Fire Prayer

Deborah Turrell Atkinson
Poisoned Pen Press (2007)
ISBN 9781590584026
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (3/07)

When Tanner Williams asked high school friend and Honolulu attorney, Storm Kayama, to talk to his ex-wife Jenny, Storm and her partner and lover, Ian Hamlin, saw it as an opportunity to mix business with pleasure on the relaxing, slow isle of Moloka’i.  Tanner’s son is a diabetic. He wants Storm to make sure his son is being properly cared for.  His fears are that, “She would poison Luke.  Contaminate him with the venom of her bitterness and desperation.”

Tanner suffers from manic mood swings.  They can be controlled with medications but he hates the side effects and frequently refuses to take them.  The medications make his mind work slower and his hands tremble. 

Ian Hamlin has been asked to look into the disappearance of Brock Liu, only son of Devon Liu, an extremely wealthy man.  Brock was twenty-six years old and an executive at Wiki Packing Shipping, when he went missing. 

Jenny Williams is found dead by her twelve-year-old son. Luke calls 911 and then disappears.  Storm suspects there are connecting threads between Luke’s disappearance, Jenny’s death and the missing Brock.  The killer hunts Luke and Storm.  They are in grave danger.

What could be better than the beautiful setting of Honolulu, an exciting plot and great characters?  “Fire Prayer” by Deborah Turrell Atkinson has it all.  Ms. Atkinson is an extremely talented author.  The plot is an exciting adventure taking the reader through the rain forest and across the unspoiled beaches of Moloka’i.  The characters have great depth.  The heroine, Storm, is well developed.  She’s strong with great intelligence.   This is the first book I’ve read my Deborah Turrell but it won’t be the last.  Mystery fans need to add this one to their must read list.

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