In this 21st book in the 'Kate Shugak' series, the Alaskan private investigator searches for a missing man. The book can be read as a standalone, though familiarity with the characters is a bonus.
*****
As the story opens, Aleut private investigator Kate Shugak is in a hospital in Niniltna, recovering from a bullet wound....
.....and her injured half-wolf/half-husky Mutt is missing, perhaps dead.
Kate can't abide appearing weak, so - against medical advice - she checks out of the hospital and disappears.....leaving no word for anyone, not even her boyfriend Jim Chopin.
For his part, Jim Chopin - a flyboy Alaska State Trooper - blames himself for not protecting Kate.....and for abandoning a bleeding Mutt when he rushed Kate to the hospital. 😒
Distraught, the Trooper quits his job and - to distract himself - builds a runway for the plane he hopes to buy with his recent inheritance. Knowing Kate needs her privacy, Jim doesn't try to contact her, but the situation is tearing him up.
After four months in her remote cabin in the Quilak Mountains - during which time Kate rebuilds the entire structure - the Aleut PI is healed and considering her next move. Kate's hand is forced, however, when a passing orienteer discovers a pile of human bones near Kate's cabin.
Knowing the body has to be identified, Kate photographs and packs the bones, then heads back to Niniltna.
Kate delivers the disjointed skeleton to the authorities, then bunks down in Auntie Vi's boarding house. There Kate meets Sylvia McDonald, who's in town looking for her husband Fergus.
Fergus - a geologist at the local Suluutaq Mine - went exploring on his day off.....and disappeared.
Sylvia hires Kate to search for Fergus, and gives the sleuth a substantial retainer.
The next day Sylvia is found dead in a ditch, the victim of foul play. Kate is certain that Sylvia's death is related to Fergus's disappearance, and continues searching for the vanished geologist in the National Park surrounding Niniltna. During Kate's investigation another death occurs, and - while traveling 'outside' (away from the park) - Kate gets some valuable information.
Meanwhile, other troubling things are happening in the region. Kate's cousin Martin Shugak - a bootlegger and petty criminal - has vanished; two thugs from Chicago are hanging around, asking questions about Martin; and elderly grasping billionaire Erland Bannister has been visiting the area frequently...for no good purpose, in Kate's opinion.
While Kate searches for Fergus, ex-Trooper Jim searches for Martin - hoping this will help him reconnect with his girlfriend. Jim's hunt leads him into some dangerous situations, one of which - against all odds - is quite amusing. 🙂
The reason for all the mayhem in the park is revealed, bit by bit, and it's a whopper! 😲
Many of the series' regular characters appear in the story, including: Bobby - the wheelchair-bound radio station host (there's a nice surprise here); Bobby's wife Dinah; Aunties Joy, Viola, and Balasha - who like to quilt and gossip; Bernie the skirt-chasing barkeep; and more. There are also some kooky antics connected with a new reality show starring Howie, the disheveled town rapscallion.
As always in this series, the descriptions of Alaska's geography, vegetation, and wildlife are lovely and evocative.
On the downside, I'm disappointed that the story had no potlach (ceremonial feast) since the food and dancing are fun to read about.....but Auntie Vi does make delicious chocolate chip cookies. 🍪
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to mystery fans.
Rating: 3 stars
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