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Ghosts of Waikiki

Audiobook
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 2 weeks
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 2 weeks

In this atmospheric debut mystery, an out-of-work journalist and the homicide detective who broke her heart must cipher out a murder before the clock runs out, perfect for fans of Naomi Hirahara and Jane Pek.

After the newspaper she works for folds and the freelance assignments no longer pay the bills, Maya Wong reluctantly returns to her native Hawaiʻi to ghostwrite controversial land developer Parker Hamilton's biography. But when the Hamilton patriarch is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Maya is unwittingly drawn into the investigation.

Maya's family and friends aren't happy about her work for Hamilton. And now, with her ex, Detective Koa Yamada, on the case, she's forced to contend with the very person she was determined to avoid.

All too soon, Maya is dodging assailants and digging for clues while juggling girls' nights out with her old BFFs and weekly family dinners. Convinced the police are after the wrong man, Maya is determined to stop the killer before it's too late.

Exploring timely issues in Hawaiʻi, including locals getting priced out of paradise, Ghosts of Waikiki is an engrossing mystery in the vein of The Verifiers.

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    • Library Journal

      Starred review from March 1, 2025

      When her ghostwriting gig ties her to a suspicious death, ex-reporter Maya Wong can't help but ask questions, no matter how much her cop ex-boyfriend wants her to stop. Morita's debut mystery is a few steps shy of cozy, contrasting politics and a gruesome death against the plentiful, tempting descriptions of its Waikiki setting, including the food and the romantic possibilities. Maya approaches the case as an investigative reporter--a benefit for listeners, as the clues are laid out methodically and conversationally. In addition to the mystery, this novel is also an exploration of whether anyone can come home again. Can Maya truly feel Hawaiian after spending so long away? And does she want to? These questions allow narrator Jennifer Robideau to display her ear for accents. Maya's accent is noticeably different from those of her family and friends who never left the island. They're not coy about pointing this out and are gleeful when Maya starts to regain her lost accent. Robideau perfectly balances the book's mystery elements and Maya's uncertainty about her place in the world, all while making listeners yearn for a visit to Waikiki. VERDICT Morita and Robideau create a mystery that feels meant for audio.--Matthew Galloway

      Copyright 2025 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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