🏖️🏝️🏨 “Elysium Tide” (2022) 🏨🏝️🏖️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800738519
ISBN-13: 978-0800738518
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Dr. Peter Chesterfield is one of the Royal London Hospital's top neurosurgeons. He is also a workaholic, ordered by his boss to take a week off to attend a medical symposium at the luxurious Elysium Grand on the island of Maui. While there, Peter pulls a woman with a skull fracture from the water. Though he is able to revive her in the ambulance, she eventually dies in his arms, leaving him with only one clue to what happened to her: the word "honu."
Increasingly obsessed with discovering the cause of his patient's death, Peter becomes entangled in an ongoing investigation of a brazen luxury auto theft. He also becomes a source of deep irritation to detective Lisa Kealoha, who has jurisdiction over the case.
But when the two join forces, they begin to uncover a destructive plot that runs far deeper than either of them could have imagined. And if they're not careful, they're both going to end up dead.
Award-winning author James R. Hannibal whisks you away to the deadly beauty of Hawaii for a story of greed, violence, and justice that will leave you breathless.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell Books (a division of Baker Books) for providing a complimentary review copy through the Revell Reads program. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
While James R. Hannibal has had multiple books published, this is the second one I’ve read of his. And, I am really impressed with his writing. He has an exceptional skill in drawing readers in, keeping their attention, and making them wonder where he is taking them. Almost like a thrill ride that you know at the end you’ll be safe, but during the ride you’re not so certain.
I thought NOTHING could top last year’s The Paris Betrayal, and … this didn’t, per se. This was in a league of its own. It’s hard to compare international spies to a sophisticated crime ring operating on Maui anyway. This definitely far surpassed my expectations though.
Having enjoyed the author’s previous book, this was on my priority stack due to the blurb on the back cover.
Speaking of, the cover grabbed me right away. To some, it is just a tower and palm trees. To me? It reminds me of the El Mirador tower at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California. Or, when I was living there – Desert Hospital. This is my picture from a February 2012 visit:
The setting? Starts off with a London hospital and moves to Maui. I’ve never been to Hawai‘i, but fantasized after watching Magnum, P.I back when Tom Selleck was in the role. And, this definitely has some elements of Magnum – car chases, resorts, crime, fast cars. Hannibal immerses the reader in authentic Hawai‘ian culture with the language (often called pidgin), clothing (slippahs – flip-flops), and the lifestyle.
In addition to a wonderful setting, Hannibal has a cast of characters that are quite diverse. And, he definitely keeps you guessing as to what side of the law they’re really on, not “supposed” to be on.
🩺 Dr. Peter Chesterfield – a London neurosurgeon who is in BAD need of relaxing
🚓 Lisa Kealoha – originally from Maui; troubled teen; went to LA; now back as a detective
🚓 Pika Kealoha – officer, Maui PD; Lisa’s brother
🚑 Dr. Tua Iona “Tuna” – resort doctor at The Elysium Grand; knows the Alanas and Kealohas
🚓 Jenny Fan – another detective; Lisa’s rival
🚗 Koa Alana – used to run with Lisa; criminal
🏆 Kelly Alana – used to run with the “gang”; freediver
💣 Luan Trejo – crime lord from L.A
🐄 Jack Carlisle – cattle entrepreneur
🚓 Clay Parker – FBI agent; Lisa’s “love interest” (??)
There are other minor characters that add to the story as well. Though, the only POVs the readers get are Lisa and Peter’s.
For those expecting a romance – this is going to offer little to nothing. This is STRICTLY suspense. Which, for me, is not a problem There are little to no “trigger/content” issues in this book.
This starts off on what could be a medical thriller or suspense. Peter doesn’t have the best bedside manner. While brilliant, he must’ve attended the Dr. Gregory House school of charm. Peter has a mouth that lands him in trouble during a surgery.
As punishment, he’s being sent to Maui, and being forced to relax as well as reflect on his workaholic behaviors. To someone like me – that’d be a dream, to Peter – a nightmare, starting with his multiple flights.
Lisa is heading up the gang task force having been away for six years. Her job isn’t any easier with someone from the old days lurking. When trouble breaks out – Lisa is hampered by the lack of air support and boats (an island with no boats, I feel for her).
One lead is a dead end – literally. She has a feeling it has to do with Koa Alana though.
While at the Elysium Grand, Peter sees a soaked Lisa and wonders what it is about. But, later that night – during a walk – Peter comes across a woman’s body. After trying to resuscitate her, only to have her die – Peter is left shaken by it. Of course, being the last to see the woman alive makes him a suspect.
Once Lisa determines he isn’t, Peter offers some help – “honu”, the last thing the woman said.
While it seems like a simple accident – Peter is insistent that it was a murder. He can see things that are out of place. After pointing out the injury and then an inconsistency with the way some suspects acted, Lisa is convinced to let him work with her to solve the murder.
But, the murder isn’t the only thing going on as they find out. Cattle, drugs, and even more lurk on this small island.
This grabbed me right off and drug me under. I couldn’t stop reading it. And, due to the short chapters, the fallacy of “one last chapter” kept me reading far beyond my bedtime. The author’s writing was definitely vivid and I almost felt like I was being transported into the pages and setting.
Part of the the title comes from a material that is found with the woman’s body – Elysium. While it is a bit on the fictional side, Hannibal worked so well with it, that it is – to me – at the very least, plausible. Even more so given the geology over in Hawai‘i.
As of note, Elysium is a pretty hot material to work with. There are companies that make rings from them – and, yes, it does melt ice:
As the story progresses, Peter does become more tolerable. There is a scene where he tells Tuna (re: following someone) “Before, I was a clueless fool. Now I am a fully aware fool and happy to own it”; thus showing some character progression. I had to laugh at that though.
He even begins to grow from Atheist, to perhaps considering there is a God. He doesn’t attempt to talk Tuna or Lisa out of their beliefs, or mock them, but he has questions and remains respectful of the two.
I did like watching his mind work in saying “this isn’t right – this is why” and watching how the truth slowly came to light.
The relationship between Lisa and Clay is one I’d LOVE to see explored further. While she and Peter worked well – he is a bit “stiff” for her, in my opinion.
Hannibal also had quite the “suspect” pool to keep me guessing. Just when I had one in my sights, another popped up. One I had pegged, the other? Looking back, I shouldn’t have been so surprised, but I was when I read it.
The support characters were stellar. Despite a minor role, I love Lisa’s brother Ikaia (Hawai‘ian for Isaiah) – thinks food will solve all the problems. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Hannibal definitely took me on some twists and turns in this exciting, exceptionally well-written, unpredictable, edge-of-my-seat suspense ride. This had everything needed to keep one’s attention: murder, drug-smuggling, auto theft, corruption, and identity theft. While to some it might seem like he was taking story arcs and throwing it in a mixing bowl, hoping to have a decent finished product – Hannibal delivered, and did so with a flourish. Everything was so tightly woven together and intricately linked together I was NOT disappointed.
Despite this being a standalone book, it – like The Paris Betrayal – could easily branch into a series. I would definitely read additional books based on this one, Elysium Tide, or The Paris Betrayal.
While distributed by a primarily Christian/faith-themed publisher, this only has a few Christian themes and references. These do not preach at the reader; but come up as more of a natural conversation given the situation. It is a clean read with no foul language or intimate scenes.
While the author tailors his books to men and boys, who are underserved in the Christian fiction genre, anyone can read these books – especially those who LOVE a good suspense!
I am impatiently looking forward to what he has planned next.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James R. Hannibal is a former stealth pilot from Houston, Texas, turned award-winning author of multiple thrillers, such as The Gryphon Heist, Chasing the White Lion, and The Paris Betrayal. He is a three-time Silver Falchion award-winner for his children’s mysteries, and a rare multi-sense synesthete.
You can also find him on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesRHannibal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesrhannibal/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesRHannibal/
Website: https://jamesrhannibal.com/
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