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Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery #4
Treachery Times Two
book 4 of 4 in Koa Kāne Mystery Series
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2022
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January 25, 2022
An engaging police procedural in an exotic Hawaiian setting, Treachery Times Two by Robert McCaw was read as a standalone book. Although there were brief mentions of the previous three cases, there was no impact on this story of Hilo, Hawaii’s Chief Detective and his investigation team. An unidentified female body is discovered at a volcano and begins an unusual case involving local politics, the manufacture of secret military weapons and the possible revelation of Koa’s historic criminal action. With nicely built tension, many a twist and interesting characters make for an enjoyable three-and-a-half star read rating. There is also much local information woven in, making the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series worth reading in its entirety. With thanks to Oceanview Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and are made without fear or favour.
February 1, 2022
Secrets from the past complicate everything
“Treachery Times Two” is part of the “Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery” series, but the books can be read in any order. Characters who wander in and out of the narrative are all introduced along with any needed background information. Readers are immediately immersed into the unique geography and culture of Hawai‘i. The Islands are remote but ass connected as a family; everyone knows someone who knows everyone else. The volcanoes that gave birth to the islands are ever-present with smoke, quakes, and red hot lava fountains shooting hundreds of feet in the air. The narrative is also rife with political conflicts, economic exploitation, and corporate manipulation.
Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kāne was born in Hawai’i, and the islands are in his blood. He is a diligent cop, intelligent, rational, and skillful. The narrative is filled with light hearted banter and everyday activities, but when it comes to solving crimes, things are serious, professional, and intense. Kāne has a stain on his soul, a secret in his past that he wants to carry to his grave. Unfortunately, in the course of the investigation of a murder, that past reappears and must be dealt with. The official investigation is organized and professional, but the evidence is deceptive, misleading, and confusing. Clues are uncovered, but they seem a little too convenient. Information is constantly reviewed, reevaluated, and reorganized in an attempt to fit all the pieces together.
Koa Kāne is faced with an impossible decision. He can cover up the guilty to save his career, or he can bring the guilty to justice while his own life unravels, crashes, and burns. I received a review copy of “Treachery Times Two” from Robert McCaw and Oceanview Publishing. The tension increases on every page as Kāne balances the past, the present, and the future.
“Treachery Times Two” is part of the “Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery” series, but the books can be read in any order. Characters who wander in and out of the narrative are all introduced along with any needed background information. Readers are immediately immersed into the unique geography and culture of Hawai‘i. The Islands are remote but ass connected as a family; everyone knows someone who knows everyone else. The volcanoes that gave birth to the islands are ever-present with smoke, quakes, and red hot lava fountains shooting hundreds of feet in the air. The narrative is also rife with political conflicts, economic exploitation, and corporate manipulation.
Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kāne was born in Hawai’i, and the islands are in his blood. He is a diligent cop, intelligent, rational, and skillful. The narrative is filled with light hearted banter and everyday activities, but when it comes to solving crimes, things are serious, professional, and intense. Kāne has a stain on his soul, a secret in his past that he wants to carry to his grave. Unfortunately, in the course of the investigation of a murder, that past reappears and must be dealt with. The official investigation is organized and professional, but the evidence is deceptive, misleading, and confusing. Clues are uncovered, but they seem a little too convenient. Information is constantly reviewed, reevaluated, and reorganized in an attempt to fit all the pieces together.
Koa Kāne is faced with an impossible decision. He can cover up the guilty to save his career, or he can bring the guilty to justice while his own life unravels, crashes, and burns. I received a review copy of “Treachery Times Two” from Robert McCaw and Oceanview Publishing. The tension increases on every page as Kāne balances the past, the present, and the future.
January 24, 2022
This is the second book I've read in this four-book (so far) series featuring Hilo, Hawaii's Chief Detective Koa Kane, and like that other one, I enjoyed it very much. I'll admit it takes a little more effort to read these because I'm almost totally unfamiliar with our 50th state, its customs and, perhaps most important, those people names that often contain multiple apostrophes. But that's not necessarily a bad thing; to me, it means the books are of almost as much importance as a learning opportunity as for entertainment.
This one has two storylines, primary of which is the accidental discovery of a woman's body in an old cemetery that's been partially unearthed in a volcanic eruption. Problem is, the body isn't from an old burial; clearly, it's a recent murder, and whoever did the deed went to some lengths to conceal her identity. As he begins to look into the case, though, Kane's past comes back to haunt him in a big way; suddenly, he's forced to confront the possibility that the murder he committed 30 years ago will come to light. If it does, it's almost certain to ruin his career and, he thinks, his relationship with the woman he loves.
Investigation of the woman's body leads to a local defense contractor working on a highly classified project under the direction of an Elon Musk-type billionaire (is it just me, or are Musk clones showing up way too often in mystery/thrillers these days)? Anyway, it soon becomes clear that corporate powers-that-be haven't been totally honest in their explanation of the dead woman's job, prompting Kane and his crew to dig a little deeper. As it turns out, she played a much greater role at the company than the company is willing to admit - leading to questions as to which side which person is on.
Amid all this, Kane has to deal with the grandson of the man he murdered all those years ago - a death that was at the time ruled a suicide. The grandson, an attorney, claims the investigation back then was shoddy (which, pretty much, it was), and he's looking for the truth about his beloved grandfather (who was, by all other accounts, a rather nasty fellow). When somebody takes a potshot at Kane, the question becomes, who took it and to which case does it relate? From that point on, the action heats up considerably, as do Kane's angst and hand-wringing over his years-ago actions. But the woman's death isn't much easier to solve - at least not without some pretty tense moments. All told, it's another attention-holding adventure, and I once again thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a copy.
This one has two storylines, primary of which is the accidental discovery of a woman's body in an old cemetery that's been partially unearthed in a volcanic eruption. Problem is, the body isn't from an old burial; clearly, it's a recent murder, and whoever did the deed went to some lengths to conceal her identity. As he begins to look into the case, though, Kane's past comes back to haunt him in a big way; suddenly, he's forced to confront the possibility that the murder he committed 30 years ago will come to light. If it does, it's almost certain to ruin his career and, he thinks, his relationship with the woman he loves.
Investigation of the woman's body leads to a local defense contractor working on a highly classified project under the direction of an Elon Musk-type billionaire (is it just me, or are Musk clones showing up way too often in mystery/thrillers these days)? Anyway, it soon becomes clear that corporate powers-that-be haven't been totally honest in their explanation of the dead woman's job, prompting Kane and his crew to dig a little deeper. As it turns out, she played a much greater role at the company than the company is willing to admit - leading to questions as to which side which person is on.
Amid all this, Kane has to deal with the grandson of the man he murdered all those years ago - a death that was at the time ruled a suicide. The grandson, an attorney, claims the investigation back then was shoddy (which, pretty much, it was), and he's looking for the truth about his beloved grandfather (who was, by all other accounts, a rather nasty fellow). When somebody takes a potshot at Kane, the question becomes, who took it and to which case does it relate? From that point on, the action heats up considerably, as do Kane's angst and hand-wringing over his years-ago actions. But the woman's death isn't much easier to solve - at least not without some pretty tense moments. All told, it's another attention-holding adventure, and I once again thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a copy.
January 9, 2022
It begins with an appreciation of Mother Nature and all its majestic beauty. In this case, it’s the landscape of Hawaii, a gorgeous state full of incredible vistas that also houses the potential for natural disaster. Ancient stories were created to give names and power to the might of nature, and were passed down from generation to generation as part of the oral history of the Hawaiian Islands.
With rumbling going on throughout the island, Chief Detective Koa Kane finds himself in a cemetery. He is there to visit the grave of Anthony Hazzard, whom he killed 30 years earlier. Revisiting this crime is one of the two major plotlines in TREACHERY TIMES TWO, the fourth entry in Robert McCaw’s outstanding series that only seems to get better with each new effort.
The recent quake that was a result of volcanic activity has wreaked havoc on a local cemetery, which is where the second mystery is introduced. The police notice a disturbed and disheveled body that was dumped there. It is covered with some sort of tarp, and the fingerprints were literally cut off, making identification quite difficult. Eventually they get a positive ID on the woman, Tiger Baldwin.
The investigation leads Koa’s team to X-CO, a high-tech military manufacturer. Could Baldwin have been silenced because of all the top-secret information to which she had become privy while working there? The answer may be found in what X-CO is actually building --- AI capabilities previously unheard of, and drone and virtual reality items that are years ahead of their time. They are currently working on a new military weapon called Deimos, a project so hush-hush that it’s very obvious Baldwin was killed as a form of silence.
Meanwhile, Hazzard’s grandson appears at the police station seeking to reopen the alleged suicide of his grandfather. Koa has no choice but to listen, yet the subterfuge involved in keeping his role in the murder a secret will become ever so tenuous. The tension alone might be enough to make him slip up, which simply cannot happen.
What McCaw has done with his superior plotting is enough to keep readers’ heads spinning long into the night. I have been on board with the Koa Kane series from the very beginning, and I am thrilled to see the author finally receiving some much-deserved national coverage for his work.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
With rumbling going on throughout the island, Chief Detective Koa Kane finds himself in a cemetery. He is there to visit the grave of Anthony Hazzard, whom he killed 30 years earlier. Revisiting this crime is one of the two major plotlines in TREACHERY TIMES TWO, the fourth entry in Robert McCaw’s outstanding series that only seems to get better with each new effort.
The recent quake that was a result of volcanic activity has wreaked havoc on a local cemetery, which is where the second mystery is introduced. The police notice a disturbed and disheveled body that was dumped there. It is covered with some sort of tarp, and the fingerprints were literally cut off, making identification quite difficult. Eventually they get a positive ID on the woman, Tiger Baldwin.
The investigation leads Koa’s team to X-CO, a high-tech military manufacturer. Could Baldwin have been silenced because of all the top-secret information to which she had become privy while working there? The answer may be found in what X-CO is actually building --- AI capabilities previously unheard of, and drone and virtual reality items that are years ahead of their time. They are currently working on a new military weapon called Deimos, a project so hush-hush that it’s very obvious Baldwin was killed as a form of silence.
Meanwhile, Hazzard’s grandson appears at the police station seeking to reopen the alleged suicide of his grandfather. Koa has no choice but to listen, yet the subterfuge involved in keeping his role in the murder a secret will become ever so tenuous. The tension alone might be enough to make him slip up, which simply cannot happen.
What McCaw has done with his superior plotting is enough to keep readers’ heads spinning long into the night. I have been on board with the Koa Kane series from the very beginning, and I am thrilled to see the author finally receiving some much-deserved national coverage for his work.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
September 29, 2023
Koa Kane Mystery book #4
The story in a few words:
It all starts when the mutilate body of a woman is unearthed in an abandoned cemetery after a volcanic earthquake disrupts Hawaii Island. Chief Detective Koa Kane if called to the scene, his investigation leads him into the world of politically connected defense contractor, a secret military weapon and deep into an FBI espionage investigation. While facing multiple obstacles from his Chief of Police in his case, Koa’s thirty-three old secret resurfaces, a murder he committed and covered up. Now, the grandson of the dead man wants the case to be reopened.
My thoughts:
This latest can be enjoyed as a standalone but I assure you if you start here your interest will be piqued and you will be eager to read the prequels.
The story explores two themes: human flaws and the human compulsion to hide our misdeeds. We will find Koa and Keahi stand as two opposing bookend in this story.
This book has the perfect mix of culture and suspense-filled mystery. ”Treachery Times Two” is a wild ride that feels like you are sleuthing alongside Koa. It is easy to be immersed into the Hawaiian culture, language, traditions, scenery and smell of this beautiful place, Mr. McCaw does amazing work bringing all this to life with vivid imagery.
While the initial case still to be resolved Koa faces his nemesis.....can he get away with murder committed thirty some years back. His internal struggle is touching I was rooting for him to get away with his crime. I didn’t want to see him on the wrong side of the bars. The author never let up, the tension was so great I wanted to see what came up both with the case and with Koa’s personal dilemma. The story showcases Koa in his rawest, most human form: flawed yet morally strong. Of course by the end, the threads mesh perfectly together. What a satisfying read.
I love this story....so if you like mysteries, especially those with multi-layered plots give this series a go.
In exchange for an honest and unbiased review I received a copy of this book from Oceanview Publishing and Netgalley.
The story in a few words:
It all starts when the mutilate body of a woman is unearthed in an abandoned cemetery after a volcanic earthquake disrupts Hawaii Island. Chief Detective Koa Kane if called to the scene, his investigation leads him into the world of politically connected defense contractor, a secret military weapon and deep into an FBI espionage investigation. While facing multiple obstacles from his Chief of Police in his case, Koa’s thirty-three old secret resurfaces, a murder he committed and covered up. Now, the grandson of the dead man wants the case to be reopened.
My thoughts:
This latest can be enjoyed as a standalone but I assure you if you start here your interest will be piqued and you will be eager to read the prequels.
The story explores two themes: human flaws and the human compulsion to hide our misdeeds. We will find Koa and Keahi stand as two opposing bookend in this story.
This book has the perfect mix of culture and suspense-filled mystery. ”Treachery Times Two” is a wild ride that feels like you are sleuthing alongside Koa. It is easy to be immersed into the Hawaiian culture, language, traditions, scenery and smell of this beautiful place, Mr. McCaw does amazing work bringing all this to life with vivid imagery.
While the initial case still to be resolved Koa faces his nemesis.....can he get away with murder committed thirty some years back. His internal struggle is touching I was rooting for him to get away with his crime. I didn’t want to see him on the wrong side of the bars. The author never let up, the tension was so great I wanted to see what came up both with the case and with Koa’s personal dilemma. The story showcases Koa in his rawest, most human form: flawed yet morally strong. Of course by the end, the threads mesh perfectly together. What a satisfying read.
I love this story....so if you like mysteries, especially those with multi-layered plots give this series a go.
In exchange for an honest and unbiased review I received a copy of this book from Oceanview Publishing and Netgalley.
January 8, 2022
It begins with an appreciation of Mother Nature and all its’ majestic beauty. In this situation, it is the landscape of Hawaii, a state full of beauty and incredible vistas but also housing the potential for natural disaster. Ancient stories were created to give names and power to the might of nature, such as the name Pele to represent the might of an active volcano. These stories were passed down generation to generation as part of the oral history on the Hawaiian Islands.
With rumbling going on throughout the island, Chief Detective Koa Kane finds himself in a cemetery. He is there to visit a specific grave, that of Anthony Hazzard --- the man he had killed 30 years earlier. Revisiting that decades old crime is one of the two major plots taking place within the terrific new Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery from author Robert McCaw --- TREACHERY TIMES TWO. This is the fourth mystery in this series and McCaw just seems to get better and better with each new effort.
The recent quake that was a result of volcanic activity has wreaked havoc on a local cemetery. It is here where our second mystery in the novel is featured. It turns out that the police notice a disturbed and disheveled body that was dumped in the cemetery. The body was covered with some sort of tarp and the fingerprints were literally cut off of the victims, making identification quite difficult. They were able to eventually get a positive ID on the woman who was named Tiger Baldwin.
The investigation leads Koa’s team to a high-tech military manufacturer named X-CO. Could this woman have been silenced because of all the top-secret information she had become privy to while at X-CO? The answer there may be found in what X-CO is actually building --- A.I. capabilities previously unheard of, and drone and virtual reality items that were years ahead of their time. The major project called Deimos was so hush-hush that it was very obvious that Tiger Baldwin was killed as a form of silence.
The second case is one Koa wishes never arose. The grandson of Anthony Hazzard appears at the police station seeking to reopen the alleged suicide of his grandfather thirty years earlier. Koa has no choice but to listen, however, the subterfuge involved in keeping his role in that murder so long ago a secret will become ever so tenuous. The tension alone might be enough to make him slip up, something that simply cannot happen.
What McCaw has done with his superiour plotting is enough to keep readers heads spinning long into the night as the two treacherous cases will have you going as crazy as Koa Kane is. I have often indicated when reviewing a popular author that I have been a fan of their work since the beginning. Well, that is definitely the case here as I have been on board with the Koa Kane series since the first of his four novels in this series and I am thrilled to see that he is finally receiving some much-deserved national coverage for his work.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
With rumbling going on throughout the island, Chief Detective Koa Kane finds himself in a cemetery. He is there to visit a specific grave, that of Anthony Hazzard --- the man he had killed 30 years earlier. Revisiting that decades old crime is one of the two major plots taking place within the terrific new Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery from author Robert McCaw --- TREACHERY TIMES TWO. This is the fourth mystery in this series and McCaw just seems to get better and better with each new effort.
The recent quake that was a result of volcanic activity has wreaked havoc on a local cemetery. It is here where our second mystery in the novel is featured. It turns out that the police notice a disturbed and disheveled body that was dumped in the cemetery. The body was covered with some sort of tarp and the fingerprints were literally cut off of the victims, making identification quite difficult. They were able to eventually get a positive ID on the woman who was named Tiger Baldwin.
The investigation leads Koa’s team to a high-tech military manufacturer named X-CO. Could this woman have been silenced because of all the top-secret information she had become privy to while at X-CO? The answer there may be found in what X-CO is actually building --- A.I. capabilities previously unheard of, and drone and virtual reality items that were years ahead of their time. The major project called Deimos was so hush-hush that it was very obvious that Tiger Baldwin was killed as a form of silence.
The second case is one Koa wishes never arose. The grandson of Anthony Hazzard appears at the police station seeking to reopen the alleged suicide of his grandfather thirty years earlier. Koa has no choice but to listen, however, the subterfuge involved in keeping his role in that murder so long ago a secret will become ever so tenuous. The tension alone might be enough to make him slip up, something that simply cannot happen.
What McCaw has done with his superiour plotting is enough to keep readers heads spinning long into the night as the two treacherous cases will have you going as crazy as Koa Kane is. I have often indicated when reviewing a popular author that I have been a fan of their work since the beginning. Well, that is definitely the case here as I have been on board with the Koa Kane series since the first of his four novels in this series and I am thrilled to see that he is finally receiving some much-deserved national coverage for his work.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
December 17, 2021
I totally recommend this book to any of my fellow mystery lovers out there! I was really happy with the twists and turns that we go through to solve the crime. It was always keeping a few steps ahead of what I thought would happen, so I was never bored with what I was reading. It as a whole left the story at a great pace for the reader. There were moments when I felt the pressure that Koa was feeling from the investigations and the excitement he was experiencing when he was on a lead. Then way the book ends is great! I can totally see and anticipate more from the Hawaiian PD.
I do want to state that I love the fact that, even though this is the forth book, you can confidently and comfortably read this as a stand alone story. McCaw has cleverly included plenty of information about our characters and our main detective, Koa Kane, in such a way that I don't feel left out of knowledge or during interactions. This makes the series so easy to pick up and start reading no matter which one you have. This is also why, on many cites, you will see this series written in different orders. They are easily moved around since they are written in this fashion. But if any of you are interested in the way it is suggested to be read (I know I was curious and when I saw the list in my book, I was stoked!):
1. Death of a Messenger
2. Off the Grid
3. Fire and Vengeance
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary honest review. (less) [edit]
I do want to state that I love the fact that, even though this is the forth book, you can confidently and comfortably read this as a stand alone story. McCaw has cleverly included plenty of information about our characters and our main detective, Koa Kane, in such a way that I don't feel left out of knowledge or during interactions. This makes the series so easy to pick up and start reading no matter which one you have. This is also why, on many cites, you will see this series written in different orders. They are easily moved around since they are written in this fashion. But if any of you are interested in the way it is suggested to be read (I know I was curious and when I saw the list in my book, I was stoked!):
1. Death of a Messenger
2. Off the Grid
3. Fire and Vengeance
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary honest review. (less) [edit]
February 20, 2022
Koa Kane is a detective in Hawaii. . . and he has a murder on his hands. AI coding and program development is also involved. So many hands stirring the pot! The setting is not one I've immersed my reading self in lately, so it was immediately amazing - who doesn't like going to Hawaii? The series is new to me, so the front loading of all the characters was not to be missed, and got a little weighty, but by 30% in, I was absolutely hooked.
Koa is a flawed hero, my favorite kind, and it was a pleasure to walk through this compelling mystery with him. I'm wanting to read more about him, and luckily there are 3 books prior to this one. I didn't suffer for not having read them, so this totally stands alone on its own. My only wish is that I want audio copies - there aren't audiobooks available at libraries or Scribd. Only pay-for-me copies at Audible. **Heavy Sigh**
Do you need a new mystery, and are you missing that annual vacation to Hawaii? Spend a few days with Koa. You'll feel better.
A Sincere thank you to Robert McCaw, Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review. #TreacheryTimesTwo #NetGalley
Koa is a flawed hero, my favorite kind, and it was a pleasure to walk through this compelling mystery with him. I'm wanting to read more about him, and luckily there are 3 books prior to this one. I didn't suffer for not having read them, so this totally stands alone on its own. My only wish is that I want audio copies - there aren't audiobooks available at libraries or Scribd. Only pay-for-me copies at Audible. **Heavy Sigh**
Do you need a new mystery, and are you missing that annual vacation to Hawaii? Spend a few days with Koa. You'll feel better.
A Sincere thank you to Robert McCaw, Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review. #TreacheryTimesTwo #NetGalley
January 7, 2022
What a great read! 4 solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️stars!
This was my first Koa Kane Mystery and regardless can be read as a stand alone!
I loved the breakneck speed this plot moves and the writing style makes you really feel like you are in a Hawaiian mystery!
Without giving anything away, the FBI investigation of espionage was to me a back story compared to the character study of Detective Koa Kane’s dark past coming to light!
All of the characters felt real and fleshed out.
If you want a mystery that’s easy to read, quick pace and can’t put down, try out Treachery Times Two!
I definitely I’ll be going back and reading this series from the beginning!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 @oceanviewpub 𝘢𝘯𝘥 @fsbassociates 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦st 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!
This was my first Koa Kane Mystery and regardless can be read as a stand alone!
I loved the breakneck speed this plot moves and the writing style makes you really feel like you are in a Hawaiian mystery!
Without giving anything away, the FBI investigation of espionage was to me a back story compared to the character study of Detective Koa Kane’s dark past coming to light!
All of the characters felt real and fleshed out.
If you want a mystery that’s easy to read, quick pace and can’t put down, try out Treachery Times Two!
I definitely I’ll be going back and reading this series from the beginning!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 @oceanviewpub 𝘢𝘯𝘥 @fsbassociates 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦st 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!
November 24, 2021
Robert McCaw, Author
Treachery Times Two
Oceanview Publishing, ISBN 978-1- 60809-465-3
Fiction –murder, mystery, thriller, police, Hawaii, military, volcanos, politics
336 pages
November 2021 Review
Reviewer-Michelle Kaye Malsbury, BSBM, MM
Review
Robert McCaw, author of Treachery Times Two, has penned several other books. (2021, Publishers Note) This work is the fourth is a series of Detective Koa Kane series. (Book 1- Death of a Messenger, Book 2 – Off the Grid, Book 3 – Fire and Vengeance, Book 4 – above) McCaw’s father was in the military and as such he travelled the world, He graduated from Georgetown University and University of Virginia with a degree in law. He was a lieutenant in the US Army and practiced law in Washington DC and New York City. He lives in New York and Hawaii with his wife. (back cover)
Main characters in this series are Detective Koa Kane and his girlfriend Nalani, but there are also middling characters that are common threads in all of these books in this series. (ME Shizou Hori, Detectives Piki and Makanui, Chief Lanua, and attorney Zeke from the Prosecutors office)
In this work Koa has been haunted by a man from his past, who is dead. This book dredges and weaves that memory back into the foreground and nudges that fear into every move that Koa makes. Can he overcome his guilt and anxiety?
Hawaii is known for her volcanos. McCaw uses them in all of this series. Pele’ is the antagonist is many scenarios for his works and Treachery Time Two also invested in Pele’. For instance, “The seismometer on her computer screen began bouncing off the chart before her computer suddenly stopped dead. She scanned the scene through the windows, now empty holes devoid of glass, overlooking the caldera and gasped.” (2021, p.2)
911 is dispatched after a woman calls in graves being unearthed from the earthquake. Koa and his team arrive on the scene to find not only the old dead, but a newly dead corpse too. It is a woman. She is not a Hawaiian woman. Georgina, the crime scene tech, finds a point-blank gunshot wound in the deceased woman’s shoulder, but does not believe that is the cause of death unless she lost an insane amount of blood. The second shot must have hit her heart. She is in her mid-thirties and was pretty prior to her death. The caliber of the gun that shot her was a .22. Strangely the tips of her fingers were also cut off.
As Koa and Piki weed through the information gathered at the scene he tries to piece together what may have occurred. They find two names that may be leads, Cheryl Larson and Tiger Baldwin. Finally, they narrow it down to Tiger Baldwin, but they get so much conflicting information from interviews that things simply do not add up. Nobody has reported Tiger missing and her office appears to be tight lipped about the entire situation.
In the midst of all of this an old friend brings a new threat into Koa’s peaceful life. His name is Bobby Hazzard. He is some uppity preppy guy that Koa takes an instant dislike to. He is searching for his roots in the wake of a thirty-year-old case whereby his grandfather supposedly killed himself. Koa alone holds the knowledge and truth to his demise. Can he manage to stave off his guilt or will he come clean and risk losing everything?
Tiger’s murder leads them into a top-secret government black op. Everyone who knows anything is covering something up. Can Koa and his detectives find the reason for Tiger’s murder?
I have had the pleasure of reading, I think, all of the books in McCaw’s series with Detective Koa Kane. I have loved reading and reviewing them. He has a wonderful way or making the readers feel as if the are part of the story. I enjoyed it immensely and believe you will too.
Treachery Times Two
Oceanview Publishing, ISBN 978-1- 60809-465-3
Fiction –murder, mystery, thriller, police, Hawaii, military, volcanos, politics
336 pages
November 2021 Review
Reviewer-Michelle Kaye Malsbury, BSBM, MM
Review
Robert McCaw, author of Treachery Times Two, has penned several other books. (2021, Publishers Note) This work is the fourth is a series of Detective Koa Kane series. (Book 1- Death of a Messenger, Book 2 – Off the Grid, Book 3 – Fire and Vengeance, Book 4 – above) McCaw’s father was in the military and as such he travelled the world, He graduated from Georgetown University and University of Virginia with a degree in law. He was a lieutenant in the US Army and practiced law in Washington DC and New York City. He lives in New York and Hawaii with his wife. (back cover)
Main characters in this series are Detective Koa Kane and his girlfriend Nalani, but there are also middling characters that are common threads in all of these books in this series. (ME Shizou Hori, Detectives Piki and Makanui, Chief Lanua, and attorney Zeke from the Prosecutors office)
In this work Koa has been haunted by a man from his past, who is dead. This book dredges and weaves that memory back into the foreground and nudges that fear into every move that Koa makes. Can he overcome his guilt and anxiety?
Hawaii is known for her volcanos. McCaw uses them in all of this series. Pele’ is the antagonist is many scenarios for his works and Treachery Time Two also invested in Pele’. For instance, “The seismometer on her computer screen began bouncing off the chart before her computer suddenly stopped dead. She scanned the scene through the windows, now empty holes devoid of glass, overlooking the caldera and gasped.” (2021, p.2)
911 is dispatched after a woman calls in graves being unearthed from the earthquake. Koa and his team arrive on the scene to find not only the old dead, but a newly dead corpse too. It is a woman. She is not a Hawaiian woman. Georgina, the crime scene tech, finds a point-blank gunshot wound in the deceased woman’s shoulder, but does not believe that is the cause of death unless she lost an insane amount of blood. The second shot must have hit her heart. She is in her mid-thirties and was pretty prior to her death. The caliber of the gun that shot her was a .22. Strangely the tips of her fingers were also cut off.
As Koa and Piki weed through the information gathered at the scene he tries to piece together what may have occurred. They find two names that may be leads, Cheryl Larson and Tiger Baldwin. Finally, they narrow it down to Tiger Baldwin, but they get so much conflicting information from interviews that things simply do not add up. Nobody has reported Tiger missing and her office appears to be tight lipped about the entire situation.
In the midst of all of this an old friend brings a new threat into Koa’s peaceful life. His name is Bobby Hazzard. He is some uppity preppy guy that Koa takes an instant dislike to. He is searching for his roots in the wake of a thirty-year-old case whereby his grandfather supposedly killed himself. Koa alone holds the knowledge and truth to his demise. Can he manage to stave off his guilt or will he come clean and risk losing everything?
Tiger’s murder leads them into a top-secret government black op. Everyone who knows anything is covering something up. Can Koa and his detectives find the reason for Tiger’s murder?
I have had the pleasure of reading, I think, all of the books in McCaw’s series with Detective Koa Kane. I have loved reading and reviewing them. He has a wonderful way or making the readers feel as if the are part of the story. I enjoyed it immensely and believe you will too.
November 26, 2021
4.5 stars!
A big thanks to the author, Robert McCaw, and Oceanview Publishing for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Treachery Times Two brings to the forefront one of the biggest ongoing arcs in the Koa Kāne series – Koa’s one mistake that made him who he is, but the revealing of which could take away everything that he’s earned. Does the book do the arc justice? Read on to find out.
Genre:
Mystery
Length:
361 pages
Overall Rating:
9 out of 10
Plot:
10 out of 10
Characterization:
10 out of 10
Primary Element:
10 out of 10 for its mystery
Writing Style:
9 out of 10
Part of a Series:
Yes. This is Book No. 4 in the Koa Kāne series. The books are connected and are best read in order, but can be enjoyed as standalone-s too. Check out the reviews for Book No. 1, Death of a Messenger, and Book No. 3, Fire and Vengeance, on my website - www.thebookreviewstation.com
Highlighted Takeaway:
Even better than its prequels, Treachery Times Two brings everything you’ve come to love about the Koa Kāne series – mystery, culture, and characterization – and ups the ante.
What I Liked:
There were three things that I liked the most in Treachery Times Two:
> It’s got the perfect mix of culture and story, with neither outshining the other.
> It showcases Koa Kāne in his rawest, most human form – flawed yet morally strong.
> It has multiple storylines and brings them all together perfectly.
What I Didn’t Like:
There is nothing I can say I actively disliked in the book. I found it to be even better than the earlier books in the series (except for Book No. 2, which I am yet to read), and feel that it’s set the bar higher for the series.
Who Should Read It:
If you like mysteries, especially those that have multi-layered plots, you’ll definitely enjoy Treachery Times Two and other Koa Kāne books.
Who Should Avoid:
I don’t think anyone would really dislike this book, unless you absolutely do not enjoy mysteries.
Read It For:
Koa Kāne’s ultimate test – professional and personal. And the always-enthralling representation of Hawaiian culture.
A big thanks to the author, Robert McCaw, and Oceanview Publishing for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Treachery Times Two brings to the forefront one of the biggest ongoing arcs in the Koa Kāne series – Koa’s one mistake that made him who he is, but the revealing of which could take away everything that he’s earned. Does the book do the arc justice? Read on to find out.
Genre:
Mystery
Length:
361 pages
Overall Rating:
9 out of 10
Plot:
10 out of 10
Characterization:
10 out of 10
Primary Element:
10 out of 10 for its mystery
Writing Style:
9 out of 10
Part of a Series:
Yes. This is Book No. 4 in the Koa Kāne series. The books are connected and are best read in order, but can be enjoyed as standalone-s too. Check out the reviews for Book No. 1, Death of a Messenger, and Book No. 3, Fire and Vengeance, on my website - www.thebookreviewstation.com
Highlighted Takeaway:
Even better than its prequels, Treachery Times Two brings everything you’ve come to love about the Koa Kāne series – mystery, culture, and characterization – and ups the ante.
What I Liked:
There were three things that I liked the most in Treachery Times Two:
> It’s got the perfect mix of culture and story, with neither outshining the other.
> It showcases Koa Kāne in his rawest, most human form – flawed yet morally strong.
> It has multiple storylines and brings them all together perfectly.
What I Didn’t Like:
There is nothing I can say I actively disliked in the book. I found it to be even better than the earlier books in the series (except for Book No. 2, which I am yet to read), and feel that it’s set the bar higher for the series.
Who Should Read It:
If you like mysteries, especially those that have multi-layered plots, you’ll definitely enjoy Treachery Times Two and other Koa Kāne books.
Who Should Avoid:
I don’t think anyone would really dislike this book, unless you absolutely do not enjoy mysteries.
Read It For:
Koa Kāne’s ultimate test – professional and personal. And the always-enthralling representation of Hawaiian culture.
January 27, 2022
Robert McCaw can tell a story! The pace of this book never lagged, despite the challenge of weaving two mysteries, occurring 30 years apart, into a cohesive narrative. Koa Kane is chief detective at Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii. A fresh corpse buried in an ancient cemetery is unearthed in an earthquake triggered by a volcanic eruption. Identifying the corpse is the first hurdle, but not the biggest: turns out the woman had a top-secret clearance and worked on classified artificial-intelligence projects for a defense contractor.
But Kane must simultaneously deal with the re-opening of a cold case from his youth which poses a personal threat. To the steadily-growing suspense, McCaw adds a masterful hand with local detail, and well-developed, fully-fleshed characters for most of the figures in the story.
Which leads to the first major flaw that bugged me throughout the book. Kane's girlfriend Nalani is one of the most idealized and objectified characters I've come across. "In four short years, she had become his soulmate and an unending source of wonderment. With a coy look or a well-timed tease, she could send his heart racing."
Nalani is described repeatedly as "the love of his life"; their relationship as "magical." The couple had "met three years earlier and he'd been captivated by her smile." Nalani came across as an endlessly supportive cardboard cutout with no complexity whatever.
Also, there are conflicting references to the length of their relationship, with several mentions of three years, as above, and several of four years.
I acknowledge I was reading an uncorrected proof, but I'm accustomed to finding simple typos (often many of them), not glaring continuity glitches and a fairly steady stream of lapses in word choice, like: as the minutes past; garbage shoots; "a death that will weigh on their conscious," and "it made for a damming case."
It's disappointing -- the author is clearly talented and he deserves a lot better editing. Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for an advance readers copy.
But Kane must simultaneously deal with the re-opening of a cold case from his youth which poses a personal threat. To the steadily-growing suspense, McCaw adds a masterful hand with local detail, and well-developed, fully-fleshed characters for most of the figures in the story.
Which leads to the first major flaw that bugged me throughout the book. Kane's girlfriend Nalani is one of the most idealized and objectified characters I've come across. "In four short years, she had become his soulmate and an unending source of wonderment. With a coy look or a well-timed tease, she could send his heart racing."
Nalani is described repeatedly as "the love of his life"; their relationship as "magical." The couple had "met three years earlier and he'd been captivated by her smile." Nalani came across as an endlessly supportive cardboard cutout with no complexity whatever.
Also, there are conflicting references to the length of their relationship, with several mentions of three years, as above, and several of four years.
I acknowledge I was reading an uncorrected proof, but I'm accustomed to finding simple typos (often many of them), not glaring continuity glitches and a fairly steady stream of lapses in word choice, like: as the minutes past; garbage shoots; "a death that will weigh on their conscious," and "it made for a damming case."
It's disappointing -- the author is clearly talented and he deserves a lot better editing. Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for an advance readers copy.
January 11, 2022
An earthquake on Hawaii Island disrupts a cemetery, unearthing the body of a woman mutilated by her killer to conceal her identity. Chief Detective Koa Kane Investigates, finding ties to powerful people and getting entangled in an FBI espionage investigation. While he doesn't know their agenda, his own past rears its ugly head. Koa is forced to investigate his own homicide, and step by step, his cover-up unravels until another man is falsely accused. Can Koa stand by and let an innocent man pay for his crime?
This is the fourth Koa Kane mystery novel. The same murder he continually felt guilty about in prior books now takes precedence. The dual investigations leave Koa at odds with himself and his career. It doesn't figure right away; the dead body is found first, and he and his team work to identify her and why she was killed. Eventually, the grandson of the man Koa killed arrives, opening up the old case and investigation. His guilt rears up, adding to his stress, as the dead woman was more highly placed than others at her workplace said she was. Bringing in FBI agents and the Department of Defense as well as the political pressures in his department are difficult to manage. Koa snaps at others, can't discuss it with his girlfriend, and is continually anxious.
Koa had taken his past shame and transformed his life to make up for it. He takes this seriously, and even with all the lives he could save and the truths he unearthed in that journey, still feels that he can never make up for the murder he committed as a teen. This is at odds with the politicians and the men of power who will harm others without a shred of guilt. He tries to honor his heritage as a Hawaiian as well, which I appreciate; we get glimpses into the culture of the past and the history of the islands as well as its ramifications in the present day. We do find out exactly what happened by the end of this book, and it will bring further ramifications in future novels of the series.
This is the fourth Koa Kane mystery novel. The same murder he continually felt guilty about in prior books now takes precedence. The dual investigations leave Koa at odds with himself and his career. It doesn't figure right away; the dead body is found first, and he and his team work to identify her and why she was killed. Eventually, the grandson of the man Koa killed arrives, opening up the old case and investigation. His guilt rears up, adding to his stress, as the dead woman was more highly placed than others at her workplace said she was. Bringing in FBI agents and the Department of Defense as well as the political pressures in his department are difficult to manage. Koa snaps at others, can't discuss it with his girlfriend, and is continually anxious.
Koa had taken his past shame and transformed his life to make up for it. He takes this seriously, and even with all the lives he could save and the truths he unearthed in that journey, still feels that he can never make up for the murder he committed as a teen. This is at odds with the politicians and the men of power who will harm others without a shred of guilt. He tries to honor his heritage as a Hawaiian as well, which I appreciate; we get glimpses into the culture of the past and the history of the islands as well as its ramifications in the present day. We do find out exactly what happened by the end of this book, and it will bring further ramifications in future novels of the series.
January 14, 2022
Rating 4.5
“Deceit. Koa focused on the word. A traitor was the ultimate deceiver. If he lied about his loyalty, he could lie about anything and everything. Everything about a traitor— every word he’d ever uttered— was suspect.”
On Hawaii Island, a volcanic earthquake disrupts an abandoned cemetery, unearthing the body of a woman mutilated by her killer. The search for her identity leads Hilo Hawaii’s Chief Detective Koa Kāne to a defense contractor, only to become entangled in an FBI espionage investigation of Deimos, a powerful secret military weapon.
At the same time, Koa—a cop who 30 years earlier killed his father’s nemesis and covered up the murder—faces exposure by the dead man’s grandson. Koa is forced to investigate his own homicide which threatens to unravel his cover-up.
Unlike most crime thrillers, this stands out for the protagonist’s conflict with himself. On one hand, as Chief Detective, Koa Kāne is tracking down a mysterious killer, while on the other he is covering up a thirty-year-old homicide he committed.
Robert McCaw builds suspense in this multi-layered plot by keeping the tension taut and adding the thrill of exploring an unforgiving landscape in the search for the killer. His characters, as flawed as they are, present a moral struggle so complex, it is impossible to choose sides.
Don’t let the fact that this is the fourth in a series deter you for it can well be read as a standalone. More importantly, at the end it will have piqued your curiosity enough to want to read the first three as well.
A rare find, I’d call this a culturally enriched thriller for the picturesque descriptions of Hawaii, its people, their history and traditions. That it comes with a nail-biting mystery is a double bonus.
This ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing.
For complete review, visit https://aquamarineflavours.wordpress....
Find me on other platforms via https://linktr.ee/AshieJayn
“Deceit. Koa focused on the word. A traitor was the ultimate deceiver. If he lied about his loyalty, he could lie about anything and everything. Everything about a traitor— every word he’d ever uttered— was suspect.”
On Hawaii Island, a volcanic earthquake disrupts an abandoned cemetery, unearthing the body of a woman mutilated by her killer. The search for her identity leads Hilo Hawaii’s Chief Detective Koa Kāne to a defense contractor, only to become entangled in an FBI espionage investigation of Deimos, a powerful secret military weapon.
At the same time, Koa—a cop who 30 years earlier killed his father’s nemesis and covered up the murder—faces exposure by the dead man’s grandson. Koa is forced to investigate his own homicide which threatens to unravel his cover-up.
Unlike most crime thrillers, this stands out for the protagonist’s conflict with himself. On one hand, as Chief Detective, Koa Kāne is tracking down a mysterious killer, while on the other he is covering up a thirty-year-old homicide he committed.
Robert McCaw builds suspense in this multi-layered plot by keeping the tension taut and adding the thrill of exploring an unforgiving landscape in the search for the killer. His characters, as flawed as they are, present a moral struggle so complex, it is impossible to choose sides.
Don’t let the fact that this is the fourth in a series deter you for it can well be read as a standalone. More importantly, at the end it will have piqued your curiosity enough to want to read the first three as well.
A rare find, I’d call this a culturally enriched thriller for the picturesque descriptions of Hawaii, its people, their history and traditions. That it comes with a nail-biting mystery is a double bonus.
This ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing.
For complete review, visit https://aquamarineflavours.wordpress....
Find me on other platforms via https://linktr.ee/AshieJayn
October 5, 2022
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Treachery Times Two is a modern murder/corruption procedural set in Hawaii and the fourth book in the Koa Kāne series by Robert McCaw. Released 4th January 2022 by Oceanview, it's 352 pages and available in audio and ebook formats.
This is a procedural with a well established ensemble cast and the added contrast of what should be an idyllic paradise setting with the investigation into the murder and mutilation of an unidentified woman who is discovered in an abandoned graveyard after a volcanic earthquake. The titular protagonist has a conflicted and flawed past himself along with being forced to navigate problems with his immediate family (his brother's incarcerated). There are some scenes which might be too graphic for some readers. It's a modern procedural and some descriptions are gritty.
The writing is competent but struck me as choppy and abrupt in some places. It reads more like a military thriller (a la Tom Clancy) than a police procedural for a small town police force. I also had a few difficulties with the liberal use of the Hawaiian language throughout the book. It added verisimilitude, but where it wasn't explained in context, it left me a bit confused.
I suspect that my issues with the book were due more to my preconceptions than the author's stylistic intentions (i.e., my fault). I went into the book expecting Hawaii Five-0 and got Jack Reacher. Definitely readable, and enjoyable, just not what I was expecting. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Treachery Times Two is a modern murder/corruption procedural set in Hawaii and the fourth book in the Koa Kāne series by Robert McCaw. Released 4th January 2022 by Oceanview, it's 352 pages and available in audio and ebook formats.
This is a procedural with a well established ensemble cast and the added contrast of what should be an idyllic paradise setting with the investigation into the murder and mutilation of an unidentified woman who is discovered in an abandoned graveyard after a volcanic earthquake. The titular protagonist has a conflicted and flawed past himself along with being forced to navigate problems with his immediate family (his brother's incarcerated). There are some scenes which might be too graphic for some readers. It's a modern procedural and some descriptions are gritty.
The writing is competent but struck me as choppy and abrupt in some places. It reads more like a military thriller (a la Tom Clancy) than a police procedural for a small town police force. I also had a few difficulties with the liberal use of the Hawaiian language throughout the book. It added verisimilitude, but where it wasn't explained in context, it left me a bit confused.
I suspect that my issues with the book were due more to my preconceptions than the author's stylistic intentions (i.e., my fault). I went into the book expecting Hawaii Five-0 and got Jack Reacher. Definitely readable, and enjoyable, just not what I was expecting. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
February 24, 2022
This is such a good series. Koa Kane is a wonderful character and this book tells more of his story. He has a deep dark secret that he has carried for thirty years and now it may come to light, and the life he loves, may end. This book has spies, murder, mystery, deception...it has it all. Great story.
Secret military weapons, saboteurs, a volcanic eruption—and a probe of Chief Detective Koa Kane's criminal past
On Hawaii Island, a volcanic earthquake disrupts an abandoned cemetery—unearthing the body of a woman mutilated by her killer to conceal her identity.
The search for her identity leads Hilo Hawaii's Chief Detective Koa Kane to a mysterious defense contractor with a politically connected board of directors. Defying his chief of police, Koa pursues the killer, only to become entangled in an FBI espionage investigation of Deimos, a powerful secret military weapon. Is the FBI telling all it knows—or does it, too, have a duplicitous agenda?
At the same time, Koa—a cop who thirty years earlier killed his father's nemesis and covered up the murder—faces exposure by the dead man's grandson. Koa is forced to investigate his own homicide, and step by step, his cover-up unravels until another man is falsely accused.
Can Koa stand by and let an innocent man pay for his crime?
Secret military weapons, saboteurs, a volcanic eruption—and a probe of Chief Detective Koa Kane's criminal past
On Hawaii Island, a volcanic earthquake disrupts an abandoned cemetery—unearthing the body of a woman mutilated by her killer to conceal her identity.
The search for her identity leads Hilo Hawaii's Chief Detective Koa Kane to a mysterious defense contractor with a politically connected board of directors. Defying his chief of police, Koa pursues the killer, only to become entangled in an FBI espionage investigation of Deimos, a powerful secret military weapon. Is the FBI telling all it knows—or does it, too, have a duplicitous agenda?
At the same time, Koa—a cop who thirty years earlier killed his father's nemesis and covered up the murder—faces exposure by the dead man's grandson. Koa is forced to investigate his own homicide, and step by step, his cover-up unravels until another man is falsely accused.
Can Koa stand by and let an innocent man pay for his crime?
October 25, 2021
Treachery Times Two by Robert McCaw is the fourth book the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series but is easily read as a standalone.
In short, Chief Detective Kane’s investigation starts when an unusually disruptive earthquake unearths a woman’s partially ravaged body in an isolated cemetery. Koa’s search for her identity soon escalates into a complex FBI espionage adventure. Alongside this investigation Koa is also fighting his own personal demons which threaten exposure to his crime committed 30 years earlier. Is a coverup always worse than the crime?
I thoroughly enjoy Treachery Times Two, it’s a clever, fast paced thriller with oodles of twists and turns and a gripping conclusion. This is all set in the backdrop of Hawaii and there are plenty of interesting details regarding the Hawaiian culture which elevates it from a standard American thriller. I loved Koa’s character, “he likes challenges. It forced him to analyse all the possibilities.’…well in this investigation he needs to analyse everything! He’s the new Sherlock! I look forward to reading more of the Chief Detective Koa Kane cases.
Big thanks to Robert McCaw, Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.
In short, Chief Detective Kane’s investigation starts when an unusually disruptive earthquake unearths a woman’s partially ravaged body in an isolated cemetery. Koa’s search for her identity soon escalates into a complex FBI espionage adventure. Alongside this investigation Koa is also fighting his own personal demons which threaten exposure to his crime committed 30 years earlier. Is a coverup always worse than the crime?
I thoroughly enjoy Treachery Times Two, it’s a clever, fast paced thriller with oodles of twists and turns and a gripping conclusion. This is all set in the backdrop of Hawaii and there are plenty of interesting details regarding the Hawaiian culture which elevates it from a standard American thriller. I loved Koa’s character, “he likes challenges. It forced him to analyse all the possibilities.’…well in this investigation he needs to analyse everything! He’s the new Sherlock! I look forward to reading more of the Chief Detective Koa Kane cases.
Big thanks to Robert McCaw, Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.
March 22, 2022
The fourth book in the series, set on one of Hawaii's islands, follows the exploits of Koa Kane, star detective of his police district. The first case is that of a murdered woman, whose body turns up in a graveyard disrupted by a volcanic event. The second, and more personal case, deals with the thirty year old murder of a a nasty sugar baron. What makes this so dramatic is that Kane killed the man in revenge for the death of his father, who worked and died on one of the sugar plantations. When new evidence leads to charges against an innocent man, Kane sweats out the conclusion of the trial while figuring out whether a guilty verdict will force him to confess. The book starts strong, with lots of well written local color, a strong central character in Kone, and lots of interesting secondary characters. Unfortunately, the story of the murdered woman turns into a case of international espionage, with clues falling neatly into place, convenient coincidences that keep piling up, and what seemed to me were missed but obvious avenues of exploration. The ending has a couple of unexpected twists to it, that I thought clever. With more attention to the "detection" aspects of the plot, this could have been a very good book.
December 28, 2021
I received this book through "NetGalley Read Now" program.
I have read all of the earlier and like them all. This one did not disappoint. It begins with the discovery of an unknown person dur to the eruption of a volcano. The body has little help in identification because the fingertips had been removed. They attempted to learn who it was by facial recognition. Using this logic, a large number of hits were made which meant a lot of footwork. Eventually a discovery was made and it resulted in an unexpected twist.
This individual was employed by a defense contractor and the team had to go through a great deal of hoops to get any information. Along with this crime, Tua had to worry about something that happened many years ago. As they got closer to finding out what was going on, they needed to finally figure out what someone didn't want them to learn.
To discover what the discovery led to, what caused Tua to worry and how all of this came together, then you need to read this book. The ending is unexpected.
I have read all of the earlier and like them all. This one did not disappoint. It begins with the discovery of an unknown person dur to the eruption of a volcano. The body has little help in identification because the fingertips had been removed. They attempted to learn who it was by facial recognition. Using this logic, a large number of hits were made which meant a lot of footwork. Eventually a discovery was made and it resulted in an unexpected twist.
This individual was employed by a defense contractor and the team had to go through a great deal of hoops to get any information. Along with this crime, Tua had to worry about something that happened many years ago. As they got closer to finding out what was going on, they needed to finally figure out what someone didn't want them to learn.
To discover what the discovery led to, what caused Tua to worry and how all of this came together, then you need to read this book. The ending is unexpected.
January 7, 2022
Santa Blows The Case Open. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking (accurately) that Santa is never once mentioned in this police procedural/ mystery set in Hawaii and showing off many elements of its land and people not often seen by non-Islanders. But I swear the connection is there, at least for me - you see, there is one particular clue that blows at least part of this case wide open. It tells Koa, our hero, that all is not as it seems - and an *eerily* similar situation, wherein x happens (though not the exact particulars and certainly not in a murder investigation), is how I learned that Santa wasn't real nearly 30 years ago. So that was cool for me personally, and shows that just that thing *can* actually lead to life changing real-world events. Overall truly an excellent book of its type, one that shows a great layering of plot and characterizations in order to show just how complex we all are - even when we look like we're not. Very much recommended.
December 28, 2021
Hilo Chief of Detectives Koa Kane has two big problems on his hands. Thirty years ago he killed a man and now that man's grandson has managed to get the investigation reopened. And, to his surprise, this leads to the discovery of a fingerprint that isn't Koa's. While he's struggling with the ethical and legal issues of his personal situation, he's also got a real mess of a mystery on his hands. A woman who worked for a defense contractor has been murdered but there's something else going on there- and the FBI is involved. This is a complex novel which raises as many questions as it answers. I'd not read the earlier books in the series but this was fine as a standalone. Loved the characters and the atmospherics and if some of it is a little unlikely, well that's ok by me. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A very good read. I'm going to look for more from McCaw.
February 3, 2022
I was very much in the mood for a compelling page turner and I got one with Robert McCaw’s TREACHERY TIMES TWO. It’s one of those novels that grabs your attention early on and doesn’t let go until the very last page.
When an earthquake on Hawaii’s Big Island uproots the body of a young Jane Doe who was surreptitiously buried at a local cemetery Detective Koa Kane is on the case. Discovery of the woman’s identity leads Kane on a chase that fans of everything from police procedurals to suspense/thrillers to murder and espionage tales will love.
Rather than go into describing the story in depth and ruining your reading pleasure just let me say that McCaw presents a compelling protagonist and a deliciously captivating and complex mystery with more twists and turns than a roller coaster. Try it, you’ll like it!
When an earthquake on Hawaii’s Big Island uproots the body of a young Jane Doe who was surreptitiously buried at a local cemetery Detective Koa Kane is on the case. Discovery of the woman’s identity leads Kane on a chase that fans of everything from police procedurals to suspense/thrillers to murder and espionage tales will love.
Rather than go into describing the story in depth and ruining your reading pleasure just let me say that McCaw presents a compelling protagonist and a deliciously captivating and complex mystery with more twists and turns than a roller coaster. Try it, you’ll like it!
July 25, 2021
Treachery Times Two by Robert McCaw
Koa Kane is back. Koa is the Chief Detective in Hilo, Hawaii. Koa has secrets of his own, let alone the ones he tries to pry from miscreants. This time Koa is involved in murder and espionage.
Koa’s girlfriend is Nalani, a park ranger. She provided stability to Koa’ inherently moody personality. A volcanic eruption triggers a murder mystery which then triggers an espionage investigation. Koa’s secret, threatens his well being and even his career as a life long friend’s duplicity threatens him.
There is action, subterfuge, friendship, regret, guilt, honor and trust all carefully blended into another excellent Koa Kane tale.
I highly recommend all of them.
Koa Kane is back. Koa is the Chief Detective in Hilo, Hawaii. Koa has secrets of his own, let alone the ones he tries to pry from miscreants. This time Koa is involved in murder and espionage.
Koa’s girlfriend is Nalani, a park ranger. She provided stability to Koa’ inherently moody personality. A volcanic eruption triggers a murder mystery which then triggers an espionage investigation. Koa’s secret, threatens his well being and even his career as a life long friend’s duplicity threatens him.
There is action, subterfuge, friendship, regret, guilt, honor and trust all carefully blended into another excellent Koa Kane tale.
I highly recommend all of them.
May 7, 2023
Those familiar with the TV series Hawaii Five-0 will find many similarities in the setting of this novel. In fact, at first you will even think that it may have been written to serve as inspiration for a new season of the TV show. In reality, things then get a little complicated, also because the investigation of a murder discovered by pure chance is intertwined with the risk of discovering what the hero of the story had done in the past - when he was a young man full of pain and anger -. Eventually, as it should be, all the chickens come home to roost and our hero discovers the murderer and loses what he considered a close friend. Although not spectacular and with a few passages a little dragged out, it is nevertheless an enjoyable entertainer.
January 11, 2022
This is such a fun mystery novel! While it is book 4 in the series, it can be read as a standalone.
The stand out feature of this novel was the setting. I have never read a mystery set in Hawaii, with the culture and beliefs, it was so much fun to read about. I loved the cemetery setting where the body is uncovered after an earthquake.
The complexity of the plot with several layers ensures that the reader is never bored, something that I find can happen easily in mysteries.
I loved every minute of reading Treachery Times Two.
Thank you to FSBAssociates for sending a copy to me in exchange for my honest opinion and review
The stand out feature of this novel was the setting. I have never read a mystery set in Hawaii, with the culture and beliefs, it was so much fun to read about. I loved the cemetery setting where the body is uncovered after an earthquake.
The complexity of the plot with several layers ensures that the reader is never bored, something that I find can happen easily in mysteries.
I loved every minute of reading Treachery Times Two.
Thank you to FSBAssociates for sending a copy to me in exchange for my honest opinion and review
February 17, 2022
Another excellent Koa Kane mystery/thriller by Robert McCaw that had me guessing the whole way through. His protagonist was in such extreme peril it was all I could do to keep from peeking at the ending.
Not only is it a great mystery, Hawaii is a great location to write about. It might be one of the fifty states, but it couldn't be more different than mainland US. It's remote, exotic and mysterious with a culture that's hard for mainlanders to understand. Mr McCaw obviously loves Hawaii and I love the time and care he shows for every side of local issues
Librarians...highly recommended for your male readers
Not only is it a great mystery, Hawaii is a great location to write about. It might be one of the fifty states, but it couldn't be more different than mainland US. It's remote, exotic and mysterious with a culture that's hard for mainlanders to understand. Mr McCaw obviously loves Hawaii and I love the time and care he shows for every side of local issues
Librarians...highly recommended for your male readers
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January 14, 2022TREACHERY TIMES TWO is a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat novel that will have you turning the pages faster and faster to find out what happens next. This book is perfect for readers who love a good mystery or thriller, but also for those who love their police procedurals intelligent, full of twists, but wrapped up nicely by the end of the book. I am eagerly awaiting the fifth installment in the series.
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/01/04/parad...
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/01/04/parad...
July 21, 2022
Koa Kāne, lead detective on the big island of Hawaii, works to solve two murders (or not to solve in the second case). The first is a woman who was working on a top-secret AI project and the second is a thirty-year-old murder classified as a suicide at the time. Koa uncovers many secrets with great difficulty and relentless detective work.
I like Koa's character and the characters who surround him, good and bad. The setting in Hawaii is beautiful and ravaging. McCaw includes interesting aspects of Hawaii's history and culture.
I like Koa's character and the characters who surround him, good and bad. The setting in Hawaii is beautiful and ravaging. McCaw includes interesting aspects of Hawaii's history and culture.
November 18, 2022
2 1/2 rounded to 3. I read this because I am a kama’aina for nearly 30 years, most of it in Hilo on The Big Island where this story takes place. I did enjoy the name-dropping of East Hawaii places and the smattering of Hawai legends. I did not like the tone of the author's references to the TMT/Mauna A Wakea movement and the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement. I could have overlooked the flaws if the characters or the plot intrigued me. They did not. After reading the book I discovered that this title is #4 in a "Koa Kane" series. Maybe I should have started with #1.
May 3, 2023
McCaw’s 4th offering in the Koa Kāne Hawaiian mystery series has Hilo’s chief detective discovering a fresh, mutilated corpse of a woman that has been unearthed in an isolated cemetery by recent seismic activity. The woman was an employee of a local defense contractor. That quickly brings in the FBI and the DOJ to help with the investigation. In addition, Kāne’s actions thirty years ago comes back to haunt him. The two cases are full of twists with an action-packed ending.
McCaw writes compelling police procedurals while incorporating Hawaiian imagery and local culture. Enjoy!
McCaw writes compelling police procedurals while incorporating Hawaiian imagery and local culture. Enjoy!
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