Airy Allies and Enemies

Raina Sun Mystery #11

by Anne R. Tan

A free honeymoon, an old ally, and a kidnapping. Raina Sun is enjoying her belated honeymoon with her husband, far away from her nosy family. When her grandma shows to help a friend on a kidnapping case, it's bye-bye smooching time. Her husband got volunteered to do the ransom drop, and an old ally from the Nine Dragons Triad, a multi-generational criminal organization, barges in for a visit. Things go from bad to worse when a body is found at the luau. Her husband is right. There's no such thing as a free honeymoon. Someone has to pay the piper one way or another. Will Raina find the devious killer, or will she become the next victim?

Genres: Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Mystery

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2022

About the author

Anne R. Tan is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes the Raina Sun Mystery series, the Lucy Fong Mystery series, and the Cedar Woods Mystery series. Her humorous cozy mysteries feature Chinese-American amateur sleuths dealing with love, family, and life while solving murders. Her books feature diverse characters and relationships because everyone deserves to be an armchair detective.

A Note from Anne:

My books are my legacy to my children. Unfortunately, they would not grow up in the San Francisco Bay Area like I did. Without a cultural hub to keep the language and philosophies alive, our family would lose this part of our heritage in one generation. My children are visitors to this rich culture, just like my readers. At its core, I always felt Chinese culture is about family and community. I hope you’ll enjoy your time with Raina Sun, Lucy Fong, and their large dynamic family.

Thank you for supporting my art,

Anne R. Tan

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Ms. Tan has written another extremely entertaining adventure with Rainy and PoPo. Hahaha. Sentence 1 of the book gives you a taste of how funny these books are. Even though you know there is going to be a murder somehow, somewhere, the clever investigative antics of these two characters, who fancy themselves as super sleuths, make the story an excellent adventure no matter where they are and what is happening. This time we are in Kauai and Matthew and Raina are finally on their delayed honeymoon. Of course you know this is not going to be just a simple romantic adventure. Not a chance. I love this 11th adventure and I can’t wait to see what happens next in Book 12. Highly recommend, especially if you can start at the beginning and go all the way through to this story.

[Ying_ko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun entry in the series. When Raina Sun goes on her honeymoon in Hawaii she discovers the trip comes with strings. The resort is owned by relatives and she gets sucked into a kidnapping and murder plot. Along with her husband, Po Po, and other characters she has to determine not only whodunit but also how to prove it. A story full of humor and quotable lines it combines the best of mysteries along with humor and plays fair with the reader. It is solvable if someone pays enough attention. I highly recommend the book and even though I got an ARC copy, I bought the book because I enjoyed it and wanted to support the author.

[Susan Lutfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raina and Matthew finally get their long-awaited honeymoon in paradise, Hawaii. But what is the worst thing that can happen on a honeymoon? Your family comes along. Yes that is definitely Po Po and her brother Winn they are seeing dancing in the evening dinner show. Soon the newlyweds are up to their necks in a kidnapping, an illegal gambling ring, a murder and taking down a corrupted police department. The fun never stops. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, with a twist that you don’t see coming at the end. I highly recommend this book. You will thoroughly enjoy it.

I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Cinda Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raina Sun Louie and her husband, Matthew Louie, have been given a free honeymoon at a resort on Kauai owned by Raina's great aunt, Auntie May. They quickly learn when Po Po, Raina's grandmother Bonnie Wong, shows up that they are wanted for a ransom drop. One of Auntie May's twin granddaughters has been kidnapped.
They soon learn that Ailani Wong is involved in her kidnapping. The story becomes very interesting when Leilani Wong, the other twin, is missing and Raina has to serve as the emcee at the luau.
A body is found beneath the pig in the pit. The inept police show up and Matthew tries to assist. Matthew is called to Oahu to find more clues about Ailani and Leilani. Raina receives a text from Sonny Kwan, the leader of the Nine Dragons criminal organization. Sonny wants to be an ally and help Raina and Po Po.
While they are investigating the murder of Leilani, a rainstorm causes havoc at the resort. Only one road in and out with a tree across it.
Win Sun, Raina's younger brother, wants to get involved in the investigation as well.
Of course, Po Po is her usual crazy self.
I thoroughly enjoy Anne Tan's Raina Sun series. Each of the 11 books could be read as a stand alone.
I am always happy to see where the characters are now. If you like cozy mysteries, you will love these.
I received an advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A honeymoon with your grandma and little brother? Ahem - Not a chance! But does Raina really have a choice? Again, not a chance. But when her cousins and aunt turn to her for help, Raina knows that there is no way she would say no. And between you, me and the gate post, all that sitting around and not doing very much was beginning to get a little boring - although Raina would not admit to that at all!

