Several Punahou alumni and faculty have published books in the past two years that span a variety of genres and subjects. Here’s a roundup of some of their work.
Bruce Heflin ’68
A Darkness on the Land: A Jefferson Lee Mystery
The beautiful fall season is shattered in Mountview, NC when the daughter of a prominent businessman and politician is found murdered. Racial tensions threaten to erupt into violence when suspicion falls on the girl’s African American boyfriend and the Black community questions the integrity of the police investigation. Jefferson Lee, the ex-Marine Police Chief will have to work fast to keep the town from coming apart, especially as a white supremacist group appears in Mountview, and Lee is among their targets. Can he find the killer and stay alive in the process?
Coral-Li St.Helen (Letitia Moffitt ’86)
The Mist and the Flame
Let’s start with the truth about Rosaline – Romeo’s actual first love. Rosaline scorns romance and instead craves magic. To free herself from Romeo’s amorous attention as well as her dull life in Verona, she uses her limited sorcery skills to bring him and Juliet together. Renaming herself Foschia Luminosa, she then gleefully runs off to join a school of magic.
Kelly Murashige ’16
The Yomigaeri Tunnel
This speculative coming-of-age YA novel follows a teenager as she undertakes a magical journey to bring her deceased childhood friend back to life. A poignant quest for hope with original, fantastical twists, perfect for fans of Dustin Thao and Ann Liang.
Sara Ackerman ’84
The Guest in Room 120: A Novel
Honolulu’s iconic Moana Hotel, where a real-life mysterious death in 1905 collides with a writer’s search for truth a century later. In 1905, iron-willed Jane Stanford flees San Francisco for Honolulu, only to find the island more dangerous than it seems. That same year, grieving maid ‘Iliahi Baldwin befriends Jane, but powerful forces ensure the truth stays buried. In 2005, bestselling author Zoe Finch attends a writers’ conference at the Moana, uncovering long-hidden secrets. Inspired by a true unsolved death, this haunting tale explores betrayal, ambition, and destiny.
Tae Keller ’11
When Tomorrow Burns
Three middle school students embark on a quest to find a book that may just save their lives in this spectacular novel about fate and friendship – from the Newbery Award-winning author of “When You Trap a Tiger.”
Allison Hoadley ’78 Anderson
Climate Adaptation for Architects, A Design Toolkit
This book presents 45 adaptation tactics responding to the most consequential effects of climate change: heat, water, wind and resource scarcity. Each chapter includes images, a definition, background information, key design considerations, potential impacts, and resources for further information. This is a valuable resource for every architect, landscape architect, urban planner, developer and policymaker.
Stuart C. Nickerson ’54
Glas aus Wien: Enigma in Crystal
“Glas aus Wien” is about two mature Americans living in London. Their quest to gain understanding of the music coming from a cut-glass decanter takes them to Vienna, Milan and Zurich, in addition to London. The book includes historical detail, music, food, wine and a romantic sub-plot.
Robert Edwards ’81
Resisting the Right: How to Survive the Gathering Storm
Resisting the Right is a survey of contemporary American politics and an educational guide for engaged citizens, offering historical background, analysis of recent trends, and a practical approach to protecting democracy.