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Kate Shugak #12
A Fine and Bitter Snow
Change never comes easy so when the news breaks that the new administration oil might be drilling for oil soon in a wildlife preserve in southeastern Alaska, home to P.I. Kate Shugak, battle lines are quickly drawn across the community. But for Kate, who hasn't been able to get back into her daily life ever since her lover's violent death a few months ago, it's a welcome reprieve from doing nothing.
Tensions run high when Kate's friend and chief park ranger, Dan O'Brien, is deemed "too green" for them by management and asked to take early retirement. Kate rallies the troops to fight for his job, but before she can really start throwing her weight around, a longtime resident is found brutally murdered. Alaska State Trooper Jim Chopin enlists Kate in the investigation, and it isn't long before she discovers that when it comes to the beauty and danger of living and dying in Alaska, nothing is as simple as it seems...
Tensions run high when Kate's friend and chief park ranger, Dan O'Brien, is deemed "too green" for them by management and asked to take early retirement. Kate rallies the troops to fight for his job, but before she can really start throwing her weight around, a longtime resident is found brutally murdered. Alaska State Trooper Jim Chopin enlists Kate in the investigation, and it isn't long before she discovers that when it comes to the beauty and danger of living and dying in Alaska, nothing is as simple as it seems...
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
249 people are currently reading
992 people want to read
About the author
Dana Stabenow
102 books2,136 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
August 29, 2019
Kate, Mutt, Johny, Jim, Dan, Bernie, Gal.... I love all these characters. They've all been through some seriously hard times in the last two books and are finding some bits of happiness finally. I love the direction Kate is heading, it is a healing path. She has been living a life that has kept her from fully healing her past pains for so long.
There is a mystery, a good one. People close to Kate die, it's a tangled web filled with diversions, lies and horrible truths. That's all I'm going to say. For me this series is more about the Park family than the mysteries solved that is just the bonus. I can't wait to start the next book
There is a mystery, a good one. People close to Kate die, it's a tangled web filled with diversions, lies and horrible truths. That's all I'm going to say. For me this series is more about the Park family than the mysteries solved that is just the bonus. I can't wait to start the next book
February 1, 2020
A good short Kate Shugak book, that I missed when it was new. Maybe I'd have liked it better then? This one marks the first time she gets it on with Jim Chopin, in a graphic episode. Otherwise, it's a pretty standard Park book -- see the publisher's summary. Another reviewer commented that this one is light on the Alaska stuff. It's here, but not as well-integrated or as intense as in her best books. This one is more a standard murder-mystery set in the Alaska bush. Not that there's anything wrong with that! The book ends well, with one of Kate's suitors out of the picture, and stepson Johnny moving in with Kate for good. 3+ stars
May 11, 2016
I was very disappointed in books 9 & 10. I missed book 11. And I am so glad that in this book - book 12 - Kate is back where she belongs. She is at home in her Park. She is at home with Johnny. She is at home in her own skin.
What is good: Jim Chopin is growing as a character. He was almost cartoonish in some of the early books. He wasn't likable or intriguing. But in this book he becomes a person who is real and has both compassion and heart. I think he will become a character to love.
What is still missing: 1. Bobby in a bigger role. That character brings comedy and heart and I miss him. 2. Alaska as a character. In many of the earlier volumes Alaska takes a central role and becomes a character in itself. We explored the phenomenon known as break up, the salmon fishing industry, tribal politics, and so much more. We lost that in books 9 & 10 and it is still missing from this book.
What is good: Jim Chopin is growing as a character. He was almost cartoonish in some of the early books. He wasn't likable or intriguing. But in this book he becomes a person who is real and has both compassion and heart. I think he will become a character to love.
What is still missing: 1. Bobby in a bigger role. That character brings comedy and heart and I miss him. 2. Alaska as a character. In many of the earlier volumes Alaska takes a central role and becomes a character in itself. We explored the phenomenon known as break up, the salmon fishing industry, tribal politics, and so much more. We lost that in books 9 & 10 and it is still missing from this book.
May 14, 2021
Marguerite Gavin is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel.
February 15, 2016
This was one of my favorites in the series. It had all of the great Park characters, and we learned a few new things about some of them. Very good mystery, and plenty of sexual tension. Dana Stabenow can really tell a story.
February 1, 2023
A Fine and Bitter Snow by Dana Stabenow is another great alaskan adventure with P.I. Kate Shugak, this time it starts with some troubling news that the current park ranger is being replaced. Then it goes to murder and a sad story about things that happened long ago. It is also a great story about Chopper Jim trying to get together with Kate. I really enjoyed reading this.
February 11, 2017
"Falling snow toned a shout down to a murmur and then absorbed the murmur, imposing its own sweet, silent hush on a noisy world."
Dana Stabenow's A Fine and Bitter Snow, my first book by the author, almost gets thumbs-up from me. It is the twelfth installment in the 20-novel series that features Kate Shugak, an Aleut who lives in the "Park", a generic National Park in Alaska, and often happens to get involved with investigations of crimes. Ms. Stabenow, an Alaskan native, has a keen eye for the local geography, sociology, and culture. I have never been to Alaska, but thanks to this novel I feel I have gained at least some basic knowledge about this state.
The portrayal of life in Alaska is the main value of the novel as I don't find the criminal plot interesting. The first one-third of the book serves as an introduction to the main characters and the plot is set up already on the first few pages. Dan O'Brian, the Chief Park Ranger seems to have lost support of the higher-ups in the administration of national parks and is pushed to early retirement. Ms. Shugak, who believes Mr. O'Brian is doing a great job in the Park, begins a campaign to drum up support for the Chief Ranger. But a brutal murder interferes with everybody's plans: Mr. O'Brian might be involved and Jim Chopin, an Alaska state trooper, handles the investigation having recruited Ms. Shugak to help.
The political bent of the novel is quite interesting and particularly relevant right now, just after the U.S. election. The plot takes place soon after the 2000 presidential vote. The new administration, not friendly to environmental issues, finds Mr. O'Brian "too green" for their liking. They plan to allow drilling for oil in the Arctic: while many residents of the area vehemently oppose the plans some others support them expecting the growth in local jobs. The 2016 election promises similar conflicts. Anyway, I quite like Ms. Stabenow's portrayal of making politics: the conversation between Ms. Shugak and a state senator illustrates the dirty ways it is done.
So what do I find wrong with the novel? First and foremost its criminal plot is totally formulaic: all the right buttons are pushed at all the right moments and the action culminates in a cliché dramatic scene that serves as the denouement. Funny, but the author herself puts her finger on the reason of my reservations:
The whole "romantic" thread that deals with Ms. Shugak's affairs of the heart lacks originality. But then I am probably not the right reader of the "will she or won't she" threads, and it is likely that younger readers may find this aspect of the novel worthwhile.
Two and a half stars.
Dana Stabenow's A Fine and Bitter Snow, my first book by the author, almost gets thumbs-up from me. It is the twelfth installment in the 20-novel series that features Kate Shugak, an Aleut who lives in the "Park", a generic National Park in Alaska, and often happens to get involved with investigations of crimes. Ms. Stabenow, an Alaskan native, has a keen eye for the local geography, sociology, and culture. I have never been to Alaska, but thanks to this novel I feel I have gained at least some basic knowledge about this state.
The portrayal of life in Alaska is the main value of the novel as I don't find the criminal plot interesting. The first one-third of the book serves as an introduction to the main characters and the plot is set up already on the first few pages. Dan O'Brian, the Chief Park Ranger seems to have lost support of the higher-ups in the administration of national parks and is pushed to early retirement. Ms. Shugak, who believes Mr. O'Brian is doing a great job in the Park, begins a campaign to drum up support for the Chief Ranger. But a brutal murder interferes with everybody's plans: Mr. O'Brian might be involved and Jim Chopin, an Alaska state trooper, handles the investigation having recruited Ms. Shugak to help.
The political bent of the novel is quite interesting and particularly relevant right now, just after the U.S. election. The plot takes place soon after the 2000 presidential vote. The new administration, not friendly to environmental issues, finds Mr. O'Brian "too green" for their liking. They plan to allow drilling for oil in the Arctic: while many residents of the area vehemently oppose the plans some others support them expecting the growth in local jobs. The 2016 election promises similar conflicts. Anyway, I quite like Ms. Stabenow's portrayal of making politics: the conversation between Ms. Shugak and a state senator illustrates the dirty ways it is done.
So what do I find wrong with the novel? First and foremost its criminal plot is totally formulaic: all the right buttons are pushed at all the right moments and the action culminates in a cliché dramatic scene that serves as the denouement. Funny, but the author herself puts her finger on the reason of my reservations:
"She was rereading My Family and Other Animals for what was probably the twenty-seventh time [...] and for the present her preference was for books she had already read and enjoyed, ones with no surprises in them."I am allergic to books that offer no surprises, books that give me what I expect to get - I could as well watch TV for that.
The whole "romantic" thread that deals with Ms. Shugak's affairs of the heart lacks originality. But then I am probably not the right reader of the "will she or won't she" threads, and it is likely that younger readers may find this aspect of the novel worthwhile.
Two and a half stars.
September 6, 2020
"A Fine And Bitter Snow" moves right along from "Singing For The Dead" continuing the "we're really a series now" feeling that has been there since "Hunter's Moon".
This book brings Kate back to the Park and gets her reinvolved with the regular cast of characters from the previous books. Kate is most fully herself in the Park. Seeing her in this environment shows how she has changed: her quite assumption that she can and should intervene in Park politics, the hole in her life where Jack used to be and her dawning recognition that, although she still values her solitude, she yearns for a man to share her life with.
I can also see what hasn't changed: Kate's loyalty to her friends, her refusal to be pushed into anything, her bravery in the face of danger and her practical compassion in her dealings with people in trouble.
"A Fine And Bitter Snow" gave me another opportunity to see Kate through Jim Chopin's eyes. Somehow this seems a clearer and more passionate view than I ever remember getting through Jack Morgan's eyes.
There is, of course a murder and Kate involves herself in investigating it. The death takes Kate back to her childhood and beyond, to the very early days of the Park being formed and shows once again that you can never leave your past behind you. The murder mystery is not particularly challenging but that is more than made up for by how well drawn the characters are.
I dislike murder books that seem fascinated with the murderer, revelling in the violence they do to others and relegating the victims to incidental plot devices. Dana Stabenow draws real people and describes real grief. In many ways, this makes her murders much more terrible than those of her more blood-thirsty contemporaries.
One of the ways that the people in the Park deal with grief is through holding a Potlach. Kate sets this one up (another way in which she is unconsciously stepping into her grandmother's shoes) and her choice of the picture as a Potlach gift sums up the focus on celebrating the person's life. The stories told at the Potlach reminded me of the ones that were told at the wakes my (Irish) grandfather's generation used to hold.
I'm hooked on Kate Shugak now and no longer constrained by books not being available on audible (at least in the US - there are still gaps in the UK) so I've downloaded the rest of the books and will be rationing them out at one a month (unless I give way to weakness and read more).
This book brings Kate back to the Park and gets her reinvolved with the regular cast of characters from the previous books. Kate is most fully herself in the Park. Seeing her in this environment shows how she has changed: her quite assumption that she can and should intervene in Park politics, the hole in her life where Jack used to be and her dawning recognition that, although she still values her solitude, she yearns for a man to share her life with.
I can also see what hasn't changed: Kate's loyalty to her friends, her refusal to be pushed into anything, her bravery in the face of danger and her practical compassion in her dealings with people in trouble.
"A Fine And Bitter Snow" gave me another opportunity to see Kate through Jim Chopin's eyes. Somehow this seems a clearer and more passionate view than I ever remember getting through Jack Morgan's eyes.
There is, of course a murder and Kate involves herself in investigating it. The death takes Kate back to her childhood and beyond, to the very early days of the Park being formed and shows once again that you can never leave your past behind you. The murder mystery is not particularly challenging but that is more than made up for by how well drawn the characters are.
I dislike murder books that seem fascinated with the murderer, revelling in the violence they do to others and relegating the victims to incidental plot devices. Dana Stabenow draws real people and describes real grief. In many ways, this makes her murders much more terrible than those of her more blood-thirsty contemporaries.
One of the ways that the people in the Park deal with grief is through holding a Potlach. Kate sets this one up (another way in which she is unconsciously stepping into her grandmother's shoes) and her choice of the picture as a Potlach gift sums up the focus on celebrating the person's life. The stories told at the Potlach reminded me of the ones that were told at the wakes my (Irish) grandfather's generation used to hold.
I'm hooked on Kate Shugak now and no longer constrained by books not being available on audible (at least in the US - there are still gaps in the UK) so I've downloaded the rest of the books and will be rationing them out at one a month (unless I give way to weakness and read more).
September 12, 2011
The Kate Shugak mysteries are particular favorites of mine. The unique (to me, at least) settings of Alaska; the interesting cast of characters and Kate herself.
Kate is small, dilignet, skilled and feels it is her duty to protect the way of life in "The Park"--the federal wildlife preseve on which she lives.
Kate lacks one quality--finesse. She has to work hard to be even slightly subtle. She is beginning to round up allies to save the job of Park ranger Dan O'Brien, who is inivited by the new administration, to take 'early retirement". Having no intention of breaking in a new Park Ranger wih no experience, Kate starts to rally the troops.
But then an unexpected tragedy occurs. Two long term residents of the community--Dina and Ruthe--are attacked. One killed; one left for dead. Since Kate has known both women from infancy, she at once becomes involved.
Alaska State Trooper Jim Chopin, knowing of Kate's former investigative background quickly enlists her help and the two begin a search to find a cunning and angry killer....
There is one comment I want to make. Although the Kate Shugak mysteries are complete in each volume, they DO make more sense if read in publication order and this is #12. Still, pikc up any mystery in this series and I think you will be pleased--I have enjoyed every book so far in this series.
Highly recommended for any mystery fan. Some violence but not drenched in gore; fast pace and good characterizations.
Kate is small, dilignet, skilled and feels it is her duty to protect the way of life in "The Park"--the federal wildlife preseve on which she lives.
Kate lacks one quality--finesse. She has to work hard to be even slightly subtle. She is beginning to round up allies to save the job of Park ranger Dan O'Brien, who is inivited by the new administration, to take 'early retirement". Having no intention of breaking in a new Park Ranger wih no experience, Kate starts to rally the troops.
But then an unexpected tragedy occurs. Two long term residents of the community--Dina and Ruthe--are attacked. One killed; one left for dead. Since Kate has known both women from infancy, she at once becomes involved.
Alaska State Trooper Jim Chopin, knowing of Kate's former investigative background quickly enlists her help and the two begin a search to find a cunning and angry killer....
There is one comment I want to make. Although the Kate Shugak mysteries are complete in each volume, they DO make more sense if read in publication order and this is #12. Still, pikc up any mystery in this series and I think you will be pleased--I have enjoyed every book so far in this series.
Highly recommended for any mystery fan. Some violence but not drenched in gore; fast pace and good characterizations.
February 22, 2016
This installment in the Kate Shugak series was a bit slow to develop and in some ways seemed more like a vehicle to advance the relationships Kate has with Chopper Jim and the young boy, Johnny, who has adopted her as his mother. But as always, Dana Stabenow gives you a great sense of place. This one is all about life in rural Alaska in the winter. And it does include another rescue by Mutt, Kate's half-wolf husky.
September 27, 2013
Good Kate Shugak novel as she must investigate the killing of one her friends and the brutalization of another, all the while missing Jack and getting to know Jim Chopin better. I still have no idea where the title came from, but a very enjoyable story. Recommended.
December 4, 2016
Little too much on the developing romance between kate and Jim. Just too much into their minds. Also seems to be reintroducing the characters and history. But over all a good read.
February 25, 2017
In my opinion, the best Kate Shugak novel so far.
April 21, 2025
4,5/5*
June 18, 2021
Great sex scene in this one!
January 28, 2017
Continuing saga of Kate Shugak; living in Denali National Park in Alaska; if you have read previous Shugak you know what has happened to her; she is now about 1 year out since the love of her life Jack was killed; the killers almost killed her; she has taken in Jack's son, Johnny. Now there is a murder and almost murder which brings in Jim Chopin, state Trooper. She and Jim both try to figure out the mystery in a close knit Park "family". I enjoy Kate's story, conflicts and struggles. Some romantic intrigue included. Stabenow lives in Alaska so she knows the everyday workings of the people and the state regulations that help and don't help and works them into the story. Good descriptions of the surrounding landscape, its beauty and dangers.
December 29, 2015
Kate is recovering from Jack Morgan's death and is back in the park. She learns that pressure has been put on the park ranger, Dan O'Brien to take early retirement as new government wants drill for oil and expand other activities in the area. Kate wants him to remain as the ranger and starts a movement to support him. Johnny is living with friend to prevent Kate being charged with kidnapping. Chopper Jim is involved in a murder investment. Dina and Ruthe are found beaten in their home. Dina is dead and Ruthe is nearly dead. The descriptions take to the park with its animal and plant life. The lines are brought together more of life in Alaska. There is sex in the story.
May 27, 2016
I have a hard time putting down these books, once I start. They have a lot of forward momentum. I had figured out the culprit, but I wanted to see how Stabenow dealt with it. Mostly, I think she used it as a vehicle for setting up the Kate/Jim conflict. Will Chopper Jim hit one out of The Park? Stay tuned.
January 2, 2016
I just can't get enough of these books, might just have to read the rest of all of them so they stop distracting me from other books I am interested in reading.
November 5, 2012
These keep getting better and better. Loving this series.
February 17, 2022
It's always a pleasure to revisit the recurring characters in the Kate Shugak series, especially Mutt, half wolf/half dog who is Kate's constant companion and protector. Mutt adds color, humor and warmth to the story. The Alaskan setting is also a character with its descriptions of scenery, wildlife, weather, lore, history, and people. They are believable, well-developed, and familiar. This is a fast read and well written.
Kate is still recovering from Jack Morgan's death. It has been slow and painful. She has taken his 14-year-old son Johnny under her wing and has him living (hiding out?) with Ethan Int-Haut whose wife has left him and so that Kate won't be charged with kidnapping. He was once Kate's high school sweetheart. She wants confirmation about something she just heard from Ethan so races to the Park Service headquarters to ask Chief Park Ranger Dan O'Brien if it's true what she heard - that the new Republican administration thinks he's too "green" because he's against oil drilling in Iqaluk and has been asked to take an early retirement. Kate's determined to save his job and block the oil drilling in the wildlife preserve, so she begins visiting the Park rats to enlist them in fighting for Dan's job. Dan understands and sympathizes with their subsistence lifestyle and looks out for their needs. He's also giddy over a new waitress working at the Roadhouse.
She begins by visiting her aunties and the Niniltna native Assn. offices. Aunties will help but Billy says no because to him it means jobs for the people. Next, she visits John Letourneau of Letourneau Guides, Inc. who offers "the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of the kill" in his guided tours. She knows a lot of VIPs visit his lodge, but he won't help due to something personal. On another visit Kate enlists the aid of Dina Willner and Ruthe Bauman, two elderly ladies who were friends of her grandmother's and whom Kate has known since she was a little girl. They are heavily into conservation and "leaving as small a footprint as possible". They also own Camp Theodore where people come to learn about conservation and to practice it. They are gung-ho to help the cause.
