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When a tourist is murdered in Ka'anapali, and it turns out he's someone from Rosie's past, Charlie is on the case. She needs to find out whether or not the man knew about Rosie's defection, or if it's just a coincidence he was killed on the island.

And while the stakes couldn't be higher, Charlie finds herself butting heads with the FBI, at the same time as she's getting closer to Jake than ever. And she's not sure that's a bad thing...

Charlie has to get to the bottom of this case before Rosie's true identity is revealed, but going up against trained spies is completely outside her wheelhouse.

Will Charlie find the killer and protect her friend, or is she going to find herself out in the cold... permanently?

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2022

980 people are currently reading
178 people want to read

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Jasmine Webb

36 books213 followers

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5 stars
782 (56%)
4 stars
464 (33%)
3 stars
118 (8%)
2 stars
8 (<1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Anita.
2,670 reviews223 followers
December 2, 2024
This series bears a striking resemblance to the Jana Deleon's Miss Fortune Mystery series, but that's okay since I love that series, and I love Jasmine Webb's Charlotte Gibson series too. Both have a 30 something main character and two older supporting characters. They all get involved in murders in their communities and they all use inventive techniques to solve those murders, in addition to getting into some really funny situations. The formula works for me, and I really enjoy the entertaining, funny, mystery plots.

Charlie is a newly minted Private Investigator and with her retired friends, Dot and Rosie, they have solved some very interesting cases. When a tourist is murdered, Rosie recognizes his name and wants Charlie to investigate. This man is someone from Rosie's life as a Soviet spy and someone she cared deeply for once upon a time.

Why was Rex Thunder on the island? Did he know this was where Rosie lives? Was he still a Soviet spy? Why was he murdered? All questions that Charlie, Rosie and Dot needed answers to and when Charlie ends up head-to-head with the FBI, Jake steps in to rescue her and they get even closer than that.
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,794 reviews154 followers
June 30, 2022
Hibiscus Homicide is book 5 in the Charlotte Gibson series by Jasmine Webb.
This is such a fun series set in Maui, I absolutely feel like I am on the island when I am reading this wonderful mystery.

A tourist is killed When a in Ka'anapali and he is someone from Rosie's secret spy past.
Charlie and Dot and Rosie investigate. Unfortunately, the FBI are on the case and Charlie keeps having issues with them.

I love how the romance between Charlie and Jake is moving along.

The mystery is so well written. The characters and setting are so much fun and I really liked the personal aspect with Rosie's past.

Such a fantastic series and I cannot wait to read more of Charlie's adventures.
Profile Image for Millie Picker.
214 reviews3 followers
April 5, 2023
I’ve really enjoyed this series so far. It has a great cast of characters from millennials to Boomers!
Charlie, Dot, Rosie and Jake has become more fully developed as the series has progressed. I love Charlie’s sassiness, spunk, and inter generational relationships with Dot and Rosie, two sassy, spunky seniors who are invaluable to Charlie.
If you love just a good fun who done it, you’ll enjoy these cozy mysteries.
1,440 reviews5 followers
October 28, 2023
4.5 stars. Fun cozy mystery set in beautiful Hawaii. Nicely narrated.
72 reviews
August 2, 2025
Another great Charlie Gibson book. I love that the character gets more wise with each book. This was the first book that brought a tear to my eye. The tension building in the character development is great, making me want to read the next book and the next book as quickly as possible!
Profile Image for ElaineY.
2,455 reviews68 followers
April 29, 2025
REVIEW OF DNF: 19 APRIL, 2025
This was a dud for me. First, I don't like my murder mysteries to go off on a tangent and bring in espionage or human trafficking or political unrests (it's why I stay away from the Sean Duffy books byAdrian McKinty). It's also why I stopped following the Ms Fortune series by Jana Deleon as that, too, started including spy stuff and the CIA.

What I liked in this book: Charlie and Jake share a kiss. Actually, would have been much more because, somewhere during the kissing and groping the front seat of Jake's cop car, Charlie's bra has come off and Jake's pants about to join it but for the security guard banging on their window.

That was the only memorable bit in the book. I fell asleep after that so I don't know whether Rex Thunder was in Hawaii for his daughter's wedding or for some other reason - a reason that got him killed.

