Flaming Luau of Death: A Madeline Bean Novel

From Publishers Weekly
Magnum PI meets The Bachelorette in Farmer's zany eighth adventure (after 2004's Perfect Sax) starring Madeleine Bean, the L.A. party-organizing whiz who attracts murder and mayhem as much as she does glamorous clients. Maddie is planning a surprise, all-expenses-paid bridal shower at the Four Heavens Resort on Hawaii's big island for her friend and assistant, Holly Nichols. Only problem is, Holly, who's "a magnet for weird males," confesses before departure that she might still be Holly Dubinsky, the wife of geeky Marvin Dubinsky, whom she married while drunk in Vegas after their high school prom. Of course, that's no reason to cancel a party—so Maddie and business partner Wesley Wescott decide to grab Holly, her sisters, best friend and go, even if Holly has also begun receiving ominous e-mails (e.g., "Give us Marvin and we'll leave you alone"). And sure enough, upon arrival, Holly's accosted by a mysterious Hawaiian male who later turns up dead, and the bridesmaids' beauty weekend begins to spin out of control with dangerous luaus, weird dolphin connections, scary Japanese mobsters and hot wasabi moments. Fans of lighter mystery fare will be in heaven. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
The title of this latest Maddie Bean novel should provide a major clue that this is a series that doesn't take itself too seriously. This time, Maddie, a madcap Hollywood caterer, and her partner, Wes, are throwing a "destination" bridal shower for their assistant, Holly. Gathering up blond-bombshell Holly and her entourage, Maddie and Wes cart the whole group off to a spa resort on Hawaii's Big Island. While there, Holly continues to receive threats from someone connected to her husband--yes, it turns out Holly is still legally married to her high-school prom date. The one perfunctory murder barely interferes with the crazy antics, and along the way, Farmer manages to sneak in interesting tidbits of Hawaii history along with little-known facts about wasabi. For those who like comic mysteries light on the mystery and long on the fun, this series is a party waiting to happen, what with the fail-safe combination of copious drink, delicious food, and the highly enjoyable company of Maddie Bean. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description

The party never ends when event planner/sleuth Madeline Bean is throwing it! The delectable creation of award-winning, number one Los Angeles Times bestselling author Jerrilyn Farmer, the irrepressible Mad Bean is back for big laughs and big trouble on the Big Island.

Madeline Bean has planned phenomenal parties for Hollywood heavyweights of every ego size, but now she's cooking up something very special for one of her own -- a hip, surprise-destination bachelorette weekend at a fabulous-doesn't-do-it-justice resort in Hawaii for cherished employee and bride-to-be Holly Nichols. This hysterical riff on a luau will have everything. Tiki lamps. Hula lessons. A dead body washing in on the warm island tides. Okay, that wasn't in the original party plan.

The uninvited corpse isn't the only shocker throwing a monkey wrench in the proceedings. Holly is getting cold feet about the whole engagement thing -- due, in large part, to a slight indiscretion in her past that may have left her not exactly single. Hey, what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, isn't it?

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Madeline Bean has planned phenomenal parties for Hollywood heavyweights of every ego size, but now she's cooking up something very special for one of her own - a hip, surprise-destination bachelorette weekend at a fabulous-doesn't-do-it-justice resort in Hawaii for cherished employee and bride-to-be Holly Nichols. This hysterical riff on a luau will have everything. Tiki lamps. Hula lessons. A dead body washing in on the warm island tides. Okay, that wasn't in the original party plan." "The uninvited corpse isn't the only shocker throwing a monkey wrench in the proceedings. Holly is getting cold feet about the whole engagement thing - due, in large part, to a slight indiscretion in her past that may have left her not exactly single. Hey, what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, isn't it?" But Madeline's not going to let a few little glitches like a mysterious preexisting husband and an island murder spoil Holly's wedding shower extravaganza - not while there are still passion-fruit martinis to quaff and buff surfer boys to ogle. All she has to do is hunt down the first "Mr. Holly," who vanished the morning after, and get him to do the right thing. That, and keep a killer who's in their midst from leaving behind any more gruesome party favors. And then there's that freaking volcano that's making annoying ready-to-erupt noises.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Magnum PI meets The Bachelorette in Farmer's zany eighth adventure (after 2004's Perfect Sax) starring Madeleine Bean, the L.A. party-organizing whiz who attracts murder and mayhem as much as she does glamorous clients. Maddie is planning a surprise, all-expenses-paid bridal shower at the Four Heavens Resort on Hawaii's big island for her friend and assistant, Holly Nichols. Only problem is, Holly, who's "a magnet for weird males," confesses before departure that she might still be Holly Dubinsky, the wife of geeky Marvin Dubinsky, whom she married while drunk in Vegas after their high school prom. Of course, that's no reason to cancel a party-so Maddie and business partner Wesley Wescott decide to grab Holly, her sisters, best friend and go, even if Holly has also begun receiving ominous e-mails (e.g., "Give us Marvin and we'll leave you alone"). And sure enough, upon arrival, Holly's accosted by a mysterious Hawaiian male who later turns up dead, and the bridesmaids' beauty weekend begins to spin out of control with dangerous luaus, weird dolphin connections, scary Japanese mobsters and hot wasabi moments. Fans of lighter mystery fare will be in heaven. Agent, Evan Marshall. (On sale Mar. 1) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Madeline (Perfect Sax) and partner Wesley, L.A. event planners extraordinaire, treat longtime employee Holly (and her four sisters) to a bachelorette party at a fab resort in Hawaii. Someone has sent Holly threatening emails regarding her one-day senior-prom marriage to where-is-he-now nerdy Marvin, but everyone resolves to relax and enjoy. Unfortunately, the strange man who surprises Holly in her room turns up dead the next day, so Madeline begins sleuthing. Could this man be connected in some way to the email threats? Exotic backdrops, subtle plotting, and comfortable characters make this certain to appeal to series fans and readers who enjoy amateur sleuths and culinary cozies. Farmer, who also writes sketch comedy for Dana Carvey, Martin Short, and others, lives in Southern California. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 11/1/04.] Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews