In this 23rd book in the 'Kate Shugak' series, the Alaskan private investigator investigates the reason for a mid-air collision between two small planes. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is a plus.
Aleut Kate Shugak lives in 'The Park', a federally owned twenty-million acre national park in Alaska with scattered private properties grandfathered in. The residents in the area, referred to as 'park rats', are a mixture of indigenous people and incomers that settled down.
It's hard for law enforcement to police an area as large as The Park, but the authorities do the best they can. Dan O'Brian, The Park's chief ranger, takes notice when armed men in desert camo outfits - claiming to be private security for local landowners - start running hikers and other visitors off PUBLIC park lands.
Things escalate even further when the camo-clad men start harassing black and indigenous park residents.
While Dan is planning a visit to the 'local landowners' protecting their privacy, a mid-air collision between two small planes - which kills all nine people on the two aircraft - brings in the NTSB. The reason for the collision is unclear, and the report of a tenth body among the debris, with no identification, adds to the mystery.
The pilot of one of the downed planes was 87-year-old Frank Barr Sr., and it's strongly hinted that he caused the collision. Frank's children, Frank Barr Jr. and his sister Elsa, don't believe their dad was responsible for the crash, and they hire private investigator Kate Shugak to determine what happened.
Kate begins investigating with the assistance of her wolf-dog mix Mutt.....
....and her boyfriend Jim Chopin, a former Alaska State Trooper. Jim pilots a small plane which he uses (among other things) to transport Kate and Mutt to observe the scene of the crash, investigate areas of interest, interview people, and so on.
As Kate and company conduct their inquiries, they come across another dead body and a muddy cap with a logo that matches the insignia sported by the 'private security' individuals.
As it turns out there's a LOT going on The Park, where SOME people seem to think they can do whatever they like because the territory's vastness hides their activities. However Kate - with the assistance of a reporter, a PI colleague, ranger Dan O'Brian, an FBI agent, and others - exposes what's going on. The novel echoes some issues seen in the news over the last few years, which makes the story particularly relevant.
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As usual in this series, there are picturesque descriptions of the beautiful Alaska landscape, and glimpses into indigenous culture, such as a Potlatch (ceremonial feast) for people lost in the Covid pandemic, and the 'aunties' - the influential native women who rule the roost among the park rats. In this book Kate becomes an auntie herself, much to her chagrin.
Potlatch
One of the best characters in the series is the wolf-dog Mutt, who reigns over The Park and gets obeisance - in the form of beef jerky, bones, and other treats - wherever she goes. Other recurring characters make an appearance as well, including Bobby Clark - the black DJ at the Park's radio station; the little weasel Howie Katelnikof - a minor criminal; Willard Shugak - Howie's mentally challenged roommate, who's manipulated into a life of misdemeanors; Auntie Vi - who runs a B&B and cooks up fry bread, caribou steaks, mooseburgers, and so on; the other park aunties; Bernie Kowlowski - who runs The Park's only bar; and more.
Caribou Steak
Fry Bread
I enjoyed this mystery and recommend it to fans of the Kate Shugak series and to other readers who like suspense novels.
Thanks to Netgalley, Dana Stabenow, and Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus publishers for a copy of the manuscript.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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