Secrets Beneath the Hibiscus A Hawaiian Mystery Novel by Conan Berongis
A schoolteacher with a hidden past.
A cold case buried beneath paradise.
And a truth that refuses to stay silent.
Maile Iona has spent years building a quiet life as an elementary school teacher in rural Hawai'i - but when a body is discovered near her school, old wounds rip open. The scene mirrors a tragedy she witnessed as a teenager... one she's never told anyone about.
As Maile is pulled into the investigation, she reconnects with Lehua, a long-lost friend who vanished years ago under mysterious circumstances. Together, they uncover a web of buried trauma, political corruption, and long-silenced voices - all tied to the powerful figures once entrusted with protecting Hawai'i's youth.
What begins as a murder mystery becomes a reckoning.
Told over 50 gripping chapters, Secrets Beneath the Hibiscus is a story of resilience, redemption, and the fierce power of those who choose to speak the truth - even when the world isn't ready to hear it.
Perfect for fans of Celeste Ng, Lisa Jewell, and readers of character-driven suspense set against lush, evocative backdrops.
