Murder on the Aloha Express

Aloha Lagoon #2

by Sally J. Smith, Jean Steffens

From the USA Today bestselling cozy mystery writing team of Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens comes the next to-die-for novel in the Aloha lagoon Mysteries series...

Travel agent Gabby LeClair, a divorced big-city transplant trying to find some aloha spirit in her soul, prides herself on working hard to give the Aloha Lagoon Resort guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But that turns out to be more than anyone bargained for when the body of a client is found dead during one of Gabby's island tours. The victim is a lawyer who's escorted a small group to Aloha Lagoon for distribution of a deceased billionaire's estate...but it looks like someone believes the only good lawyer is a dead lawyer.

Between the bad press causing her phone to go silent and the police working on "island time," it's up to Gabby to find the killer before her business goes belly-up. With the help of her good friends, and a hot helicopter pilot with a flirtatious streak, Gabby turns sleuth to figure out just which member of the lawyer's party had it in for him. But before long it's clear there's way more at stake than her livelihood, and if Gabby isn't careful, she and her friends may find themselves on an island getaway to death.

The Aloha Lagoon Mysteries:
Ukulele Murder (book #1)
Murder on the Aloha Express (book #2)
Deadly Wipeout (book #3) coming in Sept!
Photo Finished (book #4) coming in Oct!
Deadly Bubbles in the Wine (book #5) coming in Nov!
Mele Kalikimaka Murder (book #6) coming in Dec!
Death of the Big Kahuna (book #7) coming in Jan 2017!

About Aloha Lagoon:
There's trouble in paradise...
Welcome to Aloha Lagoon, one of Hawaii's hidden treasures. A little bit of tropical paradise nestled along the coast of Kauai, this resort town boasts luxurious accommodation, friendly island atmosphere...and only a slightly higher than normal murder rate. While mysterious circumstances may be the norm on our corner of the island, we're certain that our staff and Lagoon natives will make your stay in Aloha Lagoon one you will never forget! visit us at alohalagoonmysteries.com

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2016

About the author

Arizona native Sally J. Smith lives in Scottsdale with her husband. The rarest of breeds, an adult born in Arizona, she has been a writer since she could spell. These days she stays busy at her chosen professions of writing and freelance editing. When a free moment appears on the horizon, she's out the door to a play, a movie, or a concert, or just a long walk in the desert--if the temperature's under a hundred, that is.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loyal friendships, romance, a tropical setting, and interesting characters make this a charming cozy mystery.

I liked how Gabby is an amateur sleuth who knows and acknowledges her inexperience:

“How did people like Sherlock Holmes and Rick Castle do it -- ask obvious questions without seeming like total idiots? I certainly didn’t seem to have the knack for it. Maybe it just took time and practice, or maybe it took someone who didn’t mind looking like a complete and utter busybody.” (p.56)

“Investigating was hard. Everything pointed to everyone, yet to no one at all, and all at the same time.” (p. 141)

She is different from other amateur detectives in that she doesn’t embed herself in the mystery out of curiosity, but rather out of necessity. Her business is on the line and it is up to her to save it. She is independent and brave and doesn’t allow herself to get close with others. But the relaxed pace of life in Hawaii and loyal friends convince her that just maybe she can let down her guard a little.

With a little luck and help from her colleagues, Gabby is able to single out the potential suspects, follow the leads, and see where it all takes her in the end.

An enjoyable read that has you dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway. Best read with a tropical drink in hand!

[Gary Sundell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Review to follow

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really had a great time reading this story. It's a funny, light mystery set in gorgeous Hawaii. The authors do a great job throwing out red herrings throughout the plot. The spunky lead character, a travel agent/event planner; finds a romantic protector in an adventurous pilot. This is book 2 in the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series, and, in my opinion, can be read as a standalone story. Enjoy!

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series by Gemma Halliday Publishing. If you are new to the series I highly recommend booking a room at the Aloha Lagoon Resort and grabbing your spot on the beach because you are going to want to stick around !!!

The Aloha Lagoon Mystery series is a series of books written around the Aloha Lagoon Resort. Each book is written by a very talented and creative author and centers around one aspect of the resort......it could be the Blue Hawaii Wedding Chapel or the Loco Moco Cafe or the Happy Hula Dress Boutique or Gabby's Island Adventures.....

And Gabby's Island Adventures by Sally J. Smith and Jean Steffens is where we are hanging out in Murder on the Aloha Express which is the second book in the series. Gabby owns and runs Gabby's Island Adventures and she has just booked a huge group for a tour. The group is on the island honoring the last wishes of Thomas Wesley Senior. Real estate mogul Wesley Senior wanted his last will and testament to be handled where he and his wife spent their honeymoon. So his very devoted lawyer, David Sherwin Esq., is there with Thomas Wesley Junior, his wife, family and a few friends to honor those wishes.

Unfortunately before they can get down to business Sherwin is murdered while on the tour that Gabby set up. Not only does this put a damper on the family's plans but it puts a big black cloud over Gabby's business when news of the murder on her tour gets out and the cancellations start to pour in. Gabby has no other choice but to talk to the members of the family and try to put the pieces together on Sherwin's death.

With the help of her twin employees, Lana and Koma and business partner Rick, Gabby starts asking the family and friends questions. But with the help of the internet and one member of the party, Gabby gets herself a little too close to the murderer........

I LOVE these books and especially after reading a few I can really appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into each of them. Within Murder on the Aloha Express, Smith and Steffens keep with the series and mention people that are in other books in this series. It doesn't matter what book you start with because they are all individuals of their own. I do, however, suggest you start with one of them and keep reading them...... You seriously will not want to leave Aloha Lagoon Resort even if murder seems the common denominator......

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, money or sex - which motive?

Terrific read! Vivid characters and a rich plot filled with clues and twists. The romance angle was also played well. Why was the lawyer murdered? Was the oldest motive in the book the reason why? A rich background and a totally enjoyable experience.

[Sarka B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a second book in Aloha Lagoon Mysteries set on tropical island Kaui. I enjoyed reading the book. It is engaging and interesting. Looking forward to read next one in the serie.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good cozy mystery with interesting main characters, quirky secondary characters and wonderful scenery. At times I felt that I was actually in Hawaii enjoying (and investigating) right along side Gabby and Rick. I particularly liked the romance between Gabby and Rick, the tension between them as well as the quick camaraderie and the gentle sarcasm between them. All in all a wonderful start to the series. I will definitely be returning to Hawaii and Gabby's Adventures.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Murder on the Aloha Express. Any book that Sally Smith and Jean Steffens writes is going to be on my must buy list. In fact I pre-ordered this book but somehow in the mountain of books on my Kindle, it floated down until I forgot about it. That is sad because I knew I would love it and I did! A trip to Hawaii, wonderful well developed characters who quickly seemed like friends, a great mystery to solve? It was a natural!

When Gabby's marriage ended, her thrill in living is a city working as a corporate travel agent faded. Never did she believe that her friend's suggestion that she move to one of the Hawaiian islands would create a bigger life change than she cold ever imagine . Not only is living on the island a whole new world but when one of her clients is murdered during a tour her business and her finances go down the drain. With help from an irritating but hunky pilot who flirts like someone from and old movie, a really old movie and her two awesome apart time workers she determines to tackle the mystery and get it solved before she loses her business for good. I loved that along the way she found a niche for herself and hope to see romance blooming in the future.

Now I have to make sure that I don't let their next book drop out. I have its release date on my calendar!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leaving a divorce and Chicago behind, Gabrielle LeClair sets off to open up “Gabby’s Island Adventures” at the Aloha Lagoon Resort on the island of Kauai. The business is doing well until a member of her tour group is murdered and worried clients start canceling their plans. She decides to take an active role to solve the case with the help of her two young employees and a hunk of a helicopter pilot and get out of the news cycle as soon as possible. Too many with motive, means, and opportunity to count, but with her business’s depleted funds and eviction looming, she has to narrow down the field. Will her business survive? Will a killer go free?

WOW! I am a big Smith & Steffens fan and loved their book 'Murder on the Aloha Express.' I thought I had it figured out, but was hit with a couple of "Oh, wow-s!” to make it very exciting. Gabby is a fun character trying hard to be more of an ‘island girl’ and embrace the ‘aloha’ way, and to leave the past hurts behind and embrace the ‘helicopter hunk.’ The story was well organized leading to an exciting island chase. On the side it was fun reminiscing about my own tour of the Fern Grotto and ‘copter’ ride over the luscious Kauai countryside. I tried to be an ‘island girl,’ too.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this well written cozy. Beautiful scenery, fun characters that are relatable. I like the hint of romance with Gabby and Rick. the author's descriptive writing style helped me feel like I was on the beach drinking a mai tai. Love this series.

[Suzette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice mystery but not a fan of affairs

I enjoyed the cozy murder mystery portion of the storyline. And even though there were no descriptions of relationships, I’m not a fan of extramarital affairs, which played a part in the storyline.

[Vickie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of the Aloha Lagoon mystery series by publisher Gemma Halliday. Once again the reader is transported to the Hawaiian paradise of Kauai and the Aloha Lagoon resort. Chicago transplant Gabrielle LeClair owns Gabby's Island Adventures, a travel agency located in the resort. She is doing a great job running the agency even though she has a hard time loosening her rigorous schedule. While most people would have happily adjusted to "Island time," Gabby remains on a fixed bed by 10:30 and up at 5:45 schedule. Just when it appears it is going to take a miracle or something to change her, the unspeakable happens. While taking a group who are on the island for a reading of the will of their wealthy relative, the lawyer in charge is found murdered on a sightseeing trip arranged by and accompanied by Gabby.

This is one messed up family, from a sister to the original deceased imbibing and swimming in the koi pond to the heir apparent's best friend sleeping with his wife. No one seems to care about the lawyer's murder, even though the family can not leave the island until everything is solved. But there are worse problems for Gabby. As the murder of the lawyer hits the news, clients begin canceling their bookings as fast as Gabby can answer the phone. Refunds from tour vendors are very slow in making their way to the agency, and to make matters worse, rent is due in a few days. Gabby is forced to investigate when police don't seem to be getting any further along in a solution than they were at the beginning.

Gabby has a set of twins who work for her and cover the office so she can sleuth. Their father, a pastor, helps whenever advice and guidance is needed. There is also the helicopter touring company pilot/owner, Rick Dawson, who helps her and becomes more than just another company owner to Gabby. All of the characters are delightful, with quirks that make you smile and them seem like real people. I also liked how some characters from the first book were mentioned in this book for continuity.This well written book was over too soon for me! I can't wait for another book in the series.Aloha! Welcome back!

[Julesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabby St. Clair has got to be the luckiest person in the world. She owns her own little travel business inside the Aloha Lagoon Resort in Kauai. She rents a house owned by her former boss in Chicago for a nominal fee plus utilities. And she has a hunk for one of her tour vendors. However, her luck ran out when there is a murder during one of her tours in a fern-covered cavern. Gabby starts to receive tour cancellations left and right and pretty soon her little travel business will be in the red. It is up to her and her assistants, Lana and Koma (native-Hawaiian fraternal twins), plus Rick the hunk, to help investigate the murder since lame Det. Ray is incapable of doing so.

I did enjoy reading about Gabby's travel business, her good relationship with her assistants, Lana and Koma's father Bobby, Rick, those at the resort, etc. However, this cozy seemed rather cookie cutter. The typical financially struggling sleuth, dumped by an ex-husband who was having an affair, incompetent law enforcement, wealth/money as a motive for murder, possible romance. Overall, those things wouldn't bother me, but I seemed bored reading all this. I would have enjoyed a more unique mystery on the beautiful Kauai island. The most exciting part was when Rick took Gabby on a helicopter tour of the islands.

The first book in this Aloha Lagoon Resort series was excellent and I was anxious to read the next entry. The plot was very unique and so different from most other cozies. I was hoping this would follow the same plan even though each book in the series is written by a different author. Neverthelss, I did not dislike the book, I just did not feel compelled to pick up the book to find out how the mystery was solved. I was satisfied in the end so no regrets.

I gave this a solid 4-star rating.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book; this is the second book the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series written by Sally Smith and Jean Steffens. Travel agent Gabby LeClair, a divorced big-city transplant trying to find some aloha spirit in her soul, prides herself on working hard to give the Aloha Lagoon Resort guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But that turns out to be more than anyone bargained for when the body of a client is found dead during one of Gabby's island tours. Gabby puts her sleuthing skills to the test to find the killer, before she loses her company due to the bad press she is getting because of the murder. 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 in this series. 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.

[Danielle Eisner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby was down on her luck and I always fine myself feeling for a character like that. She'd been betrayed in her past and now she's trying to start over when tragedy strikes and the new life she's built for herself is in shambles. I wanted her to find the killer so she should get her life back on track. I really felt for her and her struggle.

I had trouble figuring out who the killer was. That's always a sign of a good mystery to me because I usually have pretty good instincts about that sort of thing. There was just so much going on and so many suspects with motive that I had trouble focusing on any one person. I wasn’t completely surprised by who the killer ended up being, but at the same time I was surprised. It’s a weird conundrum.

The end was very exciting. I won't give too much away, but I'll say this. There was a faceoff between a helicopter, a plane and, a car. I won’t tell you who won but I was on the edge of my seat. If that doesn't make you curious I don't know what else to say lol

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story set in a beautiful Hawaiian resort. When Gaby needs a change in her life, she decides to move from the cold windy city of Chicago to the tropical warmth, white sands and crystal clear blue waters...how can anything bad happen? Feeling confident about the move, she opens a travel agency at the Aloha Lagoon Resort,knowing how hard starting a new business can be. She gets a good feeling when an attorney books some ideas for a large family who he works for...thinking this is a great start. While on an outing, this attorney gets killed...is it an accident or is it murder ? Thus the mystery begins and secrets come out. As the story progresses,there are more suspects. Gaby doesn't have time to wait for the police to investigate so she becomes partners in crime with the sexy helicopter pilot Rick Dawson. Together they begin the journey to get answers and save Gabys business. I really liked how the characters come together to help her. This is a very good story that I recommend to all mystery lovers .

[Lester Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who wouldn't enjoy a series set in Hawaii and involving murder and friendship.

Cute story about a young lady that leave a high stress job to own her own business. What could go wrong in paradise. Murder and intriguing people who lead to big problems. On the flip side you get to watch her develop friendships with interest people. I enjoyed the book and want to watch for more books about the people of Aloha Lagoon. Hawaii.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want something done, you must do it yourself seems to be the motto of Gabby LeClair and her crew at the Aloha Lagoon Resort. When one of Gabby’s customers is found dead while on one of her excursions, the cancellations come rolling in. They must figure out who dun it before the Travel Agency becomes defunct. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who like a little romance mixed with their murders.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quick and easy to read story has everything a cozy mystery reader enjoys - mystery, deception, romance and of course a murder. Set in the peaceful Aloha Lagoon in Hawaii this is the 2nd book in the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries series.

[Bonnie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the second book in the series. Being a travel agent I could relate to alot of what Gabby went through. The quirky characters, sweet romance, tropical settings combined with a good mystery to solve made this a very enjoyable read.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in a cozy mystery series set in Aloha Lagoon, on the island of Kauai. What's different about this series is that there are different authors writing with different sleuths, this one focused on a travel agent booking tours at the resort ; the first book, Ukulele Murder, had a professional uke player for a sleuth. The common denominator is Detective Ray of the Aloha Lagoon PD, ordering both sleuths to leave the investigating "to the professionals." Comparing the two books, each had a different feel as far as writing style. Having said above, I liked the style of this book better, thus I am giving it 4 stars.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the series. The main characters is Gabby. Gabby moves to Hawaii after her divorce and opens her own adventure agency in the Aloha Lagoon Hotel. When a lawyer is murdered on one of her trips, her whole business looks like it's done for. When it seems that the police are getting no where, Gabby decides to look into herself with the help of her friends. They are getting some answers but the police tell them to stay out of it. But they think they know who did it and that person is trying to escape the island. Can they stop him and get the police to believe them and their evidence ?

[Cathey Edgington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Gabby

Her independence after her divorce shows her strength. This story took me to Hawaii with the description in the story. I didn't figure it out until the last part. Thanks for a good read.

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Island mystery

A Hawaiian mystery adventure. A middle American young woman owns a travel agency. While on a tour, one of her guests is murdered. She almost loses her cool when tours are canceled.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a mystery, these murders.

Wow! What a tangled web of relationships! Where there's a will there's a way . . . to corrupt people and ruin them. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and the crazy people in it.

[Patty McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aloha

Great story loved it. We are back at the Aloha Lagoon resort with Gabby this time and her Adventure Plans. The story had you guessing almost till the end to find out the murderer. It was a twisted shock that I did not see coming. Highly recommend

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good mystery set on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It has a good plot, good characters, and naturally, a great setting!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute look a little bit murderer. This is the second book of the series that I have listened to an audible, and this narrator is better than the one in the first book but still not perfect choice.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hawaii Adventure

This one held me the whole time. I could picture Hawaii in all the detail. And I enjoyed that. The characters were fun to get to know. Plus bonus of a mystery.