Jim Chopin is an Alaskan state trooper whose boss has been told by the "bean counters" that his workload is too heavy, and he's overworked. He also knows how valuable Dan's job is so he must think of a way to solve and maybe combine these two problems. Dandy Mike goes up to deliver the mail to Dina and Ruthe and discovers that Dina has been murdered and Ruthe has been severely beaten up and close to death. Jim is in the area and enlists Kate to help investigate. Jim is a womanizer who has the reputation of bedding lots of women, but his heart beats for Kate. But she is wary of him. Jim finds a man living in one of the cabins at Camp Theodore who confesses to the crime, but did he do it? Kate doesn't think so.
When Kate goes to Dina and Ruthe's house to check on a clue Jim found there, she realizes it is the key to who the murderer is, and guess who shows up?... There are twists and turns, lies and horrible truths revealed that caused Dina's murder. The climax has Kate in peril and Jim to the rescue. Jim has a surprise for Kate and Kate has a surprise for Johnny. And Kate adopts Mutt a new playmate! Recommended reading and looking forward to the next in the series to see what happens between Kate and Jim.
Kate is still recovering from Jack Morgan's death. It has been slow and painful. She has taken his 14-year-old son Johnny under her wing and has him living (hiding out?) with Ethan Int-Haut whose wife has left him and so that Kate won't be charged with kidnapping. He was once Kate's high school sweetheart. She wants confirmation about something she just heard from Ethan so races to the Park Service headquarters to ask Chief Park Ranger Dan O'Brien if it's true what she heard - that the new Republican administration thinks he's too "green" because he's against oil drilling in Iqaluk and has been asked to take an early retirement. Kate's determined to save his job and block the oil drilling in the wildlife preserve, so she begins visiting the Park rats to enlist them in fighting for Dan's job. Dan understands and sympathizes with their subsistence lifestyle and looks out for their needs. He's also giddy over a new waitress working at the Roadhouse.
She begins by visiting her aunties and the Niniltna native Assn. offices. Aunties will help but Billy says no because to him it means jobs for the people. Next, she visits John Letourneau of Letourneau Guides, Inc. who offers "the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of the kill" in his guided tours. She knows a lot of VIPs visit his lodge, but he won't help due to something personal. On another visit Kate enlists the aid of Dina Willner and Ruthe Bauman, two elderly ladies who were friends of her grandmother's and whom Kate has known since she was a little girl. They are heavily into conservation and "leaving as small a footprint as possible". They also own Camp Theodore where people come to learn about conservation and to practice it. They are gung-ho to help the cause.
Jim Chopin is an Alaskan state trooper whose boss has been told by the "bean counters" that his workload is too heavy, and he's overworked. He also knows how valuable Dan's job is so he must think of a way to solve and maybe combine these two problems. Dandy Mike goes up to deliver the mail to Dina and Ruthe and discovers that Dina has been murdered and Ruthe has been severely beaten up and close to death. Jim is in the area and enlists Kate to help investigate. Jim is a womanizer who has the reputation of bedding lots of women, but his heart beats for Kate. But she is wary of him. Jim finds a man living in one of the cabins at Camp Theodore who confesses to the crime, but did he do it? Kate doesn't think so.
When Kate goes to Dina and Ruthe's house to check on a clue Jim found there, she realizes it is the key to who the murderer is, and guess who shows up?... There are twists and turns, lies and horrible truths revealed that caused Dina's murder. The climax has Kate in peril and Jim to the rescue. Jim has a surprise for Kate and Kate has a surprise for Johnny. And Kate adopts Mutt a new playmate! Recommended reading and looking forward to the next in the series to see what happens between Kate and Jim.
February 6, 2024
SPOILER ALERT
Kate Shugak and Trooper Jim Chopin team up to solve the murder and stabbing of two women, Ruthe Bauman and Dina Willner, who are icons in The Park and in the history of Alaska and the US. Both WASPS during the war, and fliers after, they have set up Camp Theodore named after Roosevelt, in which they offer accommodation to visitors to The Park. They live green, welcoming all to their home. It appears at first that a vet with serious PTSD, Riley Higgins, has killed them, but Kate doesn't believe it. Warden Dan O'Brian was also on scene when Dandy Mike shows up, and clearly is hiding something. Investigating they find secrets in the papers at the cabin indicating that Dina was married to John Letourneau, a wealthy guide, years before, and they later determine that there was a child as a result, that was adopted out. When they confront John, he admits the marriage only lasted for a few months. The women were thought to be Lesbians, so it is a huge surprise. When they leave, he leaves a note confessing to the killing and then commits suicide.
The child is now a server at Bernie's Roadhouse and has latched onto Dan O'Brien. Things are heating up in The Park, with drilling again being proposed for the ANWR, and possibly Iqulak. Dan has been pushed to retire, being "too green" for the new politicos and developers. Kate rallies the Aunties and other Park members to start a telephone campaign and call in any favors they may have. Dan is well liked, and his politics and help are what they want. She had talked to Ruthe and Dina, and they had agreed.
As Kate and Jim are discussing the case in the bar, Kate has an aha, and returns to the ladies' cabin. Christie Turner shows up with a rifle, having heard the conversation and realizing it just a matter of time before Kate figures out who she is. Christie had been adopted by very abusive foster parents who used the many children they took in for criminal activities. But for the four-year-old it was the horror of sexual abuse by the father that damaged her for life. She is out for revenge, and as a clever woman had found out her birth parents. She had seduced her birth father before revealing to him who she was. No doubt the reason for his suicide. She then stabbed her mother and Ruthe. Ruthe was got to in time for Jim Chopin to save her life and get her flown to the hospital. Christie has now moved her affections to Pete Heiman, District 41 Senator, intending to break the Kanuqak Land Trust and develop the land. She has visions of a wealthy and powerful life. She is unaware that she is not inheriting anything from her mother. She shoots Kate. Mutt takes her down and she will lose her arm as a result. Then Mutt runs to Jim who again rushes Kate to the hospital. During this investigation their attraction results in a sexual encounter, and she is moved when he gets emotional telling her that he thought he had lost her. He then confesses that he is moving his office/headquarters to Niniltna.
Kate, recovered, goes to get Johnny Morgan, Jack's son, who has been staying with Ethan Int-Hout, who has the hots for Kate. His wife has returned and tells Kate she wants her husband back. Kate, while attracted to Ethan, has continually put him off, and gladly gathers Johnny and his possessions and takes him home, telling him it is time to add a room to the Homestead.
A fine installment to the series.
Kate Shugak and Trooper Jim Chopin team up to solve the murder and stabbing of two women, Ruthe Bauman and Dina Willner, who are icons in The Park and in the history of Alaska and the US. Both WASPS during the war, and fliers after, they have set up Camp Theodore named after Roosevelt, in which they offer accommodation to visitors to The Park. They live green, welcoming all to their home. It appears at first that a vet with serious PTSD, Riley Higgins, has killed them, but Kate doesn't believe it. Warden Dan O'Brian was also on scene when Dandy Mike shows up, and clearly is hiding something. Investigating they find secrets in the papers at the cabin indicating that Dina was married to John Letourneau, a wealthy guide, years before, and they later determine that there was a child as a result, that was adopted out. When they confront John, he admits the marriage only lasted for a few months. The women were thought to be Lesbians, so it is a huge surprise. When they leave, he leaves a note confessing to the killing and then commits suicide.
The child is now a server at Bernie's Roadhouse and has latched onto Dan O'Brien. Things are heating up in The Park, with drilling again being proposed for the ANWR, and possibly Iqulak. Dan has been pushed to retire, being "too green" for the new politicos and developers. Kate rallies the Aunties and other Park members to start a telephone campaign and call in any favors they may have. Dan is well liked, and his politics and help are what they want. She had talked to Ruthe and Dina, and they had agreed.
As Kate and Jim are discussing the case in the bar, Kate has an aha, and returns to the ladies' cabin. Christie Turner shows up with a rifle, having heard the conversation and realizing it just a matter of time before Kate figures out who she is. Christie had been adopted by very abusive foster parents who used the many children they took in for criminal activities. But for the four-year-old it was the horror of sexual abuse by the father that damaged her for life. She is out for revenge, and as a clever woman had found out her birth parents. She had seduced her birth father before revealing to him who she was. No doubt the reason for his suicide. She then stabbed her mother and Ruthe. Ruthe was got to in time for Jim Chopin to save her life and get her flown to the hospital. Christie has now moved her affections to Pete Heiman, District 41 Senator, intending to break the Kanuqak Land Trust and develop the land. She has visions of a wealthy and powerful life. She is unaware that she is not inheriting anything from her mother. She shoots Kate. Mutt takes her down and she will lose her arm as a result. Then Mutt runs to Jim who again rushes Kate to the hospital. During this investigation their attraction results in a sexual encounter, and she is moved when he gets emotional telling her that he thought he had lost her. He then confesses that he is moving his office/headquarters to Niniltna.
Kate, recovered, goes to get Johnny Morgan, Jack's son, who has been staying with Ethan Int-Hout, who has the hots for Kate. His wife has returned and tells Kate she wants her husband back. Kate, while attracted to Ethan, has continually put him off, and gladly gathers Johnny and his possessions and takes him home, telling him it is time to add a room to the Homestead.
A fine installment to the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2018
Audiobook
Story: C, Narration: A
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference. Spoilers.
The mystery in this entry concerns two longterm residents of the Park, Dina and Ruthe, who served as WASP pilots in WWII, became ardent conservationists, bought a large parcel of land, built a . . . not a lodge, but some rustic cabins. The two women are brutally attacked in their home--Dina is dead and Ruthe critically injured. Later, their neighbor, with whom they have a contentious relationship, commits suicide--or was it also murder.
Despite some red herrings, it was once again pretty clear who the murdered was very early on. Someone from the Outside who's pretty unlikeable and acts in a suspicious manner? Might as well wear a t-shirt announcing I'm a psycho, murdering bitch. The motive wasn't a terrible surprise, either--but was strain my belief. But what a thoroughly nasty piece of work. And. . . ugh. I kept thinking of that old Shirley Conran book, Lace. Kate and Mutt take her down, but not before she inflicts a lot of harm on them--yes, once again, Kate is shot and ends up in the hospital. Kate gets shot or conked on the head a lot.
We get a lot about the growing relationship between Kate and Jim. I have to say that I remember liking Jim, and Jim and Kate as a couple, when I first read the series, but I'm not as happy this time around. Jim's annoying me with his "I really want to have sex with Kate but refuse to have an emotional attachment" shit. And Kate is being all manipulative. . . when she's not overwrought and jealous. It's really beneath her. And there's a scene where Kate goes ballistic in Dina and Ruthe's cabin when she realizes that Jim had had a sexual relationship with Ruthe at some point in the past and she throws a box that hits him in the head, injuring him fairly seriously. And then they get all hot and bothered and proceed to monkey sex. (Angry sex becomes the norm for these two.) At the end of the book, Jim tells Kate that his ranger post is being moved from Tok to Niniltna, so they'll be seeing a lot of each other.
There's a secondary story involving Dan O'Brian who's being forced into early retirement by the new Administration because he's too green. Dan's taking it lying down until Kate steps in, lights a fire underneath him, and successfully rallies support so he can keep his job. Dan comes off as a bit of a sad sack in this book, and it doesn't help that he's sappily involved with the murdering bitch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2020
I know this series has been out for a long time and it can be difficult to get your hands on the earlier works, but it is well worth it! This series gets better and better with each book!
Kate is an Alaskan Native who lives in the Park. She was an investigator for the Anchorage PD long ago and now is the closest thing they have to private detective. She has the added benefit of knowing or being related to almost everyone in the Park. Kate is also the heir apparent to the position of tribe matriarch since the death of her grandmother. That is a job she has fought tooth and nail against but in this book she settles into that role and her skin in a much deeper way. The book starts with Kate on a mission to save the job of head ranger. She knows and respects Dan and doesn't want to have to break in someone new who may be open to drilling or other activities that would destroy the delicate wildlife balance of the Park. This turns into a murder investigation that brings Jim Choppin down from Tok and roaring back into Kate's life.
I really enjoyed this book! I feel like Kate made leaps forward in her personal life and growth. The mystery was interesting and twisty and I didn't quite figure it all out which I appreciate. I am very much looking forward to where the series and Kate goes from here!
Kate is an Alaskan Native who lives in the Park. She was an investigator for the Anchorage PD long ago and now is the closest thing they have to private detective. She has the added benefit of knowing or being related to almost everyone in the Park. Kate is also the heir apparent to the position of tribe matriarch since the death of her grandmother. That is a job she has fought tooth and nail against but in this book she settles into that role and her skin in a much deeper way. The book starts with Kate on a mission to save the job of head ranger. She knows and respects Dan and doesn't want to have to break in someone new who may be open to drilling or other activities that would destroy the delicate wildlife balance of the Park. This turns into a murder investigation that brings Jim Choppin down from Tok and roaring back into Kate's life.
I really enjoyed this book! I feel like Kate made leaps forward in her personal life and growth. The mystery was interesting and twisty and I didn't quite figure it all out which I appreciate. I am very much looking forward to where the series and Kate goes from here!
July 28, 2024
The monstrously evil George W. Bush administration has come to power as this opens, and it wants to punch oil holes in places Kate Shugak believes should remain pristine. Evil influences at the Department of the Interior who replaced the angelic ones of the Clinton administration say it’s time to re-evaluate whether oil is an option in places where it hasn’t been up to now.
Once you wade through the author’s political screeds, there’s a decent mystery here. Tensions run high as people from both camps talk about the future of the land. The new administration figures a well-beloved park ranger is too green to suit it, and officials push for his early retirement.
Before this ends, a renowned elderly conservationist in the park brutally dies, and another long-time resident takes his life soon thereafter. It’s up to Kate to figure out who killed the conservationist and whether the suicide connected to her death in any way.
This is a three-star installment of the book that lacks the punch and power of earlier books. I’ll slog on to the next one, but my patience isn’t infinite.
Once you wade through the author’s political screeds, there’s a decent mystery here. Tensions run high as people from both camps talk about the future of the land. The new administration figures a well-beloved park ranger is too green to suit it, and officials push for his early retirement.
Before this ends, a renowned elderly conservationist in the park brutally dies, and another long-time resident takes his life soon thereafter. It’s up to Kate to figure out who killed the conservationist and whether the suicide connected to her death in any way.
This is a three-star installment of the book that lacks the punch and power of earlier books. I’ll slog on to the next one, but my patience isn’t infinite.
August 31, 2022
First time reader of a Kate Shugak novel and first time for Dana Stabnow…….but I liked the shorter fast paced story set in an Alaska Park , with real life rough characters , that call “a spade a spade”; especially Kate , the local private investigator , who knows everyone well ….or at least she thought so. Mutt her dog plays a pivotal role.
The storyline possibilities of drilling for oil in a wildlife preserve quickly gets over run …..by the reality of a gruesome murder of one of the areas most respected and loving great aunties & the horrific bludgeoning of her close friend/business associate & presumed lover.
All the characters and longtime park people come together to mourn their loss and the plot starts to unravel quickly with Kate and Jim ,the state trooper , coming to the rescue of the community….and we eventually learn of the hidden history of three of the most well known people in the park.
The storyline possibilities of drilling for oil in a wildlife preserve quickly gets over run …..by the reality of a gruesome murder of one of the areas most respected and loving great aunties & the horrific bludgeoning of her close friend/business associate & presumed lover.
All the characters and longtime park people come together to mourn their loss and the plot starts to unravel quickly with Kate and Jim ,the state trooper , coming to the rescue of the community….and we eventually learn of the hidden history of three of the most well known people in the park.
January 1, 2024
I love this series
I lived and worked in Anchorage for eight years, and although I did not travel much outside of Anchorage during those years, I fell in love with the people, the unique and beautiful atmosphere, and the extreme beauty of the weather, and land. Everything about this series brings back the most wonderful memories, of the towns and the new friends who welcomed me the very first month I moved from Pennsylvania. And it doesn't hurt that my favorite genres are mystery/thrillers. I tell everyone I know (now living in Salt Lake City), that the most wonderful part of Anchorage and Alaska, beyond the beauty, is the people... I believe the people residing there are special - happy to be there, always helpful - and due mostly to the extremes, would not stay if not happy to be there, and they share that joy and happiness!
I lived and worked in Anchorage for eight years, and although I did not travel much outside of Anchorage during those years, I fell in love with the people, the unique and beautiful atmosphere, and the extreme beauty of the weather, and land. Everything about this series brings back the most wonderful memories, of the towns and the new friends who welcomed me the very first month I moved from Pennsylvania. And it doesn't hurt that my favorite genres are mystery/thrillers. I tell everyone I know (now living in Salt Lake City), that the most wonderful part of Anchorage and Alaska, beyond the beauty, is the people... I believe the people residing there are special - happy to be there, always helpful - and due mostly to the extremes, would not stay if not happy to be there, and they share that joy and happiness!
October 26, 2020
Great Mystery
I have enjoyed every one of Dana Stabenow's mysteries and A Fine and Bitter Snow is one of her very best. This story is exceptional, the mystery unguessable, the descriptions of nature and local color are rich and visual. I love the further developments of Kate Shugak's life in the Alaskan wilderness. It's not necessary to read the series in order but somewhat in order is fun. Stabenow is one of my very favorite mystery writers, along with Louise Penny, Marcia Muller, Sue Grafton, Elizabeth George, Tana French, David Baldacci, Deborah Crombie, Patricia Cornwell, Michael Connelly, Jeffrey Deaver, Stephen White, James Lee Burke, Lee Child, and Jonathan and Faye Kellerman. There are more and thanks to all of them!
I have enjoyed every one of Dana Stabenow's mysteries and A Fine and Bitter Snow is one of her very best. This story is exceptional, the mystery unguessable, the descriptions of nature and local color are rich and visual. I love the further developments of Kate Shugak's life in the Alaskan wilderness. It's not necessary to read the series in order but somewhat in order is fun. Stabenow is one of my very favorite mystery writers, along with Louise Penny, Marcia Muller, Sue Grafton, Elizabeth George, Tana French, David Baldacci, Deborah Crombie, Patricia Cornwell, Michael Connelly, Jeffrey Deaver, Stephen White, James Lee Burke, Lee Child, and Jonathan and Faye Kellerman. There are more and thanks to all of them!
October 4, 2025
"A Fine and Bitter Snow" by Dana Stabenow is a book I chose because it is written by an Alaskan author and set in Alaska. The story features multiple intertwining plotlines. One storyline addresses how governmental administrations can impact oil drilling in Alaska, while another follows private investigator Kate Shugak as she navigates discussions about these new changes. Additionally, we learn about two longtime residents of the area who were attacked, leaving one of them dead. The mystery of who committed this crime and why unfolds throughout the narrative, culminating in a surprising twist at the end. This book is the twelfth in the Kate Shugak series, which contains a total of 23 novels. I would pick up another one to read.
August 24, 2020
A good read for a pandemic. Imagining being stuck in the house because of Arctic snowstorms is preferable to the reality. Dana Stabenow's fictional National Wildlife Refuge/Denali National Park - resembles the real ones. The struggle over Indigenous rights and oil leases are central themes in this and all her Kate Shugak novels. Although written decades ago, the land/oil lease conflict seems as if it could have been written just a few weeks ago. The Indigenous characters, including the main protagonist, Kate Shugak, are never romanticized, but rather their struggles to survive are believably real. Mysteries, well written mysteries, are my literary junk food. Stabenow never disappoints.
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