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Islands of Aloha Mystery #8
Hilo, Goodbye
In this final episode in the Islands of Aloha Mystery series, Pali Moon is on her way to becoming “wedding planner to the stars” when she’s plucked from obscurity to coordinate the much-ballyhooed wedding of Rebecca Montrose, last year’s “runaway bride” and this year’s new reality show sensation. A week before the nuptials, Rebecca (who now goes by the much hipper sounding, Becca) decides she wants to go to Hilo for one last hurrah. The entire cast and crew pack up, but before a single frame is shot, a body shows up in a nearby Hilo park. Alas, Pali’s got troubles of her own. What’s next for her and former fiancé, Hatch Decker? And what about that crazy name of hers? Is she ever going to reveal it to anyone except her closest friends? If you believe all’s well that ends well, then this story is for you.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 25, 2015
53 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
JoAnn Bassett
27 books200 followersJoAnn was born and raised in Seattle, but always preferred palm trees to pine trees. She wrote instructional books and videos for a living but dreamed of "making stuff up" once she put the working life behind her. In 1996, she and her husband bought a home on Maui. Best day ever. She loved living on the beach but her husband longed to get back to "normal" so they moved to Arizona. Now JoAnn writes about life in the islands as a way to stay connected. Her "Islands of Aloha" mystery series will feature a story set in each of the major Hawaiian islands, starting with Maui.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 3, 2021
After eight books, loyal readers finally get to know what Pali Moon's "real" name is.
I had a couple of guesses: First, because Pali's parents were hippie types, I thought they might have named her "Honey" Moon. Then, I thought Pali might be short for Ka'anapali, a resort on Maui. Both guesses were wrong; Pali's actual name was much more embarrassing. (No, I won't tell you what it is; read the book for yourself.)
I had a couple of guesses: First, because Pali's parents were hippie types, I thought they might have named her "Honey" Moon. Then, I thought Pali might be short for Ka'anapali, a resort on Maui. Both guesses were wrong; Pali's actual name was much more embarrassing. (No, I won't tell you what it is; read the book for yourself.)
May 19, 2017
Finale
Pali gets pulled into another murder. "Ohana" continue to be her main support system. As the investigation progresses through the twists and turns, life happens and things are tied up in a nice package,
I loved this series. The Hawaiian history and visiting get all the islands was a lot of fun. The character interaction fit together well. Mahalo !
Pali gets pulled into another murder. "Ohana" continue to be her main support system. As the investigation progresses through the twists and turns, life happens and things are tied up in a nice package,
I loved this series. The Hawaiian history and visiting get all the islands was a lot of fun. The character interaction fit together well. Mahalo !
July 24, 2022
This book didn't make sense. From Hatch appearing and then announcing he is getting married made him out to be a jerk who never loved Pali.
Pali and Finn's relationship didn't make sense.
The murder in the book didn't make sense.
The encounter with the football player only made sense because it showed there was more to Fin.
Pali and Finn's relationship didn't make sense.
The murder in the book didn't make sense.
The encounter with the football player only made sense because it showed there was more to Fin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2017
Wrong book for the review - removed content. don't know how to delete review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2018
Nice finish to the series, but it was disjointed going from one main plot point to another a little too quickly. I enjoyed the entire series, but felt this book ended things too abruptly.
November 9, 2023
The best of them all!
This book is by far the best of all the previous books!! It had a good flow & wrapped everything up at the end. I was sad to finish.
This book is by far the best of all the previous books!! It had a good flow & wrapped everything up at the end. I was sad to finish.
March 12, 2017
Bittersweet time to say goodbye
Thanks Joann for taking us island hopping, for such a strong feisty character like Pali and investing in her closest friends. You have written another intense murder mystery, put Pali in grave danger and finally she has found a worthy and loving partner. As an Aussie, some of your vernacular was interesting Ozlander, no we are Aussies (Ozzies)! Thanks for your series, looking forward to your new creative writing adventures, maybe with a little Pali update.
Thanks Joann for taking us island hopping, for such a strong feisty character like Pali and investing in her closest friends. You have written another intense murder mystery, put Pali in grave danger and finally she has found a worthy and loving partner. As an Aussie, some of your vernacular was interesting Ozlander, no we are Aussies (Ozzies)! Thanks for your series, looking forward to your new creative writing adventures, maybe with a little Pali update.
August 9, 2016
A lame ending to a mediocre series. The first books in the series were decent (and I actually purchased some of the first ones), but as I finished this last book, I wondered why I bothered with the series at all. It appeared to me that the author was on auto-pilot and obviously didn't give a darn about it at all.
The Hawaii-isms were way over the top. Pali's friend Farrah - I dubbed her speech "Earth Mother on Steroids" - really, I couldn't understand half of what they were saying.
Pali's love life was a total disaster - a few months out of an engagement and Hatch comes back but just to tell her he's marrying someone else. Quick exit stage right - the author made him look like a jerk and he wasn't portrayed that way in past books. But never fear, here come's Finn - this guy came out of the blue and suddenly he is "The One". He seemed like an afterthought - he was made out of cardboard as far as I was concerned, there was no character development whatsoever.
As for her "real" name reveal - meh, who cares. She isn't the only one in the world with a strange name.
The conclusion came in a rush, with the author referencing characters from every other book she wrote in the series - and everyone was all coupled-up, happied-up and everything all tied up in a tidy little bow - too pat for me.
Overall, not impressed whatsoever with the conclusion to the series - I only read it because it was on Kindle Unlimited (I certainly wouldn't have paid for it) and since I had read the other seven, I'm not a quitter and thought I would read #8 despite a lack of interest really. Should have listened to my gut and not bothered.
The Hawaii-isms were way over the top. Pali's friend Farrah - I dubbed her speech "Earth Mother on Steroids" - really, I couldn't understand half of what they were saying.
Pali's love life was a total disaster - a few months out of an engagement and Hatch comes back but just to tell her he's marrying someone else. Quick exit stage right - the author made him look like a jerk and he wasn't portrayed that way in past books. But never fear, here come's Finn - this guy came out of the blue and suddenly he is "The One". He seemed like an afterthought - he was made out of cardboard as far as I was concerned, there was no character development whatsoever.
As for her "real" name reveal - meh, who cares. She isn't the only one in the world with a strange name.
The conclusion came in a rush, with the author referencing characters from every other book she wrote in the series - and everyone was all coupled-up, happied-up and everything all tied up in a tidy little bow - too pat for me.
Overall, not impressed whatsoever with the conclusion to the series - I only read it because it was on Kindle Unlimited (I certainly wouldn't have paid for it) and since I had read the other seven, I'm not a quitter and thought I would read #8 despite a lack of interest really. Should have listened to my gut and not bothered.
February 6, 2016
I would like to rate this book 2 1/2 stars, but since I can't, I'll go with 3. I'm somewhat disappointed in this final book of the series. Although I get the author had to tie up a lot of loose ends in the 8 book storyline, it was all just too neat and tidy. As for the mystery? W-A-Y too easy to figure out "who dunnit." And what's up with Farrah in this book? Her speech is quite a bit different than in previous books, with a fair amount of just bad grammar that she wasn't using before. Seemed like a totally different character. Plus, there were numerous editing errors that I haven't seen in any of the previous 7 books. That's always a real negative for me.
Overall I enjoyed the series, particularly since I've been to many of the locations, especially on Maui. This particular book, though, leaves me feeling "meh."
Overall I enjoyed the series, particularly since I've been to many of the locations, especially on Maui. This particular book, though, leaves me feeling "meh."
February 23, 2016
Goodbye to Hawaii, goodbye to Pali, and all the friends I've spent time with over the space of these eight novels. It's been a great trip, and as the sun sinks slowly down in the west, I bid goodbye to the islands and my favorite wedding planner.
Does this book have plot holes I could drive a tractor through? yes.
Does the writer struggle with homonyms and usage of the verb to lie? yes.
Do I care? No.
This is a souffle, and who wants a heavy souffle? Not me.
Just good fun and murder mystery to keep up distracted from the vagaries of the English language.
Does this book have plot holes I could drive a tractor through? yes.
Does the writer struggle with homonyms and usage of the verb to lie? yes.
Do I care? No.
This is a souffle, and who wants a heavy souffle? Not me.
Just good fun and murder mystery to keep up distracted from the vagaries of the English language.
February 13, 2016
I have read this entire 8 book series by JoAnn Bassett and enjoyed them all. This is the final book in the series and it was wrapped up nicely. I loved reading about Farrah and the twins with Ono as well as the Mystery of who did what to Bridezilla. It was fun reading and trying to figure out the various twists and turns. If you like happy endings this will not disapoint. Good read and I love reading about Hawaii anyway.
January 3, 2017
A perfect ending
I am so sad that this is the last book in this series. I didn't want them to end! I could totally see this series on the Hallmark Mystery Channel! I have loved reading each one and feel like I'm checking in on old friends! I strongly encourage you to read this series. I haven't been able to put the books down. I hope JoAnn Bassett adds to this collection. I have already read all of her other series as well. I will anxiously await for more from this author!!!
I am so sad that this is the last book in this series. I didn't want them to end! I could totally see this series on the Hallmark Mystery Channel! I have loved reading each one and feel like I'm checking in on old friends! I strongly encourage you to read this series. I haven't been able to put the books down. I hope JoAnn Bassett adds to this collection. I have already read all of her other series as well. I will anxiously await for more from this author!!!
February 12, 2016
Sad to see it end
I loved every book in the series and am sad to see it end. I'm hoping someday there is a book to catch up on everyone. Read the whole series if you can, you won't be disappointed.
I loved every book in the series and am sad to see it end. I'm hoping someday there is a book to catch up on everyone. Read the whole series if you can, you won't be disappointed.
January 4, 2016
I, actually, liked this best!
February 8, 2016
I'm sorry to hear that this is the last of the series, but what a pleasure each book was.
February 13, 2016
Great Stories
I loved these books. They are just fun. Going on adventures with Pali was the best! Mahalo! It's almost like being in Hawaii!
I loved these books. They are just fun. Going on adventures with Pali was the best! Mahalo! It's almost like being in Hawaii!
January 23, 2016
Another quick, enjoyable read. Sorry to see this series ending!
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March 30, 2016#8 and last in the Island of Aloha Mystery series.
A great series and I'm sad its over.
We finally find out Pali's full name, and she finds love after her break up with Hatch.
A great series and I'm sad its over.
We finally find out Pali's full name, and she finds love after her break up with Hatch.
April 14, 2016
This is the last of the series and I will miss Pali Moon and the gang. They have been a happy part of my reading life.
June 29, 2016
Great ending to the series. I'm sorry to see these characters go but really enjoyed this book. All the loose ends seem to be tied up and it's a nice happy ever after.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews