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Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery #5
Retribution
As people around him come under attack, Chief Detective Koa Kane wonders if he might be the real target
In the back alley of a bar on Hawaii Island, a young man is found stabbed to death. When Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane begins investigating the crime, the murder weapon is recovered only a few feet away from the body. Crime scene technicians find fingerprints on the knife—they are a perfect match for Koa's younger brother, Ikaika.
As the brothers scramble to prove Ikaika's innocence, another crime sends shockwaves through the Hilo police force. A sniper tries to take out Makanui, Koa's closest colleague. As Koa tries to figure out whether these crimes are linked, the sinister force continues their killing spree, threatening Koa and his loved ones at every turn.
Could Koa be the real target? If so, who is behind this trail of retribution? With his own secret criminal past, Koa confronts an all-out offensive against those closest to him and his police force to which he has devoted his life. As the bodies pile up, Koa finds himself the ultimate target of a ruthless adversary and must risk it all to survive.
Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly and James Lee Burke
While all the novels in the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence
Death of a Messenger
Off the Grid
Fire and Vengeance
Treachery Times Two
Retribution
In the back alley of a bar on Hawaii Island, a young man is found stabbed to death. When Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane begins investigating the crime, the murder weapon is recovered only a few feet away from the body. Crime scene technicians find fingerprints on the knife—they are a perfect match for Koa's younger brother, Ikaika.
As the brothers scramble to prove Ikaika's innocence, another crime sends shockwaves through the Hilo police force. A sniper tries to take out Makanui, Koa's closest colleague. As Koa tries to figure out whether these crimes are linked, the sinister force continues their killing spree, threatening Koa and his loved ones at every turn.
Could Koa be the real target? If so, who is behind this trail of retribution? With his own secret criminal past, Koa confronts an all-out offensive against those closest to him and his police force to which he has devoted his life. As the bodies pile up, Koa finds himself the ultimate target of a ruthless adversary and must risk it all to survive.
Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly and James Lee Burke
While all the novels in the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence
Death of a Messenger
Off the Grid
Fire and Vengeance
Treachery Times Two
Retribution
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2023
13 people are currently reading
902 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 21, 2023
This is Book 5 in this series, and my first read of the series and author and I was blown away by this book. The book features Hilo (Hawaii) Chief Detective Koa Kane and I most be honest with you, I now want to read the previous books in the series!!! This book is all about seemingly unrelated acts of retribution again an assistant detective, Koa's brother, attorneys, Koa himself and more. The plot is super, the action is realistic and fast moving. This is one slam-bang police procedural that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and guessing until the very end who is the mastermind of this plot. Just well written and with no need to having read the first 4 books in this series in order to jump in and understand the characters and plot. Filled with interesting facts about Hilo and Hawaii, I felt as if I was right next to Koa and if even if you have never been to Hawaii McCaw grabs you it and takes you on a wonderful tour of Hilo as we follow along trying to find all the answers and pieces of the puzzle. Just a fantastic read!!!
April 30, 2023
Detective bureau chief Koa Kane has had more than his share of investigating and solving crimes. Both he and his team members were responsible for locking away a number of criminals. All of which had an axe to grind with Koa and his unit.
So when Koa’s brother becomes a person of interest in a murder investigation, and his closest colleague is attacked, Koa must determine whether the crimes are related. Or is Koa the real target in the grand scheme of things?
Retribution is a police procedural novel set on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is the fifth novel in the author’s Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series. Though it is the fifth novel, it can be read as a standalone.
The characters in the novel are varied and many. And I really liked that the author used names that reflected the diverse nationalities that is unique to Hawaii — the melting pot of the Pacific. Clearly McCaw has spent a lot of time immersing himself in the culture and peoples of Hawaii.
The plot follows a whodunit theme. But there are several scenes that take place. Seemingly all at once. And there are a few plot twists that kept me guessing.
The pacing was slower than what I am accustomed to. But my familiarity with the Hawaii locations kept me engaged. I was pleasantly pleased that McCaw didn’t use ficticious business names (i.e. local restaurants,) which made for a fun reading experience.
I’ll be looking forward to reading more of McCaw’s novels in the future. And Retribution is just the start for me. Four stars.
I received a digital ARC from Oceanview Publishing through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
So when Koa’s brother becomes a person of interest in a murder investigation, and his closest colleague is attacked, Koa must determine whether the crimes are related. Or is Koa the real target in the grand scheme of things?
Retribution is a police procedural novel set on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is the fifth novel in the author’s Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series. Though it is the fifth novel, it can be read as a standalone.
The characters in the novel are varied and many. And I really liked that the author used names that reflected the diverse nationalities that is unique to Hawaii — the melting pot of the Pacific. Clearly McCaw has spent a lot of time immersing himself in the culture and peoples of Hawaii.
The plot follows a whodunit theme. But there are several scenes that take place. Seemingly all at once. And there are a few plot twists that kept me guessing.
The pacing was slower than what I am accustomed to. But my familiarity with the Hawaii locations kept me engaged. I was pleasantly pleased that McCaw didn’t use ficticious business names (i.e. local restaurants,) which made for a fun reading experience.
I’ll be looking forward to reading more of McCaw’s novels in the future. And Retribution is just the start for me. Four stars.
I received a digital ARC from Oceanview Publishing through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
October 14, 2024
Robert McCaw returns with more for his police procedural series set on the islands of Hawai’i. Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kāne has enjoyed his work, but there are many hurdles he has had to overcome. When his brother is accused of murder, Koa must try to help, though he is shut out of the investigation. Soon, other violent acts begin happening to those around him and Koa Kāne can only wonder if he is the ultimate target. The chilling story develops and keeps things intense until the final reveal, when Koa Kane can piece things together. Another great book by Robert McCaw in a series that I have come to really enjoy.
Koa Kāne is the Chief Detective for Hawai’i County, though that does not miraculously solve all his problems. When Kāne is called to the scene of a man killed in a back alley stabbing, he is unsure what to expect. Crime scene techs do what they can and witness statements are taken. When the results emerge, Kāne cannot believe what he is told. All the forensics point to a clear suspect, Ikaika Kāne, the chief detective’s own brother.
While the Kāne brothers try to find the loophole to prove Ikaika’s innocence, other crimes across Hilo begin to create havoc. Bomb blasts leave victims known to Kāne and there are no clear reason answers. Kāne tries to piece it together, only to discover that there may be foreign influences.
The lingering question remains, could Koa Kāne be the overall target? What could have been the kernel of such animosity and who could be fixated on such retribution? Someone is pulling the strings and Koa must reveal them before more bodies pile up. Time is of the essence and Koa Kāne has little with which to work. Perhaps the most intense novel in the series to date, as Robert McCaw impresses with his attention to detail.
This is a solid series by Robert McCaw, mixing great police work and stunning description of the Hawaiian islands. The narrative is crisp and presents a clear story from the outset, getting better with each short chapter. The story development is ongoing in this series and each book connects with one another. There is significant Hawaiian culture, language, and history found in each piece, enriching the reading experience. The characters provide intricate backstories to keep the reader curious. Plot points emerge and develop, particularly in this novel, requiring the reader to pay close attention. I cannot say enough about this series that I stumbled upon by accident, but would recommend to anyone who is curious.
Kudos, Mr. McCaw, for another gripping story!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Koa Kāne is the Chief Detective for Hawai’i County, though that does not miraculously solve all his problems. When Kāne is called to the scene of a man killed in a back alley stabbing, he is unsure what to expect. Crime scene techs do what they can and witness statements are taken. When the results emerge, Kāne cannot believe what he is told. All the forensics point to a clear suspect, Ikaika Kāne, the chief detective’s own brother.
While the Kāne brothers try to find the loophole to prove Ikaika’s innocence, other crimes across Hilo begin to create havoc. Bomb blasts leave victims known to Kāne and there are no clear reason answers. Kāne tries to piece it together, only to discover that there may be foreign influences.
The lingering question remains, could Koa Kāne be the overall target? What could have been the kernel of such animosity and who could be fixated on such retribution? Someone is pulling the strings and Koa must reveal them before more bodies pile up. Time is of the essence and Koa Kāne has little with which to work. Perhaps the most intense novel in the series to date, as Robert McCaw impresses with his attention to detail.
This is a solid series by Robert McCaw, mixing great police work and stunning description of the Hawaiian islands. The narrative is crisp and presents a clear story from the outset, getting better with each short chapter. The story development is ongoing in this series and each book connects with one another. There is significant Hawaiian culture, language, and history found in each piece, enriching the reading experience. The characters provide intricate backstories to keep the reader curious. Plot points emerge and develop, particularly in this novel, requiring the reader to pay close attention. I cannot say enough about this series that I stumbled upon by accident, but would recommend to anyone who is curious.
Kudos, Mr. McCaw, for another gripping story!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
April 3, 2023
This is the third book I've read in this series, and I have to say that I enjoy learning about our 50th U.S. state almost more than the story itself. Almost. But if it were a contest, the story would win.
This one is pretty much an edge-of-seat story that puts the lives of main character, Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane, and those around him in jeopardy. It begins with the discovery of a murdered man; fingerprints on the murder weapon match those of Koa's brother, Ikaika, who has a troubled background but has been doing well for some time now. Of course, Koa smells a rat, but how can fingerprints lie?
Also of course, Koa is off the case because of his conflict of interest, but that doesn't stop him and a couple of colleagues (and his brother) from trying to get to the truth - impeded by the fact that the murder investigation has been turned over to a department colleague who is incompetent at best and is after Koa's job at worst. Then comes a shot across the bow - or rather an open space - that nearly kills Makanui K'au, another of Koa's close colleagues.
The situation at the station goes from bad to worse as Koa's rival colleague's connections to the city mayor come to light; worse are the attempt to kill Nalani, the love of Koa's life, and another murder attempt that succeeds. Can Koa identify and catch the killer before even more of his friends and colleagues die? Only those who read the book will find out. Well done - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Now it's your turn!
This one is pretty much an edge-of-seat story that puts the lives of main character, Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane, and those around him in jeopardy. It begins with the discovery of a murdered man; fingerprints on the murder weapon match those of Koa's brother, Ikaika, who has a troubled background but has been doing well for some time now. Of course, Koa smells a rat, but how can fingerprints lie?
Also of course, Koa is off the case because of his conflict of interest, but that doesn't stop him and a couple of colleagues (and his brother) from trying to get to the truth - impeded by the fact that the murder investigation has been turned over to a department colleague who is incompetent at best and is after Koa's job at worst. Then comes a shot across the bow - or rather an open space - that nearly kills Makanui K'au, another of Koa's close colleagues.
The situation at the station goes from bad to worse as Koa's rival colleague's connections to the city mayor come to light; worse are the attempt to kill Nalani, the love of Koa's life, and another murder attempt that succeeds. Can Koa identify and catch the killer before even more of his friends and colleagues die? Only those who read the book will find out. Well done - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Now it's your turn!
May 10, 2023
Book Review: Retribution (Koa Kane Book #5) by Robert McCaw
Published by Oceanview Publishing, June 6, 2023
★★★★☆ (4.25 Stars)
Great read!
Brings to mind that timeless classic "Hawaii Five-O" (TV Series '68-80) with Jack Lord as Honolulu Detective Steve McGarrett. (Ah, that catchy theme music!) Imagine McGarrett teammate Hawaiian native Det. Kono promoted to Chief Detective at Hilo, Hawaii.
Enter Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane by Robert McCaw and his compelling 5-book Hawaiian Mystery Series (2015-2023).
------
// "Retribution" (Koa Kane Book #5) (2023) by Robert McCaw //
Hilo, HI, on the "Big Island" of Hawaii
210 miles due southeast of Honolulu, Oahu
Retribution by those infamous Abu Sayyaf terrorists for a foiled kidnapping years removed. Retribution by a childhood bosom friend with deeply-rooted resentments. Retribution against a law enforcement officer. Retribution against a corrupt "nisei" Japanese-Hawaiian mayor. Add to the mix, an ex-convict brother and the possible imposter of a police chief candidate about to take power.
Against the picturesque backdrop of pristine beaches, verdant forests and the majestic Mauna Loa, former green beret and "Battle of Mogadishu" veteran Chief Det. Koa Kane and team have their hands full.
From Hawaiian native names and lingo lending authenticity complete with native spelling to a brief history of the Kazumura cave and Nāhuku (Thurston) Lava Tube, the Hawaiian "shaka" surfer's hang loose gesture to the "noe kolo" light ocean breeze, author Robert McCaw pens to the reader's delight one marvelously entertaining police procedural thriller with the full experience of a unique island flavor.
Review based on an advance reading copy courtesy of Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley.
Published by Oceanview Publishing, June 6, 2023
★★★★☆ (4.25 Stars)
Great read!
Brings to mind that timeless classic "Hawaii Five-O" (TV Series '68-80) with Jack Lord as Honolulu Detective Steve McGarrett. (Ah, that catchy theme music!) Imagine McGarrett teammate Hawaiian native Det. Kono promoted to Chief Detective at Hilo, Hawaii.
Enter Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane by Robert McCaw and his compelling 5-book Hawaiian Mystery Series (2015-2023).
------
// "Retribution" (Koa Kane Book #5) (2023) by Robert McCaw //
Hilo, HI, on the "Big Island" of Hawaii
210 miles due southeast of Honolulu, Oahu
Retribution by those infamous Abu Sayyaf terrorists for a foiled kidnapping years removed. Retribution by a childhood bosom friend with deeply-rooted resentments. Retribution against a law enforcement officer. Retribution against a corrupt "nisei" Japanese-Hawaiian mayor. Add to the mix, an ex-convict brother and the possible imposter of a police chief candidate about to take power.
// "... Foggy mist shrouded the mountainside, condensed on the leaves of the māmane trees, and dripped onto the parched ground. The fog and quiet only broken by the occasional warble of an ʻakiapolaʻau or Hawaiian honeycreeper bird, made the remote location seem like the end of the world..." -- from "Retribution" (2023) by Robert McCaw. //
Against the picturesque backdrop of pristine beaches, verdant forests and the majestic Mauna Loa, former green beret and "Battle of Mogadishu" veteran Chief Det. Koa Kane and team have their hands full.
From Hawaiian native names and lingo lending authenticity complete with native spelling to a brief history of the Kazumura cave and Nāhuku (Thurston) Lava Tube, the Hawaiian "shaka" surfer's hang loose gesture to the "noe kolo" light ocean breeze, author Robert McCaw pens to the reader's delight one marvelously entertaining police procedural thriller with the full experience of a unique island flavor.
Review based on an advance reading copy courtesy of Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley.
May 25, 2023
Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery book # 5
In “Retribution”, Koa struggles to discover the truth when someone frames his brother for murder and how it might connect with a series of attacks aimed at those closest to him. Might he be the real target and who is behind this trail of retribution?
This taut, suspenseful plot of deceit and intrigue within the Hilo Police Department where the culprit’s true identity is carefully camouflaged continues the saga of conflict between two men who were once childhood friends. Mr. McCaw's prose highlights the beauty of the Hawaiian people and their cultural tradition and incorporates slang and dialect in the dialogues. On the down side, the author’s overkill of the Polynesian language with its English translation is a huge distraction and slows down the flow immensely.
The storyline is suspenseful as we follow Koa unofficially investigating a murder where damming piece of evidence found at the scene points to his brother as the killer. When a sniper shoots at one of his colleague and someone attacks his family no doubts to Koa that there is a criminality behind all of this...With small clues to guide him Koa needed to get to the bottom of this complex conspiracy. The many twists and turns Koa had encountered and dealing with a large pool of suspects that kept derailing everything I stayed glued to this mystery totally captivated till the very end.
I am a big fan of police procedurals and following Koa and his team tracked down suspicious activities and suspects was a thrill.
Many thanks to Oceanview Publishing for providing me an advance review copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
In “Retribution”, Koa struggles to discover the truth when someone frames his brother for murder and how it might connect with a series of attacks aimed at those closest to him. Might he be the real target and who is behind this trail of retribution?
This taut, suspenseful plot of deceit and intrigue within the Hilo Police Department where the culprit’s true identity is carefully camouflaged continues the saga of conflict between two men who were once childhood friends. Mr. McCaw's prose highlights the beauty of the Hawaiian people and their cultural tradition and incorporates slang and dialect in the dialogues. On the down side, the author’s overkill of the Polynesian language with its English translation is a huge distraction and slows down the flow immensely.
The storyline is suspenseful as we follow Koa unofficially investigating a murder where damming piece of evidence found at the scene points to his brother as the killer. When a sniper shoots at one of his colleague and someone attacks his family no doubts to Koa that there is a criminality behind all of this...With small clues to guide him Koa needed to get to the bottom of this complex conspiracy. The many twists and turns Koa had encountered and dealing with a large pool of suspects that kept derailing everything I stayed glued to this mystery totally captivated till the very end.
I am a big fan of police procedurals and following Koa and his team tracked down suspicious activities and suspects was a thrill.
Many thanks to Oceanview Publishing for providing me an advance review copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 23, 2024
I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing and Robert McCaw for granting me a copy of this book.
3 ⭐ - who doesn't love a thriller/mystery based in Hawaii? I know I do.
Retribution is the fifth story in the Koa Kāne Hawaiian mystery, however this can be read as a standalone. The characters were likeable. If you like detective novels, this is the one for you!
3 ⭐ - who doesn't love a thriller/mystery based in Hawaii? I know I do.
Retribution is the fifth story in the Koa Kāne Hawaiian mystery, however this can be read as a standalone. The characters were likeable. If you like detective novels, this is the one for you!
