The first three books of award-winning Paradise Crime Series bundled for a twisty, intelligent thrill ride: "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo becomes female Jack Reacher...in Hawaii!"
More twists a bag of eels characterize these fast-paced, character-driven, thrilling mysteries with a zest of romance set in Hawaii.
WIRED IN: The tale of Sophie’s development of a cutting-edge rogue computer program, DAVID, and her discovery of a cyber vigilante whom she may, or may not, want to actually bring to justice—because The Ghost just might just capture her heart.
WIRED ROGUE: an untouchable cult deep in the jungle has a leader who might be a stone-cold wife killer, and his children slave labor. Only Sophie can get them out and find their missing mothers—and along the way, solve the puzzle of The Ghost and what he means to her.
WIRED HARD: A buried royal Hawaiian island in Lahaina on Maui attracts mysterious burglary attempts, and gets deadly fast once Sophie’s on the case. As she solves a twisted murder with ties to the archaeological dig, she must also discover whom she loves.
“Very suspenseful! These books move along at a fast pace with many twists and turns. The main character is smart and a warrior.” ~James S, Goodreads
Toby Neal was raised on Kauai in Hawaii. She wrote and illustrated her first story at age 5. After initially majoring in journalism, she eventually settled on mental health as a career and loves her work, saying, “I’m endlessly fascinated with people’s stories.”
Toby credits her counseling background in adding depth to her characters–from the villains to Lei Texeira, the courageous and vulnerable heroine in the Lei Crime Series, to the wounds and psychological implications of the heroes of the Scorch Series.
This series gives the secondary character of Sophie from the Lei Crime series her own set of books. I am already on the fourth book of the series and each one continues the excellence of the one before. Sophie's character is well developed as is each plot in each book. As a former FBI computer expert now working as a civilian contractor, Sophie is learning more about herself and how life in the field is so much different than that of being in an office. The reader learns about Sophie's growth as a person as Sophie does. She is tough and vulnerable at the same time lending a more realistic picture of the characterization. Sophie finds herself caught between two strong men who both love and want to protect her as her ex-husband wants to capture and, eventually, kill her. The action is ongoing in each book, there are no dull parts, and the reader has a difficult time putting down each book before it's finished. Toby Neal also brings the characters from the Lei Crime series into the Paradise series making a smooth transition as well as keeping the reader aware of the lives of Lei, her family and friends she shares with Sophie. 5+ stars for both Lei Crime and Paradise series.
I love Toby Neal and every book I’ve read of hers has left me with some degree of a book hangover. Even though she can rip my heart to shreds, she always has a way of putting it all back together again. Toby’s female leads are strong, fierce, independent, fabulous although rough around the edges. Toby writes with such exquisite detail. The way she’s able to immerse you into the island surroundings makes one feel as though they are there. Exhilarating is one word to describe Toby’s writing. Suspenseful is another that comes to mind. Thrilling, fast paced, action packed, easy flow, engaging, immersive, vulnerable, and scintillating to say the least.
Paradise Crimes Box Set Bools 1-3 - a review by Rosemary Kenny
The wonderful Toby Neal comes up trumps with this delightful boxset set in the Paradise Islands of Hawaii, starring Sophie Ang - ex-FBI agent and now a skilled operative for Security Solutions - which just keeps getting better and better!
Wired In
The Boxset begins with the introduction of the delectable, smart and sassy intelligent FBI Special Agent, Sophie Ang - survivor of a severely abusive marriage, inventor of DAVID, an amazing cross-agency intelligence-amassing IT miracle, which uses info from many locations, to assess the probability of crime/criminals' involvement in it and MMA champion - who uses all her skills and abilities to aid the FBI and other law-givers, while still retaining her personal integrity. The first case involves Sophie's ninja-like rescue of Anna, a kidnapped child whom the police are powerless to help. We learn more of Sophie's backstory as the daughter of an Ambassador to the US, who enjoys MMA and jogging with her dog Ginger in her spare time. Dedicated to her FBI comrades, including best friend in the force Marcella Scott. Sophie's intriguing nemesis, the Ghost is an elusive vigilante, taking down drug-lords and people-smugglers whom the police and FBI seem powerless to eliminate legally. Sophie's sworn to take down the Ghost, but so far she's been unable to do so, even with his teasing clues and the use of her super-computer system DAVID's help. Sophie had hoped for a lasting relationship with her MMA instructor Alika, but by the end of the book, realises this is not to be.
