Ghosts of Waikiki

When her ghostwriting gig ties her to a suspicious death, ex-reporter Maya Wong can’t help but ask questions, no matter how much her cop ex-boyfriend wants her to stop. Morita’s debut mystery is a few steps shy of cozy, contrasting politics and a gruesome death against the plentiful, tempting descriptions of its Waikiki setting, including the food and the romantic possibilities. Maya approaches the case as an investigative reporter—a benefit for listeners, as the clues are laid out methodically and conversationally. In addition to the mystery, this novel is also an exploration of whether anyone can come home again. Can Maya truly feel Hawaiian after spending so long away? And does she want to? These questions allow narrator Jennifer Robideau to display her ear for accents. Maya’s accent is noticeably different from those of her family and friends who never left the island. They’re not coy about pointing this out and are gleeful when Maya starts to regain her lost accent. Robideau perfectly balances the book’s mystery elements and Maya’s uncertainty about her place in the world, all while making listeners yearn for a visit to Waikiki.