A wrong turn on vacation has deadly consequences.Twenty-one-year-old Lei is looking for a good time in Mexico.Blowing off steam after a tough semester, Lei and her friend Kelly hit the border in a red Mustang convertible; but a series of deadly misadventures unfold that will change Lei’s life forever.
A dog can change everything.Affected by the events in Mexico, Lei adopts a young K-9 dropout to guard the home she shares with her aunt. They try to stop a series of neighborhood robberies, and Lei discovers the scariest thing of all… how far her dog Keiki will go to save her life.
***Wrong Turn is a PREQUEL NOVELLA for Blood Orchids, the first book in the Paradise Crime Mysteries. A portion was updated from a KW novella.***
Toby Neal was raised on Kauai in Hawaii. She wrote and illustrated her first story at age 5. After initially majoring in journalism, she eventually settled on mental health as a career and loves her work, saying, “I’m endlessly fascinated with people’s stories.”
Toby credits her counseling background in adding depth to her characters–from the villains to Lei Texeira, the courageous and vulnerable heroine in the Lei Crime Series, to the wounds and psychological implications of the heroes of the Scorch Series.
I started out feeling a little confused because the story seemed so familiar. After looking back at the other Toby Neal books I’ve read, I realized that the first part of this book is exactly the same, except for some character names, as Rough Road, a novella written in 2016. The next part of this book tells about Lei’s life just before she enters the police academy in Hilo.
Apparently, the characters introduced in Rough Road & again in Wrong Turn are going to be in the next Paradise Crime Mystery coming out in 2021.
Truthfully, this book was a disappointment as it just rehashed old plot points that could have been incorporated into the new book (#15).
A standalone, prequel novella for Blood Orchids, Toby Neal's Wrong Turn, features Lei Texeira's young adult/rebellious years, as she goes looking for adventure across the Mexican border, before getting her courageous canine companion Keiki, and how she risks her life while defending her Aunt Rosario, with whom she's living, prior to starting her police career with Marcella Scott as her mentor. With an homage to Emily Kimmelman's Rough Road, that's an introduction to Sydney Rye's early career, Wrong Turn is (named as),Toby Neal's 14th story, but prequel or not, it's a story set in a Paradise Island that will whisk you away from your post-New Year slump...get it now!
Kindle Unlimited Actually a short prequel to this Paradise Crime Mysteries series, Wrong Turn is listed as Book 14 in the 16-book series. We are with Lei as she is completing college while still living with Aunt Rosario in old town San Rafael, CA. Kei is just 21, and they have just obtained the young female Rottweiler Keiki, a flunk-out at the police dog training school. Already registered at the police academy in Hawaii, Lei and her bestie Kelly take a road trip for spring break into Mexico. Not a good plan. There have been robberies in their neighborhood so Lei leaves Keiki with her Auntie for protection. It isn't far into the trip the girls are stuck in the sand beside a lonesome highway and Lei realizes that if she's leaving the dog behind she shouldn't have locked her gun in the glovebox. You have to turn off the car to remove the key to unlock the glovebox, and there won't be time for that. A very interesting spring break, and more woes in store when she arrives back home. Interesting read. Very nice introduction into the Texeira family and Keiki. Wish I had read it first! REVIEWED on January 27, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available on Kobo.
Toby Neal brings it all back to the beginning with this introductory Novella! A very young twenty-one year old Lei Texeira and her friend Kelly have decided they need a break after a tough semester. Naturally, the beach is in their sights. For Kelly, money is no option so she has sprung for a trip to Cabo! They are even traveling in style in her hot little sports car. Two beautiful young women traveling alone across the Mexican border, what could possibly go wrong?
Their vacay quickly becomes a nightmare as they experience car trouble and their so-called rescuers turn out to be kidnappers. Lei has been undergoing preliminary training in order to get a job with a Police Department and has developed some skills but she is no match for these thugs. She comes to the realization that if she is going to make it in the world of crime solving she must make major changes in her lifestyle, her training and learn that it is okay to rely on a partner as opposed to always being a lone wolf.
WRONG. TURN..Toby Neal. Aunty concerned about the two young girls going to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico by themselves. Lei had applied for the Hawaii Police Academy this was a time for a vacation.before going. Bright red convertible, thinking margaritas and epic partying. The plans were derailed by being attacked and Kelly kidnapped. with Lei getting away and hoping to find help. Finding Harry a Hawaiian woman with a little six shooter ready to go after them, telling Lei to pick her poison, wouldn’t do any good to call the cops, they were useless down here. It also was Lei first crime scene. A woman who comes down here to train in weapons, Lei wonders who Harry really is. Sixteen years later she finds out. Enjoyable, a little bit of humor, when one pictures Harry. Well be interesting to read more about these two. Good characters and good plot. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
I loved getting back in touch with Lei, missed her so much. This book or prequel to the entire series or # 14 book, explains so much about Lei's history, her dealing with being abused, how Keiki came into her life, how she learned to handle stress, and her wanting to go to the police academy in Hawaii. It starts out with Lei living with her Auntie Rosario. Lei and her friend Kelly take a spring break trip to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. They encounter some banditos and get kidnapped. So this book is exciting and we meet Harry who helps Lei in many ways. Once she is home again she gets to meet and keep Keiki in her family. She starts fighting crime in her neighborhood with Keiki and help from stress with her pocket amulet. Lei does apply to he police academy in Hawaii and gets accepted. So the adventures start for Lei and Keiki. I love Toby Neal's writing , and can hardly wait for the next one,#15.
Wow, talk about a flashback! It was great to go back to the very beginning and see where Lei Texeira got her start. We even get to see how Keiki came to be a part of the family. The two make a dynamic duo from day one. Lei is ready to jump feet first into the police academy and she gets a chance to hone her sleuthing skills during a spring break trip to Mexico and when a series of break-ins threaten the neighborhood.
This book is a prequel to Blood Orchids, the book that started it all. So if you’re new to the series, you can jump right in and enjoy the ride! This light read is quick but full of tension and suspense. But if you’re like me and have been on this epic adventure since the beginning, I know I’m looking forward to more of the characters we met in this book and what it means for our heroine.
Lei Texiera wasn’t always a homicide cop. Wrong Turn takes us back to the beginning. The adventures begin on a spring break trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico when things take a wrong turn for Lei and her pal, Kelly. And you won’t find any spoilers here. This story is too good to not let you discover adventures as they unfold.
Toby Neal is one of my most favorite writers and a really good storyteller. Her characters are always richly drawn. Her story locations are beautiful and lush. And while you can read any of her books as a stand-alone read, why would you when reading them in order provides background and context. Lei is a complex character that it is hard to believe isn’t real.
Once you finish Wrong Turn, continue Lei’s story with Blood Orchids. You won’t regret it.
Did you ever wonder where, how and when Lei and Keiki became a powerful pair? Wrong Turn follows a young Lei Texeira as she takes what is supposed to be a fun jaunt with a girlfriend to Mexico, has an encounter with serious crime that reinforces her desire to become a law enforcement officer and leaves her shaken.
Wrong Turn is a quick prequel read that is full of action, and a look into young Lei's mind. Toby Neal does a great job on capturing the conversation, mind and immature thinking of a young person. In each book of the series the growth and maturity of Lei is apparent, making each book more pleasurable to read as we journey with Lei through her adventures.
It was lovely to take a step back in time with Lei Texeira and see what she was like before the police academy and what made this book extra special was her first meeting with Keiki, these two were such an amazing team for so many adventures I loved reading about how Keiki came to live with Kei and Aunty Rosario.
From Home to Mexico and back again talk about an amazing adventure with so many twists and turns all set before Lei went to the police academy to become to amazing detective she is today, well before she met her gorgeous husband Stevens... but what an amazing time in Lei’s life to read about she really was always meant to be in law enforcement and Keiki was always meant to be by her side...
I’ve liked this series since I read Blood Orchid, the first entry in Neal’s Paradise Crime Mysteries.
This novella, listed as the 14th entry in the series, is really a prequel, introducing us to Lei Texeira before she became a cop in Hawaii. We learn the person she was before that happened and how she came to have her dog Keiki.
Like all the books, Lei tends to rush into situations without thinking things through, which often lands her in dire peril she could have avoided with a little forethought and escapes only through her own grit and training. Although in this story, on a couple occasions someone else saves her bacon.
There is another book in this series - Shark Cove - and as with every other entry, I hope it isn’t the last one.
Written as a prequel to the entire Paradise Crime series (although published as book 14), this introduces us to a young Lei Texeira before she enters the Maui Police Department. Some of the characters we know and love from the series make their initial appearance in this story, including how Lei's dog Keiki becomes a part of her family. Having read the series to date, I was pleased to learn more about their backgrounds. The story is quite dark in places, but overall is a fascinating read to be enjoyed, especially as it fleshes out more of the characters we already know. I was given an advance copy of the book to review voluntarily
Once again Toby Neal has captured me, held me captive, and left no one to pay my ransom, I read Wrong Turn in a single sitting. You will not be disappointed! You will learn a bit more about Lei Texeira and her friend Kelly as college students. Their adventures on a driving trip to Cabo San Lucas, Lei's beloved Aunty Rosario, her pocket amulet, luck in meeting Keiki, and her introduction to HPD. A lot of story is packed into this book, and it makes you love Lei that much more. She shows what a survivor she is.
Toby Neal never disappointments me in any of the books I have read by her. This book gave me a little more insight to Lei Texeira's character and family background. When Lei and her friend Kelly got to Cabo for spring break, Kelly gets kidnapped. Lei must trust Harry, someone she just met to help her get her back. Harry does not exactly follow the rules that are instilled in Lei’s training, but she will do what it takes to get her friend back. Wrong Turn sets up a back story for a new character in Shark Cove.
Wrong Turn is a look back to Lei in her college days. A poor decision leads to Lei's friend being taken during their spring break road trip to Mexico. Lei meets Harry, a fellow Hawaiian with a sketchy background who is making some life changes. She also has an armory and a willingness to help Lei rescue her friend.
This novella is a lead-in for the next book in the series, Shark Cove.
Not family friendly due to violence and adult situations.
This book can be read either as a prequel before the entire series or before #15. We learn more about Lei, before her police training. How she bonded with Keiki, her beloved Rottweiler, and what drove her back to Hawaii. I’ve read every book in this series and while I’ve enjoyed knowing Lei as an adult it was eye opening to meet young Lei. We met her friend Harry here and I’m thinking we might meet her again. I received an early copy from the author and wrote my review voluntarily.
Such a treat for Lei fans! It was amazing to see Lei in her college days. This novella is set on a college break, when Lei and a friend are traveling to a resort in Mexico but get kidnapped along the way. The adventure introduces new characters, and we see a lot of the characteristics that make Lei the police officer she is today were present even then. We also get more of Auntie Rosario and have Keiki joining the family.
Even though this is book 14, this is a prequel to Blood Orchids, the first in the Paradise Crime mystery series. Even if you haven't read the other books though (and you absolutely should!!) you don't need to know anything else about the series to enjoy the adventure in this book. And if you're a Lei fan, I highly recommend reading it!
I received an ARC from the author. Here are my thoughts: Oh. My. Goodness! What an awesome ‘flashback’ into Lei’s life! If you’re any kind of a fan of the Paradise Crime series, you’ll HAVE TO READ THIS!!! Where did Lei come from? What happened to help her get through the abuse of her childhood? How and why did she get Keiki? How did she wind up in Hawaii? I LOVE prequels! They explain a lot where I had questions in a series and usually makes me want to re-read the series again.
As an avid reader of Toby Neal's PARADISE MYSTERY CRIME SERIES, it was fun reading this prequel where we meet Lei, her Auntie and their Rottie, Keiki, Readers now know the backstory that kick-started her Hawaiian law enforcement career.
I can't wait to read Book #15, SHARK COVE, previewed at the end of this novella, to see what new cases Lei Texteira tackles.
You can’t go wrong with this book, I didn’t want to put it down. Toby has done it again, writing a story that puts you right there with the characters. Going back to see what has brought Lei to where she is makes me long for another story. Lei has been through so much and it helps knowing the who’s, the what’s, the where’s and the why’s. Character growth is important and Lei has surely grown and changed over time.
I have read most of Toby Neal’s novels and all of the Lei Texiera books. I was happy to find a book about Lei. I love her Aunty Rosario and her pup Keiki. I enjoyed wading how she got Keiki. Lei loves adventure and it often leads her to trouble. I didn’t know how she was going to get put of this one. I liked the characters Harry and Cruz. I was pleasantly surprised to read about Harry reappearing. Can’t wait fir the next Lei book.
Lei Texiera is never more than a breath away from trouble and this always results in an entertaining adventure for the reader. Toby Neal is a master storyteller and this novella does not disappoint. While this is book 14, it is a great first read or fits in well at any point in the line of Lei books. A girl's trip, a foreign country- what could go wrong- everything. This extended look into Lei's early days and the genesis of her relationship with Keiki is a great read.
This book starts the story of Lei and it filled in some of the information that was not provided in the first book! Any book with Lei and her dog in it is a great book and this book does not disappoint! The story keeps you engrossed and on pins and needles. The edge of the seat story has you turning pages. What an awesome book. Toby Neal does it again!
Lei is back! And we get a glimpse into her earlier life with Aunt Rosario as she is about to head back to Hawaii to the police academy. In Wrong Turn she faces a horrific scenario with her best friend, and we get some of the back story of how she learns to cope with stress. In Wrong Turn, the action and crazy ride start at the beginning of the book! Another page turner from Toby Neal.
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed every single book that Toby Neal has written. I have to say the beginning of the book was familiar from another book, but it didn’t detract from the story and the prequel into this series. This novella was full of the fast paced adventure and action that we love about Toby’s writing. I received this book as an ARC reader, but the review is my own.
Toby Neal takes us back in time to a young and eager Lei and Keiki! It was awesome to meet new people, see how Kali became Keiki, and the evolution of Lei Texiera. I am excited to see what the future holds for these two old friends, and to see how this reunion will further develop Lei as a character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another figuring book. So much excitement for Lei as she is just starting out in her career. Very good action in the story. More than I expected. You also brought back two two people.who were in the story, at the end of the story. Very clever, as I am sure they will play an important part in the next book in the series.
I know and understand why this was written and what it led to but I still do not like novellas. You just find they are over too quickly and they leave you needing a lot more. Yes, it was a good read giving us a background into the life of Lei but..............................
Binge reading is not always a good thing. This book seems hurried and short with less depth. Some things seem to be resolved but keep popping back up. Lei acts like she is the only one on the case in most instances. She really takes the motto it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission seriously
I enjoyed this prequel novella that fills in some gaps in Lei's background and has her showing her stuff before she enters the academy. A college student traveling with a friend in Mexico, Lei narrowly escapes abduction, and has to save her friend. We are also introduced to her beloved Keiki in this novel.