ISBN: 0736646949 Order from: Books on Tape
A tense, atmospheric mystery rich in maritime and Alaska details, with an engaging protagonist and simple plot.
Reviewed by David on April 28, 2002
Genre: Mystery (Private Investigator, Alaska)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of Dead in the Water. Kate Shugak, once of Anchorage D.A. is now a private investigator. Engaged to find out the fate of two missing fihsermen, Kate hires onto an Alaskan fishing boat. Surrounded by potential criminals, and deadly, if sometimes beautiful sea, Kate does her best to survive and find the truth.
Full Review: Kate is a very engaging protagonist. Tough, and with a sense of humor, she survives insults and villains—but not without cost. Her Aleut heritage, partly lost, but dearly treasured, make her appreciate the Native American aspects of this tough but beautiful life, and a major subplot in the novel is Kate's growing pleasure in exploration of her land.
The mystery itself is not intricate in this simple and tense book, but finding out the details—and the proof—of the crimes while surviving the elements as well as malice provide plenty of material for this enjoyable mystery.
Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 5;
Copyright date 1993, Books on Tape, 1999, Audio cassette, 4 cassettes
ISBN: 0736646949 Order from: Books on Tape