"Kaua'i Storm" By Tori Eldridge: Review/Giveaway

Review by Claire A. Murray

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

Makalani Pahukula, a federal park ranger in Oregon, returns to her family homestead on the island of Kaua'i for her tutu’s (grandmother’s) 85th birthday. Makalani’s family reunion plans go awry when she learns her younger cousins Becky and Solomon, from different parents, are missing.

Worse yet, strife between the two mothers—sisters who appear to agree on little—threatens to disrupt the shared plantation household. The many bedrooms and add-on wings of the house—built by their great-grandfather and uncles—once held the extended family amicably. That peace is shattering as Solomon is accused of impropriety; his drinking and Becky’s younger age make him an easy target.

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Image Source Thomas & Mercer

Makalani uses her ranger training and skills to search for the cousins, despite their families’ apparent unwillingness to assist. But she has been away from Kaua'i for too long, no longer knows her cousins, and cannot believe what she hears about each one.

Feelings of insecurity and isolation that marked Makalani’s youth—her reasons for leaving Kaua'i many years ago—resurface, yet she pushes on as family connections are tested. Family infighting, general bigotry over what blood quantum is required to be Hawaiian enough to lease or inherit homesteads, and illegal marijuana dealers who may have captured Becky add to Makalani’s emotional conflict.

Aloha––hello and goodbye. Its real meaning––love, compassion, sympathy, kindness––is infused throughout Kaua'i Storm. It is also the story of Tori Eldridge’s love for her heritage. From the opening pages, it’s clear she cares deeply for Hawaiian culture, with its racial mixtures, cultural beliefs, spiritual guides, and the land itself. She seamlessly weaves ancient stories and current issues into the book. If you have trouble pronouncing the Hawaiian terms (so many vowels!), don’t worry. Just flow with it. I did, and thoroughly enjoyed this newest Eldridge series.

To enter to win a copy of Kaua'i Storm, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "storm,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 7, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase this book.

Claire A. Murray is an Arizona fiction writer who paints for inspiration. Play the Hand You’re Dealt is her short story collection, and she’s completing a suspense/fantasy novel so she can return to her trilogy and two novels awaiting revision. Find her at https://cam-writes.com.

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy (ARC) from the publisher to review the book. My review was not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.