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Elysium Tide (Christian Series Level II
Dr. Peter Chesterfield is the top neurosurgeon at the Royal London Hospital. He’s also a workaholic, and after a blow-up with a colleague, his boss orders him to attend a medical symposium at the luxurious Elysium Grand on the island of Maui. During a midnight walk on the beach, Peter pulls a woman with a skull fracture from the water. Despite all his skill, she dies in his arms, leaving him with only one clue to what happened to the word “honu.”
432 pages, Library Binding
First published June 7, 2022
17 people are currently reading
3640 people want to read
About the author
James R. Hannibal
19 books652 followersJames R. Hannibal an award-winning author of kids fiction, spy and military thrillers, and young adult fantasy. As a former stealth bomber pilot and drone pilot James is no stranger to action or secrets. He has been shot at, locked up by a surface to air missile system, and aided the capture of High Value Targets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
June 8, 2022
Characters: These characters ... Peter, the genius surgeon with a mouth that got him in trouble more often than not. Lisa, the troubled teen who ran from Hawaii and returned as a cop many years later. All the side characters (some I didn't know if I could trust) and the abundance of villains. Yes, James Hannibal knows how to develop unique, memorable characters.
Language: Clean.
Moral/theme: I really enjoyed the parts where Peter was faced with the reality of God and eternity. I'm hoping there's a sequel where Peter continues to grow in this regard.
Plot: This plot had so many twists and turns! Suspenseful moments, action scenes, and multiple villains moved the plot right along. My only complaint would be the times when the characters solved parts of the case off scene. I would've liked to see their thought processes and how they actually figured those things out.
Romance: Clean. This novel contained only a couple of hints of romance that I'm thinking will be developed in the sequel I'm really hoping James Hannibal writes.
Writing: James Hannibal's fast-paced, clear writing worked great for this book. He described things in a way that I could picture them, but his descriptions didn't bog down the action.
Overall: Elysium Tide was an exciting read, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and suspense novels.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Language: Clean.
Moral/theme: I really enjoyed the parts where Peter was faced with the reality of God and eternity. I'm hoping there's a sequel where Peter continues to grow in this regard.
Plot: This plot had so many twists and turns! Suspenseful moments, action scenes, and multiple villains moved the plot right along. My only complaint would be the times when the characters solved parts of the case off scene. I would've liked to see their thought processes and how they actually figured those things out.
Romance: Clean. This novel contained only a couple of hints of romance that I'm thinking will be developed in the sequel I'm really hoping James Hannibal writes.
Writing: James Hannibal's fast-paced, clear writing worked great for this book. He described things in a way that I could picture them, but his descriptions didn't bog down the action.
Overall: Elysium Tide was an exciting read, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and suspense novels.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
August 23, 2022
In Elysium Tide readers will travel to Hawaii and a crime that seems to start small and then spirals into a many headed Medusa that seems impossible to kill…or solve. Filled with twists, turns, and characters that kept the pages turning, the book felt like a vacation and a jolt of adrenaline at the same time. Be prepared to read this book in one sitting. Elysium Tide is perfect for readers who love a novel filled with mystery, twists, and the lightest hint of romance.
March 14, 2022
Hi, Mr. Hannibal?
Yes, I would like to lodge a complaint. No, nothing serious. I was just very disappointed in Elysium Tide’s ending. What did I not like? Well, that is easy to explain. You see, Mr. Hannibal, your latest novel…I did not like that it ended. If you are going to pull me in like this with your characters and wonderful storytelling, your books should be longer. Because Lisa and Peter have become my friends, and I loathe being separated from them. Please write and publish a sequel.
Signed, a devoted reader
Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal is everything a mystery should be. Entertaining with high stakes, the novel takes readers to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. A relaxing, beachside read, however, Elysium Tide is not (in a good way!). Auto theft, organized crime, technology, murder, and family ties—everything pools together to create a marvelous story. Just as I thought I figured something out, Hannibal dropped a bomb that caused my theories to explode. I do not want predictability in the novels I read. Surprise keeps my attention, and I actually like my assumptions being incorrect. I guessed a few things, but for the most part? Nope. Negative, ghost rider. I attempted to solve the case, walking right beside Lisa, Peter and the rest of the Elysium Tide gang.
It took me a little bit to get into the novel, though that should not reflect poorly on the book at all. At the time of my reading Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal, I had a lot going on in life, and sadly, not as much time to read as usual. One bright Sunday afternoon, however, I finally had space to breathe…that is, until I returned to Elysium Tide , anyway! After stealing reading minutes for nearly two weeks, I read almost two-thirds of this novel in one day. I needed to reach the end—needed to know how all the puzzle pieces connected together.
You know the frustration of putting together a puzzle, and the box didn’t come with one piece? Or a piece maybe slipped under the sofa, and you didn’t realize it until you’ve already finished the rest of the puzzle? Then you can’t find the piece? This is my problem with many mystery novels. At the conclusion, the pieces do not add up, and I do not know how the author reached his/her conclusions—not the case at all with Elysium Tide . By the final page, everything had snapped into place. Hannibal explains how his characters solve the crimes in such a pleasing manner. Readers can understand wholly, without feeling as if they are senseless for not having the “AHA!” moment sooner.
Thank you for taking me to Hawaii, James Hannibal. Thank you for introducing me to Lisa and Peter and their highs and lows, their victories and their struggles. I loved everything about this book. Please GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK. I need to see this duo together again! If you like drama, excitement, and mysteries—with some lighthearted humor scattered throughout—read Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal. It is another absolute zinger. You won’t regret it!
*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher (Thanks Revell and NetGalley!) in exchange for my honest review. All views expressed are my own.
Yes, I would like to lodge a complaint. No, nothing serious. I was just very disappointed in Elysium Tide’s ending. What did I not like? Well, that is easy to explain. You see, Mr. Hannibal, your latest novel…I did not like that it ended. If you are going to pull me in like this with your characters and wonderful storytelling, your books should be longer. Because Lisa and Peter have become my friends, and I loathe being separated from them. Please write and publish a sequel.
Signed, a devoted reader
Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal is everything a mystery should be. Entertaining with high stakes, the novel takes readers to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. A relaxing, beachside read, however, Elysium Tide is not (in a good way!). Auto theft, organized crime, technology, murder, and family ties—everything pools together to create a marvelous story. Just as I thought I figured something out, Hannibal dropped a bomb that caused my theories to explode. I do not want predictability in the novels I read. Surprise keeps my attention, and I actually like my assumptions being incorrect. I guessed a few things, but for the most part? Nope. Negative, ghost rider. I attempted to solve the case, walking right beside Lisa, Peter and the rest of the Elysium Tide gang.
It took me a little bit to get into the novel, though that should not reflect poorly on the book at all. At the time of my reading Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal, I had a lot going on in life, and sadly, not as much time to read as usual. One bright Sunday afternoon, however, I finally had space to breathe…that is, until I returned to Elysium Tide , anyway! After stealing reading minutes for nearly two weeks, I read almost two-thirds of this novel in one day. I needed to reach the end—needed to know how all the puzzle pieces connected together.
You know the frustration of putting together a puzzle, and the box didn’t come with one piece? Or a piece maybe slipped under the sofa, and you didn’t realize it until you’ve already finished the rest of the puzzle? Then you can’t find the piece? This is my problem with many mystery novels. At the conclusion, the pieces do not add up, and I do not know how the author reached his/her conclusions—not the case at all with Elysium Tide . By the final page, everything had snapped into place. Hannibal explains how his characters solve the crimes in such a pleasing manner. Readers can understand wholly, without feeling as if they are senseless for not having the “AHA!” moment sooner.
Thank you for taking me to Hawaii, James Hannibal. Thank you for introducing me to Lisa and Peter and their highs and lows, their victories and their struggles. I loved everything about this book. Please GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK. I need to see this duo together again! If you like drama, excitement, and mysteries—with some lighthearted humor scattered throughout—read Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal. It is another absolute zinger. You won’t regret it!
*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher (Thanks Revell and NetGalley!) in exchange for my honest review. All views expressed are my own.
June 14, 2022
Superb procedural.
What a fantastically plotted suspense. This is my first novel by this author and I was drawn in from the first page. The setting was the Elysium Grand, a resort on Maui and I felt as if I were there. In fact the whole book played out in my head as a well-scripted movie.
Overworked, neurosurgeon , Dr. Peter Chesterfield has landed on Maui for a medical conference that is more of a punishment than for information. He finds himself teaming with Maui detective Lisa Kealoha on a murder case. He is befriended by the resort doctor, Tu Iona, Tuna for short, who in my mind looked and acted a lot like Lieutenant Tanaka from the original Magnum PI.
There was a lot of action and also thinking skills were put to use. The story showed the close ties of family. Some of the characters are Christians and that aspect was portrayed naturally. Peter is not yet a Christian but through the story he starts to question his mortality and sees Tuna and Lisa live out their faith. The villains were crafty and the real motives were not revealed until near the end. I did not figure out some things and was surprised.
Peter and Lisa made a great team trying to stay one step ahead of the game. I hope this is not the last we see of these characters.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
What a fantastically plotted suspense. This is my first novel by this author and I was drawn in from the first page. The setting was the Elysium Grand, a resort on Maui and I felt as if I were there. In fact the whole book played out in my head as a well-scripted movie.
Overworked, neurosurgeon , Dr. Peter Chesterfield has landed on Maui for a medical conference that is more of a punishment than for information. He finds himself teaming with Maui detective Lisa Kealoha on a murder case. He is befriended by the resort doctor, Tu Iona, Tuna for short, who in my mind looked and acted a lot like Lieutenant Tanaka from the original Magnum PI.
There was a lot of action and also thinking skills were put to use. The story showed the close ties of family. Some of the characters are Christians and that aspect was portrayed naturally. Peter is not yet a Christian but through the story he starts to question his mortality and sees Tuna and Lisa live out their faith. The villains were crafty and the real motives were not revealed until near the end. I did not figure out some things and was surprised.
Peter and Lisa made a great team trying to stay one step ahead of the game. I hope this is not the last we see of these characters.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
August 10, 2022
First off, this book has one fatal flaw. I've got to wait a year before I can read the next. And that's if they even DO another book. So not fair. So here's my .02. Baker Publishing? WE WANT MORE!
Okay, so does that hint at how much I enjoyed it? This fast-paced mystery with a splash of suspense kept me on my toes and I did NOT figure out one of the major pieces. That bit of twistyness threw me, and oh, was it fun! There was also a twist on another thing I did figure out which made me both right and wrong. I have ZERO idea how I could have known that bit from the book, so I give myself a pass there. Who cares? It was great.
Peter Chesterfield was two parts Doc Martin, one part Endeavour Morse in this non-stop action mystery of car thefts, gang warfare, and murder. But there's a whole lot more to it than that, and add in a gutsy cop back on the island after time on the streets of LA and well... whew! Good stuff right here.
I really have ZERO complaints. People looking for a great mystery without the complication of romance. Gotcha covered. Want detectives who are clever without being clairvoyant? Gotcha covered. Want bad guys who do bad things without being another Snidely Whiplash? Yep. It's all there and more.
Meanwhile, I wait. This is going to be a long year.
Okay, so does that hint at how much I enjoyed it? This fast-paced mystery with a splash of suspense kept me on my toes and I did NOT figure out one of the major pieces. That bit of twistyness threw me, and oh, was it fun! There was also a twist on another thing I did figure out which made me both right and wrong. I have ZERO idea how I could have known that bit from the book, so I give myself a pass there. Who cares? It was great.
Peter Chesterfield was two parts Doc Martin, one part Endeavour Morse in this non-stop action mystery of car thefts, gang warfare, and murder. But there's a whole lot more to it than that, and add in a gutsy cop back on the island after time on the streets of LA and well... whew! Good stuff right here.
I really have ZERO complaints. People looking for a great mystery without the complication of romance. Gotcha covered. Want detectives who are clever without being clairvoyant? Gotcha covered. Want bad guys who do bad things without being another Snidely Whiplash? Yep. It's all there and more.
Meanwhile, I wait. This is going to be a long year.
April 6, 2023
Quite a change from the last book I reviewed, which was the slow and gentle
Tender Grace
by Jackina Stark (read my review here if you missed it). James Hannibal’s books are always a toss-up for me. I enjoy his style and characterization, but often his thrillers are a bit too dark or gruesome for me. I enjoy a good-guys-vs.-bad-guys story as much as the next girl, but most thrillers leave me with a sense of sorrow over the cavalier loss of life, and it’s especially sad when, as in this book, the victims involve young people making really bad choices. Those general thoughts apply to this book as well: great style, characters, and action, but not for sensitive readers (which I often am).
The fact that the book opens with an up-close-and-personal view of brain surgery is a good indication of the type of suspense we’re talking about here. Hannibal’s attention to research and detail really made the medical scenes come alive. Honestly, though, I loved having a neurosurgeon as the male lead in this book. Neuroscience has always fascinated me, so although we didn’t get much detail into the processes of Peter’s profession, his character intrigued me. Not to mention, he’s British. I had forgotten that when I started the book, but as soon as it was brought to my attention, I could easily hear his cocky British accent. Because, yes, Peter is cocky. He’s the sort of character who would irritate me no end in real life but is such fun to read about. The clash between British dialect and Hawaiian dialect was especially fun.
In fact, I loved all the banter between various characters. Hannibal does that sort of thing very well, and it made the characters in this book seem nicely three-dimensional, with plenty of complex relationship dynamics between them. I could feel Peter’s drive and struggle for control, and the emotional wringer he went through when he couldn’t save someone. I loved that he was the type to rush headlong into danger if it meant doing the right thing, even if it wasn’t always for the right reasons. I’m not typically a fan of the tough-cop female lead, and this book was no exception to my rule, but Lisa also had her empathetic moments, and the dynamic between her and Peter was…well, there was a good deal of head-butting, but mostly in an enjoyable way. Tuna and Lisa’s brothers were nice additions, making for both lighthearted and serious moments. The lack of romance was refreshing, especially since Lisa was a Christian and Peter was not.
Which leads me to my next point. I loved Peter’s slow turn from openly professing atheism to considering Christianity. But the weird effects of his near-death experience felt kind of unexplained to me when all was said and done, and I really wished his turn toward the Lord had gone farther. By the end of the book, it was impossible to tell if he really knew what true Christianity meant or if he was just considering that it might be time to acknowledge God’s existence and control—a first step, yes, but not necessarily the resolution I was hoping for. By the same token, I really appreciated that Lisa mentioned her faith (and regretted not sharing it) as much as she did, but I didn’t see much of its effect on her life. She had some very unchristian attitudes at various points, especially in her work interactions, and although it’s completely normal for a Christian to have attitude problems, I wanted to see her actively fighting those attitudes and talking to the Lord about them, not deciding that nothing in the Bible precluded her from enjoying watching her rival squirm.
As to the mystery itself—yes, there were a few gruesome details, although they were mostly handled in a fairly clinical manner (another benefit of a neurosurgeon for a hero). The plot was extremely twisty—every time I thought they’d finally nailed the bad guy, there would be another bad guy waiting in the wings. The final climax was a bit disappointing to me—not because it didn’t fulfill the story, but just because it was sad. I would have been happy to stop with one of the big shootout moments or false-identity reveals. But everything came together well, and although it was complex, I didn’t end the story feeling ridiculously befuddled and wanting to go back and read everything again to figure out what just happened. Although I wouldn’t mind reading some parts again, because Peter is my favorite atheist hero at the moment.
Kudos to Mr. Hannibal for a tense, multifaceted thriller with some great characters and a few thoughtful moments as well. Don’t read this unless you’re okay with losing sleep.
Join my newsletter list for monthly reading roundups and author updates, plus a free short story.
The fact that the book opens with an up-close-and-personal view of brain surgery is a good indication of the type of suspense we’re talking about here. Hannibal’s attention to research and detail really made the medical scenes come alive. Honestly, though, I loved having a neurosurgeon as the male lead in this book. Neuroscience has always fascinated me, so although we didn’t get much detail into the processes of Peter’s profession, his character intrigued me. Not to mention, he’s British. I had forgotten that when I started the book, but as soon as it was brought to my attention, I could easily hear his cocky British accent. Because, yes, Peter is cocky. He’s the sort of character who would irritate me no end in real life but is such fun to read about. The clash between British dialect and Hawaiian dialect was especially fun.
In fact, I loved all the banter between various characters. Hannibal does that sort of thing very well, and it made the characters in this book seem nicely three-dimensional, with plenty of complex relationship dynamics between them. I could feel Peter’s drive and struggle for control, and the emotional wringer he went through when he couldn’t save someone. I loved that he was the type to rush headlong into danger if it meant doing the right thing, even if it wasn’t always for the right reasons. I’m not typically a fan of the tough-cop female lead, and this book was no exception to my rule, but Lisa also had her empathetic moments, and the dynamic between her and Peter was…well, there was a good deal of head-butting, but mostly in an enjoyable way. Tuna and Lisa’s brothers were nice additions, making for both lighthearted and serious moments. The lack of romance was refreshing, especially since Lisa was a Christian and Peter was not.
Which leads me to my next point. I loved Peter’s slow turn from openly professing atheism to considering Christianity. But the weird effects of his near-death experience felt kind of unexplained to me when all was said and done, and I really wished his turn toward the Lord had gone farther. By the end of the book, it was impossible to tell if he really knew what true Christianity meant or if he was just considering that it might be time to acknowledge God’s existence and control—a first step, yes, but not necessarily the resolution I was hoping for. By the same token, I really appreciated that Lisa mentioned her faith (and regretted not sharing it) as much as she did, but I didn’t see much of its effect on her life. She had some very unchristian attitudes at various points, especially in her work interactions, and although it’s completely normal for a Christian to have attitude problems, I wanted to see her actively fighting those attitudes and talking to the Lord about them, not deciding that nothing in the Bible precluded her from enjoying watching her rival squirm.
As to the mystery itself—yes, there were a few gruesome details, although they were mostly handled in a fairly clinical manner (another benefit of a neurosurgeon for a hero). The plot was extremely twisty—every time I thought they’d finally nailed the bad guy, there would be another bad guy waiting in the wings. The final climax was a bit disappointing to me—not because it didn’t fulfill the story, but just because it was sad. I would have been happy to stop with one of the big shootout moments or false-identity reveals. But everything came together well, and although it was complex, I didn’t end the story feeling ridiculously befuddled and wanting to go back and read everything again to figure out what just happened. Although I wouldn’t mind reading some parts again, because Peter is my favorite atheist hero at the moment.
Kudos to Mr. Hannibal for a tense, multifaceted thriller with some great characters and a few thoughtful moments as well. Don’t read this unless you’re okay with losing sleep.
Join my newsletter list for monthly reading roundups and author updates, plus a free short story.
July 11, 2022
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This was such a good novel—a tense thriller that truly kept me turning pages. It was refreshing, in a way, to read a mainstream Christian novel written by a male author. Even more refreshing was how Peter and Lisa’s relationship stayed professional. I’ve read more than one Christian thriller/mystery where the romance between the leads is treated as more important than the main plot. (Or at least equally important.) That wasn’t the case with Elysium Tide, and I appreciated that.
The main mystery was a little hard to follow at times—so many moving parts! And one surprise villain reveal just…didn’t work for me. What really kept me reading was Peter’s faith journey. He begins the book as an atheist but slowly, ever so slowly he starts to entertain the possibility of an all-powerful Creator Who cares about him. I was rooting so hard for Peter to become a believer! There was one moment where he finally decides that maybe, just maybe there might be a God. That was such a huge step for his character, and it made me tear up.
I will say that the ending of Elysium Tide was somewhat disappointing. I DM’ed James Hannibal, asking (rather frantically) if there was going to be a sequel. And he said no. 😦 However, I feel as thought the disappointing ending is a total ‘your mileage may vary’ kind of thing. (There’s no real cliffhanger, for one thing.)
I confess that the main reason I picked up Elysium Tide was because the main character was a doctor. And the medical aspect of his character/the story didn’t disappoint. Lots of nice medical details for me to enjoy. 😉 And, contrary to how it might sound, I did enjoy the rest of the story. And I would happily check out more thrillers from James Hannibal.
Overall, if you’re a fan of clean mystery thrillers, smart characters, and actually Christian fiction, chances are good that you’ll love Elysium Tide.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a good novel—a tense thriller that truly kept me turning pages. It was refreshing, in a way, to read a mainstream Christian novel written by a male author. Even more refreshing was how Peter and Lisa’s relationship stayed professional. I’ve read more than one Christian thriller/mystery where the romance between the leads is treated as more important than the main plot. (Or at least equally important.) That wasn’t the case with Elysium Tide, and I appreciated that.
The main mystery was a little hard to follow at times—so many moving parts! And one surprise villain reveal just…didn’t work for me. What really kept me reading was Peter’s faith journey. He begins the book as an atheist but slowly, ever so slowly he starts to entertain the possibility of an all-powerful Creator Who cares about him. I was rooting so hard for Peter to become a believer! There was one moment where he finally decides that maybe, just maybe there might be a God. That was such a huge step for his character, and it made me tear up.
I will say that the ending of Elysium Tide was somewhat disappointing. I DM’ed James Hannibal, asking (rather frantically) if there was going to be a sequel. And he said no. 😦 However, I feel as thought the disappointing ending is a total ‘your mileage may vary’ kind of thing. (There’s no real cliffhanger, for one thing.)
I confess that the main reason I picked up Elysium Tide was because the main character was a doctor. And the medical aspect of his character/the story didn’t disappoint. Lots of nice medical details for me to enjoy. 😉 And, contrary to how it might sound, I did enjoy the rest of the story. And I would happily check out more thrillers from James Hannibal.
Overall, if you’re a fan of clean mystery thrillers, smart characters, and actually Christian fiction, chances are good that you’ll love Elysium Tide.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2022
Hannibal does it again!
He has become one of my all time favorite authors in the Christian sphere and I am always excited to read his books when they come out! This one did not disappoint!
The characters were amazing and deep and while at first, I felt a bit like a referee trying to keep them apart, their bickering and pecking soon became good natured as they started to realize the other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Peter is a neurosurgeon with the attitude of a walrus and quite the bite, but his bitterness and pompous attitude is soon intrigued by the mystery unfolding around him in Hawaii.
Detective Lisa can’t seem to get the know-it-all neurosurgeon off her case and he is starting to really push his luck. But she soon finds that he might be the key to unlocking the murder of one of her childhood friends. And she might be willing to do anything to see the new crime lord on the streets of her home town brought to justice. Even if that means using the skills of the possibly the most annoying man on earth.
With sideline characters like Lisa’s family (cue all the sibling banter), Dr. Tuna, the wizened grandfatherly figure who keeps throwing them together, and Lisa’s arch-nemesis in the police district, this story did not let up and rolicked forward with a pace and passion that made it hard to put down!
One of the most unique and interesting stories I’ve read in a long time! I also love that Hannibal takes a break from the stereo-typical romance angle that Christian suspense seems to have and gave us a rip-roaring detective story with just the right amount of tension!
Highly recommend this and all of Hannibal’s books!
Content: Expect a PG-13 rating on par with the violence in Mission Impossible movies, but completely clean in the romance/sexual tension aspect and no language.
He has become one of my all time favorite authors in the Christian sphere and I am always excited to read his books when they come out! This one did not disappoint!
The characters were amazing and deep and while at first, I felt a bit like a referee trying to keep them apart, their bickering and pecking soon became good natured as they started to realize the other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Peter is a neurosurgeon with the attitude of a walrus and quite the bite, but his bitterness and pompous attitude is soon intrigued by the mystery unfolding around him in Hawaii.
Detective Lisa can’t seem to get the know-it-all neurosurgeon off her case and he is starting to really push his luck. But she soon finds that he might be the key to unlocking the murder of one of her childhood friends. And she might be willing to do anything to see the new crime lord on the streets of her home town brought to justice. Even if that means using the skills of the possibly the most annoying man on earth.
With sideline characters like Lisa’s family (cue all the sibling banter), Dr. Tuna, the wizened grandfatherly figure who keeps throwing them together, and Lisa’s arch-nemesis in the police district, this story did not let up and rolicked forward with a pace and passion that made it hard to put down!
One of the most unique and interesting stories I’ve read in a long time! I also love that Hannibal takes a break from the stereo-typical romance angle that Christian suspense seems to have and gave us a rip-roaring detective story with just the right amount of tension!
Highly recommend this and all of Hannibal’s books!
Content: Expect a PG-13 rating on par with the violence in Mission Impossible movies, but completely clean in the romance/sexual tension aspect and no language.
July 11, 2022
Holy smokes, this was SUCH a good story! I'm glad I was introduced to this author last year! He does suspense so well! So many elements that come into play that make this story so exciting!
I felt like this story was a mix between Doctor Strange and Hawaii Five-O, and I loved it. Dr. Peter Chesterfield reminded me of Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange at the beginning of his first movie. He was very full of himself and he wasn't exactly easy to like.
His forced trip to Hawaii drops him in the middle of danger that unfolds throughout the story. We also meet Lisa Kealoha who I liked for her tenacity and go get 'em attitude. She takes her job seriously and she's not messing around! When she and the good doctor meet you just knew they were going to play off each other well.
Through the author I loved seeing Peter's mind work and put pieces of the puzzle together! Also, the research the author must've done on so many things like the lifestyle of those who live in Hawaii, gang activity, surgical topics, and so much more! There was also an unexpected humor that really gave levity. Have no fear, I'll be adding quotes to Goodreads because they were "gold"!
Of course, I appreciated the faith that comes through not only in Lisa's life, but the lives of some of the secondary characters. They live it out in front of Peter for him to see it first hand. I love it when characters make their faith a visible part of their lives.
I'll admit that I didn't see the end coming. It gave me the "ahhhhh," and head nod when it all unfolded. And then the VERY end... I definitely have questions! hahaha
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
I felt like this story was a mix between Doctor Strange and Hawaii Five-O, and I loved it. Dr. Peter Chesterfield reminded me of Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange at the beginning of his first movie. He was very full of himself and he wasn't exactly easy to like.
His forced trip to Hawaii drops him in the middle of danger that unfolds throughout the story. We also meet Lisa Kealoha who I liked for her tenacity and go get 'em attitude. She takes her job seriously and she's not messing around! When she and the good doctor meet you just knew they were going to play off each other well.
Through the author I loved seeing Peter's mind work and put pieces of the puzzle together! Also, the research the author must've done on so many things like the lifestyle of those who live in Hawaii, gang activity, surgical topics, and so much more! There was also an unexpected humor that really gave levity. Have no fear, I'll be adding quotes to Goodreads because they were "gold"!
Of course, I appreciated the faith that comes through not only in Lisa's life, but the lives of some of the secondary characters. They live it out in front of Peter for him to see it first hand. I love it when characters make their faith a visible part of their lives.
I'll admit that I didn't see the end coming. It gave me the "ahhhhh," and head nod when it all unfolded. And then the VERY end... I definitely have questions! hahaha
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
June 27, 2022
This was a very entertaining, action-filled story.
The suspense and action was fast paced, with explosive events at just the right moment to shock this reader and make me want to read the next chapter, after each chapter!
Peter was such a great character. I loved his different personality and how this Brit cause for a few lighter, lol moments by saying the first thing that pops into his mouth.
If you enjoy suspense stories which is fast paced and makes you not want to put the book down, I recommend this book.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
The suspense and action was fast paced, with explosive events at just the right moment to shock this reader and make me want to read the next chapter, after each chapter!
Peter was such a great character. I loved his different personality and how this Brit cause for a few lighter, lol moments by saying the first thing that pops into his mouth.
If you enjoy suspense stories which is fast paced and makes you not want to put the book down, I recommend this book.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
July 24, 2022
After reading a few of Hannibal’s other books, this one had a slower start than I anticipated. It took several chapters for me to figure out how Peter was involved with Maui. But once I got in, I was hooked. This book was more like a regular suspense novel than some of Hannibal’s others. It isn’t a bad thing, just different than “The White Lion,” for example.
The character cast was great. I really did end up liking Peter, whom at first I didn’t care for. His journey to faith seemed authentic, even though it was left a little in the open and the focus was more on acknowledging there is God rather than a repentance-salvation message.
The twists of family relationships a added greatly to the authenticity of this book. Honestly, I loved every single character, good and bad.
I can’t say if there was romance or not. There were one-sided hints, but they were subtle. Which makes me wonder if there will be more in a second book. For those who dislike romance, this book will be your cup of tea.
The mystery was good. There were so many people involved, some of which I guessed, some of which made sense as the story progressed. It’s another well-planned, intricately woven story.
*I received this book from the publisher and happily provided my honest review*
The character cast was great. I really did end up liking Peter, whom at first I didn’t care for. His journey to faith seemed authentic, even though it was left a little in the open and the focus was more on acknowledging there is God rather than a repentance-salvation message.
The twists of family relationships a added greatly to the authenticity of this book. Honestly, I loved every single character, good and bad.
I can’t say if there was romance or not. There were one-sided hints, but they were subtle. Which makes me wonder if there will be more in a second book. For those who dislike romance, this book will be your cup of tea.
The mystery was good. There were so many people involved, some of which I guessed, some of which made sense as the story progressed. It’s another well-planned, intricately woven story.
*I received this book from the publisher and happily provided my honest review*
June 28, 2022
“A while back, some Swiss scientists predicted ultra-hard carbon might be found on Maui. They called it Elysium.”
“Physician, diagnose thyself.”
“What if death is not the end of the road, but a fork? And what if one must choose which path to take without seeing beyond that fork?…I’ve defined myself by knowledge. I know the results of every decision before I make it. But if death is a threshold beyond which I cannot see, I find myself paralyzed.”
What an amazing book! This was my first book by James R. Hannibal and it certainly will not be my last! There needs me more Christian books like this out there. Suspense, humor, action, Christian themes, and no mushy romance. Hannibal has created what is hopefully not a stand alone novel with two equally great main characters: Dr. Peter Chesterfield and Detective Lisa Kealoha. And I loved the Tuna and Mike characters. They were very well developed and who wouldn’t love a Maui setting. This one had some great twists that I did not see coming. I can definitely recommend this book. It is that good.
I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Revell in exchange for an honest review.
“Physician, diagnose thyself.”
“What if death is not the end of the road, but a fork? And what if one must choose which path to take without seeing beyond that fork?…I’ve defined myself by knowledge. I know the results of every decision before I make it. But if death is a threshold beyond which I cannot see, I find myself paralyzed.”
What an amazing book! This was my first book by James R. Hannibal and it certainly will not be my last! There needs me more Christian books like this out there. Suspense, humor, action, Christian themes, and no mushy romance. Hannibal has created what is hopefully not a stand alone novel with two equally great main characters: Dr. Peter Chesterfield and Detective Lisa Kealoha. And I loved the Tuna and Mike characters. They were very well developed and who wouldn’t love a Maui setting. This one had some great twists that I did not see coming. I can definitely recommend this book. It is that good.
I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Revell in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2024
Please, please tell me this will become a book series! I need more!
June 7, 2022
Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal is the kind of book you’ll want to pack for your summer vacation. The story is set in Hawaii and gives readers a great mystery with a tropical backdrop. Dr. Peter Chesterfield, renowned British neurosurgeon gets exiled to a conference in Hawaii. He gets mixed up with police detective Lisa Kealoha’s case. She’s investigating a series of car thefts but discovers something much more sinister going down on the island. And Peter finds out that he makes a pretty good amateur sleuth.
This story is a bit different from other novels by James R. Hannibal, but I enjoyed it. It’s missing some of the intense action and suspense from some of his other stories, and Elysium Tide is more character driven. Peter is quirky, abrasive, but yet lovable. And Lisa is intense, but readers get to know her and her family. Readers will enjoy following Lisa and Peter as they try to take down a gang leader, along with their sidekick Tuna. But the story does have plenty of suspenseful moments. I just hope this is a series because I’d love to see Peter and Lisa to team up and solve more crimes.
Definitely add this to your TBR list this summer and enjoy a great mystery!
I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This story is a bit different from other novels by James R. Hannibal, but I enjoyed it. It’s missing some of the intense action and suspense from some of his other stories, and Elysium Tide is more character driven. Peter is quirky, abrasive, but yet lovable. And Lisa is intense, but readers get to know her and her family. Readers will enjoy following Lisa and Peter as they try to take down a gang leader, along with their sidekick Tuna. But the story does have plenty of suspenseful moments. I just hope this is a series because I’d love to see Peter and Lisa to team up and solve more crimes.
Definitely add this to your TBR list this summer and enjoy a great mystery!
I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 23, 2023
"He'd been awake and in transit for thirty-six hours. Hannibal, crossing the Alps, had fared better both in the sleep and the legroom departments."
Dr. Peter Chesterfield's snarky surgery manners had summarily landed him with a glorified leave of absence, blatantly disguised as a reservation at the Elysium Grand Hotel on the island of Maui. The notable British neurosurgeon's tongue had gone a little too far, precipitating his chief medical officer to deem him a workaholic who needed an intervention. As he vaguely attempts to relax one evening by taking a stroll along the beach, the body of a young woman bobs towards him in the waves. Powering up his "super-healer" mentality, Dr. Chesterfield valiantly fights to restore her respiration, continuing treatment all the way to the hospital. The insatiable thirst to know the "who", "what", "when" and "why" of the situation places him directly in the path of the real investigator, Detective Lisa Kealoha. . . . . . who's not at all keen on Peter's brilliance showing up in her case.
Outstanding book! This author's ability to match up characters is as amazing as their individual traits. Readers will love Peter's clever genius applied to crime-solving as he plods alongside Lisa's instinctual knowledge of how to both tolerate (barely!) and appreciate his skills. And then there's the plot itself, so many hidden paths (literally!!!) with a varied assortment of minefields between nearly every page. The subtle hints of attraction amidst distraction pop in and out, as well as the deep call of the human heart, soul and psyche to know more about life's ultimate "fork in the road". Does anyone besides me hope that this is the beginning of a series?
"I know the result of every decision before I make it. But if death is a threshold beyond which I cannot see, I find myself paralyzed." . . . . And then in true fashion, Peter blurts out, "Should I learn to pray now?"
Dr. Peter Chesterfield's snarky surgery manners had summarily landed him with a glorified leave of absence, blatantly disguised as a reservation at the Elysium Grand Hotel on the island of Maui. The notable British neurosurgeon's tongue had gone a little too far, precipitating his chief medical officer to deem him a workaholic who needed an intervention. As he vaguely attempts to relax one evening by taking a stroll along the beach, the body of a young woman bobs towards him in the waves. Powering up his "super-healer" mentality, Dr. Chesterfield valiantly fights to restore her respiration, continuing treatment all the way to the hospital. The insatiable thirst to know the "who", "what", "when" and "why" of the situation places him directly in the path of the real investigator, Detective Lisa Kealoha. . . . . . who's not at all keen on Peter's brilliance showing up in her case.
Outstanding book! This author's ability to match up characters is as amazing as their individual traits. Readers will love Peter's clever genius applied to crime-solving as he plods alongside Lisa's instinctual knowledge of how to both tolerate (barely!) and appreciate his skills. And then there's the plot itself, so many hidden paths (literally!!!) with a varied assortment of minefields between nearly every page. The subtle hints of attraction amidst distraction pop in and out, as well as the deep call of the human heart, soul and psyche to know more about life's ultimate "fork in the road". Does anyone besides me hope that this is the beginning of a series?
"I know the result of every decision before I make it. But if death is a threshold beyond which I cannot see, I find myself paralyzed." . . . . And then in true fashion, Peter blurts out, "Should I learn to pray now?"
July 1, 2025
I have never read anything from this author but I am glad I discovered him. He definitely captivated me right from the beginning and had me reading until I found out what was going to happen. You can tell the author took a lot of time to research multiple subjects. From medical to gangs to police to Hawaii, I mean everything was perfect and so very detailed. I felt like I was reading a Clive Cussler book, which my father in law loves!
We meet Dr. Peter Chesterfield who I must admit I found him rather pompous and Lisa was such a perfectionist it drove me batty but I loved her for it. I don't want to give the story away because there are so many twists and turns. Lots of surprises are in store as you are reading. Some things I truly did not see coming. Definitely keeps you reading late into the night. I absolutely loved the character of Tuna he was definitely needed in the story.
One of the things that bugged me was the faith element. Don't get me wrong, it is there but it could've developed a bit more. I did enjoy that Peter sees Lisa and Tuna's faith lived out right in front of him but I feel like there were so many missed opportunities to really speak some faith into Peter but maybe the author wrote it this way because there will be more stories involving Lisa and Peter in which we see his faith grow?! One could hope!
Overall I thought the book was great. Definitely kept you reading and it was very well developed and had amazing characters. If you enjoy suspense and mystery you will definitely enjoy this one!
I received this book through the publisher Revell. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
We meet Dr. Peter Chesterfield who I must admit I found him rather pompous and Lisa was such a perfectionist it drove me batty but I loved her for it. I don't want to give the story away because there are so many twists and turns. Lots of surprises are in store as you are reading. Some things I truly did not see coming. Definitely keeps you reading late into the night. I absolutely loved the character of Tuna he was definitely needed in the story.
One of the things that bugged me was the faith element. Don't get me wrong, it is there but it could've developed a bit more. I did enjoy that Peter sees Lisa and Tuna's faith lived out right in front of him but I feel like there were so many missed opportunities to really speak some faith into Peter but maybe the author wrote it this way because there will be more stories involving Lisa and Peter in which we see his faith grow?! One could hope!
Overall I thought the book was great. Definitely kept you reading and it was very well developed and had amazing characters. If you enjoy suspense and mystery you will definitely enjoy this one!
I received this book through the publisher Revell. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
June 15, 2022
WOW!! 😱😳 James Hannibal never fails to bring tons of intense action and thrills!
🐚Elysium Tide 🐬
5 stars for this fantastic book! It will have you reaching for it every chance you get!
Famous British neurosurgeon Peter Chesterfield is in Maui on a mandatory vacation when he discovers a fatally injured woman in the edge of the tide.
Though he's out of his medical jurisdiction, he tries his best to save her but fails. When her death appears to be the result of foul play, he desperately sets out to find her killer.
Maui P.D. Detective Lisa Kealoha grew up babysitting the young woman found on the beach, and is also hot on the trail of the culprit despite a fierce and feisty rival cop on the force. Is this crime the work of a local gang, or a criminal new to her island home?
Kudos to James Hannibal on his newest book! In Elysium Tide, he delivers even more of the intense action, mysterious puzzles, wild chases and thrills all his fans (myself included) LOVE!!
I received a paperback copy of this book to review free from the author and publisher (courtesy of Interviews and Reviews). Thank you also to Netgalley for an e-book copy of this book, which I requested and read because my paperback copy was much later in coming than usual. A positive review was not required, and the thoughts above are my own.
🐚Elysium Tide 🐬
5 stars for this fantastic book! It will have you reaching for it every chance you get!
Famous British neurosurgeon Peter Chesterfield is in Maui on a mandatory vacation when he discovers a fatally injured woman in the edge of the tide.
Though he's out of his medical jurisdiction, he tries his best to save her but fails. When her death appears to be the result of foul play, he desperately sets out to find her killer.
Maui P.D. Detective Lisa Kealoha grew up babysitting the young woman found on the beach, and is also hot on the trail of the culprit despite a fierce and feisty rival cop on the force. Is this crime the work of a local gang, or a criminal new to her island home?
Kudos to James Hannibal on his newest book! In Elysium Tide, he delivers even more of the intense action, mysterious puzzles, wild chases and thrills all his fans (myself included) LOVE!!
I received a paperback copy of this book to review free from the author and publisher (courtesy of Interviews and Reviews). Thank you also to Netgalley for an e-book copy of this book, which I requested and read because my paperback copy was much later in coming than usual. A positive review was not required, and the thoughts above are my own.
August 1, 2022
Elysium Tide started out slow for me, but I've experienced this before reading James R. Hannibal books so this didn't concern me plus I had read other reviews which stated that they found the beginning slow, but once it got going (about page 100) it never slowed down, and I found it hard to put it down!
The cast of characters was well done, and I think the location of Hawaii added to this. I was surprised by the fact that I liked Peter more than I did Lisa. If I do connect with the characters which is always a good thing, I normally gravitate towards the female. Peter is a neurosurgeon and he is arrogant, that is enough of a turn-off for me, but this time I felt myself rooting for him. Lisa seemed brittle to me and even though she did thaw some, I wasn't sure about her. I think I needed more background, she seem to be holding back. (at least to me)
I really enjoyed Elysium Tide and it seems to hint maybe more will come with Peter and Lisa, I really hope so! Recommended.
The cast of characters was well done, and I think the location of Hawaii added to this. I was surprised by the fact that I liked Peter more than I did Lisa. If I do connect with the characters which is always a good thing, I normally gravitate towards the female. Peter is a neurosurgeon and he is arrogant, that is enough of a turn-off for me, but this time I felt myself rooting for him. Lisa seemed brittle to me and even though she did thaw some, I wasn't sure about her. I think I needed more background, she seem to be holding back. (at least to me)
I really enjoyed Elysium Tide and it seems to hint maybe more will come with Peter and Lisa, I really hope so! Recommended.
June 18, 2022
I have been a fan of James Hannibal's books since I read his squeaky clean and curse free Nick Baron books written for the secular market. I was excited when he began writing for the Christian market, and have devoured every book he has written since. He is one of the most interesting authors when it comes to his personal life that I have read. (Read his bio!)
And every book he writes is different. Elysium Tide is kind of a whodunnit, with the police detective trying to figure that out with the help of Peter.
Peter is the character who made the book. At the start of the book, he wasn't very likable, and was basically a jerk. Fortunately, he becomes more likable as the book progresses, and is somewhat amusing with his unwanted help he keeps giving Detective Kealoha.
The plot is an excellent one. Everything is tied together, and there are plenty of bad guys. This is the second book in a few months that had a lot of Hawaiian customs and words used, and I found that interesting as it played into how Lisa had to approach working on the case.
Elysium Tide was a faster paced book than some Hannibal has written, and that made it a definite read in one sitting book for me. Once I started it, I kept at it, happy I could read it and not have to put it down. The exploits of Peter as he determinedly helped work the case kept me on the edge of my seat until the satisfying ending.
There were a couple of loose ends, in my opinion. I won't give any spoilers, but I expected more on the spiritual aspect for Peter, and was hoping for a romantic angle. The book still had a great ending, and James Hannibal can add this to another of his great works of Christian fiction. Hopefully he writes many more.
I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.
And every book he writes is different. Elysium Tide is kind of a whodunnit, with the police detective trying to figure that out with the help of Peter.
Peter is the character who made the book. At the start of the book, he wasn't very likable, and was basically a jerk. Fortunately, he becomes more likable as the book progresses, and is somewhat amusing with his unwanted help he keeps giving Detective Kealoha.
The plot is an excellent one. Everything is tied together, and there are plenty of bad guys. This is the second book in a few months that had a lot of Hawaiian customs and words used, and I found that interesting as it played into how Lisa had to approach working on the case.
Elysium Tide was a faster paced book than some Hannibal has written, and that made it a definite read in one sitting book for me. Once I started it, I kept at it, happy I could read it and not have to put it down. The exploits of Peter as he determinedly helped work the case kept me on the edge of my seat until the satisfying ending.
There were a couple of loose ends, in my opinion. I won't give any spoilers, but I expected more on the spiritual aspect for Peter, and was hoping for a romantic angle. The book still had a great ending, and James Hannibal can add this to another of his great works of Christian fiction. Hopefully he writes many more.
I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.
August 17, 2023
Page turner for sure! This was my first book by this author and I definitely enjoyed the writing style. It was fast paced, and I absolutely loved Dr. Chesterfields character, as well as the relationships developed in this book. I didn't feel like there was strong character development with Dr. Tuna and Lisa, but they way they interacted with Dr. Chesterfield was fantastic.
Clean, with one scene that had some gore. Faith based, although I would have liked to have seen Dr. Tuna or Lisa play a stronger role in ministering to Dr. Chesterfield rather than shying away from it as they did. And I would have liked to have seen his journey conclude with a solid relationship or step of faith towards God.
But the action, mystery and suspense were very well written. I also enjoyed the details of the surroundings and the island and felt like I got a little taste of Hawaii! Recommend for an action packed read.
Clean, with one scene that had some gore. Faith based, although I would have liked to have seen Dr. Tuna or Lisa play a stronger role in ministering to Dr. Chesterfield rather than shying away from it as they did. And I would have liked to have seen his journey conclude with a solid relationship or step of faith towards God.
But the action, mystery and suspense were very well written. I also enjoyed the details of the surroundings and the island and felt like I got a little taste of Hawaii! Recommend for an action packed read.
June 11, 2022
I ventured into reading a book by an author I have never read before and was quite happy that I chose to read Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal.
This story will take you from London, England to the shores of Maui, Hawaii within two chapters.
The story begins in an operating room where the reader first encounters Dr. Peter Chesterfield, a top neurosurgeon at the Royal London Hospital. Unfortunately, as good as he is a neurosurgeon he is also quite good at being an egotistical jerk. Since the hospital is a teaching hospital there is an arena where students can observe the operation. In this case, the operation was on a young boy to remove a tumor and when a second-year neurosurgery fellow makes an error that could cost the boy his life, Dr. Chesterfield lets her have it verbally. Sad to say, the parents of the boy were allowed into the arena to observe so they witnessed the error and the outburst. It caused quite a disturbance within the hospital so the good doctor is soon ordered to go on leave to Maui to attend some medical conferences and hopefully come back with a better disposition. No sooner does he get to Maui, he finds the body of a dead woman on the beach.
Detective Lisa Kealona worked for the Los Angeles Police Department when she was invited to join the Maui Investigative Services Bureau to head up their Criminal Investigative Division's Gang Task Force. This makes waves with another female detective who felt the job should have been given to her. When Lisa enters into the story she is investigating some car thefts on the island, however, she soon finds something a little more nefarious going on.
Peter can't seem to not get involved in being an amateur sleuth to try and find out who murdered the dead girl he found on the beach. Lisa decides to use him to consult with as Peter looks at things differently and maybe he can help her solve the crime.
Elysium Tide is packed full of fast-paced twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. That, along with the Maui island paradise, the reader is in for a real treat.
If you love fast-paced crime novels with good detective work you will love this book. There was great mystery and the characters drove the story.
On a 5-Star Scale - 4 Stars.
I would like to thank Revell Books, for my copy of Elysium Tide. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review. The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.
This story will take you from London, England to the shores of Maui, Hawaii within two chapters.
The story begins in an operating room where the reader first encounters Dr. Peter Chesterfield, a top neurosurgeon at the Royal London Hospital. Unfortunately, as good as he is a neurosurgeon he is also quite good at being an egotistical jerk. Since the hospital is a teaching hospital there is an arena where students can observe the operation. In this case, the operation was on a young boy to remove a tumor and when a second-year neurosurgery fellow makes an error that could cost the boy his life, Dr. Chesterfield lets her have it verbally. Sad to say, the parents of the boy were allowed into the arena to observe so they witnessed the error and the outburst. It caused quite a disturbance within the hospital so the good doctor is soon ordered to go on leave to Maui to attend some medical conferences and hopefully come back with a better disposition. No sooner does he get to Maui, he finds the body of a dead woman on the beach.
Detective Lisa Kealona worked for the Los Angeles Police Department when she was invited to join the Maui Investigative Services Bureau to head up their Criminal Investigative Division's Gang Task Force. This makes waves with another female detective who felt the job should have been given to her. When Lisa enters into the story she is investigating some car thefts on the island, however, she soon finds something a little more nefarious going on.
Peter can't seem to not get involved in being an amateur sleuth to try and find out who murdered the dead girl he found on the beach. Lisa decides to use him to consult with as Peter looks at things differently and maybe he can help her solve the crime.
Elysium Tide is packed full of fast-paced twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. That, along with the Maui island paradise, the reader is in for a real treat.
If you love fast-paced crime novels with good detective work you will love this book. There was great mystery and the characters drove the story.
On a 5-Star Scale - 4 Stars.
I would like to thank Revell Books, for my copy of Elysium Tide. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review. The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.
July 16, 2022
Obsession & determination meet to catch a killer...
I'll admit that it took me awhile to get into the story at first. I just seemed to dawdle for longer than I should have through the first few chapters, but, then, there was a shift in either the storyline or in my attention span because I took off reading like crazy and pretty much finished Elysium Tide in a single afternoon.
I'm pretty new to Jame R. Hannibal's fiction. Up until now I'd only read one of his YA fantasy titles, which, quite obviously, was a totally different genre than Elysium Tide. Fantasy and Thriller are two very different genres so I wondered if James R. Hannibal would be able pull both of them off successfully. The answer is yes he did.
You ever read one of those books with more twists and turns than a freeway interchange in a major city? Where the case seems closed, but it's not, more than once? Yeah, Elysium Tide was one of those. While I had bits and pieces figured out there were so many threads and tentacles to this mystery that I was kept guessing and even surprised a few times.
My second read from James R. Hannibal was a good one for sure. With most of Christian fiction seeming to be penned by women these days it is always fun and interesting to read something written from the male perspective. With that difference and the fact that Elysium Tide is more mystery driven than romance, it can appeal to male and female readers alike – which is a positive thing in my estimation. Now, I'm just hoping to find out that James R. Hannibal might have a sequel to this book coming sometime...
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
I'll admit that it took me awhile to get into the story at first. I just seemed to dawdle for longer than I should have through the first few chapters, but, then, there was a shift in either the storyline or in my attention span because I took off reading like crazy and pretty much finished Elysium Tide in a single afternoon.
I'm pretty new to Jame R. Hannibal's fiction. Up until now I'd only read one of his YA fantasy titles, which, quite obviously, was a totally different genre than Elysium Tide. Fantasy and Thriller are two very different genres so I wondered if James R. Hannibal would be able pull both of them off successfully. The answer is yes he did.
You ever read one of those books with more twists and turns than a freeway interchange in a major city? Where the case seems closed, but it's not, more than once? Yeah, Elysium Tide was one of those. While I had bits and pieces figured out there were so many threads and tentacles to this mystery that I was kept guessing and even surprised a few times.
My second read from James R. Hannibal was a good one for sure. With most of Christian fiction seeming to be penned by women these days it is always fun and interesting to read something written from the male perspective. With that difference and the fact that Elysium Tide is more mystery driven than romance, it can appeal to male and female readers alike – which is a positive thing in my estimation. Now, I'm just hoping to find out that James R. Hannibal might have a sequel to this book coming sometime...
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
June 29, 2022
Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal features a mystery on the Hawaiian islands with a doctor and a detective. With the doctor from London, it was definitely a unique take to a character's background. The story starts in an operating room, not with a dead body, which had a unique twist to starting a mystery novel. As soon as the story moves to Hawaii from London, the suspense element jumped into full force. A dead body or two. Mishaps. Car chases. Among other things that kept the mystery element moving through the story. While I do enjoy these type of things in the my suspense stories, I wanted more. Plenty of dry moments where nothing was happening. A lot of getting to know one another. I felt like the plot was boring and needed more action. Really did not capture my attention the way I like a mystery novel to do. Even with this element to the plot, a big transformation moment occurs to Peter, the doctor, and those are the moments I enjoy seeing in novels. Overall, Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal was an okay mystery, but it really did not have enough action for me. I wanted more to the plot.
