Murder in Honolulu: A Skye Delaney Mystery
Read Murder in Honolulu: A Skye Delaney Mystery Online
Authors: R. Barri Flowers
Tags: #thriller, #crime, #suspense, #mystery, #action, #police procedural, #female detective, #hawaii, #detective, #private investigator, #women sleuths, #tropical island, #honolulu
A Skye Delaney Mystery
By R. Barri Flowers
Copyright 2012 by R. Barri Flowers at
Smashwords. All rights reserved.
Cover Image Copyright 2012 by
Dhoxax
Used under license from
http://www.shutterstock.com
MURDER IN HONOLULU: A Skye Delaney Mystery is
a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are
either the product of the author's imagination or are used
fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business
establishments, or persons, living or dead, is entirely
coincidental.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal
enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to
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of this author.
ALSO BY R. BARRI FLOWERS
NOVELS
State's Evidence (A Beverly Mendoza Legal
Thriller)
Persuasive Evidence (A Jordan La Fontaine
Legal Thriller)
Justice Served (A Barkley and Parker
Mystery)
Murder in Maui (A Leila Kahana Mystery)
Dark Streets of Whitechapel (A Jack the
Ripper Mystery)
Dead in the Rose City (A Dean Drake
Mystery)
Killer in The Woods (A Psychological
Thriller)
Ghost Girl in Shadow Bay (A Young Adult
Haunted House Mystery)
Danger in Time (A Young Adult Time Travel
Mystery)
TRUE CRIME
The Sex Slave Murders: The True Story of
Serial Killers Gerald & Charlene Gallego
Serial Killer Couples: Bonded by Sexual
Depravity, Abduction, & Murder
Mass Murder in the Sky: The Bombing of Flight
629 (historical short)
SHORT STORY COLLECTION
Edge of Suspense: Thrilling Tales of Mystery
&
Murder
Love Aboard the Titanic/Billy The Kid's Wife
(Timeless Romance Shorts)
* * *
PRAISE FOR R. BARRI FLOWERS
"Even hotter than its exotic Hawaiian
setting. A police procedure of the highest order, mixing equal
parts Sue Grafton and Jeffrey Deaver with a sprinkling of Patricia
Cornwell at her best Sure to make both Kahana and Flowers household
names." — Jon Land, author of Strong Justice on MURDER IN MAUI
"A masterful thriller set in the dark
underbelly of Maui, with lots of fine action, down and dirty
characters, and the vivid details of police procedure one would
expect from an author who is also a top criminologist. A terrific
read!" — Douglas Preston, co-creator of the bestselling Pendergast
series of novels on MURDER IN MAUI
"A gripping and tightly woven tale you won't
want to put down. Author Flowers neatly contrasts the natural
beauty of a tropical paradise with the ugliness of murder and its
aftermath." — John Lutz, Edgar winner and bestselling author of
Night Victims on MURDER IN MAUI
"A combination of grit, action, and
incredibly realistic police procedure. That's the recipe that keeps
me turning pages until the sun comes up. A tale so genuine that
even I was tempted to call for backup a couple of times." — Lee
Lofland, former detective and founder of the Writers' Police
Academy on MURDER IN MAUI
"Flowers delivers the goods. An exotic
setting, winning characters, and realistic procedural details make
MURDER IN MAUI a sure hit with crime-fiction readers." — Bill
Crider, Edgar award winner and bestselling author of Murder in the
Air on MURDER IN MAUI
"Gripping writing, wonderfully rounded
characters you really care about, and vivid locations—this novel is
a real and rare treat." — Peter James, international bestselling
author of Dead Simple on MURDER IN MAUI
"From one of the best true crime writers
around, R. Barri Flowers now has combined his impressive
criminology credentials and literary talents to create Maui
homicide detective Leila Kahana, a fascinating and complex heroine.
Fans of CSI and Hawaii 5-0 will love this one and scream for more!"
— Deborah Shlian, award-winning co-author of Double Illusion on
MURDER IN MAUI
"A thoroughly puzzling mystery to solve. If
you love Hawaii or a good head-scratching mystery, you'll enjoy
this book. Very entertaining." — William Bernhardt, bestselling
author of Capitol Betrayal on MURDER IN MAUI
"A steamy, non-stop thrill-ride through the
seamy underbelly of Hawaii. R. Barri Flowers writes with the
passion and knowledge of someone who truly knows his craft." —
Allison Leotta, Federal Sex Crimes Prosecutor and author of Law Of
Attraction on MURDER IN MAUI
"Starts with a bang—literally—and drops you
right into the deep end of murder. A by-the-book mystery that keeps
the suspense taut and edgy." — Joe Moore, bestselling co-author of
The 731 Legacy on MURDER IN MAUI
"A gripping account of the murders committed
by husband-and-wife serial killers Gerald and Charlene Gallego. Top
true crime author and criminologist R. Barri Flowers provides his
keen insight and expertise into what made these killing partners
tick. Compelling reading." — Gary C. King, author of Blood Lust on
THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS
"It gets no better than this! R. Barri
Flowers has written another thriller guaranteed to hold onto its
readers! It was so gripping that I forgot to breathe a couple of
times!" — Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews on DARK STREETS OF
WHITECHAPEL
"A compelling and powerful account of Jack
the Ripper.... Flowers has captured the sights and sounds of New
York City and London's East End in 1888.... The action is fast
paced; the suspense building to a peak to the finale." — Barbara
Buhrer of MysteryAbout.com on DARK STREETS OF WHITECHAPEL
"A page-turner legal thriller that begins
with a bang and rapidly moves along to its final page. He has
filled the novel with believable characters and situations." —
Midwest Book Review on STATE'S EVIDENCE
"An excellent look at the jurisprudence
system...will appeal to fans of John Grisham and Linda Fairstein."
— Harriet Klausner on PERSUASIVE EVIDENCE
"A model of crime fiction.... Flowers may be
a new voice in modern mystery writing, but he is already one of its
best voices." — Statesman Journal on JUSTICE SERVED
"An interesting blend of classic film noir
and rough, modern cinema.... Quick action and tight dialogue make
it a jolting thriller, but it's also got the psychological
tightness of a good mystery puzzle." — Robert A. Sloan, author of
Raven Dance on DEAD IN THE ROSE CITY
* * *
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Murder in Maui - Bonus Excerpts
Dead in the Rose City - Bonus
Excerpts
Justice Served - Bonus Excerpts
The name's Skye McKenzie Delaney. I'm part
of the twenty-first century breed of licensed private investigators
who live by their wits, survive on instincts, and take each case as
though it may be their last. The fact that I double as a security
consultant for companies in and around the city of Honolulu, where
I reside, gives me financial backup not afforded to all private
eyes. This notwithstanding, I take my work as an investigator of
everything from cats stuck in trees to missing persons to crimes
the police can't or won't touch very seriously. If not, I wouldn't
be putting my heart, soul, and body into this often thankless
job.
I also happen to be happily divorced—or at
least no longer pining for my ex—and not afraid to get my hands
dirty if necessary in my business. I get along with most people,
but won't take any crap from anyone should it come my way.
Before I became a security
consultant/private eye, I used to be a homicide cop for the
Honolulu Police Department. Stress, fatigue, burnout, and a real
desire to get into something that could provide more financial
security and flexible hours, without the downside and depression of
police work and know-it-all authority figures, convinced me to
change careers.
During my six years on the force, I spent my
nights earning a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice
Administration. I'm hoping to get my Ph.D. someday when I no longer
need to work for a living and can devote my time to further
educating myself. In the meantime, I'm getting an honorary
doctorate in private detectiveology, where every case can be a real
learning experience.
On and off the job, I carry a .40 caliber or
9-millimeter pistol Smith and Wesson—depending on my mood. And I'm
not afraid to use either one if I have to, as it sure beats the
alternative of ending up as just another private dick on a cold
slab in the morgue.
If I were to describe myself character-wise,
the words that come to mind are feminine, adventurous yet
conservative, streetwise though I often rely on intellect to get me
over the hump, and kick-ass tough when duty calls.
I've been told on more than one occasion
that I'm attractive—even beautiful—and sexy as hell. I leave that
for others to decide, but I'm definitely in great shape at
five-eight, thanks to a near obsession with running and swimming,
along with not overdoing it with calories. I usually wear my long
blonde hair in a ponytail. My contacts make my eyes seem greener
than they really are.