What do you think?
Rate this book
Aloha Lagoon #1
Ukulele Murder
Nani Johnson thought she had it made when she moved from Kansas to the resort town of Aloha Lagoon, Kauai. In spite of her certifiably crazy mom, Nani is determined that nothing will stop her from becoming a ukulele virtuoso! Unfortunately her Julliard training doesn't help her break into the local music scene due to some heavy competition from the Terrible Trio—three hostile, local musicians. The only work she finds is a few bar mitzvahs and gigs at the kitschy Blue Hawaii Wedding Chapel.
But when one of Nani's competitors drops dead right after a public feud, Nani becomes the police's main suspect. A missing murder weapon, mysterious threats, and a heck of a frame-up job all have Nani worrying she'll be trading in her flowery muumuus for prison orange. Enter hunky local botanist Nick Woodfield, who just might be able to help her clear her name...that is if he doesn't have secrets of his own. With the bodies stacking up, the danger closing in, and the authorities circling, Nani must track down a killer...before she ends up the latest victim of the Ukulele Murderer!
But when one of Nani's competitors drops dead right after a public feud, Nani becomes the police's main suspect. A missing murder weapon, mysterious threats, and a heck of a frame-up job all have Nani worrying she'll be trading in her flowery muumuus for prison orange. Enter hunky local botanist Nick Woodfield, who just might be able to help her clear her name...that is if he doesn't have secrets of his own. With the bodies stacking up, the danger closing in, and the authorities circling, Nani must track down a killer...before she ends up the latest victim of the Ukulele Murderer!
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2016
427 people are currently reading
5497 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Langtry
97 books728 followersLeslie Langtry is a USA Today Bestselling Author of the Merry Wrath Mysteries and the Bombay Family of Assassins Greatest Hits series. She lives in the Midwest with her family and is an active Girl Scout volunteer. Her dream is to someday invent calorie free cake.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
September 21, 2018
Ukulele Murder presents a unique storyline in a tropical setting with amusing characters. It’s a fast and humorous light mystery read. I found myself chuckling many times and I even outright giggled hysterically throughout the Bamboobs wedding. The only negative is that the book could have used another proofread as there was one scene that didn’t flow well due to contradictions. Aside from that, this was a fun and entertaining start to this highly enjoyable series.
October 31, 2017
ZERO stars
Hoalohanani “Nani” Johnson is *not* Hawaiian. She was born in Kansas to parents of Irish and German descent, but her mother has always had a fascination for Hawaii, hence her only daughter’s name. After her father died, Nani and her mother moved to Kauai, where Nani, who trained at Julliard, teaches ukulele and struggles to get performance gigs. But the three ukulele professionals already in place are all Hawaiian and do not welcome any competition from a haole. When one of them is murdered, suspicion turns to Nani.
This is just bad. The writing is hackneyed, the dialogue is tortured, the plot is ridiculous, and none of the characters is believable … well maybe Pastor Dan, who dresses as Elvis to perform weddings in the Blue Hawaii Wedding Chapel, is believable. I was particularly irritated by Nani’s internal dialogue, and all the animal similes (e.g. “like a rabid hyena” or “bug-eyed iguana”).
Even worse, in my opinion, is the lame attempt at humor in re Nani’s mother’s alcoholism. Alcoholism is *never* funny. It’s a disease that hurts not only the person suffering from it, but everyone around him/her. Making light of the number of mai tais or running out of rum or passing out is just plain not funny. Shame on Langtry for even trying to make it so.
Ah, well … it was a fast read and satisfied several challenges … but I’ll never get that time back.
Hoalohanani “Nani” Johnson is *not* Hawaiian. She was born in Kansas to parents of Irish and German descent, but her mother has always had a fascination for Hawaii, hence her only daughter’s name. After her father died, Nani and her mother moved to Kauai, where Nani, who trained at Julliard, teaches ukulele and struggles to get performance gigs. But the three ukulele professionals already in place are all Hawaiian and do not welcome any competition from a haole. When one of them is murdered, suspicion turns to Nani.
This is just bad. The writing is hackneyed, the dialogue is tortured, the plot is ridiculous, and none of the characters is believable … well maybe Pastor Dan, who dresses as Elvis to perform weddings in the Blue Hawaii Wedding Chapel, is believable. I was particularly irritated by Nani’s internal dialogue, and all the animal similes (e.g. “like a rabid hyena” or “bug-eyed iguana”).
Even worse, in my opinion, is the lame attempt at humor in re Nani’s mother’s alcoholism. Alcoholism is *never* funny. It’s a disease that hurts not only the person suffering from it, but everyone around him/her. Making light of the number of mai tais or running out of rum or passing out is just plain not funny. Shame on Langtry for even trying to make it so.
Ah, well … it was a fast read and satisfied several challenges … but I’ll never get that time back.
December 4, 2016
The first book in the Aloha Lagoon series. This book features Ukulele player Nani Johnson.
I am a big fan of Leslie Langtry and this book did not disappoint. Even though I had this pretty much figured out, the ride was so much fun I didn't care.
One of the local Ukulele players is killed and Nani is being framed for the murder. Then a second one is killed. Nani receives the aid of her best friend and the botanist at the resort to help clear her name.
No cop boyfriend's and no romantic triangles were used in the writing of this book.
I am a big fan of Leslie Langtry and this book did not disappoint. Even though I had this pretty much figured out, the ride was so much fun I didn't care.
One of the local Ukulele players is killed and Nani is being framed for the murder. Then a second one is killed. Nani receives the aid of her best friend and the botanist at the resort to help clear her name.
No cop boyfriend's and no romantic triangles were used in the writing of this book.
July 22, 2017
2.5*
Not much depth and I was hoping to get more of an island feel. The mystery was mediocre at best, and there were just too many instances/situations that just didn't work for me. Also, the sentence structure and verbiage had no depth...almost juvenile.
Looks like many enjoyed it, but to me just too shallow in character development, story development, and the use of language/storytelling.
Not much depth and I was hoping to get more of an island feel. The mystery was mediocre at best, and there were just too many instances/situations that just didn't work for me. Also, the sentence structure and verbiage had no depth...almost juvenile.
Looks like many enjoyed it, but to me just too shallow in character development, story development, and the use of language/storytelling.
February 8, 2020
I think I would have enjoyed this much more if it had been written in normal tense instead of present. That always bothers me to the point of my brain needing to turn each verb into past tense to make sense for me. Maybe that's weird, but I can't help it. That aside, it was a fun mystery, the first cozy I've ever read that took place in Hawaii. I know this series has several authors, so I might try out another of them sometime. I've never been to Hawaii (only through pictures or TV), but it was easy to imagine as I read the book (or actually I kinda fast-read due to the present tense thing.) I did like Nani and her boyfriend Nick. Her mom was a real trip, and Binney was a good best friend. I guessed the killer eventually, but it was interesting to see how they'd get caught.
July 25, 2016
Once I started this book I resented having to put it down. (Sorry in-laws from NC, happy to cook for you anytime.)
This is a new series and unlike most will have a new author for each book. Leslie Langtry has set the bar high.
After the death of her husband Harriet Johnson, who loves all things Hawaiian and believes herself to be a reincarnation of a Hawaiian princess packs up and with her daughter Nani moves to Kauai.
Nani is a Julliard trained musician who fell in love with the Ukulele and now wants to do more than Bar Mitzvahs, gigs and the local wedding chapel and teach kids. Nani's mother wants nothing more for her daughter to get married so she is always setting her up on blind dates.
This time the date led to a handsome man who's mother is just as far off the beam as Nani's. Of course maybe a livingroom full of coconuts with eyes dressed in grass skirts is your idea of HGTV's new decorating style, then I'm sorry.
After a concert where #2 uke player and Nani have words he is found murdered and Nani is at the top of the list of suspects. After to more murders, Nani along with her best friend Binny and new love interest Nick get into high gear to solve the murders.
For me this book goes on my re-read list. I could close my eyes and I was in Kauai again but most of all I loved the characters. Not only did they have depth and personality I found myself talkinf and yelling at them in my mind, ok sometimes out loud, which I do with very few authors' characters. So if you want a fun read with quirky characters this is the book for you.
This is a new series and unlike most will have a new author for each book. Leslie Langtry has set the bar high.
After the death of her husband Harriet Johnson, who loves all things Hawaiian and believes herself to be a reincarnation of a Hawaiian princess packs up and with her daughter Nani moves to Kauai.
Nani is a Julliard trained musician who fell in love with the Ukulele and now wants to do more than Bar Mitzvahs, gigs and the local wedding chapel and teach kids. Nani's mother wants nothing more for her daughter to get married so she is always setting her up on blind dates.
This time the date led to a handsome man who's mother is just as far off the beam as Nani's. Of course maybe a livingroom full of coconuts with eyes dressed in grass skirts is your idea of HGTV's new decorating style, then I'm sorry.
After a concert where #2 uke player and Nani have words he is found murdered and Nani is at the top of the list of suspects. After to more murders, Nani along with her best friend Binny and new love interest Nick get into high gear to solve the murders.
For me this book goes on my re-read list. I could close my eyes and I was in Kauai again but most of all I loved the characters. Not only did they have depth and personality I found myself talkinf and yelling at them in my mind, ok sometimes out loud, which I do with very few authors' characters. So if you want a fun read with quirky characters this is the book for you.
May 23, 2020
Ukelele Murder by Leslie Langtry is the first book in the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries series. Ukelele player, Nani Johnson becomes suspect when ukelele players start getting killed in her resort town od Aloha Lagoon. This was just an ordinary read for me. I loved the setting and beautiful descriptions and the characters were likeable. Just the mystery was rather ordinary and obvious, and I thought the main characters were a bit slow with putting the clues together. I also found the winking a bit strange.
March 20, 2017
It was fun to read this one because of ties we have in Hawaii. The descriptions of the weather, ocean, and scenery definitely let me know that it's time go back soon and linger for a while! Had the right amount of intrigue leading to the denouement, though one of the perpetrators was easy enough to figure out early on. The wedding chapel pastor was a hoot, the heroine a strong go-getter with loyal friends. A quick, easy read.
July 13, 2019
A nice easy read and one that I enjoyed. I did have the solution way before the MC but it was still a good book. I like the author's writing style and the way she painted the setting and the characters. Will continue both with the series and her work in other ones.
September 16, 2016
What a fun read, great location, wonderful characters, great plot twists plus murder and mayhem
July 22, 2020
Light, easy summer read. Enjoyed getting to know the characters in this first book of the series.
September 18, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Welcome to Aloha Lagoon, Kauai. Nani Johnson and her “crazy” mother have recently moved here from Kansas and Nani’s dream is to be a ukulele virtuoso. Being a graduate of Julliard means nothing here and she has some stiff competition in the Terrible Trio, 3 local ukelele masters. Needing a job she plays her ukelele at the Blue Hawaii Wedding Chapel and picks up any other gigs she can like birthday parties and bar mitzvahs.
When one of the Terrible Trio is killed Nani becomes the main suspect under the theory that killing them would enable her to get more high-profile jobs. When she learns one of her ukeleles is missing and it could very well be the murder weapon she realizes someone is setting her up just when her personal life seemed to be looking up. One of her mother’s fix-ups actually brought a great guy into her life. She is surprised when he actually wants to help her clear her name. Is this local botanist too good to be true? He seems to have some secrets of his own.
When another virtuoso is killed Nani starts to fear she may be next or sent to prison for crimes she didn’t commit. She has no choice but to hunt down the killer herself and hope she lives long enough to play her beloved ukelele again.
I needed to read a light fun cozy mystery and this book delivered that nicely.
I really enjoyed meeting Nani and her mother with her silly decorating themes. She does drink to excess and does depend heavily on Nani. In fact, she planned a dinner party with a new friend and her son and failed to tell Nani until the last minute which meant Nani getting dinner from a nearby restaurant and plating it up as if she had prepared it herself. She did forgive her mother this time because she and Nick really hit it off.
Nick is a botanist working at a local resort in charge of their grounds and gardens. His family is very well-known on the island and Nani is surprised his mother is so down to earth and befriended her mother.
Nani does have a lot of stacked against her, first, she is not Hawaiian and she didn’t even grow up on the islands. Then she has the competition of Alohalani, Kua, and Leilani, the Terrible Trio who tolerate her presence but would be happy if she just went away. Thankfully, other natives and locals have welcomed her with open arms, In fact, her best friend Binny comes from generations of Hawaiians and has her back whenever needed. Like clearing her of a murder charge. All the characters feel true to life and genuine. The supporting cast all had meaningful parts in the story and were very well crafted.
The author’s descriptive writing style taken readers to the island with ease. Everywhere the characters traveled was easy to see in my mind’s eye from Nani’s home to the palatial Woodfield estate and the Blue Hawaiian Wedding Chapel. It was a nice virtual vacay to a place I would love to visit. It is high up on my bucket list.
The mystery was well plotted but I pinned the guilty party pretty early in the story and my selection was reinforced in several places as the book continued. It was fun watching Nani, Nick, and Binny follow the clues. The inept police detective was frustrating as he tried to make the case fit his assumption instead of doing any real investigating but that is part of what makes cozy mystery stories so entertaining to read.
Ukulele Murder is part of a long-running series written by several authors. Leslie Langtry has started this series out wonderfully and I look forward to reading more books in the series. I see we can revisit Nani, her mom, and Nick again in Ukelele Deadly, the 7th book in the series.
Welcome to Aloha Lagoon, Kauai. Nani Johnson and her “crazy” mother have recently moved here from Kansas and Nani’s dream is to be a ukulele virtuoso. Being a graduate of Julliard means nothing here and she has some stiff competition in the Terrible Trio, 3 local ukelele masters. Needing a job she plays her ukelele at the Blue Hawaii Wedding Chapel and picks up any other gigs she can like birthday parties and bar mitzvahs.
When one of the Terrible Trio is killed Nani becomes the main suspect under the theory that killing them would enable her to get more high-profile jobs. When she learns one of her ukeleles is missing and it could very well be the murder weapon she realizes someone is setting her up just when her personal life seemed to be looking up. One of her mother’s fix-ups actually brought a great guy into her life. She is surprised when he actually wants to help her clear her name. Is this local botanist too good to be true? He seems to have some secrets of his own.
When another virtuoso is killed Nani starts to fear she may be next or sent to prison for crimes she didn’t commit. She has no choice but to hunt down the killer herself and hope she lives long enough to play her beloved ukelele again.
I needed to read a light fun cozy mystery and this book delivered that nicely.
I really enjoyed meeting Nani and her mother with her silly decorating themes. She does drink to excess and does depend heavily on Nani. In fact, she planned a dinner party with a new friend and her son and failed to tell Nani until the last minute which meant Nani getting dinner from a nearby restaurant and plating it up as if she had prepared it herself. She did forgive her mother this time because she and Nick really hit it off.
Nick is a botanist working at a local resort in charge of their grounds and gardens. His family is very well-known on the island and Nani is surprised his mother is so down to earth and befriended her mother.
Nani does have a lot of stacked against her, first, she is not Hawaiian and she didn’t even grow up on the islands. Then she has the competition of Alohalani, Kua, and Leilani, the Terrible Trio who tolerate her presence but would be happy if she just went away. Thankfully, other natives and locals have welcomed her with open arms, In fact, her best friend Binny comes from generations of Hawaiians and has her back whenever needed. Like clearing her of a murder charge. All the characters feel true to life and genuine. The supporting cast all had meaningful parts in the story and were very well crafted.
The author’s descriptive writing style taken readers to the island with ease. Everywhere the characters traveled was easy to see in my mind’s eye from Nani’s home to the palatial Woodfield estate and the Blue Hawaiian Wedding Chapel. It was a nice virtual vacay to a place I would love to visit. It is high up on my bucket list.
The mystery was well plotted but I pinned the guilty party pretty early in the story and my selection was reinforced in several places as the book continued. It was fun watching Nani, Nick, and Binny follow the clues. The inept police detective was frustrating as he tried to make the case fit his assumption instead of doing any real investigating but that is part of what makes cozy mystery stories so entertaining to read.
Ukulele Murder is part of a long-running series written by several authors. Leslie Langtry has started this series out wonderfully and I look forward to reading more books in the series. I see we can revisit Nani, her mom, and Nick again in Ukelele Deadly, the 7th book in the series.
August 14, 2016
I cannot think and say enough good things about this first book in a new series. The characters are adorable, the humor is LOL cute and funny, the location is dreamy, and the mystery keeps you on your toes. I love the comaraderie between Nani, Nick and Binny. They make a terrific trio, unlike the Terrible Trio of Nani's ukulele competitors. Pastor Dan Pressley is very comical as a Elvis-impersonator pastor for the Blue Hawaii Wedding Chapel. I can just picture in my head his Elvis impersonations during wedding ceremonies. I love Nani's mom's quirky decorating ideas although her alcoholism does make me a bit sad for her and Nani.
Since this Aloha Lagoon series features different characters who live and work at the Aloha Lagoon resort, who knows how long it will be before we revisit with Nani, Nick and Binny again. Whenever it will be, I hope it won't be too long but I will be there with wings on!
I gave this a perfect 5 star rating.
Since this Aloha Lagoon series features different characters who live and work at the Aloha Lagoon resort, who knows how long it will be before we revisit with Nani, Nick and Binny again. Whenever it will be, I hope it won't be too long but I will be there with wings on!
I gave this a perfect 5 star rating.
June 15, 2017
I really enjoyed the setting for this book. However I did take some time to warm up to the characters and the mystery was weak.
What I enjoyed:
* The setting is beautiful and who know that ukulele playing was so competitive
* Binny is a great friend
* Loved Pastor Dan and there were some funny weddings
What could have been better:
* Nani seems a bit uncaring of her mother's issues
* Insta-love
* Incompetent police dept
* Villain was obvious
What I enjoyed:
* The setting is beautiful and who know that ukulele playing was so competitive
* Binny is a great friend
* Loved Pastor Dan and there were some funny weddings
What could have been better:
* Nani seems a bit uncaring of her mother's issues
* Insta-love
* Incompetent police dept
* Villain was obvious
August 4, 2016
Light, fun cozy mystery!
July 14, 2017
I'm not sure what to say about this one. There was so much that just didn't work for me. But I will give the series another shot because each book is written by a different author.
February 9, 2024
I loved this book.
May 9, 2024
This is a first book in the serie of Aloha Lagoon Mysteries and I enjoyed it a lot. It is set on Hawaii island Kaui and it is very attractive for me. It is well written, engaging, witty and the mystery is good. Can't wait to read next book in the serie.
February 15, 2018
Ukulele Murder by Leslie Langtry is the first book in the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series however it is not the first book in this series that I have read. And it doesn't matter !! You can pick up any book in this series and start reading it. The Aloha Lagoon Mystery series is a series of books written by a number of amazing authors and the thing that links them all together is the Aloha Lagoon Resort on the island of Kauai. Each book written centers around the resort and introduces you to the culture, the food, the music, the people, the sun, the sand and murder......
In Ukulele Murder you are introduced to Nani Johnson who plays the ukulele. She works at the Blue Hawaii Wedding Chapel, gives lessons to a handful of students, lives with her crazy mother and is being set up for murder !! "The Terrible Trio" as she calls them are local ukulele musicians who she doesn't really know that well but cannot stand them....which is okay because none of them like her or even each other. But someone is killing them and making it look like Nani did it. Ukulele is a serious business on the island and one worth killing over !!!
Nani with the help of her best friend, Binny and her "future" boyfriend Nick decide to solve the murders themselves. After all Detective Ray is taking his sweet old time doing it because it looks like he believes Nani did it.
You will want to grab a mimosa and some sunscreen because once you start you will not be able to stop !! There is so much to love in these books you will be a HUGE fan from the start !!! You will never want to leave the resort !!
May 23, 2020
“Ukulele Murder” by Leslie Langtry (Book 1 in the multi-author Aloha Lagoon series). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: cozy crime. Location: The fictional town of Aloha Lagoon in Kauai, Hawaii. Nani and her alcoholic mother moved from the Midwest to Hawaii. Her mother embraces all things Hawaiian to the point of cultural appropriation. Nani recognizes this about her uncomfortably off-kilter mom, but is clear to others that neither of them are Native Hawaiians. Nani does, however, play the ukulele like a virtuoso- in fact she graduated from Juilliard School of Music.-
-
As Nani tries to eke out a living playing her uke, she has some run-ins with three hostile locals, who are Native Hawaiian professional uke players. Nani could probably live with that and work where they don’t, but suddenly the other uke players are being murdered and she becomes the main suspect. So Nani, her hot new possible boyfriend and her slightly suspicious best friend decide to investigate themselves.-
-
I figured out the twisty ending about half way through the book, but I still enjoyed reading it to the end. I was OK with how the author dealt with Nani’s mom’s Hawaiian obsession without actually using the words “cultural appropriation”, and happy with the way Nani didn’t try to take over any ancient customs-she just wanted to play her beloved ukuleles.-
-
It’s a quick, fun read, and I look forward to more books set in Aloha Lagoon. I rate it a low 4 stars. 🌵📚👩🏼🦳.”
-
As Nani tries to eke out a living playing her uke, she has some run-ins with three hostile locals, who are Native Hawaiian professional uke players. Nani could probably live with that and work where they don’t, but suddenly the other uke players are being murdered and she becomes the main suspect. So Nani, her hot new possible boyfriend and her slightly suspicious best friend decide to investigate themselves.-
-
I figured out the twisty ending about half way through the book, but I still enjoyed reading it to the end. I was OK with how the author dealt with Nani’s mom’s Hawaiian obsession without actually using the words “cultural appropriation”, and happy with the way Nani didn’t try to take over any ancient customs-she just wanted to play her beloved ukuleles.-
-
It’s a quick, fun read, and I look forward to more books set in Aloha Lagoon. I rate it a low 4 stars. 🌵📚👩🏼🦳.”
July 7, 2016
I love Hawaii, music, and mysteries and I feel like this book was written for me to enjoy! And enjoy I did! This had a little of everything, much more than mysteries. Ms Langtry's imagery of the island of Kauai was superb. I could visualize the banyan trees, the flowers, the rocky seascape, the ocean, the balmy weather, and even the sunsets and sunrises. I only spent a week there, but her descriptions were spot on with my memories!
Then there is the musical end of the book-a ukulele player who is a graduate of Julliard! (I didn't know Juillard had guitar majors these days, let alone a way to get a degree involving the ukulele!) I felt like the descriptions of various instruments, musical compositions, and the professor's office all were researched and accurate.
I loved the scheming mothers, the handsome botanist who made you wonder if he was for real or not, and the ukulele students that came to Nani's home. Each murder or crime that was obviously tried to implicate Nani, was full of twists and turns. The complexity was amazing, and impressive.
I know this series is to be continued by various authors, however I can't help but wish there could be a follow-up story about Nani and Nick. In any case, you won't want to miss this exciting book by a wonderful author.
Then there is the musical end of the book-a ukulele player who is a graduate of Julliard! (I didn't know Juillard had guitar majors these days, let alone a way to get a degree involving the ukulele!) I felt like the descriptions of various instruments, musical compositions, and the professor's office all were researched and accurate.
I loved the scheming mothers, the handsome botanist who made you wonder if he was for real or not, and the ukulele students that came to Nani's home. Each murder or crime that was obviously tried to implicate Nani, was full of twists and turns. The complexity was amazing, and impressive.
I know this series is to be continued by various authors, however I can't help but wish there could be a follow-up story about Nani and Nick. In any case, you won't want to miss this exciting book by a wonderful author.
