Book Review: The Flaming Luau of Death

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[4.5 stars]

The Flaming Luau of Death Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Jerrilyn Farmer
Class/Genre: Mystery Woman Main Character Amateur Sleuth Humorous
Series: Maddie Bean # 7
Morrow, Mar 2005, $23.95, 240 pp.

For eight years Madeline Bean and her partner Wesley Westcott owned and operated an event planning company making money, but now they are hosting a special party out of love. Their employee Holly Nichols is getting married in two weeks and they are throwing their beloved assistant a fantastic bachelorette gala in Hawaii where Maddie plans to be one of the pampered guests.

At their private luau, they meet the party planner for the luau Keriki. The next day, Keriki’s boyfriend, a good swimmer, drowns and it was later discovered he was the same person Holly found in her room before she chased him out. The medical examiner reports he was married Next Japanese ruffians pursue a mellowing Maddie because they think she is Holly and is the ticket to finding her husband (who she hopes to divorce before the wedding to her betrothed) Marvin Dubinsky who apparently stole something that they want back or else. When the thugs catch up to Marvin, a scientific genius, they threaten to kill him with Maddie trying to save his life at potentially the cost of her own.

Holly is a cute flake who isn’t sure whether she is married or not, having been drunk in Vegas with no recollection of how she got there and what happened. She expects Maddie to help her with obtaining a quick divorce or annulment. Maddie knows all heck is breaking loose once she realizes Marvin has joined them with thugs after his hide. She brings the humor to this zany tale as she wants to relax and have a good time, but is questioning suspects especially guests. LUAU OF DEATH is a delightful picturesque amateur sleuth novel that uses the background as seen by natives and by guests like unsinkable Maddie to keep the series fresh.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner