"Murder in Alaska"

In her 12th book in the Kate Shugak series, Ms. Stabenow has delivered another winner. Kate is still dealing with her feelings about her lover's death and the arrival of his son, Johnny at her homestead. She also is trying to save Dan O'Brien's job as resident park ranger. Dan, who is perceived as "too green" for the present administration and who objects to oil drilling in ANWAR, is being pushed out and Kate sets out to save him. She appeals to two women who have lived in the park for fifty years and who run a camp for outsiders to experience Alaska. And Chopper Jim is still there to cause her frustration. Again, the story is a frame to meet old friends, learn about subsistance living in Alaska, and see a very different society from inside.

If you haven't been introduced to Dana Stabenow yet, I encourage you to get her first Kate Shugak book, A COLD DAY FOR MURDER, and read it quickly, because you'll be out looking for all eleven others as soon as you are done.

Ms. Stabenow writes some of the best books I have ever read. She is right up there with J.D. Robb and Laurell K. Hamilton for tough women who protect what they love.

The series takes place in a national park in Alaska, and concerns Kate Shugak, an Aleut woman who protects her park and her people, Indian or other, from the Outside (which often includes Anchorage). Her trusty sidekick is a half- Husky, half-wolf dog named Mutt. Some of the best parts of her books are the relationships between Mutt and Kate, and Mutt and other people. Mutt acts as a sort-of early warning alarm to people's characters.

Please do yourself a favor and find Ms. Stabenow's books whereever you can. It is better to read them in order, but up to HUNTER'S MOON, you can read as you get them. After HUNTER'S MOON you will need to stay in order. I hope you love them as much as I do!

Reviewed by Merrilee Heffernan
Posted July 18, 2002