A Cold Day for Murder (Kate Shugak Novels)

I liked Maclean, Stout, McDonald, Hamilton. Add Stabenow to that list. She tells a great story, and never fails to surprise.

I have acquired the habit, when faced with a decision on a Stabenow book, of looking to see how many pages it is. If it's much more than 250, I don't buy it. The reason for this is Stabenow appears to be unable to resist becoming word happy. There is usually paragraph after paragraph, if not page after page, of useless, boring, and unnecessary descriptions which include nothing whatsoever of the story. I find myself rapidly scanning, looking for a character's name - and usually not finding it for a page or two. several times per book. Additionally, Stabenow seems to have missed the writing class which says: do not bring in multiple characters with the same initial(s). For instance, thus far, there's Jack, Jim, and Johnny in the Shugak novels, if I haven't missed one. This is tiresome for readers just looking for a romping good mystery, and occasionally confusing for tired, bedtime readers. So far, my 250 page limit works pretty well, but I'm beginning to doubt that I'll buy any more Stabenow books.

A COLD DAY FOR MURDER by Dana Stabenow begins what has become a love affair for Alaska and the Park Rats. Kate Shugak retreats from Anchorage to her family home in the park to recover from a horrific child abuse case that almost cost her her life. She will wear the knife scar on her throat for the rest of her life. But crime comes to her refuge when a young park ranger disappears into the winter followed by an investigator who was sent to find him. Kate wants nothing to do with investigation, but she can not refuse Jack Morgan for either the work or her life. This is a series that is best read from the beginning, then like Christie for mystery lovers you will reread them again. Nash Black, author whose books are also available in Kindle editions. Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers

Being of Native Indian decent it is so cool to find good books based on Native Indian characters. Dana Stabenow has done an excellent job of this.

Top-notch author and another winning story. Alaska is featured and described with accuracy and affection. Just one of the many stories in this land of mystery and challenges.

I love all the books in this series. Just warning you, it is very easy to get hooked!