BOOKS
Isle Pages
New releases from
Hawaii authors
"Where There's a Will"
By Arron Elkins
(Berkley, $23.95)
Elkins' hero Gideon Oliver is fascinated by bones, and so he is a
forensic anthropologist. He travels the world, falling into mysteries
that, no surprise, require a bone expert. This volume brings Oliver
to the cattle country of North Kohala, and Elkins has clearly done
his homework, as his ear for local dialogue and descriptions of
Hawaii locations ring true. Alas, Oliver is fairly bland as a hero -
the supporting cast is more fun - and the mystery is none too
mysterious.
"In Pursuit of Life"
By Erik Hazelhoff
(Sutton, $27.95)
Kohala resident Hazelhoff is likely better known for his bestselling
memoir "Soldier of Orange," but that is no longer in print. "Pursuit"
is a complete autobiography of the Dutch adventurer's amazing life,
one that puts "Orange" in an adult perspective, and it's told with
breezy style and self-deprecating wit. Hazelhoff would be the first
to credit luck for survival, but keeping your wits about you and
retaining core values helps as well. This book is a lot of fun and so
finely written that the pages just whip by.