title: The Puna Kahuna: A Ben McMillen Hawaiian Mystery
author:  Mark Brown 
description: Returning from earlier appearances in Game Face and Yellowfin , Hawaiian police detective Ben McMillen here confronts murder, greed and revenge--for spiritual and worldly wrongs--when the businessmen behind Jackson Hole Geothermal proceed with plans to build a power plant in the Wao Kele O Puna rain forest. The drilling angers many, including Nohea Konanui, Ben's engineer friend, other members of the Pele Defense Fund and Madame Pele, the mythical creator of the islands. A kahuna , a high priest of the ancient beliefs, leaves idols at the construction site to frighten the workers; someone murders a Jackson Hole employee. Ben, an athlete freshly awakening to the environmental and religious aspects of his Hawaiian heritage, finds himself involved in a case that has more twists than the roots of the massive 'ohi'a tree. Brown takes a big chance blending myth and religion with modern-day elements in his suspenseful tale; he succeeds admirably. Tunnels running through the lava base of the rain forest are part of a setting never seen on Hawaii Five-O , and readers, even those who find Ben a little too earnest and too good to believe, will likely relish the surprise of the villain's identity. <br />Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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  ![Book title, The Big Kahuna, author, Janet Evanovich, imprint, G.P. Putnam's
  Sons](../images/9780525536659_title_page.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 8
  
  
  
  
  
  At 8 A.M., Kate woke up to the sound of Nick singing “Mr. Blue Sky” in the
  outside shower. She got out of bed, changed from her tie-dyed pajamas into
  denim overalls and a white T-shirt, and checked her cellphone. There were
  three texts. The first was a selfie of Cosmo enjoying a mai tai during check-
  in. The second was a selfie of Cosmo’s view from his lanai. The third was a
  selfie of Cosmo at the breakfast buffet.
  
  
  Nick walked into the yurt, wearing board shorts and a fitted Billabong rash
  guard. “Got up at sunrise and walked back to Hamilton’s place. It’s still a
  mess, and I’m guessing he’s not planning on coming back for a while.”
  
  
  “We know he’s a surfer. Maybe Dad will spot him at one of the surf spots near
  Lahaina. Meantime, let’s track down the owner of the _Carpe Diem_ and see if
  we can figure out who hired Horace and Ja