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The Lei Crime Universe
Coconut Island
Memories are dangerous.
Investigative reporter Wendy Watanabe is no stranger to mysteries, but can she handle one steeped in her own family’s history?
A box of letters from a WWII soldier stationed on the Big Island is found at the Hilo Historical Society and unlocks painful memories for Wendy’s Great Aunt Bee.
Bee’s older sister was swept away in the 1946 tsunami, but now Wendy suspects she was murdered first. As she delves into the mystery, Wendy meets a group of nonagenarians who were at the USO center on Coconut Island during the war. One is a hero. Another is a cold-blooded murderer.
When the threat turns to Bee, Wendy seeks the aid of Detective Leilani Texeira and together, the women race to catch the killer before he claims another life.
Investigative reporter Wendy Watanabe is no stranger to mysteries, but can she handle one steeped in her own family’s history?
A box of letters from a WWII soldier stationed on the Big Island is found at the Hilo Historical Society and unlocks painful memories for Wendy’s Great Aunt Bee.
Bee’s older sister was swept away in the 1946 tsunami, but now Wendy suspects she was murdered first. As she delves into the mystery, Wendy meets a group of nonagenarians who were at the USO center on Coconut Island during the war. One is a hero. Another is a cold-blooded murderer.
When the threat turns to Bee, Wendy seeks the aid of Detective Leilani Texeira and together, the women race to catch the killer before he claims another life.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2015
26 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Oakley
13 books77 followersBIOGRAPHY
Award-winning author J.L. Oakley writes historical fiction that spans the mid-19th century to WW II with characters standing up for something in their own time and place. Her writing has been recognized with a 2006 Surrey International Writer's Non-fiction award. 2013 Bellingham Mayor’s Arts Award, the 2013 Chanticleer Grand Prize, the 2014 First Place Chaucer Award, the 2015 WILLA Silver Award for Timber Rose and the 2016 Goethe Grand Prize for The Jøssing Affair. When not writing, she demonstrates 19th century folkways.
Her other writings appear in various magazines, anthologies, and other media including the Cup of Comfort series and Historylink.org, a “cyperpedia of Washington State history.”
Award-winning author J.L. Oakley writes historical fiction that spans the mid-19th century to WW II with characters standing up for something in their own time and place. Her writing has been recognized with a 2006 Surrey International Writer's Non-fiction award. 2013 Bellingham Mayor’s Arts Award, the 2013 Chanticleer Grand Prize, the 2014 First Place Chaucer Award, the 2015 WILLA Silver Award for Timber Rose and the 2016 Goethe Grand Prize for The Jøssing Affair. When not writing, she demonstrates 19th century folkways.
Her other writings appear in various magazines, anthologies, and other media including the Cup of Comfort series and Historylink.org, a “cyperpedia of Washington State history.”
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 1, 2016
Historically very strong and a good story, but since she isn't the creator of the main characters they just didn't have that special feel to them. Also, she just doesn't have the feel for the land or people to the extent of Lei Crime originator Toby Neal. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this story though.
August 6, 2018
The past catches up with the present
The story is based around the events of 1946 when a tsunami hit a small town on the island of Hawai. One small girl was amongst the survivors and this is a story that's based on her family. When the remains of a skeleton are found with wire around it's neck, the body is identified as a young woman that went missing just before the tsunami hit. Amongst the dead was her BFF, the sister of our survivor. Now letters and photographs have emerged and someone wants them desperately. She has her young relative (a network reporter) come down to see her. Break-ins, threats, intimidation follow. Can our reporter acting with a policewoman (who has just lost her husband) and the old boyfriend of the dead sister piece together what happened and find out the truth? A great plot with a wonderful historical viewpoint (even though I don't normally read war related items - too depressing) and with characters that come across as warm as the sun but with an ice cold killer.
The story is based around the events of 1946 when a tsunami hit a small town on the island of Hawai. One small girl was amongst the survivors and this is a story that's based on her family. When the remains of a skeleton are found with wire around it's neck, the body is identified as a young woman that went missing just before the tsunami hit. Amongst the dead was her BFF, the sister of our survivor. Now letters and photographs have emerged and someone wants them desperately. She has her young relative (a network reporter) come down to see her. Break-ins, threats, intimidation follow. Can our reporter acting with a policewoman (who has just lost her husband) and the old boyfriend of the dead sister piece together what happened and find out the truth? A great plot with a wonderful historical viewpoint (even though I don't normally read war related items - too depressing) and with characters that come across as warm as the sun but with an ice cold killer.
August 19, 2018
I do feel this is a little short for a mystery/crime novel. More of a novella, I think. Nevertheless it is well-written and the setting is great. I know the author lived in Hawaii for several years and she has really been able to get the atmosphere right. You definitely get the fact that she knows her settings and the customs very well. The characters are good as well. Can recommend this for a fun read.
August 19, 2018
A Tidal Wave of Deadly Memories
Author Oakley has captured the history of a deadly Hilo tsunami and wrapped it around crimes that bring in characters from the Lei Crime Series. This tightly written novella thoughtfully connects 70-year-old disappearances to local crimes trying to cover-up who was responsible for the death of two women in 1946.
I was hooked from the beginning and read it through in one night.
Author Oakley has captured the history of a deadly Hilo tsunami and wrapped it around crimes that bring in characters from the Lei Crime Series. This tightly written novella thoughtfully connects 70-year-old disappearances to local crimes trying to cover-up who was responsible for the death of two women in 1946.
I was hooked from the beginning and read it through in one night.
November 29, 2017
Great
Love a good mystery involving Lei and all off the people I've become familiar with through these books. Thanks to the writers.
Love a good mystery involving Lei and all off the people I've become familiar with through these books. Thanks to the writers.
March 8, 2018
Wonderfully written historical fiction, but loaded with distracting typos. I would have loved to have been able to beta edit this book.
August 18, 2018
Good
this book is one where the people in this small town.in Hawaii and older people who serviced world war two
this book is one where the people in this small town.in Hawaii and older people who serviced world war two
March 3, 2020
Good book. I liked it. Tells about the tsunami in Hawaii, something that is not always remembered.
August 16, 2018
COCONUT ISLAND. By J L Oakley a Lei Crime novelette. Wendy a TV reporter gets email from her Auntie Bee, someone asking questions
about Hilary before the big wave in Hilo. Beatrice remembers seeing beyond the sea break a black wall coming toward Hilo. Disturbing news , tsunami museum in town, has old letters. A photo of 2 men with Hilary, her sister, was she in danger before the tsunami came. Interesting look back into history and finding a body that had been buried since then, A good thriller as one trys to piece it together, for the 2 survivors. All will enjoy reading.
about Hilary before the big wave in Hilo. Beatrice remembers seeing beyond the sea break a black wall coming toward Hilo. Disturbing news , tsunami museum in town, has old letters. A photo of 2 men with Hilary, her sister, was she in danger before the tsunami came. Interesting look back into history and finding a body that had been buried since then, A good thriller as one trys to piece it together, for the 2 survivors. All will enjoy reading.
December 12, 2016
Coconut Island
I loved the history told through out the story and The ohana connection that extended through out the years. A wonderful story full of suspense, action, and a love that transcends death. A definite tribute to the Lei crime series. I enjoyed the characters old and new.
I loved the history told through out the story and The ohana connection that extended through out the years. A wonderful story full of suspense, action, and a love that transcends death. A definite tribute to the Lei crime series. I enjoyed the characters old and new.
April 14, 2023
I was looking for mystery books based on the Big Island and stumbled across this gem of a series. This book tells the story of a mystery that reaches back to the big tsunami that hit Hilo Bay, ramifications that are felt in the present.
This series is now one of my favorites!
This series is now one of my favorites!
February 4, 2016
Great novella about a tsunami and murder involving the family of Wendy Watanabe, the newspaper reporter, who doesn't always get along with Lei. Loved the story but needed better proofing.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews