Dying for a Daiquiri

I don't usually read cozies, because I generally prefer my mysteries to be more hardboiled. But when I spotted this one on sale on one of the e-letters I get and saw that the heroine's first name is the same as mine--Laurel--I had to buy it. There's not many of us, so we Laurels have to stick together! Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's a really good mystery--I usually figure out the solution before the end, but I missed it big time with this one. The identity of the culprit never occurred to me, but when it was revealed, it made sense. Besides being a good mystery, the book is very funny. Ms. Sample is a witty writer who knows how to make the reader chuckle and sometimes laugh out loud. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Hawaiian scenery and life. I've never been there so I can't vouch for the accuracy of said descriptions, but they certainly sounded believable. BTW, this is the third in the series. I haven't read any of the others, but it wasn't necessary to enjoy this book. It stands on its own. I do intend to start at the beginning with the first book now that I've found a cozy mystery series that I like. All in all, a good read, even if it didn't have the graphic violence and hard language I usually prefer in my mysteries! :-) It's good to take a break and read a rated G book once in a while!

Enjoyed as a casual read

Good, easy read with a twist.

Laurel McKay is back and while she may have dreamed of relaxing in paradise, she never dreamed of more dead bodies. Can't a girl catch a break? This is such a fun series. I just LOVE Laurel. She's such a funny character. If you love cozy mysteries, you're going to adore this series.

A giggle out loud book with an unlikely heroine who's antics keep a smile on your face while reading. You are pulling for her even though she makes mistake after mistake. A great sequel to Cindy Sample's other books, Dying for a Date and Dying for a Dance.

Love this series!  Hysterically funny.

I love this series, and it keeps getting better. Daiquiri takes the reader to Hawaii with all the atmosphere you'd expect of paradise--with a little murder thrown in. Laurel goes for a wedding but finds herself chasing a killer in her own unique way. Love it.

Very funny easy read

Was having one of "those" days and grabbed this and laughed. Really enjoy this series and going to Hawaii with Laurel was a hoot!

I really enjoy this series. Cindy Samples writing style is easy to read. Her words fIow and she writes with humor. The characters are enjoyable and the story is entertaining. I highly recommend her books!

Sorry I did not get all the humor the other reviewers seem to enjoy. I thought this book was juvenile and simplistic. Poorly written and romance like. I prob just dont like this kind of book but thought I might enjoy easier read. Nope.

Was a funny and delightful read. Enjoyed Laurel and her zany friends and family. Good mystery also. Can't wait to read other books by this author.

Clever plot, hilarious escapades and just the right amount of romance! Now I want to go to Hawaii.

A very good read. I hope Ms. Sample gives us more Laurel McKay fun adventures.

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Do you

Nothing like attending a wedding can force one to assess the state of a relationship. On the beautiful Big Island to celebrate the wedding of her best friend Liz to El Dorado County Assistant District Attorney Brian Daley, Laurel McKay had hoped that the vacation would be an opportunity for her to define – and hopefully advance – her romance with Detective Tom Hunter. Unfortunately, a new case and his promotion to being the head of the homicide division of El Dorado’s Sheriff’s Department has Tom grounded back in California, so Laurel’s plan that had her child-free for the wedding ended in yet another disappointment. However, this does allow Laurel to bond with her newly remarried mother Barbara as well as with Laurel’s brother Dave, who moved to Hawaii ten years ago to buy a rundown Tiki Bar and establish a new restaurant hot-spot. As happy as Laurel is to reunite with her brother she is shocked to see how rocky his marriage is with Reagan, an accountant at the nearby Kona coffee farm, Koffee Land. Although Laurel is alarmed when her coworker and fellow wedding guest Stan Winters whispers gossip to her about Dave and the beautiful hula dancer Keiki, far more concerning is the news that Keiki’s body was just found on the rocks below his restaurant and that both Dave and his wife have been brought in for questioning. With an unfortunate and unplanned but quite successful record of solving murders Laurel is of course unable to sit back and watch her brother suffer, especially since he was the one who supported her through her difficult divorce to a philandering husband. While the island is definitely “Big” Laurel soon learns that the community itself is rather small and very incestuous. Keiki’s stepfather Victor is Reagan’s boss and owner of Koffee Land, where a zip-line accident killed Keiki’s ex-boyfriend, the brother of an employee who works for Dave’s best friend Steve. While the zip-line company was run by Keiki’s brother-in-law it was Steve Bohannon, a distractingly attentive and attractive boat captain, also happened to be in charge of the trip that had Laurel knocked overboard in one of several attempts on her life. Keiki was also known to be rather free with her attentions and flirtations, and her being a contestant on the reality show The Bride and the Bachelor filming at Koffee Land was sure to rile up even more jealousies. Determined to solve the murder and save her brother’s marriage, Laurel still manages to find the time to taste gourmet coffee and chocolates, attend a luau, and devour delectable local specialties. And of course, enjoy a daiquiri or four. This is an absolutely delightful mystery with a cast of characters who all have a motive for murder and as a result the reader will be held in suspense up until the very end. Author Cindy Sample perfectly captures the tourist-friendly side of the Big Island, from the local dialect to the food and sights. As someone born and raised on Oahu I appreciated the author’s dedication to authenticity (even though I myself have never had cream-filled malasadas. Hmm. Must try those out). What I truly enjoyed most about this novel though is the refreshingly positive relationship Laurel has with her family. She lovingly rolls her eyes at Barbara’s declarations to never interfere, but they support and truly love one another. Humor is never absent in this series and while Laurel manages to put herself in jeopardy several times it’s never out of stupidity or disregard for the law. Even with her children on the mainland, Liz off doing honeymooning things, and Stan distracted by his attempts at hula and knife-dancing, Laurel is more than capable enough at providing ample amounts of sarcasm, wit, and enjoyable banter. This third in the series continues to uphold the fun spirit and sharpness of the previous entries and is definitely the perfect tropical escape for readers. - Cindy Chow