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Murder on Maui #6
Sunset Dead
A murdered mistress. A wrongful arrest. Can Poe and Alana take down a killer from both sides of the law?
Edgar Allan "Poe" Rutherford is out of the private investigator game. He couldn't stand to take another case after his last one nearly killed his wife. When he's accused of murdering his supposed mistress, he's forced back into a familiar role to prove his innocence. But can he do it from behind bars?
Alana Hu knows she's too skilled of a detective for Poe to cheat and kill behind her back. But when her department forbids her from finding out who set him up, she decides to go rogue. After all, nobody messes with her man without answering to her…
When Poe and Alana discover troubling evidence that points to larger forces at play, catching the real killer may just take a tag-team effort…
Edgar Allan "Poe" Rutherford is out of the private investigator game. He couldn't stand to take another case after his last one nearly killed his wife. When he's accused of murdering his supposed mistress, he's forced back into a familiar role to prove his innocence. But can he do it from behind bars?
Alana Hu knows she's too skilled of a detective for Poe to cheat and kill behind her back. But when her department forbids her from finding out who set him up, she decides to go rogue. After all, nobody messes with her man without answering to her…
When Poe and Alana discover troubling evidence that points to larger forces at play, catching the real killer may just take a tag-team effort…
293 pages, ebook
Published December 10, 2017
61 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Robert W. Stephens
40 books33 followersRobert W Stephens is the author of the Murder on Maui series, the Alex Penfield novels, and the standalone thrillers The Drayton Diaries and Nature of Evil. When he’s not writing, you can find him behind a camera, directing commercials, videos, and indie films, or you may spot him traveling the world with his wife, where he’ll still be behind a camera, shooting photographs of ancient ruins, Gothic churches, or what they’re about to eat.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 16, 2025
5.0 stars. Another well written Poe murder mystery. Alternating pov's this time told by Poe and Alana, Poe's detective wife. On the eve of their first wedding anniversary, Poe's arrested for murder right from the start. This series needs to be read in order, as this case builds on events in the last book. With the dead bodies adding up, this complex case brings several surprising twists. I dearly love the main characters Poe, Alana, Foxx, and "Maui the dog". Always highly entertaining, I look forward to Poe's sarcasm and humor. It never fails to make me laugh, as well as grins from the antics of little Maui. This is a highly addictive series for me. As soon as I finish one, I'm anxious for the next. So, it's on to book 7 for me.
December 11, 2025
Poe takes a licking in this one, getting framed for murder, and shot. Good thing he's got a sharp wife.
The stakes are a little higher than usual in this one.
This is the first book in the series that has a split perspective between Poe and his wife. I'm not sure that I liked it, but at least we didn't get the kiler's perspective, which I never like.
The stakes are a little higher than usual in this one.
This is the first book in the series that has a split perspective between Poe and his wife. I'm not sure that I liked it, but at least we didn't get the kiler's perspective, which I never like.
February 20, 2018
Sunset Dead - a review by Rosemary Kenny
An excellent addition to the A Murder On Maui series by imaginative writer Robert W Stephens, Sunset Dead is sure to prove another winner for the author as it's a murder-mystery thriller with as many twists and turns as a rattlesnake and a stunning, shock ending that will surely satisfy fans of Colin Dexter, Clive Cussler and Agatha Christie!
Edgar Allan Rutherford - Poe - to his lovely wife Alana and many friends, is a local bar-owner on Maui, with a sideline as a freelance PI, helping Alana and the local police force she works for follow through on clues and producing profiles of criminals whenever asked. Foxx, his partner at the bar and wife Hani have a baby daughter whom Poe often babysits as he works from his home office. As Poe and Alana's first wedding anniversary draws near, Poe decides a gift of jewelry is more suitable
than the traditional paper gift and stores the diamond earrings he's purchased in his desk - little knowing that soon this thoughtfulness will mean the difference between freedom and spending many years behind bars -for a murder he didn't commit!
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
An excellent addition to the A Murder On Maui series by imaginative writer Robert W Stephens, Sunset Dead is sure to prove another winner for the author as it's a murder-mystery thriller with as many twists and turns as a rattlesnake and a stunning, shock ending that will surely satisfy fans of Colin Dexter, Clive Cussler and Agatha Christie!
Edgar Allan Rutherford - Poe - to his lovely wife Alana and many friends, is a local bar-owner on Maui, with a sideline as a freelance PI, helping Alana and the local police force she works for follow through on clues and producing profiles of criminals whenever asked. Foxx, his partner at the bar and wife Hani have a baby daughter whom Poe often babysits as he works from his home office. As Poe and Alana's first wedding anniversary draws near, Poe decides a gift of jewelry is more suitable
than the traditional paper gift and stores the diamond earrings he's purchased in his desk - little knowing that soon this thoughtfulness will mean the difference between freedom and spending many years behind bars -for a murder he didn't commit!
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
March 29, 2018
I have read a few in this series and I can say that I think they are getting more enjoyable! I really like this author’s writing, the main characters are quite endearing, the island scenery is well described but not overly done with long paragraphs of prose! Just makes me want to go back and enjoy the Hawaiian sun, sand and scenery! The plot is well paced with lots of twists and turns making it challenging to work out who are the baddies and the story is not too dark, but enough to be a real page turner. I like the way the story is told from the perspective of both Alana and Poe which gives more depths to their characters. I highly recommend this book for those who love a good mystery with a bit of humour! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reading Deals for an honest review.
April 26, 2018
I really enjoyed the telling of this story in the Maui Mystery series by Robert W Stephens through the eyes of its two main characters, as opposed to just one viewpoint, as it was almost like giving the reader two stories for the price of one. Not having read any of the prior Maui stories did leave me feeling just a tad out of touch, but the author made sure to keep the reader up-to-date by saying "if you haven't read any prior.....then this is who we are and what we do." The fact that this was a great multiple murder mystery did not disappoint either, along with the usual red herrings thrown out along the way to the ending of the story. This is a voluntary review of a review copy of this book from Reading Deals.
February 26, 2018
I've read every one of the "Murder on Maui Mystery" books and always look forward to the next. This is probably the best one so far as it's written from two perspectives. I did find it a little confusing at first because each was so very much alike. I do like that each book contains references to prior books but can still be read as a stand alone. My only complaint is that it's too long between books.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reading Deals in return for a fair and honest review.
April 28, 2018
This is a great series. Be sure to read them in order.
Poe is arrested for the murder of a girl he meet on his last case. His wife is a police detective and resigns when her boss won't let her near the case.
Evidence is against Poe and how can he fight it while he is locked up? Can Alana and his best friend, Foxx get to the bottom of it before he is convicted?
Twists and turns keep you reading late into the night.
I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
Poe is arrested for the murder of a girl he meet on his last case. His wife is a police detective and resigns when her boss won't let her near the case.
Evidence is against Poe and how can he fight it while he is locked up? Can Alana and his best friend, Foxx get to the bottom of it before he is convicted?
Twists and turns keep you reading late into the night.
I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
April 10, 2020
Second time around
I enjoyed the perspective thing, it gave all of us a new reason to buy books from Robert. There were more twists and turns then ever, although the ending happened too fast. Could string that a little longer. I have treasured my time on Maui, but with all those murders, I’m reluctant to return anytime soon.
I enjoyed the perspective thing, it gave all of us a new reason to buy books from Robert. There were more twists and turns then ever, although the ending happened too fast. Could string that a little longer. I have treasured my time on Maui, but with all those murders, I’m reluctant to return anytime soon.
June 7, 2018
An extra voice!
This book differed from the previous stories as we are treated to two voices telling the story.
Alana’s voice was hesitant at first but grew stronger as the story progressed.
Did they get the bad guy, you will need to read it to find out, no spoilers here.
This book differed from the previous stories as we are treated to two voices telling the story.
Alana’s voice was hesitant at first but grew stronger as the story progressed.
Did they get the bad guy, you will need to read it to find out, no spoilers here.
June 29, 2018
Decent mystery series. Read best in order, but gives good explanations if reading as a single title. The typos are very disconcerting....as describing a loathsome being as "garage." Kindle only, though looks like some may be available in paperback.
July 11, 2018
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. Just would like someone to number the books so I do not read them out of sequence. The author's style and way of telling a story without all the gory details is refreshing. Hope he continues to entertain everyone with them.
November 23, 2020
Love this series! I can't put it down. Short review. Gotta read the next one.
September 22, 2021
Fun
Very entertaining read. The perspective angle was an interesting way to see each character handle the same events with different takes on the happenings.
Very entertaining read. The perspective angle was an interesting way to see each character handle the same events with different takes on the happenings.
April 20, 2022
Great book
Loved this book!! Can't wait to read the next one!! I am rereading so I can catch up on everything!
Loved this book!! Can't wait to read the next one!! I am rereading so I can catch up on everything!
July 18, 2023
Awesome
Wow and wow. This may have been my favorite yet. I had a feeling about the captain, though. I'm glad everything was resolved. Now to the next one!
Wow and wow. This may have been my favorite yet. I had a feeling about the captain, though. I'm glad everything was resolved. Now to the next one!
September 30, 2025
Best One Yet
Told from two perspectives in an interesting and easy to follow narrative. Very exciting. Lots of believable plot twists. Realistic characters.
Told from two perspectives in an interesting and easy to follow narrative. Very exciting. Lots of believable plot twists. Realistic characters.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews