Molten Death: An Orchid Isle Mystery

Karst (the Sally Solari mysteries) introduces grief-stricken retired caterer Valerie Corbin in this entertaining cozy series launch. Valerie, the traumatized survivor of a car accident that killed her brother, Charlie, knows her emotional numbness has put a strain on her marriage. To brighten things up, she plans a vacation to Hawaii’s Big Island with her wife, Kristen. The couple’s island respite is short-lived, however. While viewing an active lava flow one day, Valerie spots a man’s boot, then notices it’s still attached to a leg. Moments later, the leg and boot are covered by molten rock. Though Kristen doubts what Valerie saw, Valerie doubles down on her claim and scours for information about missing people in the area. Soon, she discovers that a local man has recently disappeared, possibly in connection with a rash of avocado thefts, or a protest movement enraged that the island’s sacred resources are being exploited. Karst rewards armchair travelers without ignoring the thorny politics of Hawaiian tourism, and firmly grounds the core mystery in Valerie’s emotional struggles. Readers will be hungry for the sequel. Agent: Erin Niumata, Folio Literary. (Apr.)