Handbags & Homicide

Aloha Lagoon #12

by Anne Marie Stoddard

From USA Today bestselling author Anne Marie Stoddard comes another fabulously fashionable mystery in paradise...


Kaley Kalua is ecstatic when her best friend announces that she’s getting married and bringing the pre-wedding celebration to Aloha Lagoon! As the maid of honor, Kaley can't wait to see her bride-to-be bestie, Emma—that is, until Emma shows up on the island with a few unwelcome faces in her wedding party, including Kaley’s cheating ex-husband, Bryan, one of his former mistresses, and his new girlfriend! To make matters worse, Kaley’s current relationship with the resort's hot lifeguard is on the rocks, and her
brand new handbag goes missing after a wild night celebrating Emma’s bachelorette party.


But things go from bad to downright deadly when Bryan’s girlfriend is found the next day, dead and buried in a shallow grave on the resort beach—along with Kaley’s missing bag! The police seem convinced that Kaley is involved in the woman’s untimely death. In order to prove her innocence and save Emma’s wedding weekend, Kaley must do a little investigating of her own. Did her arrogant ex-husband kill his own girlfriend? Or did the jealous other woman commit the crime? The deeper Kaley digs in her pursuit of the truth, the more secrets and lies she uncovers. It soon becomes clear that someone doesn’t want Kaley to air their dirty laundry. If she isn’t careful, she may not live to see her friend walk down the aisle.


The Aloha Lagoon
Ukulele Murder (book #1)
Murder on the Aloha Express (book #2)
Deadly Wipeout (book #3)
Deadly Bubbles in the Wine (book #4)
Mele Kalikimaka Murder (book #5)
Death of the Big Kahuna (book #6)
Ukulele Deadly (book #7)
Bikinis Bloodshed (book #8)
Death of the Kona Man (book #9)
Lethal Tide (book #10)
Beachboy Murder (book #11)
Handbags Homicide (book #12)


About Aloha
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!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2018

About the author

Author. Music fan. Lover of coffee/wine/Joss Whedon. Hula hoop enthusiast.

Follow me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AmStoddardBooks), Twitter (@amstoddardbooks), or check out my website: http://www.amstoddardbooks.com

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always sun, sand, and surf at the Aloha Lagoon resort. With island breezes, delicious tropical drinks, and a relaxed, casual atmosphere, life should be all fun and games, right? But there’s trouble in paradise when Kaley’s best friend, Emma, decides that Aloha Lagoon is just the place for her bachelorette party. With some members of the wedding party more like enemies than friends, you know it’s not going to be smooth sailing! Handbags & Homicide was a fun mystery with an ending that was hard to guess. I enjoyed the entertaining escape of this well written cozy mystery.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent cozy mystery! Loved it. Review info coming soon! Stay tuned!

[Gary Sundell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always fun to visit Aloha Lagoon for more murder and fun. I am surprised they have any business what with all the murders.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my review in any way.

Secondly...holy moly this book is good. The first in the series was great, but this book took it to another level.

While the plot in and of itself could have come across as over the top and needlessly convoluted from any other author, AM Stoddard kept things moving and filled with entertainment. I was glued to the book from the moment I picked it up (seriously, I read it in two hours at work, coworkers be darned.)

With a familiar cast of characters (and some new ones from the mainland), including Kaley’s ex husband and the home wrecker that destroyed her marriage, Handbags and Homicide picks up where the last book left off, with more character development and subplots that add to the main plot, rather than leaving it muddied and hard to see.

Plus the bad guy? I did not see it coming, at all, and the best part about a cozy mystery is being surprised. I was absolutely surprised.

Jamie, Noa, and Aunt Rikki fill in the cast list, with cameo from Frienemy Harmony, and I am as engrossed in their relationship and lives as I am in Kaley’s.

If you’re fans of Hawaii, Cozy Mystery books, or honestly are just looking for something to read, you cannot go wrong with this book. Give it a shot, you will not be disappointed!

Meanwhile, I’ll be waiting impatiently for the third in the series, because I need more of Kaley and crew in my life.

[Missy VanHoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to Aloha Lagoon!!! Kaley’s best friend from Atlanta is getting married and she is flying Kaley in for the wedding. But first she and the other bridesmaids are coming to Hawaii for a Bachelorette weekend. When one of the Bridesmaids ends up dead it doesn’t look good for Kaley especially since the victim is her ex-husbands current girlfriend.

I love this series, it’s so fun and this book would be the perfect beach read. The characters and story are very well written. I devoured this book, I could hardly put it down. I can’t wait to see what’s in the future for Kaley and her family and friends. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun cozy that has all the right elements.


I voluntarily received an advance copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Emma Ross contacts her best friend Kaley to let her know she is getting married and she wants her to be the Maid-Of-Honor. They make arrangements to have the bachelorette party in Hawaii where Kaley lives. Kaley has already made plans for activities for the party for several days.

When Emma arrives in Hawaii, she has the not so pleasant surprise of showing up with two of the three women that Haley caught her now ex-husband in bed with (at the same time) as bridesmaids. To make matters worse, Emma's fiancé shows up for his bachelor party with Bryan, the said ex-husband in tow.

Anne Marie Stoddard has set up the perfect scene for one of three people to be murdered. Any guesses who the prime suspect will be?

This is a very fun story with some humor and lots of twist. It also has a nice surprise ending.

[Maddielucy(Patti) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but packed a good story with good characters!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries keeps you guessing to the very end! I never saw that end coming. A fantastic, fast-paced read that you can't put down once you start. When Kaley gets a call from her best friend from Atlanta, Emma that she is getting married and she wants Kaley as her maid of honor, she is thrilled for her and of course agrees. Emma tells Kaley that for her bachelorette party she is bringing her bridesmaids to the Aloha Lagoon to celebrate! Then Emma was going to pay the plane fare for Kaley and her boyfriend Noa to come back to Atlanta for the wedding. Noa seems skittish - does Kaley have a problem? Emma keeps a BIG secret from Kaley when the bridesmaids fly in and Kaley has to swallow her pride when she finds her cheating ex-husband and the groomsman come too AND his girlfriends is one of Emma's bridesmaids is one of the girls Bryan her ex cheated on her with. But this is Emma and she vows nothing will get in the way of a great Bachelorette party. But things go from bad to worse when Val is murdered and Kaley seems to be suspect number one! There are so many crazy characters that could be suspects, why Kaley. She has to investigate to clear her name and her buddy Jamie is there to help. So many events happen, will Emma be able to get married and what other secret is Emma keeping and why is Noa appear to be skittish? A fantastic read. I received an ARC from the author, but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own!

Merged review:

A Great addition to the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries! There are so many twists and turns and surprises you can't stop reading once you begin. Kaley's best friend Emma from Georgia is getting married and she wants Kaley to be her maid of honor and host her bachelorette party at the Aloha Lagoon and then fly Kaley and her boyfriend, back to Georgia for the wedding. Wow! Kaley never did anything like that so, hosting the party makes her nervous, but she was thrilled to be asked. When the bridesmaids and Emma arrive, she sees her nemesis - one of the girls who has slept with her ex-husband and is now his girlfriends among the party. To add insult to injury, the groomsmen decided they'd have their party there too and her ex-husband Bryan is there. Then there is something off about her best friend, Emma that she can't put her finger on. When they find Bryan's girlfriend dead and buried on the beach with Kaley's designer pocketbook that was gifted to her by Emma buried with the girl, Kaley becomes a suspect. So begins her need to help solve the murder and keep Emma's wedding on track. With the help of her aunt and friends she sets out to make things right. Can she clear her name, find out what secrets Emma is keeping and help make Emma's wedding a day to remember? This is a must read! I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Julesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This handbag is full of fun and intrigue!

Handbags & Homicide is the twelfth book in the Aloha Lagoon mystery series, all written by different authors, and the second book written by Anne Marie Stoddard within this series. It features Kaley Kalua who manages the Happy Hula Dress Boutique at Aloha Lagoon Resort.

Kaley has been asked to be the maid of honor for her friend Emma in a quickie wedding in just two weeks to Atlanta Falcons football player, Dante. Kaley's ex-husband, Bryan, and another football teammate, is one of Dante's groomsmen. Out of loyalty to her friend Emma, Kaley carries out her maid of honor duties to provide the best that the Aloha Lagoon Resort has to offer for the pre-wedding weekend. Unfortunately, members of the bridal party, Coco and Val, are also on the Atlanta Falcons cheerleading team and also had an affair with the ex-husband Bryan.

Out of appreciation for pulling together the pre-wedding celebration, Emma gifts Kaley with the coveted Michael Kors cross-body handbag that Kaley had been eyeballing during a shopping trip in Atlanta months ago. Kaley brings the handbag to the bachlorette party at the premier Lanai Lounge nightclub at Aloha Lagoon Resort. After a night of drinking and partying, Kaley wakes up with a massive hangover and little memory of the previous evening. One thing is sure, her new handbag is missing. With the help of Emma's GPS cell phone locator, the handbag is found on the beach ... with the strap wrapped around one of the cheerleaders' neck. Immediately Kaley is the prime suspect.

I hadn't read the previous book written by this author in this series as I have been reading some of these books out of order. However, I was able to easily get a grasp of the characters without knowing the details of Kaley and Bryan's previous history. Now that I got a taste that Bryan's affairs were the crux of their divorce, I am anxious to go back and read the first book featuring Kaley: Bikinis & Bloodshed.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery tremendously. The writing flows and you are instantly captured with the bridal drama, providing lots of fun in Kauai.

I received an ARC from the publisher for purposes of an unbiased review.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable mystery that I had a problem putting down. There is a cast of believable and realistic characters in a fun setting. It is another book set in the lovely Aloha Lagoon in Hawaii where we revisit the resort and other local settings as well as see friends from other books. Tensions are high when Kaley Kalua's friend from Atlanta, Emma and her other bridesmaids arrive for a bachelorette party. Among the group are a couple of cheerleaders for the Atlanta Falcons who cheated on Kaley with Bryan, her ex-husband and football player with the Falcons. To add fuel to the fire, the guys arrive as well - for their own party at the resort. When one of the cheating women is found dead with Kaley's brand new purse wrapped around her dead body, the police look hard at Kaley.
There is a lot of drama going on among the group as Kaley and her friend from work investigate all who might have it in for the cheating cheerleader. Ms. Stoddard does a great job at creating some mean girl characters and likable ones and lots of tension and secrets to unravel.
I received a complimentary ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing to read and give an honest review.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts as a best friend getting married and asking Kaley to be her maid-of-honor turns into a bachelorette party from Atlanta coming to Aloha Lagoon. Included in the deal (unknown to Kaley) is the fact that the groomsmen are coming as well. That means Kaley's ex-husband and the two cheerleaders that broke up her marriage will all be there for the week of the party. What should be a fun filled week turns into one tense day after another filled with arguments, accusations, and murder.

I love "visiting" the Aloha Lagoon with the various author's viewpoints and mysteries. This book was another great visit that was filled with sleuthing and some gentle romance as well as Hawaiian surroundings. At times I felt like things were predictable, at times things were a shock. I even found some humor when Kaley goes after a stalker and ends up hiding. I like the way characters from other books in the series show up doing their jobs in this book. The feeling of continuity and reality make each book of the series enjoyable. Reading this book was almost as good as a visit to Kauai. 😉🌴

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Aloha Lagoon every time I venture back! These books are fabulous. The resort sounds like a dream come true, welcoming with Hawaiian scenery, weather, and friendly staff. A few characters make repeat appearances, like Detective Ray and in this book Gabby and Koma from Gabby's Island Adventures (Beachboy Murder), but each book works fine as a stand alone read. This book is fun to read and difficult to put down! The mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. I shared Kaley's frustration as she attempted to find out "who done it"! Kaley and Noa are adorable and I want to meet all of Kaley's island friends.

If you love Aloha Lagoon or a good cozy mystery pick this one up. It won't disappoint!
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book for my honest review.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I can't express how much I love this series. All of the authors do such a great job of keeping you on your toes trying to figure out who the killer is. I was completely surprised by who the killer turned out to be. Exceptional plot. Love loved it.

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Made me feel like I was in Hawaii. Interesting storyline. Location was beautifully described. Good character development. Surprise ending. Couldn’t ask for more!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Aloha Lagoon Mystery Series!!
Kaley receives an unexpected phone call from her best friend from Georgia, Emma. Emma and her boyfriend have decided that they want to get married in two weeks and she wants Kaley to be her maid of honor and will be flying Emma and her new boyfriend to Georgia for the wedding. That is not the only surprise, Emma and the rest of the bridesmaids are flying to Hawaii for a girls bachelorette weekend; she wants Kaley to plan lots of fun things for them to do. Kaley is excited to see her old friend but gets the feeling that Emma is not telling her something. Kaley's feelings are correct, when everyone gets to Hawaii not only is her ex-husbands new girlfriend there and one of his mistresses that broke up their marriage, the groomsmen decided to tag along which includes her ex. What could possibly go wrong? Kaley's ex and her new beau have never gotten along, her ex's friend and fellow groomsmen, Tom has never liked her, her new relationship is running into some problems, her ex's new girlfriends turns up dead. Many twists and turns in this well written mystery. Every time you think you have it figured out, you will be wrong. Pick up a copy to see how it all plays out. I voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for the purposes of an unbiased review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book; this is the twelfth book in the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series written by Anne Marie Stoddard. I really enjoy reading this series and the books just keep getting better. Kaley Kalua is ecstatic when her best friend announces that she’s getting married and bringing the pre-wedding celebration to Aloha Lagoon! As the maid of honor, Kaley can't wait to see her bride-to-be bestie, Emma—that is, until Emma shows up on the island with a few unwelcome faces in her wedding party, including Kaley’s cheating ex-husband, Bryan, one of his former mistresses, and his new girlfriend! But things go from bad to downright deadly when Bryan’s girlfriend is found the next day, dead and buried in a shallow grave on the resort beach—along with Kaley’s missing bag! The police seem convinced that Kaley is involved in the woman’s untimely death. In order to prove her innocence and save Emma’s wedding weekend, Kaley must do a little investigating of her own. This book will keep you up reading way past your bedtime because you will not want to put it down. I can’t wait to read the next book by this great author.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment to this series. Kaley's friend Emma is getting married and wants to have the bachelorette party at Aloha Lagoon. Kaley's purse goes missing and ends up in a shallow grave with the victim. Kaley must prove her innocence. Story was fast paced and get me engaged. One of the best in this series.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handbags & Homicide is a very entertaining mystery. With designer bags, sport figures, a cheating ex-husband accompanied by his current and former girlfriends, a best friend rushing her wedding and murder there is plenty to keep your interest. This was a great mystery - lots of plot twists, plenty of suspects. I highly recommend you read this one!

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously love the Aloha Lagoon series. This new addition has lots of twists and turns and I really couldn't put it down. I love Stoddard's style of writing and she handled this story line deftly. Loved it and loved revisiting the island and the characters. I voluntarily reviewed a copy I received from the publishers.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story!!! And another dead body !! Just her luck, Kaley finds the dead body of one of her ex husband's flings on the beach. I was so happy to be able to read this book just after meeting Kaley and her almost boyfriend, Noa. I highly recommend this book and series to everyone who enjoys a good story!!

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one in the series. I love that each can be read independently. This had a great story, my idea of "who dun it" changed several times and was happy with the ending. Great storytelling that had me hooked from Page 1.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story, well written and interesting. Looking forward to reading the next one.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series & all the different characters. I was definitely guessing with this one until the very end!!

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

I LOVE returning to the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series published by Gemma Halliday Publishing. The books in this series are all written around the Aloha Lagoon Resort which is along the coast of Kauai in Hawaii. These books all have 2 things in common : first they all center around the resort meaning that the main character works in or around the resort and secondly there is going to be a dead body, or two.

In Handbags & Homicide written by Anne Marie Stoddard, the twelveth book in the series, we are hanging around with Kaley Kalua. Kaley left the island for a while when she was married to a famous football player but returned home after she caught him cheating. Now she works at her aunt's boutique, reconnected with a childhood friend, Noa, who is now her boyfriend, has some great friends and gets to wake up in paradise everyday !! She couldn't be happier.....until her best friend from her old life calls announcing that she is getting married to the football player Kaley and her ex set her up with and she wants Kaley to be her maid of honor and the bride and friends are coming to the island for the bachlorette party. Kaley thinks it is going to be a weekend full of drunken fun until not only does Emma, the bride show up but the two cheerleaders Kaley caught with her husband as well as the groom and his groomsmen which includes Kaley's ex Bryan !!!

Kaley decides to take the high road with the help of her good friend on the island Jamie and goes forward with the bachorlette plans until one of the cheerleaders, Valentina, is missing and Kaley stumbles on her body on the beach......oh and did I mention that Valencia and Bryan are/were an item ???

Not only does Kaley stumble over Valentina's body but its her new pocketbook around Valentina's neck.....Kaley steps into high gear to prove her innocence but while doing so, she throws her ex under the bus..... Kaley takes it upon herself to try to figure out who killed Valentina but in doing so, the suspect list grows and pretty soon she is questioning everyone in the bridal party.....including the bride !!!

I love getting lost in this series....while you read these books you feel like you are right there with everyone enjoying paradise .... while safely sitting on your couch away from harm. This is one series that I cannot turn the pages fast enough and even though I cannot wait to get to the end to find out what is going on, I am slightly disappointed when I do get to the end and realize that I am sitting on my couch far, far away from paradise !!!

[Rose Mcclarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaley was so excited when her best friend called and said she was getting married, and they were coming to Aloha Lagoon for the bachelorette party what she didn't expect was that the groom decided to join them and have his bachelor party there with her ex-husband as one of the groomsmen and his new girlfriend as one of the bridesmaids. Off to a jolting start things just keep getting better and better topping off with the murder of the new girlfriend and more suspects than you can handle. Lots of excitement and surprises with the shocking reveal of the murderer at the very end. If you like edge of your seat mysteries, then this is the book for you.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an insane, madcap whodunit style mystery!

Read full review in the 2018 holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaley is excited when her best friend coming to be married. The nightmare was with the bridal party, one ex husband .Then murder and a missing handbag adds to her problem. Good series with humor and murder. Give. Audio for my voluntary review

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best in the series so far.