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Matteesie Kitologitok #2
The Shaman's Knife
RCMP inspector Matteesie Kitologitak, the “great brain of Arctic crime,” is drawn into the case surrounding a grisly double murder when the only witness to the crime is revealed to be his mother. With the help of a shaman and his own Inuit background, Matteesie races against time to uncover the truth and protect his family.
- GenresCanadaProceduralMystery
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Scott Young
117 books14 followersScott Alexander Young was a Canadian journalist, sportswriter, novelist and the father of musician Neil Young. Over his career, Young wrote 45 books, including novels and non-fiction for adult and youth audiences.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 20, 2021
I'm sad to come to the end of this series. Due to the author's passing, this is the last book. I've come to like Matteesie and would have liked to get to know him and his family/friends more. In this book, he opens up to us more and his warmth & caring really show through.
This series is less about the mysteries, which are more of a "how did this happen", rather than a "who did it". It's a wonderful look at Northern Inuit culture & tradition, family & friends, ways of Northern life, Communities, the hassles & dangers of travel in such a harsh climate. All of this, and more, plus the addition of a mystery & murder, leads to an enjoyable read.
This series is less suspenseful as it is a slow opening of insights and discoveries.
This series is less about the mysteries, which are more of a "how did this happen", rather than a "who did it". It's a wonderful look at Northern Inuit culture & tradition, family & friends, ways of Northern life, Communities, the hassles & dangers of travel in such a harsh climate. All of this, and more, plus the addition of a mystery & murder, leads to an enjoyable read.
This series is less suspenseful as it is a slow opening of insights and discoveries.
Read
May 30, 2023Total vibe and a half
January 26, 2024
Total vibe and a half, indeed
February 18, 2019
The nature of this mystery is less of a "who dunnit?" and more of a "what happened?"
The ending is not wholly a surprise, what becomes of interest however is how all the bits and pieces of information about the event fit together.
That being said, the mystery component of this book is really just a structural vehicle for what otherwise is an interesting peek into a culture that most probably have little exposure to.
The real treat is learning about the details of daily life, social customs, ceremonial traditions, logistical barriers, governmental history, and everything else concerning life in remote northern Canada and the Inuit who have lived there for centuries.
Being from the U.S. Southwest and the lands surveyed by Tony Hillerman's novels (which this book's character has been paralleled with), I can understand and relate to the interesting little details of day to day life included in those books. Hence why it is neat in a way to gain insight in a similar manner to a region that is wholly foreign and removed from what I have ever experienced.
Only in a few areas did I feel that characters' actions seemed a bit out of character and forced for the sake of plot progression. Otherwise the narrative flowed well and the dialog was generally transparent.
All in all it was an enjoyable read, and learning that this book is part of a series lends me to be motivated to locate and read the others, as the character and world built within were worth spending time with.
The ending is not wholly a surprise, what becomes of interest however is how all the bits and pieces of information about the event fit together.
That being said, the mystery component of this book is really just a structural vehicle for what otherwise is an interesting peek into a culture that most probably have little exposure to.
The real treat is learning about the details of daily life, social customs, ceremonial traditions, logistical barriers, governmental history, and everything else concerning life in remote northern Canada and the Inuit who have lived there for centuries.
Being from the U.S. Southwest and the lands surveyed by Tony Hillerman's novels (which this book's character has been paralleled with), I can understand and relate to the interesting little details of day to day life included in those books. Hence why it is neat in a way to gain insight in a similar manner to a region that is wholly foreign and removed from what I have ever experienced.
Only in a few areas did I feel that characters' actions seemed a bit out of character and forced for the sake of plot progression. Otherwise the narrative flowed well and the dialog was generally transparent.
All in all it was an enjoyable read, and learning that this book is part of a series lends me to be motivated to locate and read the others, as the character and world built within were worth spending time with.
Want to Read
December 20, 2018Synopsis: Matteesie is Inuit and with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He hears of a double murder. His grandmother?
June 1, 2021
Too bad this is the last in the series. Matteesie is an interesting character who straddles several worlds .
May 6, 2009
THE SHAMAN’S KNIFE (Pol. Proc-Insp. Matteesie Kitologitak-Alaska-Cont) – DNF
Young, Scott – 2nd in series
Prime Crime, 1993, US Paperback – ISBN: 014014353X
First Sentence: Just before I flew out of Goose Bay in Labrador early that Monday morning, I heard a brief news item on the radio another passenger was carrying.
Inspector Matteesie Kitologitak is an Inuit; one of the few in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He hears a news story of a double murder, but it becomes even more significant when he learns his grandmother had been attacked by the perpetrator.
It started well. Inuit policeman, ancient grandmother, hints of shamanism, Artic north setting—all elements that should have made a fascinating read. They didn’t.
I did love the information on the Inuits and their customs and on the other people who live in such a harsh climate. There was some development of the protagonist, although I found I didn’t care that much for him. He is in a loveless marriage so ever woman he meets is viewed as potential prey. While this may be an accurate reflection of male thinking, it was boring as an element of the story.
The rest of the characters were flat. In fact, flat was the word that kept coming to mind as I read 97 pages of the book. The story is told in first person and much of it is protagonist’s mental narrative.
There was no tension to the story and I found myself bored. When I hit that point, it’s time to move on to the next book.
Young, Scott – 2nd in series
Prime Crime, 1993, US Paperback – ISBN: 014014353X
First Sentence: Just before I flew out of Goose Bay in Labrador early that Monday morning, I heard a brief news item on the radio another passenger was carrying.
Inspector Matteesie Kitologitak is an Inuit; one of the few in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He hears a news story of a double murder, but it becomes even more significant when he learns his grandmother had been attacked by the perpetrator.
It started well. Inuit policeman, ancient grandmother, hints of shamanism, Artic north setting—all elements that should have made a fascinating read. They didn’t.
I did love the information on the Inuits and their customs and on the other people who live in such a harsh climate. There was some development of the protagonist, although I found I didn’t care that much for him. He is in a loveless marriage so ever woman he meets is viewed as potential prey. While this may be an accurate reflection of male thinking, it was boring as an element of the story.
The rest of the characters were flat. In fact, flat was the word that kept coming to mind as I read 97 pages of the book. The story is told in first person and much of it is protagonist’s mental narrative.
There was no tension to the story and I found myself bored. When I hit that point, it’s time to move on to the next book.
January 18, 2013
#2 in the Matteesie Kitologitok series. Sadly, due to the death of the author, this is also the end of the series. Inspector Matteesie is the highest ranking Inuit in the RCMP. The local color of life north of the artic circle is fascinating and although the quantity of description (and Inuit names for people and places) slows the pace of the book, I found the experience well worth the time spent.
Matteesie Kitologitok investigates a brutal double murder in an Inuit settlement. He has a personal interest in this particular crime: his 90-year-old mother was knocked down by the murderer and suffered a concussion. Since she is the only witness to the crime, Matteesie believes her life is in danger. A handcarved falcon on the handle of a knife belonging to the local shaman, which he says is missing, a fact which Matteesie's mother had mentioned, appears to be the pivotal clue, and the community fears that shamanistic magic played a part in the murders. Matteesie uncovers past incidents of rape, incest and arson, as well as evidence of contemporary drug dealing and loan sharking, before a spring festival provides the stage for a violent climax.
Matteesie Kitologitok investigates a brutal double murder in an Inuit settlement. He has a personal interest in this particular crime: his 90-year-old mother was knocked down by the murderer and suffered a concussion. Since she is the only witness to the crime, Matteesie believes her life is in danger. A handcarved falcon on the handle of a knife belonging to the local shaman, which he says is missing, a fact which Matteesie's mother had mentioned, appears to be the pivotal clue, and the community fears that shamanistic magic played a part in the murders. Matteesie uncovers past incidents of rape, incest and arson, as well as evidence of contemporary drug dealing and loan sharking, before a spring festival provides the stage for a violent climax.
May 10, 2009
I enjoyed the details of life in the North so much that I was willing to overlook other flaws. Not so fond of the first person point of view by a white author of a Native protagonist; not at all fond of the protagonist's relationship with his wife and the fact he has a mistress; the characters are a bit flat; the plot adequate but not inspired. Still, I'd give another one in this series a try before giving up entirely.
June 23, 2014
I enjoyed this book. Matteesie is a very interesting native character and I enjoyed the insights into the challenges he faces, from his job, his relationships, and the prejudice he experiences as a native working for the Mounties in Canada. The mystery is not quite as interesting as the environment, though. But the mystery also seems to have a logical conclusion, with the solution arising from a breakthrough that makes sense. Worth a read!
May 31, 2020
i love 'inuit' books, e.g. dana stabenow - something about alaska and canada get my juices flowing - scott young is the singer neil young's father, if that means anything - he creates a great native detective - his writing keeps me reading !
dnf-unread
June 8, 2011well, I tried. I read the first four chapters (pg. 56), and just couldn't find any reason to finish. (If you enjoy Tony Hillerman, you may enjoy these Matteesie tales; It just wasn't my thing.)
December 6, 2013
Oh yes, I will be reading all of Scott Young's works as I fix 'em up as e-books. :)
January 2, 2016
Liked it! The insight into the indigenous people's lives was particularly interesting, plus it was a good police procedural.
January 19, 2016
Some strange geographical information but enjoyed reading about the north, and life in northern communities.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews