Dark Lava

(Paradise Crime Mysteries, Book 7)

By: Toby Neal

Narrated by: Sara Malia Hatfield

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Maui is sacred places, ancient artifacts, and the dark lava of deepest passions.

Nothing ever goes easy for detectives Lei Texeira and Michael Stevens. An investigation into heiau desecrations must take a backseat to the emergence of an enemy who targets those closest to them, leaving shrouds as a calling card. Lei and Stevens face challenges of the body, mind, and heart in this seventh in the best-selling Lei Crime Series.

©2014 Toby Neal (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Neal is a powerful writer, and her prose is often effortless and elegant." ( Kirkus Reviews)

As an audiobook it doesn’t work

I was interested in the crime novel in a cultural setting I’m not familiar with. But the narrator is too difficult to understand. So I returned it after two chapters. Therefore I cannot really rate the story aspect.

Dark indeed, but so GOOD

Would you consider the audio edition of Dark Lava to be better than the print version?

Easily, i miss so many details as i read so fast...I started reading the series, but now I'm listening to it because it's honestly performed better than my imagination, ha!

What other book might you compare Dark Lava to and why?

tough, clearly they have similarities to the other books in the series, but this one really stands on it's own...so much happens in this book, i finished it in 3 days as I couldn't stop listening!

What does Sara Malia Hatfield bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

she truly speaks life into the characters, seriously, they seem so real, the relationships even...i see them, hear them, and dare i say feel their emotions, and I'm a dude, ha! And I admit the intimate scenes make me a bit uncomfortable as a guy, but that should be taken as a compliment to both author and narrator, as those scenes are well done, and thankfully not written too girly...steamy yes, but tasteful. Seriously, Sara is an exceptional narrator, love her work and I look forward to listening to more of her work...Fire Beach next. Would be curious to hear what she does with other genres and authors.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, this one's great...one of my favorites so far. Both author and narrator nailed it.

Any additional comments?

Some of the scenes in here are REALLY well written and performed...the audio samples do not do these audiobooks justice. Trust me, especially if you're from Hawaii or love Hawaii...these are the real deal and so is the local narrator. Thanks Audible, Hana Hou!!

A great use of Hawaii's uniqueness

Another excellent use of the unique properties of Hawaii – this is when the books are great, when they mould the story around Hawaii’s unique environment, culture and history: the theft of ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs, and society’s reactions to the thefts.

I enjoyed the sections of a shifted point of view: Michael. It’s nice to get inside his head and see things from his standpoint.

There’s more of Lei’s personal drama but honestly, it’s getting old. How does one person manage to drive a crime family to want her dead this badly?? I know she’s a police officer so enemies are a part of this, but this feels far too personal to just be that. It’s turned into a vendetta – it’s getting a little overdramatic. To be fair, though, the author does tie the vendetta into other storylines which makes it far more palatable.

I don’t have a huge amount to say on this one, I enjoyed the crime storyline but the Lei drama is getting a bit much.

Not who you think

I love Toby Neal's books and there's always a twist as to who did it. There is emotion and mystery Toby seems to research her material before she writes her book. I just love her characters, in continuing the story with Lei and Keiki, it's amazing to see how far they have come. Definitely parts that keep you on the edge of your seat and other parts that have you in tears. Always a must in the listening category.

Just loved it

This was the last book in the series and they wrapped up the story very nicely but what I like about this authors series of books is that when they end the story in the book they carry over to the next section so you want to read the next book and also what they do in the beginning of the next book is the recap some of what happened in the first book so you don’t feel like you’re missing anything

Gripping. Emotional. Thrilling

Author Toby Neal and narrator Sara Malia Hatfield hit another Lei Crime novel out of the park. Stolen Hawaiian artifacts are the center of another investigation. Maui police detectives Lei Texeira and her husband Michael Stevens face devastating personal losses while their own lives are in danger. Great read!

Manly Men, beware!

Well, I've been listening to the entire series after reading the books up to #5. I was a bit chagrined (given what a Manly Man I am...) to realize how emotionally tied up I am to these characters. Extremely enjoyable!

Sorrow and joy

This was an enjoyable book and I hope to read more by this author soon.

Unbearable Reader

It sounds like the reader was trying to sound dark and mysterious, but heavy breathing, whispery words and guttural accents just make it irritating. So bad I couldn't listen beyond 3 chapters...pity.