Someone is attacking and robbing luxury yachts as they sail the Hawaiian Islands leaving their passengers missing and presumed dead. Sergeant Lei Texeira, with her typical leap first look later style, dives into a case with the Coast Guard to find answers that lie as deep as Davy Jones’ locker.
He’s taking back what was stolen.
The Pirate King has a hidden agenda that’s bigger than the pillage of luxury yachts, and he’ll stop at nothing to reign on the sea.
Toby 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.
I was so happy to see that Toby Neal has returned with a new Lei book! An avid reader of this series, I missed Lei, Pono, Stevens, and the entire crew. Razor Rocks is an excellent addition to the series, picking up the threads of these wonderful characters and continuing to build on their relationships. The riveting story of piracy is timely and relevant, and as always with Neal's writing, well-researched. The plot is tightly woven and well-paced. Interaction with several law enforcement groups adds layers of interest to the story. The subplot of familial relationships is interesting and compelling, and one most readers will be able to relate to. Neal's writing is rich with details of Hawaiian culture and life, and her characters are complex and nuanced in a way that makes the reader care deeply about what happens. I couldn't put down the book, it was thoroughly engrossing, and I loved it.
As a member of Toby Neal's ARC team I just finished Razor Rocks abd found it so exciting. Pirates attack beautiful yachts cruising the Hawaiian islands killing, kidnapping and other despicable things. It's so fun to see how Ms Neal harmonize family, job and ohana all together to keep me coming back for more. Needless to say I absolutely loved this book and think you will too.
I was so privileged to read this book as an ARC reader and am giving my personal review. Lei is back! I have really missed Lei and Steven's, I loved reading about all her relationships and interactions with her family members and coworkers. It is an exciting read dealing with pirates in the Hawaiian waters, murder, and human trafficking. With Toby Neal's descriptive and detailed writing, I felt I was right there during all the action and interactions. It is Lei Crime #13 book; I would recommend reading the whole series , I have loved every book. I am hoping there will be more. Thanks Toby for this enjoyable read.
What fun to pop back into Lei’s life and have an adventure!!! Once I started reading this book, I could not stop!!! Had to finish it the same day!! Excellent read Toby Neal!!
Yes. PIRATES are attacking boats off the Maui coast. Excitement and many twists and turns help Lei solve the mystery of the missing tourists as Lei and Michael try to navigate the demands of family and parenting. Drug trafficking, Human trafficking, and corrupt officials present road blocks to finding the killers and traffickers. This adventure brings all of their friends and family along as they complete their ohana. Wow! You`ve done it again.
I an so glad you are back to writing about Lei and Stevens again I really missed these books. I love Sophie too have read all her books. I love Lei the best so keep on writing Paradise Crime books.
RAZOR ROCKS: (Paradise Crime Mysteries Book 13) starring Det. Sgt. Lei Texeira is back and seeks to answer the question, “Are there PIRATES IN PARADISE?" It is up to Lei & her team at Maui Police Dept. to determine whether or not a crashed yacht/murder/missing people are the work of regular criminals or something far more sinister - pirates. Unfortunately, this involves a friend of Lei’s who’s cousin of her partner on the force so, yes, it is personal. As Neal continues building her plot, you will be drawn in and shut out everything that is going on around you! You will channel your Super Skillset & be right beside Lei as she is always fighting for the truth! At the same time, she is remembering that this is a JOB and that her FAMILY is more important! What a change in Lei? Who would have ever believed Lei’s family would have come first? She and Stevens have such a close relationship and are doing their best to be great parents in spite of what they went through in their pasts. As this case develops, they realize it is very deep and far reaching. One of my favorite things about this book is that all of the groups were able to join together and work to solve this case. Marcella from the FBI, Sophie from a private security firm, Stevens from another Police Station and Dr. Wilson, Lei’s trusted psychologist. They know each other so well and their level of trust is indisputable. RAZOR ROCKS will keep you up all night as you tear through the pages to see what’s going to happen next! I was provided an ARC of this book by the Author. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
Razor Rocks (Paradise Crime Mysteries Book 13) - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Lei (nee Texeira) and Stevens are married and living on Maui, with his parents, on their compound. The latter look after Steven's son by his late wife, Kiet and baby Rosie who's both of theirs, while they both embark on separate, serious cases - she as an FBI Special Agent and he as a Homicide Detective with Maui PD. Antagonists include Chinese Triad members of the Chang family in Lei's investigation and before long, husband and wife's cases come together in most unexpected ways, after the murder of an IT developer with international clients and a partner, who wants his share and more of their company profits, no matter what the cost and who suffers to get it. Stevens also has issues with the health and rehabilitation of Lei's grandfather, Soga after hospital diagnosis and treatment shows he's no longer capable of living alone. This in itself presents new and challenging decisions. for all the family. Excitement, danger, complex family relationships, corruption, people-smuggling, murder and above all, love, make Razor Rocks, Book 13 in Toby Neal's incredible Lei Crime series a sure-fire winner, that it'd be a crime to miss out on getting for your crime-thriller bookshelf...go now!
Razor Rocks, Toby Neal’s return to the complex world of Detective Sergeant Lei Texeira, is another winner. This book has it all: piracy, human trafficking, betrayal, murder for hire, and intrigue. We get an update on her husband, Michael; her partner, Pono; her children, Kiet and Rosie; and her friends, Sophie, from the Wired series; Dr. Caprice Wilson, Marcella Scott and Ken Yamada all have a part in bringing this convoluted and intriguing case to a satisfactory end. Lei, never reluctant to do what needs to be done to take care of her family or to close a case, has a couple of close calls as she follows the clues to figure out just what is going on and then to bring the bad guys to justice, one way or another.
While, as with all of Neal’s books, Razor Rocks can be read as a stand-alone book, your reading pleasure and experience will be greatly enhanced if you start at the beginning with Blood Orchids and the subsequent novels to cap off your Hawaiian reading adventure with Razor Rocks. The series is worth the sleepless nights as you struggle to put the books down before the last page is read.
Lei Crime series was originally what got me started reading Toby Neal. I have read every single book in the series and also absolutely enjoyed this one. Lei is in the middle of the action, suspense all the way. Pirates, murder & human trafficking case to be solved. Hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did - once I start reading, cannot stop all the way to the end. I particularly enjoy how in these books family/work is beautifully balanced. There's quite an amazing chapter in the book involving Michael (prefer not to go into details in order not to spoil) - it gives a great example how family should really "work" (you are partners in marriage and there is no task specifically for one member of the family, it is all a teamwork, one supports the other, not necessary even to ask). Furthermore it was really great to catch up with all Leis friends, familiar from previous books. I was lucky to receive an advance readers copy of the book and I'm happy to recommend this book! If you enjoy suspense, thrillers, strong female characters, picturesque setting for the story - you will enjoy this book.
Everyone's back!!! YAY! It's like stepping into a very familiar place again. Lei, Michael, Pono (and his beloved purple truck, Stanley), Doc Wilson, Sophie, SAIC Waxman , appearances from all the people we've come to know! So delighted to be taken into Lei's world again! It’s been too long since I’ve been to Maui. The call this time is about a yacht that has wrecked on the deadly Razor Rocks over on Lana'i, after a cryptic message about pirates. Pirates in Hawai'i? Unheard of! But wait! Just what are they after? Of course, Lei, in her usual interminable style, dives in head first – literally! In fact, she almost drowns! As lab tech Nunez told her: “We’re always one breath away from dead. We just try to forget it for as long as we can.” Oh, wow! Another rollicking great story! Another thing I really like about ALL of the Paradise Crime Mysteries is that Neal brings in the love of Ohana. It’s evident in this one, too. Grandpa Soga comes to live with them, and Wayne gets a special gift. The book wraps up with this special quote, “…love isn't about deserving, Dad. It just is…”
Worth the wait, just gold... Razor Rocks brings us back to Lei and Steven's and oh this made me so happy, not that I don't love everything Toby writes I seriously do but I'm been missing Lei she was my first Toby Neal Heroine and I just can't let her go. I really love that Toby wove catch-ups with everyone in Razor Rocks, and even though there were highly emotional storylines interwoven into this mystery it all came together brilliantly and I love the emotional parts even if they are hard to read and leave me in tears, the way Toby Neal writes just brings it all to life I can never put a book of her's down.
Pirates, human trafficking, murder, and more dark and sinister depths await in Razor Rocks.
Lei and Steven's have grown so much as a couple over the years they really are a true team and have banded together with a true family unit I love that side of the story bringing the family together... Ohana.
Detective Sergeant Lei Texeira is back and feisty as ever! Faced with a type of crime rarely seen in the Hawaiian Islands, Lei collaborates with many of her past comrades in various law enforcement agencies to solve a multi-faceted series of related crimes.
Despite Lei’s added maturity that marriage and motherhood have brought to her life, she still manages to engage in daring and sometimes reckless feats to catch the bad guys, and bring the victims justice.
Peppered with many of Lei’s friends and family from past Paradise Crime Mystery’s, this book felt like I was amongst old familiar friends while being taken on another terrific crime solving adventure with Lei.
This is book # 13 in the Paradise Crime Mystery series by Toby Neal. Although it could be read as a stand-alone, you will not regret reading the entire series, each filled with excitement, danger, mystery, romance, and beautiful descriptions of the islands.
Pirates on the high seas, murder, human trafficking, and lots of action!! Razor Rocks is Book 13 of the Paradise Crime Mysteries and I just can’t say enough about how good it is. I highly recommend it. Anyone who has never read any of these mysteries simply don’t know what they’re missing.
Toby Neal has a way of writing vivid descriptions of the Paradise that is Hawaii, along with such accurate scenes of the crimes that the reader feels as if he/she is actually a part of the story. She brings in a lot of the local Hawaiian culture and history in her books and makes them even more exciting.
Razor Rocks continues the exciting story of Sgt. Leilani Texeira and Lt. Michael Stephens. These two characters, along with their family, friends, and co-workers, are some of the most interesting people you will ever meet. Ms. Neal brings the characters alive so that the reader views them as friends.
I was SO so happy when I heard that Toby Neal was writing a new Lei book. Don't get me wrong, I love Sophie's series so very much but Lei is how I discovered Ms Neal and her book world, and reading Razor Rocks felt like catching up with old friends. Hawaii has a pirate problem, that seems to be targeting boats chartered by wealthy families on vacation. Lei and team are racing to catch the pirates and shut down a human trafficking ring before it's too late to save the kidnapped victims. In the meantime, she and Stevens still have to balance their jobs with their family, younger and older.
Razor Rocks is an exciting, fast paced read that I hated to see end - I love this group of characters so much
RAZOR ROCK.....Toby Neal Pomo cousin was the captain on this yacht with two crew member, and a family of five, when pirates hit it. Coast Guard seeing it afloat, investigate and see blood on steering wheel..Lei with Pomo as her partner, check for more when main cabin, now shows its a murder case. As the broken remains of the yacht start to sink, throwing.them overboat. evidence is lost, but no lives. A plot of someone who had shown evil from the beginning of his life, wanted in his own country. A story of loss, changes, and the value of love to give, not by earning, just to give. Touching story, of murder, mystery and family. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion .
Thank you, Toby Neal, for giving us book 13 of the Paradise Crime series! Bitter Feast ended with all the loose ends tied up, but readers ready for more!
Again, Toby uses beautiful descriptions of Hawaii as she sets the scene for Razor Rocks. We visit Hawaii and its plants and landscape. We become part of Lei’s ohana as characters from previous books become involved in finding the pirates that are plundering yachts. We get a glimpse of life at the family compound.
As always, the action is fast paced. Lei and Stevens lead the Maui Police as they team with the Coast Guard to save kidnapped women and stop the Pirate King.
Toby said that the Lei series was finished - but Lei's back and fighting the good fight again.
Lei starts an investigation with the Coast Guard into the wreck of a luxury boat - and the disappearance of the passengers and crew. The police story has murders, kidnapping, sex slaves and more. The crimes aren't just local and so the FBI joins for some of the story, too.
It also has the family story lines that Toby wraps around the police story. Life for Lei is never just about the investigation - she always has to juggle all levels of her family life as well.
Wow, what a ride! It was so good catching up Lei and Michael and their family again. Oh how I have missed Pono and his trusty steed Stanley!! We even get to see some of the old gang back in action too. This book was filled with action and gripping suspense and kept me guessing the villain throughout the whole story. I always love how Toby Neal is able to educate her readers on poignant issues the Hawaiian Islands deal with to bring awareness through her storytelling. Definitely worth the read and everything I needed. I hope this is just a new beginning to more of Lei Texeira’s epic adventures!
Lei is back!!! Unfortunately she has a huge case with human trafficking that she and Michael are working. It's great to catch up with her, the baby, her extended family and coworkers. This case takes us to some beautiful Hawaiian scenery but under tragic circumstances. Told from Michael and Lei's POV, they investigate and solve a highly dangerous game of pirates. Her team is strong and smart, I knew they'd figure it out. I can never put one of her books down and regret getting to the end. I received an early copy, my review written voluntarily.
It is so good to be back in Lei’s world on Maui. Toby writes such interesting characters that are believable and likable that the reader can really care about. Time has passed and life has gone on with Lei and Stevens and their family. They are a great example of Hawaiian Ohana. I am always amazed by Toby’s ability to weave an imaginative, unique and complex crime for Lei to solve. This book is no exception. Modern day pirates and intrigue about who is involved. Great reading and, like all of Toby’s books, I highly recommend this one.
Wow, this book is amazing. I loved catching up with Lei and her family again. And as usual, Toby rocked it. She keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first page. Pirates and murder bring Lei and her husband together to solve this case before too many others get hurt Add a little human trafficking on the side and you have a quick, fast paced mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. I love the characters and the dynamic of these books.
I loved this book. Reading about Lei and her family was like meeting up with old friends or family! I have been impatiently waiting for another book in this series and Toby Neal did not disappoint! The story line was awesome and kept me engrossed from start to finish. If you like action, suspense and a book that grabs hold of you from the start you will absolutely love this book! This book "Rocked"!
Toby Neal’s writing style makes me feel like I’m right there on the islands with the characters. She gives the perfect balance of details about the islands, people and local customs mixed with action and mystery throughout this series. I enjoyed seeing Lei and Stevens back for a new adventure. As always with Toby’s books, this book is unpredictable and an absolute joy to read. It is difficult to put down, so be prepared to stay up all night reading it. I recommend reading this entire series.
Love having a new book about Lei and Stevens with their Ohana and familiar friends and co-workers. Lei and Stevens seem to have struck a symmetry in their marriage, a good thing with their always frenetic jobs. Toby Neal has, again, woven a rich story full of intrigue and relationships and unexpected events. I hope that there are more to come for this series.
I love this series, and this one had a nice mix of Lei's police work, as well as her life at home. This latest addition to the Paradise Crime Mysteries updates us on Lei's family, her friends, and her work family. I love how Toby Neal's characters keep evolving in their personal and professional lives, and look forward to each new book.