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Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery #1
Death of a Messenger
Foreword INDIES 2021 Bronze Winner for MysteryJourney deep into the exotic locales of Hawaii's Big Island to discover its language, culture—and crime On Hawaii Island, an anonymous 911 caller reports a body at Pohakuloa, the Army's live-fire training area. Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane, a cop with his own secret criminal past, finds a mutilated corpse—bearing all the hallmarks of ancient ritual sacrifice. He encounters a host of obstacles as he pursues the murderer—an incompetent local medical examiner, hostility from both haoles (Westerners) and sovereignty advocates, and a myriad of lies. Koa races to discover whether the victim stumbled upon a gang of high-tech archaeological thieves, or learned a secret so shocking it cost him his life and put others in mortal danger. Will Hilo's most respected detective stop this sadistic fiend—or will the Pohakuloa killer strike again, with even deadlier consequences?Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly and James Lee Burke While all of the novels in the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence of a Messenger Off the Grid Fire and Vengeance Treachery Times Two Retribution
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
December 27, 2020
Robert B. McCaw showcases an unusual murder in his police procedural
DEATH OF A MESSENGER
. This is the first book in the Loa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series.
An anonymous 911 caller reports a dead body at the Army’s live-fire training area at Pohakuloa. Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane meets the Army at the site after it has been cleared as safe. During the course of the investigation, he has to overcome a large number of impediments and complications to the case.
Detective Koa grows on the reader as the story develops. His pursuit of honor for a past action came through clearly. His dealing with budget cuts, a health problem, political pressure, and a friend asking for help during the course of a murder investigation made him feel more realistic. There were a large number of secondary characters, but I did not have any trouble keeping track of them. As the series continues, I expect some of these to re-occur and gain more depth.
The pace of the book was a little slow initially, but picked up rapidly and stayed accelerated until the dramatic conclusion. There are plenty of twists, turns, and complications as well as several sub-plots. The author did a great job of world-building and gave a strong sense of place. There was a good balance between the investigation and the cultural and historical aspects that were included. I never felt that the book was diverging away from the pursuit of the killer. My one quibble with the book is that the women in the book were largely portrayed as weak. I hope this changes in future books.
Overall, this an engaging story that transported me to Hawaii when I was enduring a snowstorm. What more could I ask? Well, I also learned some things about Hawaiian culture and history, archeology and astronomy.
The bottom line: If you enjoy police procedurals and crime thrillers with relatable characters, then I recommend you check out this series.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
An anonymous 911 caller reports a dead body at the Army’s live-fire training area at Pohakuloa. Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane meets the Army at the site after it has been cleared as safe. During the course of the investigation, he has to overcome a large number of impediments and complications to the case.
Detective Koa grows on the reader as the story develops. His pursuit of honor for a past action came through clearly. His dealing with budget cuts, a health problem, political pressure, and a friend asking for help during the course of a murder investigation made him feel more realistic. There were a large number of secondary characters, but I did not have any trouble keeping track of them. As the series continues, I expect some of these to re-occur and gain more depth.
The pace of the book was a little slow initially, but picked up rapidly and stayed accelerated until the dramatic conclusion. There are plenty of twists, turns, and complications as well as several sub-plots. The author did a great job of world-building and gave a strong sense of place. There was a good balance between the investigation and the cultural and historical aspects that were included. I never felt that the book was diverging away from the pursuit of the killer. My one quibble with the book is that the women in the book were largely portrayed as weak. I hope this changes in future books.
Overall, this an engaging story that transported me to Hawaii when I was enduring a snowstorm. What more could I ask? Well, I also learned some things about Hawaiian culture and history, archeology and astronomy.
The bottom line: If you enjoy police procedurals and crime thrillers with relatable characters, then I recommend you check out this series.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
April 11, 2024
McCaw’s book features a Hawaiian detective, Koa Kane, and various police departments on the complicated trail of murder, native artifact theft and scientific and academic malfeasance. It’s quite a handful for the reader.
The book’s best qualities revolve around information on current and ancient Hawaiian culture, local geology and perhaps a bit of birds. Not so interesting for me is the wild ride to solve the central murder. The action reels up Moana Kea down the saddle between it and Moana Loa, from lava tube caves, to a high tech observatory, racing to other islands, the city, the wharf, the airport and all sites in between. The author isn’t particularly good with characters. They are pretty stereotypical types found in this sort of book. Toss in a bit of Indiana Jones villains and dewy-eyed petite Hawaiian ladies.
The ending is the final bit of fireworks. McCaw throws in everything but a volcano eruption. Crescendo after crescendo. I expected to hear the William Tell Overture accompanied by Hawaiian war drums.
The book’s best qualities revolve around information on current and ancient Hawaiian culture, local geology and perhaps a bit of birds. Not so interesting for me is the wild ride to solve the central murder. The action reels up Moana Kea down the saddle between it and Moana Loa, from lava tube caves, to a high tech observatory, racing to other islands, the city, the wharf, the airport and all sites in between. The author isn’t particularly good with characters. They are pretty stereotypical types found in this sort of book. Toss in a bit of Indiana Jones villains and dewy-eyed petite Hawaiian ladies.
The ending is the final bit of fireworks. McCaw throws in everything but a volcano eruption. Crescendo after crescendo. I expected to hear the William Tell Overture accompanied by Hawaiian war drums.
January 1, 2021
Exactly what I needed right now - an interesting and complicated case set in the beautiful landscapes of Hawaii.
While you might think a story set in Hawaii would be light and funny, or full of incredible James Bond-like events, it is not. Well, maybe there is a bit of the latter here, since the pace of this novel is quite fast, and it does not lack surprising twists and turns. Detective Koa Kane, the main character, has to solve a case of a brutal crime that bears the hallmarks of ritual murder and in which there is nothing fun and light. But this case fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the whole novel.
I love how closely this story is related to the history of Hawaii and the culture of its inhabitants. These elements spread through not only Koa's case, but even the way he conducts it and his interactions with other people. The atmosphere of Hawaii, the real ones, not the tourist sugar-coated picture, is almost an additional character in this book. This makes the whole story stand out from other similar ones. Especially since we see the real Hawaii, not the idealized image we often see in movies.
The plot is also very good. It’s very interesting and nicely elaborate. Gradually, we discover more threads and possible solutions, each of them exciting and equally satisfying. We also have a group of very remarkable suspects, each with a good motive to commit a crime. The solution to the story and the final scenes are very satisfying.
And finally, there is Koa Kane, the main character. At first, he seemed a bit clichéd, but quite quickly I started to get to know him better and see his value for this story. And while I still don't think Koa stands out as a character, I think he makes a fine element of this book. With every chapter, I more and more appreciated his keen mind, he is really smart. It's nice to watch him work. Everyone who, like me, does not like too much turbulence in the emotional life of the main characters will also be satisfied. Honestly, the murder case provides enough emotion.
This is a very good and interesting story not only for Hawaii lovers. I will seriously consider reading the next parts, I see a lot of potential in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While you might think a story set in Hawaii would be light and funny, or full of incredible James Bond-like events, it is not. Well, maybe there is a bit of the latter here, since the pace of this novel is quite fast, and it does not lack surprising twists and turns. Detective Koa Kane, the main character, has to solve a case of a brutal crime that bears the hallmarks of ritual murder and in which there is nothing fun and light. But this case fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the whole novel.
I love how closely this story is related to the history of Hawaii and the culture of its inhabitants. These elements spread through not only Koa's case, but even the way he conducts it and his interactions with other people. The atmosphere of Hawaii, the real ones, not the tourist sugar-coated picture, is almost an additional character in this book. This makes the whole story stand out from other similar ones. Especially since we see the real Hawaii, not the idealized image we often see in movies.
The plot is also very good. It’s very interesting and nicely elaborate. Gradually, we discover more threads and possible solutions, each of them exciting and equally satisfying. We also have a group of very remarkable suspects, each with a good motive to commit a crime. The solution to the story and the final scenes are very satisfying.
And finally, there is Koa Kane, the main character. At first, he seemed a bit clichéd, but quite quickly I started to get to know him better and see his value for this story. And while I still don't think Koa stands out as a character, I think he makes a fine element of this book. With every chapter, I more and more appreciated his keen mind, he is really smart. It's nice to watch him work. Everyone who, like me, does not like too much turbulence in the emotional life of the main characters will also be satisfied. Honestly, the murder case provides enough emotion.
This is a very good and interesting story not only for Hawaii lovers. I will seriously consider reading the next parts, I see a lot of potential in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
Hawaiian police detective Koa Kane is nursing a pinched nerve when a dead body is discovered in a lava tube. It turns out this Native Hawaiian had deep connections and a job at the Observatory, Kane starts to investigate, and finds connections to both political activism and criminality. The two so often go hand in hand.
It comes to a satisfactory conclusion. This isn't a bad series.
Hawaiian police detective Koa Kane is nursing a pinched nerve when a dead body is discovered in a lava tube. It turns out this Native Hawaiian had deep connections and a job at the Observatory, Kane starts to investigate, and finds connections to both political activism and criminality. The two so often go hand in hand.
It comes to a satisfactory conclusion. This isn't a bad series.
July 31, 2022
McCaw’s first offering in the Koa Kāne Hawaiian mystery series is a tautly paced police procedural involving a mutilated murder victim discovered in a natural lava tube found at Pōhakuloa, an Army live-fire training area. The investigation leads to a long buried royal crypt, a major archeological find.
In addition, the son of a retired investigator turned fisherman, is found severely injured on Kahoalawe, an island used for military training south of Maui. Why would there be a group of men on this island and risk detonating an old bomb? Could it be to find Hawaiian artifacts to sell to black market dealers tied in with the ritualistic killing at Pōhakuloa? There are plenty of suspects—a smarmy ex-marine archeologist, a secretive Hawaiian prince, a violent black market contraband dealer, an idealistic astrologer (the Alice Observatories on Mauna Kea is where the murdered victim worked), or someone else?
McCaw has written an excellent detective novel with plenty of local color. Enjoy!
In addition, the son of a retired investigator turned fisherman, is found severely injured on Kahoalawe, an island used for military training south of Maui. Why would there be a group of men on this island and risk detonating an old bomb? Could it be to find Hawaiian artifacts to sell to black market dealers tied in with the ritualistic killing at Pōhakuloa? There are plenty of suspects—a smarmy ex-marine archeologist, a secretive Hawaiian prince, a violent black market contraband dealer, an idealistic astrologer (the Alice Observatories on Mauna Kea is where the murdered victim worked), or someone else?
McCaw has written an excellent detective novel with plenty of local color. Enjoy!
October 6, 2024
Robert McCaw introduces the reader to a great police procedural series set on the islands of Hawai’I in this debut novel. Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kāne takes centre stage when a body is found inside a cave, having been left to deteriorate amongst many Hawaiian artefacts. While Detective Kāne seeks answers, he is pulled into helping his girlfriend, who has issues of her own at work. All this brings the two issues together, where a scientific announcement might shed light on the victim and the reason he was placed in the cave. Robert McCaw impresses with this series debut, leaving me eager to delve deeper into the collection.
Koa Kāne is the Chief Detective for Hawai’i County and finds himself always in the middle of something. When he is called to the scene of a crime at Pohakuloa, a US Army testing facility amongst the island’s caves, it is a mutilated body that requires his attention. After the forensics are complete, Koa can begin sifting through the clues to determine what’s happened. One thing’s for sure, the numerous Hawaiian artefacts found around the body tell a story that must be investigated further.
All Chief Detective Kāne has to work with is an anonymous 911 call, meaning someone wanted the body discovered before too long. Working through some personal issues of his own, as well as those of his girlfriend, Koa finds himself sending a stern warning to her colleague, who has taken liberties he is not owed. It is then that things begin to fall into place and the victim is identified as a local astronomer, one who has been working on a key project set to be announced. Koa seeks to put all the pieces together, using the help of a local archeologist and someone who is well-versed in Hawaiian cultural history. Still, the suspect eludes him and time is running short.
When Chief Detective Kāne works to help a friend’s son, all the pieces appear to come together, providing a list of potential suspects, but no one clearly rises above the others. All this, as truths about the victim and those around him come to the surface. Now Kāne can make a more definitive guess as to what’s been going on. A stunning first novel in this series that shows Robert McCaw is experienced enough to lead the reader down these many paths that explore Hawaiian culture and history while tackling the criminal element.
Those who are familiar with my reviews will know that I enjoy police procedurals of all kinds, especially if they broach unique angles. Robert McCaw does so, not with the role of the protagonist, but with the setting and flavouring of the story. Set round the Hawaiian islands, McCaw delves into a wonderfully rich and exciting setting to develop this series. The narrative clips along the from the opening pages and does not stop until all is settled. Along the way, there is a great deal of development of the story, while injecting vast amounts of Hawaiian culture, language, and history along the way. The characters are on point and their backstories emerge effectively, enough to keep the reader curious and needing to know more. Plot points are numerous and keep the reader on edge throughout the reading experience. I cannot say enough of how well McCaw used these points to transition the book from part to part, never leaving things hanging and always educating. As the second novel in the series awaits me, I am eager to see what Koa Kāne has going on!
Kudos, Mr. McCaw, for this stunning series debut!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Koa Kāne is the Chief Detective for Hawai’i County and finds himself always in the middle of something. When he is called to the scene of a crime at Pohakuloa, a US Army testing facility amongst the island’s caves, it is a mutilated body that requires his attention. After the forensics are complete, Koa can begin sifting through the clues to determine what’s happened. One thing’s for sure, the numerous Hawaiian artefacts found around the body tell a story that must be investigated further.
All Chief Detective Kāne has to work with is an anonymous 911 call, meaning someone wanted the body discovered before too long. Working through some personal issues of his own, as well as those of his girlfriend, Koa finds himself sending a stern warning to her colleague, who has taken liberties he is not owed. It is then that things begin to fall into place and the victim is identified as a local astronomer, one who has been working on a key project set to be announced. Koa seeks to put all the pieces together, using the help of a local archeologist and someone who is well-versed in Hawaiian cultural history. Still, the suspect eludes him and time is running short.
When Chief Detective Kāne works to help a friend’s son, all the pieces appear to come together, providing a list of potential suspects, but no one clearly rises above the others. All this, as truths about the victim and those around him come to the surface. Now Kāne can make a more definitive guess as to what’s been going on. A stunning first novel in this series that shows Robert McCaw is experienced enough to lead the reader down these many paths that explore Hawaiian culture and history while tackling the criminal element.
Those who are familiar with my reviews will know that I enjoy police procedurals of all kinds, especially if they broach unique angles. Robert McCaw does so, not with the role of the protagonist, but with the setting and flavouring of the story. Set round the Hawaiian islands, McCaw delves into a wonderfully rich and exciting setting to develop this series. The narrative clips along the from the opening pages and does not stop until all is settled. Along the way, there is a great deal of development of the story, while injecting vast amounts of Hawaiian culture, language, and history along the way. The characters are on point and their backstories emerge effectively, enough to keep the reader curious and needing to know more. Plot points are numerous and keep the reader on edge throughout the reading experience. I cannot say enough of how well McCaw used these points to transition the book from part to part, never leaving things hanging and always educating. As the second novel in the series awaits me, I am eager to see what Koa Kāne has going on!
Kudos, Mr. McCaw, for this stunning series debut!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 18, 2021
Death of a Messenger is the prequel to the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series, featuring Hook Hao, a police informant, Jimmy Hikorea, an archaeologist, Zeke Brown, the Hawaii County prosecutor, and Koa Kāne, the protagonist, set against the backdrop of exotic Hawaii. In the land of lava flows and black sand beaches, the Hilo cops get a mysterious 911 tip. Someone's found a body at Pohakuloa, the army's live-fire training area. In a lava tube inside a cave and mutilated beyond recognition, bearing all the hallmarks of a sadistic ancient ritual sacrifice, the murder is the grisliest of Detective Kāne’s career. It throws Hilo, Hawai‘i’s, Kāne into the throes of the Big Island’s cultural conflicts. Secrets and obstacles abound in this breathtaking island as Kāne desperately tries to identify both the victim and the killer—his suspicions high that the vicious killer will strike again. The cultural divide is wide—from royal burial vaults and ancient rituals to the advanced technology operating the world’s largest astronomical telescope. Dangerous secrets collide around Koa. Did the victim stumble into an archaeological treasure or an epic scientific discovery?
Nothing is what is seems and Koa must rely on instinct and cunning to zero in on the truth. Did the victim stumble upon a gang of high-tech archaeological thieves? Or did he learn a secret so shocking it cost him his life and put others, too, in mortal danger? Will Hilo's most respected native detective catch this fiend in time, or will the killer strike again--with even deadlier consequences? This is a compelling and captivating story with a complex plot, a richly described location that plays a substantial role in the overall tale and a thoroughly engrossing mystery that mixes murder with archaeology. Koa Kane, our central character and protagonist, is a multi-layered individual who has been given enough personality and backstory that he seems to come alive on the page. However, his fearless and dogged nature hides a dark secret from his past; he killed his father’s sworn enemy while he was an angsty teenager. McCaw weaves fascinating Hawaiian folklore and the history, culture and language of the island into the narrative, which I found refreshing, and it certainly added to the intrigue throughout. It all culminates in an unpredictable denouement and conclusion which felt well thought through. An entertaining, cerebral and unique read. Recommended.
Nothing is what is seems and Koa must rely on instinct and cunning to zero in on the truth. Did the victim stumble upon a gang of high-tech archaeological thieves? Or did he learn a secret so shocking it cost him his life and put others, too, in mortal danger? Will Hilo's most respected native detective catch this fiend in time, or will the killer strike again--with even deadlier consequences? This is a compelling and captivating story with a complex plot, a richly described location that plays a substantial role in the overall tale and a thoroughly engrossing mystery that mixes murder with archaeology. Koa Kane, our central character and protagonist, is a multi-layered individual who has been given enough personality and backstory that he seems to come alive on the page. However, his fearless and dogged nature hides a dark secret from his past; he killed his father’s sworn enemy while he was an angsty teenager. McCaw weaves fascinating Hawaiian folklore and the history, culture and language of the island into the narrative, which I found refreshing, and it certainly added to the intrigue throughout. It all culminates in an unpredictable denouement and conclusion which felt well thought through. An entertaining, cerebral and unique read. Recommended.
December 26, 2020
So excited to be back with another Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery by the amazing Robert McCaw!
I have been missing Hawaii and this book just transported me to the Big Island with Mai Tai in hand. Nothing to beat the winter blues than a thrilling police procedural that starts off with a mutilated corpse that could be related to an ancient ritual sacrifice. From there, I was definitely hooked! This riveting and immersive fast-paced read was such a joy to read for all the fun twists, a story set within a rich historical background, and plotting so tautly crafted to perfection.
Enjoyed this one!
I have been missing Hawaii and this book just transported me to the Big Island with Mai Tai in hand. Nothing to beat the winter blues than a thrilling police procedural that starts off with a mutilated corpse that could be related to an ancient ritual sacrifice. From there, I was definitely hooked! This riveting and immersive fast-paced read was such a joy to read for all the fun twists, a story set within a rich historical background, and plotting so tautly crafted to perfection.
Enjoyed this one!
November 29, 2016
I like cop whodunnit stories, and this one takes place on The Big Island, where I live, so I had high hopes. Written by a haole (non-Hawaiian, usually refers to a white person) who says he lives here part of the time, the author makes small irritating errors in the way the police and locals speak and references locals make that are irritating to this haole-Kama'aina. The story is interesting but not compelling, and the important characters are not well-developed, so I never really cared about anyone.
January 11, 2021
1/11/2021 2.5 stars. Feels like different people wrote different parts of the book. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
1/11/2021 It genuinely felt like this book was written by one person for the first 60% and another for the last 40%. Maybe this has something to do with the book being a reissue from 2015, telling the first chronological story of the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series, and perhaps being updated for 2021. What I know for sure is that there's a definite cognitive dissonance from the first sixty percent, where Koa sounds like a moderately racist, moderately misogynistic white man in disguise, with the last forty where he wonders whether non-native Hawaiians have undergone sufficient sensitivity training in their professional fields for saying milder things than he himself has expressed or let pass without comment. I was certainly glad for the 180 in attitude, but it happened so abruptly that it made for really weird reading.
The story itself is alright: Koa Kane is a 40-something detective on the underfunded Hawaii police force, living with his seven years younger (tho the numbers get fiddly partway through the book for no discernible reason) partner, astronomer Nalani. He's worrying about budget cuts and a pinched nerve in his neck when a mutilated body is found in a lava tube on an army firing range. Investigations lead to such disparate factions as the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, as well as to archaeological black marketeers and the scientists up at Nalani's workplace, the (fictional) Alice Observatory located on the slopes of Mauna Kea. It's a wide-ranging look at current Hawaiian society and politics that serves as a fascinating introduction to the area. Did you know that Mauna Kea in winter features sub-arctic temperatures and snowfall? I sure didn't! In fact, I actively doubted what Robert B McCaw was telling me for the longest time because he did not acknowledge that snow is not something you'd expect in fricking Hawaii of all places! I don't expect to have my hand held in real world narratives but I do expect some awareness of out-group perspectives, tho I guess the constant disparaging allusions to an ob-gyn as a "baby doctor" (like, why is that disreputable? He helps bring children into the world. Is it because he does this by helping people with uteruses and heaven knows, those people aren't to be taken seriously?) after also saying, "The army probably killed his relatives during the war. At least, I hope so" about a Japanese-Hawaiian person who dislikes the military, are indicative of blissful lack of same. And then there's a weird bit in the afterword where I wondered whether somebody needed an explanation as to how sex can lead to pregnancy. I still also don't understand why Kane was so hostile to the sovereignty groups, likely because their aims are never really explained in comparison to the amount of scorn heaped on them. I'm fairly certain sovereignty groups aren't advocating for Hawaii to cut off all its electricity, as claimed in the book.
Trouble is, it's always important -- and especially when writing outside of your culture -- to make sure you have a firm grasp of all the perspectives you might be encountering and to present them all ethically, lest your writing fall on the side of propaganda. You don't have to be sympathetic to differing points of view, and you're certainly under no obligation to keep your personal views quiet, but you still have to explain key cultural/political motivations in your own narrative if you have any hope of making the reader understand what's going on. As far as I could gather from this novel, sovereignty activists want to go back to the old days by cutting off electricity but are hypocrites for... wearing cowboy boots? What cartoon villain nonsense is this?
I also feel that this would have been the kind of book which benefits from the author reading the dialog aloud to hear the naturalness of it or otherwise. I wasn't a huge fan of the pacing either: while nothing happening then everything happening all at once is realistic in terms of real life police work, it doesn't make for the most interesting reading, especially with an internally inconsistent main character. Maybe this series gets better as it goes, but in the meantime, if I'm looking for a Hawaiian police procedural, I'll probably stick to Debra Bokur's The Fire Thief: she might also be a haole but at least her writing feels reflective of actual Hawaiians (and of women: good grief, the one-dimensional nature of the female characters in Death Of A Messenger!) Honestly, I would love recommendations for contemporary Hawaiian literature written by people born a/o raised in Hawaii, especially in the mystery genre. Comments are open, as always!
Death Of A Messenger by Robert B McCaw was published January 5th, 2021 by Oceanview Publishing and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop! Want it now? For the Kindle version, click here.
1/11/2021 It genuinely felt like this book was written by one person for the first 60% and another for the last 40%. Maybe this has something to do with the book being a reissue from 2015, telling the first chronological story of the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series, and perhaps being updated for 2021. What I know for sure is that there's a definite cognitive dissonance from the first sixty percent, where Koa sounds like a moderately racist, moderately misogynistic white man in disguise, with the last forty where he wonders whether non-native Hawaiians have undergone sufficient sensitivity training in their professional fields for saying milder things than he himself has expressed or let pass without comment. I was certainly glad for the 180 in attitude, but it happened so abruptly that it made for really weird reading.
The story itself is alright: Koa Kane is a 40-something detective on the underfunded Hawaii police force, living with his seven years younger (tho the numbers get fiddly partway through the book for no discernible reason) partner, astronomer Nalani. He's worrying about budget cuts and a pinched nerve in his neck when a mutilated body is found in a lava tube on an army firing range. Investigations lead to such disparate factions as the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, as well as to archaeological black marketeers and the scientists up at Nalani's workplace, the (fictional) Alice Observatory located on the slopes of Mauna Kea. It's a wide-ranging look at current Hawaiian society and politics that serves as a fascinating introduction to the area. Did you know that Mauna Kea in winter features sub-arctic temperatures and snowfall? I sure didn't! In fact, I actively doubted what Robert B McCaw was telling me for the longest time because he did not acknowledge that snow is not something you'd expect in fricking Hawaii of all places! I don't expect to have my hand held in real world narratives but I do expect some awareness of out-group perspectives, tho I guess the constant disparaging allusions to an ob-gyn as a "baby doctor" (like, why is that disreputable? He helps bring children into the world. Is it because he does this by helping people with uteruses and heaven knows, those people aren't to be taken seriously?) after also saying, "The army probably killed his relatives during the war. At least, I hope so" about a Japanese-Hawaiian person who dislikes the military, are indicative of blissful lack of same. And then there's a weird bit in the afterword where I wondered whether somebody needed an explanation as to how sex can lead to pregnancy. I still also don't understand why Kane was so hostile to the sovereignty groups, likely because their aims are never really explained in comparison to the amount of scorn heaped on them. I'm fairly certain sovereignty groups aren't advocating for Hawaii to cut off all its electricity, as claimed in the book.
Trouble is, it's always important -- and especially when writing outside of your culture -- to make sure you have a firm grasp of all the perspectives you might be encountering and to present them all ethically, lest your writing fall on the side of propaganda. You don't have to be sympathetic to differing points of view, and you're certainly under no obligation to keep your personal views quiet, but you still have to explain key cultural/political motivations in your own narrative if you have any hope of making the reader understand what's going on. As far as I could gather from this novel, sovereignty activists want to go back to the old days by cutting off electricity but are hypocrites for... wearing cowboy boots? What cartoon villain nonsense is this?
I also feel that this would have been the kind of book which benefits from the author reading the dialog aloud to hear the naturalness of it or otherwise. I wasn't a huge fan of the pacing either: while nothing happening then everything happening all at once is realistic in terms of real life police work, it doesn't make for the most interesting reading, especially with an internally inconsistent main character. Maybe this series gets better as it goes, but in the meantime, if I'm looking for a Hawaiian police procedural, I'll probably stick to Debra Bokur's The Fire Thief: she might also be a haole but at least her writing feels reflective of actual Hawaiians (and of women: good grief, the one-dimensional nature of the female characters in Death Of A Messenger!) Honestly, I would love recommendations for contemporary Hawaiian literature written by people born a/o raised in Hawaii, especially in the mystery genre. Comments are open, as always!
Death Of A Messenger by Robert B McCaw was published January 5th, 2021 by Oceanview Publishing and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop! Want it now? For the Kindle version, click here.
October 19, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for a review copy of Death of a Messenger, a prequel to the Koa Kane series, set on Hawai’i’s Big Island.
Chief of Detectives Koa Kane is summoned to a murder scene. The body of a young male has been found in a lava cone and appears to have been killed ritualistically. Identifying the body is difficult, identifying a motive even more so with so many in the mix, sovereign rights activists, antiquity smugglers and problems at work.
I enjoyed Death of a Messenger which is the first novel in the series that have I read. I never know if it is best in a series to follow the character or author’s timeline but this is a good introduction. It is told entirely from Koa’s point of view so it’s easy to get immersed in the narrative, follow his thinking and get a general feel for his character.
The plot is interesting, not just for events and the way it develops but for the light it shines on heritage issues in Hawai’i (I’m spelling it as it is in the novel). I am an inveterate fictional tourist so I picked to read this novel because I don’t know a lot (make that close to zero) about Hawai’i. The detail about antiquity looting, sovereign rights and native history was fascinating and gave me a better understanding of the place and the issues. I liked that Koa with native heritage but doing a haole, i.e. western, job is caught between two worlds, as was the victim. It makes the issues more immediate. The actual plot, finding a murderer is good and absorbing as Koa and his team run down possibilities, game the suspects and uncover other crimes along the way. I liked the way they are able to link separate events into a cohesive whole.
I would like to say that there is never a dull moment in the novel but there is a lot of science involved as the victim works in astronomy at the telescope at Mauna Kea. It went straight over my head. Also I found myself confused by the Hawaiian place names. This is no fault of the author, simply my inability to process unfamiliar words.
Death of a Messenger is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Chief of Detectives Koa Kane is summoned to a murder scene. The body of a young male has been found in a lava cone and appears to have been killed ritualistically. Identifying the body is difficult, identifying a motive even more so with so many in the mix, sovereign rights activists, antiquity smugglers and problems at work.
I enjoyed Death of a Messenger which is the first novel in the series that have I read. I never know if it is best in a series to follow the character or author’s timeline but this is a good introduction. It is told entirely from Koa’s point of view so it’s easy to get immersed in the narrative, follow his thinking and get a general feel for his character.
The plot is interesting, not just for events and the way it develops but for the light it shines on heritage issues in Hawai’i (I’m spelling it as it is in the novel). I am an inveterate fictional tourist so I picked to read this novel because I don’t know a lot (make that close to zero) about Hawai’i. The detail about antiquity looting, sovereign rights and native history was fascinating and gave me a better understanding of the place and the issues. I liked that Koa with native heritage but doing a haole, i.e. western, job is caught between two worlds, as was the victim. It makes the issues more immediate. The actual plot, finding a murderer is good and absorbing as Koa and his team run down possibilities, game the suspects and uncover other crimes along the way. I liked the way they are able to link separate events into a cohesive whole.
I would like to say that there is never a dull moment in the novel but there is a lot of science involved as the victim works in astronomy at the telescope at Mauna Kea. It went straight over my head. Also I found myself confused by the Hawaiian place names. This is no fault of the author, simply my inability to process unfamiliar words.
Death of a Messenger is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
March 10, 2019
I was the lucky winner of the book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I really liked it. Thinking it over, I would have loved to hear more of the history and stories of Hawaii. I imagine, that Robert B. McCaw will do this in future books. I found myself looking up the places that were talked about in the book and I became quite fascinated in Hawaii. I admit, I know very little, but I am, now, becoming educated in the beautiful slice of heaven on earth. I also enjoy reading about on astronomy. My best friends niece, has worked there, and it was so fascinating to read more about what she/they do. I would recommend this read. I look forward to reading more adventures with Koa Kane.
January 29, 2021
3.5 stars!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Death of a Messenger is not the first Robert McCaw book I've read, although it is the first in the Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery series. I had earlier read and reviewed Book #3 in the series - Fire and Vengeance. The first two books were on my TBR, so I was quite excited when I received this book for a review. Read on to know more.
Genre:
Mystery
Length:
352 pages
Overall Rating:
7 out of 10
Plot:
8 out of 10
Characterization:
9 out of 10
Primary Element:
8 out of 10 for its mystery
Writing Style:
5 out of 10
Part of a Series:
Yes. This is Book #1 in the Koa Kāne series, followed by Off the Grid and Fire and Vengeance.
Highlighted Takeaway:
The depth of information regarding traditional Hawaiian practices and traditions. Like other books in the series, Death of a Messenger stays true to showcasing the various facets, past and present, of the region in which it is set.
What I Liked:
Death of a Messenger is a classic whodunnit. Or, as Captain Holt of Brooklyn Nine-Nine says, a 'who has done this'. A series of suspects, all of whom have motive, keeps the story moving and the reader, guessing.
What I Didn’t Like:
Maybe it's because this is the first book in the series, but I noticed that it had a lot of "tell, not show" instead of it being vice versa. There were random mentions of back stories when, instead, the point being overly-repeated could have simply been shown in character development after a couple of mentions. I found the writing style in those segments really strange and off-putting, and think the story could have done a lot better without the excessive repetition. (Much like this paragraph, you may be thinking!)
Who Should Read It:
Anyone who likes mystery, learning about new places (Death of a Messenger does not stray far from reality in setting and history), and suspense will enjoy this Koa Kāne story. In spite of its few shortcomings, it is an interesting read.
Who Should Avoid:
Anyone uncomfortable with gore or violence - while not over the top, there is some violence in Death of a Messenger that can be a bit too graphic for those who are uncomfortable with it.
Read It For:
Koa Kāne. The leading character in the series is a relatable, likable, and kind-hearted person, with enough shades of gray to make you want to follow his story.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Death of a Messenger is not the first Robert McCaw book I've read, although it is the first in the Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery series. I had earlier read and reviewed Book #3 in the series - Fire and Vengeance. The first two books were on my TBR, so I was quite excited when I received this book for a review. Read on to know more.
Genre:
Mystery
Length:
352 pages
Overall Rating:
7 out of 10
Plot:
8 out of 10
Characterization:
9 out of 10
Primary Element:
8 out of 10 for its mystery
Writing Style:
5 out of 10
Part of a Series:
Yes. This is Book #1 in the Koa Kāne series, followed by Off the Grid and Fire and Vengeance.
Highlighted Takeaway:
The depth of information regarding traditional Hawaiian practices and traditions. Like other books in the series, Death of a Messenger stays true to showcasing the various facets, past and present, of the region in which it is set.
What I Liked:
Death of a Messenger is a classic whodunnit. Or, as Captain Holt of Brooklyn Nine-Nine says, a 'who has done this'. A series of suspects, all of whom have motive, keeps the story moving and the reader, guessing.
What I Didn’t Like:
Maybe it's because this is the first book in the series, but I noticed that it had a lot of "tell, not show" instead of it being vice versa. There were random mentions of back stories when, instead, the point being overly-repeated could have simply been shown in character development after a couple of mentions. I found the writing style in those segments really strange and off-putting, and think the story could have done a lot better without the excessive repetition. (Much like this paragraph, you may be thinking!)
Who Should Read It:
Anyone who likes mystery, learning about new places (Death of a Messenger does not stray far from reality in setting and history), and suspense will enjoy this Koa Kāne story. In spite of its few shortcomings, it is an interesting read.
Who Should Avoid:
Anyone uncomfortable with gore or violence - while not over the top, there is some violence in Death of a Messenger that can be a bit too graphic for those who are uncomfortable with it.
Read It For:
Koa Kāne. The leading character in the series is a relatable, likable, and kind-hearted person, with enough shades of gray to make you want to follow his story.
June 19, 2020
Book #1 in the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series
This is a thrilling police procedural set on the Big Island of Hawaii. It starts when someone found a body at the army’s training area bearing all the marks of ancient ritual. The murder is the grisliest of cases detective Koa Kane had to face in his long career. This whodunit is told through the eyes of Koa, the protagonist.
Adze makers and astronomers are the backbone in this historical fiction and the perfect stage for a phenomenal murder mystery. Following the case along with Koa we have a ton of elements to draw us in. The author has woven into his story some forensic, anthropology, the history and culture of the Island people and has coloured his words with the language of native Hawaiians, I found the result to be a fascinating lesson in the Hawaiian heritage without boring us to death. Some may find the Hawaiian language to be a distraction. I did at first but I soon noticed the English translation followed the expression and from then on it was smooth sailing…..:)
At the beginning the tempo is definitely slow but when it flared up it flipped into a fast-paced and exciting thrill and did not stop till Koa solved the case. We all know that Hawaii has beautiful beaches and outstanding sceneries but this story brings Koa at the top of Mauna Kea at the Observatory in winter smack in the middle of a snow blizzard where he wished he had snow tires and chains on his wheels…brrrrrrrrrrr. Vividly said, the segments on the volcano give chilling feelings….most of all Mr. Mccaw brings to life with great specificity and detail the Hawaiian Islands and through Keneke Nakino, the victim found in the lava tube at Pohakuloa army training site, the tragedies of its people.
This is a very engaging story and a great read very hard to put down. The sceneries brought back fond memories of my travels to the Big Island, Hilo in particular.
I would like to thank the Independent Publishes Group and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read this book
This is a thrilling police procedural set on the Big Island of Hawaii. It starts when someone found a body at the army’s training area bearing all the marks of ancient ritual. The murder is the grisliest of cases detective Koa Kane had to face in his long career. This whodunit is told through the eyes of Koa, the protagonist.
Adze makers and astronomers are the backbone in this historical fiction and the perfect stage for a phenomenal murder mystery. Following the case along with Koa we have a ton of elements to draw us in. The author has woven into his story some forensic, anthropology, the history and culture of the Island people and has coloured his words with the language of native Hawaiians, I found the result to be a fascinating lesson in the Hawaiian heritage without boring us to death. Some may find the Hawaiian language to be a distraction. I did at first but I soon noticed the English translation followed the expression and from then on it was smooth sailing…..:)
At the beginning the tempo is definitely slow but when it flared up it flipped into a fast-paced and exciting thrill and did not stop till Koa solved the case. We all know that Hawaii has beautiful beaches and outstanding sceneries but this story brings Koa at the top of Mauna Kea at the Observatory in winter smack in the middle of a snow blizzard where he wished he had snow tires and chains on his wheels…brrrrrrrrrrr. Vividly said, the segments on the volcano give chilling feelings….most of all Mr. Mccaw brings to life with great specificity and detail the Hawaiian Islands and through Keneke Nakino, the victim found in the lava tube at Pohakuloa army training site, the tragedies of its people.
This is a very engaging story and a great read very hard to put down. The sceneries brought back fond memories of my travels to the Big Island, Hilo in particular.
I would like to thank the Independent Publishes Group and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read this book
August 1, 2020
314 pages
4 and 1 / 2 stars
Detective Koa Kane, complete with his own demons, is called to the scene of a horrible death and mutilation in a lava tube on a live fire range that belongs to the military. The scene is very odd. With the help of local archeologist Jimmy Hikorea, they examine the body and explore the cave. It turns out to be much larger than they thought and with some very interesting finds in it – including some high tech surveillance equipment. Could it be that the man ran afoul of some artifact thieves?
The incompetent, arrogant "baby doctor" coroner makes some sweeping declarations about the death. Fortunately, Koa has a military pathologist to clear up the facts.
Meanwhile he is dealing with anxiety over his impending surgery on his neck. He must have it done or lose his feeling in one of his arms. He hates getting “older.” (Don't we all.) And his is only in his 40's.
When Koa begins his investigation he isn't yet aware that he is in for a crash course in grave robbing, antiquities sales on the black market and murder. Some people he would less suspect turn out to be into the illegal activity.
This book is steeped in native Hawai'ian folklore. I really liked the “old tales” and I found the discussion of lava tubes fascinating. This book is very well written and jam packed with information the reader gets to learn along the way to discovering what happened to the murdered man. Although I've never been to Hawai'i, I felt like I was there with the lush scenery and the exploding volcanoes. (/shiver.) I liked Koa and his friends I met along the way to his solving this case. This is my first Robert McCaw novel and I immediately went to Amazon to look for other books written by him.
I want to thank NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this very interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review.
4 and 1 / 2 stars
Detective Koa Kane, complete with his own demons, is called to the scene of a horrible death and mutilation in a lava tube on a live fire range that belongs to the military. The scene is very odd. With the help of local archeologist Jimmy Hikorea, they examine the body and explore the cave. It turns out to be much larger than they thought and with some very interesting finds in it – including some high tech surveillance equipment. Could it be that the man ran afoul of some artifact thieves?
The incompetent, arrogant "baby doctor" coroner makes some sweeping declarations about the death. Fortunately, Koa has a military pathologist to clear up the facts.
Meanwhile he is dealing with anxiety over his impending surgery on his neck. He must have it done or lose his feeling in one of his arms. He hates getting “older.” (Don't we all.) And his is only in his 40's.
When Koa begins his investigation he isn't yet aware that he is in for a crash course in grave robbing, antiquities sales on the black market and murder. Some people he would less suspect turn out to be into the illegal activity.
This book is steeped in native Hawai'ian folklore. I really liked the “old tales” and I found the discussion of lava tubes fascinating. This book is very well written and jam packed with information the reader gets to learn along the way to discovering what happened to the murdered man. Although I've never been to Hawai'i, I felt like I was there with the lush scenery and the exploding volcanoes. (/shiver.) I liked Koa and his friends I met along the way to his solving this case. This is my first Robert McCaw novel and I immediately went to Amazon to look for other books written by him.
I want to thank NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this very interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review.
April 6, 2021
Robert McCaw's first book in the Koa Kane series introduces an engaging detective with a dark secret that if disclosed would wreck his career, if not his life. It's a great setup for a book which presents an enthralling view of Hawaiian life, with a plot line that combines ancient burial sites, ritual killings, and Star Wars technology at the renowned Mauna Kea astronomy observatories. A perfect melding of space age technology and age-old culture. The action moves along smoothly, Detective Koa is a vulnerable but appealing protagonist, and fascinating details about Hawaiian life and culture are seamlessly woven into the thriller action.
A highly enjoyable story which is refreshingly informative about a location that is not so commonly featured in detective series. It might be a bit of a cliche to say that the city of Hilo on the Big Island and its geology and native traditions are an important character in the story, but I found the well-rendered setting as appealing as the action. Robert McCaw talks more about his work in an interview on The Joys of Binge Reading podcast.
A highly enjoyable story which is refreshingly informative about a location that is not so commonly featured in detective series. It might be a bit of a cliche to say that the city of Hilo on the Big Island and its geology and native traditions are an important character in the story, but I found the well-rendered setting as appealing as the action. Robert McCaw talks more about his work in an interview on The Joys of Binge Reading podcast.
January 4, 2021
This book was sent to me as an ARC on NetGalley. However, all opinions are of my own.
This book starts with an anonymous 911 call to report a dead body in a life size lava tank. Whilst the main deceptive, Koa, is trying to solve the case he comes across a lot of complicated situations.
Personally, I think the book was interesting and very meticulous- however, I did find it somewhat complicated which made me disconnect from the book,
I thought the whole story line and plot was different and I did enjoy that about it.
This book starts with an anonymous 911 call to report a dead body in a life size lava tank. Whilst the main deceptive, Koa, is trying to solve the case he comes across a lot of complicated situations.
Personally, I think the book was interesting and very meticulous- however, I did find it somewhat complicated which made me disconnect from the book,
I thought the whole story line and plot was different and I did enjoy that about it.
February 25, 2022
The bad guy was sort of obvious. So meanwhile we get to learn about the big island and some native culture. Written well, but I doubt I'll do another.
March 8, 2021
Robert McCaw, Author
Death Of A Messenger
Oceanview Publishing, ISBN 978-1-608094-03-5
Fiction – Hawaii, California, murder, mystery, thriller, volcano’s,
356 pages
March 2021 Review for Bookpleasures
Reviewer-Michelle Kaye Malsbury, BSBM, MM
Review
Robert McCaw, author of Death Of A Messenger, graduated from Georgetown University (undergraduate) and the University of Virginia (JD). (2021, inside back cover) He is partner is a law firm with offices in New York City and Washington, D.C.. McCaw’s law specialty is complex civil and criminal cases involving Wall Street crimes. His formative years were spent traveling around the world with his family which was military. He also served in the US Army as a Lieutenant. This is his second book in the Koa Kane detective series.
This book is set in Hawaii. The descriptions of the islands is as if you are actually there with the characters. His characters are a mix of interesting personalities. Detective Koa Kane is obviously the star along with his girlfriend Nalani. While Koa is a textbook detective in every sense he has a dark past that keeps him on the straight and narrow and assists him with solving murders.
Nalani works at the Alice Observatory which is situated atop Mauna Kea. She has her own set of quirky observatory mates to deal with. One in particular, has hands that rove. She dislikes this and is at the end of her rope, but knows if she confides this to Koa she will lose control because he will take over.
Detective Koa works for Chief Lannua, with the local medical examiner who is not a regular ME at all, but an Obstretician, Doctor Shizuo Hiro, with the assistants of his skeleton staff, Detective’s Basa and Piki.
An anonymous 911 call has Koa and Sergeant Basa headed via helicopter to Pohakuloa which Is an Army training facility on the Huma’ula Saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. There are five active volcano’s that create the island of Hawaii. Because of the placement of this murder scene the US Army is working in conjunction with the local Hawaiian Police. Koa gets along well with military types because he is himself a veteran of Somalia, a member of the Special Forces.
When Koa arrives he finds a corpse that is mangled in what appears to be some type of ritual killing of sorts. He has been found in a lava tube, which is most interesting and unusual. Koa does not believe that Shizuo is up to this kind of murder and asks the Army is they might suggest someone on their side that could take the lead in autopsying this dead man. They agree and provide a forensic medical examiner from the mainland, Doctor Crater. Shizuo takes and instant dislike to this man stepping into his crime scene.
As the crime scene is processed many people become potential suspects in this slaying. Koa and his team move through them with the ease of a serpent stalking their prey until they are able to connect the dots to the most unlikely of suspects.
This book is a regular page turner. It is the second book of McCaw’s that I have had the pleasure to read and review. I loved it and believe you will too.
Death Of A Messenger
Oceanview Publishing, ISBN 978-1-608094-03-5
Fiction – Hawaii, California, murder, mystery, thriller, volcano’s,
356 pages
March 2021 Review for Bookpleasures
Reviewer-Michelle Kaye Malsbury, BSBM, MM
Review
Robert McCaw, author of Death Of A Messenger, graduated from Georgetown University (undergraduate) and the University of Virginia (JD). (2021, inside back cover) He is partner is a law firm with offices in New York City and Washington, D.C.. McCaw’s law specialty is complex civil and criminal cases involving Wall Street crimes. His formative years were spent traveling around the world with his family which was military. He also served in the US Army as a Lieutenant. This is his second book in the Koa Kane detective series.
This book is set in Hawaii. The descriptions of the islands is as if you are actually there with the characters. His characters are a mix of interesting personalities. Detective Koa Kane is obviously the star along with his girlfriend Nalani. While Koa is a textbook detective in every sense he has a dark past that keeps him on the straight and narrow and assists him with solving murders.
Nalani works at the Alice Observatory which is situated atop Mauna Kea. She has her own set of quirky observatory mates to deal with. One in particular, has hands that rove. She dislikes this and is at the end of her rope, but knows if she confides this to Koa she will lose control because he will take over.
Detective Koa works for Chief Lannua, with the local medical examiner who is not a regular ME at all, but an Obstretician, Doctor Shizuo Hiro, with the assistants of his skeleton staff, Detective’s Basa and Piki.
An anonymous 911 call has Koa and Sergeant Basa headed via helicopter to Pohakuloa which Is an Army training facility on the Huma’ula Saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. There are five active volcano’s that create the island of Hawaii. Because of the placement of this murder scene the US Army is working in conjunction with the local Hawaiian Police. Koa gets along well with military types because he is himself a veteran of Somalia, a member of the Special Forces.
When Koa arrives he finds a corpse that is mangled in what appears to be some type of ritual killing of sorts. He has been found in a lava tube, which is most interesting and unusual. Koa does not believe that Shizuo is up to this kind of murder and asks the Army is they might suggest someone on their side that could take the lead in autopsying this dead man. They agree and provide a forensic medical examiner from the mainland, Doctor Crater. Shizuo takes and instant dislike to this man stepping into his crime scene.
As the crime scene is processed many people become potential suspects in this slaying. Koa and his team move through them with the ease of a serpent stalking their prey until they are able to connect the dots to the most unlikely of suspects.
This book is a regular page turner. It is the second book of McCaw’s that I have had the pleasure to read and review. I loved it and believe you will too.
February 3, 2021
A complex and unusual murder mystery with a unique setting
Hawaiian Detective Koa Kane is called to investigate a grisly murder – a mutilated body discovered at an army training area after an anonymous phone call is made to the police. The victim is difficult to identify and bears disturbing marks indicating an ancient ritual sacrifice. Further investigation uncovers an unknown archaeological site nearby and leads Kane to wonder if the victim had stumbled across a rare historical secret people will kill to protect. As he delves further into the investigation, he uncovers links to grave robbers, political activists, and astronomers. He must use all his wits to solve the case whilst dealing with various forms of adversity in his professional and personal life.
This was a very enjoyable, fast-paced crime thriller with plenty of twists and turns throughout. The plot is complex and well-crafted but never becomes confusing, and I was easily able to keep track of all the characters and their relationships with each other. There are a good handful of convincing suspects in the case, and the author does an excellent job of sprinkling clues and red herrings throughout the story, making the reader second-guess and double back as much as the detective does. Kane himself was a likeable character who clearly has a strong sense of right and wrong, and many of the secondary characters also came across as well-imagined and exciting. I also learnt a lot about Hawaii from this story. The author includes many interesting references to its history and culture that were refreshingly different from the idealised version of Hawaii portrayed in most films.
Whilst he was engaging and likeable, I do have to admit that I found the character of Kane a bit of a cliché. Many of his character traits were remarkably like the standard lead police detective that is regularly found in these sorts of crime thrillers. One aspect of his past also seemed to be mentioned quite frequently to 'build his personality'. Still, throughout the book, it didn't really seem to influence him in any substantial way (although this may have been expanded upon in future instalments).
In conclusion, this was an enjoyable crime thriller that transports the reader to Hawaii's idyllic state and then shows you its dark side. I would be interested in reading more about the characters in this book.
Daenerys
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.
Hawaiian Detective Koa Kane is called to investigate a grisly murder – a mutilated body discovered at an army training area after an anonymous phone call is made to the police. The victim is difficult to identify and bears disturbing marks indicating an ancient ritual sacrifice. Further investigation uncovers an unknown archaeological site nearby and leads Kane to wonder if the victim had stumbled across a rare historical secret people will kill to protect. As he delves further into the investigation, he uncovers links to grave robbers, political activists, and astronomers. He must use all his wits to solve the case whilst dealing with various forms of adversity in his professional and personal life.
This was a very enjoyable, fast-paced crime thriller with plenty of twists and turns throughout. The plot is complex and well-crafted but never becomes confusing, and I was easily able to keep track of all the characters and their relationships with each other. There are a good handful of convincing suspects in the case, and the author does an excellent job of sprinkling clues and red herrings throughout the story, making the reader second-guess and double back as much as the detective does. Kane himself was a likeable character who clearly has a strong sense of right and wrong, and many of the secondary characters also came across as well-imagined and exciting. I also learnt a lot about Hawaii from this story. The author includes many interesting references to its history and culture that were refreshingly different from the idealised version of Hawaii portrayed in most films.
Whilst he was engaging and likeable, I do have to admit that I found the character of Kane a bit of a cliché. Many of his character traits were remarkably like the standard lead police detective that is regularly found in these sorts of crime thrillers. One aspect of his past also seemed to be mentioned quite frequently to 'build his personality'. Still, throughout the book, it didn't really seem to influence him in any substantial way (although this may have been expanded upon in future instalments).
In conclusion, this was an enjoyable crime thriller that transports the reader to Hawaii's idyllic state and then shows you its dark side. I would be interested in reading more about the characters in this book.
Daenerys
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.
February 9, 2021
Death of a Messenger is a twisty whodunnit, investigated by Chief Detective Koa Kane and his team. At first I found it quite challenging to get into and didn't know whether I'd enjoy it, which is surprising for me with the nature of the story at the beginning. However, I think because its set in Hawaii, I found a lot of the words difficult to pronounce which slowed down my reading and made it a bit stilted. Obviously this is to be expected in a novel set somewhere wonderful and exotic but it didn't 'grab me' from the beginning as others do.
Although after about the first 10-15%, I was hooked! The story is complex and twisty, and will keep you guessing. I literally had no clue as to who the killer was! McCaw interweaved some bits together which I absolutely loved.
I really enjoyed the historical and archaeological side of this story (for anyone that knows me that's obvious!). It was fascinating to learn bits about the history and traditions of Hawaii - a place that, if I'm honest, I know little about. The fact that the story incorporated looting of archaeological sites is something that is all too real and a frustration for those of us that want to learn about the past.
The other thing I truly loved were some of the characters. I love Koa - he's a fantastic character; a wonderful man but with his own secret past that haunts him. Despite this, he is a good and loyal guy and you can't help but love him. Hook and Nalani are also fantastic - I loved them both. There are some proper shady characters in this too! Getting to know more about them was brilliant and bought a good edge to the story.
Obviously a book set in Hawaii is going to be fantastic and this is true to form. It's definitely encouraged me to do some more digging into Hawaii and I loved googling the places to bring them to life for me!
So overall, a brilliant whodunnit mystery with plenty of twists and fantastic characters. It may take a little while to get into but I would encourage you to persevere - it's definitely worth it. There are more Koa Kane books in the series and I'm definitely be up for reading more about him - especially since I loved him so much! So if you're looking for a mystery in a different setting then check this out!
Rating: 3.5
Although after about the first 10-15%, I was hooked! The story is complex and twisty, and will keep you guessing. I literally had no clue as to who the killer was! McCaw interweaved some bits together which I absolutely loved.
I really enjoyed the historical and archaeological side of this story (for anyone that knows me that's obvious!). It was fascinating to learn bits about the history and traditions of Hawaii - a place that, if I'm honest, I know little about. The fact that the story incorporated looting of archaeological sites is something that is all too real and a frustration for those of us that want to learn about the past.
The other thing I truly loved were some of the characters. I love Koa - he's a fantastic character; a wonderful man but with his own secret past that haunts him. Despite this, he is a good and loyal guy and you can't help but love him. Hook and Nalani are also fantastic - I loved them both. There are some proper shady characters in this too! Getting to know more about them was brilliant and bought a good edge to the story.
Obviously a book set in Hawaii is going to be fantastic and this is true to form. It's definitely encouraged me to do some more digging into Hawaii and I loved googling the places to bring them to life for me!
So overall, a brilliant whodunnit mystery with plenty of twists and fantastic characters. It may take a little while to get into but I would encourage you to persevere - it's definitely worth it. There are more Koa Kane books in the series and I'm definitely be up for reading more about him - especially since I loved him so much! So if you're looking for a mystery in a different setting then check this out!
Rating: 3.5
January 24, 2021
If you follow me either here on the blog or on instagram (@speakingof_books), you will know that Mysteries and Detective series are my bread and butter. I love them. I love getting to know the characters and following their careers. I mean Law & Order SUV is my favorite show, so of course I love a good crime series.
I’ll be honest and say I thought this was going to be a 3 star read while reading the first part of the book. I wasn’t super into it, mainly because there were a lot of Hawaiian references that I just did not understand. That learning curve really took away from the story for me at first and made the pacing quite slow. However, as we go through the story and I became more familiar with the Hawaiian culture, I started to really appreciate the added references. The first half of the book was almost information overload with all the names of gods and places. I even stopped and did a little research on some of those referenced to try and get a better grasp on the history. I’ve been to Hawaii twice but their culture is so rich in myths and lore that as an outside it’s hard to truly understand the range and impact it has had on the Island.
The history of the Islands comes in perfect into the plot of the story. While there are two separate cases going on throughout the story, they nice into each other seamlessly. The antiquity black-market , the added astrology specifically related to the Alice Observatory, and of course an endless supply of suspects really brought this book together for me.
Character wise, Koa Kane, our detective is a bit clique at first, Which I generally don’t mind since the plot lines are more important to me in a crime book than unique characters. But Koa Kane has a ton of growth throughout this story and we really get a feel for his honor and loyalty to the Hawaiian culture.
This was not my favorite series I have read recently, but I would most certainly pick up the second book.
I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on Death of a Messenger. Huge thank you to Oceanview for my eARC for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books.
I’ll be honest and say I thought this was going to be a 3 star read while reading the first part of the book. I wasn’t super into it, mainly because there were a lot of Hawaiian references that I just did not understand. That learning curve really took away from the story for me at first and made the pacing quite slow. However, as we go through the story and I became more familiar with the Hawaiian culture, I started to really appreciate the added references. The first half of the book was almost information overload with all the names of gods and places. I even stopped and did a little research on some of those referenced to try and get a better grasp on the history. I’ve been to Hawaii twice but their culture is so rich in myths and lore that as an outside it’s hard to truly understand the range and impact it has had on the Island.
The history of the Islands comes in perfect into the plot of the story. While there are two separate cases going on throughout the story, they nice into each other seamlessly. The antiquity black-market , the added astrology specifically related to the Alice Observatory, and of course an endless supply of suspects really brought this book together for me.
Character wise, Koa Kane, our detective is a bit clique at first, Which I generally don’t mind since the plot lines are more important to me in a crime book than unique characters. But Koa Kane has a ton of growth throughout this story and we really get a feel for his honor and loyalty to the Hawaiian culture.
This was not my favorite series I have read recently, but I would most certainly pick up the second book.
I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on Death of a Messenger. Huge thank you to Oceanview for my eARC for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books.
August 28, 2020
"Don't. The army probably killed his relatives during the war. At least, I hope so."
𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀
A gruesome murder is discovered at Pohakuloa, an army training area. Detective Koa Kane feels a deep attachment to the case since initial evidence points to an ancient ritual sacrifice. While researching the victim he slowly realizes that this murder may be revealing a network of grave robbers that are taking away artifacts locals to the island find most sacred. The real question is, was the victim involved? Or was it just an unlucky circumstance that put him in the middle of it all? Detective Kane struggles with his own violent past while he tries to bring peace to the island.
𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
The quote above quelled all excitement for the rest of the story. To give some background, Koa and an army representative are complaining about the only medical examiner on the island (that happens to be of Japanese descent). They then have a good laugh about it. It comes off racist and unacceptable. The fact that Koa later on addressed racism directed at himself made me feel like he was a total hypocrite.
Another issue I found in the book is sexism. Every female character is portrayed as weak in some way, especially reporting sexual abuse by a coworker or dealing with a cheating spouse. I felt like it was unnecessary to the plot since Koa would be interviewing them later for other reasons.
What I did really enjoy was the immersion into Hawaiian culture. The details of the area make you feel like you're traveling around right next to Koa. The search for the murderer has many twists and turns with an ending I didn’t predict, and I think it would be wonderfully suited for an action movie. With another careful revision to remediate I'm sure my enjoyment of the book will greatly increase.
𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀
A gruesome murder is discovered at Pohakuloa, an army training area. Detective Koa Kane feels a deep attachment to the case since initial evidence points to an ancient ritual sacrifice. While researching the victim he slowly realizes that this murder may be revealing a network of grave robbers that are taking away artifacts locals to the island find most sacred. The real question is, was the victim involved? Or was it just an unlucky circumstance that put him in the middle of it all? Detective Kane struggles with his own violent past while he tries to bring peace to the island.
𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
The quote above quelled all excitement for the rest of the story. To give some background, Koa and an army representative are complaining about the only medical examiner on the island (that happens to be of Japanese descent). They then have a good laugh about it. It comes off racist and unacceptable. The fact that Koa later on addressed racism directed at himself made me feel like he was a total hypocrite.
Another issue I found in the book is sexism. Every female character is portrayed as weak in some way, especially reporting sexual abuse by a coworker or dealing with a cheating spouse. I felt like it was unnecessary to the plot since Koa would be interviewing them later for other reasons.
What I did really enjoy was the immersion into Hawaiian culture. The details of the area make you feel like you're traveling around right next to Koa. The search for the murderer has many twists and turns with an ending I didn’t predict, and I think it would be wonderfully suited for an action movie. With another careful revision to remediate I'm sure my enjoyment of the book will greatly increase.
March 15, 2021
For anyone who hasn’t been to Hawaii’s big island it is hard to even fathom the landscapes, from the lava tubes to the observatory and terrifying road leading to the top, as well as the greenery on the opposite side of the island, it is truly an incredible destination. All that said, the author missed a great opportunity to truly immerse the reader in said scenery. As someone who has visited and seen firsthand the places McCaw describes, it felt like a misjustice to not richly describe the landscape that many readers will likely never have the opportunity to see. The big island is so unlike the islands we often see portrayed on TV and the observatory, which plays a big role in this plot, is one-of-a-kind magnificent. However, all of this was glazed over as if it was another day in a typical city.
Regardless, what author Robert McCaw did excel in was dunking readers into the Hawaiian culture by exposing us to a significant amount of native Hawaiian language and customs, from the importance of ancestry to the history of the native people McCaw honored the origins of the characters portrayed within. Death of a Messenger spun an intense murder into an enjoyable read. And while it didn’t accentuate the utterly unique landscape that first drew me to desire this book, it did create a nuanced character in Detective Koa Kane that ultimately propels the kickoff of what promises to be an explosive series.
Readers will be drawn in by the stunning cover designs and captivated by the lead protagonist, the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series is certainly one to watch.
*Disclaimer: a review copy was provided by the publisher; all opinions are my own.
Regardless, what author Robert McCaw did excel in was dunking readers into the Hawaiian culture by exposing us to a significant amount of native Hawaiian language and customs, from the importance of ancestry to the history of the native people McCaw honored the origins of the characters portrayed within. Death of a Messenger spun an intense murder into an enjoyable read. And while it didn’t accentuate the utterly unique landscape that first drew me to desire this book, it did create a nuanced character in Detective Koa Kane that ultimately propels the kickoff of what promises to be an explosive series.
Readers will be drawn in by the stunning cover designs and captivated by the lead protagonist, the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series is certainly one to watch.
*Disclaimer: a review copy was provided by the publisher; all opinions are my own.
March 13, 2023
I picked up Death of a Messenger because I needed a book set in Hawaii for one of the reading challenges I’m doing. I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it. It’s a good mystery and I learned a lot about Hawaiian history and culture.
Hawaiian Detective Koa Kane is called to investigate a grisly murder – a mutilated body discovered in a lava tube at an army training area. The victim is difficult to identify and bears disturbing marks indicating an ancient ritual sacrifice. Further investigation uncovers an unknown archaeological site nearby and leads Kane to wonder if the victim had stumbled across a rare historical secret people will kill to protect.
The plot is complicated in a good way. There are several convincing suspects including black market dealers, astronomers, and amateur archeologists, in the case, and enough clues and red herrings to keep the reader, and detective, on their toes. The pace was a bit uneven, but I imagine policework is too.
Koa is a rather typical detective, clever, and tenacious, but he works well with others and rarely rambles off on his own. I could have done without a piece of his backstory, an incident we were reminded of multiple times but didn’t really seem to affect his work or personality. I guess it taught him not to judge crime scenes from appearances, but really shouldn’t any series lead know that? He is likable, as are his friends.
Often when I finish the first in a series, the question for me is whether or not I will read more of the books. I think in this case the answer is yes. I loved the setting and I thought the author did a good job weaving all the subplots together.
Hawaiian Detective Koa Kane is called to investigate a grisly murder – a mutilated body discovered in a lava tube at an army training area. The victim is difficult to identify and bears disturbing marks indicating an ancient ritual sacrifice. Further investigation uncovers an unknown archaeological site nearby and leads Kane to wonder if the victim had stumbled across a rare historical secret people will kill to protect.
The plot is complicated in a good way. There are several convincing suspects including black market dealers, astronomers, and amateur archeologists, in the case, and enough clues and red herrings to keep the reader, and detective, on their toes. The pace was a bit uneven, but I imagine policework is too.
Koa is a rather typical detective, clever, and tenacious, but he works well with others and rarely rambles off on his own. I could have done without a piece of his backstory, an incident we were reminded of multiple times but didn’t really seem to affect his work or personality. I guess it taught him not to judge crime scenes from appearances, but really shouldn’t any series lead know that? He is likable, as are his friends.
Often when I finish the first in a series, the question for me is whether or not I will read more of the books. I think in this case the answer is yes. I loved the setting and I thought the author did a good job weaving all the subplots together.
February 2, 2021
Hawaii may be the 50th State admitted to the U.S.A., but it may as well be another country based on how different the people and culture are there. It is this fact that author Robert McCaw uses to his advantage with his Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series. DEATH OF A MESSENGER is the third novel in this series and both the exotic locale and native rituals makes it a unique and interesting read.
Inside a funnel tube left by a currently dormant volcano is found a badly brutalized and unidentified corpse. Koa admits that the remains are worse than anything he has previously witnessed --- and he has not only been a police Detective but also a military veteran. One of the stark limitations of policing on a small island is the lack of quality medical assistance. In this case, there is no true Medical Examiner and Koa must rely on the aid of a 75-year-old Japanese Obstetrician named Shizuo. In addition to Shizuo’s lack of practical M.E. experience he is also a very abrasive personality who does not care for the military, Hawaiian’s, or the ‘haoles’/Westerners that occupy the island.
Shizuo is in no rush to work on the case even though the body was found on military land and they want answers. He writes it off as a ritual killing and will get back to Koa with any other findings. Koa continues to speak with both the military as well as other locals who are up on Hawaiian ritual killing. One gruesome thing he learns is that the fact that the left eye was gouged it symbolizes that this victim of sacrifice broke some ancient kapu or law/custom and was intended as a warning to others. Koa takes this information and feels it is indicative of the fact that the deceased may have been seeking some sort of archaeological find and was murdered as a result --- even with his body obviously having been killed elsewhere and placed in this obscure location.
Koa soon learns that the body may be that of a 29-year-old man named Keneke Nakano who had been reported missing. Nakano worked for the Alice Observatories in the role of astronomer. Now, Koa must shift gears to focus on an archaeological find of astronomic proportions that would have interested the young Mr. Nakano. The fact that the body may have been dragged sixty miles from the murder sight means the killer was either stupid or had a specific intention in placing it where they did. For Koa, it is just the tip of the iceberg in a case that will involve not only astronomy and treasure-hunting but possibly a high-tech secret that has put him in the crosshairs of some dangerous archeological thieves who will stop at nothing to keep their secret safe.
DEATH OF A MESSENGER is full of tension and history which should appeal to not only fans of murder mystery and police procedural but also is a story that fans of authors like Preston & Child will eat up!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Criminal Element
Inside a funnel tube left by a currently dormant volcano is found a badly brutalized and unidentified corpse. Koa admits that the remains are worse than anything he has previously witnessed --- and he has not only been a police Detective but also a military veteran. One of the stark limitations of policing on a small island is the lack of quality medical assistance. In this case, there is no true Medical Examiner and Koa must rely on the aid of a 75-year-old Japanese Obstetrician named Shizuo. In addition to Shizuo’s lack of practical M.E. experience he is also a very abrasive personality who does not care for the military, Hawaiian’s, or the ‘haoles’/Westerners that occupy the island.
Shizuo is in no rush to work on the case even though the body was found on military land and they want answers. He writes it off as a ritual killing and will get back to Koa with any other findings. Koa continues to speak with both the military as well as other locals who are up on Hawaiian ritual killing. One gruesome thing he learns is that the fact that the left eye was gouged it symbolizes that this victim of sacrifice broke some ancient kapu or law/custom and was intended as a warning to others. Koa takes this information and feels it is indicative of the fact that the deceased may have been seeking some sort of archaeological find and was murdered as a result --- even with his body obviously having been killed elsewhere and placed in this obscure location.
Koa soon learns that the body may be that of a 29-year-old man named Keneke Nakano who had been reported missing. Nakano worked for the Alice Observatories in the role of astronomer. Now, Koa must shift gears to focus on an archaeological find of astronomic proportions that would have interested the young Mr. Nakano. The fact that the body may have been dragged sixty miles from the murder sight means the killer was either stupid or had a specific intention in placing it where they did. For Koa, it is just the tip of the iceberg in a case that will involve not only astronomy and treasure-hunting but possibly a high-tech secret that has put him in the crosshairs of some dangerous archeological thieves who will stop at nothing to keep their secret safe.
DEATH OF A MESSENGER is full of tension and history which should appeal to not only fans of murder mystery and police procedural but also is a story that fans of authors like Preston & Child will eat up!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Criminal Element
February 12, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Death of a Messenger is a modern murder procedural set in Hawaii and the first book in the Koa Kāne series by Robert McCaw. Originally released in 2015, this reformat and re-release by Oceanview is 336 pages and available in audio and ebook formats.
This is a well written procedural with an ensemble cast including a sympathetic protagonist with a very complex past. There's a great deal of archaeology and Hawaiian history written into the storyline as well as the complications arising from inter-departmental friction (the remains of a ritualistic murder victim were discovered on military land). I enjoyed Koa Kāne's competence and intelligence while his team are resolving the murder and related looting/antiquities crimes.
There is some rough language and a fair number of graphic descriptions (the original corpse is ritually mutilated and the author pulls no punches). The scenery and island historical background are well interwoven into the storyline and I found it compelling.
Four stars. Recommended for fans of modern procedurals, forensic mysteries, and the like.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Death of a Messenger is a modern murder procedural set in Hawaii and the first book in the Koa Kāne series by Robert McCaw. Originally released in 2015, this reformat and re-release by Oceanview is 336 pages and available in audio and ebook formats.
This is a well written procedural with an ensemble cast including a sympathetic protagonist with a very complex past. There's a great deal of archaeology and Hawaiian history written into the storyline as well as the complications arising from inter-departmental friction (the remains of a ritualistic murder victim were discovered on military land). I enjoyed Koa Kāne's competence and intelligence while his team are resolving the murder and related looting/antiquities crimes.
There is some rough language and a fair number of graphic descriptions (the original corpse is ritually mutilated and the author pulls no punches). The scenery and island historical background are well interwoven into the storyline and I found it compelling.
Four stars. Recommended for fans of modern procedurals, forensic mysteries, and the like.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
December 30, 2020
Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane is on his way to an Army live-arms training area, not to practice his marksmanship, but to examine a mutilated corpse just found inside a lava tube. The body has all the signs of a ritualistic killing, except there’s not much blood.
The site also has a fire ring and stone chips, which alerts Kane to the possibility of an archaeology site. That prompts a call to his girlfriend Nalani, park ranger-in-waiting who works on the telescopes on Mauna Kea, and asks her to recommend a good archaeologist.
In comes Jimmy Hikorea, an embittered, sharp-tongued genius with a chip on his shoulder – he uses a wheelchair after losing both legs in an Army friendly fire incident in Vietnam. However, he and Koa quickly form a bond – each recognizes the weaknesses and strengths of the other – and work together to identify the victim and preserve the archaeological site. And maybe solve the murder too.
Not only does the lava tube reveal an expansive archaeological site, but the body is that of a staff astronomer at the telescopes, and his murder coincides with the removal of ancient artifacts from the lava tube. However, Kane picks up on the tension between the Mauna Kea director, Dr Thurston Masters, and two subordinates: Gunter Nelson and Charlie Harper, and traces it back to the lava tube death. But just as he and Sergeant Basa pin the murder on one man, evidence pops up to convict another. It’s a master cover-up that promises to end spectacularly.
The site also has a fire ring and stone chips, which alerts Kane to the possibility of an archaeology site. That prompts a call to his girlfriend Nalani, park ranger-in-waiting who works on the telescopes on Mauna Kea, and asks her to recommend a good archaeologist.
In comes Jimmy Hikorea, an embittered, sharp-tongued genius with a chip on his shoulder – he uses a wheelchair after losing both legs in an Army friendly fire incident in Vietnam. However, he and Koa quickly form a bond – each recognizes the weaknesses and strengths of the other – and work together to identify the victim and preserve the archaeological site. And maybe solve the murder too.
Not only does the lava tube reveal an expansive archaeological site, but the body is that of a staff astronomer at the telescopes, and his murder coincides with the removal of ancient artifacts from the lava tube. However, Kane picks up on the tension between the Mauna Kea director, Dr Thurston Masters, and two subordinates: Gunter Nelson and Charlie Harper, and traces it back to the lava tube death. But just as he and Sergeant Basa pin the murder on one man, evidence pops up to convict another. It’s a master cover-up that promises to end spectacularly.
May 21, 2023
4 stars for a fast paced police procedural. An anonymous caller reports a dead body inside a lava tube on the big island of Hawaii. Chief of Detectives for Hawaii county Koa Kane goes to the scene and discovers a body which has been gruesomely mutilated, so much so that it will be very difficult to identify the person. Koa does solve the case. There are many twists and turns.
Some elements in the book:
grave robbers, who steal precious artifacts from these graves for the black market.
sovereignty activists, angry about the US takeover of Hawaii and the prejudice against native Hawaiians
police westerners who are prejudiced against native Hawaiians
The author has done a great deal of research on native Hawaiian culture and history. This information, coupled with the mystery of the murder, makes for an enjoyable read. Both my wife and I recommend this series to police procedural fans.
One quote: "Far off to the west, trails of vaporous mist played eerily over the deeply shadowed valley where night had already fallen bewtween the Hawaiian mountains. Across the channel, Haleakala on Maui seemed to rise from the mists of some unseen netherworld. Hues of red, orange, yellow and pink glorified the darkening sky."
It was an Amazon purchase and I read it in 1 day while returning from Europe.
Some elements in the book:
grave robbers, who steal precious artifacts from these graves for the black market.
sovereignty activists, angry about the US takeover of Hawaii and the prejudice against native Hawaiians
police westerners who are prejudiced against native Hawaiians
The author has done a great deal of research on native Hawaiian culture and history. This information, coupled with the mystery of the murder, makes for an enjoyable read. Both my wife and I recommend this series to police procedural fans.
One quote: "Far off to the west, trails of vaporous mist played eerily over the deeply shadowed valley where night had already fallen bewtween the Hawaiian mountains. Across the channel, Haleakala on Maui seemed to rise from the mists of some unseen netherworld. Hues of red, orange, yellow and pink glorified the darkening sky."
It was an Amazon purchase and I read it in 1 day while returning from Europe.
June 19, 2023
Good story. Good take on modern Hawaiian cultural issues.
I would have given it 5 stars except for some annoying details.
1. Portable construction lights can be metal-halide, which is technically an arc light or more recently LED. Constantly calling them arc lights was annoying.
2. Answering machines! The book was published just a few years ago and doesn't mention that it takes place in the past. Answering machines are a distraction.
3. Isaac Asimov immigrated to the US when he was 3yo and became a US citizen before he was 10yo. He served the US in WWII. He was also a polymath and was noted in many fields. While he may be proud to be identified as just a science-fiction writer, a Russian SiFi writer doesn't do him credit.
4. Torches instead of flashlights? I spend a few years living in England. I know what the author is trying to say. I don't see any need not to speak American unless you're portraying a foreign character.
5. Special order books? I read this book on kindle. I'm surprised that modern technical character in the book still order physical books.
6. Crimmins instead of Cummins as a diesel engine make. Just a misspelling but an annoyance.
Other than stumbles like these, I'm a newly minted fan. On to the next McCaw and his 'Woodman' hero.
I would have given it 5 stars except for some annoying details.
1. Portable construction lights can be metal-halide, which is technically an arc light or more recently LED. Constantly calling them arc lights was annoying.
2. Answering machines! The book was published just a few years ago and doesn't mention that it takes place in the past. Answering machines are a distraction.
3. Isaac Asimov immigrated to the US when he was 3yo and became a US citizen before he was 10yo. He served the US in WWII. He was also a polymath and was noted in many fields. While he may be proud to be identified as just a science-fiction writer, a Russian SiFi writer doesn't do him credit.
4. Torches instead of flashlights? I spend a few years living in England. I know what the author is trying to say. I don't see any need not to speak American unless you're portraying a foreign character.
5. Special order books? I read this book on kindle. I'm surprised that modern technical character in the book still order physical books.
6. Crimmins instead of Cummins as a diesel engine make. Just a misspelling but an annoyance.
Other than stumbles like these, I'm a newly minted fan. On to the next McCaw and his 'Woodman' hero.
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