Mahu Vice: A Hawaiian Mystery [Paperback]

Neil S. Plakcy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2009

Months have passed since Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa’aka walked away from the blaze at Wa’ahila State Park—and from his partner Mike.

Now, Kimo and Mike must work together to solve an arson-homicide while attempting to mend their relationship.

Neil S. Plakcy is the author of the Mahu series.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Neil S. Plakcy is the author of the gay detective murder mystery series "Mahu" and has been a contributor to several Alyson anthologies. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared widely in the gay and lesbian press. He has taught various English and writin

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593501110
• ISBN-13: 978-1593501112
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've wanted to be an author since I was about sixteen, when a high school assignment on A Separate Peace showed me how powerful writing can be. At the University of Pennsylvania I studied creative writing with Philip Roth and Carlos Fuentes; I went on to receive my MFA from Florida International University.

Kimo Kanapa'aka, the detective hero of Mahu, Mahu Surfer, Mahu Fire, Mahu Vice, Mahu Men, and Mahu Blood (due out in Fall 2010) has had a powerful hold on my imagination for many years. I love writing about him and hope to keep doing so for a long time.

In addition to writing about Hawaii, I've edited a collection of essays about gay men and their dogs, called Paws and Reflect, as well as three erotic anthologies: Hard Hats, Surfer Boys, and Skater Boys. My romance novels are GayLife.com, Three Wrong Turns in the Desert, and Dancing with the Tide.

I live in Hollywood, Florida now, with my partner and our golden retriever. Sam is the inspiration for Rochester in my Kindle mystery, In Dog We Trust.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kimo's back, in exciting mystery that gets a little too personal for him!, July 31, 2009

By 

Bob Lind "camelwest" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mahu Vice: A Hawaiian Mystery (Paperback)

Following his breakup with Mike, a hunky fire investigator, Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka went on a self-destructive binge of anonymous, rough sex with guys he met from a local hook-up site on the internet. When a young man dies in a fire at a shopping center, Kimo is forced to work with Mike again, and finds that Mike is also heading for trouble. But the bigger concern is finding the murderer/arsonist, which leads Kimo to investigating the mysterious Chinese owner of a corporation involved in prostitution, human smuggling and blackmail, which also used arson to cover up its operations. When Kimo looks into a stash of photos used by the blackmailer, he is shocked to find a photo of himself having rough sex with a trick. While he is "out" to his fellow police officers, Kimo worries about the implications of the reality of that photo to his career.

I have been a big fan of Plakcy's "Mahu.." series, ever since the first book (which has recently been re-issued by Alyson Books). As refreshing as a trip to the tropics, and as thrilling as surfing the waves on the North Shore, the books are masterpieces of gay fiction, with realistic, fully-drawn characters and situations, and featuring the most riveting, well-written crime mysteries I have ever enjoyed. Reading the earlier books in the series is recommended, but not a must in order to really enjoy this excellent fourth in the series. Five hibiscus-scented stars out of five!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved Mahu Vice, January 10, 2010

By 

Greg Lindeblom (Fort Lauderdale, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mahu Vice: A Hawaiian Mystery (Paperback)

I have read all four of the Mahu series and have enjoyed each of them thoroughly. While the characters have become comfortable and familiar, the stories are distinctive. Plakcy writes very well indeed. He is clearly smitten with Hawaii and with police procedure. He incorporates both beautifully in the story. I really hope there is another book in the series!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr Placky quit your day job and write full-time!!, December 9, 2009

By 

barbarylane6 (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mahu Vice: A Hawaiian Mystery (Paperback)

PLEASE!!! I need to have more Kimo and faster!!! ;) The Mahu books are a true joy to read with great Maupin-ian characters that you can really invest in, an interesting, believable mystery plot and just enough sex to make you blush. (although this one was the grittiest so far) They are light without being too campy and an actual feel-good read. Thank you for letting Mike and Kimo get back together. We need to have hope, even if only in fiction! ;) If you have not read this series, buy them all and take a long weekend to read them all. You will not regret it.