Hello, everyone! As the saying goes, I’m back, baby! Yes, I’ve just returned from Hollywood to my home in beautiful Hawaii, where the living is easy, and the scenery always breathtaking.
Hollywood can be a lonely place. It’s full of fickle and unsympathetic people, and everyone is out for themselves. Although I was thrilled to be part of a feature film, I was away for much longer than anticipated. I swear, it felt more like eight years instead of eight months. I missed everyone, especially my amazing boyfriend, Keanu. Yes, the Aloha State is definitely where it’s at.
No, I’m not a superstar. Not even close. By sheer luck, I landed a small part in a romantic comedy called Princes Can be Charming. It was a decent payday, but I’m not even sure that the movie will make it past the cutting board. After all this time, though, I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff. I got to live out my dream and for now I’m perfectly happy to wait tables at the Loco Moco Cafe, which is owned by Keanu and his family.
Loco Moco is part of the Aloha Lagoon Resort, a posh hotel that caters to the rich and beautiful. People come here to be spoiled and pampered. Life is almost perfect on our island…or at least it was until an unexpected visitor showed up. Actually, there were two unexpected visitors, but I’ll only mention one by name for now. Yes, folks, there are no leis without thorns.
Keanu’s ex-girlfriend Tammy was the first to arrive. She’s dancing at the resort’s weekly luau tonight. Tammy’s gorgeous and graceful, and could easily pass for a Hawaiian model. I, on the other hand, have two left feet. The usual caterer wasn’t available so Loco Moco will be handling the food for the luau, which means that both Keanu and I will be on hand to help. I realize I have nothing to worry about and am not a jealous girlfriend, but I can’t help wondering why Tammy showed up when she doesn’t even live in Kauai.
The luau went well, until Tammy fainted in the sand. The problem is that she never woke up. Now the police are looking at Keanu as a prime suspect because he was seen arguing with Tammy right before the luau. Why won’t he tell me what they fought about? And who’s the mystery man that’s been at Loco Moco asking questions about me?
Maybe Hollywood wasn’t as bad as I thought. There’s a tropical storm brewing on the island, and if we’re not careful, Keanu and I may both become its next casualties.
Death Of The Hula Girl – An Aloha Lagoon Mystery, Book 25
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: June 2025
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link
From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns comes a deadly dance in paradise!
After a brief brush with Hollywood and fame, Carrie Jorgenson is happy to be back in her adopted hometown of Aloha Lagoon, Hawaii, serving up pineapples and poi to her beloved regular customers and vacationing tourists alike at the Loco Moco Café. She’s once again surrounded by good friends, her fur baby Benny, and reunited with her true love, Keanu.
But all is not perfect in paradise.
Shortly after Carrie’s happy homecoming, Keanu’s gorgeous ex-girlfriend, Tammy, shows up for the Aloha Lagoon’s weekly luau, ready to hula dance her way into everyone’s hearts. Carrie can’t help but feel a little intimidated by her graceful moves and obvious charm. However, when Tammy collapses at the end of her dance, things go from awkward to awful. Suddenly the luau is a crime scene and everyone is a suspect in the death of the hula girl. To make matters worse, Tammy was holding a secret over Keanu’s head, which shoots him straight to the top of the suspect list. Carrie will need to stay cool, stand by her man, and prove his innocence before their lives erupt like a volcano!
Delicious Hawaiian recipes included!
About the author
USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns lives in Upstate New York with her very patient husband, three son and several spoiled pets. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier and RONE awards for Best Mystery. She’s written over 30 novels and has many more stories waiting to be told. Readers are invited to visit her website at catherinebruns.net.