Rating: 
Summary: great mystery
Review: Now that the Republicans are back in the White House, there is an intense interest in exploring the Alaskan wilderness for oil reserves. The natives of the state are torn between the need for new jobs and preserving the beauty of their untamed land. Chief park ranger Dan O'Brien is on the record for wanting to preserve the environment and as a result was asked by his superiors to take an early retirement. Kate Shugak, a homesteader in the Park, is rallying the people to save Dan's job. When two elderly radical conservationists that Kate spoke to about the problem are found dead, Alaska state trooper Jim Chopin arrests a Vietnam vet, covered in blood and holding the murder weapon. Although it looks like an open and shut case, both Kate and Jim find that things seem too pat and decide to investigate, a decision that puts Kate in deadly danger. Although A FINE AND BITTER SNOW is a great mystery, the author puts more emphasis on the strange but very real courtship of Kate and Jim. Kate's efforts to avoid Jim and his honest bewilderment about his feelings for the prickly investigator make for some funny episodes. As always, Dana Stabenow brings the beauty and the danger of the Alaskan frontier alive, but also provides insight into the oil rigging environmental controversy This exciting novel will leave readers excited yet bushed from a wonderful reading experience. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: A Not-so Fine and Bitter Snow
Review: Since discovering Dana Stabenow's books last year after a trip to Alaska, I looked anxiously for her latest novel to learn where Kate's next journey in life would take her and what intriguing murder would be exposed along the way. I believe now I would have been better off rereading one of her previous titles As another reviewer noted, this book seemed written under pressure. I had to force myself to read 1 or 2 chapters each night. That, in itself tells it all, since I am one to pick up a book and read it all the way through in one sitting. The writing felt as if this was the first book in the whole series, with too much space given over to character descriptions and previous events rather than focusing on a new adventure and some measurable action. I never once became engulfed into this storyline. A true disappointment and hopefully not a cause for concern for the next book in the series. Dana's previous books were just too inviting, thus this must be a one time sway off course.
Rating: 
Summary: Quick and Snappy
Review: This eleventh entry in the wonderful Kate Shugak series is very quick, almost an interlude during which the author moves along the plot from the last book to the next book...and that's just fine with me!
At least half of the book is given over to Kate's state of mind, important to regulars like me who know the terrible loss she has sustained and the long healing process she is undergoing (I won't do a spoiler here and say more than that!). We also catch up on all our "Park rats," the regulars who populate each of the novels, and I found that catchup process completely enjoyable.
The second half of this short book is devoted to a shocking and heartbreaking murder of one of our favorites; Kate and Chopper Jim's efforts to solve the murder--and--to Kate's fear and wrath, her growing interest in Jim. I am very anxious to get to the next book to see what will happen!
Fun, fast, and quintessential Stabenow.
Rating:
Summary: A Fine and Bitter snow
Review: This is Kate at her very best - Stabenow has a way of grabbing you at the beginning and never letting go. Her characters are believable and keep to their boundaries. One of the reasons, stabenow's books appeal to both my husband and me is that she knows when to end a story. The plots are tight, gripping and when it's over - it's over - Unlike Tom Clancy or Patterson who would have good story lines if they ended their books 3/4 of the way through! This is action packed,holds your attention and serendipitously, you learn something about the real Alaska - stripped of the Romantic notion.
Rating:
Summary: A Fine and Bitter snow
Review: This is Kate at her very best - Stabenow has a way of grabbing you at the beginning and never letting go. Her characters are believable and keep to their boundaries. One of the reasons, stabenow's books appeal to both my husband and me is that she knows when to end a story. The plots are tight, gripping and when it's over - it's over - Unlike Tom Clancy or Patterson who would have good story lines if they ended their books 3/4 of the way through! This is action packed,holds your attention and serendipitously, you learn something about the real Alaska - stripped of the Romantic notion.
Rating: 
Summary: A Transition in the Series
Review: This is the 12th in the Kate Shugak series of mysteries set in Alaska. In this outing, Kate is back in the Park, winter is upon them, and she is beginning to emerge from her self-imposed cocoon. When two of the park's long-time residents are killed, she teams up with state trooper Jim Chopin to find the killer I've been a big fan of Dana Stabenow since her first Kate Shugak mystery, A Cold Day for Murder. This is not one of her best. There's too much description and not enough action. There's not much plot - what there is takes place in the last 60 pages of the book. It's more of a series transition - moving Kate from mourning Jack to a new relationship. It is as if the author had to meet a deadline for a book and this was the result. Stabenow's heart didn't seem to be in this book. I'm hoping that this really is a transition, and not the beginning of the end. I hope Stabenow will be back in form in the next Kate Shugak book.
Rating:
Summary: Good feel of Alaska bush
Review: When bureaucrats try to force park ranger Dan O'Brian into early retirement, Kate Shugak springs into action, chatting up the locals with political influence to save Dan's job. It doesn't help, though, when Dan is found crouched over a recently murdered body. Kate is certain that Dan is innocent, but she isn't convinced that the crazy Viet Nam vet turned up as an alternate suspect was the killer either. Still, what possible motive could anyone have for killing an aging World War II WASP? Kate insists on looking--alongside too-sexy cop Jim Chopin. Since the death of her lover, Kate has been trying to get her personal life under control. She isn't sure of much, but she is certain that she doesn't want to be the next notch on Jim's belt. Still, Jim seems anxious to allow Kate to tag along as he investigates increasingly unlikely suspects. Kate is sure they haven't found the killer--but she's also certain that everyone has secrets. And, as Jim points out, no secrets can survive a murder investigation. Author Dana Stabenow writes convincingly of the Alaska wilds--where 'up the road' means a 70 mile haul and where the only way to stay in touch is by plane. When the close-knit community is shattered by murder, the residents want to pull together and are all to anxious to deny the possibility that the murder might be one of them. Kate's angst over her lost lover adds emotional depth to her character as does her long history with the victim. A FINE AND BITTER SNOW is enjoyable reading, but has a few holes. I would have liked to see a little more motivation for Jim to invite Kate along on the investigation--surely sexual desire wouldn't be enough to allow him to drag her along in that way. Also, although fans of the series may know, readers of A FINE AND BITTER SNOW have no idea what Kate does for a living or how she manages to find so much free time to spend rescuing friends and investigating murder. I would have appreciated a bit more of her motivation--and some concept that her life extends beyond chosing boyfriends and chasing killers.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Her Best
Review: With each book, Dana Stabenow has gotten better and better. She has a strong voice and writes beautifully about Alaska, a state she obviously loves. She creates compelling characters and writes great action scenes. So I was really disappointed with this, her latest installment in the Kate Shugak series. In fact, I was so disappointed that I checked her website to see what was going on. It turns out that the author was required by contract to produce a book that had her writing much of it just when, like many of us, she got bogged down in a September 11th depression. All I can say is, too bad her publisher didn't give her more time. At only 304 pages, the book is way too short (and not coincidentally it's list price is way too high). The author seemed to be treading water through most of the story and the murder mystery seemed to be added as an afterthought. Too much of the story was spent with various people describing others (including the murder victim) as outrageous characters. By the end, you don't care about the murder victim, the murderer, or the soap opera-worthy reason for the murder. This is not Ms. Stabenow's best book. If you're new to the series, read an earlier installment. If you just want to keep up with Kate, read this one and hope that Ms. Stabenow gets back in the game with her next book.
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