The Mysterious North [Paperback]

Various (Author), Dana Stabenow (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

A brand-new anthology of all-original Alaskan mystery tales. Also includes stories by € Kate Grilley € Michael Armstrong € Donna Andrews € Mike Doogan € Brad Reynolds € Kim Rich € James Sarafin

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This eclectic collection of mysteries, penned by an equally diverse array of authors, takes readers on a richly atmospheric journey through Alaska. Donna Andrews ("An Unkindness of Ravens") launches the anthology with the haunting story of a woman who devises an unusual way of getting even with a philandering husband, and John Straley wraps it up with "Finding Lou," a poignant poem narrated by a jaded detective. Everything in between is a genre grab bag. Anne Perry's "Rearrangements," about three sisters who struggle through an earthquake, is more an affirmation of sisterly love than a mystery. Likewise, "The Twin" by Brad Reynolds is a slight, supernatural tale of a Yupig mask said to protect its ancestors. Theft plays a role in both "Losing Streak," Sue Henry's amusing parable of a bungling burglar, and Dana Stabenow's evocative "Cheechako," in which a group of travelers trek across the Chilkoot Pass during the Klondike gold rush era. Unlike most mysteries, however, these stories revolve around the clime, the characters and their hardships instead of whodunit. Polished works by Michael Armstrong, S.J. Rozan, Mike Doogan, Kate Grilley, Kim Rich and James Sarafin round out the collection, but readers new to the mystery scene will likely appreciate these snippets of Alaskan life more than hardcore fans.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Signet (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451207424
• ISBN-13: 978-0451207425
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,316,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > Anthologies

More About the Author

Dana Stabenow was born in Anchorage and raised on 75-foot fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska.  She knew there was a warmer, drier job out there somewhere and found it in writing. 

Her first science fiction novel, Second Star, sank without a trace (but has since been resurrected as an e-book), her first crime fiction novel, A Cold Day for Murder, won an Edgar award, her first thriller, Blindfold Game, hit the New York Times bestseller list, and her twenty-eighth novel and nineteenth Kate Shugak novel, Restless in the Grave, comes out February 14, 2012.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Sample, June 29, 2009

By 

R. R. Benson Mgmt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Mysterious North (Paperback)

Great sample of several writers, some that I have read and a number that I have not. An enjoyable look at Alaska at serveal different times.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Or you could re-read Call of the Wild, May 31, 2003

By 

TundraVision (o/~ from the Land of Sky Blue Waters o/~) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Mysterious North (Paperback)

Anthologies are, by their nature, often uneven - and this one bears (Polar, Kodiak etc.) that out. Dana Stabenow (author of the Kate Shugak & Liam Campbell Alaskan Mystery Series) gathered a bunch of writers for a Left Coast Crime Convention in February, 2001 from whence sprang this only-in-paperback-and-understandably-so book.

What was the generally environmentally conscious Stabenow thinking? Unlike Mary Higgins Clark presents The Plot Thickens, proceeds from which fight illiteracy in America, there is no explanation for this book. Some of these stories are pretty good: those from Sue Henry, Fr. Brad Reynolds, James Sarafin and, of course, Stabenow herself. Most of the rest are a pity to the poor trees sacrificed to print them. At best, it is "flight fodder" for a long plane trip. Reviewed by TundraVision.