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Murder on Maui #5
Choice to Kill
A murder close to home. A case that seems open and shut. Will Poe’s rush to judgment make his fiancé the next victim?
Edgar Allan “Poe” Rutherford didn’t think twice when he took his fiancé’s case. After all, Detective Alana Hu had known the victim since childhood. Besides, the evidence is easy to decode: all signs point to the victim’s estranged husband.
As Poe works to get the killer behind bars, he can’t help but be distracted by his fast-approaching wedding. But Maui beaches have a knack for luring people into a false sense of security, and Poe’s error could extract the highest cost imaginable. After all, you can’t have a wedding… without the bride.
Edgar Allan “Poe” Rutherford didn’t think twice when he took his fiancé’s case. After all, Detective Alana Hu had known the victim since childhood. Besides, the evidence is easy to decode: all signs point to the victim’s estranged husband.
As Poe works to get the killer behind bars, he can’t help but be distracted by his fast-approaching wedding. But Maui beaches have a knack for luring people into a false sense of security, and Poe’s error could extract the highest cost imaginable. After all, you can’t have a wedding… without the bride.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2020
99 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Robert W. Stephens
40 books33 followersRobert W Stephens is the author of the Murder on Maui series, the Alex Penfield novels, and the standalone thrillers The Drayton Diaries and Nature of Evil. When he’s not writing, you can find him behind a camera, directing commercials, videos, and indie films, or you may spot him traveling the world with his wife, where he’ll still be behind a camera, shooting photographs of ancient ruins, Gothic churches, or what they’re about to eat.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 6, 2025
Poe is planning his wedding with Alanna, even though her mother doesn't like him. His lawyer contact offers him a job to find a lost ring. He finds the ring, and an adulteress.
Then he gets on the case of a murder. Rings and adultery suffuse every part of this novel, but Poe and Alanna keep plugging away on their wedding. Good for them.
More literary than other books in the series.
Then he gets on the case of a murder. Rings and adultery suffuse every part of this novel, but Poe and Alanna keep plugging away on their wedding. Good for them.
More literary than other books in the series.
November 16, 2017
Choice to Kill: A Murder on Maui Mystery definitely keeps your attention. The main character known as Poe is working with his fiance, Alana, on a case that involves a childhood friend of Alana's. All of the evidence points to the victim's estranged husband. It's always the husband, right?!
But as they work to put the killer behind bars another victim is found. Will they find enough evidence to prove who the killer is before he goes after his next victim?
Stephens gives you a well-written mystery that will keep you wanted to read more. I had not read the previous installments of this series and I was not lost at all. However, I did not like that on several different occasions the phrase, "If you read my last tale..." or something along those lines was used. I felt that there were other ways to remind the reader of something from a previous book without specifically pointing it out. Yes, it allows the narrator to speak directly to the reader but it seemed a bit odd (IMO).
All in all it was a good read and I was pleasantly surprised. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest review.
But as they work to put the killer behind bars another victim is found. Will they find enough evidence to prove who the killer is before he goes after his next victim?
Stephens gives you a well-written mystery that will keep you wanted to read more. I had not read the previous installments of this series and I was not lost at all. However, I did not like that on several different occasions the phrase, "If you read my last tale..." or something along those lines was used. I felt that there were other ways to remind the reader of something from a previous book without specifically pointing it out. Yes, it allows the narrator to speak directly to the reader but it seemed a bit odd (IMO).
All in all it was a good read and I was pleasantly surprised. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest review.
May 21, 2017
Edgar Allan Rutherford - known as Poe, for obvious reasons is an investigator on the island of Maui. He is engaged to a police detective and they live in a very, very nice house. Poe isn't hurting for money, never has. His best friend, Doug Foxx, is the reason he now lives on Maui. After some personal things happening while living in "the states" he moves to Maui. Things couldn't be better, except for the fact that Foxx got Poe's bride to be sister pregnant. Anyway, that is something that keeps coming up in the story and adds some humor to it. While Alana, Poe's fiancee is investigating a murder, it turns out to be and old friend she grew up with. Now things are getting rather interesting, because Alana thinks it was the husband who killed her friend. Poe doesn't agree, something just seems "off" to him. He keeps digging into the case as does Alana. Things get messy when another person is killed and Alana is attacked and left for dead in her own home. Can Poe figure out who is responsible for this and why? There are some twists and turns in this story. I enjoyed it very much and will be reading more from this author. I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest and voluntary review.
May 27, 2017
Real Page Turner and a Darn Good Read
Mystery fans will hugely enjoy Robert W. Stephens' fifth installment in the Murder on Maui Mystery Thriller series, Choice to Kill, an entertaining and well-written crime fiction novel. There is plenty of action and a plausible plot that keeps you guessing until the end. Stephens also includes just enough humor to satisfy those readers who enjoy a few laughs while reading about murder. What immediately stands out is the conversational narration, an engaging Stephens hallmark that I discovered when reading the first book in this enjoyable series, Aloha Means Goodbye. Verdict? A darn good read and a page-turning adventure. I'll definitely be reading more from this author. I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest review.
Mystery fans will hugely enjoy Robert W. Stephens' fifth installment in the Murder on Maui Mystery Thriller series, Choice to Kill, an entertaining and well-written crime fiction novel. There is plenty of action and a plausible plot that keeps you guessing until the end. Stephens also includes just enough humor to satisfy those readers who enjoy a few laughs while reading about murder. What immediately stands out is the conversational narration, an engaging Stephens hallmark that I discovered when reading the first book in this enjoyable series, Aloha Means Goodbye. Verdict? A darn good read and a page-turning adventure. I'll definitely be reading more from this author. I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest review.
May 24, 2017
I don't provide a synopsis of the story in my reviews because I figure if you have gotten this far you know what the story is about. This is book 5 in the series and while I haven't read any of the others (I will be correcting that omission very soon) I wasn't lost. There are mentions of previous stories but not having read them didn't detract from my enjoyment. The plot is well thought out and the characters are fully developed. I really enjoyed the action and suspense. I really don't like when an author leaves a cliff-hanger ending and Mr Stevens managed to hook me for the next book without hitting my pet peeve. I HIGHLY recommend this read! I received a complimentary copy of this book through Reading Deals and have left my honest review.
October 5, 2017
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. The style it is written in is a bit unusual as the narrator speaks to the reader directly on occasion.
This one is close to home as Poe investigates why his fiancée's childhood friend is murdered. The suspect is her estranged husband that no one seems to like.
Can't wait to read another Murder on Maui book.
I received this book for free for an honest review.
This one is close to home as Poe investigates why his fiancée's childhood friend is murdered. The suspect is her estranged husband that no one seems to like.
Can't wait to read another Murder on Maui book.
I received this book for free for an honest review.
October 8, 2018
I love how the author speaks to his readers!
What a great read! Stephens is very good at spinning a tale! Love how he speaks directly to the reader. Very interesting and likeable characters. And how can you go wrong with a setting like Maui?
What a great read! Stephens is very good at spinning a tale! Love how he speaks directly to the reader. Very interesting and likeable characters. And how can you go wrong with a setting like Maui?
August 9, 2019
Choice to Kill
Choice to Kill is a marvelous book. The characters are interesting and well developed, and the plot is cleverly done. This was my first book by Robert Stephens, but it certainly won't be my last.
Choice to Kill is a marvelous book. The characters are interesting and well developed, and the plot is cleverly done. This was my first book by Robert Stephens, but it certainly won't be my last.
April 9, 2020
Poe Strikes Back
There is a thread that runs through these novels, one that disrupts the chain of events. If you’ve read these books in sequence like I have then it is more noticeable. We all possess the same tenacious grit that Poe has, just never tested in real life.
There is a thread that runs through these novels, one that disrupts the chain of events. If you’ve read these books in sequence like I have then it is more noticeable. We all possess the same tenacious grit that Poe has, just never tested in real life.
January 17, 2022
Great Setting....Great story
Mr. Stephens does it again. I have a soft spot for mysteries in setting where I have lived or would want to. Throw in a good story with believable characters. Great....even a surprise at the end. Can't wait until I read the next!
Mr. Stephens does it again. I have a soft spot for mysteries in setting where I have lived or would want to. Throw in a good story with believable characters. Great....even a surprise at the end. Can't wait until I read the next!
October 6, 2025
4.0 stars. Poe's personal life and his current P.I case collide. One too many close calls and lots of unexpected surprises here, with a major one at the end. Great suspense. Every book ends with me craving the next one in the series.
May 29, 2017
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. I really enjoyed reading this book.
November 23, 2017
Great, fun book with a suspenseful tale. Since it takes place on my favorite island, I love how he uses the places & scenery. A fun writer with a great sense of humor.
February 24, 2021
Poe Rutherford
As a lead character, Poe is interesting, clever, deep and human. Love this Maui Mysteries series!! Thank you, Robert W. Stephens!!
As a lead character, Poe is interesting, clever, deep and human. Love this Maui Mysteries series!! Thank you, Robert W. Stephens!!
July 15, 2023
Nice ending
I loved it. And that ending...wow! I was going to take a break from this series and read something different. I'm thinking that's probably not going to happen.
I loved it. And that ending...wow! I was going to take a break from this series and read something different. I'm thinking that's probably not going to happen.
September 12, 2022
Entertaining
It is a nice read to take your mind off of day to day pressures. Familiarity with Maui helps. Recommend including rough maps.
It is a nice read to take your mind off of day to day pressures. Familiarity with Maui helps. Recommend including rough maps.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews