Elysium Tide

The paths of an English neurosurgeon and a Hawaiian policewoman cross at Maui’s Elysium Resort. Dr. Peter Chesterfield is there for a ‘certification’ conference as a result of his verbal abuse of colleagues. Detective Lisa Kealoha is investigating a car theft that ended in the death of one of the thieves. The two are thrown together when a young woman, pulled from the ocean by Peter, fails to survive. Peter suspects murder; Lisa connects the victim to the car theft. Peter’s overbearing attitude and Lisa’s mettle ensure that their relationship gets off to a rocky start, but with give and take on both sides, it gradually warms. As does the investigation. For a start, the 18th Street Gang, a ruthless LA-based drug cartel, has recently begun operating on the island, but Peter and Lisa soon realize that meth and muscle are only a small part of the story. Hidden tracks in the island’s cane fields, unaccounted for buildings, and unexplained goings and comings, all point to a much bigger criminal endeavor. A well-told story with lots of action, clever Holmesian detection, and informative details that provide realism and an exciting climax, Elysium Tide will appeal to mystery fans.