On second thoughts, I'm going to relisten to this and find out.
599 reviews
March 21, 2023
People are Never Who you Expect them to be

Charlie and Jake end up seriously making out while on a steak out, making both of them nervous about being around the other. Charlie takes on another job of finding out who murdered the Father of the Bride. While she finds our the woman she was on the stake out about was really a thief along with her boyfriend she almost gets tasered again only the gun is garbage. Charlie ends up in the hospital again from a couple of concussions, one of the first people she sees other than Zoe is Jake and feels her heart squeeze when he leaves. Can't wait to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Carol Evans.
1,430 reviews38 followers
June 18, 2025
Rosie recognizes a tourist who was killed and needs Charlie’s help getting to the bottom of what happened. The characters are always fun and even though this one involves the FBI and CIA, it doesn’t get too deep in the spy mire. And really how can you take a spy seriously with a name like Rex Thunder? And the FBI agents seem on the verge of incompetent. So the story is still fun and light and just over the top. Charlie figures out who the (unlikely, I thought) killer is and we get a nice show down. We also get a scene with Charlie and Jake making out, so hopefully their relationship will start moving in the right direction.
Profile Image for Katherine Decker.
1,358 reviews
April 16, 2023
Rosie’s old life and Charlie’s PI Work collide

Charlie is in full swing as a P.I. She is not expecting to have Rosie’s old life enter into the PI realm. When a man from Rosie’s past is murdered, Charlie finds herself investigating for both the man’s life and for Rosie. Complicating the mix is once again Jake and the potential feelings that rear their head. The plot is once again solid, but it truly is the characters that make me enjoy this series. Looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Meg.
1,239 reviews13 followers
August 16, 2025
Another cute addition to the series! Charlie again is working several cases with Dot and Rosie. One case involves a former Russian spy that is murdered at a local hotel. They are afraid it may be tied to Rose's background.

The FBI is involved, a CIA agent, and of course the local hot cop Jake. Everyone sees Charlie and Jake are perfect for each other. Charlie and Jake, however don't see it at all and deny it at all costs. They continue to dance around each other even getting as far as making out on a stakeout. But then decide they are going to pretend it never happened.
17 reviews
April 29, 2023
Great relaxing read!!

Another exciting adventure for Charlie and her friends! I always enjoy their stories and can’t wait to start the next one. Jasmine Webb does a wonderful job bringing the islands to life in the page and always tells a hood story. Once again, I wish we got a little more explanation as to how Charlie figured it out, but overall this was still a really great escape!!
504 reviews11 followers
July 27, 2022
Maui Murder!

I love this character and her back up team (all of them)! Very interesting storyline with the FBI and CIA involvement. Looking forward to the installment of this series!
567 reviews
December 15, 2023
Fast enjoyable audiobook . I look forward to the next installment. I had a problem with the ‘Letter’. How was anyone supposed to find who it went to? It would have been awful if anyone else had read .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
576 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2025
I like this series. its a good balance with not too much of too stupid to live, mushy love interest, cute critter, and no bakery or coffee shop.

I wish my library had more of them. I will probably end up spending real money on the rest of the series, I like them that much.
Profile Image for Pamela.
911 reviews28 followers
Read
January 15, 2026
I am enjoying this series! Lots of fun.. The main character is like* Stephanie Plum* and *Fortune* mixed together IMO! Love it ! bought the series from audible to read when ever I neen Laughs and Relaxing!!
920 reviews6 followers
July 31, 2022
Great Mystery Series

Just my kind of mystery. Terrific characters that never cease to amaze. Jasmine Webb manipulates both her story and characters with skill and ease.
Profile Image for Kerrie A Summers.
158 reviews3 followers
January 23, 2023
Hibiscus Homicide

Charlie gets Jake involved several times she solves a crime runs from the feds, and does figure out who killed
Rex. It was funny too!
1,022 reviews10 followers
July 29, 2023
Another great story!

What a surprise to find this installment in the series to be a spy comedy mystery! Well crafted, high quality, and good fun!
483 reviews15 followers
January 5, 2024
OK WOW!

Now I have to wait for book 6! BOO HOO!
On the upside, there will be a book 6!
YAY! Love these characters and the stories and the pace and the fun!
34 reviews2 followers
February 24, 2024
Great series !

I am nearing the end of this great series of books and wish it would not end. However,
I will look for other books Jasmine Webb has written !
585 reviews5 followers
June 26, 2024
Wow! We get to learn more about Rosie's background and you know it is going to be explosive.
Love these ladies.
Profile Image for Libby.
1,325 reviews
Read
September 23, 2024
(E) I used this as a palate cleanser between Harlan Coben books. It worked.
449 reviews3 followers
January 14, 2025
The antics continue in the world of Charlie Gibson in Hibiscus Homicide. Enjoyed another one in this series.
7 reviews
February 19, 2025
great sequel

The sequel continues on and this book is very good- exciting, plot twisting ending, can’t wait for the next book.
375 reviews
June 25, 2025
Another good book!

Poor Jake!! He has no idea!! Charlie is keeping herself in denial.Dot & Rosie are a dynamic duo! Fun filled cozy murder mystery. Onto book 6
29 reviews
September 12, 2025
Another good read

Ms.Webb brings her characterstolife in a way that make you feel that they are your friends. Ill look forward to seeing what Charlie & the gals get into next.
Profile Image for Billi Hoyle.
296 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2025
I love the series of fun quirky mystery books. definitely goes the Janet Evonavich vibe on a beach in hawaii type of mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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