To commemorate its themed “May is for Mystery” month, Basically Books is hosting a “Meet the Author” book signing from 1-3 p.m. May 12 with Big Island writer Jill Steele, who will talk about her murder mystery “Blood on the Orchids.”
Other local mystery writers also will be at the store during the day.
“Blood on the Orchids” takes place on an orchid farm in the hurricane-battered, lava-threatened Puna District. Early on in the story, beautiful, renowned orchid grower Ellen Jenson is found dead in a greenhouse at the large nursery she and her estranged husband own. In her hand is an unusually vibrant cattleya orchid spray.
The reader will experience the rural Big Island local style and learn about orchids and orchid growing as Lauren and Jenny, both nursery employees, talk story with local fishermen, orchid growers and surfers as they try and solve the murder.
“Blood on the Orchids” is a mystery, but that is only one element of the story.
“It is also a ‘coming of a certain age’ story because the two central female characters are at a turning point in their lives, facing decisions that women of this century are now empowered to make,” Steele said.
Steele has lived on the easternmost tip of the Big Island for the past 25 years. Reflecting on the power of the island, one character observes, “It felt peaceful but there was an undercurrent of raw energy that was always present on the island, as alive as the lava simmering below the surface.”
“Blood on the Orchids” is available at Basically Books, Big Island BookBuyers, Island Naturals, Pahoa Used Books and Kona Stories.