DCI Kuli Finau Mystery

DCI Kulī Fīnau of the Tonga Police is suspicious of the goings-on at the Paradise nightclub, where government ministers and officials are entertaining expatriate representatives of a new tourism development with underage girls. But the untimely deaths of two visiting academics throw Kulī into the world of academic rivalry. Their colleague, Pip Carey, is convinced both deaths are related to an archaeological find that threatens to upset current theory on Tongan prehistory - a theory on which the rise of Graham Hislop's career depends. Is it significant that this find is on the site of the new development? DCI Kulī investigates. DCI Kulī Fīnau of the Tonga Police is suspicious of the goings-on at the Paradise nightclub, where government ministers and officials are entertaining expatriate representatives of a new tourism development with underage girls. But, the untimely deaths of two visiting academics throw Kulī into the world of academic rivalry. Their colleague, Pip Carey, is convinced both deaths are related to an archaeological find that threatens to upset current theory on Tongan prehistory - a theory on which the rise of Graham Hislop's career depends. Is it significant that this find is on the site of the new development? DCI Kulī investigates.

Pip Carey just wants a peaceful holiday in Vava`u, but her chosen hotel is filled with noisy New Zealanders wheeling and dealing with the local Tongans over squash exports. Despite her wish for solitude, Pip is drawn into detailed conversations with Brian Urquart, his rival Ian Burke and his wife Raewen, and local tour boat operator Carroll Spicer. Even a quiet catch-up with Pip's friend Selina `Akau at the store where Selina sells her own pendants and other sea jewellery and handicrafts becomes the scene for noisy gossip about the Fifita family's business dealings and social lives. Detective Chief Inspector Kulī Fīnau is in Vava`u to escort a visiting customs officer who is helping train the Tongan officers. Kulī, ever the bloodhound, intended to sniff around the local drug scene while there, but when one of the New Zealanders is found dead, Kulī must begin a new investigation - into murder. When Kulī finds out that a dishevelled Selina stumbled into Pip's hotel room in the early hours of the night of the murder, Pip finds herself at the centre of the investigation - with Selina squarely in the frame. Kulī seems as determined to prove Selina is the killer as Pip is to prove her innocence. Can Kulī solve the case before Pip's enquiries put both her and Selina in danger from the real killer?

Two special events in Tonga bring Detective Chief Inspector Kulī Fīnau and anthropologist Dr. Pip Carey together again. The National Centre is exhibiting a special display of fine mats from the Palace Collection, to celebrate a royal marriage between Tonga and Sāmoa. The Pacific Cultural Arts Festival has also brought artists and performers from all the Pacific Island nations to Nukualofa. With everyone so distracted by the festivities, Pip's studies among the local fakaleiti - the Tongan transgender community - must be put on hold. And Kulī's plans for an evening off are thwarted when a number of crimes are uncovered. First there is the attack on a police guard at the Centre exhibition and the theft of Mata-`a-Maui, a priceless fine-mat. Next, the body of a fakaleiti, Josafina, is found in the grounds of the Breakwater Motel, where the public bar is a known hangout for Tonga's seedier types. And then a pālangi staying at the motel appears to have been murdered and his possessions taken. It's up to Kulī to solve all three puzzles - especially when the top brass is only interested in the theft of Mata-`a-Maui. This time Kulī turns to Pip, and her connections with the fakaleiti, for help with Josafina's death, while he and Detective Corporal Nusi focus on the other two cases. But, when Pip has friends among the Sāmoans, who seem to be involved in all three cases, it's impossible to keep the investigations apart - and Pip out of danger.