Project Namahana

Starred review from May 23, 2022
Teschner’s exceptional debut, a hard-edged eco-thriller, matches strong characters with a bold plot that fulfills its potential. Micah Bernt, who left the U.S. Army under a cloud, somehow avoided serious punishment, despite being charged with maltreating detainees, assault, and indecent acts. He’s trying for a new start on a remote Hawaiian island, where he’s taking a community college class and working as a salesman. Then his landlord, Clifton Moniz, turns up dead in the ocean, apparently an accidental drowning victim. Moniz’s death may be linked to another tragedy—the recent drowning of three local boys. Bernt’s unofficial investigation alternates with a look at the covert machinations of Benevoment Seed, a powerful international corporation that produces Efloxiflam, “the bestselling lawn care product in history.” Benevoment has been testing a successor product, which may be causing deadly pollution on the island’s Namahana Mountain. Michael Lindstrom, the executive in charge, is torn between his obligations to his employer and his sense of morality, and he winds up in an unlikely partnership with Bernt. The action builds to a satisfying resolution that doesn’t pull punches and is true to the book’s spirit of portraying a less-than-postcard-perfect image of Hawaii. Jon McGoran fans will hope for more from this talented author.

June 1, 2022
Recently discharged combat veteran Micah Bernt sets about rebuilding his life in Kaua'i, renting the guest house of kind-hearted locals Clifton and Momilani. Aside from a few meth heads and some aggressive protesters claiming that a local agri-giant, Benevoment, is responsible for the recent deaths of three boys, the island is plenty close to paradise. Then Clifton, who worked for Benevoment, is found dead, his body tangled in a coral reef, and Momilani can't ignore other strange deaths and disappearances among Clifton's coworkers. Frankly pleased at the prospect of a foe to face down, Bernt agrees to look into Clifton's death. Benevoment sends Michael Lindstrom, the scientist who designed the chemicals used in the company's fields, to Kaua'i, either to discover what's happened to the men on the project or, depending on what he finds, to be silenced. Bernt and Lindstrom, driven by vastly different motives, team up to unravel the secrets. Teschner blends eco-mystery, Hawaiian culture, and a conflict-craving main character in Bernt, who will please readers seeking the good-guy vigilante thrills in the works of Lee Child and Nick Petrie.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.