What do you think?
Rate this book
Kate Shugak #8
Killing Grounds
Lending a hand on a salmon boat under the Alaskan summer sun, Kate Shugak reels in some unusual suspects in the murder of a roundly despised commercial fisherman, including his troubled teenaged son and his less-than-grief-stricken widow. Reprint.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
464 people are currently reading
880 people want to read
About the author
Dana Stabenow
104 books2,145 followersDana 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
July 3, 2019
Alaska Salmon season brings all the boats to her yard. Yeah I went there. Kate is working on Old Sam's boat when a jerkaoaurus named Meanie lives up to his name. He is the Grinch of Alaska, beating all down around him. Kate doesn't accept jerkosaurus types well, and conflict starts right off the bat. Poor Kate she is still recovering from a past trauma, when a whole new one gets her dunked and ditched. Then on top of that she's sexually frustrated, exhausted with family issues, and conflicted in her beliefs. It's not all bad she got to spend time with Chopper Jim :P
This was a different Kate, she was mean, and judgemental. She had to spend some time looking at herself and her place in the world. I enjoyed it less than other books in the series, it was slow for the first 50% to me.
This was a different Kate, she was mean, and judgemental. She had to spend some time looking at herself and her place in the world. I enjoyed it less than other books in the series, it was slow for the first 50% to me.
September 4, 2022
The salmon fishing is on in Killing Grounds. Interesting story about murder and deceit and also about the rules and regulations in Alaska. I find it interesting to read about places and cultures I have no experience with even though this series is fiction I still feel like I learn stuff reading it.
April 29, 2021
Marguerite Gavin is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel.
December 29, 2015
It is the 4th of July, Kate is working on Old Sam's boat, the Freya off the coast for the salmon run. This novel is set against the fishing industry and excitement of the 4th Celebration. The price of salmon has dropped a penny a pound and the boat fishermen are on strike. The Aunties are at their fishing camp.The sitesetter and the fly fisherman are there. Joe Morgan and Johnny are visiting Kate. She watches in horror as a neighbor fisherman abuses a boy. Sam tells to let it go as it will only be worse for the boy. Later the man Cal Meany is found murdered by 4 different methods. The more Kate Learns about Cal she is hesitant to find his killer until another body is found. The subplots are managed nicely to form a story about Alaska fishing troubles.
February 14, 2014
Won't feel the same about those fish I buy at the store anymore...gee..50 cents a pound for red...we pay a ton for same. The fisherman really do get taken advantage of . Though this not what this story about. A great mystery but Dana always shows us behind the scenes Alaskas economical,cultural and sociological realities that affects it's daily operations. History always blends in to make her stories poignant as real life struggles in daily survival. Her stories so relevant in today's world where subsistence and diminishment of natural resources a major issue but even more so in a country like Alaska.
July 1, 2008
not too excited about this one. in fact, i didn't finish it. i really like stabenow's liam campbell mysteries, but this is the 1st one of the kate shugak mysteries i tried. she goes on and on ad nauseum about boats and the different kinds and what they are made of and where they are sitting in the water and who has what boat, and then there is the 1st scene where they are fileting a fish on the boat deck and the fish heart that kept beating after it was removed ( and how many times did she mention that??) and then when she moved into a story about a deer hunting trip, i gave it up. in the liam campbell books, she gets right to the action, but i gave this one 50 pages and there was yet to be any.think i'll stick to the other series.
July 13, 2014
I'm not sure the politics of salmon fishing in Alaska are as interesting as Stabenow thinks they are, and there's an awful lot of salmon fishing politics in this one. Somewhere hidden in the middle is a not very interesting Who Dunnit? mystery which gives Kate the opportunity to play sleuth and get bopped on the head again. I do like this series - fun characters, good strong female lead, lovely and original setting - but I don't think that reading them in quick succession does them a lot of favours, and this one was a pretty weak instalment.
September 5, 2022
This was a bit more of a traditional murder mystery than you usually get from a Shugak book, but that only made the story more compelling. I liked this one alot.
June 12, 2023
The Alaskan setting is a big part of the reason I enjoy this series, but I’m also learning a lot about the Aleut culture and traditions as I read through the series – not just what they do and think, but why, which is crucial to understanding.
Kate, the MC, is a strong woman who has one foot in the modern world and the other in the Aleut world. I like her and her aunties and how they’re determined to hold onto their old ways no matter what other people might say and do. This book focused on commercial salmon fishing, something I knew nothing about before. and how it differs from the subsistence fishing that the Aleuts depend on, which gave me a few things to think about.
The murder victim in this book was not liked or respected, so there were a lot of potential suspects to consider. As information was uncovered, the list got shorter, but I still hadn’t quite figured out who was responsible – or why – until just before the confrontation scene. Once that started, I couldn’t stop listening until it was resolved.
I was happy to pick up several of the remaining books in this series during a recent audiobook sale, but I have quite a few other books I need/want to read before returning to this series.
