Waters of Destruction
Severn House, April 2025

Retired caterer Valerie Corbin investigates a suspicious drowning on the Big Island of Hawaii in the latest installment in retired appellate lawyer Leslie Karst’s Orchid Isle mystery series. Called “a cozy culinary mystery” (Karst is also a chef), the story follows a “feisty queer couple who swap surfing lessons for sleuthing sessions in tropical Hilo, Hawai‘i.” For many years, Karst also has been cranking out food-themed mysteries through her Sally Solari series. She is also the author of Justice is Served, a memoir about how she hosted an intimate dinner party for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—which sent her on a journey of culinary and personal discovery—and, ultimately, completely changed her life.

Praise: “Immerse yourself in Hawaiian lore and savor the portrayal of the stunning landscapes while enjoying the entertaining mystery.” —Kirkus Reviews