I received a complimentary copy of Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I received a complimentary copy of Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
August 30, 2022
This was another great read from one of my go-to authors. As usual, this was a fast-paced, entertaining read. Clue number one, which is characteristic of this author, is the short chapter length. I always prefer short chapters in a suspenseful read, as it helps ensure the fast pace I'm craving. Given this was my expectation going in, I confess I found it a little slow at the beginning (only because I've read this author before and expected to go 100m/h, right from the gecko). Other readers in my boat, do not fear, because the pace will quickly increase. I really enjoyed Peter's character. He was complex and suited the story so well, especially in contrast to Lisa. The plot line has a good level of complexity for this type of novel and I thought the climax was excellent. I am still captivated by the story and cannot wait until I can read book 2 in this series!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.
November 9, 2023
Fun read! Dr. Chesterfield is sent to Maui as punishment for his loss of decorum at the London Hospital where he works as a neurosurgeon. Maui as punishment?
With his brilliant mind, he can't stand to be idle and worms his way into helping with a local murder.
My only issue is minor. One character indicates he is from "The Texas Hill Country. East of Dallas." The Texas Hill Country is in central Texas and well south of Dallas.
With his brilliant mind, he can't stand to be idle and worms his way into helping with a local murder.
My only issue is minor. One character indicates he is from "The Texas Hill Country. East of Dallas." The Texas Hill Country is in central Texas and well south of Dallas.
July 17, 2025
I enjoyed it. I liked the dynamic between the two main characters. I wasn’t sure if there would be romance at all (there wasn’t really) but the ending kind of left the possibility open… and yet this appears to be a standalone.
June 20, 2022
Are you a fan of clean mysteries and suspense books? If you haven't read James R. Hannibal, I would encourage you to give this author a try. Elysium Tide is a book full of mystery, suspense, lots of action and some twists and turns that you may not see coming.
Dr. Peter Chesterfield, one of the top neurosurgeons in London, is a workaholic who just had a big blow-up with his colleague--and his boss orders him to attend a medical symposium at a luxury hotel in Maui. Not surprisingly, Peter has a had time relaxing once he gets there so he takes a midnight walk on the beach--where he pulls a woman with a skull fracture from the water. Sadly, in spite of his skill, he can't save her and he becomes obsessed with finding her killer. . .much to the frustration of Lisa Kealoha, who is the detective assigned to the case. Maybe if they work together, they can find the killer?
I devoured Elysium Tide quickly as I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed Peter's dry British humor. . .and I liked the chemistry between Lisa and Peter. I love to read books set in Hawaii so the beautiful, tropical setting was wonderful for this reader. The plot kept things moving along quickly with a lot of twists and turns. I had a few things figured out and a few I didn't. I can't say too much without giving spoilers, but Elysium Tide leaves us hanging--and anxiously waiting for another book to tie up loose ends. I hope there is one in the works.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.
Dr. Peter Chesterfield, one of the top neurosurgeons in London, is a workaholic who just had a big blow-up with his colleague--and his boss orders him to attend a medical symposium at a luxury hotel in Maui. Not surprisingly, Peter has a had time relaxing once he gets there so he takes a midnight walk on the beach--where he pulls a woman with a skull fracture from the water. Sadly, in spite of his skill, he can't save her and he becomes obsessed with finding her killer. . .much to the frustration of Lisa Kealoha, who is the detective assigned to the case. Maybe if they work together, they can find the killer?
I devoured Elysium Tide quickly as I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed Peter's dry British humor. . .and I liked the chemistry between Lisa and Peter. I love to read books set in Hawaii so the beautiful, tropical setting was wonderful for this reader. The plot kept things moving along quickly with a lot of twists and turns. I had a few things figured out and a few I didn't. I can't say too much without giving spoilers, but Elysium Tide leaves us hanging--and anxiously waiting for another book to tie up loose ends. I hope there is one in the works.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.
June 16, 2022
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
Scripture Connection
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.
Psalm 113:3
Spiritual Themes
I selected the verse from Psalm 113 for this review, because a sunset furnishes the springboard for much of the spiritual discussion in the book. Peter is an atheist, so he scoffs when another character praises God for the sunset. However, he does find himself returning to this conversation, later on (and he does call out to the Lord in a moment of desperation, as well).
There’s also a little bit of discussion about what happens when a person dies.
What I Liked
Peter begins the story as a rude, pompous speaker, which is my favorite kind of speaker to read. I feel that Hannibal did an excellent job crafting a consistent, believable (but also humorous) voice for this character. Additionally, Peter’s character development feels very realistic, not rushed or forced. I really like that the author did not give this character a sudden moment of conversion, which I very often see in Christian fiction.
I also really like that Hannibal’s adult books (I’ve read two, so far) do NOT rely on romance. In both novels I’ve read, there are some very subtle hints at romance, but it’s very light and inconclusive. This is so refreshing! As I’ve mentioned before, I’m also impressed when I can enjoy a work without reading for the romance, and this is definitely one of those cases.
The novel is set in Hawaii, and I really enjoyed the setting. It was fun to hang out with Peter at The Elysium Grand (which, as a side note, was such a GREAT name for the hotel; it packs so much feeling into those little chapter subheadings), but I also really liked having the opportunity to explore other parts of the island, along with the characters. And, the cover also helped to set the tone, for me.
I mentioned this when I reviewed The Paris Betrayal, but I really like the way the book is formatted, with tiny chapters and alternating viewpoints. I also like the setting headings, mentioned above. In addition to grounding me, they also made me feel a bit like a secret agent (I think, in the sense of having someone report their location to me).
The characters were intriguing, with their different backstories and motivations. After Peter (who I didn’t “like” as a person, but enjoyed reading), I would say Tuna was my favorite character. I really enjoyed seeing him put Peter in his place. Plus, he was such a fun, helpful guy with some impressive connections. I wouldn’t mind reading another book with Tuna in it.
Lisa also had a meaningful backstory, making her a sympathetic character. Although I much preferred reading from Peter’s perspective, I felt that Lisa’s personal history added texture to the story. Plus, I enjoyed reading the “frenemy” dynamic between Lisa and Detective Fan.
Audience
This made me happy: According to the Acknowledgements page, Hannibal seeks to write for “men and boys, who’ve become an underserved group in the Christian fiction industry.” As a female reader, there is so much content available to me in this genre, so this isn’t something I’ve thought a lot about. However, when I think about it, so much of Christian fiction is by women (and will often feature a more heavy romance emphasis). I’m simply delighted that Hannibal is aiming to provide good content for male Christian readers! Praise God!
Content
I’m really happy that this was (in my opinion) the worst part of the book, but chapter one is GRAPHIC and probably the grossest (non-sexual) thing I’ve read. I write this not so much as a critique, as for readers who may want to skip it. Here’s a synopsis if you just want to bypass the first few pages:
Peter is operating in a rain surgery theater in London. One of the neurosurgery fellows, Barbara, makes a mistake that nearly costs the life of the seven year-old patient. Peter rescues the operation but makes some very rude comments about Barbara (including a reference to “Barbara of Seville”) and makes cavalier comments about whether or not the patient will survive.
There is a moment where a criminal makes a comment about “police brutality,” which the officers don’t take seriously. Obviously, this takes place in a work of fiction, but police brutality is something that I think merits taking seriously.
Recommendation Status
Due to the graphic nature of chapter one, this is a book I would recommend with reader discretion. However, I do feel that it would be very easy to skip chapter one and just read the rest of the book. I am also so glad that Hannibal is writing books specifically for Christian boys and men.
Although Hannibal’s books take me a while to “get into,” I’m eager to see what he’ll write next!
Scripture Connection
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.
Psalm 113:3
Spiritual Themes
I selected the verse from Psalm 113 for this review, because a sunset furnishes the springboard for much of the spiritual discussion in the book. Peter is an atheist, so he scoffs when another character praises God for the sunset. However, he does find himself returning to this conversation, later on (and he does call out to the Lord in a moment of desperation, as well).
There’s also a little bit of discussion about what happens when a person dies.
What I Liked
Peter begins the story as a rude, pompous speaker, which is my favorite kind of speaker to read. I feel that Hannibal did an excellent job crafting a consistent, believable (but also humorous) voice for this character. Additionally, Peter’s character development feels very realistic, not rushed or forced. I really like that the author did not give this character a sudden moment of conversion, which I very often see in Christian fiction.
I also really like that Hannibal’s adult books (I’ve read two, so far) do NOT rely on romance. In both novels I’ve read, there are some very subtle hints at romance, but it’s very light and inconclusive. This is so refreshing! As I’ve mentioned before, I’m also impressed when I can enjoy a work without reading for the romance, and this is definitely one of those cases.
The novel is set in Hawaii, and I really enjoyed the setting. It was fun to hang out with Peter at The Elysium Grand (which, as a side note, was such a GREAT name for the hotel; it packs so much feeling into those little chapter subheadings), but I also really liked having the opportunity to explore other parts of the island, along with the characters. And, the cover also helped to set the tone, for me.
I mentioned this when I reviewed The Paris Betrayal, but I really like the way the book is formatted, with tiny chapters and alternating viewpoints. I also like the setting headings, mentioned above. In addition to grounding me, they also made me feel a bit like a secret agent (I think, in the sense of having someone report their location to me).
The characters were intriguing, with their different backstories and motivations. After Peter (who I didn’t “like” as a person, but enjoyed reading), I would say Tuna was my favorite character. I really enjoyed seeing him put Peter in his place. Plus, he was such a fun, helpful guy with some impressive connections. I wouldn’t mind reading another book with Tuna in it.
Lisa also had a meaningful backstory, making her a sympathetic character. Although I much preferred reading from Peter’s perspective, I felt that Lisa’s personal history added texture to the story. Plus, I enjoyed reading the “frenemy” dynamic between Lisa and Detective Fan.
Audience
This made me happy: According to the Acknowledgements page, Hannibal seeks to write for “men and boys, who’ve become an underserved group in the Christian fiction industry.” As a female reader, there is so much content available to me in this genre, so this isn’t something I’ve thought a lot about. However, when I think about it, so much of Christian fiction is by women (and will often feature a more heavy romance emphasis). I’m simply delighted that Hannibal is aiming to provide good content for male Christian readers! Praise God!
Content
I’m really happy that this was (in my opinion) the worst part of the book, but chapter one is GRAPHIC and probably the grossest (non-sexual) thing I’ve read. I write this not so much as a critique, as for readers who may want to skip it. Here’s a synopsis if you just want to bypass the first few pages:
Peter is operating in a rain surgery theater in London. One of the neurosurgery fellows, Barbara, makes a mistake that nearly costs the life of the seven year-old patient. Peter rescues the operation but makes some very rude comments about Barbara (including a reference to “Barbara of Seville”) and makes cavalier comments about whether or not the patient will survive.
There is a moment where a criminal makes a comment about “police brutality,” which the officers don’t take seriously. Obviously, this takes place in a work of fiction, but police brutality is something that I think merits taking seriously.
Recommendation Status
Due to the graphic nature of chapter one, this is a book I would recommend with reader discretion. However, I do feel that it would be very easy to skip chapter one and just read the rest of the book. I am also so glad that Hannibal is writing books specifically for Christian boys and men.
Although Hannibal’s books take me a while to “get into,” I’m eager to see what he’ll write next!
June 9, 2022
Another great release from James R. Hannibal!
Readers are treated to the beaches of Hawaii in this suspenseful read. Gang violence is interrupting the quiet life of those living on Maui, and detective Lisa Kealoha isn’t about to let them take over her island. Having been redeemed from a similar youth, Lisa is determined to stop the violence and help her friends leave a life of crime.
Dr. Peter Chesterfield is a workaholic sent to Hawaii to attend a medical conference as penance for calling out another colleague in front of an observing crowd (during a procedure in the teaching hospital in London). Arrogant, intelligent and possessing no verbal filter, Peter creates tension wherever he goes.
I love these two characters who end up joining forces since Peter discovers a dying woman on the beach (and works tirelessly to try to save her), who happens to be a close friend of Lisa’s. Peter is annoying to those who know him, but he proves over and over again to be an asset that Lisa can’t do without. His background is interesting adding to his ability to help Lisa stop the destruction and infiltrate the syndicate that is causing violence in Hawaii.
I especially appreciated the spiritual thread that is woven through the entire book. Peter is an atheist and an academic, relying on his knowledge and science which dictates how he lives. Lisa (and another character who is a strong secondary character) are Bible-believing Christians who live out their faith. The conversations are organic and not preachy. It’s fascinating to watch Peter’s journey unfold, and the kinds of questions he wrestles with.
The setting is beautiful and one can totally envision where Lisa and Peter are with the vivid descriptions the author gives.
It’s an intriguing story and one that will keep readers engaged from page one. There are plenty of action scenes, plenty of secrets, and plenty of intense moments peppering the pages.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Readers are treated to the beaches of Hawaii in this suspenseful read. Gang violence is interrupting the quiet life of those living on Maui, and detective Lisa Kealoha isn’t about to let them take over her island. Having been redeemed from a similar youth, Lisa is determined to stop the violence and help her friends leave a life of crime.
Dr. Peter Chesterfield is a workaholic sent to Hawaii to attend a medical conference as penance for calling out another colleague in front of an observing crowd (during a procedure in the teaching hospital in London). Arrogant, intelligent and possessing no verbal filter, Peter creates tension wherever he goes.
I love these two characters who end up joining forces since Peter discovers a dying woman on the beach (and works tirelessly to try to save her), who happens to be a close friend of Lisa’s. Peter is annoying to those who know him, but he proves over and over again to be an asset that Lisa can’t do without. His background is interesting adding to his ability to help Lisa stop the destruction and infiltrate the syndicate that is causing violence in Hawaii.
I especially appreciated the spiritual thread that is woven through the entire book. Peter is an atheist and an academic, relying on his knowledge and science which dictates how he lives. Lisa (and another character who is a strong secondary character) are Bible-believing Christians who live out their faith. The conversations are organic and not preachy. It’s fascinating to watch Peter’s journey unfold, and the kinds of questions he wrestles with.
The setting is beautiful and one can totally envision where Lisa and Peter are with the vivid descriptions the author gives.
It’s an intriguing story and one that will keep readers engaged from page one. There are plenty of action scenes, plenty of secrets, and plenty of intense moments peppering the pages.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 30, 2023
How dare this book end like that? And how could there possibly not be a sequel yet???
James Hannibal is truly a gifted writer. When I read his books I feel like he's a genius. He does such a good job of researching facts and making you feel like you are in that place/situation. I loved the British vs. Hawaiian culture in this books. I had no idea that Maui was still so cultural and I learned a lot about the terrain of Hawaii.
Let me explain to you some things I like: Hawaii, random history facts, neuroscience, a good detective story, annoying (yet charming) male characters, and a sweet family dynamic. If you put all of that together you get Elysium Tide.
I definitely was kept guessing at who the perpetrator of the crimes were. And every time something new was revealed, it made me so sad to see the consequence of sin on people's lives. A childhood really does help shape a future. Of course, God can redeem even the worst of childhoods (which this book does a great job of portraying).
I really enjoyed the mentions of Christianity (although like all Christian Fiction, I would have liked to see it actually affect the lives of the professing characters). Peter's struggle with anxiety and losing control felt very real, and you find yourself wanting to answer all his questions with the truth of Scripture. I wish there would have been a true conversion in here, but maybe the sequel??
Two things I didn't particularly like: 1. while I enjoyed that there wasn't a focus on romance, there should have been at least a BIT more. I mean come on. Way to bait and switch.
2. sometimes the over the top details can really go over your head and you can get lost in the long sentences.
Other than the, great clean book!!
James Hannibal is truly a gifted writer. When I read his books I feel like he's a genius. He does such a good job of researching facts and making you feel like you are in that place/situation. I loved the British vs. Hawaiian culture in this books. I had no idea that Maui was still so cultural and I learned a lot about the terrain of Hawaii.
Let me explain to you some things I like: Hawaii, random history facts, neuroscience, a good detective story, annoying (yet charming) male characters, and a sweet family dynamic. If you put all of that together you get Elysium Tide.
I definitely was kept guessing at who the perpetrator of the crimes were. And every time something new was revealed, it made me so sad to see the consequence of sin on people's lives. A childhood really does help shape a future. Of course, God can redeem even the worst of childhoods (which this book does a great job of portraying).
I really enjoyed the mentions of Christianity (although like all Christian Fiction, I would have liked to see it actually affect the lives of the professing characters). Peter's struggle with anxiety and losing control felt very real, and you find yourself wanting to answer all his questions with the truth of Scripture. I wish there would have been a true conversion in here, but maybe the sequel??
Two things I didn't particularly like: 1. while I enjoyed that there wasn't a focus on romance, there should have been at least a BIT more. I mean come on. Way to bait and switch.
2. sometimes the over the top details can really go over your head and you can get lost in the long sentences.
Other than the, great clean book!!
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