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The Bones of the Kuhina Nui
For generations on The Big Island of Hawai'i a family has guarded the secret hiding place of the bones of the Kuhina Nui, the favorite wife of King Kamehameha. But now jealousy and envy couple with greed to produce murder. The family is torn apart and may never be whole again.
183 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 17, 2010
This book began with a short newspaper article that I read. I didn't know at the time that this would become the touchstone for a whole series of books. I still love this story dearly, and I still appreciate the aloha-spirit that Cindy Conklin showed in allowing me to use her artwork for the cover.
March 16, 2012
When the guardian of the bones of the Kuhina Nui believes she needs to pass on her responsibilities to one of her female descendants, she calls a meeting of her five children and their families to discuss the issue.
Three of the five have moved to the mainland and haven't been back to the island they grew up on since the death of their father. One of the siblings has built a successful, if stressful, career managing one of the island's largest hotels. And one of the siblings has let her desperation for love tear down all reason.
When their mother's announcement of who will take over the responsibilities shocks and infuriates some of them, the first murder is set to happen. Is it one of the family? Or one of the outsiders who followed them as they came home?
Hawaii is a beautiful place to have a murder. The story in The Bones of the Kuhina Nui is well presented and holds the reader's interest, but it is the scenery of the story that truly shines. Michael A. Herr is very good at describing paradise, from the sites and smells to the feelings they invoke.
The storyline of the children who have left the island for the mainland is also a good one, and one anyone who has tried to juggle responsibilities to an aging parent with responsibilities to children and a job that may not be available in proximity to the parent will recognize. The brother is largely absent from the story, we never hear his point-of-view, but the daughters all struggle with this issue.
This would be a good, relaxing beach read. I read it while it was cold outside, though, and it was a perfect way to escape the cold of winter.
Three of the five have moved to the mainland and haven't been back to the island they grew up on since the death of their father. One of the siblings has built a successful, if stressful, career managing one of the island's largest hotels. And one of the siblings has let her desperation for love tear down all reason.
When their mother's announcement of who will take over the responsibilities shocks and infuriates some of them, the first murder is set to happen. Is it one of the family? Or one of the outsiders who followed them as they came home?
Hawaii is a beautiful place to have a murder. The story in The Bones of the Kuhina Nui is well presented and holds the reader's interest, but it is the scenery of the story that truly shines. Michael A. Herr is very good at describing paradise, from the sites and smells to the feelings they invoke.
The storyline of the children who have left the island for the mainland is also a good one, and one anyone who has tried to juggle responsibilities to an aging parent with responsibilities to children and a job that may not be available in proximity to the parent will recognize. The brother is largely absent from the story, we never hear his point-of-view, but the daughters all struggle with this issue.
This would be a good, relaxing beach read. I read it while it was cold outside, though, and it was a perfect way to escape the cold of winter.
November 2, 2012
I picked up this book while I was pining away for Hawaii. I am glad I did. I am fascinated with the ancient Hawaiian culture as well and the modern day. Having been to Hawaii many times, it was easy to 'see' the story, to recognize facets of the islands.
The author does a good job of creating a mystery, actually a few, to be solved. He brings the Pono family alive, their rich history of service to the royal family, their own individual insecurities and pressures.
I love the opening with the theft from the museum! I think at times the writing becomes awkward, like the author isn't sure of it, some ungraceful leaps from one point or point of view to another.
All in all, I liked this book enough to read the next, I have now read the entire series.
The author does a good job of creating a mystery, actually a few, to be solved. He brings the Pono family alive, their rich history of service to the royal family, their own individual insecurities and pressures.
I love the opening with the theft from the museum! I think at times the writing becomes awkward, like the author isn't sure of it, some ungraceful leaps from one point or point of view to another.
All in all, I liked this book enough to read the next, I have now read the entire series.
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August 9, 2012Fun read….Hawaiian History, since I have been to Hawaii fun to visualize setting based on experience.
August 22, 2012
Was a good quick read. Not as deep as I expected, still a quirky mystery with great characterizations and wonderful descriptions.
December 25, 2013
Enjoyable, easy reading. Cozy mystery for quiet day.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews