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Paradise #5.5
Unsound
I never realized how much I wanted to live until the choice was no longer mine.
I’ve spent my entire life unraveling mysteries of the human mind as a police psychologist, but somehow, I’ve ended up here: drunk, mostly naked, and locked out of my own house in the rain.
I think I might be an alcoholic.
I refuse to enter rehab like my station chief wants. I’ll do it my way, by hiking Haleakala on Maui and kicking the booze on my own in the crater.
Only, I’m not alone.
There’s an unusual man on the doorstep of my cabin, and he wants his own brand of therapy. With me.
Alcohol is no longer my biggest problem.
Now I have to survive long enough to escape.
I’ve spent my entire life unraveling mysteries of the human mind as a police psychologist, but somehow, I’ve ended up here: drunk, mostly naked, and locked out of my own house in the rain.
I think I might be an alcoholic.
I refuse to enter rehab like my station chief wants. I’ll do it my way, by hiking Haleakala on Maui and kicking the booze on my own in the crater.
Only, I’m not alone.
There’s an unusual man on the doorstep of my cabin, and he wants his own brand of therapy. With me.
Alcohol is no longer my biggest problem.
Now I have to survive long enough to escape.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2013
203 people are currently reading
564 people want to read
About the author
Toby Neal
83 books986 followersToby Neal was raised on Kauai in Hawaii. She wrote and illustrated her first story at age 5. After initially majoring in journalism, she eventually settled on mental health as a career and loves her work, saying, “I’m endlessly fascinated with people’s stories.”
Toby credits her counseling background in adding depth to her characters–from the villains to Lei Texeira, the courageous and vulnerable heroine in the Lei Crime Series, to the wounds and psychological implications of the heroes of the Scorch Series.
Get TWO FREE full length Toby Neal books by signing up for her newsletter here! http://www.subscribepage.com/TobyNeal...
Toby credits her counseling background in adding depth to her characters–from the villains to Lei Texeira, the courageous and vulnerable heroine in the Lei Crime Series, to the wounds and psychological implications of the heroes of the Scorch Series.
Get TWO FREE full length Toby Neal books by signing up for her newsletter here! http://www.subscribepage.com/TobyNeal...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
October 17, 2015
Toby Neal has become my new go to read. She is amazing. This book I started and could not put down. I loved Caprice. She was so complex and relatable. This was intense and emotional and I was on the edge of my seat. Another great book from Toby.
September 20, 2013
My current favorite of my own books! :)
January 10, 2018
"I think I started getting really worried when I found the shoe."
The first line of this novel grabbed me, and what followed ensured that my interest was maintained. Being unfamiliar with the author, I had no expectations, either positive or negative. I was pleasantly surprised.
"Unsound" features protagonist Caprice Wilson, PhD. A psychologist who, in addition to her private patients, provides consultation and support for law enforcement for the state of Hawaii. Recently divorced, and feeling the loss of her son, Chris, who had just gone off to his first year of college, Caprice is feeling lonely and stressed, and drinking WAY too much.
She operates out of two offices, one is located within the police station at Hilo, the other is in a charming little restored cottage near the Hido campus of the University of Hawaii.
The story begins with Caprice discovering a shoe on the doorstep of her cottage office. Shortly thereafter, she finds several other items. She is creeped out enough by this that she lets her police friends and colleagues know.
"The last thing I needed right now was a stalker
complicating the shreds of life I had left."
Caprice is in a mess. She has not yet adjusted to single life or her now empty nest. She is struggling to keep up the payments on the marital home. With no real friends, she takes solace in her loved Mini Cooper car, her siamese cat, Hector, and.... the alcohol which she drinks daily.
Bruce Ohale, Caprice's friend and colleague (who just happens to be the Police Chief), performs what he calls an 'intervention'. After reaching an all-time low, Caprice is told that she will be fired if she doesn't go to rehab. She agrees to a rehab facility on Maui. Little does Bruce know that Caprice has other ideas for her rehab. She plans to hike to the bottom of the Haleakala Crater, alone, and go 'cold-turkey'.
After an arduous trek down the crater, and suffering physically, Caprice spends four days at a rented cabin. That is when he world begins to unravel... A young giant of a man, claims that he rented the cabin as well, and that they will have to share... His lie is apparent to Caprice hours later when she realizes that he is keeping her prisoner! To what end? He forces her to drink vodka after already going through days of agony trying NOT to drink. What is his agenda? Will she live through this?
Her abductor's name is Russell Pruitt. He is the stalker who has left the items on her office doorstep. He has traced her here via her cell phone, which he smashes to pieces. Her lifeline gone.
As hours under Russell's eagle eye, turn to days, Caprice must use all her strength and psychologist's training to stay alive.
This novel was a pleasant surprise for me. I thought that whatever I read after my previous read (which I loved) would somehow be a letdown. "Unsound" did not let me down in any way. It was a solidly constructed suspense novel with well fleshed out characters. The setting was unique and very memorable. The descriptions were vivid, yet not overdone. It is part of a series, but I didn't know that going in, and I found that it reads perfectly as a stand-alone. The series does not share a protagonist, only the Hawaiian setting.
This was a well written, tension-packed novel that delved into the psyches of two damaged individuals - with moral dilemmas and empathetic reasoning. The realistic yet satisfactory ending, made for an enjoyable reading experience.
I will gladly read this author again, and recommend "Unsound" to all who enjoy a good mystery/suspense novel with a psychological bent.
The first line of this novel grabbed me, and what followed ensured that my interest was maintained. Being unfamiliar with the author, I had no expectations, either positive or negative. I was pleasantly surprised.
"Unsound" features protagonist Caprice Wilson, PhD. A psychologist who, in addition to her private patients, provides consultation and support for law enforcement for the state of Hawaii. Recently divorced, and feeling the loss of her son, Chris, who had just gone off to his first year of college, Caprice is feeling lonely and stressed, and drinking WAY too much.
She operates out of two offices, one is located within the police station at Hilo, the other is in a charming little restored cottage near the Hido campus of the University of Hawaii.
The story begins with Caprice discovering a shoe on the doorstep of her cottage office. Shortly thereafter, she finds several other items. She is creeped out enough by this that she lets her police friends and colleagues know.
"The last thing I needed right now was a stalker
complicating the shreds of life I had left."
Caprice is in a mess. She has not yet adjusted to single life or her now empty nest. She is struggling to keep up the payments on the marital home. With no real friends, she takes solace in her loved Mini Cooper car, her siamese cat, Hector, and.... the alcohol which she drinks daily.
Bruce Ohale, Caprice's friend and colleague (who just happens to be the Police Chief), performs what he calls an 'intervention'. After reaching an all-time low, Caprice is told that she will be fired if she doesn't go to rehab. She agrees to a rehab facility on Maui. Little does Bruce know that Caprice has other ideas for her rehab. She plans to hike to the bottom of the Haleakala Crater, alone, and go 'cold-turkey'.
After an arduous trek down the crater, and suffering physically, Caprice spends four days at a rented cabin. That is when he world begins to unravel... A young giant of a man, claims that he rented the cabin as well, and that they will have to share... His lie is apparent to Caprice hours later when she realizes that he is keeping her prisoner! To what end? He forces her to drink vodka after already going through days of agony trying NOT to drink. What is his agenda? Will she live through this?
Her abductor's name is Russell Pruitt. He is the stalker who has left the items on her office doorstep. He has traced her here via her cell phone, which he smashes to pieces. Her lifeline gone.
As hours under Russell's eagle eye, turn to days, Caprice must use all her strength and psychologist's training to stay alive.
This novel was a pleasant surprise for me. I thought that whatever I read after my previous read (which I loved) would somehow be a letdown. "Unsound" did not let me down in any way. It was a solidly constructed suspense novel with well fleshed out characters. The setting was unique and very memorable. The descriptions were vivid, yet not overdone. It is part of a series, but I didn't know that going in, and I found that it reads perfectly as a stand-alone. The series does not share a protagonist, only the Hawaiian setting.
This was a well written, tension-packed novel that delved into the psyches of two damaged individuals - with moral dilemmas and empathetic reasoning. The realistic yet satisfactory ending, made for an enjoyable reading experience.
I will gladly read this author again, and recommend "Unsound" to all who enjoy a good mystery/suspense novel with a psychological bent.
September 23, 2013
Psychological thrillers are not my usual fare, but I quite enjoyed the insights provided into the workings of the human criminal and otherwise. The heroine is a therapist who has lost her own way and attempts at her self-cure by biting the bullet and isolating herself from all of her normal patterns. She decides to hike Haleakala Crater on Maui allowing the reader to enter the depths of the famous volcanic landscape. Reminiscent of Cherly Strayed, author of the outrageously popular Wild, she goes off with boots too tight and pack too heavy to face her demons alone. This plot is complicated by a stalker with murder on his mind. Many clues are dropped along the way and the story unfolds in clever ways unforeseen by this reader. I want to compliment Toby Neal on her ingenious presentation with photos taken by her husband at the end of the tale of Haleakala where critical turns in the story take place providing a sense of realism not often found in fiction. In addition, she speaks directly to the reader at the end of tale explaining her writing process. Plus, there is a list of questions for book clubs. I thoroughly enjoyed Toby’s engaging style, even though I had a credibility problem on a very key plot twist, I won’t reveal here, so that you may read the book without the shadow of my skepticism on that point.Wai-Nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i - Her Epic Journey
February 1, 2017
I knew this one would be a real head trip so I read every other Lei Crimes book first because I wanted to savour it as I devoured every word, every page, every scene, description and action.
Unsound left me breathless Dr Caprice Wilson shows us that even psychologists who help people through the hardest pieces of life are also vulnerable themselves.
Caprice is so very near to hitting rock bottom surly she must crash soon. Hopefully she still has enough strength inside her to then claw her way back up, but dose she even want to ???
I don't think a character has even captured me more, this woman has been through so much loss and still her thoughts are always to help others, I get that, that is her way of hiding from her own grief instead of dealing with it but it still shows amazing strength of character to get to where she is in her professional life and help as many people as she has when she is holding so much personal grief inside her.
I really love Bruce, I loved him when he was Lei Texeira boss and I love him in this story with Caprice he is such a lovable bear of a man who talks straight and means what he say's, I really can't wait to read more :-)
Toby Neal
Unsound left me breathless Dr Caprice Wilson shows us that even psychologists who help people through the hardest pieces of life are also vulnerable themselves.
Caprice is so very near to hitting rock bottom surly she must crash soon. Hopefully she still has enough strength inside her to then claw her way back up, but dose she even want to ???
I don't think a character has even captured me more, this woman has been through so much loss and still her thoughts are always to help others, I get that, that is her way of hiding from her own grief instead of dealing with it but it still shows amazing strength of character to get to where she is in her professional life and help as many people as she has when she is holding so much personal grief inside her.
I really love Bruce, I loved him when he was Lei Texeira boss and I love him in this story with Caprice he is such a lovable bear of a man who talks straight and means what he say's, I really can't wait to read more :-)
Toby Neal
August 3, 2013
All I can say is, WOW! I thoroughly enjoyed Toby Neal's latest companion novel, Unsound and was at the edge of my seat as the story unfolded! Without any spoilers, there are a couple of things that I can share about Unsound.
Set primarily on the island of Maui, Toby uses her first-hand knowledge of the island to bring the setting to life. Throughout the novel, one can visualize the location--"smell" the flowers, "hear" the nene goose, and "see" the silversword and other indigenous plants. However, Toby's clear description of the setting doesn't distract from the story, as is so often the case with other writers.
The main character, Dr. Caprice Wilson, while facing her personal daemons, has an unexpected encounter. With a background in counseling, Toby's character takes on the voice of experience while showing compassion and courage! Of course, this isn't just a nice story of a Dr. and her patients - there are some definite twists and turns in the plots as we learn more about Caprice Wilson! After reading this novel, I can only hope that Dr. Wilson returns for another adventure! Don't miss, Unsound by Toby Neal. A five star novel!
Set primarily on the island of Maui, Toby uses her first-hand knowledge of the island to bring the setting to life. Throughout the novel, one can visualize the location--"smell" the flowers, "hear" the nene goose, and "see" the silversword and other indigenous plants. However, Toby's clear description of the setting doesn't distract from the story, as is so often the case with other writers.
The main character, Dr. Caprice Wilson, while facing her personal daemons, has an unexpected encounter. With a background in counseling, Toby's character takes on the voice of experience while showing compassion and courage! Of course, this isn't just a nice story of a Dr. and her patients - there are some definite twists and turns in the plots as we learn more about Caprice Wilson! After reading this novel, I can only hope that Dr. Wilson returns for another adventure! Don't miss, Unsound by Toby Neal. A five star novel!
August 15, 2013
UNSOUND is unlike any of the other books I’ve read by Toby Neal. The Lei Crime Series is edge-of-your-seat tension and fast-paced mystery. With UNSOUND, Neal digs deep into the psyche of one woman and her aggressor, both damaged by the unfair curves life has thrown them. She draws them together, slowly revealing the twists and turns that caused their paths to cross long ago. Once they meet again, Neal shows us what happens when two people wrestling with some of life’s uglier demons fight for their lives in very different ways.
The scenery is stark and breathtaking, the characters and their inner lives so well-drawn that you feel you know them. Neal’s experience as a therapist comes to the forefront in UNSOUND, and she uses it to build suspense between the characters and their demons, their environment, and each other beautifully. It’s a gripping read that will leave you wondering how many of these twisted personalities you might encounter in your life, and what would happen if they focused on you… Highly recommended.
The scenery is stark and breathtaking, the characters and their inner lives so well-drawn that you feel you know them. Neal’s experience as a therapist comes to the forefront in UNSOUND, and she uses it to build suspense between the characters and their demons, their environment, and each other beautifully. It’s a gripping read that will leave you wondering how many of these twisted personalities you might encounter in your life, and what would happen if they focused on you… Highly recommended.
September 13, 2016
Caprice
I absolutely loved this book. It is a great standalone and companion book to the Lei Crime Series books that feature Lei Texeira, who is only briefly mentioned in this book. This book is all about Caprice Wilson, PhD, psychologist/police consultant/trainer. She is also in her fifties, recently divorced (her lawyer husband left her for a 22 year old circus performer) and budding alcoholic. As she says, she's going through a rough patch. But after a night of drunken burning of ties to the past on her front yard, the police captain, Bruce Ohale, does an intervention. She can get treatment or be fired. She chooses treatment, but while Bruce makes the arrangements, Caprice makes secret alternate plans to hike into Haleakala and go through detox on her own. What she doesn't realize is that a recent stalker will be joining her there.
The scenery descriptions are lush, the characters are complex and the plot is riveting. It's a great Kindle Unlimited library read.
I absolutely loved this book. It is a great standalone and companion book to the Lei Crime Series books that feature Lei Texeira, who is only briefly mentioned in this book. This book is all about Caprice Wilson, PhD, psychologist/police consultant/trainer. She is also in her fifties, recently divorced (her lawyer husband left her for a 22 year old circus performer) and budding alcoholic. As she says, she's going through a rough patch. But after a night of drunken burning of ties to the past on her front yard, the police captain, Bruce Ohale, does an intervention. She can get treatment or be fired. She chooses treatment, but while Bruce makes the arrangements, Caprice makes secret alternate plans to hike into Haleakala and go through detox on her own. What she doesn't realize is that a recent stalker will be joining her there.
The scenery descriptions are lush, the characters are complex and the plot is riveting. It's a great Kindle Unlimited library read.
January 22, 2024
I love re-reading past favorite books, but sometimes don't want to take the time to do it. So I made a decision to try and listen to more of them this year, since I'm spending more time with audiobooks. Great decision! This was my first "re-read" of the year and I loved it just as much as the first (and second) time I've read it. In fact, it is my favorite of all Toby Neal's books.
FYI: Even though this is listed as part of the Paradise Crime Mystery Series, Caprice is a secondary character to that series. So this one can easily be read as a stand alone and I highly recommend doing that. Caprice is a such great character and definitely worthy of her own book.
FYI: Even though this is listed as part of the Paradise Crime Mystery Series, Caprice is a secondary character to that series. So this one can easily be read as a stand alone and I highly recommend doing that. Caprice is a such great character and definitely worthy of her own book.
September 4, 2013
First of all, I'm not the sort who likes to read a book start to finish. I have rather eclectic tastes, and typically have several books in various stages of completion (makes the Kindle a very nice thing to have, but this isn't about that). It's fun to take my time getting through a book I really like, and reading a few books at a time helps me savor each one. That said, last summer, when I picked up Blood Orchids, the first book in a crime drama thriller series by Toby Neal, I couldn't bring myself to set it down again until I'd finished the entire book.
Since then, I've read several other books in the series, managing to return to my normal pattern of taking my time. They were all delightful reading, each one building the character of Lei Texeira, the charming police officer who has a difficult time playing by the rules, which inevitably results in her crossing paths with Dr. Caprice Wilson, the psychologist who spends part of her professional life working with the police department on cases, and counseling them when they have difficulties.
This time, Dr. Wilson has problems of her own. In her latest novel, Unsound, Ms. Neal follows her through her confrontation with the demons in her own life, and the trouble she has dealing with them in her own way. In a gripping tale that takes place over just a few days, told in the first person, mainly in a stream of consciousness style that gives us an inside view of Caprice's mind, the reader is pulled inexorably into the drama, becoming one with the protagonist. Ms. Neal's background in the mental health field has provided her with a unique insight into the mind of a troubled individual, and her skill as a writer makes it easy for the reader to feel empathy with the main character. As I did, you'll want to know what happens next. I couldn't put this book down.
If you've enjoyed the Lei Crime Series and want to learn more about the people she works with, read this book.
If you haven't read any of her other books, and simply want to enjoy a spell-binding novel about a fascinating character and her journey to freedom from addiction, read this book.
If you just want an easy, yet thought-provoking read from a talented author, read this book.
Then read some of her other exciting stories. You'll be glad you did.
Since then, I've read several other books in the series, managing to return to my normal pattern of taking my time. They were all delightful reading, each one building the character of Lei Texeira, the charming police officer who has a difficult time playing by the rules, which inevitably results in her crossing paths with Dr. Caprice Wilson, the psychologist who spends part of her professional life working with the police department on cases, and counseling them when they have difficulties.
This time, Dr. Wilson has problems of her own. In her latest novel, Unsound, Ms. Neal follows her through her confrontation with the demons in her own life, and the trouble she has dealing with them in her own way. In a gripping tale that takes place over just a few days, told in the first person, mainly in a stream of consciousness style that gives us an inside view of Caprice's mind, the reader is pulled inexorably into the drama, becoming one with the protagonist. Ms. Neal's background in the mental health field has provided her with a unique insight into the mind of a troubled individual, and her skill as a writer makes it easy for the reader to feel empathy with the main character. As I did, you'll want to know what happens next. I couldn't put this book down.
If you've enjoyed the Lei Crime Series and want to learn more about the people she works with, read this book.
If you haven't read any of her other books, and simply want to enjoy a spell-binding novel about a fascinating character and her journey to freedom from addiction, read this book.
If you just want an easy, yet thought-provoking read from a talented author, read this book.
Then read some of her other exciting stories. You'll be glad you did.
December 27, 2013
Unsound is my favorite Toby Neal book so far-–although it's hard to keep up; this writer is prolific! Dr. Caprice Wilson, the psychologist who counsels the main character in Neal's Lei Crime Series, is a believable example of a savvy woman who is very good at hiding her own demons. A divorce sends her reeling into the arms of alcohol, and a series of odd objects left on her porch hint that a stalker is on her trail. Rescued from an embarrassing escapade by the hunky Hilo police chief, Caprice finally has to admit that her drinking has gotten out of hand. The chief has a plan-–Caprice can go for treatment on Maui. But, though he warns she'll get no work from the police department until she's sober, Caprice has her own ideas. Alone in the "crater," the vast valley at the top of Haleakala, she faces not only her own well-hidden demons but real physical danger from which she must rescue herself.
One of the cool things about this book is the shoptalk. Neal is herself a therapist, and in her Acknowledgments admits that Dr. Wilson is more like to the real Toby then her other characters. So when she's thinking about her clients' issues, talking to them or even trying to analyze her own behavior, Wilson's words have a ring of reality.
I also liked the setting, the wilderness of Haleakala Crater, beautiful but rugged and empty. Pretty scary place for the kinds of activities Toby Neal writes about. I shall say no more except that Toby Neal fans, crater lovers and readers of psychological thrillers will like this book.
One of the cool things about this book is the shoptalk. Neal is herself a therapist, and in her Acknowledgments admits that Dr. Wilson is more like to the real Toby then her other characters. So when she's thinking about her clients' issues, talking to them or even trying to analyze her own behavior, Wilson's words have a ring of reality.
I also liked the setting, the wilderness of Haleakala Crater, beautiful but rugged and empty. Pretty scary place for the kinds of activities Toby Neal writes about. I shall say no more except that Toby Neal fans, crater lovers and readers of psychological thrillers will like this book.
January 16, 2021
Unsound - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Psychologist Dr Caprice Wilson, who counts Lei Texeira among her former clients, has several issues of her own that she's reluctant to face up to:
emotional disturbance from the death, at only 14 in a road accident, of her twin sister, Constance, who still haunts her, the looming alcoholism when she feels stressed, a ongoing divorce that's taking most of her consultancy income - and a stalker who creeps round not only her office, but her home too, leaving random personal objects on her porch.
Hoping to stop the stalking at least, she calls police Captain Bruce Ohale about it. He advises installing CCTV and sends a female officer to check on her at home, with a new police consulting contract for her. All the stress all the stress leaves her almost suicidal...will she give in to it?
What happens next will leave you gasping, as instead of going to the arranged rehab clinic, Caprice takes off to hike around the Kaleahula volcano rim, when nobody knows she's there.
Who's Russell Pruitt? How do he and Caprice meet? How does he know so much about her?
The truth is out there...get your copy of Unsound, by the amazing Toby Neal to find out how this riveting psychological thriller ends - it's a 5 star winner that you'll absolutely love - guaranteed!
Psychologist Dr Caprice Wilson, who counts Lei Texeira among her former clients, has several issues of her own that she's reluctant to face up to:
emotional disturbance from the death, at only 14 in a road accident, of her twin sister, Constance, who still haunts her, the looming alcoholism when she feels stressed, a ongoing divorce that's taking most of her consultancy income - and a stalker who creeps round not only her office, but her home too, leaving random personal objects on her porch.
Hoping to stop the stalking at least, she calls police Captain Bruce Ohale about it. He advises installing CCTV and sends a female officer to check on her at home, with a new police consulting contract for her. All the stress all the stress leaves her almost suicidal...will she give in to it?
What happens next will leave you gasping, as instead of going to the arranged rehab clinic, Caprice takes off to hike around the Kaleahula volcano rim, when nobody knows she's there.
Who's Russell Pruitt? How do he and Caprice meet? How does he know so much about her?
The truth is out there...get your copy of Unsound, by the amazing Toby Neal to find out how this riveting psychological thriller ends - it's a 5 star winner that you'll absolutely love - guaranteed!
July 9, 2015
This book pulls a secondary character from Neal’s Lei Crime series onto center stage.
Psychologist Caprice Wilson is near rock bottom in her personal life when she’s ordered into rehab for alcohol addiction. Instead, she takes matters into her own hands and sets off on a solitary hike to conquer her demons. Only things go terribly wrong when the man who’s been leaving items stolen from her patients outside her office shows up.
I like Neal’s writing and storytelling style and it’s nice to see a different character star in a book. But I still like her Lei Crime series better than the two standalones I’ve read. That’s due mainly to my being more partial to mystery/crime novels than suspense/thrillers.
There were more ‘passive’ than active scenes in this book, but were entirely appropriate for this type of story as Caprice tries to talk her way out of the danger she’s in.
If you like a novel with good tension (even those passive scenes had plenty), this is a book you won’t want to miss. I wouldn’t mind reading another book starring Caprice Wilson.
Psychologist Caprice Wilson is near rock bottom in her personal life when she’s ordered into rehab for alcohol addiction. Instead, she takes matters into her own hands and sets off on a solitary hike to conquer her demons. Only things go terribly wrong when the man who’s been leaving items stolen from her patients outside her office shows up.
I like Neal’s writing and storytelling style and it’s nice to see a different character star in a book. But I still like her Lei Crime series better than the two standalones I’ve read. That’s due mainly to my being more partial to mystery/crime novels than suspense/thrillers.
There were more ‘passive’ than active scenes in this book, but were entirely appropriate for this type of story as Caprice tries to talk her way out of the danger she’s in.
If you like a novel with good tension (even those passive scenes had plenty), this is a book you won’t want to miss. I wouldn’t mind reading another book starring Caprice Wilson.
August 19, 2013
It isn't often that I find myself loving a series so much I seek out every book the author has ever read. I just spent the last two months working my way through each one of Toby Neal's Hawaiian mysteries. Even though I've only been to Hawaii once, I felt as though I were revisiting an old friend. Everything about each book is perfect. I can't wait for more.
The Lei Crime series features Leilani Taxeira who starts her career in law enforcement in Blood Orchids. Each storiy takes place on a different island as she moves up in the police department. Each mystery is carefully constructed and filled with just the right amount of action, sleuthing and character growth to keep a reader in suspense.
I loved each one including the accompanying Lei Crime Companion Novels featuring other characters who orbit around Lei.
Highly recommended to everyone who truly enjoys mysteries.
The Lei Crime series features Leilani Taxeira who starts her career in law enforcement in Blood Orchids. Each storiy takes place on a different island as she moves up in the police department. Each mystery is carefully constructed and filled with just the right amount of action, sleuthing and character growth to keep a reader in suspense.
I loved each one including the accompanying Lei Crime Companion Novels featuring other characters who orbit around Lei.
Highly recommended to everyone who truly enjoys mysteries.
August 25, 2013
If I could have given this book 10 Stars I would have! It hooked me from the very first sentence (the others have too, but something about this one was different). This is the fastest I've ever read one of Neal's books - 6 1/2 hours! I simply could not put it down, could not go to sleep without finishing it. Who knew Dr. Wilson had all that in her?! I liked her as a character from the start in the Lei Crime Series but now I really want to know how her life progresses; where she ends up with her new relationship, and how she handles those demons in her own life while helping others to come out of the shadows.
November 4, 2014
Amazing story...filled with suspense and much more
We know Dr. Caprice Wilson from the Lei Mystery Series, or do we? Well, it turns out she doesn't know herself either. Having spent much of her life on autopilot, a workaholic a mother and wife, she suddenly finds herself in an empty nest. Her journey of self discovery, healing and conquering alcohol addiction is interrupted by a stalker who takes her hostage in a beautiful, wild and utterly deserted Maui landscape. Simultaneously fighting for her sobriety and her life, she learns hoe strong she is and what is truly important to her happiness and well-being.
We know Dr. Caprice Wilson from the Lei Mystery Series, or do we? Well, it turns out she doesn't know herself either. Having spent much of her life on autopilot, a workaholic a mother and wife, she suddenly finds herself in an empty nest. Her journey of self discovery, healing and conquering alcohol addiction is interrupted by a stalker who takes her hostage in a beautiful, wild and utterly deserted Maui landscape. Simultaneously fighting for her sobriety and her life, she learns hoe strong she is and what is truly important to her happiness and well-being.
August 14, 2013
I'm really picky about my reads, as we all have 1,440 minutes in a day, and I don't want to waste even 10 minutes on reading a book that doesn't "hook" me from the very beginning. I like intelligent, interesting characters, great description of location, and enough well thought out twists and turns to keep me guessing until almost the end.
With all this in mind, I'm giving Unsound 5*****! Ms. Neal has taken a character out of her Lei Crime Series and let us see her at her worst and at her best. Brava! Loved Unsound and would like to read more about Caprice Wilson in the future.
With all this in mind, I'm giving Unsound 5*****! Ms. Neal has taken a character out of her Lei Crime Series and let us see her at her worst and at her best. Brava! Loved Unsound and would like to read more about Caprice Wilson in the future.
September 11, 2013
Another great book by Toby Neal. Dr. Caprice Wilson, Lei Tex Texeura's therapist who also works for the police/FBI when needed. Someone may be stalking her; she needs more protection. Difficulty with her twin sister's previous death, her divorce, and her son going on to college, her social drinking has now escalated bringing her life down to the bottom. Will the presumed stalker be able to bring her back or....... Must read this book. Impatiently waiting for the newest books to be available--"Shattered Palms", "Wired in Paradise", and "The Waiting Room".
March 12, 2014
Interesting drama
Since I spend at least half a year in Hawaii finding books based here is fun especially when the Author takes the time to really get the local flavor right. At first I found the premise a little hard to accept but I was drawn in to the story and enjoyed the psychological twist. I hope Caprice gets to have more interesting adventures Hilo IS a great place for them ....hint hint .
Since I spend at least half a year in Hawaii finding books based here is fun especially when the Author takes the time to really get the local flavor right. At first I found the premise a little hard to accept but I was drawn in to the story and enjoyed the psychological twist. I hope Caprice gets to have more interesting adventures Hilo IS a great place for them ....hint hint .
September 8, 2016
Awesome story!
I love the Lei Crime Series and reading about Dr. Caprice Wilson is a gift. You would never expect to immerse so deeply into the life of such a minor character in the series especially a psychologist! What a story! This is literally a cliff hanger! The location and description of hiking a volcano on Maui is breathtaking. I feel as if I hiked it myself. And then there is a stalker. This is a must read for all Lei fans.
I love the Lei Crime Series and reading about Dr. Caprice Wilson is a gift. You would never expect to immerse so deeply into the life of such a minor character in the series especially a psychologist! What a story! This is literally a cliff hanger! The location and description of hiking a volcano on Maui is breathtaking. I feel as if I hiked it myself. And then there is a stalker. This is a must read for all Lei fans.
June 6, 2017
I loved it; I hated it. This look into Dr. Wilson's own demons took me to an emotional place I didn't expect. I wanted it to end, yet go on. Different writing style from Ms. Neal. Thanks for the glimpse of a soft place to fall... Later notes: The more I think about this book, which I read a long time ago, the more I think I ought to read it again. And I will, soon! Such a personal emotional ride - hit me at a vunerable time.
August 20, 2014
Dr. Wilson is stronger than I would have guessed from the previous books. She's obviously smart but the trials she went through here were extremely challenging, mentally and physically. This was a great addition to the Lei Crime series, stand alone yet adds to the stories in the series. The photos at the end were lovely .
October 31, 2013
First off I want to thank Toby for sharing her book with us. Second this being my second book by this author, I seriously thought starting this its like the first one I read except shes a doctor instead of a detective, THEN the story takes a turn down a crazy, twisted, emotional road.
July 15, 2014
What an interesting companion story to a much enjoys series. I was excited to read this, and it didn't disappoint at all! I loved getting the new perspective coming from Dr. Wilson, and have enjoyed her character throughout the Lei series.
May 27, 2014
Good read. Could not put it down.
Good read. Could not put it down.
you get the whole package. beautiful Hawaii. endangered, fragile nenegeese
insightful, dangerous mental images. edgy and suspenseful action. loved Caprice.
Good read. Could not put it down.
you get the whole package. beautiful Hawaii. endangered, fragile nenegeese
insightful, dangerous mental images. edgy and suspenseful action. loved Caprice.
October 25, 2016
What a ride!
I had no idea what Dr Wilson was about, and what a ride it was to find out! Keep them coming, Toby. The stories are fascinating, characters complex, environment dazzling in words.
I had no idea what Dr Wilson was about, and what a ride it was to find out! Keep them coming, Toby. The stories are fascinating, characters complex, environment dazzling in words.
September 8, 2013
Loved it
August 26, 2014
Great book!
Thanks to my Goodreads friend, Jan, for this one.
I owe you one, Jan :)
Thanks to my Goodreads friend, Jan, for this one.
I owe you one, Jan :)
August 18, 2014
This is my fav Toby Neal book. Such a different story and so well written.
August 8, 2015
Couldn't put the book down. I know now why other readers said this was one of their favorites. Awesome book Ms. Neal!
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