The Page Boy
By E.B. Boatner
Mahu
Neil S. Plakcy
Harrington Park Press
$19.95
Neil S. Plakcy’s first novel centers on a mixed-race Hawaiian protagonist
who is also a surfer, cop, and closeted homosexual. He is in denial as well.
Then, one night, exiting a gay bar after his first visit, Kimo Kanapa’aka
observes a dark figure dragging something past him toward the dumpsters.
The man speeds away in a black car, and Kimo, curious, discovers the object
to be a dead body.
Police instinct tells Kimo to call in the murder, but every repressed cell
in his brain screams, “Run!” His choice and its consequences will test him
as a man—a gay man—a friend, a son and brother, and an officer.
Plakcy deftly keeps up the tension of the hunt for the killer and the exoneration
of Kimo, who is suspended from the force.
In addition, Plakcy weaves in the emotions of Kimo’s relation with his family,
as they all, including Kimo, come to terms with reality and find the courage
to love.