Waimea Whitewash

by Christine Wellert

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2026

Reviews

[Bevany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun sleuth story with dual pov. There is a lot going on in this book and some really great and loveable characters. This is my first book from this author and it was fun to read. Lani was my least favorite character but maybe because she really was a side character in this story but the aunties are amazing!

[Selah · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️
DNF @ 10%

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me. I really wanted to enjoy the cozy small-town tropical setting and amateur sleuth storyline, but I struggled with the lack of world-building. Since this is the fourth book in the series, I expected the setting and characters to feel more established, but I never felt fully immersed in the world.

The premise had potential, but ultimately I wasn’t invested enough to continue. DNF for now.

Thank you Happily Booked PR for this advanced read!

[Jazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been so excited for this book and I was not disappointed!!! Such a good read, leaving me on tenterhooks trying to find out what was going to happen. Esther and Iris were hilarious throughout the entire book and they made me giggle so much! Brilliantly written and finished it in one sitting!

[Abhijeet Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'd be splayed out on my boat, nailed to the transom like Jesus with my guts hanging out, drifting further and further out to sea."

Waimea Whitewash by Christine Wellert is a pure community-oriented murder mystery. Received an ARC via Happily Booked PR, and I loved how cosy and lovely it felt right from the first page.

It’s part of the Barefoot Sleuth Cozy Mysteries series, with Summer (and her friend Lani) as private investigators. When Lani's aunt Esther gets accused of murdering a real estate developer, they take the case to clear her name. And that’s where the story begins.

The story is set in Hawaii's Kohala Coast, and it gives off a warm, laid-back, community-centric vibe. It has themes of corruption, land disputes, and some romance in between. It’s pretty comedic and chaotic. Aunt Esther and Aunt Iris were quite a character.

And the Hawaiian atmosphere isn’t just for the mood. Christine brought the island alive in the book, with its culture and language sprinkled throughout.

Even with the light, playful writing, the pacing stays tight. It’s neither too fast nor too slow.

The mystery itself keeps stacking twists too. Just when you think it's wrapping up and the rest would be boring, something happens again. It’s full of little surprises as such.

There was just one little issue... the lack of back story. I do understand that it’s because this isn’t the first book in the series. But that missing link affected comprehension in some parts. Still, I think Waimea Whitewash can be read as a standalone,

Recommended for anyone looking for a cosy mystery with some action here and there. It’s warm and family-friendly. With comedic beats pretty much balancing away the tension.

[Nikki Ibarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waimea Whitewash was a delightful return to the Barefoot Sleuth crew!

Summer and Lani find themselves entangled in another murder investigation after the controversial developer James Thorton’s death. Esther becomes a suspect, adding to the intrigue. The mystery unfolds with competing motives, questionable business dealings, secrets, local politics, a dispute over sacred Hawaiian land, and numerous individuals with reasons to want Thorton gone.

One of my favorite aspects of this series is the cast. Summer and Lani’s friendship remains a shining thread, Esther’s chaotic antics are absolute delight, and the supporting characters breathe life into the story, making it feel like a vibrant community rather than a collection of characters set against a backdrop of mystery.

I also appreciated the inclusion of Cole’s ongoing investigation alongside Summer’s case. His storyline involving corruption within the police department introduces an element of danger and suspense, enriching the narrative and providing a layer beyond the central murder mystery.

The Hawai‘i setting is masterfully utilized. The story seamlessly incorporates the community, Hawaiian language, and the significance of ‘āina and sacred land into the conflict, transforming the island into more than just a picturesque backdrop.

While humor is abundant, the story maintains a captivating mystery with twists and suspects that keep readers engaged. The development of Summer and Cole’s relationship culminated in a satisfying ending.

Waimea Whitewash is a funny, chaotic, mysterious, romantic, and heartwarming addition to the Barefoot Sleuth series, promising another entertaining mystery.

[Sneha R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waimea Whitewash was an enjoyable cozy mystery that kept me engaged from start to finish. The story follows Summer Jenkins as she investigates the murder of a controversial real estate developer after her friend Lani's Aunt Esther becomes the prime suspect. What I liked most was how the mystery was tied to the local community and the conflict over preserving sacred land, which gave the story more depth than a typical whodunit.

Wellert creates a charming Hawaiian setting and fills the novel with interesting characters, each with believable motives and secrets. I enjoyed following Summer's investigation as new clues emerged and suspects piled up, making it difficult to guess the killer. The pacing was steady, and the mix of suspense, friendship, and community drama kept the story entertaining throughout.

Overall, Waimea Whitewash is a satisfying mystery with a likable protagonist, a beautiful setting, and a well-crafted plot. If you enjoy cozy mysteries that combine small-town relationships with intriguing murder investigations, this book is definitely worth reading. I finished it feeling invested in the characters and eager to read more from Christine Wellert's series.

Thank you Christine and Happily Booked PR for the ARC copy!

[Gabriel Castaneda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading “Waimea Whitewash” by @christinewellertauthor . While reading, I realized this was book 5 in the “Barefoot Sleuth Cozy Mysteries” because the characters referred to events from the other books. So, I was a bit confused at time, and did some research and discovered this was Book 5. Honestly, that didn’t matter because the book did its purpose, and I enjoyed it.

Christine did an exceptional job with blending suspense, humor, drama, and a slow-burn love story. She wrote some interesting characters that made me smile, such as Aunt Ester-oh, she was a character- and Summer’s parents, WOW! This story kept me captivated from start to finish; I am always eager to find out what would happen next. It’s a genuine cozy mystery, enhanced by a unique Hawaiian flavor.

The slow-burn romance between Summer and Cole progresses further in this book. There was so much passion, physical attraction, and chemistry. It was off the charts. I plan to read the series from the start so I can see the progression of their relationship from the beginning.

I received this ARC from @happilybookedpr. It was definitely a great pleasure.

[GetLitWithRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waimea Whitewash was such a fun cozy mystery! This isn’t the first book in the series, but it was my first, and thankfully, I was able to jump right in without feeling lost. The mystery kept me invested, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the story moving. And the beautiful tropical Hawaiian setting certainly didn’t hurt!

Summer and Lani are private investigators working for Summer’s father, and one of their jobs is supposed to be keeping Lani’s Auntie Esther out of trouble. Except…this is Esther we’re talking about. At 4’7”, this saucy Filipino auntie might be tiny, but her personality is anything but! There is NEVER a dull moment with her around, and she constantly keeps Summer and Lani on their toes. I absolutely loved her. Esther was the star of the show for me!

Between the entertaining characters, tropical setting, and mystery that kept me guessing, this was an enjoyable read from beginning to end. Now that I’ve met Summer, Lani, and especially my girl Esther, I’m looking forward to reading more from this series!

Thank you to Christine Wellert and Happily Booked PR for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waimea Whitewash by Christine Wellert is a fun and entertaining cozy mystery with a beautiful Hawaiian setting. Christine Wellert did a great job combining suspense, humor, interesting characters, and plenty of twists to keep the story moving. I enjoyed following the investigation as secrets came to light and the mystery became more complicated. The island atmosphere added an extra layer of charm, making this a relaxing and enjoyable read while still providing enough suspense to keep me guessing. The FMC Summer Jenkins was a likable sleuth, and I especially enjoyed watching her determination to uncover the truth. The pacing was good, and the story kept me interested from beginning to end. Overall, Waimea Whitewash was a quick, enjoyable read and a fun addition to the Barefoot Sleuth series.

I received an ARC copy from Happily Booked PR. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel

[╰⊱♥⊱╮ღ꧁Kathy,Ahmazing Book Faerie꧂ღ╭⊱♥≺ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an ARC read ftom the author


I have absolutely loved this crazy series, but this book was the best, and Cole totally stole the show.
How do these girls get themselves involved in so much trouble! One or other of them just always manages to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Our two heroines are working on a small case, but get involved in a murder case, and with Cole working tirelessly on his own police corruption case, Summer barely sees him. But with dealing with crazy aunts seemingly on the verge of senility, parents rediscovering each other, and a cheating scandal, not to mention the corruption, the girls plates are full.
This is a crazy, hilarious ride, with a perfect outcome. This has been a truly entertaining series, and my thanks to Christine Wellert for the ARC's.

[Desiree Raburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌊 Beautiful backdrop
🔎 Amateur sleuth
💙 Cozy mystery
😏 The quirkiest characters
💕 Found family
🔥 Slow burn

Summer is back at her dad's PI firm, and she's got her bestie, Lani to help her, along with 2 hilarious aunties that they can't seem to shake 😆 This book centers around Esther, hilarious auntie #1, being accused of murdering a land developer and her insane guilt trip to Summer and Lani to clear her name...for free while criticizing their every move 😏

This book packs a punch with perfectly timed pacing, a mystery that doesn't hurt your brain, plenty of comedic relief, pop culture nostalgia and characters you kinda want to meet in real life!

Some of my favorite moments from Waimea Whitewash:
🤣 All of the Esther and Iris interactions
✨️ The glitter bomb in Summer's apartment
🫣 Cole's attempt to keep a dubious business partner in line
🏡 House hunting

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy mystery was such a fun escape. I loved the Hawaiian setting, soaking in the island vibe while they tried to solve another case. The descriptions of the community, the beaches, and the family dynamics gave the book a warm backdrop even as the mystery kept me guessing.

Summer was a great lead. Her determination to uncover the truth, I enjoyed seeing her balance sleuthing with her relationships, especially with Cole. Lani was a wonderful partner in crime-solving.

The mystery was engaging. With Aunt Esther accused of murder, the stakes felt personal, and I liked how the case tied into local issues like land preservation and community conflict. The suspects were believable, the twists kept coming, and I never felt certain who to trust until the end.

I liked the mix of suspense and comedy. It struck a perfect balance between lighthearted fun and tension.

[Katherine Tricker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favourite installment for this series yet.

So much going on for both Summer and Cole, and each investigation reached a big conclusion.
For Summer and Lani the investigation took another twisty turn. I was suspicious of who it ended up being at times but I couldn't place them as a definite answer anymore than the characters could.

Things come to a head with Cole and Takada and I have loved that storyline throughout the books, so it was great to see it progressing even more.

Christine Wellert is a master at cozy mysteries. Enough mystery and intrigue involved for those who want the cases solved, but also so much cozy fun with the characters involved. They have become like my family by now and I just constantly need more from them.
Hopefully with the way this ended Elliott is going to back in the fold a little more for the next book.

[Seershhhhh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t fall in love with this one. I wasn’t sure going into this that I would like this, but I am not someone who DNF’s.
I loved that it was set in Hawaii, i liked the tropical island and the community there were lovely people. It was cool that there were parts of the culture and language woven into the story.

Summer and Cole team up trying to solve the mystery. Summer was a good strong independent FMC. Cole was great.

The mystery element was definitely something that kept me interested throughout. Small town murder investigating x romance. There’s plenty of drama. It is a fast paced story. The side character was really interesting, her friend’s aunt Esther. She was always up to some shenanigans. Quite funny and silly.

Thank you to Happily Booked PR and Christine Wellert for providing me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

3.75/5

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 4/5
🔥 Burn: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 1/5
💧 Emotional: 3/5

This was such a good read, and it honestly felt like the kind of book I would take with me to the beach and spend the afternoon reading.

I also had a different connection to the setting because I was born and raised in Hawaii. As I was reading, I could actually picture Waimea and the surroundings, which made it even easier for me to become immersed in the story.

I really enjoyed the combination of the tropical setting with the mystery. The amateur sleuth aspect gave me something different from the romances I normally gravitate toward, while the slow-burn element still gave me a little bit of that romantic tension I love.

It was a fun change of pace for me and definitely gave me beach-read vibes. 🌺🔎🌊

Thank you to Happily Booked PR and author Christine Wellert for the opportunity to read and review Waimea Whitewash! 🤍

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book. It is a cozy mystery set in Hawaii that follows a private investigator named Summer Jenkins. She takes on a case to clear her friend’s aunt who has been accused of murder, which gets her caught up in a mess involving a ruthless real estate developer.

The tropical setting was great, and I liked the community vibe of the town. The mystery itself kept me guessing the whole time because there were a lot of different suspects and motives to sort through. It has a few slower parts in the middle while she is digging for clues, but the ending gets intense and wraps up well.

If you want a solid, fast mystery with a great beach backdrop, I think you'll like this one.

[Amanda Goran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful cozy mystery novel that I had the good fortune of receiving a Arc from Happily Booked PR. It was a quick and easy read that was pretty well paced and kept my interest. While this is the first book in the series I read thankfully I was able to easily jump in and catch up. I was quickly able to get to know the various characters and warmed up to most of them. I absolutely adored Esther. I loved the community that has been created and the touches of Hawaiian culture throughout. i look forward to going back and reading the other books in this series now that I've been introduced to it.

[Melody Ludholtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I really like the setting and her descriptions of the scenery and the characters and just the overall writing it makes you feel like you’re in Hawaii. I enjoy hearing her talk about the detective Agency and the cases and how things are kind of slow and then all of a sudden someone’s accused of murder and she has to prove that it wasn’t her and all of the steps that it takes for her to get there. Summer is a really great character. I really liked the story and how it got to the end and of course who the actual murderer really was and how she came to that point! I really cannot wait to read more of these books. They are so good.

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. It was a page turner, and the suspense was sweet and excitement. Summer and Cole found romance and these characters were passionate and the physical attraction of the chemistry. Was love in the air for them right now in this moment. I was on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't even put it down literally.
I highly recommend this book, and you won't be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book Happily Booked PR via Bookfunnel and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. Trina Jones

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Hawaiian cozy-mystery has you feeling the island vibe while cheering on Summer and her best friend Lani who are hired to solve another case. Summer and Lani have recently started working in her dad’s private investigator’s office helping investigate local inquiries/crimes. These two have quite the adventures as they try out their sleuthing skills. The twists keep coming and the danger continues to follow them as they solve another case. Author does a fabulous job of helping you feel native to the islands and the deep loyalty of island family.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Wellert has done it again! Reading a new Summer Jenkins Barefoot Sleuth mystery feels like hanging out with old friends—filled with a little danger, romance, humor, shenanigans, and lots of personality.

Summer and Lani’s friendship is one of my favorite parts of this series, and Auntie Esther is the kind of aunt you’re lucky to have—though also glad isn’t your actual aunt. 🤣 I was laughing out loud while enjoying the fast pace and plenty of twists. This mystery series is always cozy, never gory.

This was an honest review of an advanced copy from Happily Booked PR and the author.

[Jade Seymour · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I will be honest and say at the start of this book I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. I am one of those people who hates to DNF books and in this case I’m glad I didn’t. This book had a good mixture of mystery/suspense and romance. I enjoyed every character in this book because they all had a place to build this story properly. I do think I need to venture into her other books to fully grasp the relationships built! Overall I look forward to reading more of Christine Wellert’s books! 📚
Thank you to Happily Booked PR for the ARC!

[Brandy Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a perfect mixture of mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Summer and Lani are private investigators working for Summers father. They’re are supposed to keep Lani’s Auntie Esther out of trouble. That is easier said than done. I feel like Esther sometimes, in the fact she never does anything the easy way. The situations she gets not only herself into, the girls as well makes sure there is never a dull moment. This book had me reading until the very last page, because I couldn't put it down.
I definitely recommend reading it.

[Dee Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I wasn't very sure what I was getting into when I first was interested. I am glad I gave it chance because it was a very good book. I love the constant what if's I had. the murder mystery part was amazing.
Now I usually don't read books like this, but it was a very good and interesting read for sure.
I did go back and read the first 4 in this series just to make sure I understood everything happening. I do recommend reading in order but that's just my opinion.

[Judy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. Mystery, suspense, romance, and of course laughter all rolled into one..
Summer and Lani are fairly new private investigators working for her Summers dad. They’re tasked with trying to keep Lani’s Auntie Esther out of trouble. Now this is like asking a child to be responsible for the way adults act! Esther has her own set of rules and never does anything the easy way. The predicaments she gets herself and the girls into are just laughable. What a delightful read.

[Elizabeth Benavidez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get your bags packed, you’ll want to be on the next flight to help solve this mystery set in beautiful Hawaii. There’s so much packed into this cozy mystery, plenty of drama, misdirection, and community that made for a fun, engaging read. It’s fast paced with lots of action and a few different suspects to plot against. I loved Aunt Esther and Summer’s crew as they worked to clear her good name.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer and Lani were so much fun in this cozy mystery set in Hawaii. Being new detectives, they set out for this fun and cozy mystery. I’ve absolutely enjoyed each of these stories as they always bring fun and suspense in a lighthearted giggle worthy read. And this was no exception. The characters were great, the twists and turns kept me guessing. A really great read overall.

[Elizabeth Roth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a cute, cozy mystery. I feel like I was missing a few things because I have not read the previous books in the series. I also struggled because the story like jumped between the characters and story lines. But it was overall a good read and I intend to go back and read the others.

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What to expect:
🌴Amateur Sleuth
​🔎Slow Burn Romance
🌴Tropical Setting
​🔎Small Town Charm
🌴Quirky Sidekick
​🔎Vigilante Justice

🔥my view

A great setting, the writing made me feel I was there, if you want to escape to Hawaii for fun and a great read this is your book. I’ve loved this series full of suspense.

[Brie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a cozy mystery set in a beautiful island location. It is part of a series but I read it as a standalone. This story captured my interest from start to finish, bringing island charm into every page. The mystery was a classic who done it while the story kept getting layers added to it. There were also two aunts who gave this book so much character and added so much enjoyment to the story.