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A Cold Day For Murder
(Kate Shugak #1)
by
Eighteen months ago, Aleut Kate Shugak quit her job investigating sex crimes for the Anchorage DA's office and retreated to her father's homestead in a national park in the interior of Alaska. But the world has a way of beating a path to her door, however remote. In the middle of one of the bitterest Decembers in recent memory ex-boss - and ex-lover - Jack Morgan shows up
...more
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Nook, 199 pages
Published
March 4th 2011
by Gere Donovan Press
(first published June 1st 1992)
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of A Cold Day For Murder (Kate Shugak, #1)
Aug 15, 2012
Robert
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
kindle-freebies,
robert-s-reads
I admit I like free shit. I also admit I’m not entirely rational in my thought process. For example, I happily hand over my Bouchercon and Left Coast Crime Conference fees and feel like I’ve won the lottery when I receive a bag filled with books. Seriously, this ends up being one of the major highlights of these conferences. So in my continued pursuit of this high, minus the conference fees, I have decided to scour Amazon for the best free short stories and books available. With that being said,
...more
Aug 20, 2013
Lewis Weinstein
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime-and-thrillers
This is the first of Dana Stabenow's novels that I've read, and I think the first she wrote. I almost stopped about half-way through but I'm glad I didn't. After a long period of introducing characters and the Alaska locale, with a plot going nowhere, the pace did pick up and the story became interesting. Not fantastic, but interesting. There is some good writing with relaxed and amusing observations, but there are also segments where the writing just "tries too hard," and other segments where i
...more
I listened to the audiobook version which is narrated by the wonderful Marguerite Gavin. I think that helped me to like this more than if I had read it myself. The characters were mostly interesting and/or quirky and making the heroine an Aleut woman gave some insight into the culture of the native Alaskan People. The story itself felt a little long-winded and overly descriptive at times however and I found my mind wandering more than once. I don't really want a play-by-play account of how the h
...more
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2.5 stars
Most of the stars for this go to the setting, the brutal beauty of the Alaskan wilds. And for Kate Shugak's half wolf pet, Mutt. The author does well to set up the close knit community where everyone knows everyone else's business and feels like they have the right to get all up in it. It factors well into the plot, where personal interests clash enough for two people to end up dead. But the characters themselves were pretty light, with the author trying to be too quirky in their creat ...more
Most of the stars for this go to the setting, the brutal beauty of the Alaskan wilds. And for Kate Shugak's half wolf pet, Mutt. The author does well to set up the close knit community where everyone knows everyone else's business and feels like they have the right to get all up in it. It factors well into the plot, where personal interests clash enough for two people to end up dead. But the characters themselves were pretty light, with the author trying to be too quirky in their creat ...more
Dec 26, 2015
Yodamom
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
trauma-recovery,
mystery,
survival,
strong-women,
great-characters,
cute-animals,
i-was-pushed
3.8 stars
Wonderful first book in a series, I am hooked. Alaskan setting, tough Alaskan woman with scars, fab dog/wolf sidekick, and snarky side characters all wrapped around a decent story ! Ding ding winner ! The cast in this story are offbeat, and maybe a touch crazy, which makes them even more enjoyable to get to know. I have a favorite snarky character Bobby, you have to meet this guy. I want him to be my neighbor, we could get in trouble. :D
If you are looking for a murder mystery series to ...more
Wonderful first book in a series, I am hooked. Alaskan setting, tough Alaskan woman with scars, fab dog/wolf sidekick, and snarky side characters all wrapped around a decent story ! Ding ding winner ! The cast in this story are offbeat, and maybe a touch crazy, which makes them even more enjoyable to get to know. I have a favorite snarky character Bobby, you have to meet this guy. I want him to be my neighbor, we could get in trouble. :D
If you are looking for a murder mystery series to ...more
I enjoyed this book very much. Loved reading about Alaska and its people. I like Kate Shugak a lot so I look forward to reading more about her.
Kate Shugak is an Alaskan Aleut living in an arctic national park, a former investigator for the Alaska District Attorney, and now something of a freelancer. To paraphrase the nonfictional Kate who pointed me in the direction of these books, Kate Shugak is wounded and intense and competent, unimpressed with anyone’s self-importance, hard to drag away from her cabin and her kitchen and her half-wolf half-deaf companion, Mutt. And she also solves crime.
Oh, lovely. These tiny novels evoke Alaska wi ...more
Oh, lovely. These tiny novels evoke Alaska wi ...more
Apr 28, 2008
rabbitprincess
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
those who like VERY light mysteries
Recommended to rabbitprincess by:
English prof
This novel introduces Detective Kate Shugak, a petite, scrappy Aleut woman who lives in a fictional national park in Alaska. A park ranger goes missing, and so does the officer sent to find him. Kate, now working as a private investigator, takes the case, and delves into complicated political issues involving the use of park land for tourist purposes.
