Mahu Series

The first six novels in the award-winning Mahu Investigations series.   Follow Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'ka as he's dragged out of  the closet while investigating a dangerous case. Then witness his evolution as each new case that comes his way challenges his personal growth. The sunshine of the Aloha State reveals dark shadows where criminals lurk, and it's up to Kimo and his fellow detectives to solve crimes and bring justice under the sun-- and above the waves.   This volume contains Mahu, Mahu Surfer, Mahu Fire, Mahu Vice, Mahu Blood and Zero Break. Homicide investigation is a lot like surfing-- it looks easy to an outsider, but danger lurks under the surface.

A new case challenges a homicide detectives feelings of family   A mother and her neurodiverse teen-aged son are missing in one of the parks surrounding Honolulu, and homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka must use his knowledge of the landscape, and of human nature, to tackle this case, with more twists and turns than a mountain trail.   Pressure mounts from civic and tourism leaders, as well as the news media. Kimo must confront old adversaries as he negotiates tricky questions. What does it mean to be a parent? How can you protect your children while at same time preparing them to be free someday?   The heart and warmth of Kimo's ohana will provide the answers in this thrilling new mystery from an award-winning author.

Two Dead Women. Will Kimo's Niece be Next?   The latest Honolulu homicides in the long-running, award-winning Mahu Investigations series are perplexing, even to a seasoned detective like Kimo Kanapa'aka.   The two female victims, a young art college student and a seasoned HR executive, seem to have nothing in common. Yet as Kimo and his partner Ray Donne delve deeper into the investigation, they sense a connection between the two.   Navigating the murky waters of teen dating, fashion influencers, an experimental power company, and a group of frustrated young men, Kimo is determined to find the truth. But when his own family is threatened, the stakes become personal, and Kimo is forced to race against time to bring the killer to justice. 

Surf the Waves of Crime and Deception with a Dedicated Detective   The first three books in the thrilling Mahu Investigations series, a riveting journey into the sunshine and shadows of Honolulu, where Detective Kimo Kanapa'aka unravels mysteries with unwavering determination, sharp intuition, and an unparalleled understanding of the diverse inhabitants of the Aloha State.   In Mahu, Kimo's life takes a dramatic turn when he stumbles upon a lifeless body abandoned behind a popular gay bar in the vibrant heart of Waikiki. As he delves deeper into the investigation, Kimo's own journey of self-discovery begins, forcing him to confront his own identity and step out of the shadows of secrecy. With the fate of the case hanging in the balance, Kimo races against time to uncover the truth behind the grisly crime, battling personal demons along the way.   Just as he has begun to tell the truth about himself to family and friends, he is forced to lie again in Mahu Surfer, when he is assigned an undercover mission to unearth the culprit behind a series of inexplicable shootings targeting surfers among the big waves of the North Shore. With his finely honed instincts and remarkable understanding of the local culture, Kimo immerses himself in the tight-knit surfing community, where secrets run deep and loyalties are tested. As the waves crash and tensions rise, Kimo must navigate the intricate web of clues to bring the elusive shooter to justice before more lives are lost.   Love unexpectedly finds its way into Kimo's life in the third book, Mahu Fire, but not without a hefty price. A devastating bombing rocks a fund-raising event attended by Kimo's family and closest friends. Amidst the chaos and destruction, Kimo uncovers a sinister plot that reaches far beyond the surface, plunging him into a race against time to save those he holds dear. Faced with heart-wrenching choices and the constant threat of danger, Kimo must summon every ounce of his courage and unwavering determination to unravel the deadly conspiracy and find solace amidst the ashes.

The 7th to the 12th books in the award-winning Mahu Investigations series.    Openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka investigates a wide range of crimes in the Aloha State, from contemporary murders to ones that harken back to the days of statehood. Readers will get an on-the-ground look at the villains who lurk in the shadows of Honolulu's bright sunshine, as well as insight into the work of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.   Kimo is a strong, principled investigator determined to protect and serve the people of his islands despite the challenges he faces and the demands of family and friends.

in 2018, Fiona Cleary is a retired trauma nurse who is determined to push local politicians and businesses to strengthen their response to dire situations like hurricanes and tsunamis. As an activist, Fiona has many allies—but also many adversaries. Politicians don't like to be criticized, and businessmen don't want to be pressured to spend money.  When someone kills her, there are no shortage of suspects. Because Maui detective Kailani Panui has gotten in trouble on a similar investigation in the past, she calls upon Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka to fly into Lahaina and help with the investigation.