The only thing that Aloha Lagoon Resort manager Charlotte Conner hates more than her employees working on "island time" is Christmas. It isn't just the over commercialized tripe, but it's also the fact that once-upon-a-time her Christmas would-be wedding went up in spectacular flames. Now she has to share the hated Hawaiian holiday with her twin sister (the one responsible for Charlotte's ruined vows), Alexander Cho (the one currently responsible for destroying Charlotte's peace of mind and libido), and the body of one very dead assistant. Aloha Lagoon's police department can't find anyone else with a better motive for killing Charlotte's assistant than Charlotte herself, so now it's up to her, Alex, and her irritatingly ever-present twin to hunt down the real murderer before Charlotte spends her Christmas in a jail cell for a Mele Kalikimurder she didn't commit. This is one holly-jolly holiday that just might end up deadly! (Summary via Goodreads)
A Hallmark Channel Christmas movie meets a Law and Order episode....that is how it feels when you read Mele Kalikimaka Murder by Aimee Gilchrist.
Mele Kalikimaka Murder is the fifth book in the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series and one thing about this series that is great is that even though they are part of a series, you don't have to read them in order. The only thing they have in common is that they all center around the Aloha Lagoon Resort in Hawaii. They also have some overlapping characters, like Detective Ray.
In Mele Kalkimaka you are staying at the Aloha Lagoon Resort and hanging around with the temporary manager, Charlotte. She is there after the previous manager passes away to get it back in order and then she will move on. While she is there she is trying very hard to not fall in love with the island and her second in command, Alex.
When her assistant, Mallory, is found murdered, Charlotte has some hard facts to address. As she comes to terms with realizing she didn't know her assistant as well as she should have, she twin sister, Georgie, shows up at the resort. All of this is happening during the week before Christmas while the resort and the town gear up for days of festivities. Charlotte and Georgie aren't on very good terms currently and Charlotte is trying real hard to keep her feelings for Alex in check while the three of them try to find out what got Mallory killed.
Even though there is a strong romantic aspect to this story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is nothing wrong with a book having more storylines to follow and that is exactly what Mele Kalikimaka Murder gives the reader. Not only are you following Charlotte around the island trying to find out why Mallory was murdered so she can tell her parents something, you are following Charlotte and Alex into quiet, empty offices while she fights her emotions, and you are also sitting along side her as she works out things with her twin sister. There is a lot to absorb while reading this book......it will keep you entertained while on the edge of your seat.
I love the Aloha Lagoon Resort Mystery series and cannot wait until I get back to the island for the next mystery.......
Review by Missi S.
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