Murder at Dolphin Bay

Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #1

by Kathi Daley

Kailani Pope wants nothing more than to be a proud member of the Honolulu Police Department. Both her father and grandfather were cops, her five brothers are cops, and the only thing she has ever wanted from the time she can remember wanting anything, was to be a cop. She has passed all the requirements to be selected for the police academy but somehow her number never seems to come up.

While she is waiting for her name to work its way to the top of the list she works as a lifeguard for the Dolphin Bay Resort. When a guest of the resort is found murdered, Kailani decides that if she can solve the murder before her brother who has been assigned to the case by HPD, then the department will have no choice but to take her application seriously and move her to the top of the list.

Murder at Dolphin Bay is set on the beautiful island of Oahu providing a perfect backdrop for the perfect beach read.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Romance, Mystery Thriller

153 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2016

About the author

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf).

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Probably the most important thing you need to know about me is that I want to be a cop."

Murder at Dolphin Bay (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #1)
by Kathi Daley

Kailani Pope is a free spirited, fun loving resident of Hawaii. It is her most fervent desire to be a police officer. Her dad became cop. Her Grandpa became a cop. All her brothers are cops. So, yes, becoming a cop is her dream.

And in the touristy area she lives in, Kailani comes upon a murder.

This could be her time. If she can only solve the murder before her brother cop does, her crime skills will be recognized and she will be taken seriously.

This was a fun "cozy mystery" that is not scary in the slightest. And that was one of the issues for me. Because as breezy and lighthearted as this story was, "cozy" mysteries are not usually my jam. I prefer dark mysteries. I prefer edgy over cozy.

That doesn't mean it's not a fun little romp. I loved the setting. I adore beach setting in my mysteries. I also became quite fond of our protagonist, who is a fun and gutsy character (I do mean character!) It was a light and fun read.



So even though it is not really my genre, still there is much to like about this book and I would recommend it to cozy mystery lovers. I do not happen to be a big fan of that genre but to someone who is, they will most likely like this. It takes place as I said, in Hawaii and the characters are fun. The pace of the book is fun and fast and it wasn't a bad read in the slightest.

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kailani 'Lani' Pope comes from a family of cops. She wants to be a cop, also, but there's one small problem--she's barely five feet tall. Living in the beautiful state of Hawaii, Lani works as a beachfront lifeguard at the Dolphin Bay Resort. She's fiercely independent and competitive, and strives to be the best at everything she does. Having five very masculine, protective brothers can get on a gal's nerves. Lani lives in a small condo with her lab mix rescue dog, Sandy, and her two best friends. A handsome, wealthy Texan, Luke Austin, who's chosen Hawaii as home for his horse breeding ranch, infuses both frustration and appeal in Lani. The more time she spends with him, the more she likes him--and that's not in her plans--she wants to be a cop!! Determined to solve the death of a man she finds on the beach...before her brother, Jason does...Lani dives right in and begins searching for answers and even asks Luke to help her. If she can solve the case, it might win her points with the police department. The deceased had ties to a proposed development project for the far end of the island. Did someone want him out of the picture, or did he die of natural causes?

I found myself relaxing and enjoying every page of this fast paced story. Lani is surrounded by her big, loving family; several great friends she hangs out with; friendly neighbors, and, of course, her faithful dog. The sand and sea setting is a fun, relaxing, and appealing atmosphere for this mystery. The recipes included at the end of the story sound delicious!

FTC Disclosure – The author sent me a complimentary digital copy in the hopes I would review it.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great setting of Hawaii. Needed a bit of polishing but otherwise a quick, easy read. 3.5*

[Dawn Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a great new series from Kathi! We are in Hawaii this time, with Lani and her family. Lani wants to be a cop, but keeps getting her application put to the bottom of the stack, thanks to her brothers. This book is so much fun, and the setting, I could just picture everything, having been there. I had fun meeting all of the new characters, Lani is lots of fun, and I hope the friendship/almost romance between her and Luke develops even more in the next book, I really like him! I had fun trying to solve this mystery, and look forward to the next one!

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Awesome New Series

An awesome beginning to a new series. Kathi takes you to a beautiful setting and introduces you to some fabulous new friends. Lani is an energetic islander who dreams of being a cop but has a way of forever finding herself in awkward situations. I loved following along as she tries to solve a crime to show her family that size doesn't matter but heart does.

[Patrizia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stelle
Ho comprato questo libro appena uscito, sebbene non fossi molto convinta dalla trama, come dimostra il fatto che l'ho letto solo ora e perché mi serviva una storia ambientata alle Hawaii. Questa autrice mi piace, ma questo libro proprio non fa per me: ho trovato la protagonista saccente, irruenta, irresponsabile e alla fin fine egoista. Il finale, poi, è affrettato e con poche spiegazioni.
Sono sinceramente contenta di non aver già comprato i volumi successivi. Comunque sia, questa è una delle poche serie di questa autrice che è terminata dopo pochi libri: presumo, quindi, di non essere stata la sola a non apprezzarla molto.

[Teresa Kander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in another new series from the incredibly prolific Kathi Daley. As usual, it is a very well-written story, with a group of easy to like main characters. The focus is on Kailani (Lani) Pope, who comes from a family tradition of law enforcement officials and wants to join them on the police force. She has been denied entrance to the academy numerous times, and begins to wonder if family members are blocking her.

While she waits for admission, she works as a lifeguard at the Dolphin Bay Resort. It is in that capacity she discovers a corpse on the beach--and decides to try to solve the case before her brother, to prove her worth.

Along with the great mystery, the book also includes vivid descriptions of the Hawaiian landscape, and takes us inside Hawaiian culture. We also get introduced to Lani's family, her roommates, and her adopted "family" at the apartment complex where she lives.

Be sure to check out the delicious recipes at the end of the book!

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

[RM(Alwaysdaddygirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aloha,

Do you love a cozy mystery? If so, read this book! You will also learn some things about Hawaii. At the end, the author shares Hawaiian recipes from the book.
The main character, Lani is a stubborn and feisty chick. She comes from a family that blood, blood runs in the veins. She is a lifeguard. She dreams of being a cop. Her friends are awesome. They defined the meaning of friendships.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this start to a new series set in Hawaii. The main character is funny, intelligent and impulsive. She surfs, she works and spends time with family including lots of brothers. The story line was very well written and the characters were fun to get to know. This book just made me want to go back to Hawaii and spend some time there.

[Melissa Castor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Lani Pope is from a family of cops and desperately wants to be a cop herself. While she's waiting for her name to be called off the list, she's working as a water safety officer at a local resort. She finds a dead body and decides to investigate with her sort of friend, Luke. Lots of fun and beautiful scenery. I felt like I was right there in Honolulu with the characters. Can't wait to read more of this delightful series and see what happens with Lani and Luke's relationship!

[Yaritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this amazing read at the beach. Was so happy to read this new series that has amazing characters. Kailani wants to be a cop which is her every dream. Her dad and grandfather were a cop and all her five brothers also. She has tried to get into the force but feels like her brothers are setting her back plus her height is in the short side. She runs into a suspicious death and starts doing her investigation on her own not knowing what dangers await her. I was happy that this series occurs in Hawaii. It's such a beautiful place who would want to harm anyone in a happy place. Can't wait to see how Kailani and Luke add more flame to the fire. Great read for the beach.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and interesting mystery that will transport the reader to Hawaii. The book is light reading that follows a lifeguard, sorry Water Safety Officer, who wants to be a cop as the tries to investigate the murder of a man on her beach. Most of the investigating is done at an arms length so there isn’t a lot of action but it’s a fun read. The characters are interesting if a bit static but I really enjoyed the book.

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lani is a spitfire, I would love to read more about her getting herself into sticky situations while trying to figure out a police case.
She so badly wants to be a police officer like her brothers, she thinks it's her brothers keeping her from becoming a cop, however they point out to her, it might be her acting before thinking way of life.
I want more Lani & Luke too!!

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Dolphin Bay is set in Hawaii and features Kailani Pope and her friends and family. Kailani works as a lifeguard but wants nothing more than to be a police officer. So when a hotel guest is found murdered she starts her own investigation. Very well written book with a great mystery. Highly recommend!

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kailani (Lani) Pope comes from a family of police officers (father and 5 brothers) and wants to be one herself but is being passed over for the academy. Meanwhile, she's working as a Water Safety Officer (WSO) for the Dolphin Bay Resort. When she finds a murder victim on the beach, Lani vows to solve the case before her detective brother. Getting help from Luke, the best friend of a coworker, who knows the victim, Lani finds herself liking him despite herself.

This is the first book in the series and was a great read. It's well-written with well-rounded characters. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder At Dolphin Bay
Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery, Book 1
Kathi Daley
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Kailani Pope wants nothing more than to be a proud member of the Honolulu Police Department. Both her father and grandfather were cops, her five brothers are cops, and the only thing she has ever wanted from the time she can remember wanting anything, was to be a cop. She has passed all the requirements to be selected for the police academy but somehow her number never seems to come up.

While she is waiting for her name to work its way to the top of the list she works as a lifeguard for the Dolphin Bay Resort. When a guest of the resort is found murdered, Kailani decides that if she can solve the murder before her brother who has been assigned to the case by HPD, then the department will have no choice but to take her application seriously and move her to the top of the list.

Murder at Dolphin Bay is set on the beautiful island of Oahu providing a perfect backdrop for the perfect beach read. (Goodreads)


Review:

Lani Pope desperately wants to work in law enforcement. Her brothers, her father and her grandfather have all been policemen and she has known forever that she belongs there too. She is always being passed over on the admittance list and she does not know if it is because of her small stature, her impetuousness or the fact that her brothers are making sure she stays at the bottom of that list. She does know that she is tired of waiting for her turn and needs to figure out a way to move up the list and have her turn. When she finds a dead body while life guarding, she decides that if she can solve the murder, she will have to be given an honest chance at her dream. So with the help of her cousin and some friends, she sets out to catch a killer.

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Lani is fearless, smart, determined and hates to take no for an answer. She also likes to act before she thinks and this has caused some troubles for her in the past. I really like the fact that she is spunky and feisty. She comes from a large loving family and although they are overprotective, they love her unconditionally. Her beach friends and her condo “family” add a lot to the story and I enjoyed reading the interactions between them all. The author has a way with character development that allows the reader to feel as though they have known these characters in real life and care what happens to them.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is carried on throughout the entire book and kept me guessing. With a wide array of suspects and numerous twists and turns, figuring out the killer is a difficult task. The author excels at descriptive writing and much of the time I felt like I was right there watching things unfold around me. It was interesting to get some insight into Hawaiian culture and traditions.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Grab this first book in the Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery series so you can follow all of Lani’s adventures.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Dolphin Bay is the first book in Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Series penned by Kathi Daley. Murder at Dolphin Bay is set on the beautiful island of Oahu providing a perfect setting for the perfect beach or cruise read. The protagonist, Kailani ‘Lani’ Pope, wants to become a police officer like her father and brothers, but she is impulsive and often acts before she thinks, not a characteristic becoming of a police officer. She is always being passed over on waiting list but, she doesn’t know if it is because she’s petite, her impulsiveness or the fact that her brothers are making sure she stays at the bottom of the list. In the interim, Lani works as a water safety officer at the Dolphin Bay Resort on Oahu Island in Hawaii. She has a beautiful lab mix named Sandy that she rescued from a strong tide a few years ago. Lani lives in a condo with two of her friends, Cam and Keoka, and loves her family, her roommates, and her adopted family at the condo complex where she lives. While working, Lani discovers the body of Branson Cole, a guest at the resort, who was working on a proposed development project on the island. She decides to try to solve the case before her brother, Jason, who is the lead detective on the case does to prove she will make a great police officer. Luke Austin, a transplanted Texan who now lives in Oahu and breeds horses. Lani doesn’t like Luke and likes horses even less but, she asks for his help with her investigation and realizes that he is different than she first thought and wants to know him better.

Kathi Daley is a talented author who delivers consistent, tightly woven plots with well integrated subplots and a great cast of characters. If you enjoy reading cozy mysteries, you definitely want to read this one. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I’m hoping to see Lani and Luke further their relationship! A fantastic start to a brand new series. Be sure to check out the delicious recipes at the end of the book!

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

[Penny Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathi Daley has done it again! This is a great new Cozy. Murder at Dolphin Bay is a new series based in Hawaii. Besides being in a beautiful setting for a Cozy it is a fun read. I loved the premise of a woman trying to make it in a man's world. Kailani Pope, Lani to her friends has been trying to get on the HPD but is being blocked at every turn. Her first strike are her brothers called the J team since they all start with the letter J. They are all police officers including her dad who is retired. They all want to protect her and don't want her being a police officer. Two she is vertically challenged as I am too in my family. She is barely 5 ft tall and three she is known to be impulsive and tends to act first and think later. So in the meantime she is a WSO, a lifeguard at the Dolphin Bay resort on the North shore. She lives in a small condo community with two of her friends and Sandy her dog.
While at work she notices a man lying on the beach turning into a lobster and decides to go investigate and tell him he might want to find some shade. When she gets up close she asks him if he is ok and shakes him only to find he isn't responding. She takes his hat off to realize that the man is actually dead! Her mind goes into investigation mode and decides she is going to solve this case before her brother Jason to prove she deserves a chance on the department. I'm sure you have guessed this doesn't go as planned and thus begins an adventure full of ups and downs, and twists and turns and maybe even romance? Or not?
Will Lani be able to solve this case before Jason? Or will she find herself in too deep and need rescued???
This is a home run for Kathi Daley! I loved reading this book and can't wait for book two.

[RO G'ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Dolphin Bay is the first book in another awesome series written by Kathi Daley. Ms. Daley has once again given readers a wonderfully crafted whodunit that quickly becomes a page-turner thanks to a great setting, a feel-good atmosphere, engaging dialogue, and a great cast of likeable characters. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment in this series and seeing how the characters and their relationships develop.

The main character Kailani ‘Lani’ Pope desperately wants to follow her father and brothers’ footsteps and become a police officer but she has a tendency to act before she thinks that may be preventing that from happening. Lani is a water safety officer at the Dolphin Bay Resort on Oahu Island in Hawaii and has a beautiful lab mix named Sandy that she rescued from a strong tide a few years ago. Lani lives in a small condominium with two of her friends and loves her family, her roommates, and her adopted family at the complex where she lives. While working her shift one day, Lani discovers a corpse on the beach and decides to try to solve the case before her brother, Jason, who is the lead detective on the case does and prove she will make a great police officer. The deceased is Branson Cole, a guest at the resort, who was working on a proposed development project on the island. Luke Austin is a transplanted Texan who now lives in Oahu and breeds horses. Lani doesn’t like Luke very much and likes horses even less but when she asks for his help with her investigation, she realizes he is different than she first thought and wants to know him better.

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Lani Pope who is determined to become a cop in the Honolulu Police Department. Her father and grandfather are retired cops, her uncle and six brothers are cops thru out Hawaii and that is all she has wanted to be, but at less than five feet she keeps getting passed over, even though she has the highest test scores and meets all the requirements. She works as a lifeguard/activities director/babysitter for an upscale resort and finding a dead guest is her shot at getting on the force if she can solve the crime before her detective brother does. Working with her roommates and friends in the small condo complex where she lives she falls headlong into danger but gets all kinds of answers which she passes to her brother. This is a wonderful start to a new series. The characters are diverse and well developed. The Hawaiian setting descriptions keep you right on the beach with a cool drink and lots of sand and waves. The mystery plot is a twisted tale of shady real estate business deals and will keep you guessing right to the conclusion. This is a must read for an entertaining vacation adventure and there are some wonderful recipes.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder At Dolphin Bay ( Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Book-1 )
By: Kathi Daley

Murder At Dolphin Bay is the first book in Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Series. I had thought Kathi Daley’s cozy mysteries could not get any better. Well was I wrong. She has herself another winning new series. I love the story and the characters, both was easy to follow. When I started reading Murder At Dolphin Bay I could not put it down till the end, and then I wanted more. Daley gives us another female sleuth and I really liked Kailani Pope. She wants to follow her grandfather , father, and her five brothers and be on the police force . Will she get in? She loves to take matters into her own hands. She acts before she thinks, can things get her into trouble? Yes there is a body. Will Kailani be allowed to investigate this mystery ? Be sure and get you copy of Murder At Dolphin Bay , so you can read the first book in the Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lani Pope comes from a family of police officers including her grandfather, father and all five brothers. Her dream is to join their ranks but so far this dream eludes her. Is it her height...too short...or are her brothers conspiring to keep her off the force? Or is it because she is too impulsive for her own good! So when she finds the body on the beach, she is determined to solve the murder before her brother, the lead detective, can. This is the first book in a new series and is set in beautiful Oahu Island in Hawaii. The setting and characters are interesting and the steps Lani takes to solve this mystery keep the reader involved. My one criticism is the ending felt too abrupt to me, bringing the ending to an unexpected resolution. I will be interested to follow this series to see how the characters develop. Disclosure: I was gifted a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trading snow boots for flip flops, in Kathi Daley's new Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery series Book One Murder at Dolphin Bay was just what I needed Monday night. As my Spring Break drew to a close, I was in the need of a tropical escape. I was lucky enough to find myself in Hawaii in 2013 so it was even easier to picture myself in Hawaii while I read. Kathi's new series is one I know I am going to look forward to! She knows how to put the right combination of characters in just the right setting and have you hooked from chapter 1. Like all of the books I have read by Kathi Daley, I could not put the ipad down. Finding myself happily lost in the setting, caught up in the mystery and story and smiling from ear to ear at the end.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Dolphin Bay is the first book in a new series by Kathi Daley. This series is set in Hawaii. The main character in this series comes from a family who has a background in law enforcement. Kailani Pope (Lani), wishes to continue in that tradition. So far, Lani has been denied admission to the police academy on several occasions. So, in the meanwhile, Lani works as a lifeguard at the Dolphin Bay Resort. A body is found and Lani tries to solve the case before her brother.

I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. You will want to read this book all way through and will be anxiously waiting for the next installment in the series.


I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series and if there is any indication of what is to be from the first book, this series is going to be one you don't want to miss. Kailani wants to be a cop and becomes a sleuth to try and prove she has what it takes. Obstacles in her way are her height, her over protective brothers, and a knack in getting herself in some sticky situations but in her favor is her desire, eagerness, good heart, imagination and thinking skills, and some really good sleuthing skills. I thoroughly enjoy the day and life of Kailani as she pursues her dream and am looking forward to reading more and getting to know her and the other characters in this series better. It's going to be an interesting ride!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, the Hawaiian setting was a nice change. Ms. Daley has a way of writing characters that make you feel like you are right there hanging out with them. I love the interaction they have and a nice mix of personalities. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. This series reminds me of the Zoe Donovan series only set in Hawaii, which is fine with me since I love that series. I like that Lani is aware of her faults and owns up to her mistakes, and you feel her frustration of not being taken seriously to enter the police department. I will definitely continue on with this series, very enjoyable.

[Sandy Bartles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathi Daley has come up with a wonderful new series. Kailani (Lani) Pope is a short-statured wannabe cop who has wanted to be a police officer from her earliest memory, just like her grandfather, father and siblings. While waiting for her name to come up on the never-ending list of applicants, she works as a Water Safety Officer at the Dolphin Bay Resort. While at work, she discovers a body on the beach and gets it in her mind that if she solves the case before her brother the powers that be will take notice. I absolutely could not put this book down. I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Dolphin Bay is book one in Daley’s newest series A Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery. I really enjoyed this book and feel this will be another great series to follow. This series introduces a new character Lani, who dreams of following in family footsteps of becoming a cop. She finds a dead body and vows to solve the crime before her cop brother does. Along her journey she finds a new friend and introduces us to her friends and family. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and seeing where this series will take us. Will Lani ever be able to follow her dreams of becoming a part of the police department on her island?

[Jane Firebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A fantastic start to a brand new series by Kathi Daley! Kailani Pope is determined to be a cop. It runs in her family, but at barely 5 feet tall, and a bit on the impulsive side, she is not at the top of the list, especially since all of her cop brothers want to keep her protected by keeping her off the force. She may be impulsive, but she definitely has intuition, nerve and a good deal of athleticism that stands her in good stead to solve crimes with the best of them. I love this new series and can't wait for more.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visit Hawaii vicariously, you will have a great time. Having an older brother I could relate all too well with Lani's frustrations. Being told no because I was too young or not a male made me scream inside.
Clever mystery with enjoyable characters. I look forward to reading more about Lani and Luke and the rest. The author provided a copy in exchange for my honest review. Happy to see her start a new series.