The Singing of the Dead

Kate Shugak #11

by Dana Stabenow

Kate Shugak joins the staff of a political campaign to work security for a Native woman running for state senator. The candidate has been receiving anonymous threats, and Kate is to become her shadow, watching the crowds at rallies and fund-raisers. But just as she's getting started, the campaign is rocked by the murder of their staff researcher. To track the killer, Kate will have to delve into the past, in particular the grisly murder of a 'good-time girl' during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1915. Little can she guess the impact a ninety-year-old unsolved case might have on a modern-day psychotic killer...

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Suspense, Politics

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2001

About the author

Dana Stabenow was born in Anchorage and raised on 75-foot fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska. She knew there was a warmer, drier job out there somewhere.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Dana does not disappoint. I love the Kate Shugak series but had missed reading several books in the middle. I am rectifying that situation and reading all the books in order, along with all the Liam Campbell books (which I have finished and also loved). What I love about this series is how the characters grow and change. Dana writes about people I care about, who make mistakes and learn from them, are heartbroken, fall in love, have fights, and are compelling, real people. The murder mystery aspect drives the plot along, and is always interesting, but it's the characters that keep me coming back. And I learn so much about Alaska and Alaskan history, which is the icing on the cake.

[Yodamom · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
Oh my, what a fantastic twist at the end ! I adored this duel time historical mystery. I thought both time periods and characters where excellently done. The world has changed so and yet it hasn't. Kate struggles to balance her new world, with a job, a teenageer on the run, a crazed mom, a killer or two, a wonky heart, and an upset Mutt.*Amazing job Ms.Stabenow*
Kate, she's stubborn, healing, and too damn stubborn. I just want her to be happy again, with the one I want her to be happy with, not the one she's noodling with on the porch ! I can't wait to see what's in the next book. :D

[Peter Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a fairly early Kate Shugak novel (2001) that I somehow missed. Happily, it turns out to be one of her very best: compact, pitch-perfect, and full of Alaska lore, both contemporary and dating back to the gold-rush days. It's based on the real and unsolved murder of a good-time girl in Fairbanks in 1915, that Stabenow fictionalizes to make it fit into the Shugak story. I may come back to add more, but if you are a Stabenow/Shugak fan and somehow missed this one, boy are you in for a treat!

Here's the author's intro, in her inimitable style:
https://stabenow.com/novel-details/ka...
"I have to admit, I love this book, it’s my favorite Kate so far. Even if Kate, may god forgive me, does go to work for an election campaign."

Publisher's Weekly's starred review is the best I saw online:
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-...
"The background of a hard-fought political campaign in Alaska (where "in a gathering of four people there are five marriages, six divorces, and seven political parties") and the devastating effect of a century-old scandal on the candidates gives even greater depth than usual to Stabenow's 11th Kate Shugak mystery. "

Reread finished 3/24/23. I'll stand by my earlier remarks, and add that the novel has more than a touch of Ross MacDonald-style dysfunctional-family stuff, translated to early and latest 2oth-century Alaska. A worthy reread.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike many of the Kate Shugak stories, this one has less to do with life in the Alaska Bush and more to do with state and local politics. The politics are not entirely unlike political campaigning in very small town continental America, with potlucks diners, gymnasium, etc. Kate works security for a political campaign that turns deadly. The emotional tension between Kate and Jim Chopin carries over from the previous story and is so thick you'd need a chainsaw to slice it. The side story about Johnny Morgan continues, and there is also a side story from a different time period, early 1900's gold rush Alaska and a murder. It's a fascinating bit of history. Each time I read a Kate Shugak mystery, I think it is one of the best so far, and this one is no exception.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kate Shugak series massively appealed to me. She is a moral, if not slightly damaged (aren't we all?!) Native Alaskan woman who solves mysteries around Alaska and has a wolf-dog roommate. I started reading them in Unalaska and continued in Dillingham and still think that anybody who wants to visit Alaska but can't afford the air-fare could get a pretty good tour, not to mention enjoying some well-crafted mystery, by reading these books.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Singing of the Dead by Dana Stabenow is one of the better ones in the series about Alaska native kate Shugak, the reluctant detective. I very much liked the two timelines in this story to get to the end and some remarkable revelations about Kates history. But I also liked the telling of strong women in Alaskan history although it's fiction it's very interesting. In this book we get it all, some thrills and suspense and some fun and games and a political campaigning. I really enjoyed it.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. In fact, after reading this one (#11), I read on through #15: A Fine and Bitter Snow, A Grave Denied, A Taint in the Blood, and A Deeper Sleep. The characters are always interesting and fun, the mystery entertaining and often enlightening about Alaska politics (and other issues) and Native concerns. But most of all, I enjoy following the relationships and watching them change and grow. After taking a respite, I just placed a hold on the next two.

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worried about how she will protect and support her dead companion's son, Kate agrees to protect a native running for state senator, who has received death threats. When the candidate's chief fundraiser (and future son-in-law) is murdered, followed the murder of a campaign-hired researcher, Kate has to figure out who is behind the killings. Like almost all others, good stuff.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marguerite Gavin is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lucie Aran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tento příběh o Kate Shugakové se od ostatních trochu odlišuje, protože se více soustředí na politiku na místní úrovni, než na tradiční aljašskou divočinu, kterou jsme si zvykli u této série užívat. Politická kampaň, do které je Kate zapojená, převážně připomíná kampaně v malých městech v kontinentální Americe, kde se pořádají společenské večeře, akce v tělocvičnách a podobně. Kate, která je na tuto práci najatá jako ochranka, se zaplete do událostí, jejichž konci nedokáže zabránit.

Vztah mezi Kate a Jimem, který začal již v předchozím díle, je stále plný emocí, a dále pokračuje i vedlejší příběh o Johnnym Morganovi. Nedílnou součástí této knihy se stává i fascinující historický příběh z počátku 20. století, z doby aljašské zlaté horečky, který přináší do děje velice zajímavý historický kontext a odhaluje tak nejedno ze skrytých tajemství životů tehdejších obyvatel.

I když je tato kniha narozdíl od ostatních dílů této série, přeci jen o trochu ochuzená o kouzlo nespoutané divočiny, stále si udržela moji plnou pozornost, a to obzvláště díky historické lince. Každý další příběh o Kate Shugakové, který čtu, mě pokaždé jen utvrdí v tom, že mě autorka ani tato série nezklamou, a tento není výjimkou. Celkově tuto sérii s radostí doporučím každému, kdo má rád divokou přírodu Aljašky, stejně tak jako její historii, a chtěl by se dozvědět formou příběhů o trochu více, o životě tamních obyvatel.

[Katie❄️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the whole Park will help with Johnny.

[Mike Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Singing Of The Dead" is my least favorite of the Kate Shugak novels so far. It delivered a good plot, some strong characters and a few excellent scenes but I couldn't become as emotionally engaged with this novel as with the others.

Kate, still recovering from the loss of Jack Morgan, is not her usual self in this book. She is more passive than usual and perhaps a little more vulnerable. I applaud this in terms of character development but it left a hole in the book that no-one else filled. Kate was far more damaged in "Midnight Come Again" but there Jim Chopin filled the gap.

I was also out of sympathy with the "historical" parts of the story which were bleakly accurate. Each passage was well written but I struggled to overcome my aversion for the brutality of the period.I also found the passages hard to integrate into the present-day story. There was a plot link but not much more.

Of course, as with any Kate Shugak novel, there were some wonderful scenes: the broadcast and interview from the chaos of Bobby's house, the atmosphere and content of the political meeting in the school gym and the peculiar auction that kicks off the book.

The political setting for "The Singing Of The Dead" provides a great vehicle for reviewing the Alaska's political issues and the factions that work on them. I thought the speeches, given by plausible politicians competing for votes, were particularly well done.

The most uplifting part of the book was the way in which the Park Rats and even State Trooper Jim Chopin come together to support Kate in protecting Jack Morgan's son from his mother. This kind of practical support for the vulnerable is a constant theme in Dana Stabenow's books and she always does it well.

In the end, my main reaction to the book turned out to be sadness: for the treatment of Angel Beachem in the Gold rush and for the violence done to the researcher who brought her story to life.

This is the only Kate Shugak book not available from audible.com. I gave up waiting for them to add it to their catalog and went with the ebook version instead. This was my first ebook. I was pleasantly surprised at how natural it felt to read this way and how easy it was to move about. I miss that with audiobooks. Yet I missed Marguerite Gavin's voice, bringing Kate and her world alive in my ear. I'll be doing the rest of the series as audibooks.

[Kem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Kate Shugak book. I don't know if I guessed or I just wanted it to be HER that did it, but I read thinking it had to be HER that did something bad because Kate nor Mutt got along with her. In finding out who and why, Kate learned something new about her own ancestry. Johnny's Mom showed up and wrecked Kate's house. I hope she gets what's coming to her at some point. I find it interesting that each time Kate gets into trouble, Mutt isn't able to save her for some reason or another. Why does Kate have Mutt with her all the time if she's going to almost get dead anyway? Mutt's nose found her so Jim could save her, but I'd like to have Mutt come roaring out to pounce on the bad guy to save Kate at least once.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really tells two stories. One story follows the life of a "good time girl" in Alaska during the Gold Rush. In the contemporary story Kate Shugak signs on to work security for a Native woman running for the state legislature.

Stabenow always writes an interesting book, but this one is especially good. The Gold Rush story is as interesting as the one featuring the characters that have become old friends.

She brings the stories together in an unexpected way that has real emotional impact.

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hot dog, I think I just read two in order....

So this time Kate's taken a job providing security for a political contender to Pete Whatshisname. And the skeletons in the closet just keep falling out of the woodwork, going back to the times of brothels in old Alaska.

