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about Murder, Local Style (An Orchid Isle Mystery) by Leslie Karst!
Murder, Local Style (An Orchid Isle Mystery)
by Leslie Karst
About Murder, Local Style
Murder, Local Style (An Orchid Isle Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Hawaii
Publisher : Severn House
Publication date : April 7, 2026
Print length : 240 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-10 : 1448316588
ISBN-13 : 978-1448316588
Digital
ISBN-13 : 978-1448316571
ASIN : B0FVLW3ZL8
Retired caterer Valerie Corbin investigates a suspicious poisoning in this Orchid Isle cozy culinary mystery, featuring a feisty queer couple who swap surfing lessons for sleuthing sessions in tropical Hilo, Hawai‘i.
A dinner to die for!
It’s been an eventful transition, but retired caterer Valerie Corbin and her wife Kristen are finally settling into life on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Val’s even joined the neighborhood orchid society to make some new friends. So when she’s asked to step in to cater their latest social event, as the newbie of the group she can’t exactly say no.
But what should have been a straightforward gig is soon a dining disaster when the food from the event poisons and kills the society president. As Val herself becomes a suspect in the murder investigation, she’s determined to uncover the truth. Who would want to kill the mild-mannered president of the orchid society?
Turns out the list is longer than a celebrity chef’s tasting menu. Apparently some of the residents did not “love thy neighbor.” Can she reveal the killer’s identity before they strike again?
This mouthwatering cozy mystery is perfect for fans of Ellen Byron, Jennifer J Chow, Lucy Burdette, and Raquel V Reyes, and includes a selection of delicious Hawaiian recipes to cook at home.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Valerie Corbin and her wife Kristen know they are fortunate to live on the Big Island of Hawai’i with the “lush jungles, fiery volcanoes, black sand beaches, and coral reefs with eye-popping tropical fish,” but “Paradise isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.” Sometimes your neighbors can get on your nerves, but would they commit murder?
Val has joined the neighborhood orchid society in an effort to become more involved in the community and even make a few new friends. She is surprised when she is asked to cater their upcoming event, which is just 4 days away. The member who was responsible for the meal had a family emergency. It’s a smaller event than what she usually catered in L.A., and she will have a helper, so she accepts.
Val is feeling pretty good about the meal she served at the orchid benefit banquet until the next morning, when people start calling to say they got sick after eating her food. She was shocked to learn that the orchid society president had died at the hospital. Soon, her neighbor, Detective Amy, was knocking on her door to talk to her about what happened. Nervous that she could be held responsible for the man’s death, she knows she needs to work on the case herself. She gets another surprise when she discovers the long list of suspects.
Will Val uncover the killer before they kill again?
I am happy that Val and Kristen are becoming more comfortable in their new Hilo home, aside from their rude neighbor and his crazy dog. Kristen is finding work helping others while meeting new people. Val bartends a few nights a week at the Speckled Gecko and has taken a big step in joining the local orchid society. They hang out regularly with their friends, Sachiko, who owns the Gecko, and her partner, and Kristen’s surfing buddy, Isaac. It was great to see them get out of their comfort zone in this story.
Solving the murder of George Ikeda, the orchid society president, wasn’t easy for Valerie. The poison used to kill George was pretty common, and everyone on the suspect list could have had it long forgotten in their shed or garage. George, a retired CPA, was said to be kind and generous, but more comfortable with his orchids than people. He had a great knowledge of propagated and hybrid orchids. When another murder attempt is thwarted, Val starts looking at the murder through new eyes. By the time she brought all the clues together, she was face-to-face with the killer. Wow! What a takedown!
Ms. Karst’s passion for the island and her attention to detail and descriptive writing style make me excited to escape to Hawai’i every time I open a book in this series. She takes her readers on a virtual vacation, treating us to the language, the culture, the weather, the food, and a well-plotted mystery investigated by her delightful characters. Murder, Local Style is a fantastic addition to this series. Hurry, don’t wait. Book your Perfect Escape with An Orchid Isle Mystery today.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Severn House, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
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About Leslie Karst
Leslie Karst is the Lefty and Macavity Award-nominated author of the Orchid Isle mysteries Waters of Destruction and Molten Death, of the Sally Solari mystery series, and of the IBPA Ben Franklin and IPPY award silver medal-winning memoir, Justice is Served: A Tale of Scallops, the Law, and Cooking for RBG. After years waiting tables and singing in a new wave rock band, she decided she was ready for a “real” job and ended up at Stanford Law School, then returned to school to study the culinary arts. Now retired from the law, Leslie splits her time between Hilo, Hawai‘i and Santa Cruz, California, spending her days writing, cooking, cycling, gardening, and observing cocktail hour promptly at five o’clock.
Author Links
Website Chicks on the Case Mystery Lovers Kitchen Facebook GoodReads Instagram BookBub
Purchase Links
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Great Escapes Praise Murder, Local Style (An Orchid Isle Mystery)
by Leslie Karst
If you enjoy a cozy mystery set in a lovely spot with an interesting murder and investigation, then I highly recommend not only this book, but the whole Orchid Isle Mystery series.
~Carla Loves To Read
If you like a light, enjoyable, and well-constructed mystery with some fun foodie aspects (and recipes for food and cocktails), this series is for you. I always like to start at the beginning, but you won’t be lost if you jump in here.
~Rebecca M Douglass
Murder, Local Style is book three in the An Orchid Isle Mystery series that is written by Leslie Karst. This is a new to me author and I will be keeping an eye out for her future books moving forward. I love a good cozy mystery.
~Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.
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