Dead North MM

This is the first Sue Henry mystery that I have ever read, thinking that the idea of the dog sled races wouldn't be all that interesting. While this novel doesn't primarily use that aspect of the characters life to forward the plot, I have been really impressed by the author's writing style and attention to detail.Her sense of environment and character is entracing, and completely draws you into the story. She develops all of the necessary characters really well, an unlike other mystery series, doesn't simply overlook or skip over secondary characters lives. It's quite refreshing.She builds up an environment of tension quite well, and makes the reader want to know what is going to happen next. I highly recommend this book.

I enjoyed the way Sue Henry made you feel a part of the characters as well a description of the country along the Alaskan highway which added to the sense of beeing there and personnaly involved.

Since discovering Sue Henry last December, I've read everything I can get my hands on, and have been eagerly awaiting the release of this book. What would Jessie get involved in now? Would Jessie and Alex finally come to their senses and get back together? What about the dogs?To answer the first question - she's driving a Winnabego through the Northwestern United States and Canada toward Alaska where she runs into a desperate teenaged runaway and a spunky, older woman named Maxie (who bears a striking resemblance to the author's own portrait on the inside jacket cover). There's the usual tension - including a *chilling* description of a car accident with a tractor-trailer and angst set against beautiful descriptions of the country-side which make Henry such a compelling author. The end has a twist that I saw coming, but only in the last few pages. To answer the second question . . . well, let's just say that was the book's only flaw. And the third question - Tank is his usual, brave, intuitive, and loyal self. But for the notable absence of Alex, and the possible conceit in the character of Maxie, this book more than lived up to my expectations, and I'll now, infortunately, have even longer to wait for the next one.

This is one of, if not, the strongest novels of the series; although, I must admit, I missed the sledding. Her secondary characters are great as is her description of the Alaskan Highway. Her characters have real depth and there is ambiguity in the plot which reflects reality--this is decidedly not a "paint by number" mystery.

In Cody, Wyoming, the police hide the abusive nature of one of their own. Officer McMurdock beats his spouse and his teenage stepson Patrick. However, this time things go too far. When the cops arrive, McMurdock claims his stepson knocked him unconscious with a baseball bat, killed his mother, and fled to places unknown. Detective Daniel Loomis investigates the domestic incident, but McMurdock's story seems off kilter.At about the same time, Alaska native Jesse Arnold accepts a job to transport a Winnebago home from Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. With her home destroyed by an arsonist, Jesse feels the trip will help her rebound. She takes her lead dog Tank with her for companionship. On the way back, Jesse picks up a hitchhiking Patrick, not realizing that danger follows him North to Alaska.DEAD NORTH is an action-packed thriller that shows why award winning Sue Henry knows DEAD NORTH with her Alaska mysteries. The story line is exhilarating as the wilderness serves as a safe zone and a potential killing field from an enraged predator. Fans of the Alaskan mystery will take pleasure in this wonderful tale even as they cheer that McMurdock finally receive his comeuppance.Harriet Klausner