Change never comes easy so when the news breaks that the new administration oil might be drilling for oil soon in a wildlife preserve in southeast...
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reviews
Jun 05, 2011
Karen
rated it: 
This was my first Stabenow read, and I did enjoy it. I visited Alaska in 1975, and it was so interesting to go back and see the state through Kate Shugak's eyes. Stabenow shows us what it's like to live in a world of snow machines, cold and darkness, and she does it beautifully. Her characters are interesting, though I don't quite know what to make of Kate's relationship with Jim; very strange. Perhaps reading more of the series would help. Kate Shugak is a strong protagonist, and I find he
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Sep 12, 2011
Mary JL
rated it:
The Kate Shugak mysteries are particular favorites of mine. The unique (to me, at least) settings of Alaska; the interesting cast of characters and Kate herself.
Kate is small, dilignet, skilled and feels it is her duty to protect the way of life in "The Park"--the federal wildlife preseve on which she lives.
Kate lacks one quality--finesse. She has to work hard to be even slightly subtle. She is beginning to round up allies to save the job of Park ranger Dan O More...
Kate is small, dilignet, skilled and feels it is her duty to protect the way of life in "The Park"--the federal wildlife preseve on which she lives.
Kate lacks one quality--finesse. She has to work hard to be even slightly subtle. She is beginning to round up allies to save the job of Park ranger Dan O More...
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Jun 06, 2010
Deb
rated it: 
Kate Shugak is moving on with her life, and there are plenty of hints as to where it might go. Dan O'Brien, park ranger, is being strongly "encouraged" to take early retirement as the pressure builds to expand drilling rights in the ANWR and in the Park. As Kate attempts to use her contacts to keep Dan in the Park, a pair of elderly conservationists are brutally attacked in their home. Kate and Jim Chopin team together to find the perpetrator. Once again, the Alaskan wilderness and
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Jan 05, 2010
Djrmel
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It's been years since I read any of Stabenow's Kate Shugak books, and I honestly couldn't remember why I had stopped. I love a book with a strong sense of place and Stabenow knows how to transport her readers in the Alaska bush. Something else that she does remarkably well is to bring a first time reader up to speed on characters and past story lines without boring the series reader. I felt like I had never stepped away from Kate, conservation vs. tourism, the rights of indigenous peoples vs
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Jul 28, 2010
Barbara
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I don't usually like these small town cozy mysteries but this one involves Alaska which totally fascinates me. It's a little light on the murder investigation but Kate Shugak and Jim Chopin are very interesting characters and the interplay between them is violent yet comical. I didn't like Ethan, a married man who just wanted to get a little (from Kate). I did like Johnny though (the son of Kate's former lover). It will be interesting to see where Ms. Stabenow takes his story.
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Jul 11, 2009
Jennifer
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A Fine and Bitter Snow was an overall enjoyable read. It's definitely a fast read -- great for an afternoon or weekend. This was the first Kate Shugak Novel I've read from Alaskan author Dana Stabenow. The heroine was fiesty and fiercely independent, which creates some wonderful tension throughout the story.
The characters and locale were top notch and interesting. The storyline revolves around the southeastern part of Alaska. It's typical of the murder mystery who-dunnit typ More...
The characters and locale were top notch and interesting. The storyline revolves around the southeastern part of Alaska. It's typical of the murder mystery who-dunnit typ More...
Oct 04, 2011
Marti
rated it: 
I really like the Kate Shugak series, but I am getting frustrated. I would like to see her settled down with Chopper Jim Chopin, or someone else. This was a good story, as usual, with several corpses. If these people really thought about it, they would not want to be associating with Kate, since murder victims seem to show up where she is. I love Mutt, her half wolf dog--what a character. This series gives the reader a flavor of what it is like to live in Alaska. I am assuming that there i
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Dec 09, 2009
Nancy
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Another great Kate Shugak novel. As I work my way through the series, it occurs to me that a lot of Niniltna characters get offed in various ways, kind of like the endangered citizens of Pecan Springs in Susan Wittig Albert's books. I guess when you write murder mysteries, there needs to be a murder or two. Stabenow is very good at not repeating a template--each books is different enough to keep interest high. Still, if I were Kate Shugak, I'd think about going into real estate.
Jan 26, 2009
Karen
rated it:
You all know my opinion of this writer - fantastic.
I made the awful mistake of taking one of the books out of order.
OOPS. Found out something I didn't want to know, YET.
I also listened to it on CD. I wanted to hear how to say the names of the characters and places in Alaska that I did not know how to pronounce. Of course the reader didn't voice the same way I would have so it was a bit different. I think I am going to stick to reading these rather than listening.
I made the awful mistake of taking one of the books out of order.
OOPS. Found out something I didn't want to know, YET.
I also listened to it on CD. I wanted to hear how to say the names of the characters and places in Alaska that I did not know how to pronounce. Of course the reader didn't voice the same way I would have so it was a bit different. I think I am going to stick to reading these rather than listening.
Apr 07, 2009
L
rated it:
Kate Shugak & Alaska--a winning combination. And in this book, I think they're even better than usual. Of course, it's really Mutt we all adore, but the other characters are also solid. The Aunties don't really appear in this one, but the other interpersonal lines make for a satisfying tangle, even without them. And, of course, there is a mystery.
Dec 18, 2010
Skip
rated it:
Park Ranger Dan O'Brian is threatened with losing his job. Kate Shugak tries to rally support, and two Park rats (Dina and Ruthe) are attacked and one dies. Then, another seemingly unrelated death of a man who sponsors hunting trips commits suicide, and Kate has to unravel the mystery and her own feelings about trooper Jim Chopin.
Oct 22, 2010
Marc
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This book started it all for me. I grabbed an audio book copy of this for a road trip from Knoxville, Tennessee to Rutland, Vermont. By the time I got to New York, Kate had her hooks in me and I have inhaled all things Stabenow since.
Jun 17, 2011
Nadine
rated it:
The author took too long setting the stage--at least half of the book before the murder. I also felt like she was trying to shove "green" down my throat. Some language, and too much sex. Action was good. Story line was good.
Jan 18, 2011
Amber
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I really wish I could read all these in order! The individual mysteries are fantastic, but I hate picking up a book and realizing favorite character(s) are dead!
Nov 07, 2009
Joy
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A fatal attack on a pair of aging conservationists, beloved in the Park, stirs up Kate's friends in Niniltna and creates new patterns for future books.
May 23, 2010
Joyce
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A good continuation of the Kate Shugak series. We find out more about her past and get a glimpse of what her future may be.
Sep 18, 2010
Kristen
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If you love a good easy read, you'll enjoy this mystery. It's the fifth in the Kate Shugak series and is set in Alaska. In this book, one of Kate's friends, Dan O'Brien, is pressured to go into early retirement by not going "green." It's up to Kate to start the campaign to get his job back. When two of Kate's grandparents's friends, Ruthe and Dina are attacked, Dan's hands are covered with blood. With Dina gone and Ruthe clinging to life, it's up to Kate and Jim to figure out who done
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Dec 20, 2011
Sherri
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Like the character Jim Chopin and how he becomes more relevant in Kate's life in future of the series. Great books
Sep 20, 2009
Daphne
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Very good book. A little heavy on some of the description but it left me wanting more (and wanting more NOW) so I'm giving it five stars.
Dec 01, 2008
Ckerekes
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A return to the earlier tone of the series as Kate moves on in life.
Oct 24, 2011
Andrea
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The more I read of this series, the more I really like the characters.
May 31, 2008
Mom
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Now that the Republicans are back in the White House, there is an intense interest in exploring the Alaskan wilderness for oil reserves. The natives of the state are torn between the need for new jobs and preserving the beauty of their untamed land. As always, Dana Stabenow brings the beauty and the danger of the Alaskan frontier alive, but also provides insight into the oil rigging environmental controversy. This exciting novel will leave readers excited yet tired from a wonderful reading expe
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Apr 19, 2008
Karin
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The Kate Shugak stories are always appealing, with the strong female and many quirky characters. There are usually twists in not only the plot but the characters. Love the descriptions of the natural setting. However, I'm a little tired of Kate's reliance on Mutt, who seems almost supernatural. I;m a dog lover, and cheered this canine hero through the first few Shugak books I read, but this device is getting a little worn. Still, this is one of the better mystery series starring a female.
