Customer Reviews

Mahu Vice: A Hawaiian Mystery

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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!

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.

Kima has done some very stupid things since he broke up with Mike Riccardi. As he finds himself working with Mike to investigate some arsons, he also finds out that there are pictures of him doing those very stupid things. So his life is pretty uncomfortable for him right now. It doesn't help that his family is caught up in both the arsons and, to some small degree, the rest of what's going on in Kimo's life.

MAHU VICE held my interest, made me care about most of the characters, and the setting is wonderful. The plot works, which is sometimes a bonus! My one complaint is that the sex is more graphic than I like to see in any book. If that's not a problem for you - MAHU VICE is well worth the time vicariously spent in Hawaii with Kimo and his cohorts.

Honolulu Police Detective Kimo Kanapa'aka ended his six-months relationship with Fire Inspector Mike Riccardi after his significant other cheated on him while attending a conference in San Francisco; Mike, who is still hiding in the closet from his family and peers, came back with gonorrhea. However, though he kicked the hunk to the curb, Kimo has struggled with his equilibrium; even accepting rough sex with some kick butt guys he meets over the Internet. His brothers and a friend intervene trying to help Kimo regain his self worth.

An arson fire in a shopping center leads to the death of a young boy. Kimo and Mike investigate together; as they did when they first met and fell in love with eighteen months ago. They remain attracted to one another but wary. Kimo finds clues that the fire was set to hide human smuggling and prostitution. He soon finds photos used by a blackmailer to extort money from those caught in sexual encounters that they might not want revealed. This includes Kimo who sees himself in a picture with one of his recent illicit sex mates that if revealed could cost him his career.

This is an enjoyable gay investigative tale that mixes a strong whodunit with deep caring characters. The key to this terrific entry is Kimo who puts a realistic face on a gay cop whose significant other male lover devastated him by cheating on him. The official inquiry into the arson-homicide is super though perhaps too easily forcing Kimo and Mike to meet. However that case and the deep look at issues gays face with in or out make surfing Hawaii's waves with Kimo and company thoughtful fun.

Harriet Klausner

Just finished Mahu Vice and found it to be a very well crafted book. The characters are good, three dimensional characters. It does help to know more about them if you have read the other books; however you can read this one first and still get to know the people well. Everyone, especially those of us who have read the other books in the series, wants to know what happens with Kimo and Mike. What history has gone on prior to this book. Is there a future for them or not. You have to read the book to find out because I sure won't tell you. And the title - Miami Vice. Has Kimo been transferred again to another department? Read the book. Like the characters, the place descriptions are well done and if you get out your Honolulu map (don't we all have one) you can follow the action from location to location. I'm sorry to have given away my copy of the first book in the series though you can be assured I'm buying another one to have the complete set. All in all, an excellent read. A page turner for me that caused other things to get laid aside till the book was finished. Great work Neil and give us another one soon.