Aloha, Lady Blue

By: Charley Memminger

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Charley Memminger combines a cast of quirky and sometimes dangerous island characters with a mystery that you'll never forget. This riveting story introduces Stryker McBride, who lives on a 300,000 dollar houseboat at a small yacht club.

The former crime reporter has been keeping a low profile since being shot by a cop while investigating police corruption. But when Stryker receives a phone call from a beautiful former high school classmate, he's drawn back into society to look into the death of the woman's grandfather. Soon, Stryker's investigation leads him to a deadly secret buried deep in the heart of Hawaii.

Vivid and exhilarating, you can almost hear the pounding of the surf and catch the scent of plumeria.

©2013 Charley Memminger (P)2013 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"Hilarious side characters and side stories lend ballast. Readers will want to see a lot more of this engaging hero in the John D. MacDonald tradition." ( Publishers Weekly)

"Whatever you call it, McDonald homage or Memminger original, it's pretty darned good." ( Booklist)

"Charley Memminger should be named Hawaii's state gem. Sorry black coral, he's just better than you are. His great first novel made me feel like I just took a Hawaiian vacation, and not your usual boring beach vacation, but a thrilling trip filled with corrupt cops and libidinous Russians." (A.J. Jacobs, author of The Know-it-All)

Super good listen!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Aloha, Lady Blue to be better than the print version?

Don't know about the print version, but the audio was awesome!

What other book might you compare Aloha, Lady Blue to and why?

Similar in style to Hiaasen's writing, but the narrator is really, really good!!

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to say, as most of the book was very good. Hard to stop listening....this is a must listen AGAIN!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Ah, when he got his dogs....

Any additional comments?

Super good listen, can't wait for another. Please let this be series!!

Great new series!

Would you listen to Aloha, Lady Blue again? Why?

Yes. it's a really good story with a fast-paced action, mixed with just enough humor to balance it all.

Any additional comments?

Someone used to send me computer lnks to Charles Memminger's humorous column from the Honolulu paper, and I loved reading them. I had noticed I had not gotten one for a while, so was thrilled when I saw he had written this book. Wondering if he would be as talented with a full-length book, eagerly downloaded it.

I am happy to say it is excellent. He has created Stryker MacBride, an ex-reporter who lives on his houseboat and gets drawn into the crime that originally led to his having been shot when he had been investigating it several years previously. Danger, tough guys, sex--the usual ingredients of this genre of beach bum sleuths, combined with one of the freshest touches of humor found in recent books. Not my usual reading, but bought just because it was written by Memminger. I found it everything I had hoped for and more. I would just say that at times the narration was a little uneven, but it did not detract.

Highly Recommend!

murder, history and modern ideas

If you could sum up Aloha, Lady Blue in three words, what would they be?

Real Hawaiian mystery

What did you like best about this story?

Theethnic mix of characters is a refreshing change from the same old Magnum wannabes

Have you listened to any of Mike Chamberlain’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Not your average LA murder

Any additional comments?

The author likes to use modern invective but once you get over that, this is well worth reading. And, you might learn something about our 50th state that is seldom mentioned. This author puts personalities to the characters from the past, instead of just talking in generalities. The past affects the present and it does so on a personal level. Thanks guy you did a good job . I hpoe to read some more from your chacters.

Needs to read by a native islander or kama'aina

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, overall a good listen. To someone not from the islands, they wouldn't notice the mispronunciations of the Hawaiian words so readily. I like this genre of books: tropical, thriller, mystery, local lore.

What other book might you compare Aloha, Lady Blue to and why?

Ocean Floors (The Tales of Dan Coast Book 2), by Rodney Riesel. Set in Florida by another up and coming author. Similar story line. Lots of references to geography, locations, local lore, and all things nautical.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Learned the correct pronunciation of Hawaiian words. He didn't do too bad with the pidgin English all things considered.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Some things are better left buried...

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the Kindle version and the audible version together in "whisper sync."

Pretty good yarn

What made the experience of listening to Aloha, Lady Blue the most enjoyable?

As a Hawaii resident, I loved all the local place references. Mr. Chamberlain had trouble with the pronounciation of the Hawaiian names, which is nothing new .
The book could have used a little editing to avoid repetition, but it turnded into a pretty good mystery.

Shallow

Would you try another book from Charley Memminger and/or Mike Chamberlain?

Probably not.

Any additional comments?

My biggest gripe with this book is the gross mispronunciation of the Hawaiian words and places. If you are going to narrate a story, please learn how to pronounce the names. It was really off. The story was just so so. It was pretty far fetched and required a suspension of reality.