WHISPER TO THE BLOOD: A Kate Shugak Novel
Dana Stabenow
Minotaur Books
Mystery
ISBN: 9780312369743
It’s difficult to imagine that a population of approximately 100 people living in a 20-million-acre park could create enough mayhem to fill 15 exciting books. Yet that’s exactly what Dana Stabenow does as she continues to pen imaginative and engrossing stories about Kate Shugak, her traditionally entrenched Aunties, her on-again, off-again lover Jim Chopin, her adopted son Johnny and her best friend Mutt, the half-wolf canine always at her side. Throughout the course of the series we have gotten to know many of the other Park Rats as well, including Bobby Clark, who mans the Park radio; Mandy Baker, dog musher and friend; Bernie, who runs the Roadhouse Café; and a variety of others both Native and from the Outside. Each one has a unique history and distinct personality.
WHISPER TO THE BLOOD is woven around the plans that Global Harvest Resources Inc. has to begin a mining operation that could forever change the complexion of the Park. Not only would the mine cut a physical swath across the face of the earth, but the addition of 2,000 people to the sparsely populated area will surely affect the lifestyles of those living nearby. In order to sell the idea of the mine, Global Harvest sends marketing bimbo Talia Mcleod to the Park. Her winning ways and convincing answers to all objections are sure to pave the way.
Not only is dissention caused by the lovely Talia, but an undercurrent of vigilantism seems to be developing in the park. Given the independent nature of the Park rats, this should not seem too surprising, but in the past residents were satisfied to rely on Trooper Jim to handle any of the crime that occurred. Is it because there were some unsolved murders still on the books, or is there someone or something behind the changes?
Dana Stabenow weaves many moral and ethical issues into her stories, which may not always exhibit the law but that always provide justice. Trooper Jim says it best: “This is what comes of crossing the line, Kate. You think the right reason trumps doing the wrong thing, and then you never get to the truth, when the truth is mostly a good thing and almost always the best thing to get to.”
If you are a regular reader of the series, you will enjoy seeing how Kate and Jim have grown…or grown up. While there is still plenty of the salty style in both, some of the pepper has mellowed and I like them even more now. Kate can still go out into the Bush with a few pockets full of dried fruit and her down comforter to stalk three outlaw brothers, but she can also cook up a mean moose stew with a side of homemade bread. Trooper Jim is not completely tamed, but he finds himself caring about how Kate feels, surprising even himself.
For those who have never had the pleasure of joining the Park Rats in an adventure, I would recommend starting with BREAKUP and then moving on from there. Happy reading.
--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding, a substance abuse counselor in Phoenix, AZ who wanted to be Brenda Starr before life intervened. She reviews for www.bookreporter.com, www.faithfulreader.com and www.livinglightnews.com. To contact Maggie, e-mail Magster2@cox.net
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