Killing Maine

In Bond’s (Tibetan Cross, 2014, etc.) thriller, Hawaiian surfer Pono Hawkins books a flight to Maine to help a fellow Special Forces vet duck a murder conviction.

Pono doesn’t consider Bucky Franklin a friend. Years ago, Bucky left with Pono’s love, Lexie, and provided testimony in one of two cases that sent Pono to jail (although both convictions were overturned). But Bucky saved Pono’s life when they were in Special Forces, and he’s determined to help when Lexie tells him he’s been arrested for killing environmentalist Ronnie Dalt. It doesn’t look good for Bucky. The murder weapon was his, and his alibi is shaky. But Pono knows he’s on the right track when someone tries to shoot him. He starts a dangerous relationship with Dalt’s widow, Abigail, and gradually exposes a string of political unscrupulousness. Bond’s novel, the second to feature Pono, makes its protagonist credible as an amateur sleuth; Pono’s smart enough to enlist hacker pal Mitchell, whose skills draw more viable suspects than Pono can find on his own. And his beloved home is always on his mind as he suffers the Maine winter hoping to wrap everything up before an upcoming surfing festival, the Tahiti Tsunami. The story has an unusual villain, WindPower LLC, whose deafening, monstrous turbines are an incessant presence throughout the story. The political and financial muscle behind WindPower is abundantly clear from the beginning, immediately demonizing the company. The book, however, isn’t short on mysteries. Abigail, for one, inexplicably vanishes, a disappearance that the cops blame on Pono, and there are a couple of murders. As in Pono’s previous story, the surfer’s fondness for women creates a triad of drama: Abigail; lawyer Erica, a lover from back when Pono was a mere 14; and Lexie (Pono won’t sleep with her while Bucky’s in jail, but it’s obvious that he’s trying his hardest not to). Pono’s relationship with his Pa is the strongest; the most heartfelt moment is Pono rushing back to Hawaii, regardless of cops wanting him to stay in Maine, when Pa’s diagnosed with cancer.

Another stellar ride from Bond; checking out Pono’s first adventure isn’t a prerequisite, but this will make readers want to.