Kate gets bonked on the head, Mutt gets to be tough, Jim Chopin has seriously got the hots for Kate and Johnny Morgan has come to live with Kate and escape his mother.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a Dana Stabenow fan, and a fan of her Kate Shugak character. Stabenow's descriptions of Alaska and the lives of Alaska Natives always interests me. Character development is a strong feature of these Stabenow books. Kate is now moving on after the life changing event of two books ago. She faces life threatening challenges, and, as always, comes out on top, with the help of friends. More changes are hinted at, leading to the next book.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate has a new mouth to feed, so she takes a high-paying job. Protecting a Native candidate for the Alaskan Congress turns out to have historical implications. Kate is as irresistible a character as ever.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a Stabenow book for some time but I found this at my fave used book store in LA while visiting my son and was pretty sure I hadn’t read it. It was just excellent on every level. Kate Shugak is a great character. I met Stabenow at a reading back in 1985 or 86 here in Mpls at Once Upon a Crime. She was great, read a bit, then answered questions. It was a small crowd (small bookstore) and I was always sorry I didn’t have the guts to ask her out for a beer. Of course, I no longer have all those Stabenow books on my shelves and have to decide if I’ll repurchase to read again or go the library. Either way, this has me hungry to revisit the series from the beginning.

[Gg · Rating 3 out of 5]

josh made me read it

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not all of the Kate Shugak books are straight-up mysteries. But this one is and it’s pretty good.

[LAB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate Shugak has a new job that will last until the Alaska election is over. She is hired by a pushy campaign manager to protect one of the candidates, an Alaska native who hopes to unseat the white incumbent. When some of the campaign staff are killed and others lie about their whereabouts, Kate wonders how the dead and the candidate are linked. Her investigation is assisted by a state trooper who would love to love Kate, and local officers and citizens. When a link to a 1915 death is uncovered, things become personal. Running parallel to her work is a fight to keep her dead lover's son from being taken out of Alaska by his mother. The mom hates Kate and the boy has promised to run away (again) if his mother tries to move him elsewhere. Kate's friends conspire to keep the boy away from his mother.

Like others in the Kate Shugak series, Dana Stabenow paints good word pictures of Alaska's wilds and the relatives and friends who form Kate's extended family. It was engaging and entertaining and my favorite character in the series played a strong role. When you read the book, see if you can tell which character I mean.

[Olivermagnus · Rating 4 out of 5]

211

[Hermien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, Mutt is getting more and more human but definitely the kind of dog/wolf you want to have on your side.

[Jan C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I picked this book up based on the beginning taking place in Dawson City in 1897, around the time of the Gold Rush. Then I looked at the back cover and saw that this was a Kate Shugak story and she goes to work as protection for a state senatorial candidate.

This is a campaign full of dirty tricks. Not to mention murder.

Stabenow goes back and forth between what was happening to the Dawson Darling and what is happening with the candidate. The Dawson Darling is basically doing what she can to get by. The candidate, a native woman (or at least part native), is receiving threatening notes. And then people start dying.

This held my interest.

I think I have only read one of her previous books and thought it was okay. But jumping back and forth in time and stories and being able to keep them both going and tying them up at the end is a good sign.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the political aspects of this book. I'm just not a political monster. The main focus is a campaign for the state senate (of Alaska, of course) between a native female newcomer and the male whose held the seat for years. When Anne receives death threats, Kate Shugak is called in as security. It's pretty tame (read boring) until someone ends up dead then it livens up a little. Especially when Jim Chopin and Ethan enter the picture. It's rather interesting because Jim has it bad for Kate but she wants nothing to do with him, or any other male for that matter. There are lots of surprises and the culprit was a real surprise. I did like how Dana Stabenow blended the story of the Dawson Darling into the current political situation.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate is on the campaign trail. She takes a job guarding a candidate for senate and ends up in the middle of a fight for her life when a crazy campaign manager and old "friend" from UAF days tries to throw her off her trail--literally throwing her in the dump. Good thing Chopper Jim is in town and decides to check up on her. Mutt is frantic when Jim arrives and all but drags him to the dump. I love that Jim is always mad at Kate, he is out of control all the time where she is concerned--he has it baaad for Kate. Nice change of pace to have the story of Dawson Darling told along side the present day story of her descendants.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#11 in the Kate Shugak series.

Alaska PI Kate Shugak series - Kate, slowly recovering from the death of her lover, Jack Morgan, is hired as a security expert by Anne Gordaoff, a state senate candidate of partial Native heritage who has received threatening letters. Also appealing to Kate for protection is Jack's teenage son, Johnny, who has run away from his abusive mother. When Gordaoff's future son-in-law and a woman doing background research for Gordaoff are murdered, Kate joins state trooper Jim Chopin and local police chief Ken Hazen in the investigation.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite of the Kate Shugak novels -- probably because I've listened to them all and then doubled back on #11 here. Kate's job is security for a Senatorial candidate and there are a couple of murders. Flashbacks to the early 20th century are sprinkled in, too. The many characters confuse somewhat. There are so many dates and names and places to keep straight that ultimately it's confusing.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Another great mystery featuring Kate Shugak, and the Alaskan wilderness. When a candidate for the senate begin receiving death threats, Kate is hired to help solve the mystery. Meanwhile, a researcher on the campaign finds some interesting history regarding Alaska's first families, providing a unique insight into the history of Alaska. I could not put it down.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that these books never follow the same format and that just keeps me reading! I loved the ending and how Emaa is in everything. Still rooting for Jim, maybe in the next book. Time to go get it!