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Title: A Cold Day for Murder
Author: Dana Stabenow
Series: Kate Shugak
Series Number: 1
Genre: Mystery
Audience: Adult
My Review:
I usually read a couple of books set in whatever state my husband and I are currently in. I’m really enjoying books set in Alaska so I’ve read more than usual. Add this one to the list. It was a solid, quick mystery that left me guessing. Something about the syntax of the writing did leave me re-reading sentences a few times here and there for clarity though.
I like Kate, the main character, a lot and I like that she’s an Alaskan Native but I wasn’t completely comfortable with the fact that every Native character other than her was an unemployed, alcoholic poacher. Kate does say that her people are more than that stereotype but I just felt there could have been better representation. Show me, don’t tell me, right? This was published in 1992 though, so hopefully the series (at 22 books and counting) better addresses the issue as it goes along.
I’ll continue with the series when I can find them in libraries.
Synopsis from GoodReads:
It’s December in the Park, and a ranger is missing. It’s no great loss to the rest of the Park rats, they figure he’s stumbled into a snowbank and will re-emerge come breakup, just in time for the ground to thaw and them to bury him. But when the man sent to look for him also disappears, Kate Shugak, ex-investigator for the Anchorage D.A. and Park homesteader, is sent in search of them both.
Similar Books:
If you liked A Cold Day for Murder you might also like my reviews of
- The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney
- Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, translated by Reg Keeland
Reading Challenge:
Purchase:
Buy A Cold Day for Murder from Malaprop’s Bookstore in beautiful Asheville, NC
3 Comments
This sounds like a solid start to a series! I think it’s so cool that you’re seeking out books set in the different areas where you’re living, that’s a really good way to broaden your reading. 🙂
Hmmm – sounds interesting. I think it’s a great idea to read a book about all the settings you are currently in! That will provide some fun, diverse reading.
Hope you had a good week Jen!
Elza Reads
I love this series. As it goes along she moves back to the park and almost every character is native. I am up to date on this one. Also enjoyed Sue Henry’s series with all the dogsled references. In fact, I did a series on Saturday on different series set in alaska. Some mystery and some romance.