May 27, 2023
Chief Detective Koa Kane must use all of his skills to identify and stop the person responsible for the attacks on those nearest to him and his work colleagues.
Excellent thriller set in Hawaii and great characters in this fast paced novel. Detective skills are brought to the front to solve the person behind these attacks.
My first Koa Kane novel but will certainly find others to read and enjoy.
Excellent thriller set in Hawaii and great characters in this fast paced novel. Detective skills are brought to the front to solve the person behind these attacks.
My first Koa Kane novel but will certainly find others to read and enjoy.
January 8, 2023
It is always wonderful to go back into a series and rediscover the world and the characters from there. This book is one that does not disappoint! You get dropped right into the mess of things from the start and Detective Kane is as diligent as ever when it comes to solving crime. His ability to look at the puzzle pieces and figure it is great! You still get the gorgeous details of the places Kane visits and sees. Hawaii is a place that is on my bucket list to visit and this series and McCaw's writing just helps enforce this even more. I highly recommend you take a look at some of the places that are named in the book as you read. Each one of the national landmarks are real places! You get can a far better understanding and the impact of the views by taking a look at the places. They are absolutely stunning.
There was one writing choice that McCaw used in this one that was wonderful and a little new compared to the other books I've read so far of his! We got to see from the perspective of, what you could call, the opposing forces for the story. I really liked these moments. It set up the perfect amount of tension and suspense for the readers. You can see the scheming happening just feet away from characters we've gotten to know so well. It just made me want to start pacing with anxiety. As the story keeps tossing one thing after the other at you, there are only brief moments to catch your breath from the shocking scenes before the next puzzle piece pops up. Then you're off to the races again. The ultimate goal is to get ahead of the bad guys strike out again and hurt someone else. You'll never want to put down this book because you are so eager to find out what happens next.
I was quite surprised at the amount of individuals that were brought into focus for this story. Yes, this is a mystery and there are bound to be a lot of suspects brought in and out of view. However, this one had a lot of secondary individuals sticking around in the forefront. Usually it is a bit overwhelming having to balance everyone and remember why it was so important to keep track of them. But McCaw never leaves you hanging. There are soft reminders for us as we read. I know that I really appreciated them! So don't worry about struggling to remember everyone we run across in this one.
This is a book that you are going to be frantically flipping the pages to find out what is going to happen. It balances such an enjoyable level of thrill and mystery while reading that you feel a part of the world. Almost like you are also on the ground with the detectives and trying to solve the murders too. If you are new to the Koa Kane Mysteries, you can absolutely pick this up with no trouble and have a great time reading it! There are 4 other books before this one, so if you do read this one first, I encourage you to go pick up the others too. It will totally be worth it for you. This is my favorite book in the series so far!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary honest review.
There was one writing choice that McCaw used in this one that was wonderful and a little new compared to the other books I've read so far of his! We got to see from the perspective of, what you could call, the opposing forces for the story. I really liked these moments. It set up the perfect amount of tension and suspense for the readers. You can see the scheming happening just feet away from characters we've gotten to know so well. It just made me want to start pacing with anxiety. As the story keeps tossing one thing after the other at you, there are only brief moments to catch your breath from the shocking scenes before the next puzzle piece pops up. Then you're off to the races again. The ultimate goal is to get ahead of the bad guys strike out again and hurt someone else. You'll never want to put down this book because you are so eager to find out what happens next.
I was quite surprised at the amount of individuals that were brought into focus for this story. Yes, this is a mystery and there are bound to be a lot of suspects brought in and out of view. However, this one had a lot of secondary individuals sticking around in the forefront. Usually it is a bit overwhelming having to balance everyone and remember why it was so important to keep track of them. But McCaw never leaves you hanging. There are soft reminders for us as we read. I know that I really appreciated them! So don't worry about struggling to remember everyone we run across in this one.
This is a book that you are going to be frantically flipping the pages to find out what is going to happen. It balances such an enjoyable level of thrill and mystery while reading that you feel a part of the world. Almost like you are also on the ground with the detectives and trying to solve the murders too. If you are new to the Koa Kane Mysteries, you can absolutely pick this up with no trouble and have a great time reading it! There are 4 other books before this one, so if you do read this one first, I encourage you to go pick up the others too. It will totally be worth it for you. This is my favorite book in the series so far!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary honest review.
December 14, 2022
In Robert McCaw’s propulsive novel Retribution, a Hilo (Hawaii) detective struggles to discover the truth when someone frames his brother for murder and how it might connect with a series of attacks aimed at those closest to him.
Set in the environs of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, McCaw’s prose features beautiful, detailed descriptions of people and picturesque places that give the book an atmospheric feel. The taut, suspenseful, and intricate plot makes the book difficult to put down. I read it from beginning to end in a single sitting.
We meet Chief Detective Koa Kane of the Hawaii County police, whose past intersects with his present in unexpected ways. When Koa investigates a murder that occurred in the alley behind a seedy dive bar, it shocks him to learn that a damning piece of evidence found at the scene points to his brother Ikaika as the killer. Although the chief of police then removes Koa from the case, convinced of his brother’s innocence, he continues investigating unofficially. Then, a sniper shoots Koa’s colleague and friend, Detective Makanui Kauhane, as she leaves her house for work. Suddenly, it seems someone is attacking Koa’s family and closest friends and colleagues. The series of violent attacks seem more of a criminal conspiracy than coincidental. With the help of his team, the county prosecutor, and a local criminal defense attorney, Koa develops and uses small clues that guide him through the quagmire of his tragic past while leading him to answers about who is behind the complex conspiracy.
Thematically, Retribution explores community, covetous, greed, and revenge. McCaw offers a clever foreshadowing in the opening chapters, and a suspect pool large enough to keep the reader guessing about the mystery parts of the book. Along with a scintillating story line, McCaw’s prose portrays respect for the cultural traditions of Indigenous Hawaiians, although this does at times feel a tad too didactic in its messaging. And that leads me to my only small gripe about the book, some of the dialogue.
McCaw’s incorporates his mastery of Hawaiian slang and dialect in dialogue to the extent it runs right into the overkill zone. Authors often incorporate dialect, slang, or purposely misspelled words to reflect a character’s accent. This falls under the general heading of characterization, and authors sometimes use the form of a character’s speech to signal aspects of who that character is. But as with so many techniques in fiction, moderation is vital in using dialect and slang, even when meant to elevate or explain a culture. Although I suspect this was done not only to add realism, but to show respect for Indigenous Hawaiians, it seems excessive here. Hawaiian is a Polynesian language of the Austronesian language family that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian language is one of the two official languages of the state of Hawaii. But according to the recent census, out of the 1.46 million (2020), only about 18,000 Hawaiians speak the language. Having spent much time in Hawaii, I can say with confidence most visitors to the archipelago come away with mastery of exactly two Hawaiian words, Aloha and Mahalo. So, the extensive use of the Hawaii language itself, along with a good amount of Hawaiian Pidgin, along with the translations of it all, became a distraction and didn’t make the story feel more realistic. As it’s said, it’s hard to go wrong with moderation. When in doubt, always avoid overkill.
Otherwise, Retribution is a taut, gritty, and pacey read that I very much enjoyed. I recommend the book for readers of crime, mystery, and thrillers, as the book touches all these categories.
Many thanks to the publicist and Oceanview Publishing for providing me an advance review copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Set in the environs of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, McCaw’s prose features beautiful, detailed descriptions of people and picturesque places that give the book an atmospheric feel. The taut, suspenseful, and intricate plot makes the book difficult to put down. I read it from beginning to end in a single sitting.
We meet Chief Detective Koa Kane of the Hawaii County police, whose past intersects with his present in unexpected ways. When Koa investigates a murder that occurred in the alley behind a seedy dive bar, it shocks him to learn that a damning piece of evidence found at the scene points to his brother Ikaika as the killer. Although the chief of police then removes Koa from the case, convinced of his brother’s innocence, he continues investigating unofficially. Then, a sniper shoots Koa’s colleague and friend, Detective Makanui Kauhane, as she leaves her house for work. Suddenly, it seems someone is attacking Koa’s family and closest friends and colleagues. The series of violent attacks seem more of a criminal conspiracy than coincidental. With the help of his team, the county prosecutor, and a local criminal defense attorney, Koa develops and uses small clues that guide him through the quagmire of his tragic past while leading him to answers about who is behind the complex conspiracy.
Thematically, Retribution explores community, covetous, greed, and revenge. McCaw offers a clever foreshadowing in the opening chapters, and a suspect pool large enough to keep the reader guessing about the mystery parts of the book. Along with a scintillating story line, McCaw’s prose portrays respect for the cultural traditions of Indigenous Hawaiians, although this does at times feel a tad too didactic in its messaging. And that leads me to my only small gripe about the book, some of the dialogue.
