The Flaming Luau of Death: A Madeline Bean Novel (Madeline Bean Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Jerrilyn Farmer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Madeline Bean Mysteries | Publication Date: March 1, 2005

When Holly Nichols sets her wedding date, trendy L.A. party-planner Madeline Bean decides to throw her top assistant the hippest and most lavish bridal shower on the planet. The guests embark on a "destination" party to a fabulous and exclusive spa/resort in Hawaii. The salt-rubs! The paraffin pedicures! The dead body in the mud bath! Ew.

It doesn't help matters when Holly confesses to Maddie that she can't really go through with the upcoming wedding after all. In her effort to smooth the matrimonial path for her dear friend, Madeline must track down the mystery man Holly may have married ten years earlier and never actually got around to divorcing. How hard can that be?

Well, with the elusive gentleman in question running from a gang of rare vegetable smugglers, the bridal shower guests imbibing in one "Bridesmaid Mojito" too many, the current fiancÉ developing an allergy to scandal, and a murderer on the loose, it looks like anything but clear sailing down the aisle for one of Mad Bean's best employees.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Magnum PI meets The Bachelorette in Farmer's zany eighth adventure (after 2004's Perfect Sax) starring Madeleine Bean, the L.A. party-organizing whiz who attracts murder and mayhem as much as she does glamorous clients. Maddie is planning a surprise, all-expenses-paid bridal shower at the Four Heavens Resort on Hawaii's big island for her friend and assistant, Holly Nichols. Only problem is, Holly, who's "a magnet for weird males," confesses before departure that she might still be Holly Dubinsky, the wife of geeky Marvin Dubinsky, whom she married while drunk in Vegas after their high school prom. Of course, that's no reason to cancel a party—so Maddie and business partner Wesley Wescott decide to grab Holly, her sisters, best friend and go, even if Holly has also begun receiving ominous e-mails (e.g., "Give us Marvin and we'll leave you alone"). And sure enough, upon arrival, Holly's accosted by a mysterious Hawaiian male who later turns up dead, and the bridesmaids' beauty weekend begins to spin out of control with dangerous luaus, weird dolphin connections, scary Japanese mobsters and hot wasabi moments. Fans of lighter mystery fare will be in heaven.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The title of this latest Maddie Bean novel should provide a major clue that this is a series that doesn't take itself too seriously. This time, Maddie, a madcap Hollywood caterer, and her partner, Wes, are throwing a "destination" bridal shower for their assistant, Holly. Gathering up blond-bombshell Holly and her entourage, Maddie and Wes cart the whole group off to a spa resort on Hawaii's Big Island. While there, Holly continues to receive threats from someone connected to her husband--yes, it turns out Holly is still legally married to her high-school prom date. The one perfunctory murder barely interferes with the crazy antics, and along the way, Farmer manages to sneak in interesting tidbits of Hawaii history along with little-known facts about wasabi. For those who like comic mysteries light on the mystery and long on the fun, this series is a party waiting to happen, what with the fail-safe combination of copious drink, delicious food, and the highly enjoyable company of Maddie Bean. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 2nd edition (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060587296
• ISBN-13: 978-0060587291
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #575,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too much Hawaii, not enough mystery, June 13, 2005

By 

Janet Allen "sandpiper" (Florida, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Flaming Luau of Death: A Madeline Bean Novel (Madeline Bean Mysteries) (Hardcover)

I have enjoyed all of the books in this series, but "Flaming Luau" was a disappointment. It started out with a great premise - a trip to an exotic locale, a mystery husband - but then it just fizzled. The elements of the mystery did not tie together well, and there were just too many sidelines. The plot reminded me of a hyperactive child, bouncing from one thought to another but not making connections between them.

Perhaps the book was just too overloaded with characters and it was difficult to concentrate on what was happening to each one of them. And, in my opinion, there was just too much information about Hawaii. It was a distraction, rather than an addition.

It's still a fairly fun read, which is why I gave it three stars. However, my advice is to borrow it from a friend, the library, or wait for the paperback.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aloha Danger, March 15, 2005

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Flaming Luau of Death: A Madeline Bean Novel (Madeline Bean Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Madeline and Wes are planning a special party. Their assistant and friend Holly is getting married in two weeks, so they're taking her, her sisters, and her best friend on a surprise bachelorette destination party to the big island of Hawaii. And the best part is, Madeline, Wes, and Holly will finally get to be guests at one of their own parties.

But the trouble starts before the plane leaves the ground. Holly just got a threatening e-mail demanding to know the whereabouts of her husband. Seems she's not as single as she said she was, and her high school prom date might be her husband as well. It's a bit hazy. Even so, she has no idea where this guy might be now.

Thinking they'll put this tiny problem behind them for the weekend, they board their plane. But when they arrive, they find a man waiting in Holly's room. When the man later turns up dead, Madeline can't help but investigate. After all, she's never been too good at relaxing. Can she solve this mystery before they return to the mainland? Will these events ruin the party?

It's no secret that I look forward to each book in this fun series. But when I saw the title, I was extra excited. How could a book with a title like that be anything but fantastic? And it didn't let me down. Even with the change of location, on-going storylines are advanced, just a little slower then normal. As always, the plot is inventive and fun. I dare you to guess where this one leads before the end. And party planner Madeline is a great host, narrating the tale with a breezy style that keeps your attention throughout.

A small word of warning. Because of on going storylines, the last couple books are spoiled. This series is best read in order. Believe me, that will be no chore at all.

I've already booked my next Mad Bean Event. It can't get here fast enough to make me happy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great addition to a great series, March 12, 2005

By 

E Rice (western ny state) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Flaming Luau of Death: A Madeline Bean Novel (Madeline Bean Mysteries) (Hardcover)

this series is remarkable for the consistent quality of each book. the plots, the characters, the humor, the clear-eyed observation of life in los angeles (it was never this much fun when i lived there), the cooking, all are first rate. and i really admire them--once i can stop laughing long enough.

in this entry, the madness is transported to hawaii. the parties are still over-the-top, the mystery is still unguessable, the plot twists are even twistier and funnier.

if you haven't read any of the preceeding novels, i'd say read at least one before this one--a certain amount of familiarity with the characters is assumed. also, having read any of the other novels will make humor even better.