Overall: π’π’π’π’π’
Storyline:
Writing Style:
Character Development:
Enjoyment:
“I ulu nΕ ka lΔlΔ i ke kumu. Without our ancestors, we would not be.”
Retribution by Robert McCaw
The Story:
In the back alley of a bar on Hawaii Island, a young man is found stabbed to death. When Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane begins investigating the crime, the murder weapon is recovered only a few feet away from the body. Crime scene technicians find fingerprints on the knifeβthey are a perfect match for Koaβs younger brother, Ikaika.
As the brothers scramble to prove Ikaikaβs innocence, another crime sends shockwaves through the Hilo police force. A sniper tries to take out Makanui, Koaβs closest colleague. As Koa tries to figure out whether these crimes are linked, the sinister force continues their killing spree, threatening Koa and his loved ones at every turn.
Could Koa be the real target? If so, who is behind this trail of retribution? With his own secret criminal past, Koa confronts an all-out offensive against those closest to him and his police force to which he has devoted his life. As the bodies pile up, Koa finds himself the ultimate target of a ruthless adversary and must risk it all to survive.
Key Elements:
Mystery, Murder, Detective, Hawaii, Family, Thriller, Suspense, Revenge, Retribution
Others in Series:
Book 1: Death of a Messenger
Book 2: Off the Grid
Book 3: Fire and Vengeance
Book 4: Treachery Times Two
Why This Rating?
Full disclosure, I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary honest review.
It is always wonderful to go back into a series and rediscover the world and the characters from there. This book is one that does not disappoint! You get dropped right into the mess of things from the start and Detective Kane is as diligent as ever when it comes to solving crime. His ability to look at the puzzle pieces and figure it is great! You still get the gorgeous details of the places Kane visits and sees. Hawaii is a place that is on my bucket list to visit and this series and McCaw’s writing just helps enforce this even more. I highly recommend you take a look at some of the places that are named in the book as you read. Each one of the national landmarks are real places! You get can a far better understanding and the impact of the views by taking a look at the places. They are absolutely stunning.
There was one writing choice that McCaw used in this one that was wonderful and a little new compared to the other books I’ve read so far of his! We got to see from the perspective of, what you could call, the opposing forces for the story. I really liked these moments. It set up the perfect amount of tension and suspense for the readers. You can see the scheming happening just feet away from characters we’ve gotten to know so well. It just made me want to start pacing with anxiety. As the story keeps tossing one thing after the other at you, there are only brief moments to catch your breath from the shocking scenes before the next puzzle piece pops up. Then you’re off to the races again. The ultimate goal is to get ahead of the bad guys strike out again and hurt someone else. You’ll never want to put down this book because you are so eager to find out what happens next.
I was quite surprised at the amount of individuals that were brought into focus for this story. Yes, this is a mystery and there are bound to be a lot of suspects brought in and out of view. However, this one had a lot of secondary individuals sticking around in the forefront. Usually it is a bit overwhelming having to balance everyone and remember why it was so important to keep track of them. But McCaw never leaves you hanging. There are soft reminders for us as we read. I know that I really appreciated them! So don’t worry about struggling to remember everyone we run across in this one.
This is a book that you are going to be frantically flipping the pages to find out what is going to happen. It balances such an enjoyable level of thrill and mystery while reading that you feel a part of the world. Almost like you are also on the ground with the detectives and trying to solve the murders too. If you are new to the Koa Kane Mysteries, you can absolutely pick this up with no trouble and have a great time reading it! There are 4 other books before this one, so if you do read this one first, I encourage you to go pick up the others too. It will totally be worth it for you. This is my favorite book in the series so far!
Time to get lost in the next story!
