It's time for Bitter Feast–Lei Crime Series 12 is here at last.
It's different than any of the other books. But then again, I try to keep it that way.
Here's the blurb:
The farm-to-table food movement in Hawaii can be luscious, exotic… murder.
Lieutenant Michael Stevens investigates a murder in a fine dining restaurant on Maui that’s a Feast of possible motives, with jealousy, passion and revenge topping the menu. A host of familiar characters, from Jared Stevens to Dr. Wilson, chime in from their perspectives, each contributing essential information to one of the most complex cases Stevens has encountered—but that’s nothing compared to imminent parenthood with his wife Lei, who’d rather be packing a gun than a diaper bag.
“Neal’s writing is persistently riveting.” Kirkus Reviews
Nine points of view move this story forward. What was I thinking!
Turns out, I was thinking that it was going to be impossible to top the nonstop blistering action of Red Rain, so I needed to go in a completely different direction—and after a month or two of being stumped, the Kindle World novellas provided an idea.
Have you read any of the licensed fan fiction Lei Crime Series novellas? They are written by other authors with my licensing permission, and you can find them on Amazon. It’s such an honor to have my own Kindle World! Check them out—I know you will love them! Read the reviews and descriptions to help find one just right for your taste—there are several genres represented, and more than thirty stories, with more being added all the time.
Many of these novellas take peripheral or secondary characters in my series and expand upon them—we have stories about Soga Matsumoto, Wayne Texeira, Esther Ka`awai, Pono Kaihale, and Marcella Scott, just to name a few, and of course lots starring Lei and Stevens! Reading the Kindle World novellas, I realized afresh what a colorful, multicultural cast of characters populate the Lei Crime Series. I wanted a new writing challenge—to show this story through the points of view of lesser, but still fascinating, characters.
I’ve tried hard to keep every book fresh and surprising in this series, not an easy task fifteen books in (including my companion books). I hope I achieved that in this book as well. It was certainly more difficult doing it this way, trying to keep each character’s “voice” distinctive, avoiding retelling the same facts but keeping the plot moving forward, and worrying about crossing timelines—but I hope I achieved it to a satisfying conclusion.
Grab your copy at these fine distributors:
Add a comment and enter to win a free copy! Giveaway ends 5/17/16.
Though I haven’t read Bone Hooks or Red Rain yet, I’m looking forward to reading this one. Though reading is waiting until I’m done with what I’m writing. Looking forward to reading this. You are awesome Toby. I’m hoping it’s just going to be a break from Lei & Stevens for a little while & not the end. Mahalo for a great series.
In November 2011, I purchased a brand new kindle with the first money I earned with my writing. One of the first books I purchased was Blood Orchids. I loved a particular scene of Hawaii on a gray and rainy day, reminding me of when I lived on Oahu many years ago. I have snapped up each Lei book as they have been published and hope to read many more. I hope there will be more books in the Island Fire series.
Visiting farms, farm markets, and botanical gardens have been highlights of my visits to Hawaii. This new book sounds fascinating!
You make my ‘visits to Hawaii’ interesting, intriguing, and enjoyable. Thanks for writing!
After my daughter graduated from college, see was offered a job on Maui. Of course she gratefully snapped it up. Since I lived in Virginia, she couldn’t have gotten farther away. Not long after that I discovered your Lei novels. I devoured them. They gave such a rich vision of Hawaii and , of course, a great read. I have been hooked ever since. I love your books. Thank you for hours of prime reading enjoyment.
Blessings, Sami
Thank you for offering up this world to your readers! Please keep them coming!
I have read every one of the series and am ready to read this one. I was a little less satisfied with the Red Rain, but that is just me. I do love the character development and if I were rich enough I would be buying all the ones from the Kindle World Novellas. Right now, I am not.
I do wish I could convince our local library to carry the ebooks from Toby Neal. They do not. I have loaned some out on Kindle trying to get others interested.
I love reading your books because they remind me f my trips to Maui & Kauai. I enjoy hearing about the places I visited & enjoyed there. They keep it fresh in my mind, since I haven’t been able to go since 2005. I really love Hawaii, and doubt very seriously that I will ever have a chance to go again. Mahalo
I don’t know what you. Mean by moderation to previous reply.
Love your books–the characters are so real that they could be my neighbors or friends!!!
Looking forward to reading this book. I like reading books located where I am traveling or visiting. My son got married in Oahu and I have enjoyed almost all of your series with just a few to read yet. Traveling back to Hawaii in January to visit my son and daughter-in-law who are moving there this month. Would love to have another book to read while traveling and cruising in Hawaii.
this is the best series i have ever read—-very complex characters–wonderful scenery!!! Cannot wait to get to #12. I would SO love to have a signed copy.
Love all of your books. I was born on Maui and grew up on the Big Island and it’s so fun to have the scenery and the lifestyle described so accurately. I live in California and miss “home” so your books are a real treat!
I’m so eager to read Bitter Feast. I have loved the entire series. Besides being invested in the characters, I look forward to the time I’ll be spending in Hawaii while reading Bitter Feast.
We were just in Maui last month and read an article in the newspaper about this farm to table movement. Great idea…I hope it takes off!
I love all of your books, but Red Rain blew me away! I can’t wait to read Bitter Feast. Thank you for including real life issues into your books. Most of us have no clue about these issues, but as an author you can use you your words to help inform and together maybe we can make lasting changes
Congrats on Bitter Feast #12. I am so excited for you and all your devout readers. I would LOVE to get this novel. I need more Lei and Hawaii. I am currently reading Rip Tides and have bought the next two. Love, Love this series.
Found Bitter Feast last night on my Kindle when I got home from Hula. At first I was going to Devour this FEAST in an all night Lei reading marathon…..But I have decided to make it last and am going to Savor each and every bite of the “Bitter Feast”
being a ‘foodie’ in Maui, I look forward to reading Bitter Feast. My congratulations to Toby for always coming up with new and exciting adventures for Lei and Michael.
I am anxious to read Toby Neal ‘s latest book. I am hooked on her mysteries! Hope I win a copy of Bitter Feast.
Started reading last night.
I can’t wait for mine to download!!! I’ve been having Lei withdrawal!! I devour your books as soon as they are released!! My husband and I live on The Big Island now and I relate so well to your descriptions and culturally evocative scenes!!! Please don’t stop writing!! (I’ve also enjoyed a number of the Kindle World offerings!)
It’s never too soon to get the last book in a series even when you’re only a few books in! Fabulous goal, right?! Congratulations, Tony!
I love the Lei series and can’t wait to see what happens to Lei & Michael now that they are back together.
Love this series! Even the Kindle World is full of gripping stories, I have read almost all. The characters in the Lei Crime series and the continuing storylines are intelligent and fascinating. Very excited to read Bitter Feast.
You are one of my favorite writers & I’ve read all of the Lei Crime Series. I KNOW this book will be just as awesome as the others — if not better! Personally, I think they get better as you go & I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each & every one of them. I can’t wait to read this new offering & discover all you have to share about farm-to-table food movement. Also, you are developing & sharing the depths of different characters which is very gutsy when you had such an established series going. I commend you!
I’ve been a fan of Toby Neal and the Lei Crime series for a couple years now. I love this series and hope one day to visit the Hawaiian Islands.
Toby, I’ve read most of your books and am looking forward to this one! Now would be a great time for a great read since I am laid up with bruised ribs and a sprained ankle. I am sure glad the Lei is young because healing up from the injuries she’s had would be much slower if she were my age, an old man!!! ? Thank you for being one of a few authors who truly keep me looking for more!
Can’t wait to read it! My (aspiring writer) daughter really enjoyed meeting you at Barnes and Noble.
Hurray! Perfect timing!
Downloading now to make sure ive got good reading material on hand for my Hana trip.
Having read each of the books to date, I can’t wait to get my hands on this latest story. I find it so intriguing that Toby can manage to keep this series so fresh by subtly changing things about in each book – a different viewpoint can make all the difference to a reader’s experience. How she managed to cope with so many viewpoints in this latest book – I can’t wait to find out!
Sounds like a great book! I would love to win a copy
I love all of your books. My husband and I met when we were both stationed in Hawaii, and your books always make me feel like I’m back there. I can’t wait to read this book, and I hope there will also be more in the Island Fire series!
I am ordering my copy as soon as I’m done writing this. I have read almost all of your books! I sat on the edge of my seat with Red Rain. I can’t believe the books can get any better and along comes another one! I feel like I could be one of the neighbors on Maui. I hope you continue to find other adventures for Lei and Michael. I’m hope others enjoy this series as much as I have!
Just sent the new book to my Kindle Red Alert I hope I don’t stay up all Saturday night reading it but I bet I will thank you for keeping the Lei Crime Series going for me Hope you are feeling proud to be finished with the tome..Atta Girl Now off to the Kindle…
Toby, I LOVE all the Lei books. I think I’ll save this one to read on my way to Maui this year. When I’m there, I look around and think I might see Lei walking down the street! You have made these characters so REAL to all of us. Thank you so much.