The Green Room: A Storm Kayama Mystery - Tapa blanda

The title of Atkinson's second book to feature Hawaiian attorney Storm Kayama (after 2002's Primitive Secrets) refers to the tumultuous placebeneath the waves where a surfer either gets thrown or dives to escape a potentially dangerous swell. Kayama has spent time in the green room; hernightmarish past keeps her shy of the bigger waves these days, and she's instead focused on building her new law firm with her partner and boyfriend, Ian Hamlin. When a client's son extends an enticing invitation to attend a surf contest in Oahu, Kayama reunites with her too-long-estranged cousin, Nahoa Pi'ilani, now a celebrated surfer top-seeded in the contest. After his highest ranked opponent dies under suspicious circumstances, Pi'ilani receives a mysterious and threatening gift, a Hawaiian war totem known as a lei o man. When her cousin subsequently disappears, Kayama finds herself pulled deeper into a risky search for answers. Peppered throughout withsurfing terms, Hawaiian dialect and gorgeous descriptions of Oahu's North Shore, this exotic beach read is a quick, fun read. Agent, Jane Chelius.-- Publishers Weekly 8/15/2005

Praise for The Green Room "This tale will remind you of classic mysteries, blending detective work and adventure-this time, into the extreme sport world of competitive big wave surfing." -Jan Burke, award-winning author of the Irene Kelly mysteries "Peppered throughout with surfing terms, Hawaiian dialect, and gorgeous descriptions of O'ahu's North Shore." ­-Publishers Weekly Lawyer Storm Kayama needs to build her clientele. So when surf promoter Marty Barstow's wife, Stephanie, walks into her office, Storm agrees to represent her. And when Stephanie's son Ben-a promising surfer-invites her to O'ahu's North Shore to watch a surfing contest, Storm jumps at the chance. Besides, her distant cousin Nahoa Pi'ilani will also compete. But when a child delivers a package to Nahoa containing an ancient Hawaiian weapon, Storm recognizes the lei o manò. It's a threat, a call to battle. Soon, as if she were in the green room-the underwater space where tons of churning water can imprison a surfer-Storm is buffeted and disoriented by local legend, greed, and cutthroat competition. She must finally confront a killer and a haunting incident from her past. Deborah Turrell Atkinson lives in Hawai'i with her husband and two children. Her deep interest in the native myths and lore that abound among Hawai'i's rich and varied cultures colors her books. The Green Room is her second novel after Primitive Secrets. www.debbyatkinson.com