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nocto's review against another edition
Though it's the fifth in the series this is the first of the Kate Shugak books, which are set in Alaska, to be set somewhere where it isn't freezing cold. I enjoyed the change in scenery and seeing what Alaska is like when it isn't snowing. In fact in this book Kate stumbles upon a body while picking mushrooms on the site of a forest fire. The transistion from snow to fire works very well for me, it brought out a different side of the series characters.
In this book despite having less of a mystery to solve than has been the case before Kate seemed to be more involved and more interested in finding out the answers. This is all in character because she wasn't really employed as an investigator in this one, she was running off on more of a personal hunch for much of the book. Curiously the transistion from a professional to a near amateur made this book work better for me as a mystery than some of the earlier books. There was more logic to Kate's actions here I think.
I liked the viewpoint that the book took on fundamentalist religion and it's imposition on scientific teachings, you'd probably want to avoid this book if you're a die hard ceationist or can't see the other side of religious arguments. My line to take away from this book concerns the "Red Queen Theory of Religion": try to believe six impossible things before breakfast, it'll get you in practice for the Virgin Birth and the Second Coming.
The story telling and the characterisation are both improving as this series goes on. This book is more substantial in both plot and pages than it's predecessors. I'm glad that I have several more to read.
In this book despite having less of a mystery to solve than has been the case before Kate seemed to be more involved and more interested in finding out the answers. This is all in character because she wasn't really employed as an investigator in this one, she was running off on more of a personal hunch for much of the book. Curiously the transistion from a professional to a near amateur made this book work better for me as a mystery than some of the earlier books. There was more logic to Kate's actions here I think.
I liked the viewpoint that the book took on fundamentalist religion and it's imposition on scientific teachings, you'd probably want to avoid this book if you're a die hard ceationist or can't see the other side of religious arguments. My line to take away from this book concerns the "Red Queen Theory of Religion": try to believe six impossible things before breakfast, it'll get you in practice for the Virgin Birth and the Second Coming.
The story telling and the characterisation are both improving as this series goes on. This book is more substantial in both plot and pages than it's predecessors. I'm glad that I have several more to read.
luffy79's review against another edition
3.0
This was a book without a clever twist in sight. Yet it was qualified enough to engage my mind. I'm sure there are people who dislike the book. Or adore it. I give it 3 stars because there are some boring bits in the book.
I don't remember the entire cast of characters in this book, because I gave reading it a break at one point. I think the background of science vs religion was something that needs to happen only once in this series.
The murder of a nude man in nightmarish conditions is difficult to write about. Not because it's hard, but because it requires talent of the type that needs to be just right enough not to look artificial. A bash on the head resulting in death is a cozy mystery. A book like this is what? I don't really know.
I don't remember the entire cast of characters in this book, because I gave reading it a break at one point. I think the background of science vs religion was something that needs to happen only once in this series.
The murder of a nude man in nightmarish conditions is difficult to write about. Not because it's hard, but because it requires talent of the type that needs to be just right enough not to look artificial. A bash on the head resulting in death is a cozy mystery. A book like this is what? I don't really know.
amanda31's review against another edition
4.0
This one seems to be more background on Kate and less mystery, definitely enjoyed it despite the somewhat slower pace. Plus I love that the ending was not tidy at all despite having wished for it the most with this one. Off to the next!
emjrey's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
A pretty intense read at times, despite the pace being fairly slow
littlemainelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! Every book is fresh. Every story builds on the last. I so enjoy this series! I truly love reading through the series and have no plans to stop until I'm through the final book... or at least the most recent book. LOL!