Customer Reviews

Dead In The Water

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My husband and I are both big fans of the Kate Chugak series. We both came away disappointed with this installment. The problem is pretty basic. In the other books in this series, the mystery is the core of the book and the setting is the frosting on the cake. The mix is seriously reversed in this book, which is fine if you really want to learn about the Aluetian Islands. It's not so hot if you want a page turning mystery.

Bottom line -- if you really like reading your mysteries in order, this is worth reading since the horrors of the crab boat are referred to often in later books. Otherwise, don't go out of your way to find this book.

I wasn't sure I'd enjoy a mystery set aboard a fishing vessel in cold Alaskan waters--I just knew Kate would be drowned (shiver)--but I started anyway because I like the series about Aleut detective Kate Shugak. Very glad I did, this story has everything. Atmosphere (not just fog but Alaskan "characters"), terror, mean people, romance, Aleut customs. True, there's not much mystery about whodunnit, but there's lots of suspense about how Kate will ever prove it. Although Shugak has definite native Alaskan and envrionmentalist tendencies, nature description is not Stabenow's strong point nor goal. A good light read with a touch of social consciousness to it.

To read the Kate Shugak series is to immerse oneself, with great pleasure, into Alaskan lore, from native folktales to the modern hearty souls who populate its great expanses. "Dead in the Water," the third in the series, is the best so far as it melds Aleutian folklore (Kate, as readers know, is a native Aleut) with a modern-day mystery.

Working as an undercover agent to investigate the presumed murder of two young crewmen on an Alaskan crabbing vessel, Kate hires on as a crew member. The work is dangerous, grueling, back-breaking, and tough beyond measure as the crew battles high seas, horrible weather, ice storms, and even treachery from other fishing boats out to grab the same lucrative catch. Kate is no shrinking violet, and she can outdo anyone on board, given half a chance. But this is no ordinary ship. And its captain is either the most incompetent sailing man on the Bering or any other sea, or--as Kate suspects and must prove--up to no good in a very major way.

Putting herself in considerable danger, both from the job itself and from those who have a murderous secret to hide, Kate methodically sets out to find out who murdered the former crew members--and why.

The only thing missing from this wonderful tale is Kate's faithful half-wolf dog, Mutt, who I missed very much. Mutt is back on the Alaskan mainland, where Kate very much wants to be as well...and where the reader hopes she will return in one piece. A great yarn, a wonderful read. It leaves the reader impatient to read the next in the series!

Kate Shugak is a former Anchorage investigator who has recently moved to Denali National Park and begun working on freelance investigations. In "Dead in the Water", Kate finds herself going undercover to work as a deckhand on the crabbing ship "Avelda". Kate is supposed to be gathering background information on the ship's captain Harry Gault, in order to solve the disappearance of two other crew members the previous March.

As other reviewers indicate, the mystery is quite thinly plotted. However, I absolutely loved the description of the hard work and danger on the crabbing ship, and the wonderful story line of Kate meeting the young Aleutian girl who showed Kate the art of storyknifing. This is a craft where a storyteller tells a story and illustrates the tale with pictures drawn in the sand with an ivory knife.

I liked the Alaskan setting enough to definitely read more books in this series. If you're interested in immersing yourself in a book set in Alaska, read "Dead in the Water" for that. Just don't read it for the mystery.

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I have the other books in this series. The action scenes were very good, but the plot was a little thin. I missed reading about Mutt, the homestead, and the folks back home. Still, a pretty good read.

This is a story for those who read for setting and character, not for those who prefer action and puzzle solving. I really liked the introduction to the world of crabbing in the Aleutians and the glimpses Stabenow gives us into indigenous culture, and into area history, are a real plus. This would earn the book five stars from me. The main characters are well drawn, particularly Kate Shugak and Andy Pence. Many of the supporting characters are equally well developed, and this would earn at least four stars. However, the plot failed to hold my attention and seemed to drag in places, and would earn only three stars, at best.

Even so, having read this Shugak mystery, I am interested in reading other books in the series. I rate this with a solid four stars.

Number 3 in the Kate Shugak mystery series, this book is set in the Aleutian Islands. I enjoyed the plot and felt immersed in the diffucult and dangerous life on a fishing boat. I greatly enjoyed the interaction between Kate and the elder, Olga.

Dana Stabenow again sparked my curiousity about Alaskan history, leading me to research and learn more about the Aleutian Islands and the battles that took place there in WWII. It's wonderful that she included a reference to a good historical writer on the subject.

Kate Shugak takes an undercover job on a fishing boat off the Aleutian Islands. The islands were the home of her ancestors until WWII. It is difficult enough to stay alive on the ice covered decks of the old boat, but when King Crab are not the main cargo it becomes deadly dangerous. Especially as Kate feels protective of her "greenie bunkmate."
The sea and the elements become characters in this fast paced mystery, which contains well constructed allusions to the heritage of the rugged Aleut people who once populated the islands.
DEAD IN THE WATER is not the standard detective thriller, but it will keep you turning the pages.
Nash Black, author whose books are also available in Kindle editions.
Writing as a Small BusinessHaints

Top-notch author and another winning story. Alaska is featured and described with accuracy and affection. Just one of the many stories in this land of mystery and challenges.

Shugak is "Wonder Woman" for sure. Best Shugak mystery to date. Looking forward to see what Dana will do to top this one!