Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collections
Publication
Signet (1999), Paperback, 304 pages
Description
In this mystery series by Dana Stabenow, the Edgar Award-winning author returns to the Alaskan setting she's famous for, with a wonderful character--state trooper Liam Campbell. Liam's just been transferred from Anchorage to the small fishing village of Newenham, Alaska--where a local pilot seems to have lost his head.
User reviews
LibraryThing member sgillette
First in the series. The characters were well developed, great group of colorful individuals that fit the Alaskan setting. The ending, while wrapping up all loose ends, certainly left several avenues for the next in the series to explore.
LibraryThing member ffortsa
A new detective and a new series for Stabenow. Liam Campbell isn't as compelling as Kate Shugak, but the writing is good and if the character hits his stride, the series should work well.
LibraryThing member JennieLeigh
Not being from Alaska, some of the idioms and imagery did go over my head, I admit. I enjoyed this read, though, and am considering checking out others in the series.
LibraryThing member ElaineBooks
I liked this book well enough to want to read the others in the series, but I am in no rush to go out and find them. I did not like the protagonist. He was not an honorable character. I cannot say anymore without spoilers, but be sure and consider that if you plan to read this book.
LibraryThing member countrylife
Begun in fire, ending in ice. The poet was wrong; ice was a better destroyer than fire, particularly if you were in the mood for vengeance.
An early scene colored this story badly for me. The actual story, a crime fiction, I eventually liked. Characters seemed true to their place and time, but
An early scene colored this story badly for me. The actual story, a crime fiction, I eventually liked. Characters seemed true to their place and time, but
Show More
mostly unlikeable. The Alaskan setting was very nicely done; I really liked the herring fishing segments. Do not know that I would go out of my way to follow up with more of this series, though. Show Less
LibraryThing member Leiahc
Ms. Stabenow is a wonderful writer. Her knowledge of Alaska is from her own perspective, having lived there all her life. And she uses that knowledge exceptionally well. Admittedly, I am not as crazy about the Liam books as I am about her Kate Shugak mysteries, but that is a personal preference
The characters in all of Ms. Stabenow's works are quirky, to say the least. They are the kind of people you would expect in a dangerous land like the wilds of Alaska - strong, determined, and sometimes weird beyond measure! Another thing I really like about the book is the fact that her heros and heroines are in no way perfect. Liam is a recovering alcoholic, riddled with self doubt and wanting badly to turn his life around. Moving from the "big city" of Anchorage to a small fishing village, Liam is immediately drawn in to the weirdness of an Alaska fishing village - the odd ducks, alcoholics, and various and sundry detritus of society who are more comfortable in the wilds than in civilization. And nobody writes these characters better than Dana.
The story grabs you from the first and doesn't let go. Overall, Highly recommended. Then go buy all her other books too - they are well worth the read!
Show More
which has nothing to do with whether the Liam books are good. They are very very good. This is the first in the Liam series, and I highly recommend you read all of them. I have, and they are right up there on my all time favorites list.The characters in all of Ms. Stabenow's works are quirky, to say the least. They are the kind of people you would expect in a dangerous land like the wilds of Alaska - strong, determined, and sometimes weird beyond measure! Another thing I really like about the book is the fact that her heros and heroines are in no way perfect. Liam is a recovering alcoholic, riddled with self doubt and wanting badly to turn his life around. Moving from the "big city" of Anchorage to a small fishing village, Liam is immediately drawn in to the weirdness of an Alaska fishing village - the odd ducks, alcoholics, and various and sundry detritus of society who are more comfortable in the wilds than in civilization. And nobody writes these characters better than Dana.
The story grabs you from the first and doesn't let go. Overall, Highly recommended. Then go buy all her other books too - they are well worth the read!
Show Less
LibraryThing member AlaskanBookie
This was an interesting story about Alaskan bush pilots and an Alaskan state trooper set in an isolated part of the Alaskan coastline in Bristol Bay. There were a few things that set off my grrrrr meter, but all in all it was a good read.
LibraryThing member soireadthisbooktoday
Ms. Stabenow is a wonderful writer. Her knowledge of Alaska is from her own perspective, having lived there all her life. And she uses that knowledge exceptionally well. Admittedly, I am not as crazy about the Liam books as I am about her Kate Shugak mysteries, but that is a personal preference
The characters in all of Ms. Stabenow's works are quirky, to say the least. They are the kind of people you would expect in a dangerous land like the wilds of Alaska - strong, determined, and sometimes weird beyond measure! Another thing I really like about the book is the fact that her heros and heroines are in no way perfect. Liam is a recovering alcoholic, riddled with self doubt and wanting badly to turn his life around. Moving from the "big city" of Anchorage to a small fishing village, Liam is immediately drawn in to the weirdness of an Alaska fishing village - the odd ducks, alcoholics, and various and sundry detritus of society who are more comfortable in the wilds than in civilization. And nobody writes these characters better than Dana.
The story grabs you from the first and doesn't let go. Overall, Highly recommended. Then go buy all her other books too - they are well worth the read!
Show More
which has nothing to do with whether the Liam books are good. They are very very good. This is the first in the Liam series, and I highly recommend you read all of them. I have, and they are right up there on my all time favorites list.The characters in all of Ms. Stabenow's works are quirky, to say the least. They are the kind of people you would expect in a dangerous land like the wilds of Alaska - strong, determined, and sometimes weird beyond measure! Another thing I really like about the book is the fact that her heros and heroines are in no way perfect. Liam is a recovering alcoholic, riddled with self doubt and wanting badly to turn his life around. Moving from the "big city" of Anchorage to a small fishing village, Liam is immediately drawn in to the weirdness of an Alaska fishing village - the odd ducks, alcoholics, and various and sundry detritus of society who are more comfortable in the wilds than in civilization. And nobody writes these characters better than Dana.
The story grabs you from the first and doesn't let go. Overall, Highly recommended. Then go buy all her other books too - they are well worth the read!
Show Less
LibraryThing member buffalogr
Excellent whodunit...Alaska style. Our newly demoted Alaska cop finds himself in a small town with relationships that have existed for decades. He successfully navigates uniquely Alaskan issues and catches the bad guy. Where is the next book in the series?
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
Liam Campbell is an Alaskan State Trooper posted to SW Alaska to recover from family deaths and a non starting rescue attempt that resulted in the death of a native family. It does not improve when he is quickly involved in three killings before he can get his uniform cleaned, pressed and wearable.
Show More
Good start to a new series about Alaska from, always fun to read, Dana Stabenow. Show Less
LibraryThing member Pet12
It took me a while to get into this, as there are lots of descriptive passages, background stories and information on fishing in Alaska. I was close to giving up several times, but am glad I stuck with it, as the plot moves along nicely about halfway through the book, and I became invested in the
Show More
characters. There was enough mystery, humor and relationship drama that I've decided to read (listen to) the second book in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
A little heavy on the background which I guess is not unexpected for a first book in a series. I like the Alaskan setting and Stabenow has created a likeable cast of characters. I would be happy to read the next one (in print or on my Kindle, probably not in audio).
LibraryThing member leslie.98
This review is for the audiobook - see the Kindle edition for my brief comments on the book itself.
Marguerite Gavin does a good narration but it felt a bit odd to listen to a woman narrate a book that is told almost exclusively from a male character's perspective. However, I especially appreciated
Marguerite Gavin does a good narration but it felt a bit odd to listen to a woman narrate a book that is told almost exclusively from a male character's perspective. However, I especially appreciated
Show More
her voicing of the drunks so I will see what else she has narrated. Show Less
LibraryThing member nautilus
I'm loving reading Dana's books. Se was totally unknown to me until recently. Crime novel set in Alaska with a secondary characters writ large.
LibraryThing member leslie.98
A little heavy on the background which I guess is not unexpected for a first book in a series. I like the Alaskan setting and Stabenow has created a likeable cast of characters. I would be happy to read the next one (in print or on my Kindle, probably not in audio).
LibraryThing member leslie.98
This review is for the audiobook - see the Kindle edition for my brief comments on the book itself.
Marguerite Gavin does a good narration but it felt a bit odd to listen to a woman narrate a book that is told almost exclusively from a male character's perspective. However, I especially appreciated
Marguerite Gavin does a good narration but it felt a bit odd to listen to a woman narrate a book that is told almost exclusively from a male character's perspective. However, I especially appreciated
Show More
her voicing of the drunks so I will see what else she has narrated. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
1998
Physical description
304 p.; 6.7 inches
ISBN
0451197704 / 9780451197702
Local notes
Liam Campbell, 1
DDC/MDS
| Fic Mystery Stabenow |