McCaw’s incorporates his mastery of Hawaiian slang and dialect in dialogue to the extent it runs right into the overkill zone. Authors often incorporate dialect, slang, or purposely misspelled words to reflect a character’s accent. This falls under the general heading of characterization, and authors sometimes use the form of a character’s speech to signal aspects of who that character is. But as with so many techniques in fiction, moderation is vital in using dialect and slang, even when meant to elevate or explain a culture. Although I suspect this was done not only to add realism, but to show respect for Indigenous Hawaiians, it seems excessive here. Hawaiian is a Polynesian language of the Austronesian language family that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian language is one of the two official languages of the state of Hawaii. But according to the recent census, out of the 1.46 million (2020), only about 18,000 Hawaiians speak the language. Having spent much time in Hawaii, I can say with confidence most visitors to the archipelago come away with mastery of exactly two Hawaiian words, Aloha and Mahalo. So, the extensive use of the Hawaii language itself, along with a good amount of Hawaiian Pidgin, along with the translations of it all, became a distraction and didn’t make the story feel more realistic. As it’s said, it’s hard to go wrong with moderation. When in doubt, always avoid overkill.
Otherwise, Retribution is a taut, gritty, and pacey read that I very much enjoyed. I recommend the book for readers of crime, mystery, and thrillers, as the book touches all these categories.
Many thanks to the publicist and Oceanview Publishing for providing me an advance review copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
June 6, 2023
Read my full review here: http://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot.c...
Retribution is the third Chief Detective Koa Kane novel I have read by Robert McCaw. All the novels take place in Hilo on the big Island of Hawaii, and all are police procedurals. What makes Retribution such a unique experience is the setting and the unique names of the characters. Most all of the main characters are native Hawaiians. This lends both charm and confusion, because few of the names are easy to remember.
Koa Kane is the Chief Detective of the Hilo police department. Although he is well-respected in the department and by the city prosecutors, he has a secret criminal past and a younger brother Ikaika, who has a troublesome past that is well known. Surgery on tumors in Ikaika’s brain has turned his mental health around, and he has been doing very well, much to his brother’s relief. Imagine Koa’s surprise when a young man is found dead in an alley with a knife recovered beside the body covered in Ikaika’s fingerprints. And that’s only the beginning.
It begins to appear that Koa is the real target of a series of crimes with several bodies piling up—all connected in some way to Koa. Most insidiously, Koa’s girlfriend, Natani, is the intended victim of a car bombing, which kills her co-worker and best friend, who had the misfortune to be driving Natani’s car. Additionally, Koa is having to contend with a new Assistant Chief Detective, Moreau, who thinks he knows it all when in actuality, he knows nothing. There’s something off about Moreau, and Koa begins to think that Moreau’s connection to Hilo’s mayor may have some significance. The reader begins to distrust Moreau as well.
Koa continues to impress the reader with his integrity, his foresight, and his intuition. It is his intuition that helps him realize that the fingerprints on the murder weapon are false, even though fingerprints are supposed to be foolproof evidence. He quickly sees the connection to all the murders and bombings, and also is able to move quickly when he is just given a couple of clues. Thus, the plot of Retribution seems to move quickly, and I turned pages quickly—or flipped the screen quickly, since I was reading it on a Kindle.
Again, Hawaii is a major character in the novel, and McCaw does a great job of helping us visualize this remarkable setting. We learn a bit about scientists searching for turtles and the technology they use in their search. We learn about the volcanic activity and how some Hawaiian roads are constantly having to be cleared of rubble. We also learn that native Hawaiian narcotic drinks are much better than beer, even though the beer may be local.
I think that I enjoyed Retribution the most of all the McCaw novels I have read, and I believe this is because the plot moves quickly and Koa Kane moves just as quickly to get to the heart of the situation. There is less back story to wade through, and that contributes to the pace of the book. Several reviewers complained about the incorporation of Hawaiian slang. One said, “Although I suspect this was done not only to add realism but to show respect for Indigenous Hawaiians, it seems excessive here.” Actually, I got a kick out of the slang and tried to figure out how to pronounce it. Prior to reading Retribution, all I could pronounce was Aloha.
Retribution is the third Chief Detective Koa Kane novel I have read by Robert McCaw. All the novels take place in Hilo on the big Island of Hawaii, and all are police procedurals. What makes Retribution such a unique experience is the setting and the unique names of the characters. Most all of the main characters are native Hawaiians. This lends both charm and confusion, because few of the names are easy to remember.
Koa Kane is the Chief Detective of the Hilo police department. Although he is well-respected in the department and by the city prosecutors, he has a secret criminal past and a younger brother Ikaika, who has a troublesome past that is well known. Surgery on tumors in Ikaika’s brain has turned his mental health around, and he has been doing very well, much to his brother’s relief. Imagine Koa’s surprise when a young man is found dead in an alley with a knife recovered beside the body covered in Ikaika’s fingerprints. And that’s only the beginning.
It begins to appear that Koa is the real target of a series of crimes with several bodies piling up—all connected in some way to Koa. Most insidiously, Koa’s girlfriend, Natani, is the intended victim of a car bombing, which kills her co-worker and best friend, who had the misfortune to be driving Natani’s car. Additionally, Koa is having to contend with a new Assistant Chief Detective, Moreau, who thinks he knows it all when in actuality, he knows nothing. There’s something off about Moreau, and Koa begins to think that Moreau’s connection to Hilo’s mayor may have some significance. The reader begins to distrust Moreau as well.
Koa continues to impress the reader with his integrity, his foresight, and his intuition. It is his intuition that helps him realize that the fingerprints on the murder weapon are false, even though fingerprints are supposed to be foolproof evidence. He quickly sees the connection to all the murders and bombings, and also is able to move quickly when he is just given a couple of clues. Thus, the plot of Retribution seems to move quickly, and I turned pages quickly—or flipped the screen quickly, since I was reading it on a Kindle.
Again, Hawaii is a major character in the novel, and McCaw does a great job of helping us visualize this remarkable setting. We learn a bit about scientists searching for turtles and the technology they use in their search. We learn about the volcanic activity and how some Hawaiian roads are constantly having to be cleared of rubble. We also learn that native Hawaiian narcotic drinks are much better than beer, even though the beer may be local.
I think that I enjoyed Retribution the most of all the McCaw novels I have read, and I believe this is because the plot moves quickly and Koa Kane moves just as quickly to get to the heart of the situation. There is less back story to wade through, and that contributes to the pace of the book. Several reviewers complained about the incorporation of Hawaiian slang. One said, “Although I suspect this was done not only to add realism but to show respect for Indigenous Hawaiians, it seems excessive here.” Actually, I got a kick out of the slang and tried to figure out how to pronounce it. Prior to reading Retribution, all I could pronounce was Aloha.
April 4, 2023
Retribution is the fifth book in Robert McCaw’s Koa Kane series, set in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii. It’s a slightly odd mix of police procedural and thriller, and although readers may have to suspend disbelief occasionally as a result, Retribution is still a fun and quick read. And its strong investigative elements help it shine.
As the story opens, Koa Kane, Hilo’s Chief Detective, is stunned to learn that there’s seemingly incontrovertible evidence that his brother, who had struggled with the law in the past, but is now clean (and pardoned by the governor), killed a street kid near a dive bar. Kane knows he shouldn’t get involved, but of course he has to investigate, even if it’s unofficially. While he’s doing that, though, he also gets word that one of his team members, Detective Makanui, has been shot at, saved only by her bullet proof vest. And then a bomb goes off. And then another. As things get more complicated, the questions multiply. Are Hilo’s mayor and his cronies simply the rather petty political animals they appear to be, or is something more going on? And what about the gun used to shoot Makanui, a Russian sniper’s rifle? Is there an international element to this? Might the bombings indicate some sort of a terrorist tie-in? Even more crimes occur, but eventually Kane and his team use legwork and their investigative chops to figure out what’s going on.
I am a big fan of police procedurals, and I loved following along as Kane and his team tracked down suspicious bank deposits, relied on pizza-delivery drivers for alibis, got info off burner phones, learned more than they (or I) ever expected to know about fingerprints, and much more. On the other hand, I had not read any of the previous books in the series, and although McCaw does a pretty good job of filling in some background, I still felt a bit confused on occasion, such as when a past criminal appears as a major plot element late in the story. So I think I’d recommend that readers start with the first book and read the series in order. Also, as mentioned above, I felt as if it was a bit of a stretch for serious international terrorist elements to be popping up in Hilo – not that it couldn’t happen, but it just felt highly improbable. (This is the same feeling I have from time to time in Martin Walker’s Bruno series, when terrorists show up in a tiny town in the French countryside.) But, in the overall scheme of things, the investigative fun far outweighed the improbable stuff, and I definitely enjoyed Retribution enough to put the previous books in the series on my watch list to pick up someday. And finally, I’d like to express my thanks to the publishers, Oceanview Publishing, for the advance review copy!
As the story opens, Koa Kane, Hilo’s Chief Detective, is stunned to learn that there’s seemingly incontrovertible evidence that his brother, who had struggled with the law in the past, but is now clean (and pardoned by the governor), killed a street kid near a dive bar. Kane knows he shouldn’t get involved, but of course he has to investigate, even if it’s unofficially. While he’s doing that, though, he also gets word that one of his team members, Detective Makanui, has been shot at, saved only by her bullet proof vest. And then a bomb goes off. And then another. As things get more complicated, the questions multiply. Are Hilo’s mayor and his cronies simply the rather petty political animals they appear to be, or is something more going on? And what about the gun used to shoot Makanui, a Russian sniper’s rifle? Is there an international element to this? Might the bombings indicate some sort of a terrorist tie-in? Even more crimes occur, but eventually Kane and his team use legwork and their investigative chops to figure out what’s going on.
I am a big fan of police procedurals, and I loved following along as Kane and his team tracked down suspicious bank deposits, relied on pizza-delivery drivers for alibis, got info off burner phones, learned more than they (or I) ever expected to know about fingerprints, and much more. On the other hand, I had not read any of the previous books in the series, and although McCaw does a pretty good job of filling in some background, I still felt a bit confused on occasion, such as when a past criminal appears as a major plot element late in the story. So I think I’d recommend that readers start with the first book and read the series in order. Also, as mentioned above, I felt as if it was a bit of a stretch for serious international terrorist elements to be popping up in Hilo – not that it couldn’t happen, but it just felt highly improbable. (This is the same feeling I have from time to time in Martin Walker’s Bruno series, when terrorists show up in a tiny town in the French countryside.) But, in the overall scheme of things, the investigative fun far outweighed the improbable stuff, and I definitely enjoyed Retribution enough to put the previous books in the series on my watch list to pick up someday. And finally, I’d like to express my thanks to the publishers, Oceanview Publishing, for the advance review copy!
June 6, 2023
A Complex Revenge Story on the Big Island of Hawaii
Off the big island of Hawaii, a Muslim climbs down in a ladder from a Philippine Freighter into a speed boat that takes him away. His mission is to avenge the killing of his brother. Then, Makanui Ka‘uhane, a detective assigned to Hilo, is called by her old boss, head of the Honolulu PD anti-terror squad, that a terrorist who threated to kill her has escaped. From this start, more attacks and deaths start that all have a nexus, Chief Detective Koa Kāne.
The main storyline becomes very complex and quickly. Det. Kāne is called to back-alley murder. He soon learns that the prime suspect is his brother, so he is barred from that investigation. Next, his Det. Ka‘uhane is shot as she is leaving her home. The tension climbs as more attacks occur. To add to the tension, a few of the chapters are narrated by the perpetrators where the reader learns that above them there are multiple layers directing the attacks. The novel offers rapid action and still makes the reader think about who and why behind the attacks. Then, some attacks turn deadly that drives the tension even higher. Action and thinking, I was hooked.
This is the fifth novel in the series, but the first that I have read. The main character, Koa Kāne, is well developed through his actions and dialog with his wife and friends, personal and professional. The relationship between him and his brother is portrayed extensively. Kāne’s actions and interactions are very consistent throughout the story. The background on Makanui Ka‘uhane was quite extensive also. To me, both seemed to be well-developed characters. Also, I did not feel that I was missing anything about these characters by not reading the previous novels. There is an interesting B-storyline between Kāne’s wife, Nālani, and her fellow park ranger Olina Crow. These aspects increased my reading enjoyment of this novel.
For the aspects that quickly turn off some readers, there are not any intimate scenes. Vulgar and rude language is very low, and with just a few impious references. Most of the violence is described in the more edgy as it occurs but is not excessive at all. The author does use some native Hawaiian language. When its use is not obvious, the authors added a translation or explanation. Most readers should be able to read this novel without any issues or reading the previous novels.
This novel was sailing for a five-star review when at 92% through the novel, an anonymous character was introduced. This character played a critical role in the main storyline, but by the end of the novel, this character’s identity is still a mystery. I am not against a multi-novel thread, but when it is pops up at the end of a novel, it just leaves a bad last impression of the novel. Without reading any of the author’s previous novels, I am not sure if he uses this technique or not that would ameliorate it for me. If this is not an issue for you, this novel should be a five-star read for you. For me, it is four-star review.
I received a free prepublication e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Oceanside Publishing. My review is based only on my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Oceanside Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
Off the big island of Hawaii, a Muslim climbs down in a ladder from a Philippine Freighter into a speed boat that takes him away. His mission is to avenge the killing of his brother. Then, Makanui Ka‘uhane, a detective assigned to Hilo, is called by her old boss, head of the Honolulu PD anti-terror squad, that a terrorist who threated to kill her has escaped. From this start, more attacks and deaths start that all have a nexus, Chief Detective Koa Kāne.
The main storyline becomes very complex and quickly. Det. Kāne is called to back-alley murder. He soon learns that the prime suspect is his brother, so he is barred from that investigation. Next, his Det. Ka‘uhane is shot as she is leaving her home. The tension climbs as more attacks occur. To add to the tension, a few of the chapters are narrated by the perpetrators where the reader learns that above them there are multiple layers directing the attacks. The novel offers rapid action and still makes the reader think about who and why behind the attacks. Then, some attacks turn deadly that drives the tension even higher. Action and thinking, I was hooked.
This is the fifth novel in the series, but the first that I have read. The main character, Koa Kāne, is well developed through his actions and dialog with his wife and friends, personal and professional. The relationship between him and his brother is portrayed extensively. Kāne’s actions and interactions are very consistent throughout the story. The background on Makanui Ka‘uhane was quite extensive also. To me, both seemed to be well-developed characters. Also, I did not feel that I was missing anything about these characters by not reading the previous novels. There is an interesting B-storyline between Kāne’s wife, Nālani, and her fellow park ranger Olina Crow. These aspects increased my reading enjoyment of this novel.
For the aspects that quickly turn off some readers, there are not any intimate scenes. Vulgar and rude language is very low, and with just a few impious references. Most of the violence is described in the more edgy as it occurs but is not excessive at all. The author does use some native Hawaiian language. When its use is not obvious, the authors added a translation or explanation. Most readers should be able to read this novel without any issues or reading the previous novels.
This novel was sailing for a five-star review when at 92% through the novel, an anonymous character was introduced. This character played a critical role in the main storyline, but by the end of the novel, this character’s identity is still a mystery. I am not against a multi-novel thread, but when it is pops up at the end of a novel, it just leaves a bad last impression of the novel. Without reading any of the author’s previous novels, I am not sure if he uses this technique or not that would ameliorate it for me. If this is not an issue for you, this novel should be a five-star read for you. For me, it is four-star review.
I received a free prepublication e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Oceanside Publishing. My review is based only on my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Oceanside Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
May 26, 2023
I received an ARC through NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with an unknown individual landing in Hawaii with revenge on his mind. The story nexts brings into play a murder scene in which a knife was discovered with fingerprints belonging to Loa's brother. The fingerprint discovery was only discovered the next day and because the fact that the prints were someone in his family, he would be off of the case. Koa knew that he needed to do somethings if we was going to prove his brother's innocence. The next morning Koa learned that Makanui, a detective that he had hired, had been ambushed. Koa went quickly to the scene where he discovered that she was still alive and called for EMTs. He then began examining the scene after she taken away in an ambulance. After his search he discovered that the shooter was a sniper and he was able to pinpoint where the shot came from. After going what he could at the scene, he went to the hospital to see Makani and find if she had any ideas who might want to kill her.
After arriving back at the station, he was told that chief wanted to see him. The chief first asked about Makanui and then told him that he had to get off the cases that his brother was implicated in. The chief then handed the case to Moreau, the Deputy Chief of Detectives who had been hired just a few months earlier. Koa was not happy with Moreau's hire and his attitude was not very good. He knew that things would not go easy for his brother. Later there was another killing where the intended victim was to be Koa's girlfriend, but instead a co-worker was killed instaed.
The case had other incidents which soon led Koa to believe that this was all related to him. As a result he wound putting security arround his family and had police guarding Makanui. Eventually Koa started getting information that pointed him in the right direction.
Find out how Koa's brother made out, why Makanui was targeted and who and what evidence Koa found which help bring the cse to a conclusion. The ending is well done and all questions but one will be answered.
The story begins with an unknown individual landing in Hawaii with revenge on his mind. The story nexts brings into play a murder scene in which a knife was discovered with fingerprints belonging to Loa's brother. The fingerprint discovery was only discovered the next day and because the fact that the prints were someone in his family, he would be off of the case. Koa knew that he needed to do somethings if we was going to prove his brother's innocence. The next morning Koa learned that Makanui, a detective that he had hired, had been ambushed. Koa went quickly to the scene where he discovered that she was still alive and called for EMTs. He then began examining the scene after she taken away in an ambulance. After his search he discovered that the shooter was a sniper and he was able to pinpoint where the shot came from. After going what he could at the scene, he went to the hospital to see Makani and find if she had any ideas who might want to kill her.
After arriving back at the station, he was told that chief wanted to see him. The chief first asked about Makanui and then told him that he had to get off the cases that his brother was implicated in. The chief then handed the case to Moreau, the Deputy Chief of Detectives who had been hired just a few months earlier. Koa was not happy with Moreau's hire and his attitude was not very good. He knew that things would not go easy for his brother. Later there was another killing where the intended victim was to be Koa's girlfriend, but instead a co-worker was killed instaed.
The case had other incidents which soon led Koa to believe that this was all related to him. As a result he wound putting security arround his family and had police guarding Makanui. Eventually Koa started getting information that pointed him in the right direction.
Find out how Koa's brother made out, why Makanui was targeted and who and what evidence Koa found which help bring the cse to a conclusion. The ending is well done and all questions but one will be answered.
July 20, 2023
(3.5 stars)
This is my first Robert McCaw book, which I picked up for a taste of Hawai'i. It's a crime novel centred around Chief Detective Koa Kāne who works lives on the big island of Hawai'i. It's a reasonable if a bit crudely written book. Sometimes I found the language a bit off-putting, perhaps it reflects American biases. For example, "a bearded figure with brown skin and brutal features" felt racially stigmatising, and a person who has problematic use of drugs and alcohol was referred to as "her plight was self-inflicted." I also found the language a bit overblown: "she'd seen barefaced evil, and it had left its mark on her psyche."
In terms of characterisation, the lead protagonist Koa is likeable, but the repetition to establish his flawed nature got a bit boring: "Having fooled the system, he was determined to avoid being outsmarted the way he'd deceived the cops who'd investigated the crime." The author has a fairly wooden way of describing things: "A young woman wearing a sequinned tee-shirt over bare breasts tended the bar." While I liked the Hawaiian language inclusions like "the big haole behind the bar" and "a patch of smooth, black pāhoehoe lava", I think a glossary would assist foreign readers, especially as Hawaiian is not a language that devices like Kindles readily translate to.
At times it found the insertion of police procedural information and Hawaiian history got in the way of the story, because it was done in a such a dry and heavy-handed way: "In compliance with federal requirements, the Hilo police had notified the bureau of the bombing of Nālani's car, and subsequently, the explosion at the hospital." Getting in these facts, like that "police and the justice system that arrested, prosecuted, and incarcerated native Hawaiians at disproportional rates" and information about the sovereignty movement is definitely interesting and important but the way they are added is clunky.
With thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for sending me a copy to read.
This is my first Robert McCaw book, which I picked up for a taste of Hawai'i. It's a crime novel centred around Chief Detective Koa Kāne who works lives on the big island of Hawai'i. It's a reasonable if a bit crudely written book. Sometimes I found the language a bit off-putting, perhaps it reflects American biases. For example, "a bearded figure with brown skin and brutal features" felt racially stigmatising, and a person who has problematic use of drugs and alcohol was referred to as "her plight was self-inflicted." I also found the language a bit overblown: "she'd seen barefaced evil, and it had left its mark on her psyche."
In terms of characterisation, the lead protagonist Koa is likeable, but the repetition to establish his flawed nature got a bit boring: "Having fooled the system, he was determined to avoid being outsmarted the way he'd deceived the cops who'd investigated the crime." The author has a fairly wooden way of describing things: "A young woman wearing a sequinned tee-shirt over bare breasts tended the bar." While I liked the Hawaiian language inclusions like "the big haole behind the bar" and "a patch of smooth, black pāhoehoe lava", I think a glossary would assist foreign readers, especially as Hawaiian is not a language that devices like Kindles readily translate to.
At times it found the insertion of police procedural information and Hawaiian history got in the way of the story, because it was done in a such a dry and heavy-handed way: "In compliance with federal requirements, the Hilo police had notified the bureau of the bombing of Nālani's car, and subsequently, the explosion at the hospital." Getting in these facts, like that "police and the justice system that arrested, prosecuted, and incarcerated native Hawaiians at disproportional rates" and information about the sovereignty movement is definitely interesting and important but the way they are added is clunky.
With thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for sending me a copy to read.
June 9, 2023
Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane investigates a young man's murder at a bar, and the weapon recovered has fingerprints that are a perfect match for Koa's younger brother Ikaika. As he tries to prove Ikaika's innocence, a sniper tries to take out Makanui, Koa's colleague. Is Koa the real target? If so, this is a ruthless adversary and he must risk everything to survive.
This is the fifth Koa Kane mystery, and I had previously reviewed Fire and Vengeance, Death of a Messenger, and Treachery Times Two. We know he committed a crime as a teen, and carried that guilt with him to become a police officer intent on doing right. He doesn't want his brother to be the bad guy, not when his mother only recently got him back, and when he was nowhere near the location. Koa is on a tight deadline, and willing to bend over backward for his family. That makes this novel work at a breakneck pace, so that the sniper attack just ramps up the tension even further. Now the clock is ticking for both of them, and he's also looking into a possible corruption angle; Koa pissed off very powerful people in prior books, and they have the money to make it a real possibility. He and Makanui aren't passive participants in the railroading, and it's great fun watching them flex their skills to get to the bottom of it all.
The investigation is fascinating, and seeing the threads come together is lots of fun for us the reader. Not so much for the characters involved, because they're pressed to give up information leading to the mastermind behind it all. We get a look at the way police work behind the scenes, how the DA's office will and won't work with them, and the politics at play as well. When everything falls together, it's a quick and rapid conclusion. Vengeance is had, but overall threats still remain for the future novels in this series.
This is the fifth Koa Kane mystery, and I had previously reviewed Fire and Vengeance, Death of a Messenger, and Treachery Times Two. We know he committed a crime as a teen, and carried that guilt with him to become a police officer intent on doing right. He doesn't want his brother to be the bad guy, not when his mother only recently got him back, and when he was nowhere near the location. Koa is on a tight deadline, and willing to bend over backward for his family. That makes this novel work at a breakneck pace, so that the sniper attack just ramps up the tension even further. Now the clock is ticking for both of them, and he's also looking into a possible corruption angle; Koa pissed off very powerful people in prior books, and they have the money to make it a real possibility. He and Makanui aren't passive participants in the railroading, and it's great fun watching them flex their skills to get to the bottom of it all.
The investigation is fascinating, and seeing the threads come together is lots of fun for us the reader. Not so much for the characters involved, because they're pressed to give up information leading to the mastermind behind it all. We get a look at the way police work behind the scenes, how the DA's office will and won't work with them, and the politics at play as well. When everything falls together, it's a quick and rapid conclusion. Vengeance is had, but overall threats still remain for the future novels in this series.
January 25, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for an advance copy of Retribution, the fifth novel to feature Hilo PD Chief of Detectives Koa Kane, set on Hawai’i’s Big Island.
A young man is stabbed to death in a back alley. Fingerprints on the knife used point to Koa’s brother, Ikaika. The his closest workmate, Makanui, is shot at by a sniper. As he fights to clear his brother’s name more attacks on his nearest and dearest bring him to believe that he is target, the only question is who and why.
I enjoyed Retribution, which is a high octane read with plenty of twists and turns. I thought that it was quite slow to start in terms of development. Yes, there is the murder and the sniper attack, which are hardly slow, but there is little forward momentum, instead the author spends time setting the scene and introducing the characters and their backstories. Once there are more attacks and Koa starts to get purchase in his investigation the read hots up with high octane events and a tension filled finale.
I would warn any reader looking for realism that this probably isn’t the novel for them. It is all highly improbable and you’ll have to take my word for that as any example would be a spoiler, but it’s entertaining and held my attention throughout.
The island, its landscape and culture play a large role in the novel. Hawaiian words and phrases pepper the dialogue, although I don’t see the point as the author has to translate and explain them, losing a bit of momentum as he does so. I found the history and culture more interesting as it’s always good to learn more about places I don’t know and the scenic descriptions paint an interesting landscape of devastation (volcanoes) and adaptation.
Retribution is a good read that I can recommend.
A young man is stabbed to death in a back alley. Fingerprints on the knife used point to Koa’s brother, Ikaika. The his closest workmate, Makanui, is shot at by a sniper. As he fights to clear his brother’s name more attacks on his nearest and dearest bring him to believe that he is target, the only question is who and why.
I enjoyed Retribution, which is a high octane read with plenty of twists and turns. I thought that it was quite slow to start in terms of development. Yes, there is the murder and the sniper attack, which are hardly slow, but there is little forward momentum, instead the author spends time setting the scene and introducing the characters and their backstories. Once there are more attacks and Koa starts to get purchase in his investigation the read hots up with high octane events and a tension filled finale.
I would warn any reader looking for realism that this probably isn’t the novel for them. It is all highly improbable and you’ll have to take my word for that as any example would be a spoiler, but it’s entertaining and held my attention throughout.
The island, its landscape and culture play a large role in the novel. Hawaiian words and phrases pepper the dialogue, although I don’t see the point as the author has to translate and explain them, losing a bit of momentum as he does so. I found the history and culture more interesting as it’s always good to learn more about places I don’t know and the scenic descriptions paint an interesting landscape of devastation (volcanoes) and adaptation.
Retribution is a good read that I can recommend.
June 3, 2023
First, it was one of the detectives under his command. Then it was his brother. But before long, Chief Detective Koa Kane began to wonder if there was more to it. Random attacks that just happen to surround him, or was he a connecting thread tying them all together? There was only one way to find out and Koa was determined to uncover the truth.
Retribution is the kind of detective novel that I enjoy the best. A group of detectives working together to solve a crime as a team. The camaraderie and friendships between them are often more important to me than the actual crimes. Koa has a great relationship with his team, with the forensic team, and the local prosecutor as well, which is a huge plus for me.
Koa himself is a tough but fair boss, who strives to do his best while bringing out the best in his squad. He’s a smart and effective detective as well. The way he worked through what was going on and actually listened to the thoughts and advice of others only made me like him more. The rest of his team was well put together and likable as well. The combination of experienced officers with a less experienced one worked well for the story.
The setting is what drew me to Retribution – I’ve not read a book set in Hawaii before now. However, the cast of characters is what kept me reading. Good, honest detectives and some pretty frightening bad guys came together to create an engaging and intense story. Once I picked it up, I didn’t want to stop reading. The bad guy reveal surprised me as well. My only complaint is that this is the fifth book in the series and I’m only just now discovering it. Time to hit the library for the first four.
Retribution is the kind of detective novel that I enjoy the best. A group of detectives working together to solve a crime as a team. The camaraderie and friendships between them are often more important to me than the actual crimes. Koa has a great relationship with his team, with the forensic team, and the local prosecutor as well, which is a huge plus for me.
Koa himself is a tough but fair boss, who strives to do his best while bringing out the best in his squad. He’s a smart and effective detective as well. The way he worked through what was going on and actually listened to the thoughts and advice of others only made me like him more. The rest of his team was well put together and likable as well. The combination of experienced officers with a less experienced one worked well for the story.
The setting is what drew me to Retribution – I’ve not read a book set in Hawaii before now. However, the cast of characters is what kept me reading. Good, honest detectives and some pretty frightening bad guys came together to create an engaging and intense story. Once I picked it up, I didn’t want to stop reading. The bad guy reveal surprised me as well. My only complaint is that this is the fifth book in the series and I’m only just now discovering it. Time to hit the library for the first four.
April 27, 2023
4 stars for a fast paced mystery/thriller. This is book 5 in the Koa Kane series. Koa is the Chief of Detectives in the Hawaii County Police force. The book worked for me as a stand alone. The notes at the end of the book says all 5 books are meant to be stand alones.
This book opens with a man getting off a boat in the dark of night on the shore of the Big Island. He is planning to kill a police officer named Makanui. Then a dead drug addict is discovered with the murder weapon nearby. Fingerprints on the bloody knife match those of Koa's brother, Ikaika, an ex convict gone straight.
More attacks happen, and Koa soon realizes that there is a common thread behind them. He does unravel the mystery, but not before more people die. I recommend this book to police procedural fans. The characters are believable, many of whom are native Hawaiian. The book has helpful information about Hawaiian culture, history, wildlife and plants on the island. Two quotes: "As was his habit at a crime scene, Koa let his eyes scan the corpse absorbing every detail, no matter how gruesome. He called it listening to the dead, trying to envision their last moments. It sometimes yielded important clues and always empowered Koa's empathy for the victims."
Hawaiian legend: ":Some visitors even became enthralled with the legend of Kauila, a giant honu, a large green sea turtle, that morphed into a young woman who protected the keiki, the children, swimming in the coves."
I read this book in 3 days.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for sending this eARC through Edelweiss.
This book opens with a man getting off a boat in the dark of night on the shore of the Big Island. He is planning to kill a police officer named Makanui. Then a dead drug addict is discovered with the murder weapon nearby. Fingerprints on the bloody knife match those of Koa's brother, Ikaika, an ex convict gone straight.
More attacks happen, and Koa soon realizes that there is a common thread behind them. He does unravel the mystery, but not before more people die. I recommend this book to police procedural fans. The characters are believable, many of whom are native Hawaiian. The book has helpful information about Hawaiian culture, history, wildlife and plants on the island. Two quotes: "As was his habit at a crime scene, Koa let his eyes scan the corpse absorbing every detail, no matter how gruesome. He called it listening to the dead, trying to envision their last moments. It sometimes yielded important clues and always empowered Koa's empathy for the victims."
Hawaiian legend: ":Some visitors even became enthralled with the legend of Kauila, a giant honu, a large green sea turtle, that morphed into a young woman who protected the keiki, the children, swimming in the coves."
I read this book in 3 days.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for sending this eARC through Edelweiss.
June 14, 2023
Retribution by Robert McCaw is the fifth book in his Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series and the first that I have had the pleasure of reading. It is stated that the books in this series can be read in order or can be read alone.....and that is definitely the case. As soon as I started reading Retribution I was completely into the story, not lost at all, and was along for the rollercoaster of a ride.
In Retribution main character Chief Detective Kane has his hands full !! It begins with Kane's brother Ikaika being arrested for murder and continues in a spiral from there. Another detective and close friend is shot when she opens her front door to leave for work, luckily she was protected. And when more attempts on people that Kane cares about occur, he sets out to uncover who is behind the acts.
Unfortunately Kane is limited in what he can do, especially with his brother's case. And the detective assigned to Ikaika's case already has him guilty and serving life behind bars without even investigating. But Kane is determined and eventually will gain control of the case as well as the other cases involving friends and family but it seems the people behind the murder attempts are always one step ahead of Kane.
Readers will love whatever book of this series they pick up. As you ride around Hawaii with Detective Kane you will thoroughly enjoy the trip.....and you don't have to pack or anything. Just grab a snack and beverage, sit back on your couch or in your gazebo and let McCaw be your tour guide. You will be happy for the pleasant distraction.
March 12, 2023
Read his full post at Rosepoint Publishing.
Something is amiss at the police department in Hilo. More murders are happening on the big island than have ever been witnessed before. Koa Kane is the Lead Detective and he is determined to find the killer.
His good friend Ikaika has been tagged for the killings but Koa knows that is not possible. Ikaika was on the volcano for a getaway with Maria when the crime occurred. The problem is that Ikaika has a criminal record and is the prime suspect.
International intrigue and espionage are woven into this tale with the culprit’s true identity carefully camouflaged. The person seems to be rising quickly through the ranks despite little actual experience in law enforcement. Money seems to be a prime prerequisite for advancement in the police department! Cliques within law enforcement make solving crimes a personality test.
Robert McCaw has developed a very twisted narrative of deceit within the Hilo Police Department. The novel is entertaining and at times frustrating, but certainly engaging. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.
Something is amiss at the police department in Hilo. More murders are happening on the big island than have ever been witnessed before. Koa Kane is the Lead Detective and he is determined to find the killer.
His good friend Ikaika has been tagged for the killings but Koa knows that is not possible. Ikaika was on the volcano for a getaway with Maria when the crime occurred. The problem is that Ikaika has a criminal record and is the prime suspect.
International intrigue and espionage are woven into this tale with the culprit’s true identity carefully camouflaged. The person seems to be rising quickly through the ranks despite little actual experience in law enforcement. Money seems to be a prime prerequisite for advancement in the police department! Cliques within law enforcement make solving crimes a personality test.
Robert McCaw has developed a very twisted narrative of deceit within the Hilo Police Department. The novel is entertaining and at times frustrating, but certainly engaging. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 4, 2024
In the back alley of a bar on Hawaii Island, a young man is found stabbed to death. When Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane begins investigating the crime, the murder weapon is recovered only a few feet away from the body. Crime scene technicians find fingerprints on the knife—they are a perfect match for Koa’s younger brother, Ikaika.
Whew, let's get into it. Listen this book is the fifth installment of the series but don't let that intimidate you because it can be read as a standalone book. I will be honest I didn't go back and read the others only this one.
I am late giving this Earc review because life was lifing and I ended up with breast cancer last year but here we are.
The book follows Detective Koa Kane in Hilo, Hawaii the twister is that his brother is a prime suspect in a murder investigation. If this is not enough to get your mind going Kane's partner is viciously attacked, when you think you know who the target is think again you are wrong. This book is fast-paced, full of twists and turns everywhere you look. The storyline is suspenseful and will keep you engaged until the end. I was not disappointed at all.
Thank you so much Oceanview Publishing and Netgalley for this advance read.
Whew, let's get into it. Listen this book is the fifth installment of the series but don't let that intimidate you because it can be read as a standalone book. I will be honest I didn't go back and read the others only this one.
I am late giving this Earc review because life was lifing and I ended up with breast cancer last year but here we are.
The book follows Detective Koa Kane in Hilo, Hawaii the twister is that his brother is a prime suspect in a murder investigation. If this is not enough to get your mind going Kane's partner is viciously attacked, when you think you know who the target is think again you are wrong. This book is fast-paced, full of twists and turns everywhere you look. The storyline is suspenseful and will keep you engaged until the end. I was not disappointed at all.
Thank you so much Oceanview Publishing and Netgalley for this advance read.
October 20, 2023
Chief Detective Koa Kane finds himself at the center of a violent crime spree that points to him being the ultimate target. Those he loves and the police force he's spent years devoted to are the targets of a ruthless adversary out for retribution and it's up to Koa to stop him.
The characters feel real and the violence just as much, which is why I'm not giving this one a full five stars. It feels a bit like reading the violent crime section of a newspaper. I commend McCaw for being true to lie, but there's a reason why I don't read true crime.
I read this book in one night without realizing that that was what I was doing simply because McCaw's writing flows so smoothly that it only made sense to keep going. The pacing is superb, with one incident leading to another in a very natural way. The story pulled me in and the writing kept me reading.
I do feel like having read the previous volumes in the series would have made some things easier to understand, but it's not enough to be an obstacle to jumping in with this one.
Happy thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the great read!
The characters feel real and the violence just as much, which is why I'm not giving this one a full five stars. It feels a bit like reading the violent crime section of a newspaper. I commend McCaw for being true to lie, but there's a reason why I don't read true crime.
I read this book in one night without realizing that that was what I was doing simply because McCaw's writing flows so smoothly that it only made sense to keep going. The pacing is superb, with one incident leading to another in a very natural way. The story pulled me in and the writing kept me reading.
I do feel like having read the previous volumes in the series would have made some things easier to understand, but it's not enough to be an obstacle to jumping in with this one.
Happy thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for the great read!
March 31, 2023
Hawaii is pictured in our minds to be a beautiful setting, welcoming and friendly to both tourists and locals!
The storyline unfolds to reveal mysterious events, a murder to solve and an unexpected darkness! Mostly fast paced, we follow Koa as he races to clear his brother’s name and investigate a series of deadly attacks!
I enjoyed the thought processes in this book, along with the history and emotions of the main characters. The attacks keep happening but Koa and his team strive to keep ahead of whoever is terrorising the Island’s inhabitants!
The characters all have their own part to play, at times I felt that too much time was given to explanations of history.
Koa is convinced that there’s a connection between all of the deaths and attempts on lives. It’s a race against time to identify the killer and restore peace to a terrified community!
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing , NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book, much appreciated!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The storyline unfolds to reveal mysterious events, a murder to solve and an unexpected darkness! Mostly fast paced, we follow Koa as he races to clear his brother’s name and investigate a series of deadly attacks!
I enjoyed the thought processes in this book, along with the history and emotions of the main characters. The attacks keep happening but Koa and his team strive to keep ahead of whoever is terrorising the Island’s inhabitants!
The characters all have their own part to play, at times I felt that too much time was given to explanations of history.
Koa is convinced that there’s a connection between all of the deaths and attempts on lives. It’s a race against time to identify the killer and restore peace to a terrified community!
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing , NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book, much appreciated!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 16, 2023
The latest in the Chief Detective Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series, Retribution by Robert McCaw is another engaging knotty crime tale. When a dead body is discovered in an alleyway, the nearby bloody knife has Koa’s brother’s fingerprints. Despite being removed from the case, Koa continues trying to prove his brother’s innocence. Then his colleague, Makanui is attacked, another policeman is killed in an explosion, and his team of detectives struggle to advance the investigations. Are these crimes connected and why are these attacks on the police? Is Koa Kane the real target? This is more than a police procedural, with a delightful intricate story, plenty of action and a suspenseful climax. It can be enjoyed as a standalone read that makes for a four stars rating. With thanks to Oceanview Publishing and the author for an uncorrected proof copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
June 4, 2023
An outstanding novel set amongst the beauty of Hawaii.
I regret that this is my first encounter with the police force, especially Detective Kane and Hilo Detective Makanui Ka’uhane of the Big Island of Hawaii. One can read this as a stand-alone novel; However, I want to read the previous books in the series as Robert McCaw has described in minute detail life in Hawaii. He also uses the native language of the islanders.
This storyline follows the detectives desperately trying to trace and recapture an escaped prisoner. A man is hellbent on causing untold pain and suffering to Detective Kane.
A truly remarkable novel with many twists and turns before justice finally wins. Robert McCaw is an exceptionally brilliant author.
Rony
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.
I regret that this is my first encounter with the police force, especially Detective Kane and Hilo Detective Makanui Ka’uhane of the Big Island of Hawaii. One can read this as a stand-alone novel; However, I want to read the previous books in the series as Robert McCaw has described in minute detail life in Hawaii. He also uses the native language of the islanders.
This storyline follows the detectives desperately trying to trace and recapture an escaped prisoner. A man is hellbent on causing untold pain and suffering to Detective Kane.
A truly remarkable novel with many twists and turns before justice finally wins. Robert McCaw is an exceptionally brilliant author.
Rony
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.
December 15, 2022
Retribution by Robert McCaw
This is another Koa Kane Hawaiian mystery. Koa is the chief of detectives and finds mysterious assaults on his peers. There seems to be no pattern to the violence until it suddenly becomes clear who is the main target in the crosshairs.
McCaw does a nice job with a complex plot. Koa is not a flawless hero but one who struggles with his own dark, dirty secret. Guilt rears it’s ugly head at the least convenient moment.
Office politics go disturbing violent and Koa is pressed to find answers before anyone else dies.
I like this series and the Hawaiian history that it incorporates.
I recommend this book and his others, reviews of which can be found on Pick of the Literate at https://bookrevues.blogspot.com/
This is another Koa Kane Hawaiian mystery. Koa is the chief of detectives and finds mysterious assaults on his peers. There seems to be no pattern to the violence until it suddenly becomes clear who is the main target in the crosshairs.
McCaw does a nice job with a complex plot. Koa is not a flawless hero but one who struggles with his own dark, dirty secret. Guilt rears it’s ugly head at the least convenient moment.
Office politics go disturbing violent and Koa is pressed to find answers before anyone else dies.
I like this series and the Hawaiian history that it incorporates.
I recommend this book and his others, reviews of which can be found on Pick of the Literate at https://bookrevues.blogspot.com/
April 9, 2023
When one sibling gets into trouble, the other sibling experiences the hurt too. Retribution by Robert McCaw happens in Hawaii. Ikaika's knife is found near a body. The blade has Ikaika's hand prints all over it.Of course, Ikaiki decides to help his brother prove his innocence.
Retribution is great. With a complicated mystery, there is added present day sites in Hawaii. You can almost smell the pineapples. Reading the mystery brings to mind how hard it is to make righteous judgments. There is the fact that sometimes we can become framed in a crime by someone else. Thank goodness, our Democracy uses Blind Lady Justice.
Retribution is great. With a complicated mystery, there is added present day sites in Hawaii. You can almost smell the pineapples. Reading the mystery brings to mind how hard it is to make righteous judgments. There is the fact that sometimes we can become framed in a crime by someone else. Thank goodness, our Democracy uses Blind Lady Justice.
May 16, 2023
I was so excited to read this book, but unfortunately, it wasn’t a fantastic book for me. The murder and mystery is exciting. There is also a lot of action. Those are all good aspects of the book and made the book enjoyable. However, there was SO much prose. There was SO much description and SO much unnecessary background information that did not push the plot forward. Reading other reviews, many people really loved this, which is awesome because everyone has their own taste and this book is definitely great for some people. Unfortunately, it did not resonate with me. If there was less of that prose, and more focus on the dialogue, then I believe I would have enjoyed it more. I am just particular about what I like, but that doesn’t mean this is a bad book by any means. McCaw is very talented at painting a picture. So there you have it; if you like books with vivid description that also has mystery, murder, and action, then you’ll enjoy this book.
August 13, 2023
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing, NetGalley, and Robert McCaw for the opportunity to read and review Retribution Book 5 in the Hawaiian Koa Kane series. Although I have not read the previous books I am a new fan of this series and these books are now added to my TBR pile. This book is full of thrilling action and fascinating characters that I quickly discovered had such hidden depths that I wish I had known about them sooner. If you’re looking for books along the lines of Steve Berry, James Rollins or Clive Cussler run to grab this book (the series lol). It works as a standalone but one is definitely not enough, trust me.
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