Customer Reviews

Restless in the Grave (Kate Shugak Novels)

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Restless in the Grave by Dana Stabenow (Sep 25, 2012)

This is the newest and most unusual of all of Ms Stabenow's books. Dana writes 2 separate series set in Alaska. One is about state trooper Liam Campbell and the other is about private investigator Kate Shugak. Restless in the Grave combines the 2 main characters from both series and turns it into one action and mystery filled, un-put-downable book.

Some readers who have never read any of Ms Stabenow's works may wonder if they can read this as a stand-alone book. While I believe these two series to be the best things since sliced bread and I whole-heartedly suggest you DO read them from book one...but with this particular book, there really is no need. You can dive right in because this is just a little different than her usual books. It does revolve around Kate so you might feel you need the full background but Ms
Stabenow's writing is so complex in this novel and the past experiences of Kate really takes a back-seat to the action and adventure you will find in this book. Once you've read this one you may feel compelled to read them all. I hope you do.

This book takes place in Liam's back-yard, where his wife has a shadow of suspicion thrown on her over the recent death of Finn Grant---who is a totally loathsome creature. Liam asks Kate to come and investigate the death of Finn and to put to rest once and for all whether or not it was pilot error or murder.

Kate starts working undercover and during the course of her investigation, gets locked in a chest freezer with her half wolf Mutt, (among other places she is locked into, meets a super hunky male movie star who may have the hots for Kate and find a plot sending American arms meant for our army into the hands of the enemy.

This book does tragically end the life of a much-loved character and that is not unusual for Ms Stabenow. Throughout this long running series fans have had to come to terms with the death both natural and un-natural of many beloved characters. Ms Stabenow does work her magic and never leaves you feeling bereft for too long.

This book is filled with the usual red-herring, humor and sharp wit that we've come to depend on. It has a very large cast of complex characters and leaves us with what appears to be the plot for her next book.
This is an exceptional installment into an exceptional series, or should I say 2 series? I really loved the blending of the two and I hope that Dana will do it again in the future.

Alaskan billionaire Finn Grant dies when his Piper crashes. Someone sabotaged the plane's engine, but the question is not who had the motive, but who did not have the motive as just about everyone in the western part of the state loathed Finn.

In Niniltna, Alaskan State Trooper Sergeant Liam Campbell asks his former teacher Sergeant Jim Chopin for help in the investigation of the murder of Grant since he cannot because he believes the prime suspect is his wife bush pilot Wyanet Chouinard. Jim introduces Liam to his beloved private investigator Kate Shugak. After Jim explains the situation, Kate agrees to go undercover at Bill's Bar and Grill to learn more about the victim's business practices. She soon learns Grant, hated by his own family, blackmailed anyone and embezzled from everyone as he committed fraud and other felonious activity. As Kate and her sidekick Mutt work the case she wonders what freight the deceased shipped since he bought the abandoned air force base as the headquarters of his myriad of businesses.

The first meeting between Shugak (see Though Not Dead) and Alaska state trooper Liam Campbell (see Better to Rest) is an entertaining Alaskan investigative thriller. The story line is fast-paced from the moment the two Dana Stabenow's prime series stars meet and never slows down as Kate, the lead protagonist in Restless In The grave, goes from one ice box to another.

Harriet Klausner