Thank you for stopping by to read my review of James R. Hannibal’s latest suspense novel, Elysium Tide.
Dr. Peter Chesterfield is one of the Royal London Hospital’s top neurosurgeons. He is also a workaholic, ordered by his boss to take a week off to attend a medical symposium at the luxurious Elysium Grand on the island of Maui. While there, Peter pulls a woman with a skull fracture from the water. Though he is able to revive her in the ambulance, she eventually dies in his arms, leaving him with only one clue to what happened to her: the word “honu.”
Increasingly obsessed with discovering the cause of his patient’s death, Peter becomes entangled in an ongoing investigation of a brazen luxury auto theft. He also becomes a source of deep irritation to detective Lisa Kealoha, who has jurisdiction over the case.
But when the two join forces, they begin to uncover a destructive plot that runs far deeper than either of them could have imagined. And if they’re not careful, they’re both going to end up dead.
Award-winning author James R. Hannibal whisks you away to the deadly beauty of Hawaii for a story of greed, violence, and justice that will leave you breathless.
Elysium Tide is an engrossing, fast-paced suspense novel with two engaging protagonists. The idyllic tropical setting contrasts with the thrilling action of the story — much like Dr. Peter Chesterfield and Detective Lisa Kealoha form an unlikely, seemingly-opposite crime solving pair.
I enjoyed both points of view: Lisa’s, which is Hawaii-Five-O like in its cop drama and family connections; and Peter’s, whose analytical approach to logic is as entertaining as it is fascinating. Peter’s perspective has to be my favorite, though, for his character growth and subtle shift in perspective as his trials in the story bring up questions of faith and control.
The story has layers for the reader to discover, with Lisa finding a bigger web of crime and a personal connection to the suspects. I was surprised by twists until the final chapter, which I’ll mark as an impressive writing feat for Hannibal and just one more reason I’m a big fan of his stories.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.
The Green Mockingbird 