Another brilliant laugh-out-loud adventure for the Suns and Louies. Excellent as always and I enjoyed meeting more of Raina's extended family, and getting to know Win better as well.

[Linda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This clean, well written mystery is full of intrigue, great characters and laugh out loud humor. Raina is finally on her honeymoon with Matthew and surprise visitors show up. They are staying at a family resort for a discount and the family pulls Raina into a kidnapping, murder and mayhem! This is a well developed story that will leave you loving the deep family ties while laughing out loud at some of the situations

[Ilene G> · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery.

I like this series. Great characters with humor and a good mystery. Raina is on her honeymoon and has to solve a murder mystery. Raina faces danger, but has the help if her family. Po Po is funny and crazy, as usual. There are twists. I recommend this story to anyone who likes cozy mysteries with humor and a family with strong ties.

[Kathy Brenzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raina and her husband Matthew were given a trip to Hawaii as a belated honeymoon. She should have know better than to think that Po Po didn't have an ulterior motive, but this was all about family. They all find themselves mixed up in a kidnapping, a murder, the Triad and old enemies from the past. Just to top it off, there was a massive storm which cut them off from outside help.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne R. Tan hits it our of the ballpark with another winner. Raina and Marcus finally take their delayed honeymoon in Hawaii only to have both murder and family pop up. I love this series with its quirky characters and Raina, like so many others, having a foot in both the Chinese and the American cultures. To fully enjoy and enjoy this series, start with book one and keep reading.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I wish Ms Tan could write as quickly as I read! Of course Raina couldn't go on her honeymoon without PoPo and a wild time joining. There is murder, identity theft, heart ache, joy, and love. I won't go into details. Go read the book you won't be disappointed.

Winner, Winner, Wild Chicken dinner. Corny but I couldn't help myself.

[Lyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still love this series and looking forward to the next.

[Anne Kavcic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a book full of twists and turns - and action too, of course. Raina and her new husband are on a honeymoon trip to Kauai, when her grandmother Popo and younger brother turn up. Of course there's a reason - Raina is expected to use her sleuthing skill to discreetly help her aunt, who owns the resort, recover some ransom money. Popo is funny as always in her enthusiasm for anything undercover, but the result of the recovery attempt is unpleasantly surprising. More issues pop up - a death in the family, gangsters, and possible love interests. Well done and full of the warmth of family and also adventure. - I'm leaving this honest review after receiving a review copy.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raina Sun Louie is a Chinese American married to a homicide detective (Matthew Louie). They are on honeymoon in Hawai'i on the cheap by staying with relatives. But when they spot her brother and PoPo (her Chinese grandma who has no filters) at the luau it starts to get crazy (as usual). First there is a ransom scam pulled on her great aunt, but then there is a body in the fire pit and some unprofessional cops. Matthew heads off to Oahu while PoPo and Raina investigate everything on site. Let the madness intensify! LOVED it!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, easy, cozy mystery! One of the best things about this book is that even though there are allusions to previous books in the series, it can stand by itself. Who would think a free honeymoon in Hawaii would include a Chinese gang, a death, and a feisty grandmother? This book has it all.

[Stephanie Villere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Airy Allies and Enemies, book 11 of the Raina Sun series written by Anne R. Tan. I LOVE every book in this series! I don’t know how Ms Tan is always able to give us a fresh new “who dunnit” with each book, but she always delivers! This one takes place during Raina and Matthew’s honeymoon, which, of course, also involves Po Po and Win! No book is complete without Po Po’s shenanigans! I think she should be available to assist the local police on all of their cases! Life would never be dull!! I can’t wait to see what is in Raina’s future!

[Sue Turkington · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

I’ve read and loved the whole series. It’s been fun watching the characters grow and change. This story has everything you want in a good story...it has murder, intrigue, romance and lots of suspense. You might even catch yourself chuckling here and there. Great story and I would recommend you read this book.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER ENJOYABLE RAINA,SUN BOOK

Very enjoyable!. Kept me guess until the end. Nice light enjoyable mystery. I'm looking forward to the next Raina Sun mystery

[Joyce927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Raina and Matthew get a free honeymoon on one of Hawaii's romantic islands they don't expect it to become a family affair. Raina's great-aunt, married to her Grandma's brother, asks them to help with a ransom drop. One of Auntie May's twin granddaughters has been kidnapped. Despite all of their preparations, the kidnapper manages to get away with the money. As it turns out, the problematic twin had faked her own kidnapping, but very soon one of the twins is murdered. With Popo and Win, Raina's younger brother, on the scene they are all soon involved in Bonnie Wong's crazy antics.

There are several possible motives, including involvement with the Nine Dragons Triad, a Chinese criminal organization. Raina's Grandma, Bonnie, has far reaching resources to help them in their investigation, fortunately, because Matthew has to travel back to the mainland following up leads. Sonny Blue reappears as an unlikely ally who helps Raina discover who the surprising murderer is as well as the unexpected motive.

I am a huge fan of this series. Each book is a stand alone mystery, and you don't need to have read the previous ten books to thoroughly understand and enjoy this one. The main characters, Raina and Popo (her grandma) are like old friends. It's always a delight to catch up with them and the rest of the family. I highly recommend Ann Tan, she is a top author for me, and both the Raina Sun series and Lucy Fong series are excellent. Not only are the mysteries superb, the insight into Chinese American culture is fascinating.

[Darlene C Robold · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was simply too far over the top for me. First, PoPo and Win show up while Raina and Matt are on their honeymoon. Then a kidnapping involving twin cousins. Raina fills in for one of them as the MC for a dinner show and when a body is pulled from the pit, instead of the pig, she goes on with the show to keep things calm and almost no one notices? The police arrive and Matt tries to help but they are all rebuffed and Matt agrees with PoPo they should investigate from the sidelines. Then Matt disappears on another secret mission and the group continues in its usual fashion. Stink bombs thrown willy-nilly, tasers, bugging devices, wild guesses. Raina is married to a policeman yet immediately assumes they mistakenly identified the body. PoPo can get anything through TSA? The best part of this book was bringing back Sonny.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. That had to be the BEST opening couple of sentences. Ever. It just gets better from there, too! There seem to be multiple mysteries in this book and they are all tied together. I will say that this family is quite a hoot and full of mischief as well…ok, mostly Po Po. She is definitely a character. I love her! I had a lot of fun reading this and look forward to the next one!

[Anna Pillich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good flight hearted read

I love the Raina Sun series. (I admit it, I binge read the first 6 books when I discovered them) great mix of eclectic characters. Being from a non Asian background I love how the books immerse you in the Asian family culture without being overwhelming. Good light reading.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read mire than a few of of Anne R Tan's

I have read more than a few of MS Tan's book. She has a fantastic way of getting her characters involved in her stories. I also become quite involved (reading) as well. Want a great story just grab one of her books!!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book. Even though I was given a copy of this book by the author, it in no way influenced my opinion, and this is my honest review.

[CONNIE BALTHROP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Po Po does it again. You got to love a strong family.

[gowri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent mystery but I feel like Raina was a bit slower at putting some obvious clues together which kinda annoyed me

[Geraldine Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced comedy/murder/thriller. The detectives are extremely likeable; a young Chinese American woman and her wonderful grandma who is an energetic and resourceful woman in her 70s. She is full of surprises and has fantastic contacts (like hackers) and has all the latest gadgets.

The interaction between the two main characters and also the young woman's long suffering husband and her younger brother is warm, witty and entertaining.

As this is the eleventh book in the series there is a lot of history that has gone before and the author manages to slip this in neatly. This serves to ensure that new readers are up to speed on what has happened to the main characters in the past and is also an aide-memoire for readers who have read other books in the series.

All in all, this is an extremely entertaining book that is beautifully written and a pleasure to read. Not being of Chinese extraction myself, I loved the insight into Chinese culture.