Barb's Book Reviews: Review of "No Fixed Line: A Kate Shugak Novel of Suspense" by Dana Stabenow

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Review of "No Fixed Line: A Kate Shugak Novel of Suspense" by Dana Stabenow

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.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Barb's Book Reviews

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Review of "No Fixed Line: A Kate Shugak Novel of Suspense" by Dana Stabenow

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