Kate, the MC, is a strong woman who has one foot in the modern world and the other in the Aleut world. I like her and her aunties and how they’re determined to hold onto their old ways no matter what other people might say and do. This book focused on commercial salmon fishing, something I knew nothing about before. and how it differs from the subsistence fishing that the Aleuts depend on, which gave me a few things to think about.
The murder victim in this book was not liked or respected, so there were a lot of potential suspects to consider. As information was uncovered, the list got shorter, but I still hadn’t quite figured out who was responsible – or why – until just before the confrontation scene. Once that started, I couldn’t stop listening until it was resolved.
I was happy to pick up several of the remaining books in this series during a recent audiobook sale, but I have quite a few other books I need/want to read before returning to this series.
February 25, 2020
I really liked how Kate's frustration with an earlier case was wrapped up in part of this one. It's cool to see that kind of plot and character development affecting subsequent books.
And all the fishing scenes were awesome. Left me wanting smoked salmon...mmmm...
And all the fishing scenes were awesome. Left me wanting smoked salmon...mmmm...
September 12, 2023
It’s fishing season in Alaska and Kate loves the Alaskan fishing industry. She’s working this summer on a salmon boat for “Old Sam” (who may or may not be Kate’s uncle - who can keep track of all of her relatives?). Old Sam owns the Freya and he and Kate are especially busy weighing and tracking the salmon brought in by the others. Old Sam is an elderly curmudgeon with a soft spot for Kate - although he’d never admit it; however, it’s not too soft to neglect teaching Kate her manners when she steps out of line.
When the price of salmon drops by a penny a pound the area fisherman go on strike. All except one man, a scab, appropriately named: Cal Meany, a nasty so-and-so who beats his kids and his wife and cheats wherever he can find an opportunity. When Meany’s body floats up to the surface nobody is particularly surprised - he had a lot of enemies and there are so many reason to want to off Meany that there are too many possible suspects to list. But, when a second body appears it’s time to do some serious investigating.
As always, Stabenow’s books look at Alaskan politics, conflicting laws and regulations between various federal departments, the rights of native Alaskans, and the differences between subsistence fishing and fishing for sport. This is book 8 in the Kate Shugak mystery series. Although not quite as exciting as many of the previous books in the series (hey, they can’t all be 5 stars!), it is still interesting plenty good. I’m looking forward to book 9, Hunter’s Moon. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#emptynestreader #instagram #facebook #Goodreads #KillingGrounds #fiction #DanaStabenow #AKateShugakmystery #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #SeptemberReads #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks #KindleUnlimited #BooksPushSocietyForward #LetFreedomRead
When the price of salmon drops by a penny a pound the area fisherman go on strike. All except one man, a scab, appropriately named: Cal Meany, a nasty so-and-so who beats his kids and his wife and cheats wherever he can find an opportunity. When Meany’s body floats up to the surface nobody is particularly surprised - he had a lot of enemies and there are so many reason to want to off Meany that there are too many possible suspects to list. But, when a second body appears it’s time to do some serious investigating.
As always, Stabenow’s books look at Alaskan politics, conflicting laws and regulations between various federal departments, the rights of native Alaskans, and the differences between subsistence fishing and fishing for sport. This is book 8 in the Kate Shugak mystery series. Although not quite as exciting as many of the previous books in the series (hey, they can’t all be 5 stars!), it is still interesting plenty good. I’m looking forward to book 9, Hunter’s Moon. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#emptynestreader #instagram #facebook #Goodreads #KillingGrounds #fiction #DanaStabenow #AKateShugakmystery #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #SeptemberReads #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #ebooks #KindleUnlimited #BooksPushSocietyForward #LetFreedomRead
December 21, 2024
Kate Shugak finds herself serving on board the salmon tender Freya and quickly gets a lesson in just how dangerous commercial fishing can be deadly,
Along with the fisherman sweeping the waters for the flashing salmon, Shugak is introduced to one particular and especially underhanded fisherman, Cal Meany. And two days later, after a cannery drops the price of salmon and Meany goes against the strike by his fellow fishermen, the man is found murdered.
And far too many suspects at hand. Drafted to assist in the investigation, Kate is in the midst of those many suspects, including the man's own family and her own aunties.
Dana Stabenow has a strong writing skill bringing her characters to life, crafting realistic situations and driving emotional reactions readers can easily feel and empathize with. Together, these all make a story that is exciting, as well as entertaining. I've read several of her stories and every one has been smart, well crafted and very good reading.
Along with the fisherman sweeping the waters for the flashing salmon, Shugak is introduced to one particular and especially underhanded fisherman, Cal Meany. And two days later, after a cannery drops the price of salmon and Meany goes against the strike by his fellow fishermen, the man is found murdered.
And far too many suspects at hand. Drafted to assist in the investigation, Kate is in the midst of those many suspects, including the man's own family and her own aunties.
Dana Stabenow has a strong writing skill bringing her characters to life, crafting realistic situations and driving emotional reactions readers can easily feel and empathize with. Together, these all make a story that is exciting, as well as entertaining. I've read several of her stories and every one has been smart, well crafted and very good reading.
December 7, 2017
Kate Shugak's universe is often a hilarious romp full of quirky, strong, colourful, endearing (and not so endearing) characters. Yes, the plots tend to stretch one's credibility, but the end result is usually well worthwhile!
Even though the storylines can be dark, pessimistic, cynical, well murder is afoot after all, there are some laugh aloud moments which crop up when you least expect them. I've been caught out in public a couple of times by those!
And to top it all off there is the insight into parts of Alaskan life and Aleutian behaviour and culture which make me want to go there on a discovery trip! Time for the next book in the series.
Even though the storylines can be dark, pessimistic, cynical, well murder is afoot after all, there are some laugh aloud moments which crop up when you least expect them. I've been caught out in public a couple of times by those!
And to top it all off there is the insight into parts of Alaskan life and Aleutian behaviour and culture which make me want to go there on a discovery trip! Time for the next book in the series.
March 18, 2023
I když celá série by se dala označit z nadprůměrnou, v případě posledních dvou dílů musím uznat, že se autorce podařilo nastavenou laťku ne jen udržet, ale ještě i o něco zvednout.
A tak i Zrádné loviště, stejně jako díl předchozí, oplývá sarkasmem, vtipnými okamžiky, které jsou střídány napětím i nebezpečím. Je to příběh, který je čtivý, velice originální, vtáhne do děje a netrpí na nudné pasáže. Přitom vyznívá velice přirozeně a uvěřitelně.
Už se nemůžu dočkat dalších dílů. Série Kate Shugasak, tak rozhodně plným právem zaujímá své místo v top 5-ti, z mých nejoblíbenějších sérií.
A tak i Zrádné loviště, stejně jako díl předchozí, oplývá sarkasmem, vtipnými okamžiky, které jsou střídány napětím i nebezpečím. Je to příběh, který je čtivý, velice originální, vtáhne do děje a netrpí na nudné pasáže. Přitom vyznívá velice přirozeně a uvěřitelně.
Už se nemůžu dočkat dalších dílů. Série Kate Shugasak, tak rozhodně plným právem zaujímá své místo v top 5-ti, z mých nejoblíbenějších sérií.
May 29, 2024
L'unico problema che ho con questa serie è che ho serie difficoltà a capire cosa c'è scritto molto spesso e mi dispiace soprattutto quando viene descritto l'ambiente della Alaska o alcune tradizioni locali.
Per quanto riguarda questo libro, avevo buttato giù una soluzione più complicata di quella giusta. Però in parte avevo azzeccato il colpevole.
Mi dispiace vedere, libro dopo libro, che c'è sempre qualcuno che vuole fare soldi fregandosene dello stupendo ambiente locale... E più o meno la fa franca anche se il progetto non va in porto; vorrei che fosse punito, in qualche modo. Continuo a sperare per il futuro.
Per quanto riguarda questo libro, avevo buttato giù una soluzione più complicata di quella giusta. Però in parte avevo azzeccato il colpevole.
Mi dispiace vedere, libro dopo libro, che c'è sempre qualcuno che vuole fare soldi fregandosene dello stupendo ambiente locale... E più o meno la fa franca anche se il progetto non va in porto; vorrei che fosse punito, in qualche modo. Continuo a sperare per il futuro.
May 26, 2020
Kate Shugak does it again. I really enjoy the series. Each book seems to be better than the last. Characters are more fleshed out, but, if you have read the series you remember them from earlier books it is even better. Kate's flame Jack Morgan and his son, Chopper Jim, Sam Dementioff, and the Aunties all return as a cast of characters in this fast moving thriller. Stabenow also blends in the murder solving with issues relevant to Alaska at the time. In this case she shows the reader the opinions of commercial fishermen, native subsistence fishermen, and sport fishermen exposing the views and, in some cases the hypocrisies of each.
I strongly recommend this book to all fans of the series and will be starting Hunter's Moon next.
I strongly recommend this book to all fans of the series and will be starting Hunter's Moon next.
April 23, 2019
I enjoy reading about AK. Learned about fishing.
September 30, 2023
Another good story in the Kate Shugak series.
In this one Kate is confronted by a murder where seemingly everyone she can think of has a motive. Painstaking detective work is required -- in which she is aided by Chopper Jim, her main squeeze Jack, and her indominable Aunties.
And as usual, Dana Stabenow expanded my knowledge about Alaska -- in this case, about salmon fishing.
Solid 4 stars.
In this one Kate is confronted by a murder where seemingly everyone she can think of has a motive. Painstaking detective work is required -- in which she is aided by Chopper Jim, her main squeeze Jack, and her indominable Aunties.
And as usual, Dana Stabenow expanded my knowledge about Alaska -- in this case, about salmon fishing.
Solid 4 stars.
October 30, 2025
Kate Shugak can turn her hand to any job in Alaska.
This time she's hired on to her Uncle Sam to work on his boat transporting salmon during the salmon run. The salmon fishermen full their holds then transfer their catch to Sam's boat so they can continue fishing, making the most of the time given them by the government as they only get a set number of hours this allowing the number of salmon making it upstream to remain sustainable. One of these fishermen Cal Meany, he's well named, a new man in town he's on his second year and has already made an enemy of everyone he's met. He has seduced a lot of other men's wives, violently beats his family ........ regularly, and is undermining other subsistence fisherfolk, all women and vulnerable families. So,, when he is found dead........ By Kate of course, dead bodies always seem to know where she is, Kate is not so sure she cares much who killed him... she's never met a man who deserved killing more..... Except it looks like one of her.Aunt's may know something but she's not talking...........Aleut elders can be so stubborn........not that Mate knows anything about being stubborn herself............
This time she's hired on to her Uncle Sam to work on his boat transporting salmon during the salmon run. The salmon fishermen full their holds then transfer their catch to Sam's boat so they can continue fishing, making the most of the time given them by the government as they only get a set number of hours this allowing the number of salmon making it upstream to remain sustainable. One of these fishermen Cal Meany, he's well named, a new man in town he's on his second year and has already made an enemy of everyone he's met. He has seduced a lot of other men's wives, violently beats his family ........ regularly, and is undermining other subsistence fisherfolk, all women and vulnerable families. So,, when he is found dead........ By Kate of course, dead bodies always seem to know where she is, Kate is not so sure she cares much who killed him... she's never met a man who deserved killing more..... Except it looks like one of her.Aunt's may know something but she's not talking...........Aleut elders can be so stubborn........not that Mate knows anything about being stubborn herself............
January 31, 2016
This book didn't start moving right along until the murder happened - that's why only 4 stars (really 3.5). Too much fishing politics, descriptions of the fleet and the men aboard and what they were doing at the beginning of the book... These things could have been weaved more throughout the book. Kate Shugak usually spends summers as deck boss on cantankerous Sam Dementieff's (AKA Old Sam) fishing tender, the Freya. On the morning after the 4th of July, Kate hops out to the catwalk running around the bridge and discovers a dead fisherman named Cal Meany pressed up against the black hull of the Freya. Cal had been a real nasty piece of work - he abused his wife, son, daughter, and brother; had affairs; poached; was an opportunist, broke a commercial fishermen's strike; and had no redeeming qualities. Whoever killed him was extremely annoyed as he was found beaten, stabbed, strangled and drowned in Alaganik Bay.
Handsome state trooper Jim Chopin asks Kate to begin the investigation while he flies the body to Anchorage for an autopsy. There is need for hurry as the fishermen will start to disappear because of the strike - the fisherman are on strike because a local cannery's price per pound is too low. AND there is such a wealth of suspects to question. Because Kate had personally witnessed Meany beating his son, she has flashbacks to when she'd worked for the Anchorage DA and encountered abused children. She doesn't want the son to be the murderer.
Kate's boyfriend and son, Jack Morgan and Johnny show up to do some fishing and end up at her "Auntie's" fish camp on Amartuq Creek. Jack, and especially Johnny, have a part in the investigation. The aunties, Vi, Joy, Edna, and Balasha even become suspects when Kate finds out one of them may have had an encounter with Meany. Also, the aunties are using an illegal fishing wheel to catch salmon for their own subsistence or are they? Kate also takes an instant dislike to Anne Flanagan during the investigation when she finds out Anne is a minister. This is because of an earlier encounter Kate had with a minister which didn't turn out well.
Usually, Stabenow weaves some real life issues into her stories. This time it's subsistence fishing (living off the land) versus sport fishing (those who fish for their own gratification and with no intention of preserving the land for future generations). I do like the descriptions of Alaska - the people, the culture, and the land. A good series to read.
Handsome state trooper Jim Chopin asks Kate to begin the investigation while he flies the body to Anchorage for an autopsy. There is need for hurry as the fishermen will start to disappear because of the strike - the fisherman are on strike because a local cannery's price per pound is too low. AND there is such a wealth of suspects to question. Because Kate had personally witnessed Meany beating his son, she has flashbacks to when she'd worked for the Anchorage DA and encountered abused children. She doesn't want the son to be the murderer.
Kate's boyfriend and son, Jack Morgan and Johnny show up to do some fishing and end up at her "Auntie's" fish camp on Amartuq Creek. Jack, and especially Johnny, have a part in the investigation. The aunties, Vi, Joy, Edna, and Balasha even become suspects when Kate finds out one of them may have had an encounter with Meany. Also, the aunties are using an illegal fishing wheel to catch salmon for their own subsistence or are they? Kate also takes an instant dislike to Anne Flanagan during the investigation when she finds out Anne is a minister. This is because of an earlier encounter Kate had with a minister which didn't turn out well.
Usually, Stabenow weaves some real life issues into her stories. This time it's subsistence fishing (living off the land) versus sport fishing (those who fish for their own gratification and with no intention of preserving the land for future generations). I do like the descriptions of Alaska - the people, the culture, and the land. A good series to read.
August 18, 2018
Audiobook
Story: C, Narration: A
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference. Spoilers.
I've had some really mixed feelings about my revisits with this series, and this book was no exception. I always find the descriptions of AK--the scenery, people, way of life--the very best part. I don't know if it's all true/realistic, but it's fascinating whether it is or not. The only thing my sketchy memory retained about this book from my first, long-ago reading was the aunties' fishing camp. (I'm a bit surprised I didn't recall Shitting Seagull--that was a real character!)
The mysteries are usually fairly weak, and this one was no exception. It took quite awhile for us to meet the murder victim, but it was obvious that he was the one with the big red X on him from the minute he showed up. He was meaner than a snake--more than a bit overdone, but still really terrifying. It was noted several times that a lot of people (including Kate) personally didn't care who had killed him. He was someone who needed killing. He had so many injuries that I did wonder for a bit if it would turn out to be a Murder on the Orient Express deal where several people were in it together. But, no it turned out to be someone fairly obvious--this time I wasn't certain from the outset as I have been on other occasions, but he was def on the list from the outset. His motivation wasn't what I expected, tho, and I found it all a bit odd--even kind of a cheat that he was that Froot Loops.
I wasn't happy about how the daughter was portrayed--so unlikeable, defiant, and slutty that you knew something would happen to her since those are female characteristics that too often get punished. And it certainly wasn't any surprise that she was having a fling with the hired hand. (I half expected some revelation about her relationship with her dad, as well, tbh.)
Kate continues to be Kate, which is both good and bad. She's still the object of desire of almost every man she meets. Although I guess there are some that want to kill her. And some, both. Probably an interesting Venn diagram there. Sometimes her perfection annoys me. And sometimes her flaws annoy me. Maybe that part makes her a realistic character.
Despite all my griping, I still plan to continue with the audiobooks of the series so I can finally get to the new one that I haven't read yet.
Story: C, Narration: A
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference. Spoilers.
I've had some really mixed feelings about my revisits with this series, and this book was no exception. I always find the descriptions of AK--the scenery, people, way of life--the very best part. I don't know if it's all true/realistic, but it's fascinating whether it is or not. The only thing my sketchy memory retained about this book from my first, long-ago reading was the aunties' fishing camp. (I'm a bit surprised I didn't recall Shitting Seagull--that was a real character!)
The mysteries are usually fairly weak, and this one was no exception. It took quite awhile for us to meet the murder victim, but it was obvious that he was the one with the big red X on him from the minute he showed up. He was meaner than a snake--more than a bit overdone, but still really terrifying. It was noted several times that a lot of people (including Kate) personally didn't care who had killed him. He was someone who needed killing. He had so many injuries that I did wonder for a bit if it would turn out to be a Murder on the Orient Express deal where several people were in it together. But, no it turned out to be someone fairly obvious--this time I wasn't certain from the outset as I have been on other occasions, but he was def on the list from the outset. His motivation wasn't what I expected, tho, and I found it all a bit odd--even kind of a cheat that he was that Froot Loops.
I wasn't happy about how the daughter was portrayed--so unlikeable, defiant, and slutty that you knew something would happen to her since those are female characteristics that too often get punished. And it certainly wasn't any surprise that she was having a fling with the hired hand. (I half expected some revelation about her relationship with her dad, as well, tbh.)
Kate continues to be Kate, which is both good and bad. She's still the object of desire of almost every man she meets. Although I guess there are some that want to kill her. And some, both. Probably an interesting Venn diagram there. Sometimes her perfection annoys me. And sometimes her flaws annoy me. Maybe that part makes her a realistic character.
Despite all my griping, I still plan to continue with the audiobooks of the series so I can finally get to the new one that I haven't read yet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2010
Once again Dana Stabenow provides a well-researched and fast moving adventure with her protagonist Kate Shugak. In each of the series, a different aspect of the 'real' Alaska is highlighted with excellent detail, as the backdrop for the story. [I have just concluded the fourth volume in an adventure series of my own, entitled The Cryon Conspiracy, which is set in Alaska, and Stabenow's books have provided a deeper insight into the land that I could have obtained any other way.:]
In this story, Kate Shugak tracks down a murderer where there's a huge number of suspects...in the process of which she reveals and has to deal with many of her own deep flaws...which make Kate such a fascinating character to read. She always ends up confronting the killer, but I fear that over the course of the books she's been knocked out at one or two points in each story by a blow to the head that she must be in danger of brain damage...or perhaps showing how hard a head she has. This takes nothing from the excellent storytelling. I am reading all of the books in the order they were written and look forward to the next installment/book which the author's creative mind has produced.
In this story, Kate Shugak tracks down a murderer where there's a huge number of suspects...in the process of which she reveals and has to deal with many of her own deep flaws...which make Kate such a fascinating character to read. She always ends up confronting the killer, but I fear that over the course of the books she's been knocked out at one or two points in each story by a blow to the head that she must be in danger of brain damage...or perhaps showing how hard a head she has. This takes nothing from the excellent storytelling. I am reading all of the books in the order they were written and look forward to the next installment/book which the author's creative mind has produced.
February 18, 2016
Dana Stabenow set this Kate Shugak novel in the salmon fishing grounds near of Prince William Sound. One of the things I've particularly enjoyed about the Kate Shugak series is the way Stabenow takes us behind the scenes to learn something about Alaskan life. I really had no idea how salmon regulations worked (and maybe they've changed since this book was published), but I found it very interesting. You've got the commercial fishermen pitted against the sports fishermen and the native Alaskans' subsistence fishermen against them both. And then you've got the "fish hawks" (rangers) trying to keep them all from fishing the salmon out of existence.
The storyline in this one involves the murder of a very unpopular fishermen, which means, of course, that lots of people are happy to see him dead, creating multiple suspects.
Stabenow does backtrack a bit from the condemnation of all religion found in Play with Fire, to create a sympathetic religious character, a women Presbyterian pastor who takes summers off to fish.
The storyline in this one involves the murder of a very unpopular fishermen, which means, of course, that lots of people are happy to see him dead, creating multiple suspects.
Stabenow does backtrack a bit from the condemnation of all religion found in Play with Fire, to create a sympathetic religious character, a women Presbyterian pastor who takes summers off to fish.
June 8, 2011
This was a good old-fashioned whodunnit. Cal Meany, a fisherman hated by everyone, is killed. And everyone had reason to have wanted him dead -- he abused his family, had affairs with married women, cheated other fishermen and broke their strike. No wonder then that he was beaten, stabbed, strangled and drowned. Trooper Jim Chopin asks Kate Shugak to help him in the investigation, on a July 4th weekend in Alaganik Bay, where Kate has been working as a deckhand on the tender Freya during the annual salmon run. This, of course, will only mean trouble for Kate. Stabenow’s novels are always more than about the mystery, and this one takes a look at subsistence fishing by native Alaskans versus sport fishing.
July 30, 2012
Fun murder mystery featuring Kate Shugak, a former detective and an Aleut, in a fictional fishing village on Prince William Sound. Nice interplay between traditional fishermen, local merchants, wildlife managers, and those with schemes to make money exploiting the natural resources. Full of snappy dialog, humorous social escapades, and interludes with wild creatures like bears. The murder of a fisherman whom everyone hates as an SOB leads to a plethora of suspects. I was a bit disappointed with the implausible motive of true culprit, but I look forward to trying more from this long series (this was number 8).
November 15, 2017
This novel is full of Alaska fisherman local color, Native Alaskan perspective, and Alaska’s peculiar brand of feminism, but light on detective work or murder-mystery puzzle-solving. Stabenow uses fishermen, Native Alaskans, and others as foils to explore economic and cultural issues. But the book is more about fishing than mystery. Anti-religious angst apparently left over in the protagonist from a plot line in a previous novel in the series seems gratuitous in this novel.
July 10, 2013
3.5 really, but I'm feeling generous.
I'm getting a little tired of Kate and Jack getting it on like teenagers.
I'm getting a little tired of Kate and Jack getting it on like teenagers.
November 25, 2023
SPOILER ALERT
Once again Kate Shugak is pulled into solving the murder of a man who was hated by many. Calvin Meany is a mean and violent man, who beats on his family, rides rough shod over the community, and sleeps with other men's wives. He also becomes a scab during the strike of the other fishermen when the price of the huge influx of salmon that are streaming up Amartuq Creek is dropped. Kate finds him in the water next to the tender, Freya, which is taking in the salmon that are being caught. She loves the fishing industry, and Alaska, her tribe and all the traditions. Her aunties, Joyce Shugak, Viola Moonin, Edna Aguilar, and Balasha Shugak, are at Fish Camp, with the fish wheel, pulling in salmon for subsistence fishing. Though Kate suspects that they are actually pulling in more and selling to Joe Durrell an independent fish buyer, for extra cash.
This installment of the series again presents an issue for the indigenous population of Alaska, which deals with the rights of, and who owns what, controls what and the future of Alaska's resources, in this case fish. It is a dispute between the commercial fishermen, the sport fishers, and the subsistence fishers, the indigenous tribes. Powerful, greedy men are trying to possess the land for their own gain. They are trying to get the aunties off Fish Camp. But the determination of what will happen to Iqaluk, the 50,000 acres of land that has the richest salmon spawning grounds, the last of the old growth timber and other resources is still in court, since 1959, with competing claims by Niniltna Native Association, Raven Corp, the state of Alaska, and the Federal government, which is further split between the Forest Service and Dept of the Interior. So the aunties are safe for the time being.
