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Blood Orchids (Paradise Crime Mysteries, Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Toby Neal (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 12,826 ratings
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This paradise world has a dark side: a multi-racial female cop can’t stop thinking about a drowned girl’s face... because it reminds her of her own.

Overcoming a past filled with scars, Lei makes a life for herself and her dog, Keiki, as a Hawaii cop in the sleepy Big Island town of Hilo. When a routine patrol turns up two murdered teens, Lei’s world is rocked. She knows one of the girls, and she can’t rest until she finds answers—not only about the victims, but about her own shadowed past as well.

She’ll look so beautiful...once she’s dead.

He knows he’s twisted. He knows he’s wrong. He just doesn’t care. But now there’s a female cop on his trail that won’t give up, and she’s gonna be next.

"Blood Orchids satisfies on every level. A powerful talent is on the scene, whole-heartedly recommended." -Drew Cross, former police officer, author of BiteMarks

Grab this fast-paced mystery with a twist of romance, and take a trip to Hawaii with the series that’s sold more than a million copies and earned a USA Today ranking multiple times. This FREE police procedural mystery with a multicultural female sleuth will take you away to a paradise world you won't want to leave, a full length novel in a long-running mysteries series that can be read as a standalone, but will leave you wanting more!
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  1. Book 1 of 16
    Paradise Crime Mysteries
  2. Print length
    307 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    November 27, 2011
  6. File size
    2413 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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  10. See all details
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Paradise Crime Mysteries Book 1 - Book 10
Paradise Crime Mysteries Book 1 - Book 16
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"From the very beginning to the very end, I was submersed in the world, the characters and the plot of Blood Orchids. I don't generally read books which use sexual abuse or rape as a backdrop, but by the time I realized such would be a central theme, seeing how the main character, Lei, would deal with her own dark and buried past as she wades through the case of two young girls who have been drugged, raped and left to drown had me hooked.

Author Toby Neal pulls very few punches, if any, using her own expertise in psychology and Hawaiian life to not only put you in Hilo, where the story takes place, but inside the head of Lei. You hope all the way through that Lei will not succumb to either the outside forces that would see her dead, or the demons within propelling her toward a life of loneliness at best, self-destruction at worst.

I found myself suspecting everyone, trusting no one, including characters where little suspicion could be placed. I did manage to guess who one villain was, but that in and of itself was not the sole purpose for this thriller. It might be the vehicle, the means for turning the pages, but Blood Orchids is as much a personal journey for one who has been labeled "Damaged Goods" as it is a story about the police vs. a serial rapist/killer.

I liked the idea that the story didn't just end when most would, but continued, answering a few more questions. When it did end, it was satisfying, while leaving room for more in any subsequent books." G.A., top reviewer, Goodreads

From the Author

"You're about to begin a reading adventure that is as much about solving the crimes of Hawaii as it is about one woman's journey to healing from child sexual abuse. Hop aboard the Lei train and buckle in for a wild ride!" ~Toby Neal

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B006FBDHG2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Neal Enterprises, Inc (November 27, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 27, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2413 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 307 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 12,826 ratings

About the author

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Toby Neal

Toby Neal

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***Kirkus Reviews calls Neal's writing, "persistently riveting. Masterly."***

Enjoy a brave female sleuth? Neal's Paradise Crime Mysteries, starring multicultural detective Lei Texeira, explore the crimes and issues of Hawaii from the bottom of the ocean to the top of volcanoes.

Spinoff Paradise Crime Thrillers, with Lei's friend Sophie, features a tech sleuth with a mean left hook on an ongoing vigilante justice manhunt.

Readers rave: "We love Toby's fast-paced, character-driven stories set in wonderful places. Nobody can read just one!"

Award-winning, USA Today bestselling social worker turned author Toby Neal grew up on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Neal is a mental health therapist, a career that has informed the depth and complexity of the characters in her stories.

You can get TWO FREE award-winning, full-length books by signing up for her email newsletter!

http://tobyneal.net/TNNews

Neal also writes romance under Toby Jane.

Toby's memoir, Freckled: a Memoir of Growing Up Wild in Hawaii, has been widely praised. Kirkus calls Freckled, "an affecting and riveting chronicle...in a Hawaii long lost." She writes memoirs under TW Neal.

You can get TWO FREE award-winning, full-length Toby Neal books by signing up for her email newsletter! http://tobyneal.net/TNNews

SERIES ORDER:

Paradise Crime Mysteries (with Lei)

Blood Orchids

Torch Ginger

Black Jasmine

Broken Ferns

Twisted Vine

Shattered Palms

Dark Lava

Fire Beach

Rip Tides

Bone Hook

Red Rain

Bitter Feast

Razor Rocks

Wrong Turn

Shark Cove

Hidden Falls

Paradise Crime Thrillers (with Sophie)

Wired In

Wired Rogue

Wired Hard

Wired Dark

Wired Dawn

Wired Justice

Wired Secret

Wired Fear

Wired Courage

Wired Truth

Wired Ghost

Wired Strong

Wired Revenge

Wired Target

Standalones:

Unsound (Dr. Wilson)

Stolen in Paradise (Special Agent Marcella Scott)

Island Fire (YA)

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
12,826 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the story suspenseful, complex, and well-paced. They describe the book as compelling, relatable, and interesting. Readers praise the characters as wonderful, three-dimensional, and thoughtful. They praise the writing quality as well-written, tight, and terrific. They also appreciate the perfect pacing and vivid descriptions of Hawaiian locations and culture. Overall, customers say the book holds their full attention and interest throughout the book.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Suspenseful storyReadabilityCharacter developmentWriting qualityPacingInterestDescriptionDifficulty to put down
1,021 customers mention "Suspenseful story"892 positive129 negative

Customers find the story complex, with several twists and turns. They say the plot is well-paced with plenty of intrigue. Readers also mention the book is filled with suspense and colorful descriptions of aspects of the 50th state. They also say the story has great scenes and an engrossing mystery.

"...The author uses excellent subtle foreshadowing and misdirection to keep the reader guessing, but without the common pitfall of making the resolution..." Read more

"...The words flow, the action is mesmerizing and there’s not a false note struck in the book...." Read more

"...There was an engrossing mystery that brought with some thrilling moments...." Read more

"...Overall, these two are deserving of one another's affection and that's certainly more than I can say for a lot of romantic pairs in novels...." Read more

960 customers mention "Readability"939 positive21 negative

Customers find the book compelling, relatable, and interesting. They also say the author weaves a good story. Readers describe the heroine as engaging and sympathetic. Overall, they say the book has good bones.

"...most love about books is the way they can, if well written, immerse you in another world or another culture so thoroughly you walk away feeling like..." Read more

"...Professional, hard-headed, loving, tough and impulsive, she’s all of those and a bag of chips carried by the little girl Lei once was before she..." Read more

"...All the characters were interesting, including the supporting ones. Very well done...." Read more

"...Lei is an engaging, sympathetic heroine--and it's really not often that I say that...." Read more

489 customers mention "Character development"458 positive31 negative

Customers find the characters well-developed, believable, and three-dimensional. They also say the characters are suspicious, thoughtful, and a wonderful human element.

"...She's a wonderful character, so alive and different and in-your-face effective. I want my next therapist to be her...." Read more

"...Overall, though, it's a very well-written book with great pacing, great character (of the human characters, canine characters, and location), and a..." Read more

"...All the characters were interesting, including the supporting ones. Very well done...." Read more

"...I'm thrilled to see such a realistic and thoughtful portrayal of someone who obviously suffers from terrible PTSD...." Read more

394 customers mention "Writing quality"361 positive33 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book well-written, beautiful, and interesting. They also appreciate the tight writing and well-edited. Readers mention the book is not a difficult read and the pidgin language is interesting.

"...between Lei and Michael Stevens was absolutely wonderful and so well drawn...." Read more

"...Overall, though, it's a very well-written book with great pacing, great character (of the human characters, canine characters, and location), and a..." Read more

"...It’s an absolute joy reading through this story. The words flow, the action is mesmerizing and there’s not a false note struck in the book...." Read more

"...All of the characters were very three dimensional and so well written that I felt like I was part of the book...." Read more

168 customers mention "Pacing"141 positive27 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book good and say it keeps them guessing. They also say the plot is predictable but moves along well.

"...Overall, though, it's a very well-written book with great pacing, great character (of the human characters, canine characters, and location), and a..." Read more

"...The story keeps our heroine busy and avoids lag time or useless details. Lei is a really interesting character...." Read more

"...develops between Lei and Stevenson make for a good read, and the relentless pace makes it a book you won't want to put down...." Read more

"...I highly recommend any of these novels for a wonderful, fast-paced action, murder mystery with lots of twists and turn adventures...." Read more

107 customers mention "Interest"103 positive4 negative

Customers find the book gripping and heart-stopping. They say it's a well-written book that keeps them wanting to keep reading. Readers also mention the story and details grab them and hold them.

"...All I can say is that it was time well-spent and not wasted. This haole gives one hundred stars to BLOOD ORCHIDS … or maybe a galaxy!..." Read more

"...Despite this, she is pretty self aware, a trait sadly lacking in a lot of novel heroines. I rooted for her from start to finish...." Read more

"...Toby Neal is a very gifted writer and obviously has a great deal of knowledge and understanding of the human psyche...." Read more

"...It was very gripping and entertaining all at the same time. This storyline and setting are nice. Hawaii...." Read more

106 customers mention "Description"106 positive0 negative

Customers find the description of Hawaiian locations and culture vivid and engaging. They say the story has a strong sense of place and time.

"...The book is set in Hawaii and is full of vivid descriptions of the islands...." Read more

"...The descriptions are vivid and engaging, which gives a real sense of the place...." Read more

"Great writing, great characters, great locations, great read. Toby Rocks!" Read more

"...The books are set in Hawaii, described in lush detail. There is something for all your senses. Toby uses color names often and well...." Read more

53 customers mention "Difficulty to put down"44 positive9 negative

Customers find the book hard to put down and easy to fall into. They say it's an enjoyable read with some twists and turns.

"...A hard book to put down." Read more

"...I read it in one evening not because its a gripper but because its easy and slightly predictable, so not for those who are looking for a deep..." Read more

"...As the book accelerates to its conclusion, it's impossible to put it down...." Read more

"...Hard to put down to go to sleep. Thanks for the short chapters" Read more

A good read.
4 out of 5 stars
A good read.
It was a very good story and filled with Hawaiian lore.
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Top reviews from the United States

Kelly Byrne
5.0 out of 5 stars Blood Orchids - Great read and terrific heroine!
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2012
Verified Purchase
The thing I most love about books is the way they can, if well written, immerse you in another world or another culture so thoroughly you walk away feeling like you've actually been to the place, you've experienced what those characters did, right along with them.

This is why I enjoyed Blood Orchids so much. I feel like I took a mini Hawaiian vacation while reading this book, although, as this is quite a dark story, it wasn't a peaceful vacation. Just the opposite, in fact. If you like fast paced, crime/mystery this is the one for you.

I have to admit, I don't read much in this particular genre so I wasn't looking for the same things other experts might be interested in, I was just concerned with a good story and that's what I got.

It begins: "Drowning isn't pretty, even in paradise. The girl's features were bloated by water and nibbled on by wildlife. She lay half embedded in silty mud, naked as a seal carcass." Oh my. Well, we're off to a galloping start with that gruesome imagery. It doesn't get any lighter as we go along, but that's the purpose of this genre and Toby Neal delivered the goods.

Leilani Texeira (Lei) our plucky, desperately damaged, protagonist is my kind of gal. She doesn't take anything lying down. She's impulsive and fairly reckless at times, (to the possible detriment of her career and her well-being) but she gets things done. There were times I admit, I wanted to strangle her a little because of this impetuousness, because it put her in danger, but that's a good sign to me. It means I'm engaged with the character and the story.

I felt for Lei and the terror she was going through, both with the cases she worked on and in her private relationship as well. Part of me wishes she had taken the stalking a little more seriously when it began, though, given her previous experiences. But perhaps it was her defense mechanisms working overtime to distance herself from the reality of it. It didn't seem to faze her much at first, the way I thought it should, but that certainly did change after the stalker upped his game.

The budding relationship between Lei and Michael Stevens was absolutely wonderful and so well drawn. It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the journey, as were her sessions with Dr. Wilson, her therapist. I'll reiterate something a reviewer said previously, I hope the author will consider writing a book about her, if not a series. She's a wonderful character, so alive and different and in-your-face effective. I want my next therapist to be her.

If you love a strong heroine with a penchant for trouble, a good romance with loads of sexual tension, and a well crafted mystery weaving it all together in an exotic locale, this is your next great read.
2 people found this helpful
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ak85
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice read!
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2012
Verified Purchase
I was actually surprised by the ending, but when it was revealed it made perfect sense! I figured it out about 3 pages before it was spelled out...usually I can pick it out about halfway through the book at the most. The author uses excellent subtle foreshadowing and misdirection to keep the reader guessing, but without the common pitfall of making the resolution come out of left field.

I liked that the protagonist has vulnerabilities due to past abuse, while still being an unquestionably strong and capable heroine. I did feel that sometimes it veered a little too much into that. I would have liked it if it was toned down a little, and maybe it didn't cause her to make irrational and dangerous decisions, simply because that plays a little too hard into the stereotype of abuse victims for my tastes. For example, [mild, early spoiler ahead] her setting her protection-trained dog loose in a residential neighborhood when she knew the dog would go after anyone she found because of a fear response (legitimate as that fear was) made me think she shouldn't own a personal protection dog, and made me question if she should be a cop. But, maybe that's too much since I trained and own an IPO German Shepherd myself. On the other hand, later in the book she chases a vehicle in a way that any cop would (at least in mystery novels) and goes running by herself despite some nebulous idea of danger her colleagues have, largely because she doesn't want to feel victimized anymore, and those scenes I liked. There were also numerous examples of her dealing with the anxiety her traumatic past left her with so that she could do her job and do it well, so I can overlook one scene. I also liked the well-rounded way it portrayed her, with both positive and negative reactions to her past and the fact that it didn't dominate her life--it only came up when something triggered it.

I disliked the fact that she quickly became intimately involved with the detective on the case. I know that's kind of boilerplate crime novel stuff, but I think authors can do better than making their heroine-whose-past-sexual-abuse-plays-a-significant-role hook up with someone who has the power to significantly influence her career, no matter how nice or sexy he is. But it was treated very respectfully and it was made clear that even when she said no, his reaction was not bad, so that's just another minor thing.

Overall, though, it's a very well-written book with great pacing, great character (of the human characters, canine characters, and location), and a clever plot. It's definitely among my top few mystery novels of the year. Not great literature, but an above-average mystery for sure.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Garry P.
5.0 out of 5 stars Blood Orchids
Reviewed in Canada on June 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
I have read most of Toby Neal’s books and have enjoyed them all
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MR MARK CANFIELD
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, you won't be able to put it down
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
What an amazing story line. So many intertwined links that keep catching you out. Toby Neal is without a doubt a great wordsmith.
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CarsonMc
2.0 out of 5 stars Simplón
Reviewed in Spain on October 13, 2019
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Era barato y esta bien para practicar inglés. La trama muy simple
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ozzieinfrance
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read
Reviewed in France on October 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
Set in Hawaii and imaginatively exploring local culture, this police investigation has everything you'd be looking for and expect for this genre. There are lots of twists and turns though some are a bit predictable.
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Sattwik
1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
Reviewed in India on March 30, 2018
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Good
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