Torch Ginger

(Paradise Crime Mysteries, Book 2)

By: Toby Neal

Narrated by: Sara Malia Hatfield

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

If J.D. Robb's In Death series went on location with Kaui Hart Hemmings's The Descendants, you'd have Toby Neal's Torch Ginger.

The island of Kaua'i is remote jungle, golden beaches, and ancient culture - but transients are disappearing in paradise, and only Detective Lei Texeira notices. Lei transfers to the island of Kaua'i, where she uncovers a pattern of disappearances that may be related to a bizarre cult - or is it just one madman at work? In Lei's world, everyone is guilty until proven innocent. In the midst of the biggest case sleepy Kaua'i has ever seen, Lei must also untangle the mysteries of her heart and discover who she loves.

©2012 Toby Neal (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Even more enjoyable than the first.

The case is an interesting one and the setup is unusual in that it is particular to a place like Hawaii: a location that is the idealised paradise and attracts both tourists and ‘seekers’, many of whom are disillusioned when they learn it has the same problems as everywhere else (Paris is notorious for this issue), and the author uses that topic as a very good segue into the crime section of the story.

I am really enjoying the relationship with Stevens – it’s quite refreshing to have a couple that isn’t perfect, and a heroine with serious relationship hang-ups due to her abused past, it’s realistic and if it’s done properly, we can actually watch Lei work through her issues and come out stronger for it. Something tells me that Stevens is going to need the patience of a saint but he seems like a good man, and I really hope the author doesn’t just swop him out for a newer model, but actually sticks with him and makes the characters work it out. I never felt there was too much of a focus on Lei’s personal life, it felt like a good balance between personal and the case itself, I hope it continues.

The reader continues her excellent job of bringing these characters to life – her accents make the story much more immersive.

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one – the author taking advantage of the more unusual, localised issues Hawaii faces to paint the story with an immersive local colour. The author is also doing a great job making Lei an interesting, strong, believable protagonist – she’s not perfect but she is sincere and dedicated.

A very enjoyable and entertaining continuation of the series. I’ve already bought several more of these – take advantage of the reduced price when you buy the Kindle version and you’ll get your money’s worth.

Long but worth it.

Actually read the ninth book in this series first. Came back to the second book knowing from the 9th book how some of the 2nd book situations had been resolved. Good plot, very interesting and well defined characters. The narrator's voice changes were very good and having (what I assume were) the correct pronunciation of the Hawaiian words was a great help to the story. Worth the read.

Love the Author, Series, and Narrator

Have absolutely fell in love with this author and her characters. For those leaving reviews about mispronunciations of the narrator, you’re actually way off base. The author chose a native of Hawaii for the narrator. It threw me off a little at first too but once I realized this I understood she was paying honor to the amazing history and heritage of the islands. I have grown to love this narrator as well. Enjoy!

lea

thr story continues, is very easy to follow. Can not wait to get the next book .

Poor narration

The narrator frequently mispronounces common words. Very disconcerting and sometimes confusing.

PLEASE find a new narrator

Impulsive & undisciplined detective

Lei Texeria is a loose cannon with some good insight. She is undisciplined making it hard for her bosses to depend on her. As Discriminating Ears said, Texeria is impulsive, non-sympathetic and illogical.

Not To Be Missed!

My Review
I didn't read the first in the series, "Blood Orchids" but there is enough back story in "Torch Ginger" to ensure the reader doesn't feel bewildered by how and why Lei finds herself now working on Kaua'i.
Lei is the new girl, low in the pecking order and as such, gets all the boring jobs. She is working hard to fit in but after only two months on an island described as "a jungle paradise of secretive people and strange spiritual forces" Lei is finding life to be "slow and boring".
It's while plodding her way through one of her dull cases that Lei is asked to talk to Kelly Waterson, Kelly reports her boyfriend Jay as missing. It has only been 24 hours since she last spoke to him by 'phone, but the circumstances catch Leis attention. When a worried Kelly flew in and visited Pine Trees, the unofficial camp site, she discovered Jays belongings dumped in the rubbish bin. His wallet still held his credit cards and also some strange origami shapes, three stones were left on his shoe.
Now the story really begins! During the course of her investigation she meets many strange and intriguing characters and she becomes convinced that the disappearances aren't merely people who have simply taken themselves off the grid. Getting others to take her convictions seriously is a hard task.
There are so many threads to this story, yet they are woven skilfully to produce a story that is difficult to put down. The characters are all so well described that they seem totally believable, even the more way out types.
Mystery and intrigue abound, there is, in some characters, a sense of other worldliness which is at odds with Leis own world view.
I thought the reunion of Lei and her father beautifully written, his gentleness and his love for his daughter so sensitively described.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a mystery set in a lush and exotic location and with many intriguing extras. I for one shall be reading more of Toby Neil's work.
Narrator
This is the first book I have listened to narrated by Sara Malia Hatfield, and what a wonderful voice she has. Sara has all the attributes of a good narrator, but, for this book, it took a special person to pull it off. Born and raised in Hawaii, she was the perfect choice to perform those subtle differences in accents. The more I listened the more fascinated I became by both her voice and the pidgin speak, just wonderful! I look forward to more.
Just a word about the Audible sample, should you listen to it, it in no way does justice to the audiobook, for some reason, the sample seems of lesser quality.
This audiobook was provided, without condition, by the representative of the author.

Thrilling

Sara was wonderfull. loved listening to this story. Sara's voice was consistent her words flowed off the pages. I am enjoying following Lei's story. a wonderfully written story.

My Favorite Neal Audiobook

The story is (of course) fantastic as are all of Toby's, but it's the narrator's performance that really did it for me on this one.

Sara's ability to create a voice and personality for each character was really astounding; I was completely taken away. Through her command of the nuances of the Hawaiian/pidgin dialect, I was able to envision each character in my mind.

The story of suspicious disappearances and a cult really pulled me in. There were so many layers of the mystery that I couldn't turn off my iPhone as I waited to hear what would happen next. Even though I had read this book previously, the audiobook gave me a new experience into this compelling story.

Another great Toby Neal story!

Island born author Neal paints a beautiful narrative read by outstanding Sara Malia Hatfield.