What do you think?
Rate this book
Kate Shugak #22
No Fixed Line
It is New Year’s Eve, nearly six weeks into an off-and-on blizzard that has locked Alaska down, effectively cutting it off from the outside world. But now there are reports of a plane down in the Quilak mountains. With the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board � responsible for investigating aviation incidents) unable to reach the crash site, ex-Trooper Jim Chopin is pulled out of retirement to try to identify the aircraft, collect the corpses, and determine why no flight has been reported missing. But Jim discovers survivors: two children who don’t speak a word of English. Meanwhile, PI Kate Shugak receives an unexpected and unwelcome accusation from beyond the grave, a charge that could change the face of the Park forever.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 9, 2020
964 people are currently reading
2662 people want to read
About the author
Dana Stabenow
120Ìýbooks2,109ÌýfollowersDana 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
March 10, 2020
I love the characters in this series, plus the setting of Alaska. Kate Shugak and her half wolf dog, Mutt, are perfect together. She talks to her dog like he is a person and I find that delightful. Can't believe this is already #22 in this series.
The storyline is also current, immigration, human trafficking, drugs. Heartbreaking that fentanyl is now being funneled through Alaska. Also heartbreaking is that there are two children involved, though this is not graphically described. Just the thought it horrible. Some leftover issues from the last in series also makes it way into the story.
This series is a nice mix of culture, nature, mystery and characterizations. I hope this series never ends, and from the writing it seems that Stabenow cares greatly as well
ARC from Netgalley.
The storyline is also current, immigration, human trafficking, drugs. Heartbreaking that fentanyl is now being funneled through Alaska. Also heartbreaking is that there are two children involved, though this is not graphically described. Just the thought it horrible. Some leftover issues from the last in series also makes it way into the story.
This series is a nice mix of culture, nature, mystery and characterizations. I hope this series never ends, and from the writing it seems that Stabenow cares greatly as well
ARC from Netgalley.
July 7, 2024
3.5 stars
In this 22nd book in the 'Kate Shugak' series, the private detective and her wolf-dog Mutt help two trafficked children who end up in Alaska. The book can be read as a standalone but familiarity with the series is a bonus.
Aleut private detective Kate Shugak, a former investigator with the district attorney's office, lives on an isolated homestead in Alaska. One weekend when Kate's away, she lends her home to a couple named Matt and Laurel for a romantic getaway......
.....and the guests are shocked to hear a plane crash nearby.
Matt and Laurel rush to the site, and - though most of the plane is deeply buried in snow - they find two children and a large bag of pills.
The authorities learn the Spanish-speaking children, named David and Anna, are sex-trafficked illegal immigrants, and the pills are fentanyl. When the police - including Kate's ex-State Trooper boyfriend Jim Chopin.....
.....manage to pull (half) the pilot's body from the wreck, they recognize the dead man as a well-known child abuser and drug runner.
While the police try to trace the downed plane and the fentanyl, the drug runner's boss sends operatives to retrieve the dead pilot's phone, which has been hidden by little David. This endangers the Alaskan community protecting the children, especially Kate Shugak, who the drug boss calls 'a wrecking ball.' Luckily Auntie Vi (a tribal elder) and Mutt are present to lend a hand (and teeth).
Meanwhile, Kate has been named Trustee of the estate of a deceased multi-millionaire criminal called Erland Bannister.
Bannister HATED Kate and tried to kill her twice, so Kate is sure the Trusteeship has a hidden agenda. Kate sets out to discover what it is, and uncovers a clever conspiracy.
The book's themes of illegal immigration, sex-trafficking, and opioid addiction are very current, and give the story a 'breaking news' vibe. As always Stabenow includes descriptions of Alaska and tidbits about its history - which seems to be filled with corrupt white men looking to grab power and get rich. Stabenow also mentions crooks hiding out in the Alaskan bush - which has sparse law enforcement - and the Catholic Church stashing pedophile priests in Alaska (which I found very disturbing).
There's plenty of action in the story - as well as appearances by well-known recurring characters - which should appeal to Kate Shugak fans.
You can follow my reviews at
May 4, 2023
Kate and Mutt are back!! The storyline is current, ranging from opiate addiction, sex trafficking, drug smuggling, and current administrative practices of the US government dealing with these issues with varying degrees of success. A plane crash, with two small children, who survive only through the heroic efforts of two Park "rats," who heard the landing. Bags of fentanyl in the wreckage, with a smuggler wanting his goods returned. I liked how the local community rallied around the kids to protect them. I cared less for the other main story line where Kate is named executor for a man, who tried to kill her, and what are his motives for doing that.
September 15, 2020
Love this series and I loved this book. Just the book I needed during this pandemic to get me reading again. Kate and Mutt work on a case very relevant to our current times involving drugs crossing borders and immigration. If you're a fan of this series, Dana Stabenow is back with her continuation of Kate and Mutt and all the wonderful aunties.
February 25, 2020
Thriller set in ALASKA
No Fixed Line is the 22nd title in Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak Alaskan thriller series. I am embarrassed to say that it the first I have read. It won’t be the last.
It is a really good thriller but, as importantly in TripFiction terms, it really brings Alaska to life. The reader gets a close up of the extremely varied terrain � from inland forest to coastal splendour. And it is cold, very cold. Dana is a lifelong inhabitant of the State � and her enthusiasm shows.
A private plane crashes during a blizzard. The only survivors are two young Spanish speaking children, a brother and sister. They are terrified of their rescuers. Also found on the plane was a large quantity of opioid drugs. Kate and get team try to piece together what has happened. Alaska was a staging post to import drugs on an industrial scale, and then re-package them and export them all over the world. Those who run the business are not at all pleasant. They have history with Kate and they believe they have to silence the children to protect themselves. They were not amused to find out that the owner of the plane had ‘bought� the children at the Mexican border and was using them for his personal sexual gratification. ‘Pleasure� should not interfere with business. No wonder the children were scared of the adults who found them�
The story progresses through several attempts on Kate’s life and a maze of corruption and money laundering in high places. It is well thought through and well constructed.
I said at the beginning that this won’t be the last Kate Shugak title that I read. But I doubt I will be able to read all 21 of the others. Dana is a prolific writer, but I wonder they might all be a bit ‘samey�? I’ll let you know after 2 and 3!
But this one is very certainly worth exploring.
No Fixed Line is the 22nd title in Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak Alaskan thriller series. I am embarrassed to say that it the first I have read. It won’t be the last.
It is a really good thriller but, as importantly in TripFiction terms, it really brings Alaska to life. The reader gets a close up of the extremely varied terrain � from inland forest to coastal splendour. And it is cold, very cold. Dana is a lifelong inhabitant of the State � and her enthusiasm shows.
A private plane crashes during a blizzard. The only survivors are two young Spanish speaking children, a brother and sister. They are terrified of their rescuers. Also found on the plane was a large quantity of opioid drugs. Kate and get team try to piece together what has happened. Alaska was a staging post to import drugs on an industrial scale, and then re-package them and export them all over the world. Those who run the business are not at all pleasant. They have history with Kate and they believe they have to silence the children to protect themselves. They were not amused to find out that the owner of the plane had ‘bought� the children at the Mexican border and was using them for his personal sexual gratification. ‘Pleasure� should not interfere with business. No wonder the children were scared of the adults who found them�
The story progresses through several attempts on Kate’s life and a maze of corruption and money laundering in high places. It is well thought through and well constructed.
I said at the beginning that this won’t be the last Kate Shugak title that I read. But I doubt I will be able to read all 21 of the others. Dana is a prolific writer, but I wonder they might all be a bit ‘samey�? I’ll let you know after 2 and 3!
But this one is very certainly worth exploring.
November 27, 2024
At least the author didn't insult baby boomers again, sort of. But she is trying really hard to get rid of the boomers (and older) in the Park. I wouldn't be surprised to see Bobby and Bernie bite the big one soon, just for Ms. Stabenow's new audience.
Okay, I re-read this yesterday, and I'm finding I have at least one, if not more, issues with this book.
Issue number one -- while this is NOT a cliffhanger, it is going to be a recurring theme since we really don't get rid of the 'bad guy,' and since he threatens Kate, we surely can expect him back.
The baby boomer rants---well, I expect the author wants to get a younger audience, but is this really the way to do so?
However, all in all, I found this book to be very, very satisfying. The storyline is delightful, and the mystery is quite challenging to figure out (at least it was for me), and people we've come to dislike, get their just desserts. I enjoyed seeing a lot of past characters, I LOVED seeing Jim come out of his funk. I truly enjoyed the storyline, and I learned a lot more about Alaska that I didn't already know.
The storyline, well, I can say that if you are extremely sensitive to some narrative about pedophilia, then you may want to skip over some of the early dialogue. Fortunately, once discussed, it is not vividly dwelt on later in the book.
An excellent read with some things I personally dislike makes this a five-star read.
*ARC supplied by the publisher.
Okay, I re-read this yesterday, and I'm finding I have at least one, if not more, issues with this book.
Issue number one -- while this is NOT a cliffhanger, it is going to be a recurring theme since we really don't get rid of the 'bad guy,' and since he threatens Kate, we surely can expect him back.
The baby boomer rants---well, I expect the author wants to get a younger audience, but is this really the way to do so?
However, all in all, I found this book to be very, very satisfying. The storyline is delightful, and the mystery is quite challenging to figure out (at least it was for me), and people we've come to dislike, get their just desserts. I enjoyed seeing a lot of past characters, I LOVED seeing Jim come out of his funk. I truly enjoyed the storyline, and I learned a lot more about Alaska that I didn't already know.
The storyline, well, I can say that if you are extremely sensitive to some narrative about pedophilia, then you may want to skip over some of the early dialogue. Fortunately, once discussed, it is not vividly dwelt on later in the book.
An excellent read with some things I personally dislike makes this a five-star read.
*ARC supplied by the publisher.
June 12, 2020
This was an awesome-as-usual romp with Kate and Jim. I love the two of them together, so glad I didn't stop reading when Jack died (still not happy about it, though). This story involved Kate being made the executor of a large estate and also a plane crash on her property in the middle of winter with two survivors, small children. Quite the busy book, and totally fun.
Quote from Bobby: “You know why I always wear cutoffs in Anchorage? Because if I’m pulled over driving while black, the cop sees my prostheses and assumes I’m a vet. Half of them are vets, too, and all is well. That getting shot while breathing because you’re black shit is not something I want to be dealing with every goddamn day."
Pathetically true, and something we need to fix.
Quote from Bobby: “You know why I always wear cutoffs in Anchorage? Because if I’m pulled over driving while black, the cop sees my prostheses and assumes I’m a vet. Half of them are vets, too, and all is well. That getting shot while breathing because you’re black shit is not something I want to be dealing with every goddamn day."
Pathetically true, and something we need to fix.
May 14, 2020
The Kate Shugak series is a bit like comfort food. The characters are familiar and likable. The mysteries are not too twisted but aren't cozy either. But for me the best part is the setting -- remote Alaska comes alive on the pages of these books.
February 4, 2020
Finally!!!!! It feels as if I have been waiting forever for this book. It was SO worth the wait. Anna is better every time.
I am a nut!! KATE!!!! not Anna!!!!!
I am a nut!! KATE!!!! not Anna!!!!!
April 20, 2020
First Sentence: Anna was a warm, heavy weight against his side, her eyes closed, her breathing deep, her tears drying in faint silvery streaks on her cheeks
Matt Grosdidier and Laurel Meganack are spending New Year’s' Eve at Kate Shugak's cabin bolt hole at Canyon Hot Springs. Their romantic interlude is interrupted by the sound of an engine, and the crash of a plane. What they didn't expect to find was two young children, belted together in a seat. Further investigation reveals a body buried in the snow, and a whole lot of drugs. Meanwhile, Erland Bannister, who tried to have Kate killed more than once, has died. But why did he made her the trustee of his estate and the head of his foundation?
Stabenow captures one's interest from the very first sentence. Her writing is evocative and visual. It captivates, involves, and becomes real. And it moves, no long narratives here; just writing which keeps one turning the page. One also realizes just how timely are the themes of her story. But it's the details of dealing with Alaska that make one’s eyes widen. For those who follow the series, this is an Alaska very different from the state as it was in the beginning, which only adds to the interest.
The story is perfectly balanced between the action, the pastoral, and the wonderfully normal, human moments. The transition between these elements segues perfectly, one to the next. It's fascinating to see how Kate's mind works; how she walks through the possible scenarios of traps Bannister may have set for her. Her comparison of a modern minimalist office lobby, using the term "dead perfection" from a Tennyson poem and comparing it to a columbarium is identifiable.
One can't but love the references to other writers: Dick Francis, Ellis Peters, Damien Boyd, Adrian McGinty, John Sandford, and even Tennyson. Such things make the character seem real--"To quote the late, great Dick Francis, life keeps getting steadily weirder."—along with references to food--"...caribou steak with loaded baked potatoes and canned green beans fried with bacon and onions."
Stabenow weaves the issues of poverty, drugs and government cutbacks seamlessly into the story through the conversations of the characters. She offsets that by observing the way people in the park care for one another. The plot meanders a bit between the characters and the mystery involving the children, but doesn't life? There is romance and a bit of erotic heat, but it then stops before becoming too graphic. Quite satisfying is Kate's justifiable anger at law enforcement not having gone after someone they knew was a criminal. Valid and significant points are made about the status of things without being preachy, and the suggestion of a future threat is intriguing without being an end-destroying cliffhanger.
"No Fixed Line� is a great pleasure to read. It has everything a really good book should: well-developed characters, a compelling plot that keeps one turning the pages, excellent dialogue, a touch of humor, well-done suspense, well-placed twists, and a perfectly-executed ending. Thank you, Dana Stabenow.
NO FIXED LINE (PI/Susp-Kate Shugak/Jim Chopin-Alaska-Contemp) - Ex
Stabenow, Dana � 22nd in series
Head of Zeus. Jan 2020
Matt Grosdidier and Laurel Meganack are spending New Year’s' Eve at Kate Shugak's cabin bolt hole at Canyon Hot Springs. Their romantic interlude is interrupted by the sound of an engine, and the crash of a plane. What they didn't expect to find was two young children, belted together in a seat. Further investigation reveals a body buried in the snow, and a whole lot of drugs. Meanwhile, Erland Bannister, who tried to have Kate killed more than once, has died. But why did he made her the trustee of his estate and the head of his foundation?
Stabenow captures one's interest from the very first sentence. Her writing is evocative and visual. It captivates, involves, and becomes real. And it moves, no long narratives here; just writing which keeps one turning the page. One also realizes just how timely are the themes of her story. But it's the details of dealing with Alaska that make one’s eyes widen. For those who follow the series, this is an Alaska very different from the state as it was in the beginning, which only adds to the interest.
The story is perfectly balanced between the action, the pastoral, and the wonderfully normal, human moments. The transition between these elements segues perfectly, one to the next. It's fascinating to see how Kate's mind works; how she walks through the possible scenarios of traps Bannister may have set for her. Her comparison of a modern minimalist office lobby, using the term "dead perfection" from a Tennyson poem and comparing it to a columbarium is identifiable.
One can't but love the references to other writers: Dick Francis, Ellis Peters, Damien Boyd, Adrian McGinty, John Sandford, and even Tennyson. Such things make the character seem real--"To quote the late, great Dick Francis, life keeps getting steadily weirder."—along with references to food--"...caribou steak with loaded baked potatoes and canned green beans fried with bacon and onions."
Stabenow weaves the issues of poverty, drugs and government cutbacks seamlessly into the story through the conversations of the characters. She offsets that by observing the way people in the park care for one another. The plot meanders a bit between the characters and the mystery involving the children, but doesn't life? There is romance and a bit of erotic heat, but it then stops before becoming too graphic. Quite satisfying is Kate's justifiable anger at law enforcement not having gone after someone they knew was a criminal. Valid and significant points are made about the status of things without being preachy, and the suggestion of a future threat is intriguing without being an end-destroying cliffhanger.
"No Fixed Line� is a great pleasure to read. It has everything a really good book should: well-developed characters, a compelling plot that keeps one turning the pages, excellent dialogue, a touch of humor, well-done suspense, well-placed twists, and a perfectly-executed ending. Thank you, Dana Stabenow.
NO FIXED LINE (PI/Susp-Kate Shugak/Jim Chopin-Alaska-Contemp) - Ex
Stabenow, Dana � 22nd in series
Head of Zeus. Jan 2020
December 16, 2019
The 22nd Kate Shugak book is more suspense than mystery. There is a major crime--or rather, several--but it's not murder. Kate investigates, along with the FBI, but we also see inside part of the criminal enterprise, as well as some of the victims.
Well-written and satisfying, but not the best in the series.
Well-written and satisfying, but not the best in the series.
October 4, 2021
Another good entry in the Kate Shugak series. In this one she has to investigate child abuse and drug trafficking while serving as the trustee of a noted enemy's estate. How it all comes together is excellently done. Stabenow is always worth reading and this is no exception. Recommended.
October 5, 2022
Genres: Mystery/Thriller
I have enjoyed this series. This is book #22 in the Kate Shugak series. I haven't read them all but I look forward to it. I like that the setting is in Alaska...both rural and big city and by "big city" I mean under 300,ooo population . The author nails the culture, attitude and places. My only complaint is always the same one and it is about the narration of the audio. The narrator really needs to nail the pronounciation with all of the Alaskan names. It is annoying. The narrator should ask or at least look it up. It feels lazy.
Other than that, I like these stories and I like the MC, Kate and her dog. So 4 stars.
I have enjoyed this series. This is book #22 in the Kate Shugak series. I haven't read them all but I look forward to it. I like that the setting is in Alaska...both rural and big city and by "big city" I mean under 300,ooo population . The author nails the culture, attitude and places. My only complaint is always the same one and it is about the narration of the audio. The narrator really needs to nail the pronounciation with all of the Alaskan names. It is annoying. The narrator should ask or at least look it up. It feels lazy.
Other than that, I like these stories and I like the MC, Kate and her dog. So 4 stars.
March 15, 2023
No Fixed Line by Dana Stabenow is a great story not only do we get the usual antics in Alaska. This story revolves around three big problems, drugs, trafficking and immigration. I am a big fan of small town crime where each book deals with a problem we as a society have to deal with all the time. It makes it easy to fathom and it's interesting to read about how a community is inflicted and how they deal with it. Apart from that I love the writings of this great author.
February 3, 2020
I enjoy this series and it was good to see favorite characters again. (Hello Mutt!) It was not the best book in the series. The plot is trying really hard to be topical and not be completely depressing. Hard to do in the current political situation. There are a couple of places where the author rants a bit, some really improbable things, but overall a decent read.
NB: The narrator is not my favorite.
NB: The narrator is not my favorite.
January 6, 2020
I received a digital review copy of this book, to be published January 14th, from the publisher through Edelweiss.
I requested a review copy to determine if this was a book our library patrons would enjoy. Now I'm wondering how I've missed this author and this series for so long. I've not read any of the other books in this series so my biggest complaint is that there were places I couldn't keep track of all the characters, let alone try to track their histories with each other.
I'm not sure if I'll go back to read any of the previous books, but I enjoyed this book, and definitely want to keep going with the series. The story held its own for me, just jumping in with this book, and I think many of our patrons will feel the same way.
I requested a review copy to determine if this was a book our library patrons would enjoy. Now I'm wondering how I've missed this author and this series for so long. I've not read any of the other books in this series so my biggest complaint is that there were places I couldn't keep track of all the characters, let alone try to track their histories with each other.
I'm not sure if I'll go back to read any of the previous books, but I enjoyed this book, and definitely want to keep going with the series. The story held its own for me, just jumping in with this book, and I think many of our patrons will feel the same way.
August 30, 2020
I enjoyed this visit with Kate Shugak a great deal.
When I was only two chapters into 'No Fixed Line' I wrote a post about n 'Why I Find Kate Shugak Comforting' where I said that,
'...at the heart of almost all of the stories, there is a refusal to abandon hope, to find the courage to persist and a determination not to look away. There's also friendship, community, love, independence and honesty.'
Now that I've read the book, I can say that it delivered on all of that.
The title of the book is taken from Frost's poem, 'There Are Roughly Zones'. which first perfectly with how kate thinks when it says that there are boundaries that mustn't be crossed and that becoming blind to those boundaries, failing to see that 'there are roughly zones' that keep us human, is how we become monstrous.
The two intersecting plotlines in the book bring Kate into contact with some monstrous things.
The first plot confronts the behaviour of Trump's ICE Storm Troopers in separating children from their parents, keeping them in cages and not keeping records of where they are and gives it an extra twist of corruption by adding sex-trafficking of the children to the mix and ex-Havard men running a drugs distribution network as if it were the logical extension of American MBA corporate culture. The second plot deals with a trap left for Kate in a poison chalice legacy that leads to yet another set of corrupt activities that Trump and his cronies are hip-deep in.
One of the things I liked about the book is that it wasn't an 'ain't it awful?' 'look what these people are doing' piece. It was a 'how can we deal with this?' piece. Kate has come into her maturity. She's past the point where she spends the book being kidnapped and blind-sided and beaten up on while she tries to figure out what's going on. True, someone is still trying to kill her in this book and someone is trying to destroy her reputation but Kate takes it in her stride. Kate is becoming a version of her grandmother. She has connection across the State and in various law enforcement agencies and she has developed the political savvy to use them well to make change happen without getting entangled in the political machine.
One of the strengths of this series is that it's never all about Kate. There's a strong ensemble cast who continue to develop and are more than just a background for Kate. So the initial response to the air crash that kicks off the novel is not by Kate but by characters that we know well from previous novels but who are changing their relationships with each other. A central action scene taking down the bad guys is mostly carried out by other people, including one of the Aunties. Jim Chopin is also emerging from Kate's shadow and trying to figure out what to do with all the money he inherited from his unloved and unloving father.
Children and how they're treated by the adults in their lives have always been central to the Kate Shugak books. This time the children provide the strongest emotional impact and how they are treated is the acid test of whether we're living within the 'zones' that keep us human.
It seemed to me that 'No Fixed Line', the twenty-second book in the series, provided a great basis for the series growing and becoming stronger.
Once again, Marguerite Gavin's narration brought me a lot of pleasure. Click on the SoundCloud link below to hear a sample.
...
February 26, 2020
One star for Mutt and one star for Auntie Vi. Doesn't come close to the early books in this series, and I really hate all the political commentary, much of which was absurd or incorrect.
January 28, 2020
3.5 I am new to this series, heck of a time to start on book 22! To be honest, I wanted to quit a dozen times, I have 15 newly released library books, a few I can't wait to read and this was my shortest book to clear the way to others, but I liked the setting... If not for my panicky time constraints I may have felt better about this, I wanted the meat of the story fast, but so much chatter and sex drove me nuts, I liked the native ways, but I was in a rush... in my youth I would really have enjoyed this series, like hillerman you get attached to characters and areas, this has that same feel, but I wanted it over and done... It had all the hot topics from today's headlines, overall I bet it was a great series, I just have to many books in countdown mode the next few weeks to have lingered and it wasn't a page burner for me.
March 25, 2024
No Fixed Line
Dana Stabenow has an unlimited sense of creativeness and a huge imagination for intrigue plots that are so timely and flow so well. In addition, I love Ms Stabenow's characters who are always so clearly drawn. I mean, who can't help but love Kate and Mutt?
Lastly, Alaska is such an exciting place to set a book. I learned so much about how to move over snow. I mean I might never need to know, but I got how to flatten out the weight and not post hole into the snow! Perhaps I could give some tips about living in the extreme heat...
A great read with a great plot. One thing I will mention is that I hope the Aunties don't die off too soon, I really love them.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
Dana Stabenow has an unlimited sense of creativeness and a huge imagination for intrigue plots that are so timely and flow so well. In addition, I love Ms Stabenow's characters who are always so clearly drawn. I mean, who can't help but love Kate and Mutt?
Lastly, Alaska is such an exciting place to set a book. I learned so much about how to move over snow. I mean I might never need to know, but I got how to flatten out the weight and not post hole into the snow! Perhaps I could give some tips about living in the extreme heat...
A great read with a great plot. One thing I will mention is that I hope the Aunties don't die off too soon, I really love them.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
January 22, 2020
Worth the wait!
Beloved characters fighting evil in more places than we expect. Their interactions are heartwarming, satisfying, and nerve wracking. Always love Mutt, she can do no wrong!
Beloved characters fighting evil in more places than we expect. Their interactions are heartwarming, satisfying, and nerve wracking. Always love Mutt, she can do no wrong!
March 3, 2020
Kate, Jim, and Mutt. Devious bad guys, grudges, and nature's fury. Plus, the aunties. Despite numerous entangled serious themes, there is an overall playfulness in No Fixed Line that highlights the dire circumstances of this fast-paced suspenseful drama.
January 15, 2020
Dana Stabenow never dissapoints!
February 20, 2020
I love this series, I love the setting and the characters. The fast pace, tense moments, topical situation and bone-chilling Alaskan weather grab you in and make it hard to put down. More please.
