Murder On The Iditarod Trail [Turtleback]

Sue Henry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1993

The Iditarod, Alaska's famous dogsled race, brings thousands of competitors to Anchorage each year. During the two weeks it takes to complete the race, participants battle frostbite and overpowering fatigue. It's an arduous sport, but not a deadly one - until now. Someone is systematically killing the top competitors. And as the "mushers" thread their way along the trail, Sergeant Alex Jensen races to find the murderer. This is also the first year Jessie Arnold has a shot at winning. But as her position in the race improves, so do her chances of being the killer's next target.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this enthralling debut mystery, someone is killing the dogsled racers competing in Alaska's internationally famous Iditarod race.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

YA-- Contending with the elements in running the grueling Iditarod from Anchorage to Nome is difficult enough, but when three sledders are killed, the two-week race truly becomes a survival test. The cruel beauty of snow, ice, and mountains is breathtakingly captured and adds to the adventure and excitement of Henry's story. A little romance between a Canadian Mountie and one of the mushers produces an irresistible tale. Consider booktalking this with Gary Paulsen's Dogsong (Bradbury, 1985).
- Pam Spencer, Thomas Jefferson Sci-Tech, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Turtleback
• Publisher: Demco Media (September 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606314180
• ISBN-13: 978-0606314183
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taut murder mystery + dangers of the Iditarod trail = A riveting read!, September 23, 2005

By 

Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murder on the Iditarod Trail (Alaska Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Iditarod, sometimes called "The Last Great Race," takes mushers, (dog sled racers), and their dog teams over 1150 miles of some of Alaska's roughest, most majestic terrain - jagged mountain ranges, iced-over areas of Norton Sound, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coastline. The temperatures frequently fall well below zero, with winds that can cause complete loss of visibility. Hazards of overflow, long hours of darkness and treacherous climbs and side hills are always present. From Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast, each team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover over 1150 miles in 10 to 17 days. The winner takes home a $250,000 purse. But one has to be alive to collect it. This year's race has a major impediment to arriving at the finish line in one piece. It seems as if one of the contestants is eliminating the competition by cruel, unusual and permanent means.

Top Iditarod mushers are dying on the trail in the most gruesome and bizarre ways. Three deaths have occurred before the halfway mark is reached in a race that has never claimed a life in its entire history. Jessie Arnold, the top female contender, is determined to win and not allow the terrible deaths/murders of her friends and colleagues to deter or distract her from her goal.

State Trooper Alex Jensen, a gifted investigator, as well as a handsome bachelor, meets the attractive Jessie during the race and the two are immediately drawn to each other. Already committed to finding the killer before he/she can do any more harm, Jensen is especially anxious for Jessie, as she is now favored to win, and has thus become a bigger threat to the murderer. As more victims fall prey to mysterious injuries, Jensen realizes that the killer is after more than money and prestige.

Although Sue Henry's "Murder on the Iditarod Trail" is filled with suspense, I must admit to being more thrilled/awed/terrified with the description of the race, the weather and its dangers, which seem much more difficult to evade than the threatened actions of a vicious, determined murderer. This excellent mystery really gives one an understanding of what a tough foe Mother Nature can be. The author wisely couples the disturbing details surrounding the murders with the dangers of the climate and the trail to build tension and rivet the reader to the page.

The Iditarod is not just a dog sled race. It is a race in which unique men and woman, from all walks of life, compete. Man and animal are pitted against nature, and as each mile is covered, a tribute is paid to Alaska's past. The Iditarod Trail, now a National Historic Trail, had its beginnings as a mail and supply route from the coastal towns of Seward and Knik to the interior mining camps at Flat, Ophir, Ruby and beyond to the west coast communities of Unalakleet, Elim, Golovin, White Mountain and Nome. Mail and supplies went in. Gold came out. All via dog sled. Heroes were made back then, and legends were born.

A fascinating and compelling read!

JANA

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll think you're an Iditarod musher, May 26, 2000

By 

R. K. Smith (Texas Hill Country, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murder on the Iditarod Trail (Alaska Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

I snatched it off the shelf the moment I saw "Iditarod." Sure enough, Sue Henry not only gives us a smashing murder mystery to solve, but the history of the Iditarod race itself. Her writing propels you into the story. You will freeze with the racers, feel their exhaustion, worry over the dogs, and oh, yes, wonder just who done it. Her character development makes for such believable people that one can think, "I know this guy/gal." Not at all surprising that she won the Macavity and Anthony awards with her first book. This is definitely a keeper.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Racing for the non racer, January 6, 2000

By 

Tanya L. Schaub "TSchlaack" (Livermore, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder on the Iditarod Trail (Alaska Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Sue Henry makes the details of the Iditarod Race facinating to even those who do not closely follow the sport. I like the way the book is set up with each day's weather and where on the trail they are so you can follow the map in the front of the book. This is my third Sue Henry book (thought his is the first in the series) and I am hooked on her writing! I am amazed that while snuggled up in bed I can feel the cold and wind of the trail as she describes what is going on. I also enjoy seeing a strong female character (Jessie) that is out to do thing her way and not what someone else thinks she should. I highly recommend this book to all!