Customer Reviews

Dead Stick (New Alaskan Murder Mystery)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I loved this book. Its set in my own neighborhood and she did a good job or representing the way life really is here. Of all the Alaskan sleuths I've read this one is the most realistic in the small details. At least she is more like the women in my neighborhood and I think more representative of the kind real Alaska women I know. I liked that her romantic relationsip is a cooperative partnership rather than the cliched love/hate thing.

I really hate flying especially in smaller planes and especially in Alaska but the story of this medevac pilot had me totally engrossed. And the writer treated me fairly, putting the clues out there for me and giving me a fair chance at finding them and provided enough red herrings alternative suspects and motives to make it a challenge.

The story included the standard first novel motives (one of which is so cliched its my pet peeve) but it was written with a unique perspective. I've read books with similar plots, and a similar final scene, but never written this well. It was a nailbiter with a suprisingly creative ending.

As soon as I finished it, I bought her second one and I hope she writes a hundred more.

Megan Mallory Rust weaves a colorful portrait of Alaska and displays a keen knowledge of the flying she clearly loves. However, as a mystery writer, she is a disappointment to this die-hard mystery buff. To give her main character something to investigate, she made the rest of her characters unbelievably stupid--I know more from simply reading books than her investigators know about crime scenes! The criminal is obvious almost from the very beginning, and the motive for the crime was quite literally spelled out. Sadly, the only tension she manages to create is within the reader, who wonders when the heroine will finally unravel the obvious.

However, as much as I didn't care for the mystery elements of this story, Rust still manages to convey a good sense of modern Alaska and the thrill of flying. I'll certainly read her next book to see if she's improved her plots.

As with all novels being published today, this one could have used a good editor; I am forced to wonder what the publishers are using for their hiring criteria -- a willingness to work cheap, knowledge of basic English not a requirement?

This story has eyecatching elements: female pilot, medevac outfit, Alaskan setting. And the plot has potential. Rust has provided Taylor with excellent reasons--such as the threat to her public reputation (as the person who checked out Erica--the killed pilot--and approved her for flight), coupled with a personal anxiety that she had screwed up the check flight and sent five people to their deaths.

Which would be terrific if Rust capitalized on these strengths, but once these motivations are introduced, they are never reinforced and instead we get a story about an amateur sleuth bumbling around for the heck of it.

There are glimmers throughout the book that whisper "This person can write!" Notably, a lone descriptive passage about a drive through Alaskan countryside, and a pretty good final climactic scene. Also an occasional glimpse of insight from the main character, usually in throwaway lines that frustrate the hopeful reader. Unfortunately, the dialog is terribly weak and drags down the entire novel, as do the plethora of cliches.

The aviation details (and the sexist environment) felt authentic to this private pilot. But specific details about Anchorage and Alaska are almost non-existent, as are details about the medevac routine, all of which could have added authenticity to the story.

As to the mystery, well...its there, but you can barely get a glimpse it with all the holes. Once again, it could have been a great plot if played well. Extremely frustrating!

But the author isn't solely to blame. Where the heck was the editor?? AWOL, apparently. This book was obviously published for its marketing potential rather than the quality of the product. I for one am getting really tired this practice. (No, I am not a rejected author.)

This book disappointed me in several ways. First because in too many places, I found the writing to be awkward and somewhat amateurish. Clues were dropped with clangs that reverberated with the same resonance as a concrete block dropped into a galvanized washtub. Taylor Morgan, the protaganist of the book, blunders through her investigation, and solves the mystery herself only because the investigating officers, both State Troopers and NTSB investigators, are depicted as boorish, thick-headed sexists incapable of recognizing a smoking gun when it's pointed at them.

Another new Alaskan writer who has a strong female character. I liked the way the author would mention things in passing like the character noticed something a little different but wasn't sure what. This is so similar to life. There were enough clues to figure out "who" done it and why as things went along. There was enough of the story though, that you didn't see it right at first as with some books. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series!

While the protagonist could benefit from further development (which I assume will occur in the following books of the series), she is both interesting and appealing. The author's own expertise in the Alaskan piloting business comes through loud and clear in the deft way the "hardware" side of the story is handled. The locale is treated exceptionally well -- "Dead Stick" is the only book that has ever made me want to visit Alaska (the only novel who has done that to me previously is Tony Hillerman with the American southwest). Nancy Nelson

Very disappointing. If character development is important to you, avoid this author.

This book is great! It is a very exciting book. I am 11 years old and I loved it, my mom did too. I found it very interesting because they go through all the possible scenerios. I would recommend it to any mystery lover. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Truly horrible. I was so looking forward to the Alaskan setting, and storytelling. I was sorely disappointed in both aspects. It was not strong in setting: an airport, a mountain, a cabin on a slope outside of town. It was Alaskan in name only, certainly little flavor of it resided between the covers of this book. As to the alleged *storytelling* I can't remember when I have seen writing as poor as this. The extremely stereotypical characters spent more time talking than doing anything. The stereotypical characters were built by cliche lacking all complexity. It was all too predictable. The writing is overly expository with adolescent overtones. I could not believe a book this poorly written would actually be published.

I couldn't put the book down! Masterful word descriptions of locales and situations kept me engrossed in Taylor's suspenseful adventure... right to the end! A wonderful work...a "must read" for anyone...whether or not they are into aviation or familiar with the 49th State. Congratulations, Megan!! I'm anxious to experience your next mystery adventure!!