How to Read the Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Series
If you are looking for the perfect blend of island sun, light romance, close-knit family dynamics, and clever whodunits, Kathi Daley’s Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery series is your ultimate literary vacation. Spanning eight novels published between 2016 and 2019, the series follows the investigations of Kailani "Lani" Pope, a lifeguard at Oahu's luxurious Dolphin Bay Resort who harbors dreams of joining the Honolulu Police Department.
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read this series in strict publication order. While each book features a self-contained murder mystery, Lani’s personal journey, her evolving relationships, and her professional transition from lifeguard to private investigator develop sequentially across the volumes. Reading them out of order will spoil major character developments, family milestones, and romantic progressions.
Publication Order of Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Books
Below is the complete list of books in the series in their recommended reading order:
- Murder at Dolphin Bay (2016) – Lani Pope must solve the murder of a guest at the Dolphin Bay Resort to prove her investigative capabilities to her protective law enforcement family.
- Murder at Sunrise (2016) – A suspicious death during a summer solstice celebration forces Lani to dig into the secrets of her own senior bingo group.
- Murder at the Witching Hour (2016) – Attending a weeklong Halloween wedding on a private island accessible only by boat, Lani finds herself stranded with a killer.
- Murder at Christmas (2016) – The holiday cheer is cut short when a beloved senior citizen playing Santa Claus is found dead behind the resort.
- Murder at Turtle Cove (2017) – After being trapped by a school of feeding sharks while surfing, Lani makes a gruesome discovery on the shore that points to foul play.
- Murder at Waters Edge (2017) – A trip to Maui to investigate a suspicious accident turns into a major crossover event featuring Zoe Donovan and Zak.
- Murder at Midnight (2017) – A pre-Halloween murder case connects to a cold case from Lani's father’s past, culminating in a dangerous family emergency.
- Murder at Pope Investigations (2019) – Lani takes the ultimate step in her career, partnering with her retired detective father to open their own private investigation agency.
Chronological Order and Continuity Caveats
The chronological order of the series matches the publication order exactly. The events of the books flow naturally from one season to the next, featuring holiday themes such as Halloween (in Murder at the Witching Hour and Murder at Midnight) and Christmas (in Murder at Christmas). Skipping around will disrupt this seasonal flow and spoil the progression of Lani's career goals and her relationship with Luke Austin.
Deep Dive: The Sand and Sea Books in Detail
Murder at Dolphin Bay (Book 1)
The series opens with Lani working as a lifeguard. Lani comes from a family of police officers—including her father and five brothers—and feels a burning need to prove she has what it takes to join their ranks. When a resort guest is found dead, Lani jumps on the case, hoping to crack it before her competitive brothers do.
Murder at Sunrise (Book 2)
In this second installment, Lani’s investigation hit close to home. The local senior bingo group, consisting of some of Lani's favorite islanders, becomes the center of a murder investigation during a solstice event. Lani must balance her affection for her community with the cold hard facts of the case.
Murder at the Witching Hour (Book 3)
Set during the week leading up to Halloween, Lani is invited to a private island for the wedding of her friend, Morticia. Cut off from the mainland and accessible only by boat, the gothic-themed wedding becomes a pressure cooker when a guest is murdered, leaving Lani to find the culprit before the storm clears.
Murder at Christmas (Book 4)
Holiday cozy elements shine in this book as the local community prepares for Christmas. When the senior citizen playing Santa is found murdered behind the resort, Lani must solve the tragedy and bring peace back to the island before the holiday is ruined.
Murder at Turtle Cove (Book 5)
This entry features one of the most memorable openings in the series. While surfing, Lani finds herself pinned by a school of sharks. Upon safely returning to land, she realizes they were feeding on a human body. Lani must work to identify the victim and trace the events leading to their watery demise.
Murder at Waters Edge (Book 6)
In this crossover, Lani travels to Maui after a friend’s sister dies in what is labeled a suspicious accident. Fans of Kathi Daley’s broader universe will delight in the appearance of Zoe Donovan and Zak, who travel from their snowy home to the Hawaiian islands to help Lani investigate.
Murder at Midnight (Book 7)
Preparations for a massive Halloween party are halted when Lani discovers a body linked to an old cold case her retired father worked on. When her brother Jason is shot during the investigation, Lani and her father team up to hunt down the shooter and resolve the decades-old mystery.
Murder at Pope Investigations (Book 8)
In the final installment, Lani's lifelong dream of professional sleuthing materializes. She and her father open a private investigation firm. Their first official case involves family history, local secrets, and a satisfying conclusion to Lani's growth throughout the series.
What to Know Before You Start
The series is set in beautiful Oahu and Maui, Hawaii. The setting is more than just a background; Daley integrates local Hawaiian culture, food, and the concept of ohana (family) deeply into the narrative. Lani's family of police officers provides a strong supporting cast, offering comedic rivalry, protective instincts, and professional assistance. Additionally, Luke Austin provides a gentle romantic subplot that develops slowly and satisfyingly over the course of the eight books.