Murder in Maui (Leila Kahana Mysteries, Book 1)

Book excerpt: MURDER IN MAUI: A Leila Kahana Mystery is a police procedural medical mystery novel set in the lush, deceptively idyllic tropical paradise of Hawaii. Maui County homicide detective and composite sketch artist Leila Kahana is the protagonist. A Hawaiian native, Leila follows in the footsteps of her grandfather who was the County of Maui police chief. She is tough, smart, sexy, and outspoken. Leila’s partner is Detective Sergeant Blake Seymour, separated from his wife and pushing to make lieutenant. Leila and Seymour investigate the execution-style murder of two prominent doctors in an upscale condominium. Larry Nagasaka and Elizabeth Racine are found lying naked in bed in a pool of their own blood. It is learned that they are married, but not to each other, and that the doctors belong to a prestigious medical association. Assisting the detectives in the case are fellow members of the homicide squad, Detectives Trent Ferguson and Rachel Lancaster, run by Lieutenant Paul Ortega who is contemplating retirement. As they interview suspects and collect evidence, more doctors belonging to the medical association are murdered, making it clear to all that they have a ruthless and determined serial killer on their hands. Leila, attempting to step out of the shadow of her grandfather and prove her worth to a skeptical Polynesian mother, is determined to solve this case, made more difficult as all the victims have skeletons in their closets. Leila’s romantic involvement with Seymour, in spite of her conservative upbringing and the fact that he still pines for his soon-to-be ex-wife, complicates matters. What sets this series apart--aside from the lush setting of Maui and its distinct areas that are prominent in the book such as Wailuku, Lahaina, Kihei, and Napili--is the colorful main characters as they painstakingly go through the process of stopping a ruthless killer, with everyone a suspect. PRAISE FOR MURDER IN MAUI FROM BESTSELLING MYSTERY AND THRILLER WRITERS “Flowers delivers the goods. An exotic setting, winning characters, and realistic procedural details make MURDER IN MAUI a sure hit with crime-fiction readers.” -- Bill Crider, Edgar winner and author of MURDER IN THE AIR and MURDER IN FOUR PARTS “A page-turning mystery featuring the debut of a fascinating character, Detective Leila Kahana. Flowers weaves in the professional and private lives of the detectives in the CID as they go about their business of catching a killer.” -- Jan Grape, Anthony & McCavity winner and author of WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU and co-editor of MURDER PAST, MURDER PRESENT “MURDER IN MAUI is terrific. Gripping writing, wonderfully rounded characters you really care about, and vivid locations--this novel is a real and rare treat.” -- Peter James, international bestselling author of DEAD SIMPLE and DEAD LIKE YOU “MURDER IN MAUI by R. Barri Flowers starts with a bang--literally--and drops you right into the deep end of murder. A by-the-book mystery that keeps the suspense taut and edgy.” -- Joe Moore, international bestselling co-author of THE 731 LEGACY “MURDER IN MAUI launches a series detective in a beautiful setting with a thoroughly puzzling mystery to solve. If you love Hawaii or a good head-scratching mystery, you’ll enjoy this book. Very entertaining.” -- William Bernhardt, author of CAPITOL BETRAYAL and CAPITOL OFFENSE