So Sure of Death

This author does presents interesting characters in her books, and writes convincingly of Alaska. I find her works entertaining. Barbara in Oregon

The second addition to Dana Stabenow's Liam Campbell series is SO SURE OF DEATH. Liam is living on a sinking boat and is almost underwater with troubles. Wy Chouinard is not falling into his arms now that his injured wife has died and he is free. His father, Colonel Charles Campbell, USAF arrives in Alaska saying he is still stationed in Florida, while the base there says otherwise. Diana Prince is the new trooper on his beat and she is a pilot. A scuttled fishing boat is pulled into the harbor with seven burned bodies, which have been shot before the boat was set on fire. Wy discovers the body of a young researcher on an archaeological dig. Liam has trouble keeping his uniform clean and his mind on business. A great Stabenow read and I haven't told the entire story. Nash Black, author of Indie finalists WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and HAINTS.

Another book to keep you entranced in trying to figure out the ending.

I've read the Shugak mysteries, and think I like them a little better than this group. Stabenow is a good writer, not a great one. The plot is interesting but confusing, especially with two separate murders to solve. What Stabenow is good at is characterization. She does a wonderful job of making the people in the book tangible and real. Since I have Deaf friends in Alaska and family, I am well aware of the hardships of the fishing life up there. The regular trips they make out in storms and big seas make "The Perfect Storm" look minor. This is part of their everyday life, and I admire anyone who has the stamina for it. The people...well, they are odd. Not all of them, but enough to convince me that Alaska may be a nice place to visit, but you don't want to live there. Besides the winter darkness would drive me bonkers! Stabenow is also good at explaining the history of the state and its native people, and I thoroughly enjoy that in a mystery. Liam and Wy could use a little more rounding out...maybe I need to go back and read the first one. Some authors have a more difficult time then others writing from the viewpoint of the opposite sex. This may be the problem here since she is not merely writing from the woman's viewpoint as with the Shugalak mysteries. The cracks about the looney and moody scientist (archeologist) and his protecting his discoveries to support his theory are right on target. I've read and met enough of these guys to realize too many of them will go to any lengths to protect their theories, even if they are wrong (which is distinctly unscientific!) Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh

Consuming mysteries by the hundred weight, I have off and on read or listened to the Kate Shugak series written by Ms. Stabenow. Fire and Ice -the first of the Liam Campbell series - began with an Alaskan State Trooper(Liam Campbel) who easily could be labeled Moe or Curly. Of course, the rest of the population of his new outpost could qualify for the State Home for the Bewildered. Except Wy- a class A heroine pilot. Then by legerdemain Ms Stabenow puts the mystery and the love interest together. Shazamm! In this 2nd book, Liam and Wy get tighter together in the midst of 7 to 9 murders. Love, sex, mayhem,mystery, Alaska, and a Raven - what more could one want? October when the 3rd Campbell book gets published.