Guardians of the Drums is the fourth book in the Kealoha Island Thrillers by Chuck Morgan. Detective Leilani Kealoha, a Honolulu native who knows the island like the back of her hand, is called to the Bishop Museum after the theft of King Kamehameha I’s sacred feather cape. The cape, made from hundreds of thousands of ‘i‘iwi feathers collected over generations, is more than just an artifact; it is the heartbeat of the island itself. In recent weeks, several rare cultural artifacts have been stolen, suggesting a deliberate attempt to erase the island’s heritage. Meanwhile, Sam Worthington is raising funds for a world-class cultural center, believing that these treasures deserve a safer home. Though some accuse him of buying up the island, Sam insists he is protecting its legacy from those who do not value it. Leilani must race against time to recover the stolen artifacts before they, and the history they represent, are lost forever.

Guardians of the Drums by Chuck Morgan is an outstanding thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The story moves at a brisk pace, yet allows readers just enough time to absorb each event before the next twist unfolds. I was completely captivated from the first page and found it impossible to put the book down. The writing is engaging, and the historical and cultural significance of each artifact is described with impressive depth and detail. Leilani’s investigation drew me in completely; her character feels genuine, driven by a deep love for her island and an unwavering commitment to protecting its traditions and history. The story feels so authentic that it is easy to believe it is based on real events. Having read several books in the series, I appreciate how each one stands on its own while remaining true to the author's dedication to preserving the spirit, heritage, and history of the islands.

Leilani Kealoha is now a detective in the Special Investigations Unit of the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and leads her own hand-picked task force. She’s called to a theft in the middle of the night at the Bishop Museum. Only one item has been stolen, King Kamehameha’s 18th-century cape. It’s the following theft of her family’s pahu (drum) from her mother’s hula school, Kealoha Halau, that makes this crime personal. It appears that someone is stealing ancient items connected to Hawaii’s history, but for what purpose? Leilani teams up again with former FBI agent Isaac Torres, and both have their eyes set on Sam Worthington, a philanthropist from the mainland who has taken a sudden interest in building a cultural center. Is he somehow connected to the thefts, or is there a larger syndicate at work? Why are the thieves one step ahead of the police? Could there be a mole in the HPD? Read Guardians of the Drums by Chuck Morgan to find the answers.

Guardians of the Drums is the fourth book in the Keoloha Island thriller series. While the first three books focused on a super-villain known as the mastermind, this book presents a new concept with a new master criminal. As a follower of the series, what I enjoyed most about this book was seeing the character development, especially Leilani and Isaac’s professional relationship, and her son Kai’s budding detective work. All four books in the series, however, are about Leilani, who is a perfect protagonist as she’s slightly flawed. She has her inner demons to deal with, as well as the real demons in the crime world. I loved this book as much as the others. I couldn’t put Chuck Morgan's Guardians of the Drums down, and kept reading well into the night. I highly recommend this book to thriller fans who are keen to learn more about Hawaiian history and love a strong female protagonist. I’m ready for book five.