February 12, 2023
This was pretty heavy. In fact, I think I subconsciously skipped it when it came out in 2020 because I didn't want to deal with it. However, it was so intense that I more or less read it in one sitting.
Lots of plot lines, entanglements from prior series entries, woven expertly together and more-or-less wrapped neatly up by the end. As always, the Alaskan landscape is just as much a character as are the people, which is one of the many reasons I love this series.
And now I am prepared for Kate 23, coming in just a few months!
Lots of plot lines, entanglements from prior series entries, woven expertly together and more-or-less wrapped neatly up by the end. As always, the Alaskan landscape is just as much a character as are the people, which is one of the many reasons I love this series.
And now I am prepared for Kate 23, coming in just a few months!
August 18, 2024
It is always nice to be in Alaska for a while. It is my main reason to read the Dana Stabenow books. There are way better stories in this series. But still, I enjoyed reading this one.
January 8, 2020
This review was originally posted on
Ìý
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Ìý
The Kate Shugak series is now up to 22 books and I have read them all. It begins with A Cold Day for Murder in 1992. There was a 4 year wait between books 20 and 21 so I am thrilled it is continuing a bit more regularly.Ìý I have been listening on audio to just the last couple and have enjoyed Marguerite Gavin.
I am so happy this series is continuing.Ìý Kate is her usual force in doing what is right. Jim was right there supporting her and wondering at how much he has changed because it is all about Kate for him. I don't expect this to be a romance; I just expect the characters to have relationships of various types to add to the emotional complexity of the characters. But while their progression is achingly slow, I love them as a couple.
While I have hated their time apart in some of the books, including briefly in this story, I do appreciate how it gives us more of Jim's point of view.Ìý I love how he has evolved and his plan for a new career is brilliant.
The events and case took partially from current events with immigrants and the opioid crisis playing a part. The criminal actions were horrific. Various things happened which all got intermixed in the end.Ìý There's a plane crash where the only survivors are small children who don't speak English.
Kate got named executor of the estate of a bad guy who tried to kill her more than once.Ìý It had to be a trap, so Kate got busy figuring it out. Luckily, when the bad guys try to get her this time around, Mutt is on the case and they don't stand a chance.Ìý I worry Mutt will get shot (again) if she is not careful.
There are so many things I enjoyed about this from the world and characters I have loved for so many years, to the new and timely type of criminals, and the clever solutions Kate and Jim engineer. I love Mutt. And there are two mentions of the wonderful author Dick Francis, as well as other book references for Kate and Jim are readers. I enjoy the intelligence of the new generation in Johnny and Vanessa. I also love the traditions and culture of the park, the community which takes care of their own.
Ìý
Narration:
I have only starting listening to these on audio and it is a joy. Her character voices really worked for me. She made me feel all the characters and their emotions. I don't know if her foreign language voices are accurate accents but they felt right.Ìý I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Ìý
The Kate Shugak series is now up to 22 books and I have read them all. It begins with A Cold Day for Murder in 1992. There was a 4 year wait between books 20 and 21 so I am thrilled it is continuing a bit more regularly.Ìý I have been listening on audio to just the last couple and have enjoyed Marguerite Gavin.
I am so happy this series is continuing.Ìý Kate is her usual force in doing what is right. Jim was right there supporting her and wondering at how much he has changed because it is all about Kate for him. I don't expect this to be a romance; I just expect the characters to have relationships of various types to add to the emotional complexity of the characters. But while their progression is achingly slow, I love them as a couple.
While I have hated their time apart in some of the books, including briefly in this story, I do appreciate how it gives us more of Jim's point of view.Ìý I love how he has evolved and his plan for a new career is brilliant.
The events and case took partially from current events with immigrants and the opioid crisis playing a part. The criminal actions were horrific. Various things happened which all got intermixed in the end.Ìý There's a plane crash where the only survivors are small children who don't speak English.
Kate got named executor of the estate of a bad guy who tried to kill her more than once.Ìý It had to be a trap, so Kate got busy figuring it out. Luckily, when the bad guys try to get her this time around, Mutt is on the case and they don't stand a chance.Ìý I worry Mutt will get shot (again) if she is not careful.
There are so many things I enjoyed about this from the world and characters I have loved for so many years, to the new and timely type of criminals, and the clever solutions Kate and Jim engineer. I love Mutt. And there are two mentions of the wonderful author Dick Francis, as well as other book references for Kate and Jim are readers. I enjoy the intelligence of the new generation in Johnny and Vanessa. I also love the traditions and culture of the park, the community which takes care of their own.
Ìý
Narration:
I have only starting listening to these on audio and it is a joy. Her character voices really worked for me. She made me feel all the characters and their emotions. I don't know if her foreign language voices are accurate accents but they felt right.Ìý I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
June 15, 2022
I liked the fastness of the book but you definitely had to read the previous one at least to understand who this guy was that wanted her dead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2019
The story opens on a New Year’s eve and a horrific plane crash into the side of a mountain in remote Alaska during a six-week-old blizzard. There are two survivors, both children, who are rescued and taken to a nearby village. Also surviving is a large bag full of packets of fentanyl. Retired state trooper Jim Chopin is asked to investigate the crash, the drugs, and the children, neither of whom speak English. Kate Shugak, aprivate investigator, is of course pulled into the investigation, too. Kate has other things to worry about—she and her wolf, Mutt, have recently recovered from having been shot, and now someone is trying to kill her again. Plus, she’s been named trustee of the estate of her recently deceased archnemesis and doesn’t know why and doesn’t want the job.
This is the 22nd entry in the Kate Shugak series and it has all the earmarks of the previous books. The intrepid Kate sets out to right a wrong with no regard to her personal safety. The other main character in the previous twenty-one books, Alaska, again has a prominent role.
Stabenow has given her fans a book that will please them. Her descriptions of Alaska are once again so well done, that the reader will feel compelled to draw a blanket over her as the blizzard rages around them.
If you’ve not yet met Kate and the other denizens of the Park, not to worry. Stabenow has done an outstanding job of ensuring that the new reader knows Kate and the others without rehashing every detail that will bore those who have been reading about Kate since her first book in the series, “A Cold Day for Murder� (1992).
My thanks to Head of Zeus and Edelweiss for an eARC.
This is the 22nd entry in the Kate Shugak series and it has all the earmarks of the previous books. The intrepid Kate sets out to right a wrong with no regard to her personal safety. The other main character in the previous twenty-one books, Alaska, again has a prominent role.
Stabenow has given her fans a book that will please them. Her descriptions of Alaska are once again so well done, that the reader will feel compelled to draw a blanket over her as the blizzard rages around them.
If you’ve not yet met Kate and the other denizens of the Park, not to worry. Stabenow has done an outstanding job of ensuring that the new reader knows Kate and the others without rehashing every detail that will bore those who have been reading about Kate since her first book in the series, “A Cold Day for Murder� (1992).
My thanks to Head of Zeus and Edelweiss for an eARC.
February 9, 2020
I have been waiting for this book for years, and unfortunately, I found this installment in what is really an amazing series, rather disappointing. Aside from the fact that I found it incredibly difficult to actually get the book--clearly Stabenow has moved publishers and such--and the information for when it was actually coming out was different on literally every book seller site, once I got it and read it, the story felt a little stale. We follow several crimes to be sure, and we are continuing to build off previous "bad guy" story lines. The problem is, we needed either A) something new or B) the characters to grow or evolve. This story line and mystery felt a little boring to me...go talk to this person...check. It has a lot to do with money which is fine and all, but not necessarily the most interesting thing to read about. If I hadn't read the last 21 books, I suspect I wouldn't have enjoyed this book at all. (And further, what's the deal with all the discussion about the nature of the nation? And the future generations? Those little diatribes were well, out of character and weird.)
I will say that given some of the information we get about Johnny and Van, I am interested in whether Stabenow might have Kate retire and introduce a spin-off series with them to keep things fresh. If I were in her shoes, that's what I'd do.
All this to say, this book is worth reading for the die-hard Kate Shugak fans. If you haven't read the rest of the series, this most definitely is NOT the place to start.
I will say that given some of the information we get about Johnny and Van, I am interested in whether Stabenow might have Kate retire and introduce a spin-off series with them to keep things fresh. If I were in her shoes, that's what I'd do.
All this to say, this book is worth reading for the die-hard Kate Shugak fans. If you haven't read the rest of the series, this most definitely is NOT the place to start.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.