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WATERS OF DESTRUCTION is the second book in the Orchid Isle Mysteries by Leslie Karst. With the gorgeous setting and multi-cultures of the Big Island of Hawai’i as the backdrop, this newest release brings the reader a twisty murder to solve along with colorful characters to keep the story entertaining. Protagonist Valerie and her wife, Kristen, are a retired couple, newly moved to the island. I love that they’re women of a “certain” age, yet grab life with vitality and gusto. They are also extroverts, intent on creating new friends and social circles in their new home. The author accomplishes this by having the pair get involved in local activities, like learning how to paddle outrigger canoes. This also become a plotline in the mystery while, at the same time, I found the descriptions of the sport (and culture) intriguing. The beauty and wildness of the island is also brought to life on the pages and I doubt you can find a more perfect setting for a mystery!
When Valerie’s new friend, Sachiko, asks her to help at a local restaurant, bartending, she finds out it’s because one of the bartenders has disappeared. And when Sachiko is implicated in his murder, Valerie becomes involved in the investigation. I appreciated Kristen is much more supportive of Valerie’s investigating this time, and even tries to help find answers. Their questioning takes them out on the waves of the ocean to the rocky banks of a magnificent waterfall to friendly neighborhood bars. As they delve deeper into the background of the victim, it becomes apparent more than one person had issues with him. The plot moves at a pleasant pace and evokes the charm of island life. As the story unfolds, the clues drop into place and all my questions were answered. I greatly enjoyed my armchair trip to Hawai’i and the chance to hang out with wonderful characters!
Not only are there several (delicious) bonus recipes at the back of the book, but there is also a glossary of Hawaiian and Pidgin words and phrases. Ms. Karst captures the flavor of the island using vernacular to fit the characters, and I appreciated being able to reference the glossary for clarification when needed. If you know me, you know I love all things cookies. I couldn’t wait to try the recipe for Ube Blondies and it was every bit as pretty and yummy as I’d imagined. Ube is a purple yam used as the base for jam. It adds a sweetness to the purple blondies, which are the perfect chewy texture. If you’re looking for a unique dessert that is a gorgeous purple color, you’re going to want to give these a try!
Amazon Synopsis
After a vacation of a lifetime in Hilo, Hawai‘i, retired caterer Valerie Corbin and her wife Kristen have decided to move permanently to the beautiful – if storm-prone – Big Island. The couple are having fun furnishing their new house, exploring their new neighborhood and playing with their new little dog, Pua. But while they’ve made good friends with local restaurant manager Sachiko and her partner Isaac, they can’t help but feel a little lonely.
So when Sachiko begs Val to fill in for a member of her bar team who’s gone AWOL, Val dusts off her cocktail shaker and happily agrees. It’s a great chance to meet more people – and learn the local gossip.
Such as about Hank, the missing bartender, who vanished after a team-building retreat at a local beauty spot a week ago, and hasn’t been seen since. Until, that is, his body turns up at the bottom of the waterfall, and the police seem very interested in where Sachiko was at the time of his death.
Sachiko couldn’t have killed him . . . could she? Val dives into the murky waters of the case, determined to find out.
A special thanks to Leslie Karst for offering a print copy of WATERS OF DESTRUCTION to one lucky winner! Contest ends April 20, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Ube is the Filipino word for purple yam, and then made into a jam (ube halaya) or mashed with sweetened condensed milk, the tuber is used in a variety of delicious desserts such as cake, ice cream, cheesecake, and flan. Ube was first brought to Hawai'i by sugarcane workers from the Philippines, and has now become an integral part of the local cuisine on the islands.
These purple blondies are sweet and chewy, and because of how rich they are, one small piece goes a long way. (Note: the bright purple ube extract is liable to stain, so have care when using it.
Both ube halaya and ube extract can be purchased at Filipino/Asian markets, as well as online.
- Butter or vegetable oil for greasing pan
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 12 ounces (1-1/2 cups) ube jam (ube halaya)
- 2 tablespoons ube extract
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
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Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or vegetable oil.
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In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until the sugars have dissolved.
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Add the egg, ube jam, and the ube extract to the butter/sugar mixture, and stir until well-combined. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and stir until no significant streaks of flour remain. (The batter will be thick.)
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Fold in the white chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
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Dump the batter into the greased baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
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Cool for 20 minutes, then cut into squares.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read and review WATERS OF DESTRUCTION by Leslie Karst,
What an interesting recipe with a beautiful result!
Sounds like a good book.
Sounds interesting! Thanks for the chance to win.
Never heard of Ube Jam, or purple brownies, before. But they look beautiful! And apple ider Muffins sound good, too!