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Kate Shugak #5
Play With Fire
Former D.A. investigator Kate Shugak gets caught up in a case involving a corpse she finds in the Alaskan woodlands, leading her to an isolated religious settlement and onto a trail of twisted lies, secrets, and suspicions. Reprint.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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908 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 258 reviews
June 16, 2017
This was a book without a clever twist in sight. Yet it was qualified enough to engage my mind. I'm sure there are people who dislike the book. Or adore it. I give it 3 stars because there are some boring bits in the book.
I don't remember the entire cast of characters in this book, because I gave reading it a break at one point. I think the background of science vs religion was something that needs to happen only once in this series.
The murder of a nude man in nightmarish conditions is difficult to write about. Not because it's hard, but because it requires talent of the type that needs to be just right enough not to look artificial. A bash on the head resulting in death is a cozy mystery. A book like this is what? I don't really know.
I don't remember the entire cast of characters in this book, because I gave reading it a break at one point. I think the background of science vs religion was something that needs to happen only once in this series.
The murder of a nude man in nightmarish conditions is difficult to write about. Not because it's hard, but because it requires talent of the type that needs to be just right enough not to look artificial. A bash on the head resulting in death is a cozy mystery. A book like this is what? I don't really know.
April 7, 2021
4.5 stars
I loved it! With this book I had no problems with the language. Either Dana Stabenow wrote differently or I have learned :) I'm not going to wait that long with the next one in the series.
I loved it! With this book I had no problems with the language. Either Dana Stabenow wrote differently or I have learned :) I'm not going to wait that long with the next one in the series.
July 30, 2017
Kate finds herself a body and so it begins. Her body magnet is working strong to find this one it's way out in the...... Meanwhile, she is hired into service by a young child looking for his father. His grandfather is a righteous religious holier than all type preacher, with some extreme dangerous ideals. Kate is stuck in the middle of this zealot filled town and her need to solve these mysteries.
I loved this one, the way Kate and Co. dealt with the zealots was fantastic. Organized religion, oy it can be the cause so much trouble. Her friends, co workers and Mutt are wonderful to spend time with. The place Ms. Stabenow takes us in Alaska are always a treat I feel like I'm getting to know the state while reading this series. On to book #6
I loved this one, the way Kate and Co. dealt with the zealots was fantastic. Organized religion, oy it can be the cause so much trouble. Her friends, co workers and Mutt are wonderful to spend time with. The place Ms. Stabenow takes us in Alaska are always a treat I feel like I'm getting to know the state while reading this series. On to book #6
April 16, 2017
Play with Fire offers many charming descriptions of Alaska and Alaskan life. Unfortunately there is little more. It is a murder mystery with no action - zero. Kate just keeps wandering around, remembering her past and visiting her family, making love with old boy friends, picking mushrooms. Eventually, after very little actual detecting, people tell her about the murder. Then the book ends.
September 30, 2014
I almost skipped this book because of the negative reviews I skimmed on Goodreads. I am glad I didn't. Each book in the series reveals more of Kate's past, fleshes out the secondary characters in the book and builds on the happenings in previous stories and this novel was no different. Most of the negative reviews, it turns out, are from people made uncomfortable by the casting of a reclusive community of fundamentalist evolution-denying book burners in a villainous light, or the characters' meditations on how the Christian religion affected native populations (through boarding schools, through missionaries insisting cultural iconography equaled blasphemy and idolatry) and the book's secondary cast members. For some reason the previous books focusing on corrupt environmental practices or Kate's prolonged musings about the seduction of working the oil fields never caused a spate of reviews asking why the author has such an axe to grind, but make a fringe religious group the baddies and readers suddenly get the vapors. Well, I had no such reaction and look forward to more Kate Shugak in my future.
September 3, 2022
Play With Fire is another great Alaskan mystery involving religion and mushrooms? Dana Stabenow is a pleasant surprise for me and I will continue following the adventures of Kate Shugak.
September 21, 2012
While I have enjoyed the Kate Shugak books in general, this one left a bad taste in my mouth. The mystery part was fine, like all her others, but unlike the others, this one gave no insight or understanding into the opposition. Her first books on native Alaskans, an oil company, crab fishing, etc. were interesting, giving a look into something unfamiliar and even explaining and overcoming stereotypes in most cases. This book's antagonists were a fringe Christian group, but every other character discussing Christianity was either a lunatic fringe element (killing those who didn't agree), someone who had experienced cruelty in the name of the church, or a smug, 'enlightened' non-Christian marveling at the idiots who would subscribe to such a belief system. Without even a token decent Christian, this book felt like it had an ax to grind and was out of step with the others I've read. I don't have a problem with any particular fringe element being portrayed as whackos, but I do have a problem with the book's implication that all Christians are whackos or idiots when it's such a central element of the story. I'm sorry to step away from Stabenow this early in what was a promising series, but this book left me cold and I don't really have enough interest in the remaining story to see where else she might go.
April 13, 2017
In the fifth book of a series set in Alaska, featuring native Aleut Kate Shugak, we find her picking Morel mushrooms with some of her friends. Morels bring a substantial price and people flock to Alaska to try and make some extra money. Kate and her friends, Dinah and Bobby, literally stumble on a dead body. He turns out to be local teacher who attempted to explain the evolution theory in his classes. He was never reported missing and seemed to have a very adversarial relationship with his fire and brimstone preacher father. His ten year old son, Matthew, hires Kate to find out what happened to him.
I enjoy this series very much. I've lived in Alaska and think the author does a great job of making the state such a vibrant character on its own. Kate is a fascinating protagonist who lives on her own homestead, hunts, fishes and builds everything she needs. This book was definitely my least favorite of the five I've read so far. The murder itself was not very interesting and the cause seemed apparent from the beginning. There's a lot of religious quoting along the way which is not unexpected because the characters and the town are very fundamentalist. I would recommend the series but not this book in particular.
I enjoy this series very much. I've lived in Alaska and think the author does a great job of making the state such a vibrant character on its own. Kate is a fascinating protagonist who lives on her own homestead, hunts, fishes and builds everything she needs. This book was definitely my least favorite of the five I've read so far. The murder itself was not very interesting and the cause seemed apparent from the beginning. There's a lot of religious quoting along the way which is not unexpected because the characters and the town are very fundamentalist. I would recommend the series but not this book in particular.
June 3, 2015
I'm re-reading the series (via audiobook), and had to come back and change my rating from 3 stars to 5. The change in format doesn't have anything to do with the new rating, just time.
Fire is, obviously, an important theme in the book, but even more, Stabenow herself plays with fire by taking on organized religion. She's not easy on any, but is especially hard on Christian fundamentalism.
It was saddening to hear a character trifumphantly proclaim how creationism lost in the courts, knowing that in the 20 years since the book was published, several states have adopted biased religious mythology and included it alongside scientific study. Is it possible we've gone backwards?
Fire is, obviously, an important theme in the book, but even more, Stabenow herself plays with fire by taking on organized religion. She's not easy on any, but is especially hard on Christian fundamentalism.
It was saddening to hear a character trifumphantly proclaim how creationism lost in the courts, knowing that in the 20 years since the book was published, several states have adopted biased religious mythology and included it alongside scientific study. Is it possible we've gone backwards?
June 24, 2017
This book was really sad.
SPOILER! That someone deserves death because of God's judgement. Please! God is the judge, not humans. He did not put us on this earth to go around and say, "You're wrong, you're right, you're kind of okay except for this." We'll be judged when we die. IT IS NOT OUR JOB! I hate this most of all because I know it really happens - really no matter what religion you are. This conflict seems so apropos now, over 22 years later. It seems like this world has gotten even worse. That's one of the reasons why it's a really sad book.
SPOILER! That someone deserves death because of God's judgement. Please! God is the judge, not humans. He did not put us on this earth to go around and say, "You're wrong, you're right, you're kind of okay except for this." We'll be judged when we die. IT IS NOT OUR JOB! I hate this most of all because I know it really happens - really no matter what religion you are. This conflict seems so apropos now, over 22 years later. It seems like this world has gotten even worse. That's one of the reasons why it's a really sad book.
June 5, 2015
Okay Alaskan mystery, featuring mushroom picking Kate Shugak and Chopper Jim. Unfortunately, the story was marred by too many coincidences.
March 4, 2016
Delicious mushrooms grow after a fire. There's a hot blond with a camera hanging around out-of-work investigator Kate Shugak, because she ran out of gas while photographing Alaska. Picking 'shrooms at $$$ a pound will get her on the road again. The veteran in a wheel-chair can't get to the mushrooms, but he sure can cook. The body under the mushrooms - OK, how many people will say 'That sounds like a Miss Marple mystery title!'? I lost track ;)
The client is heart breaking. The religious community is heart-breaking, too, in a completely different way. Happily I can't reach into the page and kill fictional characters.
The killer is found. I suspected the method as soon as the coroner report came in, but how could that be done? Serious cold-hearted killer. Never brought to justice, because a confession to an investigator can be denied, denied, denied. IT NEVER HAPPENED OFFICER SHE JUST HATES ME. PERSECUTION!
The school system is brought up for discussion. It is, um, disturbing.
A slightly slow start. A lovely read.
The client is heart breaking. The religious community is heart-breaking, too, in a completely different way. Happily I can't reach into the page and kill fictional characters.
The killer is found. I suspected the method as soon as the coroner report came in, but how could that be done? Serious cold-hearted killer. Never brought to justice, because a confession to an investigator can be denied, denied, denied. IT NEVER HAPPENED OFFICER SHE JUST HATES ME. PERSECUTION!
The school system is brought up for discussion. It is, um, disturbing.
A slightly slow start. A lovely read.
December 28, 2009
The fire-ravaged woods hold more than a bumper crop of morel mushrooms. Kate Shugak stumbles across the partially decomposed nude corpse of Dan Seabolt, a teacher who has been missing for more than a year. He's the son of a charismatic fundamentalist preacher, and father of a 10 year old boy who has hired Kate to find his missing father. Kate's investigation into Daniel's death uncovers larger issues: Who controls local education? What's the role of organized religion? Where is the line between faith and fanaticism?
I really like this series, and I especially enjoyed this entry.
I really like this series, and I especially enjoyed this entry.
July 28, 2021
So many things I could say about this book.... These people aren't Christian's they're a cult.
December 27, 2018
A bit dated, but a nice look at Alaska, and how the indigenous people interact with the immigrants.
March 25, 2015
I had a little trouble reading this book in the series - normally I really enjoy the Kate Shugak stories, but this one left me very disappointed. The author used this book as her own personal rant on Christianity. I say this because there is not one redeeming Christian character in the book. Every Christian talked about, a character who had a bad experience with a Christian, or non-Christians talking in conversations about the crazy whackos who believe this stuff are portrayed as zealous religious fanatics. I realize that there are groups out there that are led astray like the characters in this book, but I felt that the author doesn't use this group as a plot device so much as letting people know this is how all Christians act.
Kate, Bobby, and new character Dinah are taking advantage of the great abundance of mushrooms after last years forest fire to earn some extra cash. They are camped near the town of Chistona, Alaska where a religious extremist group lives. One day Kate discovers a rich supply of mushrooms, begins picking, and stumbles across a naked, defrosting body covered in growing mushrooms. She immediately calls in Chopper Jim to retrieve it. She discovers in Chistona that a teacher has been missing for quite some time, but nobody bothered to call the authorities. His name was Daniel Seabolt, and it turns out he was teaching some controversial topics at the village school like creationism, sex education, and all those things that round out an education. Of course, the church led by Pastor Seabolt, Daniel's father, objected to his teachings.
One night, Daniel's son, ten-year old Matthew turns up at Kate's camp and wants to hire her to find his missing father. Kate has already figured out that the father is the dead corpse. Later, upon telling Matthew about his father, she is abruptly fired - told to leave things as they are. All the rest of the folks in town tell her the same thing. This book does not have a happy ending. Although we know who the murder(s) are, they are never brought to justice, because it can never be proven who did it. If you take out all the social commentary about Christians this would have been a really good book. I hope the next book in the series returns to the familiar Kate Shugak mystery that I love.
Kate, Bobby, and new character Dinah are taking advantage of the great abundance of mushrooms after last years forest fire to earn some extra cash. They are camped near the town of Chistona, Alaska where a religious extremist group lives. One day Kate discovers a rich supply of mushrooms, begins picking, and stumbles across a naked, defrosting body covered in growing mushrooms. She immediately calls in Chopper Jim to retrieve it. She discovers in Chistona that a teacher has been missing for quite some time, but nobody bothered to call the authorities. His name was Daniel Seabolt, and it turns out he was teaching some controversial topics at the village school like creationism, sex education, and all those things that round out an education. Of course, the church led by Pastor Seabolt, Daniel's father, objected to his teachings.
One night, Daniel's son, ten-year old Matthew turns up at Kate's camp and wants to hire her to find his missing father. Kate has already figured out that the father is the dead corpse. Later, upon telling Matthew about his father, she is abruptly fired - told to leave things as they are. All the rest of the folks in town tell her the same thing. This book does not have a happy ending. Although we know who the murder(s) are, they are never brought to justice, because it can never be proven who did it. If you take out all the social commentary about Christians this would have been a really good book. I hope the next book in the series returns to the familiar Kate Shugak mystery that I love.
February 9, 2016
This book got off to a really promising start with investigator Kate Shugak stumbling onto a corpse while mushroom picking in an Alaskan forest. A young boy hires her to find his missing father and Shugak discovers they're all mixed up with a fundamentalist sect. Was the death accidental or murderous retaliation? The other good thing in this book is that you get more of Kate's back story with a visit to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she recalls her years as a student.
Unfortunately, Stabenow goes overboard with her characters condemning organized religion in general and fundamentalist groups in particular. Yes, the people in this book are bad guys (book burners, science deniers, hypocrites, etc.), but her brush is really broad and she goes on and on about it. In addition, I didn't find the ending very satisfying.
Unfortunately, Stabenow goes overboard with her characters condemning organized religion in general and fundamentalist groups in particular. Yes, the people in this book are bad guys (book burners, science deniers, hypocrites, etc.), but her brush is really broad and she goes on and on about it. In addition, I didn't find the ending very satisfying.
November 18, 2009
It's amazing how Dana Stabenow changes things up in her plots and weaves bigger issues into murder mysteries. Sample quote:"any form of organized blief in God is an excuse for one person to say to another, 'Belive as I do or you'll go to hell, or I'll burn you at the stake, or I'll kill you and the horse you rode in on and everyone who thinks like you.'"
There are great characters, breezy writing, and consistent plotting--and then Stabenow throws in something extra for the reader to chew on.
There are great characters, breezy writing, and consistent plotting--and then Stabenow throws in something extra for the reader to chew on.
September 26, 2014
I have generally enjoyed this series. However, I was disappointed with this book. It portrayed a caricature of Christianity. It didn't just disagree with it; it demonized it. Certainly, if you look hard enough, you could probably find people that fit the stereotypes portrayed (for instance, Westburo Baptist Church). However, this book made it seem like that was the norm and not the fringe.
I will keep reading the series, because this one seems like an outlier.
I will keep reading the series, because this one seems like an outlier.
June 19, 2010
Out foraging for morel mushrooms, the result of a massive forest fire, Kate Shugak discovers a naked, decomposing body. As it turns out the body belongs to a science teacher, run off by his pious community for teaching evolution. During the investigation, we are provided further insight into Kate's unique personality.
November 11, 2016
The mystery was interesting enough, however the wholesale bashing of Christianity based on an encounter with a fringe cult group became tiresome. I also found the constant reference of people "from states beginning and ending with vowels" as red-necks offensive.
In Shugak's world it appears to be okay to dish out lots of prejuidice.
In Shugak's world it appears to be okay to dish out lots of prejuidice.
May 22, 2020
Another great novel in the Shugak series. Marguerite Gavin is the wonderful narrator. Great storyline, but a sad ending.
4 stars
4 stars
June 28, 2021
3.5⭐️, rounded up. Not my favorite of hers, but still a worthy installment in this fantastic series.
July 9, 2023
I've either read or listened to the previous 4 books in the Kate Shugak series and enjoyed them but this was a huge disappointment. Once again we're given the "Christians are hypocrites and God is some monster in the sky" trope. So original. That jolly dialog went on for some time and I think we're finally done. It's okay, I tell myself, religion isn't for everyone, even if this author is getting it so spectacularly wrong. At least she's gotten it out of her system, I think. But wait there more! In case the reader didn't get the message it is nailed home again and again. Where is the story? Where is the detecting? There is a little of it in there mingled with the pontificating against religion. It was particularly entertaining when the author whines one about how God likes all his little robots to do exactly as he says, or else. Then she mentions that the Kate's grandma is Russian Orthodox. Ummm at least the author could have done a little research about the Orthodox faith and free will.
If you're loving this series but don't want to wade through this particular book I say this one is easily skipped. Nothing is added to the main characters' storylines here and you won't miss anything by skipping it.
Now for the narrator. I've been putting up with her on the other books I listened to, but I think mixed with all the barrage of anti-religion I was having to sit through I have had enough with the narrator's grating condescending voice. If I ever come back to this series (which is a big "if") I plan to read the rest of them and avoid the audio version.
If you're loving this series but don't want to wade through this particular book I say this one is easily skipped. Nothing is added to the main characters' storylines here and you won't miss anything by skipping it.
Now for the narrator. I've been putting up with her on the other books I listened to, but I think mixed with all the barrage of anti-religion I was having to sit through I have had enough with the narrator's grating condescending voice. If I ever come back to this series (which is a big "if") I plan to read the rest of them and avoid the audio version.
January 7, 2021
Длиннющая серия книг про Катю Шугак, алеутку с русскими корнями и частного детектива. Дело в основном происходит в буше на Аляске, причём там, где электричеством обеспечивает генератор, телевизоров нет, а источник воды - это ручей за домом (действие в первых книгах происходит в 1990-х годах), много аляскинских тем - лосось, лоси, нефть, охрана парков и прочее. В этой книге речь идёт о сборе сморчков после прошлогодних лесных пожаров. Детективная линия достаточно слабая, но, благодаря описанием и множеству деталей жизни и природы Аляски, автору все прощается. Если вы думаете, что знаете названия всех ягод на английском, то, возможно вас ждёт сюрприз. В книжке есть и cloudberry, и salmonberry, и масса других вкусностей. Для тех, кто хочет хорошего сочетания детектива и Аляски рекомендую книгу номер 3, про ловлю крабов.
January 26, 2020
This is the fifth book in the Kate Shugak series and I really love this series. I love the Alaska environment in this series. The rich cultures and heritage are wonderful to learn about. This book follows Kate as she goes to help her friends mushroom pick when she stumbles across a body. The town is very religious and has let religion drive them into madness. I don't want to say more about this story as not to spoil it but I will say that I didn't care too much for the ending. I realize that it had to end the way it did but I am hoping that justice gets served somehow. I definitely recommend this book and series.
March 19, 2020
The biggest draw for me with this series is the Alaskan setting. Dana Stabenow does a wonderful job of highlighting the beauty in the remote locations Kate Shugak travels through. Kate finds a body in the wilderness while picking mushrooms. That discovery will lead to a church of creationists who wreak destruction in the community. This is a solid entry that will appeal to readers for whom location is a draw.
Vacation read.
Vacation read.
March 26, 2021
Not recommended for any believer. It is just too in style to make religion the bad guy. This one portrays the worst of fanatic demagogues as the worst bad guy, but also adds all the old arguments which deny and stigmatize any kind of real belief. The puzzle doesn't make all the anti faith propaganda worth reading. I was disappointed, because I like Stabenow's settings and gritty native backgrounds.
March 13, 2024
Another interesting look at life in Alaska while Kate solves another murder. Once again the killer isn't brought to justice which makes it a disappointing ending. What struck me though was that this book was published in 1995 yet many of the issues -- the white christian evangelicals trying to force their skewed way of thinking on people -- are prevalent today.
April 29, 2024
Really not my type of book or writing style.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews