger, suspense, surprises, tension, and sleuthing by Nelly and Auntie A. to help Detective Ray. In spite of all, this has a festive, Christmas feel threaded throughout and it is always fun to travel to Aloha Lagoon.
I received a copy for an honest review. These are my thoughts.

[The Book Adventurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Rosalie Spielman for sending me a DRC of Hawaiian Holiday Homicide. I always look forward to reading her books and they never disappoint! From the very first page to the very last page, I was invested in her story. Rosalie has a very organic style of writing, from the characters to the action, to the setting...the flow of the story seems effortless and natural.

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

With twenty-six books in the series and a website dedicated to it, readers cannot help but love the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series. This series has a number of authors who write for it, most with multiple books. Each book, regardless as to who the author is, has a few things in common ... the resort and the businesses surrounding it and Detective Ray Kahoalani because there is always a murder.

In Hawaiian Holiday Homicide, the twenty-sixth book, written by Rosalie Spielman main character Nelly O'Hare is preparing for her best friend's wedding. Nelly and Kiki have known each other since college, and both chose Kauai in Hawaii to live and work. And they both met the loves of their lives there even though Kiki and Dex are farther along since they are going to be married on Christmas Eve.

When Kiki's parents arrive in their private jet, they have more people than expected. They have brought friends Mr. and Mrs. Stronzo, her son, his son and a girlfriend of one of them. Kiki is going to just go with the flow and let nothing upset her or get in the way of her special day. Unfortunately, no one knew there would be a DOUBLE murder !!!

Nelly's boyfriend Jack, who is a golf pro for the resort golf course agrees to caddie for the Barrington's and the Stronzo's but somehow while Jack is on an errand to get waters and the Barrington's have stepped away to look at the ocean, both Mr. and Mrs. Stronzo turn up dead. It is apparent that Mr. Stronzo is murdered due to the injury to his head, but it is unclear as to how Mrs. Stronzo died.

All Nelly should be doing is working as well as making sure Kiki stays calm and her wedding goes off as planned. But somehow, she cannot help herself and she is soon suspecting everyone .... except the person she should have until it is almost too late !!

The Aloha Lagoon Mystery series has so much to love. Having multiple authors contributing to it keeps it fresh and interesting. And you will find yourself loving Detective Ray even though he is there to solve a murder. It is too bad that the Aloha Lagoon Resort isn't real because this girl, even though I hate traveling, would totally go there !!

[Robin Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelly O’Hare is a marine biologist getting ready for her best friend Kiki’s wedding. This is supposed to be a rather small affair, which should make things go along smoothly, or maybe not. Kiki’s parents arrive, in their own plane, no less. Surprisingly, they bring along another couple with their sons and a friend. The couple and their family couldn’t be more obnoxious. Clearly, Kiki’s parents really don’t want to spend time with them. They go off on a golf outing. Nelly is sleeping in when she receives a panicked call from Kiki’s father that the couple was murdered on the golf course. Kiki’s parents are suspects, as is Nelly’s boyfriend, Jack. Nelly tries to stay out of the investigation but keeps getting drawn in. She’s hoping the murder is solved so Kiki’s wedding goes off without a hitch. I found this a delightful cozy mystery.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment has arrived. Finally it is Kiki and Dex’s wedding. Things are already hectic in the week leading up to the wedding. Chaos ensues after unexpected guests arrive with Kiki’s parents. Matters take a grave turn when friends of Kiki’s parents end up dead during a golf outing. With her parents as well as best friend Nelly’s boyfriend Jack as suspects, can they find the real killer before the wedding? Will tenuous circumstances place a permanent wedge between Kiki and Nelly? Oh my goodness this was so dang good. I loved everything about it. Most importantly the change in Kiki’s mom. Absolute perfection. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiki and Dex are getting married! Her parents show up with another family in tow–one nobody invited–and nobody’s happy about it. But when the other couple end up dead on the golf course, killed by Kiki’s father’s golf club, it’s up to Kiki and her friends to figure out who the culprit really was – hopefully before the wedding! As usual, there are lots of suspects, especially when there are hints of mob connections–but nobody suspects the real killer until Kiki and Nellie are in mortal danger (of course). The wedding didn’t come off without a hitch or two, but Nellie pulls it off for her friends and we have a HEA that makes you smile.

Definitely recommended.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hawaiian Holiday Homicide is an exciting tale of a wedding and murder! Kiki's Christmas Eve wedding draws her parents and some tagalongs to Aloha Lagoon. When an obnoxious couple is murdered, only Kiki's parents and Nelly's boyfriend Jack are at the scene. Of course Nelly and Auntie A. are going to help Detective Ray investigate. I love Aloha Lagoon and all these recurring characters. Will the murder investigation derail the wedding? Will Nelly and Kiki survive unmasking this killer? Leave plenty of time to sit and read because you will not want to put this book down! This well plotted book is another enthralling tale from Ms. Spielman.

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book! There was so much going on! I practically read it in one sitting. I have loved everything that I have read of Ms. Spielman’s work. Her books have a nice flow and are easy to read. This book, set in Hawaii at Christmas, plus a wedding that we have been looking forward to, was wonderful. There was family, friends, resort employers and employees, wedding stress, a little romance and murder. I highly recommend this book (and series).

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wedding and a murder, all during a Hawaiian Christmas? Yes, please! I love Rosalie Spielman's contributions to the Aloha Lagoon series, and this one did not disappoint. With a handful of suspects and a good amount of red-herrings, I didn't guess the killer until it was all over. I loved revisiting the setting and getting more of Auntie Ackamai and Paulie, as well as learning about a traditional Hawaiian wedding. Fantastic read!

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, slip away to the Aloha Lagoon Resort where romance, nature's beauty, and murder combine with Hawaiian traditions. This time it's the wedding of Kiki and Dex on Christmas Eve. Murder rears it's ugly head with two victims on the golf course. Nelly, Kiki's maid of honor, observes details, well ok, she inserts herself into figuring out what happened.
New and familiar characters, uncomfortable situations, and great observation skills combined with murder make an absorbing and fascinating story. I love the comfort of the location, the characters readers meet time and time again, and predictable as well as surprising details. It may include murder, but the story abounds with love, loyalties, and helpfulness all in a tropical paradise.