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Kawika Wong Mystery #1
Bones of Hilo
ISBN: 9781643857039 also assigned to Kindle version.
From Hawaii's Big Island to the wilds of Washington's North Cascades, a novice detective uncovers a hoard of ancient secrets at the heart of a grisly murder.
A young, inexperienced detective from the wet, working-class side of Hawaii's Big Island, Kawika Wong faces an uphill battle to gain the respect of his more seasoned colleagues. And he has the chance of a lifetime when Ralph Fortunato, the Mainland developer of an unpopular resort on the island's tourist side, is found murdered on a luxury golf course, an ancient Hawaiian spear driven through his heart.
With the other detectives desperately trying to solve another string of grisly killings, Captain Terry Tanaka has no choice but to send Kawika to investigate. As Kawika joins forces with his father and girlfriend to help read the signs and make sense of the ritualistic murder scene, they uncover a cache of secrets reaching far back to the Island's ancient past. And the journalist who found the body has her own theories about Fortunato's demise--but do they line up with the evidence?
On a perilous journey that stretches from the Big Island to Washington State and back, Kawika finds danger at every turn. But he still has much to learn about Hawaii, and about the rugged terrain of the North Cascades. And he'd better learn it fast, because his instincts may not be enough to catch a killer who's closing in even faster.
From Hawaii's Big Island to the wilds of Washington's North Cascades, a novice detective uncovers a hoard of ancient secrets at the heart of a grisly murder.
A young, inexperienced detective from the wet, working-class side of Hawaii's Big Island, Kawika Wong faces an uphill battle to gain the respect of his more seasoned colleagues. And he has the chance of a lifetime when Ralph Fortunato, the Mainland developer of an unpopular resort on the island's tourist side, is found murdered on a luxury golf course, an ancient Hawaiian spear driven through his heart.
With the other detectives desperately trying to solve another string of grisly killings, Captain Terry Tanaka has no choice but to send Kawika to investigate. As Kawika joins forces with his father and girlfriend to help read the signs and make sense of the ritualistic murder scene, they uncover a cache of secrets reaching far back to the Island's ancient past. And the journalist who found the body has her own theories about Fortunato's demise--but do they line up with the evidence?
On a perilous journey that stretches from the Big Island to Washington State and back, Kawika finds danger at every turn. But he still has much to learn about Hawaii, and about the rugged terrain of the North Cascades. And he'd better learn it fast, because his instincts may not be enough to catch a killer who's closing in even faster.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 8, 2021
79 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
About the author
Eric Redman
3 books12 followersEric Redman is a Seattle-based writer, lawyer, and climate activist who for decades has loved the Big Island of Hawaii, its history, and its people.
He is a former contributing editor of Rolling Stone and has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, and many other publications. He wrote the nonfiction best-seller, The Dance of Legislation.
He is a former contributing editor of Rolling Stone and has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, and many other publications. He wrote the nonfiction best-seller, The Dance of Legislation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 19, 2021
This novel opens with the discovery of a body on the golf course, killed by an ancient Hawaiian spear through his chest. Detective Kawika Wong, part Hawaiian, part Chinese is sent to head the investigation, since someone with local Hawaiian cultural knowledge will be required to determine if this is a ritual killing by native Hawaiians or perhaps a killing designed to frame them. Although Kawika mostly grew up in Seattle with his mother after his parents separated, and has little cultural knowledge, his father is a long-time resident with extensive local knowledge and his girlfriend, Carolyn is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Hawaiian history.
The body belongs to Ralph Fortunato, a property developer planning to build a new resort on a lava field on Hawaii’s big island, with Japanese investment. The finding of a possible temple or altar on the land, brought him into dispute with a native Hawaiian group who wanted the development stopped. Fortunato has a history of failed property development on the US mainland following a similar dispute with native Indians over a cultural site and Kawika senses that something is not quite right with the new development which is not near a beach or any of the spectacular scenery that Hawaii has to offer.
As accusations fly about cultural sensitivity and the bodies start to pile up, Kawika tries to get a handle on what Fortunato was really up to and who would most want to kill him. For the most part the pacing was good but did get a bit bogged down by the complexity of the plot. Hawaii makes for an interesting background to a murder mystery and the description of the various locations added to the exotic atmosphere. The cultural and political aspects seemed well researched and gave some indication of the issues facing the state. Kawika was an interesting character with his mixed heritage and upbringing and I could see him featuring in a series based in Hawaii.
With thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
The body belongs to Ralph Fortunato, a property developer planning to build a new resort on a lava field on Hawaii’s big island, with Japanese investment. The finding of a possible temple or altar on the land, brought him into dispute with a native Hawaiian group who wanted the development stopped. Fortunato has a history of failed property development on the US mainland following a similar dispute with native Indians over a cultural site and Kawika senses that something is not quite right with the new development which is not near a beach or any of the spectacular scenery that Hawaii has to offer.
As accusations fly about cultural sensitivity and the bodies start to pile up, Kawika tries to get a handle on what Fortunato was really up to and who would most want to kill him. For the most part the pacing was good but did get a bit bogged down by the complexity of the plot. Hawaii makes for an interesting background to a murder mystery and the description of the various locations added to the exotic atmosphere. The cultural and political aspects seemed well researched and gave some indication of the issues facing the state. Kawika was an interesting character with his mixed heritage and upbringing and I could see him featuring in a series based in Hawaii.
With thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
April 1, 2021
Kawika Wong is a young detective in Hawaii, a place he partially grew up in, splitting his time with his mother in Seattle and his father on one of the islands. He’s given the opportunity to prove himself when a real estate developer is found dead with an historical Hawaiian spear through his heart and the other detectives are busy trying to uncover the connection between the bodies being thrown over a cliff and a local drug ring.
Even though Kawika spent his summers here, he’s not that culturally literate about Native Hawaii, so he turns to his father and girlfriend for help.
I enjoyed the mystery and the writing. I will warn you that a person is really grossly sexually abused and while the novel doesn’t detail something that happened in the past, it’s still gruesome. Also, in the book the characters talk about how many “K’s” Hawaiian’s use, and there are a lot of “T” names and “h” words. I had a little trouble having to re-read names and trying to remember what a term meant. Also, the author does a thing that I’ve noticed in other books like this: He gives the characters first and last names but then proceeds to call some people, like Kawika, by their first names, and other characters, like his captain, Tanaka, by their last.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 8, 2021.
Even though Kawika spent his summers here, he’s not that culturally literate about Native Hawaii, so he turns to his father and girlfriend for help.
I enjoyed the mystery and the writing. I will warn you that a person is really grossly sexually abused and while the novel doesn’t detail something that happened in the past, it’s still gruesome. Also, in the book the characters talk about how many “K’s” Hawaiian’s use, and there are a lot of “T” names and “h” words. I had a little trouble having to re-read names and trying to remember what a term meant. Also, the author does a thing that I’ve noticed in other books like this: He gives the characters first and last names but then proceeds to call some people, like Kawika, by their first names, and other characters, like his captain, Tanaka, by their last.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 8, 2021.
March 20, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this free Advance Copy in return for an honest review.
Off we go to one of those other islands that comprise our lovely 50th state, but in this mystery by Eric Redman the beauty of Hawaii is hidden beneath the murder and mystery of Hilo, Waimea and other locations on “The Big Island”. What can look appealing at first blush, can many times hold deep secrets, angry indigenous people, fortune hunters and a whole lot more. And that is exactly what we get in this fast-paced book that grabs our attention from the very beginning when real estate developer, Ralph Fortunato, is found dead on a signature golf course and resort.
We follow Detective Kawika Wong, who is half-Hawaiian, as he attempts to get to the bottom of this murder, a particularly gruesome one in that Fortunato is found with an ancient Hawaiian spear having impaled him. And despite Wong’s past issues when he was a detective in Seattle, his boss has no qualms in having him try and unravel this crime.
Soon one murder becomes two, and then three, and bodies are piling up and despite quickly realizing that Fortunato is a shady developer now a whole lot of progress is made. But that is where angry indigenous people come in, as local native Hawaiian organizations are incensed that Wong seems to be focusing on one of their members as a prime suspect and we get to see the power of the press as, when Wong is made to appear responsible for these deaths. While nothing can be further from the truth, some strategically worded press releases turn Wong into a target.
Sadly we see many throughout the book use “civic” organizations to pad their own agenda and how many of these groups are filled with bogus individuals. There are many native Hawaiians who have a dislike for what happened to their kingdom, but on the other hand many are also used by “haoles” to get their way when it comes to island developments.
Wong will eventually travel back to Washington state, where he gets advice from his mother and step-father, and continues to look into the murky past of Fortunato who had a similar bogus resort in the Methow Valley region of Washington also blow up in his face. And quickly discovers that wherever Fortunato goes, so goes mysterious deaths, and that everyone is happy to find out that he is finally dead.
A very interesting book, filled with lots of Hawaiian details and intrigue. “The Big Island” is a beautiful place, but also a very dangerous and deadly location, and one that we can only hope Redman will return to in future books.
This review was previously published at www.mysteryandsuspense.com
Off we go to one of those other islands that comprise our lovely 50th state, but in this mystery by Eric Redman the beauty of Hawaii is hidden beneath the murder and mystery of Hilo, Waimea and other locations on “The Big Island”. What can look appealing at first blush, can many times hold deep secrets, angry indigenous people, fortune hunters and a whole lot more. And that is exactly what we get in this fast-paced book that grabs our attention from the very beginning when real estate developer, Ralph Fortunato, is found dead on a signature golf course and resort.
We follow Detective Kawika Wong, who is half-Hawaiian, as he attempts to get to the bottom of this murder, a particularly gruesome one in that Fortunato is found with an ancient Hawaiian spear having impaled him. And despite Wong’s past issues when he was a detective in Seattle, his boss has no qualms in having him try and unravel this crime.
Soon one murder becomes two, and then three, and bodies are piling up and despite quickly realizing that Fortunato is a shady developer now a whole lot of progress is made. But that is where angry indigenous people come in, as local native Hawaiian organizations are incensed that Wong seems to be focusing on one of their members as a prime suspect and we get to see the power of the press as, when Wong is made to appear responsible for these deaths. While nothing can be further from the truth, some strategically worded press releases turn Wong into a target.
Sadly we see many throughout the book use “civic” organizations to pad their own agenda and how many of these groups are filled with bogus individuals. There are many native Hawaiians who have a dislike for what happened to their kingdom, but on the other hand many are also used by “haoles” to get their way when it comes to island developments.
Wong will eventually travel back to Washington state, where he gets advice from his mother and step-father, and continues to look into the murky past of Fortunato who had a similar bogus resort in the Methow Valley region of Washington also blow up in his face. And quickly discovers that wherever Fortunato goes, so goes mysterious deaths, and that everyone is happy to find out that he is finally dead.
A very interesting book, filled with lots of Hawaiian details and intrigue. “The Big Island” is a beautiful place, but also a very dangerous and deadly location, and one that we can only hope Redman will return to in future books.
This review was previously published at www.mysteryandsuspense.com
November 18, 2021
I requested the library to purchase a copy of Bones of Hilo when I saw it as a recommendation for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. By the time I finally got my hands on a copy I had long since forgotten where I originally saw the list. That’s too bad too, because I would really love to be able to name them by name if only to say . . . .
Now don’t get me wrong, this fella from Seattle is more than welcome to write about anybody and anyplace he would like. The people who create lists specifically in order to promote a particular race/culture/heritage/whathaveyou, however???? They should be pointing out own voices works.
So now that I got that out of my system let’s talk about the book . . . .
It kind of fell under the “Hallmark Murders and Mysteries” category of detecting and sadly for Detective Kawika Wong there may only be room in my heart for one male lead in this kind of story and that is Jeff Jackson . . . .
Maybe Wong would have stood a chance if he hadn’t immediately banged the first new piece of ass who offered herself to him despite him being in a long-term committed relationship. As someone who has been married 25 years I don’t take random affairs being dropped in to “spice things up” very lightly. It also didn’t help that none of the characters were well developed or that the aforementioned girlfriend was an expert in Hawaiian culture and artifacts, but her advice was sought out for about twelve seconds. People complain that Carl Hiassen rarely fleshes out his female characters, but hell he’s a regular Ron Swanson compared to this guy . . . .
The good news is the mystery part was actually pretty okay. There were plenty of suspects without a bunch of crazy twists and turns. It’s a shame the unnecessary cheating was thrown in and immediately put a bad taste in my mouth. I’m here for the stabby, Detective, keep your pecker in your pants!
2.5 Stars
Now don’t get me wrong, this fella from Seattle is more than welcome to write about anybody and anyplace he would like. The people who create lists specifically in order to promote a particular race/culture/heritage/whathaveyou, however???? They should be pointing out own voices works.
So now that I got that out of my system let’s talk about the book . . . .
It kind of fell under the “Hallmark Murders and Mysteries” category of detecting and sadly for Detective Kawika Wong there may only be room in my heart for one male lead in this kind of story and that is Jeff Jackson . . . .
Maybe Wong would have stood a chance if he hadn’t immediately banged the first new piece of ass who offered herself to him despite him being in a long-term committed relationship. As someone who has been married 25 years I don’t take random affairs being dropped in to “spice things up” very lightly. It also didn’t help that none of the characters were well developed or that the aforementioned girlfriend was an expert in Hawaiian culture and artifacts, but her advice was sought out for about twelve seconds. People complain that Carl Hiassen rarely fleshes out his female characters, but hell he’s a regular Ron Swanson compared to this guy . . . .
The good news is the mystery part was actually pretty okay. There were plenty of suspects without a bunch of crazy twists and turns. It’s a shame the unnecessary cheating was thrown in and immediately put a bad taste in my mouth. I’m here for the stabby, Detective, keep your pecker in your pants!
2.5 Stars
April 5, 2021
Young detective Kawika Wong struggles to gain the respect of colleagues on Big Island, Hawaii. His inexperience is cause for concern when he’s chosen to investigate the death of Ralph Fortunato, a Mainland developer found murdered on a swanky golf course with an ancient Hawaiian spear piercing his heart.
Kawika needs the help of his father and girlfriend to understand the meaning behind the ritualistic murder scene containing many elements of native Hawaiian culture while he follows up on leads pertaining to Fortunato’s business dealings and his ongoing battle with a Hawaiian organization opposed to a luxury development.
Fortunato’s past is littered with shady land dealings and now in the wake of his murder, the body count is rising as Kawika uncovers corruption in surprising places.
I thought Bones of Hilo would be an exciting read for me! I was fortunate enough to spend a significant amount of time on the Big Island in my twenties so I’m familiar with the locations discussed in this book and was looking forward to an atmospheric mystery.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. I struggled to make it to the half way point; there is a lot of history explained that, while certainly necessary for the plot, was delivered in a dry way that had me nodding off more than once. There are a couple of brief sex scenes that were also boringly detailed in the same way each time.
There is little action to propel the story or create any urgency; it's all telling instead of showing.
There’s also a visit back to Washington state at the end of the novel that just felt random and did nothing to pick up the pace and felt awkward for the story arc.
The most interesting aspect of the novel for me personally was Kawika’s lack of acceptance. He split his time between Hilo and Seattle while growing up and the locals treat him as an outsider that shouldn’t be trusted.
Bogged down in dry details and an excruciatingly slow pace, I skimmed the last half of Bones of Hilo and don’t feel I missed anything compelling.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Bones of Hilo is scheduled for release on June 8, 2021.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
Kawika needs the help of his father and girlfriend to understand the meaning behind the ritualistic murder scene containing many elements of native Hawaiian culture while he follows up on leads pertaining to Fortunato’s business dealings and his ongoing battle with a Hawaiian organization opposed to a luxury development.
Fortunato’s past is littered with shady land dealings and now in the wake of his murder, the body count is rising as Kawika uncovers corruption in surprising places.
I thought Bones of Hilo would be an exciting read for me! I was fortunate enough to spend a significant amount of time on the Big Island in my twenties so I’m familiar with the locations discussed in this book and was looking forward to an atmospheric mystery.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. I struggled to make it to the half way point; there is a lot of history explained that, while certainly necessary for the plot, was delivered in a dry way that had me nodding off more than once. There are a couple of brief sex scenes that were also boringly detailed in the same way each time.
There is little action to propel the story or create any urgency; it's all telling instead of showing.
There’s also a visit back to Washington state at the end of the novel that just felt random and did nothing to pick up the pace and felt awkward for the story arc.
The most interesting aspect of the novel for me personally was Kawika’s lack of acceptance. He split his time between Hilo and Seattle while growing up and the locals treat him as an outsider that shouldn’t be trusted.
Bogged down in dry details and an excruciatingly slow pace, I skimmed the last half of Bones of Hilo and don’t feel I missed anything compelling.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Bones of Hilo is scheduled for release on June 8, 2021.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
March 6, 2024
Fascinating look at the politics and race relations on the Big Island. I enjoyed the history of the islands and the importance of being local as far as cultural issues are concerned. The mystery itself was interesting and kept me invested, though Kawika himself was a little immature and impulsive with a big chip on his shoulder, which hopefully he will grow out of now that he has proved himself. I’ll give the next one a try and hope he has improved.
June 14, 2021
This is a police procedural with a difference, set mainly on the Big Island of Hawai’i, with a (three-eighths) Native Hawai’ian protagonist in Detective Kawika Wong. When a resort developer is found impaled through the heart on a tee box at a major tourist resort, and a local group fighting against his latest project is implicated, it’s important to have a Native detective on the case, so Kawika gets the job.
It’s a really complicated case with a lot of different moving parts and a lot of suspects, as the developer turns out to be a corrupt type with a string of victims in his wake… some of them dead under suspicious circumstances. Every string Kawika pulls on seems to drag up yet another tangle, and his own complicated love life isn’t helping him keep a clear head.
