Aloha, everyone. My name is Laurel McKay. I’m so excited that my best friend, Liz, decided to get married on the Big Island of Hawaii. After a hectic winter, including a snowmobile chase with a crazed killer in Lake Tahoe, I couldn’t wait to fly 2,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to celebrate her wedding.
As far as I’m concerned, there isn’t a more romantic spot to exchange vows than a sunset ceremony on the beach. Afterward, we all celebrated at their reception, held at Daiquiri Dave’s Lounge, a cliff side restaurant in Kailua-Kona owned by my brother. The location was the perfect setting for a wedding.
Unfortunately, those cliffs also provided the perfect setting for –– murder.
At first, the police thought Keiki, the beautiful hula dancer who worked at the restaurant, had accidentally fallen over the barrier wall, landing on the lava rocks below. But why was she still at the restaurant hours after the reception ended? And who would want to harm the beautiful dancer?
It turns out that many folks held a grudge against Keiki. Suspects walked, swam, four-wheeled, and zip-lined into the story. All with a motive for murder. Then my sister-in-law, Regan, accused my brother of having an affair with Keiki. Which he denied, of course. When the police arrested Dave for murder, I decided it was time to put down my tropical drink, get out of my lounge chair and come to my big brother’s rescue.
With my homicide detective boyfriend stuck on a case back home in California, I gratefully accepted an offer of assistance from my brother’s best friend. Steve is the captain of the Sea Jinx, a vessel that is almost as gorgeous as he is. But I soon discovered Steve also employed Keiki as a dancer on his boat. When I fell overboard during a huge storm, I didn’t know if it was due to a gust of wind or if a member of the crew pushed me over the railing. Thank goodness, those fishermen showed up and rescued me seconds before that huge shark made me his sushi appetizer.
Despite the fact that my vacation was becoming more deadly than the calorie count in my daiquiri, I was determined to get my brother out of jail before we all had to return home. Even if it meant swimming with sharks, getting pushed off a cliff, zip-lining with a murderer, and worst of all –– having my hula video go viral!
It could take a few pots of highly caffeinated Kona coffee to help us solve this case.
Or, better yet, a pitcher full of strawberry daiquiris!
You can read more about Laurel in Dying for Daiquiri, the third book in the “Laurel McKay” mystery series, published by Cindy Sample. The first book in the series is Dying for a Date. Books are available at online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6 p.m. EST on May 1, and you will be entered for a chance to win a digital copy of DYING FOR DAIQUIRI. One winner will be chosen at random.
Meet the author
Cindy Sample is a former corporate CEO who retired to follow her dream of becoming a mystery author. Her humorous 
romantic mystery series features Laurel McKay, a single soccer mom. Dying for a Date and Dying for a Dance, the winner of the NCPA 2011 Fiction Award are set in the California gold country. Dying for a Daiquiri, a 2014 finalist for the LEFTY Award for Best Humorous Mystery, moves the crime scene to the Big Island of Hawaii. This book was definitely the most fun to research! Cindy is a past President of the Sacramento Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She has served on the boards of the Sacramento Opera and YWCA.
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I’d love to be in Hawaii, reading this novel, and having a daiquiri!
Sounds like a great fun series. I’m going to look for the first one.
Hawaii is on my bucket list so any book set there is one for me and this sounds like fun.
This book sounds like fun. Will check out the other titles.
I love Hawaii – so this is a must read!
This book sounds great. I always wanted to go to Hawaii. Would love to read this 🙂
This sounds like lots of fun. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks everyone. Laurel had a great time in Hawaii, despite that killer interfering with her vacation plans!
That certainly is one way to make a wedding memorable! I don’t think I recommend it, however.
Thanks, Libby. Laurel sometimes finds ways to get in trouble without any help from me!
A fun premise and an author who writes funny very well.
Annette. You are so sweet to comment. Mahalo.
I have read Dying for a Daiquiri and just loved it. The right combination of murder, suspense, thrills and laughs. Due for a reread soon, too. It’s worth a second round.
Cindy – I read your book and it is a truly delightful mystery with all the flavor of a Hawaiian vacation. Good job, friend.
There are some great daiquiri and tropical drink recipes at the back of the book. You’ll feel like you’re on the beach with Laurel!
It’s ;so cold and windy here today that I’d love to escape to Hawaii in this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
This series sounds like a blast! Can’t wait to read them.
Sounds great. Love to read. Thank you.
Love hearing about one horrific cliffhanger after another from Laurel’s point of view here!
What a fun read this will be.
Thanks Heather, Elaine and June for your kind comments. Nothing like a good cliffhanger to keep you on the edge of your seat followed by a laugh or two or three.
Cindy – I believe you took your research well to heart. Looking forward to reading this one, because you and Laurel make a great team.
Hi, Laurel,
You certainly lead an exciting life. I have to thank you and Cindy for sharing some of the details with us.
Wow, sounds action packed and fun!
I have to admit Laurel and I had a great time doing our research. Choosing our favorite flavor of daiquiri was a tough job!
I want to see that hula video or at least read the book.
I need drinks in Hawaii with a good book to read on the beach and this sounds like it!
another new to me author/series………
thanx for the heads-up!!!
If there was a daiquiri contest, it would have to be strawberry. I can picture Laurel and you (and me) in Hawaii slurping those sweeties. I love your books and your blog.
I love this series; I’m so glad I “discovered” you. Thanks for donating to Brenda Novak’s online auction!
Great book! I read it while vacationing in Hawaii–all the better! Laurel is MY kind of heroine–not-so-young, klutzy and caring. Great job, Cindy!
This book and the series itself, surely sounds like a book that I really need to read right about now to cheer me up. Great blog post and very interesting information as always.
Cynthia
Anyone brave enough to post their picture wearing those glasses gets a thumbs up from me. Loved the book.
Thanks Cyn and Cynthia, Susie & Suzy. Laurel aims to entertain with laughter and a tropical drink or two!
I love Cindy Sample and her books, they are a fun filled read!
Looks like a fun new to me series.
Sounds like a fun series!
Sounds like a fun series. I’ll definitely check it out. 🙂
All three books kept me on the edge of my seat, yet I loved that they were also light enough that don’t bring on any nightmares. Also loved that they have a comedy twist to them among all the mystery. All three are a must read!
Glad you all liked the sunglasses. I need to stock up. They’re so popular I keep giving them away!
Cleverly written. Can you believe I’ve never been to Hawaii?
I hope DYING FOR A DAIQUIRI feels like you’ve taken a trip to Hawaii! Thanks so much, Dru, for letting Laurel describe her latest adventures on your terrific blog.
Thanks Cindy for interacting with my readers and giving us a chance to meet Laurel.
contest is closed.