Gary D. Conrad

Murder on Easter Island, A Daniel “Hawk” Fishinghawk Mystery by Gary D. Conrad is a engrossing mystery about Detective Daniel "Hawk" Fishinghawk, a Cherokee Indian who investigates cannibalistic killings. It has touches of the paranormal that are frightening.

I found it riveting & couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I gave it five stars.
In addition to the murder investigation, this book touches on the the history of Easter Island/Rapa Nui via Hawk's interaction with "Crazy" Tiare, a ninety four year old resident of the Island.

"The youth should never die before the elderly, he bitterly thought. But that’s the way life is. There are no guarantees — ever."

Regarding Hawk, a co-worker exclaimed: "I’ve heard he’s smart as hell — could be in Mensa if he wanted — a speed reader who digests over five books a week--"

Tourists were being killed on Easter Island. While they kept the story secret, there had been twenty four people killed. They all took place after dark. The Detective Chief in New York needed to send his best man. That was Hawk. Hawk had been ready to turn in his resignation before this occurred. Hearing the information about this case, for the first time, Hawk was baffled. He did not like the feeling.

"Daniel asked, 'What about the symbols I saw on the wooden planks?” “That is called rongorongo — Rapa Nui’s own unique script. As you saw, many different symbols are engraved in the wood. Rather than represent a true language, these designs stand for concepts or ideas. While researchers have made progress in trying to crack the code, the exact meaning remains a mystery.'"

Daniel knew that it was time for him to heal from his fear of heights. "His grandpa had applied the balm of love all those years ago, though now he had to do it himself. He began silently saying to himself, over and over: “Breathing in, I am aware that I am fearful. “Breathing out, I smile at my fear and send it love.” Time no longer mattered as he sat in deep meditation, and the jeering voices disappeared from his awareness."

I received a complimentary .pdf from Rainbow Books & NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.… (mere)

In a complex story that travels from Oklahoma to New York City to Easter Island, Daniel "Hawk" Fishinghawk uses his skill as a detective and his keen intelligence to help solve difficult mysteries.

Daniel is considered the best of the best in the NYPD. The Commissioner is contacted by the U.S. State Department to assist the Chilean Government with a unique murder on Easter Island. A killer there has been killing tourists at night and cannibalizing their bodies.

Daniel gets right to work and learns the history of the island which the natives call Rapa Nui. He also learns the language from a legendary woman who is ninety-four-years old. She reminded me of granny on the Beverly Hillbillies with her gutsy attitude and determination.

The killing of tourists has been kept out of the news because of what it would do to the tourist trade but when another person is murdered and cannibalized, the news gets out.

The Chilean government sends a new detective out who brings in his own investigators and mostly ignores Daniel.

The story is divided into three books, in the first, the murders and investigation takes place; in the second book, Daniel goes into a cave like structure and is transported back in time. He learns what happened in Rapa Nui to cause someone to want to murder tourists to their land. He also falls in love and becomes a hero to the natives. Book three brings him back into current time to deal with the killer and Daniel's new life.

This is a paranormal type of story where the reader must suspend their view of reality to be transported to the fictional and supernatural world. Some of the action and the manner in which the time travel takes place wasn't explained to my satisfaction and I had difficulty with the story.

Free book for an honest review.… (mere)

Gary D. Conrad is a folksy vegetarian emergency room doctor. He lives in Oklahoma and admits that he is not a typical resident. But he was born and raised there and loves his state. His book, Oklahoma Is Where I Live is an easy to read and comforting memoir. It is both funny, very sorrowful and also uplifting. He has the same wonderful of nature that my father had. His style of writing reminds me of Will Rogers. He is a true storyteller.

I loved this book because Mr. Conrad, is an honest story of his life. The part that discussed his doctor training made me cry and laugh. I love the part where a nurse interrupted him and asked him. “Are you sure that you want to do that”. Also loved his appreciation for old west movies when he was a child and the delight that he had when he had a great excuse to break down a door!

This is a slim volume so I am afraid that I will relate too much of what is in this book so I will just say that I enjoyed it tremendously and that this book is one that I would give to my best friend.

I received this book as a win from FirstReads as a win but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.… (mere)