As Kate investigates she finds the body of Dani Meany, Cal's daughter. She will find that Dani's lover, Mac MMcCafferty, Cal's summer hire will also be nearly dead, when she does to the no name drift netter, Cal's boat with Trooper Jim Chopin, and Jim is hit with a boat hook, and she is attacked as she goes on the boat. Cal's brother, Neil, is the killer, having had enough of his bullying. He was a PhD candidate in Cincinatti, and after Cal and provided funds for his education, legally set up, he is compelled to come to Alaska with Cal to work it off. He wants to go back to his beloved Yeats study. He fails to understand the smell of gas that is worrying Kate as they discuss his disappointments means a leak. When he starts the boat it blows. Kate is blown into the air and then the bay, where Chopin pulls her out. She is a coma for days. The promised high wages promised don't materialize when Cal puts him on the setnet site, fishing from shore. Cal is partnered with Bill Nickle to buy up the property on both sides of the creek, with the intention of deveoping it into a resort/fishing and hunting lodge for sportsmen. They have been threatening owner into selling their property and permits.
This story is full of the culture of the Alaskan people, the traditions, the abundant wildlife that Stabenow beautifully describes as Kate, Jack and Johnny Morgan and Mutt, her half wolf partner run up the creek, bears greedily feeding on the salmon, a wolverine, otters at play, eagles, trumpeter swans, and a lynx hiding in the brush. She also relates the dangerous life of the 4000 eggs a salmon lays to become two fish that survive to return to spawn.
I found this story fascinating if confusing at times. The Jargon of the fising industry, the various boats that are used and the overall cultural issues was difficult to sort through, but well worth it.
Once again Kate Shugak is pulled into solving the murder of a man who was hated by many. Calvin Meany is a mean and violent man, who beats on his family, rides rough shod over the community, and sleeps with other men's wives. He also becomes a scab during the strike of the other fishermen when the price of the huge influx of salmon that are streaming up Amartuq Creek is dropped. Kate finds him in the water next to the tender, Freya, which is taking in the salmon that are being caught. She loves the fishing industry, and Alaska, her tribe and all the traditions. Her aunties, Joyce Shugak, Viola Moonin, Edna Aguilar, and Balasha Shugak, are at Fish Camp, with the fish wheel, pulling in salmon for subsistence fishing. Though Kate suspects that they are actually pulling in more and selling to Joe Durrell an independent fish buyer, for extra cash.
This installment of the series again presents an issue for the indigenous population of Alaska, which deals with the rights of, and who owns what, controls what and the future of Alaska's resources, in this case fish. It is a dispute between the commercial fishermen, the sport fishers, and the subsistence fishers, the indigenous tribes. Powerful, greedy men are trying to possess the land for their own gain. They are trying to get the aunties off Fish Camp. But the determination of what will happen to Iqaluk, the 50,000 acres of land that has the richest salmon spawning grounds, the last of the old growth timber and other resources is still in court, since 1959, with competing claims by Niniltna Native Association, Raven Corp, the state of Alaska, and the Federal government, which is further split between the Forest Service and Dept of the Interior. So the aunties are safe for the time being.
As Kate investigates she finds the body of Dani Meany, Cal's daughter. She will find that Dani's lover, Mac MMcCafferty, Cal's summer hire will also be nearly dead, when she does to the no name drift netter, Cal's boat with Trooper Jim Chopin, and Jim is hit with a boat hook, and she is attacked as she goes on the boat. Cal's brother, Neil, is the killer, having had enough of his bullying. He was a PhD candidate in Cincinatti, and after Cal and provided funds for his education, legally set up, he is compelled to come to Alaska with Cal to work it off. He wants to go back to his beloved Yeats study. He fails to understand the smell of gas that is worrying Kate as they discuss his disappointments means a leak. When he starts the boat it blows. Kate is blown into the air and then the bay, where Chopin pulls her out. She is a coma for days. The promised high wages promised don't materialize when Cal puts him on the setnet site, fishing from shore. Cal is partnered with Bill Nickle to buy up the property on both sides of the creek, with the intention of deveoping it into a resort/fishing and hunting lodge for sportsmen. They have been threatening owner into selling their property and permits.
This story is full of the culture of the Alaskan people, the traditions, the abundant wildlife that Stabenow beautifully describes as Kate, Jack and Johnny Morgan and Mutt, her half wolf partner run up the creek, bears greedily feeding on the salmon, a wolverine, otters at play, eagles, trumpeter swans, and a lynx hiding in the brush. She also relates the dangerous life of the 4000 eggs a salmon lays to become two fish that survive to return to spawn.
I found this story fascinating if confusing at times. The Jargon of the fising industry, the various boats that are used and the overall cultural issues was difficult to sort through, but well worth it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2024
Dana Stabenow’s Killing Grounds, the eighth book in the Kate Shugak series, is a standout entry that masterfully combines murder mystery, Alaskan culture, and vivid environmental detail. As a long-time reader of the series, I found this installment particularly engaging, thanks to its unique setting and thematic richness.
The novel centers on Kate Shugak aboard Old Sam’s tender boat, Freya, during the seasonal salmon harvest. This setting at the mouth of an Alaskan river during the July Fourth season immerses readers in the complexities of Alaskan fishing culture. The backdrop offers fascinating insights into the conflicting interests of subsistence, commercial, and sport fisheries, along with the regulatory role of the Alaska Department of Wildlife. The tension between these groups is amplified by a strike over unfair fish pricing, which fuels much of the drama.
The murder mystery unfolds when Calvin Meany, a defiant fisherman who refuses to join the strike, is found dead. Stabenow crafts an intricate narrative as Kate and Old Sam unravel the mystery while navigating their involvement with the local fishing community. As always, Kate’s intelligence and determination shine, with her loyal dog Mutt providing both comic relief and companionship.
One of the novel’s strengths is its detailed portrayal of the Alaskan environment. Stabenow’s descriptions of the wildlife and landscape are vivid and evocative, drawing readers into the rugged beauty of the region. Beyond the murder plot, the novel excels in its exploration of the cultural and economic intricacies of salmon fishing, making it as much a cultural study as it is a mystery.
The series' regular cast, including Kate’s partner Jack and his son Johnny, add depth and continuity to the story. Themes of religious hypocrisy, a recurring element in Stabenow’s work, are subtly woven into the narrative, adding an additional layer of complexity.
Overall, Killing Grounds is a compelling blend of mystery and cultural exploration. It’s a must-read for fans of the series and a testament to Stabenow’s skill in weaving together rich characters, gripping plots, and an authentic sense of place. I eagerly anticipate diving into the next book in the series.
The novel centers on Kate Shugak aboard Old Sam’s tender boat, Freya, during the seasonal salmon harvest. This setting at the mouth of an Alaskan river during the July Fourth season immerses readers in the complexities of Alaskan fishing culture. The backdrop offers fascinating insights into the conflicting interests of subsistence, commercial, and sport fisheries, along with the regulatory role of the Alaska Department of Wildlife. The tension between these groups is amplified by a strike over unfair fish pricing, which fuels much of the drama.
The murder mystery unfolds when Calvin Meany, a defiant fisherman who refuses to join the strike, is found dead. Stabenow crafts an intricate narrative as Kate and Old Sam unravel the mystery while navigating their involvement with the local fishing community. As always, Kate’s intelligence and determination shine, with her loyal dog Mutt providing both comic relief and companionship.
One of the novel’s strengths is its detailed portrayal of the Alaskan environment. Stabenow’s descriptions of the wildlife and landscape are vivid and evocative, drawing readers into the rugged beauty of the region. Beyond the murder plot, the novel excels in its exploration of the cultural and economic intricacies of salmon fishing, making it as much a cultural study as it is a mystery.
The series' regular cast, including Kate’s partner Jack and his son Johnny, add depth and continuity to the story. Themes of religious hypocrisy, a recurring element in Stabenow’s work, are subtly woven into the narrative, adding an additional layer of complexity.
Overall, Killing Grounds is a compelling blend of mystery and cultural exploration. It’s a must-read for fans of the series and a testament to Stabenow’s skill in weaving together rich characters, gripping plots, and an authentic sense of place. I eagerly anticipate diving into the next book in the series.
January 15, 2024
This is a solid series, and I’m not convinced you must follow an iron-clad rule to read every book in it in order. Sure, it helps some, but certainly this book could stand alone without you wondering what you’re in the middle of. If you read this, you’ll learn a great deal about sports fishing versus commercial fishing versus native fishing rights. Those sections of the book fascinated me. So did the cast of characters. They are all memorable, including a Native American wannabee who named himself Shitting Seagull. You’ll want to read this to figure out how he came up with that name.
Someone murdered Calvin Meany, and Kate Shugak had the bad luck of entangling his corpse in her fishing net. No one seemed particularly saddened by his death, but more corpses show up, including Meany’s daughter. Kate figures she needs to investigate.
This is short at under eight hours at normal speed, and normal speed is not how I read this. It was a late-afternoon early-evening read. This is good albeit mostly forgettable entertainment that will let you escape. For what it’s worth, I just checked the gauges here, and it’s colder right now in central Ohio than in North Pole, Alaska. Admittedly not by much, but still …
Someone murdered Calvin Meany, and Kate Shugak had the bad luck of entangling his corpse in her fishing net. No one seemed particularly saddened by his death, but more corpses show up, including Meany’s daughter. Kate figures she needs to investigate.
This is short at under eight hours at normal speed, and normal speed is not how I read this. It was a late-afternoon early-evening read. This is good albeit mostly forgettable entertainment that will let you escape. For what it’s worth, I just checked the gauges here, and it’s colder right now in central Ohio than in North Pole, Alaska. Admittedly not by much, but still …
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews