The Man Who Mistook Breadfruit

by Ryszard Stone

A missing young woman, a mysterious island religion, and a jaded detective down on his luck. Private detective Harry Ek searches for Evelyn Wilson on a gorgeous Micronesian island where chiefs and priests rule, and no one can say where she is. Family, loyalty, religion and belief are very different things there, and Harry must crack the code to find her. Murder, mayhem, gunplay result when Harry Ek takes the case.

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2020

About the author

Ryszard Stone lives in Virginia. Off and on, he lived and worked for twenty years in Africa, Oceania and the Caribbean. At various times he worked as a Peace Corps volunteer, a U.S. diplomat, and a law enforcement official for a foreign government. Happily, his wife and children shared most of those years with him.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining and well written detective story set in one of the most exotic locales I know. Like the author, I've been lucky to have spent a couple of great years in Micronesia. "Breadfruit" brought back all sorts of good memories of the islands: The traditional sakau ceremony, the funeral feasts, the constant rain in the midst of constant sunshine (!), and the many complex ways the islanders relate to the various expatriates who wash up there. I wouldn't have pegged Micronesia as the setting for a noir detective story, but now I can't imagine a better locale.

[Emily Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It is one of those "comfort books" you look forward to getting back to at the end of each day and don't want to end. You become connected to the characters on the island and engaged in the story. However the mystery gets a bit confusing and doesn't really have a satisfying ending. Hopefully there will be a continuation, e.g., a series.

[Anais · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had everything - a stirring mystery, a slow-burn romance, and interesting/quirky characters. More than anything, I loved the writing style. It was really eloquently written and painted such a beautiful and intriguing picture of the island life. I just know it's a comfort read I'll come back to time and time again. I can't wait to read more from this author!

[Alan Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book with no expectations, but was caught up almost immediately. Fantastic writing, great characters and a plot that was a great ride. This book was excellent.