Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Off the Grid, by Robert McCaw {ends 8/21}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

The crime-scene team searched the Campbells’ remote artist’s studio. They collected DNA samples from bed linens, a woman’s hairbrush, Q-tips, cosmetic swabs, and a man’s comb. Dozens of fingerprints throughout the house belonged to two people, presumably Gwendolyn and Arthur Campbell. A ledger, found in a drawer under one of the worktables, revealed that Gwendolyn Campbell had sold drawings and paintings for the last decade at prices ranging from $50 to $3,000. The absence of ID bothered Koa. There were no letters, no bank or credit card records, no tax returns, deeds, wills, Social Security cards, or other legal papers.

Do people who don’t even technically exist count as gone once they’re dead? Chief Detective Koa Kane is determined to find out who they were, and why they were killed.

Official synopsis:

A scrap of cloth fluttering in the wind leads Hilo police Chief Detective Koa Kāne to the tortured remains of an unfortunate soul left to burn in the path of an advancing lava flow. For Koa, it’s the second gruesome homicide of the day, and he soon discovers the murders are linked. These grisly crimes on Hawaiʻi’s Big Island could rewrite history—or cost Chief Detective Koa Kāne his career.

The dead, a reclusive couple living off the grid, turn out to be mysterious fugitives. The CIA, the Chinese government, and the Defense Intelligence Agency, attempt to thwart Koa’s investigation and obscure the victims’ true identities. Undeterred by mounting political pressure, Koa pursues the truth only to find himself drawn into a web of international intrigue.

While Koa investigates, the Big Island scrambles to prepare for the biggest and most explosive political rally in its history. Despite police resources stretched to the breaking point, Koa uncovers a government conspiracy so shocking its exposure topples senior officials far beyond Hawaiʻi’s shores.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The descriptions of the land and plants around Hawaii were beautiful and inspiring – the next best thing to taking a trip, right? But the author didn’t just rely on the thorough and colorful descriptions. The plot was also intriguing and thought-provoking. Books with believable government cover-ups and mysteries always get passed along to my dad, and I think he’ll really enjoy this one.

Off the Grid is actually the second novel in the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series by Robert McCaw. There were a couple references to Chief Detective Kane’s past, and I’m looking forward to finding out which events were in the first book. I had no trouble getting to know the characters and enjoying this book without having read the first one.

Overall, I’d give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It felt like my own private Hawaiian vacation with lots of adventure, from the safe comfort of my own home.

{click here to purchase - as of this writing, only 99c for Kindle!}

Becki Bayley is a mom, wife, daughter, and friend who chronicles her own adventures at SweetlyBSquared.com.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of Off the Grid!

Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Wednesday, August 21st, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be notified the next day via email, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

Off the Grid, by Robert McCaw