I was surprised to learn that this was not actually Stabenow's first novel, because it sure felt like one. The book was much too repetitive; as Kat ...more
I was surprised to learn that this was not actually Stabenow's first novel, because it sure felt like one. The book was much too repetitive; as Kat ...more
Aug 12, 2011
The Pirate Ghost (Formerly known as the Curmudgeon)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
1.Plot – Kate Shugak left the DA’s office over a year ago after a bust went bad. She’d gone to the home of a child abuser and come out with her throat slashed, leaving the man’s body gutted on the floor behind her. She’d resigned from the D.A.’s stable of investigators by pinning her letter to the door with the knife she’d used to take out the bad man.
For fourteen month’s she stays away from town, living in the rugged Alaska wilderness. She makes do by leading tours every now and then and pick ...more
For fourteen month’s she stays away from town, living in the rugged Alaska wilderness. She makes do by leading tours every now and then and pick ...more
Nice Price of 99 cents (Amazon) to try a series with interesting female protagonist.
The main character is Aleut Indian living a lone existence in Alaska though having attended college and worked in Anchorage previously. The harsh climactic conditions make living alone a very particular choice and one that fits her personality. A park ranger goes missing and then a congressman's son flies in to assist in the search, so Kate is asked to help. She does this at risk of her own life and has some ver ...more
The main character is Aleut Indian living a lone existence in Alaska though having attended college and worked in Anchorage previously. The harsh climactic conditions make living alone a very particular choice and one that fits her personality. A park ranger goes missing and then a congressman's son flies in to assist in the search, so Kate is asked to help. She does this at risk of her own life and has some ver ...more
Mystery is one of my favorite genres, and I've found myself compulsively reading mysteries in these trying times, as I need something light in order to spend a few hours immersed in something else than the news. And I have a great interest in the Arctic, so I thought a mystery set in Alaska would be the perfect match.
This book was rather enjoyable to read, however I felt there was too much unnecessary information which sometimes made the story drag. The setting is just great, the author is Alask ...more
This book was rather enjoyable to read, however I felt there was too much unnecessary information which sometimes made the story drag. The setting is just great, the author is Alask ...more
A kindle freebie that was well recommended but I was very disappointed. Considering it is a short book it is very slow paced and overly descriptive.
Maybe this was just a bad day at the office but I thought the book was very slow and not worthy of the hype.
Maybe this was just a bad day at the office but I thought the book was very slow and not worthy of the hype.
Having won a copy of Though Not Dead through the Goodreads First Reads program (and loved it), I decided to go back to the beginning and allow myself to be introduced to Kate Shugak good and proper. What can I say? I am in love with Dana Stabenow and her creation, Kate Shugak.
Kate is an Alaskan native in every sense of the word. She can trace her Aleutian roots deep into the Alaskan soil and ice. She is living in a homestead cabin in the Park, away from civilization, with only her half-wolf/hal ...more
Kate is an Alaskan native in every sense of the word. She can trace her Aleutian roots deep into the Alaskan soil and ice. She is living in a homestead cabin in the Park, away from civilization, with only her half-wolf/hal ...more
A Cold Day for Murder is the first book in the Kate Shugak series and I've found myself a new series that I want to read. This book had everything I like about a mystery book, engaging characters, fabulous milieu, and an interesting mystery.
Kate Shugak almost died on a mission and after that did she quit her job, but when this case lands on her doorstep does she decide to try to find the ranger and the detective who gone missing. She had a personal relationship with the detective in questions so ...more
Kate Shugak almost died on a mission and after that did she quit her job, but when this case lands on her doorstep does she decide to try to find the ranger and the detective who gone missing. She had a personal relationship with the detective in questions so ...more
Not an easy read as there is so much to process being introduced into the world of Kate Shugak and life in one of Alaska's National Parks.
However, the writing is crisp and beautifully captures the surrounding environment; furthermore the characters are well drawn and speak with all the power of real people.
It is a simple missing person mystery that Kate is called to solve. For one she knows every inch of the park, secondly is related to most of the key people to contact to review the case and la ...more
However, the writing is crisp and beautifully captures the surrounding environment; furthermore the characters are well drawn and speak with all the power of real people.
It is a simple missing person mystery that Kate is called to solve. For one she knows every inch of the park, secondly is related to most of the key people to contact to review the case and la ...more
3.5 stars
I think that I will like later books in the series more - this first one has a lot of (necessary) background information about the characters and setting that at times was a bit too much.
I think that I will like later books in the series more - this first one has a lot of (necessary) background information about the characters and setting that at times was a bit too much.
I’d been meaning to start this for a long time and I’m pleased to have finally got round to it. Kate is an enigmatic, independent woman who has obviously been through a lot. Tribal politics play a big part in an unnamed National Park (one of 17) in Alaska. The crime actually a sad one. We see how the old tribal ways are struggling as a new generation wants more from life. Fascinating to see what a powerful a little old grandma could be within a community too!
Aug 10, 2018
Bill
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
thriller,
mystery-us
A Cold Day for Murder is the first Kate Shugak mystery by Dana Stabenow. Kate was the lead investigator for the Anchorage ADA, Jack Morgan. Something happened on one of her cases which lead her to quit and move back nearer home in The Park. She lives alone with her dog (wolf) Mutt. Kate is an Aleut.
Jack and an FBI agent show up to ask her help in finding a missing Ranger and the current ADA investigator. The Ranger disappeared 6 weeks ago and his father is a US Senator who has pressured the FBI ...more
Jack and an FBI agent show up to ask her help in finding a missing Ranger and the current ADA investigator. The Ranger disappeared 6 weeks ago and his father is a US Senator who has pressured the FBI ...more
Jan 09, 2017
Mary
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery,
crime-detective
Aleutian Kate Shugak and her dog/wolf companion, Mutt, live alone outside of town in the Park, an Alaskan reservation. Scarred physically and psychically after after she killed her attacker while investigating a child abuser for the DA, she hasn't been to town for over a year. Now her past lover and ex-boss, Jack Morgan, wants her to find two men missing in the park - one of whom is another ex-lover.
The descriptive writing in this book is fabulous. Visiting Alaska after reading this book will re ...more
The descriptive writing in this book is fabulous. Visiting Alaska after reading this book will re ...more
I discovered this author and series recently by reading book #7 first. This story didn't lose much for my not having read the previous book, but now I have started from the beginning and read book #1. This story was just as fun as the first one I read. The characters jump out at you and become distinct personalities pretty quickly. There are quite a few of them, though, so I'm not sure I've got them all sorted out yet. They are colorful, energetic, heavy drinkers with a penchant for getting into
...more
Jul 11, 2020
Jammin Jenny
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime,
animals,
mystery,
audiobooks,
romance,
contemporary,
thriller,
adventure,
zz-2020-books,
adult
I really liked this first installment in the Kate Shugak series. I like the fact that she is a native Inuet in Alaska, and she works with a dog to help her solve crimes. I also liked the play between her and Jack. I hope to see more of that in future books in the series.
I started this book last night and finished it when I got home this morning. One would think that meant I thought it was really great but, alas, no. I wanted to get it done so I could start something else and I was almost there so finished it up before I went to bed.
The story is about Kate, a native of Alaska, who finds discord within the "Outsiders" and her own people. She feels she doesn't belong to either world which makes her a recluse who lives in a cabin miles from anyone. She left the DA' ...more
The story is about Kate, a native of Alaska, who finds discord within the "Outsiders" and her own people. She feels she doesn't belong to either world which makes her a recluse who lives in a cabin miles from anyone. She left the DA' ...more
This is one those Kindle freebies that took me forever to read because I was worried that I wouldn’t like, that Kate would just be one of those women with “look at my huge chip on my shoulder, you sexist pig who but it there! How dare you judge me for being bitchy! I have a tragic life!” slogan.
She’s not.
Retired from investigation due to an incident, Kate is called in to investigate two missing people. One of the missing is a former protégé and lover. One of the people calling her in is anothe ...more
She’s not.
Retired from investigation due to an incident, Kate is called in to investigate two missing people. One of the missing is a former protégé and lover. One of the people calling her in is anothe ...more
Oh my, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's a beautiful clean read with a leading female character who's quit from the DA's office after a heinous crime which has lead to Kate being scared both externally and internally and also has lost her beautiful voice. The way we are lead through the traditions of the Alaskans and the way they think and how difficult it is to for stuff to reach them. This was all news to me. I enjoyed how Kate very slowly and calmly goes about talking/interviewing people a
...more
Oct 22, 2017
Eleanor
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2017-books,
mystery-thriller
I enjoyed this most for its setting in the Alaskan wilderness in winter, beautiful and forbidding. It rang true in its depiction of a community of indigenous people dealing with problems such as alcohol and the desire of younger members to escape to the city. In Australia the country is very different, but the problems are similar, as of course are their causes.
I also liked the strength and the flaws of all the characters, especially those of the central character. I shall enjoy reading other bo ...more
I also liked the strength and the flaws of all the characters, especially those of the central character. I shall enjoy reading other bo ...more
Marguerite Gavin gives this book a fantastic narration. She doesn't attempt to replicate the way Dana Stabenow probably hears Kate Shugak's ruined voice in her head, doesn't attempt to constantly "do" ruined, for which I was grateful for the five and a half hours of the book. I'm sure it's a good read, but it's a great listen.
This takes place in a part of the world I'm just not that familiar with, that weird and wonderful great state of Alaska. I'll admit it – I think my only real "experience" ...more
This takes place in a part of the world I'm just not that familiar with, that weird and wonderful great state of Alaska. I'll admit it – I think my only real "experience" ...more
First Line: They came out of the south late that morning on a black-and-silver Ski-doo LT.
Somewhere in the endless acres of "The Park" a ranger has gone missing. No one puts up much of a fuss about it, figuring his body will be uncovered in time for the ground to thaw so he can be buried. But when a detective sent in to look for the missing ranger disappears as well, something has to be done. The Anchorage, Alaska District Attorney's Office sends two men out, hats in hand, to their former inves ...more
Somewhere in the endless acres of "The Park" a ranger has gone missing. No one puts up much of a fuss about it, figuring his body will be uncovered in time for the ground to thaw so he can be buried. But when a detective sent in to look for the missing ranger disappears as well, something has to be done. The Anchorage, Alaska District Attorney's Office sends two men out, hats in hand, to their former inves ...more
A Cold Day for Murder
3 Stars
After a Park Ranger and the detective sent in to find him both disappear somewhere in the vast and freezing wilderness of Alaska, the Anchorage DAs office requests the aid of former investigator Kate Shugak. A member of the Aleut tribe, Kate has returned home to nurse wounds both physical and psychological incurred while on the job, and is reluctant to leave her self-imposed exile to search for the missing men. However, once she begins asking questions and the answers ...more
3 Stars
After a Park Ranger and the detective sent in to find him both disappear somewhere in the vast and freezing wilderness of Alaska, the Anchorage DAs office requests the aid of former investigator Kate Shugak. A member of the Aleut tribe, Kate has returned home to nurse wounds both physical and psychological incurred while on the job, and is reluctant to leave her self-imposed exile to search for the missing men. However, once she begins asking questions and the answers ...more
Jun 29, 2010
Jamie Collins
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery,
contemporary-fiction
This short little murder mystery has an interesting setting - winter in an Alaskan National Park - that almost compensates for the poor quality of the writing. Almost.
Kate Sugak is an Aleut, and a former star investigator for the D.A.'s office in Anchorage. She quit her job after a bizarre incident involving a knife-wielding child molester and returned home to the Park to sulk in a cabin with no indoor toilet. When a park ranger goes missing, her former boss asks her to investigate. This mostly ...more
Kate Sugak is an Aleut, and a former star investigator for the D.A.'s office in Anchorage. She quit her job after a bizarre incident involving a knife-wielding child molester and returned home to the Park to sulk in a cabin with no indoor toilet. When a park ranger goes missing, her former boss asks her to investigate. This mostly ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Mystery, Crim...: * September 2018 Group Read (spoiler thread) : A Cold Day for Murder, by Dana Stabenow | 30 | 68 | Sep 22, 2018 02:34PM | |
| The Mystery, Crim...: * September 2018 Group Read: A Cold Day for Murder, by Dana Stabenow | 66 | 180 | Sep 21, 2018 01:19PM | |
| Play Book Tag: A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow (1 out of 5 Stars) (DECATHLON) | 5 | 18 | Apr 22, 2018 06:59PM | |
| Nook books: December 30, 2016 | 1 | 2 | Dec 30, 2016 07:27PM | |
| Play Book Tag: A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow - 4 stars | 3 | 16 | Jun 15, 2016 05:24AM |
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“That's some f***ing doorman you've got there, Ms. Shugak.”
—
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“grader. After the first snow fell the state road crews stopped where the national park boundaries began. But it was a wonderful park, rich in mountains, for it took in parts of the Mentasta, Nutzotin and Chugach ranges, as well as supporting the entire Quilak range. It boasted several hundred miles of coastline along Prince William Sound, site of one of the richest salmon fisheries in the world, and you could always fly in to fish, if you could fly, or could afford to pay someone who did. A shame that so few could, Park rats told each other, some even with straight faces. There were dozens of airstrips within the Park, some sworn to by FAA charts, but between the time the chart was printed and the time the pilot with a ruptured oil line looked for them they would be overgrown by a hungry forest or eroded out of existence by a change of course in the Kanuyaq.”
—
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