Mahu Vice by Neil Plakcy

I read the four books in Neil Plakcy's Mahu series one right after the other and really enjoyed the opportunity to do so.  It's not often I get to move from one story right into the next.  Following Kimo over the first three books as he came to terms with the very public knowledge that he is gay was fascinating and often gut-churning. Mr. Plakcy added so much emotional detail about what Kimo was going through that I was, on occasion, almost overwhelmed; he definitely provided a very strong voice.  I also loved the police investigations in which Kimo found himself working.  I'm a big fan of the genre and the excellent amalgamation of the various elements really makes this a series that I will go back to over and over again.
All I can say is that Kimo Kanapa'aka has a fan for life as does Neil Plakcy.  I've now managed to acquire all his books, in both formats if available. 

 If you've not read anything by this author, I strongly suggest you do; if you want more romance, then definitely try either Gaylife.com or Three Wrong Turns in the Desert.  If out-and-out romance isn't your cup of tea, I highly recommend the Mahu series with Kimo Kanapa'aka.  But whichever you choose, you can be sure that you will be on the receiving end of an excellent story.

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The fourth book in the series is
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Book Info:

NEIL S. PLAKCY; Mahu Vice; Alyson Books; August 2009

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SEX AND VIOLENCE COLLIDE UNDER THE TROPICAL SUN


Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka went into a tailspin after the breakup of his hot, heavy affair with fire investigator Mike Riccardi. Now that Kimo's beginning to recover, he's forced to work with Mike again on an arson homicide at a shopping center built by Kimo's father. The investigation takes them into dangerous territory, with love, sex and death at stake.

Mahu Fire by Neil Plakcy

Not sure what it was, but there was a little spark missing in this, Neil Plakcy's third book in his MAHU series. But that's not to say that it wasn't still an excellent story; honestly I don't think this man can write a bad story. I really do enjoy following the adventures of Kimo; but there's so much more to the stories than just Kimo and his police magic. There's his family and friends, there is the desire to find that special someone, something that most of us can identify with in one way or another. And there's always a mystery that keeps the reader spell-bound and unsure of just who is doing what and why; at least until the end.


Another excellent story in Neil Plakcy's outstanding series.

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Book Info:

Neil S. Plakcy; Mahu Fire; Alyson Books; April 2008

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WHERE THERE'S SMOKE...THERE'S DEATH
 Honolulu heats up, as passions rise and murder comes calling. Homicide detective Kimo Kanapa'aka is attending a local charity event in support of gay marriage when a bomb disrupts the gala. Someone is out for more than blood...they want victims. With hunky fireman Mike Riccardi at his side--day and night--Kimo digs through the ashes to find that, not only is heat dangerous for the heart, but that fire can burn through the hottest of motives.

Mahu Surfer by Neil Plakcy

Neil Plakcy has, in Kimo Kanapa'aka, created a character that comes to life. In his struggles with his outing, his desire to be just Kimo Kanapa'aka, former surfer, now homicide detective, he's finding that, to many people, he's more--or to some, less. He's a real person dealing with frustrations that most of us will never have to go through. Even more, he's still a cop and a good one at that. It's driving him crazy that his notoriety is both a help and a hindrance.



Mr. Plakcy's mystery writing is superb, his characterisations wonderful and his storytelling stellar. On so many levels this author has gained my appreciation; and as a writer he's fabulous!

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Book Info:

Neil S. Plakcy; Mahu Surfer; Alyson Books; August 2007

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SURF'S UP... AND SO IS THE BODY COUNT

On the North Shore of Oahu, three young surfers have been murdered--shot by a high-powered rifle while riding the waves. For Kimo Kanapa'aka, the only openly gay detective in Honolulu--and one-time competitive surfer--tracking the killer is his way back to respectablility within his own department. Infiltrating the close-knit surfer community, Kimo discovers more than trouble in paradise. He finds pure evil under the sun.

Mahu by Neil S. Plakcy

I love mysteries and I love Neil Plakcy's books. Up until I read his Mahu series, I'd only read two of Mr. Plakcy's books, but they really struck a chord with me. So when I found that his first book was a police procedural and that the main character, Kimo Kanapa'aka is a gay homicide detective, I knew I had to get it... and the three following stories as well.

I am pleased to say that I was NOT disappointed! As far as I'm concerned Neil can write just about anything and I'm going to enjoy it.

Kimo Kanapa'aka is a seriously engaging character and following as his life is turned upside-down and topsy-turvy is a rollercoaster ride where you can't see what's coming up next. And Mr. Plakcy keeps the tension honed to a fine edge; but he's also very good at letting us breathe once in awhile.

All I can say is, Neil Plakcy has joined my top favourite and auto-buy author's list... and I've already made excellent headway on collecting all his books.

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Book Info:

Neil S. Plakcy; MAHU; Alyson Books; 2009 (reprint)

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A TROPICAL PARADISE CONTAINS DEADLY SECRETS


Honolulu becomes the site for murder and deception. When handsome, mixed-race surfer (and closeted homicide detective) Kimo Kanapa'aka leaves a Honolulu gay bar late one night and stumbles onto two men dropping a dead body in an alley, he has no idea hat he is about to begin the journey of his life--into danger, passion and self-awareness. Kimo's pursuit of this case takes him from the seamy underside of Chinatown to the elegance of million-dollar homes in Maunalani Heights, from gay bars where young men stride naked down runways to bloody crime scenes. The murder has the potential to publicize his personal life and wipe-out everything he has worked for.

Neil S. Plakcy and the MAHU series

Over the Christmas holidays I finally made time for the four books in Neil Plakcy's MAHU series and I'm so glad that I did. After having read Three Wrong Turns in the Desert and Gaylife.com I knew that I'd love these books. They're not romances but there are romance elements; but even so, I was in alt when I finally got down to reading about Kimo Kanapa'aka. I love mysteries and I love stories about police detectives ~ and my favourite television shows are still Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. There's something about the good guys getting the upper hand and making the evil-doers, if not pay, at least have their faces and names put to the crime.

So yes, even though I bought these Print books without having much knowledge about them, I must say how pleased I am to have them on my shelves! 
And I will be posting reviews for each of the books in the series shortly... I'm off to pick my daughter up from school...