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Mahu #1-3
Mahu Investigations 1-3: 3 gay police procedural mysteries in Honolulu
SURF AT DAWN, MURDER AT MIDNIGHT… THREE HAWAII POLICE PROCEDURALS
This gripping, action-packed box set introduces intrepid, handsome police detective Kimo Kanapa’aka. Kimo wants nothing more than to protect and serve his beloved, lush Honolulu--and he’s just nabbed his dream job as a detective on the police department’s homicide squad.
He handles treacherous drug busts, goes undercover to discover who's killing surfers on Oahu's North Shore, and battles a dangerous bomber. So... life should be perfect, right? But, as the series begins, Kimo has a secret that’s about to burst into the open: he’s a closeted gay man. Author Plakcy carefully weaves Kimo’s personal journey into a smoldering police procedural thriller, striking a rare balance of hard-boiled and soft-hearted.
Mahu
At 32, Kimo Kanapa'aka is now a detective on the Honolulu Police Department's homicide squad, based at the Waikīkī station. But when he sees someone leave a dead body in an alley, he’s forced into a decision that could damage his career—either admit he was at a gay bar, or report it anonymously. He may have made the wrong decision, but there’s still no stopping him: he follows the trail from the seamy underside of Chinatown to the elegance of million-dollar homes in Maunalani Heights. This twisty debut is a fast-paced adventure from start to finish.
Mahu Surfer
Author Plakcy’s second installment in the Mahu Investigations series forces Kimo Kanapa'aka to surf seriously again. A serial killer is on the loose, and three people have died. Kimo’s new boss asks the former competitive surfer to go undercover on Oahu's North Shore to find the killer. Kimo’s journey back to his old stomping grounds is not a day at the beach: he notices a variety of issues, from crystal meth abuse to sky-rocketing rents. Plus, Kimo re-unites with an old friend who reveals more of this secretive cop’s past...
Mahu Fire
Kimo’s back in Honolulu--and he’s now the town’s only openly gay homicide detective. But it’s going well, at first: he’s growing comfortable with his status as an advocate. He’s even mentoring a group of gay teens. Things change when Kimo and his loved ones attend a swanky charity event in support of gay marriage. In the middle of the shindig, a bomb detonates. Kimo’s on the case: he’s determined to track down whoever’s hateful enough to massacre gay people and allies. But it's possible that his own high profile will stand in the way of this thrilling investigation, called "a sharp whodunit" by Publishers Weekly.
This gripping, action-packed box set introduces intrepid, handsome police detective Kimo Kanapa’aka. Kimo wants nothing more than to protect and serve his beloved, lush Honolulu--and he’s just nabbed his dream job as a detective on the police department’s homicide squad.
He handles treacherous drug busts, goes undercover to discover who's killing surfers on Oahu's North Shore, and battles a dangerous bomber. So... life should be perfect, right? But, as the series begins, Kimo has a secret that’s about to burst into the open: he’s a closeted gay man. Author Plakcy carefully weaves Kimo’s personal journey into a smoldering police procedural thriller, striking a rare balance of hard-boiled and soft-hearted.
Mahu
At 32, Kimo Kanapa'aka is now a detective on the Honolulu Police Department's homicide squad, based at the Waikīkī station. But when he sees someone leave a dead body in an alley, he’s forced into a decision that could damage his career—either admit he was at a gay bar, or report it anonymously. He may have made the wrong decision, but there’s still no stopping him: he follows the trail from the seamy underside of Chinatown to the elegance of million-dollar homes in Maunalani Heights. This twisty debut is a fast-paced adventure from start to finish.
Mahu Surfer
Author Plakcy’s second installment in the Mahu Investigations series forces Kimo Kanapa'aka to surf seriously again. A serial killer is on the loose, and three people have died. Kimo’s new boss asks the former competitive surfer to go undercover on Oahu's North Shore to find the killer. Kimo’s journey back to his old stomping grounds is not a day at the beach: he notices a variety of issues, from crystal meth abuse to sky-rocketing rents. Plus, Kimo re-unites with an old friend who reveals more of this secretive cop’s past...
Mahu Fire
Kimo’s back in Honolulu--and he’s now the town’s only openly gay homicide detective. But it’s going well, at first: he’s growing comfortable with his status as an advocate. He’s even mentoring a group of gay teens. Things change when Kimo and his loved ones attend a swanky charity event in support of gay marriage. In the middle of the shindig, a bomb detonates. Kimo’s on the case: he’s determined to track down whoever’s hateful enough to massacre gay people and allies. But it's possible that his own high profile will stand in the way of this thrilling investigation, called "a sharp whodunit" by Publishers Weekly.
962 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2020
279 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Neil S. Plakcy
235 books650 followersI have been a voracious reader all my life, mostly in mystery, romance, and science fiction/fantasy, though a college degree in English did push a lot of literary works into my list of favorites.
Quick note: sign up for my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com to get free prologues, epilogues and short stories.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn't know I was gay then, but I knew I was longing for an emotional connection with a best friend. That desire shows up across my writing, from romance to mystery to adventure. I am lucky to have found my special person, and I want to inspire readers to make those connections, to one person or a found family.
It took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career. That's where I honed my technical skills and began to understand what kind of storyteller I am.
I remember reading Freddie the Detective about a very smart pig inspired by Sherlock Holmes. I’ve always believed that dogs make the best detectives. They notice what humans miss — a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief inspired my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps his human, Steve Levitan, nose out the truth.
My passion is telling stories where community, loyalty, and sometimes love solve problems just as much as clues do. Whether it’s a cozy mystery in Bucks County, a thriller on the streets of Miami, or a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun, I want readers to feel the heartbeat of the place and the people.
I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up, and now I want to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, and maybe a laugh.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my own goldens, teaching writing, or daydreaming about my next story.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.
Every place I’ve lived has made its way into my fiction: the rolling hills of Bucks County, the neon heat of Miami, the beaches of Hawaii, the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work — from a café where dogs guide healing, to a fraternity house in South Beach, to a police unit in Honolulu.
My goal is simple: to write stories that feel grounded in real people and real places, but with enough twists, romance, or danger to keep you turning pages late into the night.
I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.
Quick note: sign up for my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com to get free prologues, epilogues and short stories.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn't know I was gay then, but I knew I was longing for an emotional connection with a best friend. That desire shows up across my writing, from romance to mystery to adventure. I am lucky to have found my special person, and I want to inspire readers to make those connections, to one person or a found family.
It took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career. That's where I honed my technical skills and began to understand what kind of storyteller I am.
I remember reading Freddie the Detective about a very smart pig inspired by Sherlock Holmes. I’ve always believed that dogs make the best detectives. They notice what humans miss — a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief inspired my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps his human, Steve Levitan, nose out the truth.
My passion is telling stories where community, loyalty, and sometimes love solve problems just as much as clues do. Whether it’s a cozy mystery in Bucks County, a thriller on the streets of Miami, or a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun, I want readers to feel the heartbeat of the place and the people.
I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up, and now I want to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, and maybe a laugh.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my own goldens, teaching writing, or daydreaming about my next story.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.
Every place I’ve lived has made its way into my fiction: the rolling hills of Bucks County, the neon heat of Miami, the beaches of Hawaii, the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work — from a café where dogs guide healing, to a fraternity house in South Beach, to a police unit in Honolulu.
My goal is simple: to write stories that feel grounded in real people and real places, but with enough twists, romance, or danger to keep you turning pages late into the night.
I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 8, 2022
Fast-paced detective stories with humorous and good feeling twists. Super insight into Hawaiian culture, family life and island vibes. I liked these three books better than Plakcy's dog mysteries, which seemed wishy-washy and too cozy. The Mahu tales are more realistic, less idealized, swinging in favor of family, friends and coping with disasters on many levels. A reward for doing what is right awaits Kimo.
Kimo Kanapa'aka is a native Hawaiian and Asian detective that has the cruelest 'coming out of the closet' experience made into a sensationalized news story all over the islands. Poor fellow, soon has a tough life in the limelight but is dutiful to his job even though at first he is in danger of losing it and the respect of his peers. The stories are heartfelt yet crusty getting to the crux of the mystery including Kimo's new life as an 'outed' gay man as he begins to explore those new experiences.
Not for those who are squeamish about gays, but good reads for broad-minded people accepting of other's lifestyles. Controversy abounds yet done with terse, true and honest responses. Some sweet love and infatuation among men as romantic leads and MMC heroes minus the female ideals. I liked these stories and the unique well-developed characters. Many are heroes (women too) despite what they feel inside or as they are perceived by criticizing peers. Good reads in all three tales! Thumbs up! I'm heading to the next group of Mahu stories!
Kimo Kanapa'aka is a native Hawaiian and Asian detective that has the cruelest 'coming out of the closet' experience made into a sensationalized news story all over the islands. Poor fellow, soon has a tough life in the limelight but is dutiful to his job even though at first he is in danger of losing it and the respect of his peers. The stories are heartfelt yet crusty getting to the crux of the mystery including Kimo's new life as an 'outed' gay man as he begins to explore those new experiences.
Not for those who are squeamish about gays, but good reads for broad-minded people accepting of other's lifestyles. Controversy abounds yet done with terse, true and honest responses. Some sweet love and infatuation among men as romantic leads and MMC heroes minus the female ideals. I liked these stories and the unique well-developed characters. Many are heroes (women too) despite what they feel inside or as they are perceived by criticizing peers. Good reads in all three tales! Thumbs up! I'm heading to the next group of Mahu stories!
October 26, 2021
Many detective mysteries
Well-written, a page turner. An excellent look into the trials and triumphs of gays and lesbians. I highly recommend this series. There are some that it will give a better understanding and some (too many, I fear) that it won't change their attitude and belief.
Well-written, a page turner. An excellent look into the trials and triumphs of gays and lesbians. I highly recommend this series. There are some that it will give a better understanding and some (too many, I fear) that it won't change their attitude and belief.
January 30, 2021
👍Great
A really well woven story. The psychological impact of our differences is threaded through out. The characters were extremely well developed. The plot twists were exquisite. I will continue to follow this author.
A really well woven story. The psychological impact of our differences is threaded through out. The characters were extremely well developed. The plot twists were exquisite. I will continue to follow this author.
November 17, 2023
I really enjoyed these three books and hope to find more of the series, but they don’t seem to be available in libraries.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews