Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal features a mystery on the Hawaiian islands with a doctor and a detective. With the doctor from London, it was definitely a unique take to a character's background. The story starts in an operating room, not with a dead body, which had a unique twist to starting a mystery novel. As soon as the story moves to Hawaii from London, the suspense element jumped into full force. A dead body or two. Mishaps. Car chases. Among other things that kept the mystery element moving through the story. While I do enjoy these type of things in the my suspense stories, I wanted more. Plenty of dry moments where nothing was happening. A lot of getting to know one another. I felt like the plot was boring and needed more action. Really did not capture my attention the way I like a mystery novel to do. Even with this element to the plot, a big transformation moment occurs to Peter, the doctor, and those are the moments I enjoy seeing in novels. Overall, Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal was an okay mystery, but it really did not have enough action for me. I wanted more to the plot.

I received a complimentary copy of Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Hi, Mr. Hannibal?

Yes, I would like to lodge a complaint. No, nothing serious. I was just very disappointed in Elysium Tide’s ending. What did I not like? Well, that is easy to explain. You see, Mr. Hannibal, your latest novel…I did not like that it ended. If you are going to pull me in like this with your characters and wonderful storytelling, your books should be longer. Because Lisa and Peter have become my friends, and I loathe being separated from them. Please write and publish a sequel.

Signed, a devoted reader

Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal is everything a mystery should be. Entertaining with high stakes, the novel takes readers to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. A relaxing, beachside read, however, Elysium Tide is not (in a good way!). Auto theft, organized crime, technology, murder, and family ties—everything pools together to create a marvelous story. Just as I thought I figured something out, Hannibal dropped a bomb that caused my theories to explode. I do not want predictability in the novels I read. Surprise keeps my attention, and I actually like my assumptions being incorrect.  I guessed a few things, but for the most part? Nope. Negative, ghost rider. I attempted to solve the case, walking right beside Lisa, Peter and the rest of the Elysium Tide gang.

It took me a little bit to get into the novel, though that should not reflect poorly on the book at all. At the time of my reading Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal, I had a lot going on in life, and sadly, not as much time to read as usual. One bright Sunday afternoon, however, I finally had space to breathe…that is, until I returned to Elysium Tide, anyway! After stealing reading minutes for nearly two weeks, I read almost two-thirds of this novel in one day.  I needed to reach the end—needed to know how all the puzzle pieces connected together.

You know the frustration of putting together a puzzle, and the box didn’t come with one piece? Or a piece maybe slipped under the sofa, and you didn’t realize it until you’ve already finished the rest of the puzzle? Then you can’t find the piece?  This is my problem with many mystery novels. At the conclusion, the pieces do not add up, and I do not know how the author reached his/her conclusions—not the case at all with Elysium Tide.  By the final page, everything had snapped into place. Hannibal explains how his characters solve the crimes in such a pleasing manner. Readers can understand wholly, without feeling as if they are senseless for not having the “AHA!” moment sooner.

Thank you for taking me to Hawaii, James Hannibal. Thank you for introducing me to Lisa and Peter and their highs and lows, their victories and their struggles. I loved everything about this book.  Please GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK. I need to see this duo together again!  If you like drama, excitement, and mysteries—with some lighthearted humor scattered throughout—read Elysium Tide by James R. Hannibal. It is another absolute zinger. You won’t regret it!