Beachboy Murder

Aloha Lagoon #11

by Sally J. Smith, Jean Steffens

From USA Today bestselling authors Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens comes deadly trouble on white sandy beaches...

Just as travel agent turned reluctant sleuth Gabby LeClaire is starting to gain some of the Aloha spirit, a business consortium from Chicago breezes into the Aloha Lagoon resort and offers to buy her business. The offer is tempting...but so is hot helicopter pilot Rick Dawson, making it a difficult decision. One that becomes even more complicated when a dead body is discovered in Gabby's backyard, and she's suddenly thrust in the middle of a murder investigation!

The dead man is a former beachboy attendant from the island. But as Gabby and her friends quickly learn, his colorful past as a professional escort extends from Hawaii all the way to the women of Chicago—including those in the business consortium. With a trail of broken hearts—not to mention jealous rivals—leading up to the beachboy, Gabby tried to uncover just who had it in for the late lothario. Is the female of the species really more deadly than the male? Or has he scorned one too many women for some other man's liking? Gabby treads a fine line as she seeks the truth behind his shady past and comes face to face with a killer!

The Aloha Lagoon Mysteries:
Ukulele Murder (book #1)
Murder on the Aloha Express (book #2)
Deadly Wipeout (book #3)
Deadly Bubbles in the Wine (book #4)
Mele Kalikimaka Murder (book #5)
Death of the Big Kahuna (book #6)
Ukulele Deadly (book #7)
Bikinis & Bloodshed (book #8)
Death of the Kona Man (book #9)
Lethal Tide (book #10)
Beachboy Murder (book #11)
Handbags & Homicide (book #12)

About Aloha Lagoon:
There's trouble in paradise...
Welcome to Aloha Lagoon, one of Hawaii's hidden treasures. A little bit of tropical paradise nestled along the coast of Kauai, this resort town boasts luxurious accommodation, friendly island atmosphere...and only a slightly higher than normal murder rate. While mysterious circumstances may be the norm on our corner of the island, we're certain that our staff and Lagoon natives will make your stay in Aloha Lagoon one you will never forget!

Genres: Mystery, Summer, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2018

About the author

Arizona native Sally J. Smith lives in Scottsdale with her husband. The rarest of breeds, an adult born in Arizona, she has been a writer since she could spell. These days she stays busy at her chosen professions of writing and freelance editing. When a free moment appears on the horizon, she's out the door to a play, a movie, or a concert, or just a long walk in the desert--if the temperature's under a hundred, that is.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable escape to Aloha Lagoon. The 11th book in the series is once again set around Gabby’s Island Adventures. After finally settling in to island life and working hard to establish a good reputation and solid travel agency business, Gabby now finds herself potentially on the receiving end of a business buy-out offer. It’s not easy to consider her future when she’s also playing amateur detective. After a body is found in her backyard, Gabby sets out to track down the killer before Detective Ray sets his sights a little too securely on her friend Janet. Throw in some unique characters, a little island romance, and that heavenly Hawaiian atmosphere and you've got the makings of a pleasurable read. Includes a Hawaiian language mini-lesson so you can practice sounding like a native. 3.5 stars

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Beachboy Murders” earns 5/5 Tropical Troubles…Terrific!

Gabby LeClair is excited to have her mentor/friend from Chicago, coming to the resort, and with her she brings some potential buyers of Gabby’s travel agency. Selling? No, not after she's made a home for herself, but it doesn't hurt to listen, right? Also arriving at the resort is a hired “plus one” with a dubious reputation. Not a stranger to the Islands, he had lived, worked, loved, and left a few broken hearts in his wake. So, when he is found dead in Gabby’s backyard, we find secrets revealed, motives abound, and suspects too close to home. Gabby puts on her amateur detective hat to find jealousies, greed, and a bit of personal peril. Another day in paradise!

Excellent! Despite being two years since we first enjoyed Gabby and the “Murder on the Aloha Express,” which made me an immediate fan of Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens’ work, this new adventure was well worth the wait. The signature clever twist and turns, dead ends and misdirection made me think I had it figured out, but was hit with a couple of "Oh, wow-s!” to make it very exciting. Background and character connections are revisited, so no one is left confused. The mystery was well organized, realistically unfolding clues, and leading to another exciting island chase with a scare or two concerning who would survive. Gabby is a delightful character easily identified with as she finds comfort in her ‘island girl’ personae and embrace the ‘aloha’ way leaving the past hurts behind and embrace her ‘helicopter hunk.’ The other characters are fun, quirky, and all the epitome of family. On the side, I continued to enjoy reminiscing about my own visits to the “Garden Isle” and efforts to be an ‘island girl.” And to make everyone feel the “aloha,” they have added a bit on the Hawaiian Language—a crash course on how to put together all those syllables. Mahalo, Sally and Jean!

"Disclosure: I received an ARC. However, my review is voluntary, and my comments and insights are honest."

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fun read that takes place in the Aloha Lagoon Resort on the island of Kauai. Gabby LeClair left the crazy busy travel business in Chicago to move to Hawaii where she bought a local travel agency. Gabby's Island Adventures is an agency in the resort that sets tourists up for fun adventures on the island. Gabby's old boss from Chicago, Janet Belinksi, brings a group of business people to the island who are interested in buying Gabby's business. Her boyfriend, Rick Dawson, is not happy that Gabby might sell her business because he is afraid that she might move away. Gabby is on the fence about it as well. In the meantime, when one of the people from the Chicago group, who happens to be a local guy returning home for a visit, is found dead in Gabby's backyard and Janet is a suspect, Gabby has to put on her sleuthing hat to find out whodunit. There is a good size pool of suspects to choose from and hard to figure out who the murderer is. Beachboy Murder has an interesting group of characters with ties to the victim that makes it complicated to unravel but what a lovely setting to visit. Gabby has to decide if she will sell or will the group decide that they are no longer interested?
I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher for an unbiased review. The opinions stated are mine only.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been following the Aloha Lagoon cozy mystery series from the first. This was a good addition to that series. It was a quick, easy read, set against the backdrop of the lovely island of Kauai. If I had any complaints it would be the tendency to be repetitous. Otherwise well done!

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby LeClair owns a successful travel agency located in the lobby of the Aloha Lagoon resort. Originally from Chicago, she was encouraged by her boss to go to Kauai and buy the business. Now that same boss, working for a consortium, has come with the members of the consortium to investigate buying the agency from her. This has Gabby flustered, because she doesn't really want to sell. Business is going well, she is finally learning to relax, and then there is her hunky helicopter pilot boyfriend Rick Dawson. But she agrees to meet and listen to the people and reserve her decision.

It would be hard to imagine a worse visit than the consortium had! When an island man returns to Kauai at the request of a consortium member (as an escort) his presence stirs up a range of emotions from islanders and Chicagoan's alike. His first entry into the resort is met with cursing and threats from one consortium member, and weeping from an islander.

Between a full schedule planned to showcase the business, there is a murder and the body is found on the property where Gabby lives. Everything from bad karaoke to bad sunburn to false alibis are discovered as Gabby investigates the murder. In more than one situation she is lucky that Rick is around and can come to her rescue.

Full of quirky characters and the resort regulars you get to know from the previous books in this series, this was a fun and all too fast story about Aloha Lagoon and the world created in this ongoing multi-author series. Each book in the series is a delight, and this one continues the series successfully.

[Julesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 11th book in the Aloha Lagoon series and the 2nd book featuring Gabby St. Clair. Gabby originally held a corporate job in Chicago but grabbed the opportunity to own a travel agency at the Aloha Lagoon resort in Kauai. However, now her best friend and ex-boss from her Chicago days, Janet, is partner in a consortium to buy out Gabby's Island Adventures.

While members of the consortium have come to the Aloha Lagoon to discuss the buyout, Val Markson is found dead in Gabby's back yard. Val Markson is a professional escort and many jealous members of the consortium, including Janet, had reason to want to see him dead. Residents of Kauai who were familiar with Val's dalliances were not pleased with his return which extended the list of possible suspects.

With so many suspects and motives, Gabby is kept busy investigating the murder despite numerous warnings from the detective on the case to "back off". Between the murder investigation and her indecision on the buyout offer for her travel agency, she has her hands full including a blossoming romance with Rick Dawson, her comrade for helicopter rides as part of her island adventures.

This book moved at an even pace. I enjoyed the characters, even the ones that were stereotyped or annoying. They made for a good mixture of suspects. The touch of romance was right, not too much. Those have read any of the books in the Aloha Lagoon series will enjoy this book.

I received an ARC from the publisher for purposes of an unbiased review.

[Sherry Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written as a stand alone Beach Boy Murder is definitely a great
addition to the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries. You'll have no trouble jumping here with book 11. I guarantee you'll love it but you'll be wondering what you missed. So you might plan to read all the
rest. I plan too.
I enjoyed the characters. And there were a lot of them. I had no trouble keeping up with them or keeping up with what was going on.
The main character Gabby is considering selling her tour agency in Hawaii after her friend and mentor Janet make the suggest and bring a group of potential buyers.
There are quite a few of them to keep up with but they are all such unique characters and they are described so well that it is not difficult.
There are a few sub characters in the story; staff at Gabby's tour agency and hotel staff.
And there's the hunky boyfriend Rick who owns a helicopter company. He's just a great guy that calls Gabby 'Princess' so sweet and romantic. He's ready and able to save the day in the end when Gabby and a couple of other people are kidnapped by one of the villains.
Beachboy Murder was a very fast read. I read in one setting.
It was indeed a 5 star read.
I look forward to backing up and reading the rest. I was so engaged with this group of characters I want to read more.

I received a complimentary copy.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first things I’ll say about this book is the authors were most certainly good at describing a setting. This book is not full of descriptions of the island of Hawaii. Most of the talk is about island breezes and sweet scents of flowers but it was so good, they sure had me sitting at a beautiful outdoor bar with fruit in my drink and flowers around my neck. At least in my mind they did. This is a fun story with likable characters. Just a really good feel in your heart kind of book. It has your good guys and your bad guys; your wild chases and your cop that’s always mad at the amateur sleuth for butting in. That amateur sleuth is named Gabby this time and she and her flyboy guy and her other friends are those likable, well-defined friends I mentioned.

Almost every book in this series is written by a different author. That’s something I might question about the flow or constancy of the storyline. However, every book has good ratings so obviously that has not been a feeling of future readers.

This is Book 11 in the series titled “Aloha Lagoon Mysteries”. While this can definitely be a stand-alone read, it sure might be worth checking out Book 1 thru 10 too.

***This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable!

It immediately felt like I was on holiday myself and that Gabby was my friend. Gabby is starting to relax, to adjust to island life. There are buyers for Gabby’s Island Adventures and she’s unsure whether to sell or not. And then, a murder.

This cozy was well written. Skillfully done. Easy-to-read. Never a dull moment! A good pace, an interesting case, a whole lot of mystery, a little bit of romance, a satisfying outcome; a good cozy mystery! I liked Gabby; she’s nice, practical and nosy, as an amateur sleuth ought to be. Okay, at times she can be a bit insensitive, but she’s well-meaning.

Of course it’s fun to read the whole series, but you could easily read this as a standalone. Everything gets explained really well and everyone (some people from previous books make short appearances) gets a good introduction. I highly recommend this!

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can smell the flowers and hear the ocean breezes as I read this. I really love this series. These two writers know how to bring you into the story. I feel as if the characters are old friends that I can visit on the big Island. I enjoy reading how well things are going for Gabby and her "flyboy" Rick. Now that her friend and former boss is visiting and has taken a liking to Ricks partner, will there be a new couple to get to know ? Come come along, feel the breezes and enjoy the adventure..

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great hit in this series. I just love the characters. Of course, we got to see more of dreamy Rick Dawson. Gabby has a host of unsavory tourists visiting through her tourist agency. One of them may be a killer. But with them also being from a business that wants to buy her agency, how can she possibly go sleuthing and point fingers at any of them? And surely she won’t sell and move back to Chicago? Join her and her best friend Janet as they stick their noses in police business.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well written and quirky. Figuring out the murder kept me guessing, and I didn't get it until Gabby did, lol.

This was a fun, funny cozy mystery full of ups and downs and twists and turns. I would definitely recommend it. In fact, I plan to go back and read some of the others.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy received from the publisher.

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for mystery lovers. I liked this book because it is a good mystery that kept me guessing along the way. And a bonus was the setting of Hawaii. The author beautifully describes scenes from the setting.

[Judy Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beachboy Murder is another fun & exciting trip to the Aloha Lagoon, the “home” of a series of cozy mysteries set in Hawaii. For new readers, Aloha Lagoon is a resort with many interesting & exciting amenities available ( like helicopter rides with Gabby’s boyfriend Rick), plus a side of murder that visits more often than most vacation resorts would want!
In this latest installment, we catch up again with travel agent Gabby, who left her job back East to buy the travel agency at Aloha Lagoon, where she books the resort’s clients on helicopter rides, island expeditions, and other side trips. Her old boss, Janet, recommended the agency to Gabby when it became available, and is happy she’s doing well. She even lent Gabby her own Island vacation home to stay in, to help her save money. Strangely, however, Janet comes to Aloha Lagoon with a consortium interested in buying the agency. This move seems out-of-the-blue, and for much of the book, Janet’s motives seem unclear- does she just miss her friend? Does she really think selling is the best move? Or is there some other reason she’d bring them to Gabby?
Gabby has changed a lot since she move to Aloha Lagoon. She’s less stressed & more relaxed. Her relationship with Rick has helped her move forward. She seems happy. She’s given work to some local people, who really want her to do well. The offer to sell to the consortium is very confusing- she seems to think she “has to” consider it, but clearly loves where she lives.
Things get rough when a former local man, known as s Beachboy, who traveled back to the resort with the consortium, ends up dead. Gabby has to investigate when Janet is implicated. She quickly realizes that not everyone is being truthful about their reasons for being there or their relationships to the Beachboy. Secrets & lies complicate every step.
I love the Aloha Lagoon series. I instantly feel immersed in the resort, & the many intertwined characters bring the stories to life. Although they are best read as a series, every book is a stand-alone. I highly recommend trying this book; you will love it.

[Bonnie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series. It is all centered around Aloha Lagoon which is a resort in Hawaii. Each book is written by a different author, but they include characters from previous books. What's great is that you do not need to read them in any particular order. In fact, you can read each as a stand alone, but where's the fun in that. This book involves Gabby and her travel agency. Gabby's best friend and former boss, Janet, is bringing a group of potential buyers of Gabby's travel agency on a trip to Aloha Lagoon. After a long day, Gabby arrives home to find Janet asleep on her couch. The next morning, they awake to discover a body in the back yard. Apparently this dead beach boy, Val, has incorporated himself into the lives of not only members of Janet's group and Janet herself, but also members of Aloha Lagoon and the local community. What ensues is a struggle for Gabby to decide if she wants to sell her agency and what to do about her relationship with her hunky boyfriend Rick plus solving the Beachboy Murder. She just can't keep her nose out of a good mystery. There are so many suspects to go through and then, you are determined that none of them could have done it and then the twist occurs. I could not put this book down. Love it!

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to see that Janet was going to be part of this book. From the beginning of Aloha Express I really appreciated her kindness and friendship with Gabby. For once, I neither loved nor hated the victim or maybe I should say I felt a bit of both. I had no idea who the murderer was and suspected almost everyone. On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed that our heroine sometimes played the typical cozy heroine, dashing around asking obvious questions of suspects, putting herself in unnecessary danger! This careless investigation technique may be typical of most cozy mysteries, but it is not common in books by Sally J. Smith and Jean Steffens. The mystery itself was well laid out and plotted in the usual intriguing style that one expects of this awesome writing team.
I was pleased to see that Harley is still hanging around, even if he is concerned about a big decision that Gabby has to make. The twins and their father are as awesome as ever! Love those guys! It was a great visit to the island and with old friends in spite of that little matter of murder..

[Judy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love a good cozy, this book is definitely for you. This is just one of the wonderful books in the Aloha Lagoon series and it works just fine as a standalone. I have not read all of them but I can tell you these books are easy to just pick up and start reading and regardless of which one you elect to start with, you will fall right into the story. Beachboy Murder has everything you would hope for: Well developed characters, those you easily love to love and a couple (or more) that you just love to hate. And, there is even opportunity for some of them to redeem themselves as the story progresses. Tons of twists and turns, a little bit of romance and of course your corpse that turns up in a most questionable place. Quirky characters that just "fit" in this fun, fast paced story that will hook you on the series immediately! If you don't know where to start, this is the perfect place! If you can't go to Hawaii, get your fix of Aloha here at the Aloha Lagoon resort, with Gabby the travel agent/amateur sleuth, and the unpredictable mess in which she finds herself entangled.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It's a fun, tropical adventure with warm characters that feel like family and friends. This is a new series for me, so I can attest that it works as a stand-alone, but I definitely want to go back and read more about Aloha Lagoon. I don't usually pick up cozy mysteries, but this was so enjoyable I will consider myself a fan!

Gabby LeClaire hosts friends from the mainland that are considering the purchase of her travel agency. And along comes a murder. Who is involved? Is it the islanders, the newcomers, and what does her "flyboy" Rick think of Gabby's potential sale? I loved every page, and the story unfolded at just the right pace. I loved Janet and Ace and the entire secondary cast.

I was fortunate to get an ARC copy of this book for my honest review.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed the book that Gemma Halliday Publishing puts out and Beachboy Murder was no exception. There are interesting characters, many who have a reason to kill the victim. All of the action revolves around the people who want to buy Gabby LeClair's travel agency. Gabby is on the fence about selling but it was not hard to decide what she was going to do. There is a little romance of the sweet variety to go with the mystery. Also a little history of island is incorporated into the story. Gabby just cannot leave the mystery alone and ends up in a very dangerous situation. Look to see who the shoe fits for a solution.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Beachboy Murder. I am thinking this may be the best story in Aloha Lagoon! It works perfectly as a standalone, but I really enjoyed finding out that Detective Ray may have a heart. One of the minor characters gets a chance to be a hero. Gabby and Rick's love story progresses nicely. Of course there is a murder to solve. There were several twists before everything was sorted out. I read it straight through. I highly recommend this book whether or not you have read any other book in the series.

[Robin Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The newest addition to the Aloha Lagoon Mysteries, this is a great read. This new book features Gabby LeClair, the owner of the island’s travel agency and amateur sleuth. There is a consortium interested in buying her agency. Soon after their arrival, a body is found in Gabby’s backyard. As if that wasn’t enough, Gabby is reflecting on her romance with helicopter pilot, Rick. There is a great cast of quirky characters that keeps a fast pace. A delightful read!

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic installment of this series! What I love best is that each can be read as a stand-alone book. This one kept me guessing until the end with some great twists and turns. A fun read, but full of great characters and plot twists.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I think I have found my favorite book of the Aloha Lagoon series. This one has twists and turns and love the setting. Well written, well plotted and enjoyed it til the very end.

[John Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Dawson loved Gabby right from the get go and tried to give her the space to realize it, and did once Rick was hurt and unconscience. Others who live beyond thier means have to be rude to others to keep up thier pretenses. The flip side is true friends like, Ona, Mele, Kona, Ace, and Hector. Money helps but it's not worth the lives it destroys. Peace can't be bought. Those were the lessons that came through. Excellent story and hard to put down.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting twists

Boy there were sure a lot of viable suspects in this one. It will surely keep you in your toes trying to figure out who the killer is. I love how Gabby and Rick's relationship is developing.

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five-O!!!
Gabby has a consortium after buying her travel agency and then murder intervenes!
Good story line with some great characters

[Carolyn A. Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun reading

Love Hawaii so love the pictures painted by the authors. Easy enjoyable reading and believable characters. Never guessed the ending.

[Janet Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading this series and always too forward to the next edition.

[Zina Losey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! All the elements of a great mystery and set in such a lovely place! I’m on to the next Aloha Lagoon Mystery!

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.