July 7, 2016
This is a great book; this is the first book in the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series written by Leslie Langtry. Nani Johnson thought she had it made when she moved from Kansas to the resort town of Aloha Lagoon, Kauai. In spite of her certifiably crazy mom, Nani is determined that nothing will stop her from becoming a ukulele virtuoso! Unfortunately her Julliard training doesn't help her break into the local music scene due to some heavy competition from the Terrible Trio, three hostile, local musicians. The only work she finds is a few bar mitzvahs and gigs at the kitschy Blue Hawaii Wedding Chapel. But when one of Nani's competitors drops dead right after a public feud, Nani becomes the police's main suspect. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
August 8, 2018
In Ukulele Murder by Leslie Langtry, Nani Johnson has moved to Aloha Lagoon, Kauai from Kansas to play her ukelele, which she studied at Juilliard. After playing for a bar mitzvah, Nani goes to a concert of the top ukulele musician on the island, Alohalani, where she runs into the two other native ukelele musicians, Kua and Leilani, both of whom are antagonistic towards Nani for not being native Hawaiian and, if truth be told, for being a better musician than they are. After an argument with Kua, Nani goes to sit in front and then leaves as soon as the concert is over.
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
July 23, 2016
Ukulele Murder: A Nani Johnson Aloha Lagoon Mystery by Leslie Langtry is the first book in a new series that is a fun read. The characters are introduced in a way that you feel like you get to know them. This book has everything I enjoy in a book; mystery, humor, fun and crazy characters, and a little romance. I also liked the Hawaii setting. Very tropical. I can't wait to continue with the Aloha Lagoon Mystery Series. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new book to read.
I received an ARC from the publisher for purposes of an unbiased review.
I received an ARC from the publisher for purposes of an unbiased review.
January 14, 2018
Another great book. This is a great start to the Aloha Lagoon series. Nani is just trying to fit in her new home and make a living. As things start to go haywire she does find there may be some up sides to the mayhem-a new love interest. The story is very exciting and will keep you guessing. The supporting characters are great: a certifiable decorating momma, loyal best friend and an Elvis impersonator. This is awesome story. I hope there are more in the series with these characters! Thanks for the great entertainment.
January 18, 2018
Cozy Mystery; Lots of Fun!
Hilariously funny cozy mystery. I play ukulele, which is why it caught my interest, but the humor and the many twists and turns kept me reading & finished it in a day or two. I would have finished it even faster if I hadn’t had to go to work! I look forward to reading the others in the series. I understand they are written by different authors and have a variety of main characters, but if this first book in the series is any indication, I expect they will all be full of humor and suspense. Lots of fun!
Hilariously funny cozy mystery. I play ukulele, which is why it caught my interest, but the humor and the many twists and turns kept me reading & finished it in a day or two. I would have finished it even faster if I hadn’t had to go to work! I look forward to reading the others in the series. I understand they are written by different authors and have a variety of main characters, but if this first book in the series is any indication, I expect they will all be full of humor and suspense. Lots of fun!
December 14, 2017
Leslie is a very talented writer... she made this book into a picture window that I just looked through to discover a whole new world! The descriptions were so vivid and the characters very robust. I am decidedly happy I picked Ukulele Murder up at a sale. The only thing missing was the Cabana boy bringing me my drink on the beach! This is a great Cozy Mystery and I look forward to reading more in this series.
July 7, 2016
I really enjoyed this first book in the new series the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries. Every time I thought I knew who done it I was wrong. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Hope there will be more about Nani and Nick too!
I received an e-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review
I received an e-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review
October 3, 2019
A very good first mystery, this story takes place on the island of Lanai in Hawaii, and features a ukulele player as a main character. When two of her rivals for business are murdered, she is framed and the police are looking no further to find the culprit. She must clear her name and find the true murderer before she is the next victim.
July 8, 2016
After reading the Merit Badge Murder by Leslie Langtry, I was very excited to receive this new book as an ARC! I loved this cozy mystery in Hawaii. It made me laugh and kept me guessing. I'm excited to read more about Aloha Lagoon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews