Customer Reviews

Hunter's Moon (Kate Shugak Mystery)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Thanks to a number of reviewers who took it upon themselves to reveal the last 50 pages of this book in spoiler upon spoiler, I already knew that a great tragedy was to come upon Kate Shugak somewhere along in Hunter's Moon.

But even knowing that, I was totally unprepared for the grief that overtook me as a reader; the sobs that tore me apart. For those of us who have followed Kate from the very first book, this story is almost unbearable in its suspense, its heart-pounding intensity, and its gut-wrenching ending. It brings the series to a whole new level, and if I never read another one in the series, I will always remember this book.

The story starts out simply enough: Kate and her lover Jack Morgan, along with Kate's trusty half-wolf, half-husky Mutt, join feisty Old Sam and others as hired guides to a party of largely tenderfoot hunters. They've done work like this before, and they know all the pitfalls of such an escorted hunting trip, but this group of paid participants is more obnoxious than the average amateur: The entire group is from a multinational computer software company headquartered in Germany, and each of the teutonic wilderness wannabees is more obnoxious than the next. Before the first shot moose is cold, there has been an accidental shooting of a human being. And that's only the beginning. It becomes clear in very short order that a mass murderer has signed along for the trip, and that nobody is safe.

As Kate and Jack rely on their wits and their wildnerness savvy to figure out who is doing the killing, the reader is increasingly afraid for their very existence.

This is an amazingly powerful book. I'm glad I read it, but I'm still crying as I write this review. Whew!

If you don't know the series don't start with this book! If you like the series you'll like this book, if you have any empathy for Kate Shugak it'll break your heart; slow starting with the appearance of a series "filler" book the last half is top notch with a very emotional ending that will give you a changed view of the series heroine.

I'm having a hard time with this one. After reading almost all the other Kate Shugak novels and enjoying this "Renaissance Woman", this one seemed pointless. A first-time reader would have a hard time figuring out what's going on, as there is no character development, and too many assumptions that her previous novels had been read. Kate's character has been complicated, trying to resolve her Native American heritage,her huge Native family, and "Bush" lifestyle with modern life that others take for granted. There was none of that is this book. Beautiful descriptions of Alaskan wilderness notwithstanding, I was left with a disquiet of pointless killing, and an ending that didn't satisfy.

I'm writing this review because of all the people who have said they will stop reading the series because of this book.
If you have read the other reviews, you know that a Very Bad Thing happens in this book -- many of the reviews have said exactly what that Very Bad Thing is.
I had a similar reaction. But I already had the next book in hand, and wanted -- needed -- to see what happened after. So I read it, and the next one, and the one after that, and the one after _that_ (and I'll be reading the most recently released as soon as I get my hands on it).
They are worth reading, just as much as the ones before. Yes, a Very Bad Thing happens in this book. Senseless, unforeseen, and devastating. But such things happen in real life too. And people go on, much as this series goes on.
So if you liked the series up to this point, read Hunter's Moon, react, and then keep reading the series. I don't think you'll regret it.

A powerful book! Although dark and sinister compared to her other books, it's believable and frightening. The ending is extremely emotional and powerful and not for the faint of heart or the romance novel lovers. I can't wait for the follow-up to see what direction Kate takes.

This is a powerful and moving book about Kate and the ones she loves. To get the full impact of this latest book, though, a reader should read the previous books in this Alaskan series. I give the author credit for having the courage to "challenge" the reader and Kate to survive the surprising ending. Afterall, if we live long enough, we will all have unbelieveable joy and tragedy in our lives...it is what either defines us or "kills" us. Personally, I cannot wait for the next in this series to see how Kate "moves on" with her life!

I really enjoy the character of Kate Shugak, and this book, as are the others, is very well-written. The only problem I had with the story line, was that strong heroes and heroines never seem to be able to hang on to their partners. Just once,it would be nice to have a strong heroine who was able to have a real, meaningful relationship. I have to admit the ending is a gut-wrentcher, and I had a very cathartic cry, but I can't say I'm real happy with the direction the author chose to go. It's just a little too cliched.

What begins as a hunt for Kate and a group of German Executives ends in death. Kate agrees to guide a moose/beer hunt in the Alaska Bush for her friend George. The guides include Jack Morgan, Dimitri, Old Sam and George. They will be responsible for taking a CEO of a German software company and his top executives into the Bush for a real Alaskan Adventure. Tension builds immidiately between Kate and the CEO. The hunt begins to fall apart when one of the members is accidently shot. Shortly after more murders take place and a consipiracy is uncovered.

The plot was action packed and is a real "tape turner." Kate is spunky and displays a great wit. The book has some laugh out loud part - the joke about the bear in the woods is answered in full color. Though there are some fun parts, they are short lived - kleenex are a must! Kate proves to be a character with a conscious even when the world deals her tragedy.

The tape was well read and I couldn't wait to get in my car to hear what happened next!

I love kate and mutt books. This book is good but missed the friends and family I have come to expect and care about. I am in denial about the hard ending and can only look forward to book 10 to unfold the new direction Kate will take.The exerpt, found on dana's website is reassuring, and tantalizing. I wait on tenterhooks.

The latest Alaska tale of Stabenow lives up to all I expect of this talented writer. The buildup to the crushing ending is powerful--and I read it again to understand. Having read all the earlier novels, I expected a "happy ending." Characters from her other novels (George Perry, for one, with his plane)contributed to the anticipated comfortable "read." The tragic ending left me stunned--and looking forward to the next novel. From the other reviews, it appears I am not the only reader who accepted Kate as a real person! Quite an accomplishment for Ms Stabenow!