There’s a lot to like about this story; there are complex issues of morality and the nature of justice and vengeance considered and I liked learning about the cultural issues, which were presented in an engaging way as Kawika himself learned about them. The book does, however, fall into the shocking trap too often found in the writing of men; literally every female character is someone’s wife, girlfriend or mistress. Not one of Kawika’s work colleagues, or the experts or officers from other agencies he consults, is a woman, with the sole exception of one of his two girlfriends, who fortunately for him happens to be an expert in Native Hawai’iana he can consult. Every woman in the story is defined by her relationship to a man in it - it definitely doesn’t pass the Bechdel test, indeed, I can only think of one occasion in the book where two women were present in a room at the same time.
The audience for mystery thrillers and police procedurals has a high proportion of women, and it’s disappointing for us to see our entire gender reduced to being window dressing this way. Despite being intrigued by the case and enjoying the cultural aspects of the story, I wouldn’t read another book by this author because of these failures. I’ll give it three stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
It’s a really complicated case with a lot of different moving parts and a lot of suspects, as the developer turns out to be a corrupt type with a string of victims in his wake… some of them dead under suspicious circumstances. Every string Kawika pulls on seems to drag up yet another tangle, and his own complicated love life isn’t helping him keep a clear head.
There’s a lot to like about this story; there are complex issues of morality and the nature of justice and vengeance considered and I liked learning about the cultural issues, which were presented in an engaging way as Kawika himself learned about them. The book does, however, fall into the shocking trap too often found in the writing of men; literally every female character is someone’s wife, girlfriend or mistress. Not one of Kawika’s work colleagues, or the experts or officers from other agencies he consults, is a woman, with the sole exception of one of his two girlfriends, who fortunately for him happens to be an expert in Native Hawai’iana he can consult. Every woman in the story is defined by her relationship to a man in it - it definitely doesn’t pass the Bechdel test, indeed, I can only think of one occasion in the book where two women were present in a room at the same time.
The audience for mystery thrillers and police procedurals has a high proportion of women, and it’s disappointing for us to see our entire gender reduced to being window dressing this way. Despite being intrigued by the case and enjoying the cultural aspects of the story, I wouldn’t read another book by this author because of these failures. I’ll give it three stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
April 3, 2021
I love stories set in Hawaii they bring back fond memories of my time vacationing there. Eric Redman story transports us to the Big Island and plunges us deep into a murder mystery in Hilo and other locations on the island as we follow Detective Kawika Wong in his attempts to get at the bottom of the gruesome murder of real estate developer Ralph Fortunato found with an ancient Hawaiian spear having impaled him, the mogul was found dead on a signature golf course and resort.
This fast-paced story grabs the attention from the start. When one murder becomes two then three and angry indigenous people come into play as well as the power of the press you have a compelling story filled with lots of Hawaiian details and mostly intrigue....Kawika finds danger at every turn on his perilous journey that stretches from the Big Island to Washington State and back. Along the way he uncovers a cache of secrets reaching far back. I was on pins and needles from start to finish, not wanting any harm coming to this loveable protagonist. What a great story that held my attention from the opening words and held me captive till the very end.
Mr. Redman’s imagery is outstanding, the cultural and history is well researched not only both are informative but they are expertly blended into the plot. Kawika is an excellent although flawed protagonist I found it hard not to love him, he really entertains.
This is a good book, hopefully a start of a series. If so I am looking forward to reading more.
I was given the opportunity to read this ARC from Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
This fast-paced story grabs the attention from the start. When one murder becomes two then three and angry indigenous people come into play as well as the power of the press you have a compelling story filled with lots of Hawaiian details and mostly intrigue....Kawika finds danger at every turn on his perilous journey that stretches from the Big Island to Washington State and back. Along the way he uncovers a cache of secrets reaching far back. I was on pins and needles from start to finish, not wanting any harm coming to this loveable protagonist. What a great story that held my attention from the opening words and held me captive till the very end.
Mr. Redman’s imagery is outstanding, the cultural and history is well researched not only both are informative but they are expertly blended into the plot. Kawika is an excellent although flawed protagonist I found it hard not to love him, he really entertains.
This is a good book, hopefully a start of a series. If so I am looking forward to reading more.
I was given the opportunity to read this ARC from Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
November 10, 2021
I quit 110 pages in. I lost interest in the intriguing plot because it wasn't worth sticking with the tiresome Detective Wong and his many adventures in exposition.
I suppose all the exposition is needed for the complex story he's telling. Being familiar with the locations and history made it easy for me to skim, but I wonder how bogged down an unfamiliar reader would get.
I was excited by the premise of this story, but quickly grew to dislike the philandering and ineffective main character and his insistence on commenting on how attractive every woman is. Yes, even the morning after witnessing a stranger's horrible death, he thinks about how desirable she was. Detective Wong seems to have almost no investment in anything except passively following his impulses with detachment, and occasionally feeling upset at racism directed at him (but not toward others).
As a lifelong Hawai'i Island resident...this had so much promise but just couldn't make a compelling enough case to continue. The dialogue feels off, many of the characters inauthentic. I think there's something here for a lot of crime readers to enjoy, but the target audience is probably people who like complex stories set in "exotic" locales. For me, it's a big miss. I would hope that the author takes his talent for writing and writes more books that are leaner and less male gaze-y.
I suppose all the exposition is needed for the complex story he's telling. Being familiar with the locations and history made it easy for me to skim, but I wonder how bogged down an unfamiliar reader would get.
I was excited by the premise of this story, but quickly grew to dislike the philandering and ineffective main character and his insistence on commenting on how attractive every woman is. Yes, even the morning after witnessing a stranger's horrible death, he thinks about how desirable she was. Detective Wong seems to have almost no investment in anything except passively following his impulses with detachment, and occasionally feeling upset at racism directed at him (but not toward others).
As a lifelong Hawai'i Island resident...this had so much promise but just couldn't make a compelling enough case to continue. The dialogue feels off, many of the characters inauthentic. I think there's something here for a lot of crime readers to enjoy, but the target audience is probably people who like complex stories set in "exotic" locales. For me, it's a big miss. I would hope that the author takes his talent for writing and writes more books that are leaner and less male gaze-y.
August 3, 2021
Disappointing. The main character is mostly likable, except he seems a little dense (a detective who read all the mystery big names but doesn't know about Occam's razor?) and they author went out of his way to make the character less likable by having him cheat on his girlfriend. This serves no purpose that couldn't have also been explored within his existing relationships. This, along with several sex scenes, seemed to be the author's attempt at making this Not-A-Cozy. (The sex scenes were probably meant, by an older white male author, to be "tasteful" but they were cringey.)
Although the main character is Native Hawaiian, the author is not. Give this one a miss on diverse-mystery reading lists.
Although the main character is Native Hawaiian, the author is not. Give this one a miss on diverse-mystery reading lists.
April 2, 2021
I was (more than usually) excited to receive the “Bones of Hilo” by Eric Redman. It was a gift from NetGalley and from the great Hawaiian gods because it is a murder mystery set (mostly) on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Big Island is my wife and my favorite place on earth so we were excited by some murders (in fiction world) taking place while we mainlanders are unable to travel to paradise! All that is preamble to say that I enjoyed Mr. Redman’s writing style and storyline; and I oftentimes felt that I was back in some of the small towns —and fancy resorts— that makes the Big Island such a great place to visit.
The plot: a local land developer is murdered is murdered on a resort golf course that sends Hawaiian investigator Detective Kawika Wong on an involved investigation that peels away the layers of corruption that result in more than a single homicide. Betwixt and between the nasty stuff is well researched cultural and social history that is both informative and integral to the plot. Perhaps at times these sub contexts deviated a bit too much a2ay from driving the narrative. Also, a trip to the state of Washington later in the book did little to propel the plot and would not have been missed if edited out before the final edition of the book is released. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend to all!
The plot: a local land developer is murdered is murdered on a resort golf course that sends Hawaiian investigator Detective Kawika Wong on an involved investigation that peels away the layers of corruption that result in more than a single homicide. Betwixt and between the nasty stuff is well researched cultural and social history that is both informative and integral to the plot. Perhaps at times these sub contexts deviated a bit too much a2ay from driving the narrative. Also, a trip to the state of Washington later in the book did little to propel the plot and would not have been missed if edited out before the final edition of the book is released. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend to all!
March 21, 2023
SPOILER ALERT
This was a slog. While the basic story was all right, the author didn't seem to be able to decide if it was a mystery or a text on the culture, history, and mythology of Hawaii. It was as if the author didn't think the reader could appreciate the story, or understand the implications of it, if they did not have the complete history of Hawaii explained. I appreciated the page on the alphabet and pronunciation of Hawaiian names and other words, but it also meant that I spent too much time sounding out the copious Hawaiian names and words used in the story. While there were murders and other various criminal activities, they seemed to get lost in the minutiae of creating atmosphere and place. If there was an ancient spear used for the killing (yes, there was) then it was described thoroughly over and over, the possibilities of where it came from, who had used it in the past, who had owned it, did it have three or five barbs... was just too much, and just bogged the story down. There was a huge cast of characters, numerous suspects and various factions who were trying to return to the old Hawaii and its way back, and their machinations meant more confusion. For instance, some took on the names of ancient Hawaiians, complicated as they are, so that characters had more than one name. It was not an element that lent credence or richness to the story. Historical sites or artifacts were created to make an area more sacred for the purpose of the groups' agenda (to return Hawaii to a sovereign country) and confused what were the actual artifacts' characteristics. Later in the story an expert would clarify for Kawika that a heiau that was identified a sacred site initially, a subject of conflict between the developer (and murder victim) and a protesting group (Hui Heiau Hawaiian - HHH) and had been bulldozed by the developer, was in fact not a heiau. It was not shaped properly, and had not served as the group had declared, as a site at which King Kamehameha sacrificed humans to affect the flow of lava from an erupting volcano around fishponds that were important to their survival (we were given a lengthy explanation of Hawaiian human sacrifices). Then went on to describe in minute detail how an authentic heiau appeared and was made.
Another example of the kind of extra detail that only adds words and no substance: Kawika, at the end is traveling to Kailua-Kona, instead of Hilo. There was no extra charge. Seriously! Who cares if there was or was not an extra charge. The book is loaded with these kinds of unnecessary additions.
Additionally, the relationships of Det Kawika Wong and his girlfriend Carolyn Ka'aukai, and his lover Patience Quinn, a haole, and his conflicted feelings about his cheating was more than necessary to the story. The prior case for Kawika in Washington State and Ralph Fortunato's development and failures there, while good background seemed just too much more. Though the racial issues experienced there, involving Native Americans did serve to emphasize that the problems of honoring sacred sites are not limited to one people. It was enough that the mixed-race issues in the story, how they impact the history, the restoration or continuation of the culture and the crime itself were thoroughly explored and added richness to the narrative. It was fascinating that much as the percentage of indigenous blood a Native American has affects certain issues of their lives, so does the percentage of Hawaiian blood become important in similar ways. And the other ethnic side one has is used as a negative influence. Both the Tanaka and Wong surnames for the policemen of the story worked against them in the investigation and was used in a pejorative manner with the opposing groups and in the media. The opposing sides failed to clarify that they were both considered Hawaiians. I could not help but compare all of the current ways we align ourselves today: black/white, republican/democrat, liberal/conservative, to create divides in how we approach all of our experiences and opinions, in how we go about solving problems (perhaps creating more than solving).
I also don't think that the conclusion was satisfying. A killer was identified, Cushing, and (for political purposes?) then all murders are attributed to him, though Kawika has determined Fortunato was killed by someone else. (This was revealed by an extraneous character to Carolyn as an "Oh, by the way...") Tanaka wants the simplest solution and is willing to leave it. Again, more than necessary for me, to introduce an ethical issue at the end. Rather Machiavellian for Tanaka, as punishment of the guilty weather for the correct crime or not, is good. Right up through the end the author is still introducing other characters and actions. As a whole the story was very slow, complex and over-run with details that did nothing to enhance the narrative, and I was compelled to skim parts to finally finish. Another button for me in a book is the swift and brief wrap-up of loose threads, which the author uses here, telling us what happened to Shimazu, the developer's investor, Carolyn, who was conflicted on her career direction as well as her love for Kawika, and other of the many characters. Even Kawika's future is briefly alluded to. Almost as if: whoops, I forgot to mention... Further, it was as if the author remembered he had not clearly explained how something happened and created new characters and actions that happened outside the main story, to clear it up in the end. The excess of characters, many of whom had no purpose other than to add Hawaiian names, required I keep a list to keep them straight. I think this could have been a provocative story with more editing. Certainly, more enjoyable. Ho-hum.
This was a slog. While the basic story was all right, the author didn't seem to be able to decide if it was a mystery or a text on the culture, history, and mythology of Hawaii. It was as if the author didn't think the reader could appreciate the story, or understand the implications of it, if they did not have the complete history of Hawaii explained. I appreciated the page on the alphabet and pronunciation of Hawaiian names and other words, but it also meant that I spent too much time sounding out the copious Hawaiian names and words used in the story. While there were murders and other various criminal activities, they seemed to get lost in the minutiae of creating atmosphere and place. If there was an ancient spear used for the killing (yes, there was) then it was described thoroughly over and over, the possibilities of where it came from, who had used it in the past, who had owned it, did it have three or five barbs... was just too much, and just bogged the story down. There was a huge cast of characters, numerous suspects and various factions who were trying to return to the old Hawaii and its way back, and their machinations meant more confusion. For instance, some took on the names of ancient Hawaiians, complicated as they are, so that characters had more than one name. It was not an element that lent credence or richness to the story. Historical sites or artifacts were created to make an area more sacred for the purpose of the groups' agenda (to return Hawaii to a sovereign country) and confused what were the actual artifacts' characteristics. Later in the story an expert would clarify for Kawika that a heiau that was identified a sacred site initially, a subject of conflict between the developer (and murder victim) and a protesting group (Hui Heiau Hawaiian - HHH) and had been bulldozed by the developer, was in fact not a heiau. It was not shaped properly, and had not served as the group had declared, as a site at which King Kamehameha sacrificed humans to affect the flow of lava from an erupting volcano around fishponds that were important to their survival (we were given a lengthy explanation of Hawaiian human sacrifices). Then went on to describe in minute detail how an authentic heiau appeared and was made.
Another example of the kind of extra detail that only adds words and no substance: Kawika, at the end is traveling to Kailua-Kona, instead of Hilo. There was no extra charge. Seriously! Who cares if there was or was not an extra charge. The book is loaded with these kinds of unnecessary additions.
Additionally, the relationships of Det Kawika Wong and his girlfriend Carolyn Ka'aukai, and his lover Patience Quinn, a haole, and his conflicted feelings about his cheating was more than necessary to the story. The prior case for Kawika in Washington State and Ralph Fortunato's development and failures there, while good background seemed just too much more. Though the racial issues experienced there, involving Native Americans did serve to emphasize that the problems of honoring sacred sites are not limited to one people. It was enough that the mixed-race issues in the story, how they impact the history, the restoration or continuation of the culture and the crime itself were thoroughly explored and added richness to the narrative. It was fascinating that much as the percentage of indigenous blood a Native American has affects certain issues of their lives, so does the percentage of Hawaiian blood become important in similar ways. And the other ethnic side one has is used as a negative influence. Both the Tanaka and Wong surnames for the policemen of the story worked against them in the investigation and was used in a pejorative manner with the opposing groups and in the media. The opposing sides failed to clarify that they were both considered Hawaiians. I could not help but compare all of the current ways we align ourselves today: black/white, republican/democrat, liberal/conservative, to create divides in how we approach all of our experiences and opinions, in how we go about solving problems (perhaps creating more than solving).
I also don't think that the conclusion was satisfying. A killer was identified, Cushing, and (for political purposes?) then all murders are attributed to him, though Kawika has determined Fortunato was killed by someone else. (This was revealed by an extraneous character to Carolyn as an "Oh, by the way...") Tanaka wants the simplest solution and is willing to leave it. Again, more than necessary for me, to introduce an ethical issue at the end. Rather Machiavellian for Tanaka, as punishment of the guilty weather for the correct crime or not, is good. Right up through the end the author is still introducing other characters and actions. As a whole the story was very slow, complex and over-run with details that did nothing to enhance the narrative, and I was compelled to skim parts to finally finish. Another button for me in a book is the swift and brief wrap-up of loose threads, which the author uses here, telling us what happened to Shimazu, the developer's investor, Carolyn, who was conflicted on her career direction as well as her love for Kawika, and other of the many characters. Even Kawika's future is briefly alluded to. Almost as if: whoops, I forgot to mention... Further, it was as if the author remembered he had not clearly explained how something happened and created new characters and actions that happened outside the main story, to clear it up in the end. The excess of characters, many of whom had no purpose other than to add Hawaiian names, required I keep a list to keep them straight. I think this could have been a provocative story with more editing. Certainly, more enjoyable. Ho-hum.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2023
DO NOT read this book if you’re from Hawaii or a person of color or a woman. Seriously. This is written from the perspective of a person who understands nothing about women and and even less about the racial injustices happening on the islands. My family is from Hawaii but I was raised on the mainland and even with deep familial connections I would never be so bold as to argue I’m a kamaʻāina as the author has Patience Quinn do. People like Patience Quinn living on the islands in real life is what forces actual kamaʻāina to have to leave due to the rising cost of living. People like Patience Quinn have no business calling themselves kamaʻāina and it’s disrespectful to paint that picture here when its a very real epidemic on the islands. Also naming her Patience Quinn? Every woman or female interaction in this book is based solely on her physical traits, her overwhelming attraction to increasingly mediocre men, or her naive victimhood. Seriously, Patience Quinn is so overwhelmed by Kawika’s body that she begs him to sleep with her that very night? Said no woman literally ever. Or let us not forget the best line “He even wondered whether thinking so much about Joan Malo-a conclusively unattainable woman-was some sort of irrational flight from the dilemma of Carolyn and Patience, the two women whose looks were fused in Joan’s physical appearance, Hawaiian and petite.” pg. 183 Mind you this is the only monologue Kawika has after he hears Cushing calling Joan a slut for being raped?? It’s about the fact that Joan’s body is a culmination of the two characteristics that matter most to him from his unfaithful relationships, the fact that one is Hawaiian and one is petite? Which not only solidifies these two female characters as simple objects in Kawika’s story but also robs Joan of any agency in the story as she is reduced down to a “conclusively unattainable woman,” The fact that Kawika can’t also have sex with her after she is brutally raped and then murdered is all that comes to mind for him. I mean seriously I could go on and on about the book’s insane treatment of female characters written from a perspective that proves the author knows very little and cares even less for the feminine species. And don’t even get me started on the treatment of Hawaiian grassroots politics. The author paints these organizations as hateful, conniving, and crooked organizations that aim to slander innocent people to get their payout. I mean how condescending and degrading can you get? The author even goes so far as to make Carolyn, a proud Hawaiian scholar, defend Kawika against grassroots groups in a situation that would never happen except in the machinations of an out of touch haole author. I cannot express this enough, this book was offensive, the author plays puppeteer to a cast of characters he knows nothing about and it left me feeling grimy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2024
I can’t even tell you who the murderer is? This book is so full of unnecessary information and side plots that I’m really not even sure if I’d count it as a murder mystery.
November 20, 2024
DNF. Didn’t catch my interest enough to want to read it everyday.
November 20, 2021
I picked this up based on a recommendation by James Fallows, a writer I have great respect for.
Initially, I was quite drawn into the story about a murder on the Big Island, Hawai'i. The pacing was quick with short punchy chapters. A real page-turner.
But, as the story wore on, I came to the conclusion that the author was stuffing an entire kitchen sink of plot devices - all designed to throw the reader off from the mystery but in my view, tiresome. To be specific, the plot devices included:
* Japanese real estate investors
* Hawai'ian nationalists
* Multiple affairs
* Hotel development
* Cat rescues
* Fishing
* Heroin dealers
* Coroners
* Mainlanders
* Cross-cultural conflict and blending
* People and events from the past
* More dead bodies over the pages
All of these were meant to keep the reader guessing who the killer was and why but because so many events, characters, and clues kept get getting thrown at you, as the reader, I stopped caring.
Most of the characters were only partially fleshed out and then you're on to the next character in the plot.
I didn't discover the maps until the very end (they're adjacent to the frontispiece) but as I have visited the Big Island before, the descriptions of the landscape (which figure prominently in the narrative) were easy to visualize.
Three stars for being a fairly quick, disposable read but not up to the work of the better writers of the detective canon.
Initially, I was quite drawn into the story about a murder on the Big Island, Hawai'i. The pacing was quick with short punchy chapters. A real page-turner.
But, as the story wore on, I came to the conclusion that the author was stuffing an entire kitchen sink of plot devices - all designed to throw the reader off from the mystery but in my view, tiresome. To be specific, the plot devices included:
* Japanese real estate investors
* Hawai'ian nationalists
* Multiple affairs
* Hotel development
* Cat rescues
* Fishing
* Heroin dealers
* Coroners
* Mainlanders
* Cross-cultural conflict and blending
* People and events from the past
* More dead bodies over the pages
All of these were meant to keep the reader guessing who the killer was and why but because so many events, characters, and clues kept get getting thrown at you, as the reader, I stopped caring.
Most of the characters were only partially fleshed out and then you're on to the next character in the plot.
I didn't discover the maps until the very end (they're adjacent to the frontispiece) but as I have visited the Big Island before, the descriptions of the landscape (which figure prominently in the narrative) were easy to visualize.
Three stars for being a fairly quick, disposable read but not up to the work of the better writers of the detective canon.
August 1, 2021
In all honesty, I've never been a fan of audiobooks simply because I find it hard to pay attention to them and wind up rewinding multiple times to make sure I don't miss anything. That was not the case for Bones of Hilo. The narrator's calming voice and careful pronunciation of words made it easy to follow along with the story. Eric Redman has done an amazing job writing a story that's the perfect balance of thriller/mystery mixed with enticing chapters that keep you keen to know what's going to happen next. While the story takes a little while to get into, it's worth the slow build up and is perfectly balanced with drama. I'd suggest listening to this in one or two sittings if you're able to, perhaps on a long drive or a day of traveling so that you can enjoy the goosebumps each chapter brings.
May 31, 2021
Detective Kawika Wong is picked, despite his junior status, to investigate the murder of real estate developer Ralph Forunato, who was killed with a Hawaiian spear. His superiors think he can bring the needed cultural understanding to the case but here's the thing- he was raised on the Mainland. This teeters on the knife edge of cozy procedural in the sense that many people wanted Fortunato gone but it does go deeper with looking at the tensions between Native Hawaiians and haoles. Great atmospherics and I learned a bit (always a plus). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is set in 2002, which leaves room for the more in series (I'm hoping).
September 18, 2021
An interesting view of Hawaii in a police procedural set on the Big Island. It brings up many current issues, and the protagonist, a newly minted detective, has a lot to learn-- and a lot to teach the reader.
Because I've written extensively about Hawaii in my own set of police procedurals, I can say that Redman did a good job of presenting the island and police work.
Because I've written extensively about Hawaii in my own set of police procedurals, I can say that Redman did a good job of presenting the island and police work.
Read
January 28, 2023It was eh…I feel a little distracted with it. I don’t know just didn’t capture me.
May 15, 2024
Quite interesting - set on the Big Island, lots of twists and turns, good guys and bad guys not always easy to identify. Shortcomings - characters were not well-developed, especially the females, conclusion was messy. I enjoyed it as a murder mystery.
August 28, 2024
I’m honestly shocked this book is not rated higher! I was hesitant to read it because of the reviews but I’m so glad I did because I really enjoyed it! The book hooked me instantly and was a fast read. It left me wanting to go back to Hawaii!
April 18, 2025
The perfect murder mystery/police procedural to read while traveling on the Big Island. The story hops all around the island, from resort golf courses to cliff tops, and even a diversion to Washington State. I learned a few things about Hawai'i along the way. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
May 26, 2022
This book was strangely calming and grounding. And interesting history about Hawaii.
did-not-finish
October 4, 2021DNF @ 33%
This isn't a reflection on the narrator, as I was impressed (especially with Hawaiian words) but it wasn't enough to make me continue on with this story. Several other reviews have pointed out the fact that there are no female characters in their own right (all are known to the reader based only on their relationship to a man) and it's kind of boring for a murder mystery novel. I love the cultural aspects and history explored, but this isn't enough to propel to listen to 7 more hours of this story.
This isn't a reflection on the narrator, as I was impressed (especially with Hawaiian words) but it wasn't enough to make me continue on with this story. Several other reviews have pointed out the fact that there are no female characters in their own right (all are known to the reader based only on their relationship to a man) and it's kind of boring for a murder mystery novel. I love the cultural aspects and history explored, but this isn't enough to propel to listen to 7 more hours of this story.
August 24, 2021
If I hadn’t been to Hawaii’s Big Island I might not have been so prone to read this book, but Eric Redman’s efforts in placing his thriller there would still have captured me. His long association with the island, his close personal ties with its people, and his detailed knowledge of its culture, language and history seep through as you turn the pages of this gripping crime detection novel.
With a plot filled with many twists and turns, a number of red herrings, and some compelling dialogue, Bones of Hilo takes the reader on a journey that spans not only the island itself, but also back to a previous crime committed in Washington state. Redman deftly weaves his story to keep the reader wondering how the two are related. When all is eventually revealed, he presents the us with a moral and ethical dilemma, reminding us that deciding what is right and responsible is often not as straightforward as it may seem at first glance.
As the acknowledgments suggest, this was not a novel written in a hurry or in a formulaic way, but one thoroughly researched and painstakingly written. That Redman’s family itself has been the victim of an unsolved murder, which prompted him to write the book, only adds to the sense of authenticity and commitment that pervades this fine work of fiction.
With a plot filled with many twists and turns, a number of red herrings, and some compelling dialogue, Bones of Hilo takes the reader on a journey that spans not only the island itself, but also back to a previous crime committed in Washington state. Redman deftly weaves his story to keep the reader wondering how the two are related. When all is eventually revealed, he presents the us with a moral and ethical dilemma, reminding us that deciding what is right and responsible is often not as straightforward as it may seem at first glance.
As the acknowledgments suggest, this was not a novel written in a hurry or in a formulaic way, but one thoroughly researched and painstakingly written. That Redman’s family itself has been the victim of an unsolved murder, which prompted him to write the book, only adds to the sense of authenticity and commitment that pervades this fine work of fiction.
August 31, 2021
I was pumped to read this book! A mystery set in Hawaii with exploration of the clash across cultures at its heart. What's not to like? Although I think the book delivered on the cultural end, the mystery part of it ended up taking a back seat to other issues. These included the morality of government and personal integrity. I'm typically a fan of novels that explore complex issues in the process of unpacking an interestingly plot, but in this case, I lost interest in the dilemmas faced by the main character and found the resolution of the murders and mysteries unsatisfying. I appreciated the strong relationships the lead character had with his parents, but this is not enough to carry the book.
June 4, 2021
My thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to review this audio.
Detective Kawika Wong is called upon to solve the murder of developer Ralph Fortunato by his boss, Captain Terry Tanaka. What's odd about it? The victim.has an old Hawaiian spear thru his heart! With assistance from his father and a witness to.the crime, he tries to solve the murder.
I thought thought this was just ok.for me. The premise of the murder drew me in, but I felt I was getting too much information on the personal life of the detective, which I didn't need, like him cheating on 2 women. Some of the Hawaiian back.history was interesting, but it lost me a bit to the story.
Detective Kawika Wong is called upon to solve the murder of developer Ralph Fortunato by his boss, Captain Terry Tanaka. What's odd about it? The victim.has an old Hawaiian spear thru his heart! With assistance from his father and a witness to.the crime, he tries to solve the murder.
I thought thought this was just ok.for me. The premise of the murder drew me in, but I felt I was getting too much information on the personal life of the detective, which I didn't need, like him cheating on 2 women. Some of the Hawaiian back.history was interesting, but it lost me a bit to the story.
January 31, 2023
I have literally never been this bored reading a piece of detective fiction. Imagine making a murder mystery set in Hawai’i and the Methow Valley boring. Reader, it’s true: this book did it.
Also, confidential to Kawika: stop cheating on your girlfriend, GOD. If you want to bone someone else just break up. JFC.
Unsurprisingly it was written by a white male boomer; tbh it wasn’t BAD-bad, I am sure my dad would love it (he’s the same age as the author), but it cause me literally psychic pain to make it all the way through. Make of that what you will. ✌️
Also, confidential to Kawika: stop cheating on your girlfriend, GOD. If you want to bone someone else just break up. JFC.
Unsurprisingly it was written by a white male boomer; tbh it wasn’t BAD-bad, I am sure my dad would love it (he’s the same age as the author), but it cause me literally psychic pain to make it all the way through. Make of that what you will. ✌️
April 2, 2024
I don’t know if I liked this book. The main characters were one dimensional. I was most interested in the detective Wong’s parents. I definitely felt like I was reading the author’s research, that not everything was woven well into the story. The women were written pretty pitifully. I took one star away at the end for Patience’s laughable reminiscence of her relationship with Kawika. … yet I might read the second book to see if the narrative improves.
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