Wipeout! [Paperback]

Chip Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2007

In this fast-paced sequel to mystery novel "Murder on Molokai," Surfing Detective Kai Cooke works to help a young, very-pregnant Summer McDahl prove that her husband, Corky, is dead. Corky McDahl wiped out on Christmas Eve in gigantic surf at Waimea Bay and vanished amid suspicious circumstances. Did Corky pull off the most daring skip trace ever? Is he dead or alive? Though the Surfing Detective seems the last to know, Summer gets a great deal more than she paid for.

Editorial Reviews

Review

["Wipeout"] is a carefully crafted mystery that eschews literary pretension for quick-paced action and wild yet credible plot turns. --The Honolulu Advertiser - Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Mysteries are all about the hidden, while literature about Hawaii tends to be all about the surfaces. But we should be glad Chip Hughes' character has set down literary roots here, as the series is an interesting sidelong glass at the state of life in modern Hawaii. --Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Monday, March 5, 2007

About the Author

Chip Hughes grew up in Southern California and learned to surf in San Diego in the 1960s. After earning a Ph.D. in English at Indiana University, he moved to Hawaii in 1981 to teach at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and to take up surfing again. At U.H. he has taught courses in American literature, film, writing and popular fiction, including the mystery. An active member of the Private Eye Writers of America, his previous books include "Murder on Molokai" (2004), "Beyond the Red Pony" (1987) and "John Steinbeck: A Study of the Short Fiction" (1989). Chip and his wife Charlene and two retrievers live in Windward Oahu.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Island Heritage Publishing (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159700247X
• ISBN-13: 978-1597002479
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #451,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chip Hughes lives in windward O'ahu with his wife and two retrievers. He taught at the University of Hawai'i for nearly three decades, until leaving to write full time. Chip launched the Surfing Detective mystery series in 2004 with MURDER ON MOLOKA'I. The second book, WIPEOUT!, followed in 2007. And KULA in 2011. Future titles, in various stages of development, include MURDER AT VOLCANO HOUSE, BARKING SANDS, and THE MAUI MASSEUSE. The series was optioned for television in 2009. When he's not writing, Chip's interests include surfing, golden and Labrador retrievers, learning to play the piano, dreaming about Porsches, and sunsets on the beach with his better half.

Photo: Dennis Oda, Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wipeout is a Knockout of a Good Read!, March 8, 2008

By 

S. McClure "Kukana" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wipeout! (Paperback)

After reading reviews of Chip Hughes' two novels--Murder on Molokai and Wipeout--I sent for both of them and have just completed reading them both. I love reading mysteries set in Hawaii and these books fit that description to a "T". They're fast-paced, great island descriptions, keep you guessing and eager for more! I understand his next novel will be out in the fall and I can't wait for it to be released. I highly recommend both--Murder on Molokai is his first novel and gets you acquainted with the surfing detective. Wipeout continues the adventures of Kai Cooke (the surfing detective).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hughes hits another home run!, June 27, 2007

By 

Horror writer from TN (Morristown, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wipeout! (Paperback)

As a frequent traveler to the Hawaiian Islands, I enjoy reading well-written novels set in Hawaii. The trouble is that it is hard to find a really good one. Last year, I found one. It was "Murder On Moloka'i" by Chip Hughes. I couldn't wait for another book.
I got my wish this year with the release of his newest book, "Wipeout."
It was every bit as good (if not better) than his first novel. It tells another story of the everyday Hawaiian PI, Kai Cooke. Fans of Dashiell Hammitt and Magnum, P.I. alike will enjoy this character. I won't spoil the story for you, but I will tell you that if you want to read a wonderfully fun and entertaining novel, then Wipeout is for you! I strongly urge you to buy this book!!

3.0 out of 5 stars Another good book from Chip Hughes, April 4, 2011

By 

The Waterman's Library "The Waterman's Library" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wipeout! (Paperback)

Surfing Detective Kai Cooke is back at it, solving a new mystery in between surf sessions and quickies with hot clients. Similar to the first book in the series, Murder on Moloka'i, author Chip Hughes immerses the reader in both the idyllic and darker parts of modern Hawaii. In Wipeout! Kai Cooke is hired to look into the mysterious death of a young California surfer (named Corky) who went missing after a heavy wipeout at Waimea Bay. What starts off as a fairly routine case quickly turns into something much darker with the usual Hawaiian heavies forcing their way into the narrative. Before he knows it, Cooke has stumbled into something more dangerous than the surf break that swallowed up Corky the haole. Like Hughes' first book, Wipeout! is a light, easy to read detective book that will keep you smirking while you turn its pages. Another bit of fun fiction for the summer from Chip Hughes. If, like me, you enjoy pulpy detective books and the beach, then you'll enjoy Hughes` Surfing Detective series. I reviewed this book at the surf book review site The Waterman's Library (which links to Amazon), and purchased the book via Amazon.