Wired Rogue
Sophie is partnered with Jake Dunn - a rough diamond to say the least - on their new mission to investigate the Society of Light cult and rescue an escaped ex-member's two children from the cult's compound. She'd already surveilled the situation while still an FBI agent, after the children's Mom begged to be reunited with her children by the cult's leader, Sandoval Jackson. When they withdrew Sophie and closed the case from lack of evidence, Sophie quit and is now ready to go undercover as a new cult member, to work her near legendary skill magic, save the other children and unearth the truth about the disappearance of three other 'co-wives' after they'd given birth a number of times. Todd Connor is revealed to be Sophie's mysterious paramour 'Sheldon Hamilton, aka The Ghost, after being injured by the crazed killer Sloane who'd previously shot Sophie through her face and left her for dead! What will happen next for the star-crossed ex-enemies, now lovers?
Wired Hard
Bored with surveillance duty on an ancient buried city, Sophie's ready to call it a night when sensors she's installed at the corners of the site are triggered. Apparently the 'treasure' at risk of theft from the site is human bone hooks that had sacred meaning for the ancients and now means a huge profit to any thieves. By the time Sophie's reached the boundaries the intruder is long gone into the night and she's left frustrated - until he returns, sent by his boss to keep going until the obsessed collector is satisfied he has a particularly valuable hook that he's always coveted. When an unexpected event leaves Sophie at the hands of a deranged killer, who will trace her in time to save her life?
Sophie seems to have a death wish at times, but our feisty sleuth also knows that with her many physical skills and razor-sharp intellect, there is only one man to be her equal, in life and love. Can she and the Ghost make it in the real world or only in cyber-space? Only one way to find out - buy this wonderful box set today and read your fill - then tell all your friends about the brilliant books by the amazing Toby Neal...satisfaction guaranteed!
Three islands of Hawaii are the settings for three different murders, but multiple crimes, and Lei will not be pushed aside. The first begins with the discovery of two floaters, young teen girls, but they did not drown. Crimes families, stalking, car chases, and abductions leaves Lei fighting for her life. This is wonderfully fast paced, with breathtaking glimpses of Hawaii. The second starts with a missing fiance, but hidden meth labs, three love interests for Lei, shootouts, and multiple homicides leads Lei to a mysterious psychic and few answers. The third begins with a crash over a cliff, then a severed hand floats in, and the FBI joins in. Guns, drugs, slavery, even cockfighting show a colorful but seedier side of island living. Nailbiting suspense as Lei digs out lead after lead and her indomitable spirit as she fights past multiple hits on her own life is in sharp contrast to her phobias, a deep fear of commitment from her childhood terrors and a sense of worthlessness despite a pull to join the FBI. This is a great series. I loves all three stories
When I read these first three books I enjoyed the protaganist as she was developed and looked forward to the entire series. Spoiler Alert.
Again the author spent so much time trying to balance erratic and crazy romantic story lines intertwined with the intrigue, crime, suspense, etc. I over time grew weary of her psychotic bed hopping that destroyed both protaganists and antagonists. If her incincident during youth messed her up that bad...she never would have made FBI...so the original foundation to draw on support becomes thinner over time with her psychosis. My hubby quit reading the series because he said he felt like she she wanted a crime series but became stuck in bodice rippers for women. I am disappointed that the author made tne character so neurotic at times when she should have been strong. I enjoyed the series....I just wish the bed hopping was not in it. Makes women look bad.
These Paradise Crime Thrillers, written by Toby Neal, are the Box Set Book 1 (original series books 1-3) of this series. This series has a strong female main character as well as multiple strong male and female secondary characters. These books are an enjoyable, fast paced read with good individual book plots and an interesting continual additional story carrying through and building from book 1 to 3. There is mystery, adventure, action, danger, friendships, family, slow burn romantic interest, hope and love. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I picked this book series up because I'd just finished the memoir from the author "Freckled" and enjoyed the reading experience. I was curious about her fiction writing style - she has quite a few books written and a couple of series, like this one. I read the first book in two days and the other two have taken just about as "long". Well written, engaging stories, strong female lead without getting too over-the-top (sort of). Purely entertainment with creative story development. I know I'll be attacking the next books in the series very soon.
Wow! These books are unputdownable, exciting reading. There's no end to the action, lots of danger, suspense , murders, attacks, and plenty of mayhem in these thrillers. Sophie Ang is a character who is very likable, as are the partners she has. The books are stand alone books, which I really like. The books are also a mini vacation to Hawaii, with vivid descriptions of the flora, fauna, locations on different islands, including what the sounds and smells are like. Very enjoyable reading.
I really liked this series, but it does deal with some dark subjects. Serious depression plagues her often. Her former marriage to a sadistic, powerful man has come back to haunt her. Not to mention the many serious injuries she and those close to her sustain in her security work.
Sophie Ang starts the series as an FBI computer specialist - who still gets to do "agent-y" stuff. She has developed a super-program which leads to her quitting the FBI and joining a private company.
She is a complicated character still dealing with issues related to her previous marriage. Her current relationships are also complicated.
Her personal and professional life kept me reading.
Join Lei Texeira for crime and mystery from the beautiful islands of Hawaii. Lei is a detective with lots of baggage but also lots of guts and great instinct in solving cases. Once again this is a series with authentic characters living in the real word. Lei looks for missing backpackers, human traffickers and drug sellers, all while trying to sort out her damaged psyche.
Toby Neal has the writing ability to draw her readers into the story and not so gently leaving you wanting more. The characters are so real that the readers know what is coming next in the relationship between Lei and Steven, but do we really? Can't wait to read book 4.
Love the idea that the “Ghost” is actually Sophie’s boss the man she actively pursued as an FBI agent. Real life can be just that crazy. I do wish that Sophie and Jake would stop taking turns being shot. It’s just too bloody!
Wow, Toby Neal never disappoints. Yet again, sorry great read. I am loving the Paradise Crime series just as much as the Lei Crime books. Wonderfully informative, exciting, and riveting.
Fast-moving, original stories. Believable characters you feel you know. Story lines are realistic with situations developing that draw you right into the action, right to the last page. Fantastic reads, great job!
Toby weaves intricate and complex plots with many twists and sub plots that all tie together, and makes the pages keep turning, as it's difficult to put down the book. One can hardly wait to start the next book in the series.
As always Toby Neal has written a suspense filled series that you can't put down. It has mystery,action and romance all rolled together to make can't put down books. A must read series!
Sophie, Todd, Lei, Pono, Marcella and Marcus are intricately woven individuals with their differing personalities they somehow click. Together that's characters solve crime!
The books were very readable but I kept getting lost as to what genre I was entering. Was it superwoman cop/private eye or was I entering the world of romance. Maybe I would have been a bit more understanding if I were a woman
For some reason had a hard time connecting with the main character, every book has a similar ending with a strong male character almost killing her, while the rest of the book story is not as action driven. If it wasn't the 3 book set I'm not sure i would have continued reading all 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Great book it will keep you thinking about it all the time and it will take you to a new level of the best possible way to make it work.It will keep you thinking about it all the time o
This thrillers box set is action packed, mysteries filled with murders, conspiracy and intrigue. The main female character is indestructible though not believable but interesting.
Even though the storyline feels pretty average for the genre I found that it was very hard to stop reading and do something else. I can’t really say why I enjoyed the series as much as I did but it does have that special something that makes a good read.
These three books had me enthralled. I was enticed into the stories and characters very quickly.
There’s lots of red herrings so just when you think you know who are the baddies you find out you are wrong. Lots of twists and turns. Good gripping stories.
So three books are outstanding with great stories and multiple twists and turns. Of course, our protagonist is complicated and really in love. Her security assignments frequently place her in dangerous situations. She is now a security consultant after leaving the