February Book Club: Dying for a Daiquiri by Cindy Sample

Dying for a Daiquiri by Cindy Sample

Aloha, friends! Cindy Sample’s Dying for a Daiquiri whisks us away to the Big Island of Hawaii, where the promise of a vacation for Laurel McKay attending her best friend’s destination wedding quickly unravels into a mystery. Laurel, a single mom and mortgage banker from California, finds her island getaway disrupted when a hula performer from her brother and sister-in-law’s restaurant is found dead, thrusting Laurel and her companions into an unexpected investigation.

The book is set against the stunning backdrop of Hawaii, blending the allure of the island with a web of family dynamics, the local coffee industry, and the day-to-day of running a family business amidst a tourist paradise. Sample doesn’t shy away from deeper subjects, touching on the ups and downs of marriage, fidelity, and the hope for repairing strained relationships, all while maintaining the touristy island vibes.

I also liked the natural conflict between tension and humor. The dialogues between Laurel and her mother had me laughing out loud. If you’ve ever traveled with your family, you know that you have to overlook some quirks and find alone time when you can. The inclusion of island adventures like zip-lining and four-wheeling kept the story’s pace fun and engaging.

As the third book in the Laurel McKay Mystery series, this story can be enjoyed on its own. The mystery is well-crafted, enough to keep you intrigued but not so complicated that it takes away from the character development.

Dying for a Daiquiri strikes a nice balance, making it a great choice if you like your mysteries with a side of scenic descriptions and a sprinkling of family drama. I’m now curious to check out the first two books in the series to see where Laurel’s adventures began.