Books On Board
series Reading Order

Mahu Books in Order

16 Books
2005 – 2023 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Mahu Series

Neil S. Plakcy’s Mahu series is a long-running, trailblazing police procedural following Kimo Kanapa’aka, a Honolulu homicide detective. Over the course of the books, Kimo moves from being a closeted officer outed against his will to establishing a life with his partner Mike Riccardi and raising their adopted twins. Because Kimo’s personal growth, relationships, and family dynamics develop significantly over time, it is highly recommended to read the series in publication order.

However, if you want to trace Kimo’s history from his earliest surfing days, you can also opt for a chronological approach by starting with the prequel novella.

Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)

This is the best way to experience the series. You witness Kimo's sudden outing in the first book and follow his emotional evolution step-by-step alongside the crimes he solves.

  1. Mahu (2005) – Kimo is outed during a high-profile Waikiki murder investigation, forcing him to confront both a killer and his own identity.
  2. Mahu Surfer (2007) – Kimo goes undercover on O’ahu’s famous North Shore to solve a string of surfer deaths.
  3. Mahu Fire (2008) – A bombing at a gay marriage fundraiser introduces Kimo to fire investigator Mike Riccardi, sparking a central romance.
  4. Mahu Vice (2009) – Kimo investigates a series of murders in Honolulu’s underground sex trade while navigating his new relationship.
  5. Mahu Blood (2011) – The case dives deep into Hawaiian sovereignty issues, protests, and Kimo’s own cultural heritage.
  6. Zero Break (2011/2012) – Kimo investigates a murder linked to a reality television show filming in Hawaii.
  7. Natural Predators (2013) – A murder at a marine mammal research facility tests Kimo’s detective skills.
  8. Children of Noah (2015) – Kimo investigates a murder at a local animal shelter, exploring themes of animal rights and human greed.
  9. Ghost Ship (2016) – A sailboat washes up on O’ahu with four dead bodies on board, pulling Kimo into an international mystery.
  10. Deadly Labors (2019) – Kimo takes on a complex case involving labor union disputes and murder in the construction industry.
  11. Soldier Down (2020) – Kimo tackles a cold case involving the suspicious death of a high-ranking military official.
  12. Unruly Son (2022) – A case centering on family secrets and wayward youths mirrors Kimo’s challenges as a father.
  13. The Virgin Homicides (2023) – Kimo investigates a string of murders targeting young women, uncovering dark connections.
  14. Blood Code (2025) – Kimo investigates the death of a tech entrepreneur whose AI medical startup clashes with local cultural interests, while balancing family life.

Option 2: Chronological Reading Order

For readers who want to start at the absolute beginning of Kimo’s timeline, the prequel novella provides a look at his life before he joined the police force.

  • Mahu Tide (Prequel - Book 0.5) – Set when Kimo is a 23-year-old competitive surfer on the North Shore. After a rookie surfer dies in an apparent accident, Kimo suspects foul play, sparking his transition from surfer to detective.
  • Books 1 to 14 – Follow the publication order listed above.

Companion Collections and Short Stories

In addition to the main novels, Plakcy has published short stories and anthologies that flesh out Kimo's universe. These can be read as companions to the main books:

  • Mahu Men (2010) – A collection of gay erotic fiction featuring Kimo. It fits chronologically after Mahu Vice but focuses primarily on romance and intimate encounters rather than traditional police procedurals.
  • Accidental Contact (2014) – A compilation of 21 short mystery stories featuring Kimo, filling in gaps between his larger investigations.
  • Maui Strong (2023) – A standalone short story written to support Maui wildfire relief efforts.

What to Know Before You Start

The term Māhū holds deep cultural significance in Hawaii, traditionally referring to individuals who embody both masculine and feminine traits, serving as respected keepers of culture and healers. Plakcy uses the term to highlight Kimo's journey as an openly gay detective balancing his Native Hawaiian heritage, his role in a traditionally macho police department, and his personal life.

While each book presents a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the final page, the underlying personal plotlines—especially Kimo’s romance with Mike, their marriage, and the raising of their twin children—span the entire series. Reading them out of order will spoil major relationship milestones and character changes.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best starting point for the Mahu series?

The recommended starting point is the first novel, Mahu (2005). While the prequel novella Mahu Tide takes place earlier chronologically, the first novel establishes Kimo Kanapa’aka's core character arc, his public outing, and the cultural landscape of the series.

QCan the Mahu books be read as standalones?

Yes, the individual mystery cases are fully resolved in each book. However, the overarching personal lives of Kimo, his partner Mike, and their children develop sequentially, meaning you will encounter major spoilers if you read them out of order.

QWhat is Mahu Tide and when should I read it?

Mahu Tide is a prequel novella set when Kimo is a 23-year-old surfer. It is best read either first as an introduction to Kimo's origins, or after reading the first few novels to appreciate the backstory of how he decided to become a detective.

QHow does the collection Mahu Men fit into the series?

Mahu Men is a collection of gay erotic romance stories featuring Kimo. Unlike the main series, these are not police procedurals and focus primarily on Kimo’s romantic and personal life around the time of Mahu Vice.

QAre there any spin-off series related to Mahu?

While there are no direct spin-offs, author Neil S. Plakcy writes other popular mystery series including the Golden Retriever Mysteries and the Angus Green FBI thrillers, which share a similar lighthearted yet engaging mystery tone.