Reviews

Play With Fire by Dana Stabenow

regenjasje's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.25

I really hated this book it still gets me angry when i think back. It just really wasnt my type of writing. Think middle-aged, privileged, white, American woman.

mkc1025's review

1.0

I intended to read all of the Shugak series but I couldn't plod through this one. I came away feeling pity for the author - she is so furiously filled with hatred for Christians and Christianity that some deeply personal experience has destroyed any sense of objectivity on the subject. It's not sufficient for her to be an atheist, she spews hatred at all Christian beliefs and anyone who believes any of them. Her vilification of Christians is matched by her poor attempt to convince her readers that Christians have fangs and ride white horses with bedsheets over their heads. Shame on you Stabenow. Put your irrational hatred behind you and get back to business. This book is unreadable.

yodamom's review

4.0

Kate finds herself a body and so it begins. Her body magnet is working strong to find this one it's way out in the...... Meanwhile, she is hired into service by a young child looking for his father. His grandfather is a righteous religious holier than all type preacher, with some extreme dangerous ideals. Kate is stuck in the middle of this zealot filled town and her need to solve these mysteries.
I loved this one, the way Kate and Co. dealt with the zealots was fantastic. Organized religion, oy it can be the cause so much trouble. Her friends, co workers and Mutt are wonderful to spend time with. The place Ms. Stabenow takes us in Alaska are always a treat I feel like I'm getting to know the state while reading this series. On to book #6

jessvm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

luciearan's review against another edition

4.0

Oproti předchozímu dílu, byla tato kniha možná maličko slabší. Ale hlavně byla jiná. Byla více o střetu kultur, náboženství, fanatismu a hlavně... o houbách. I tento příběh se četl dobře a bylo na něm mnoho věcí k zamyšlení. Škoda jen toho neurčitého konce. I tak, už se ale, nemůžu dočkat, dalších dílů.

lisawreading's review against another edition

4.0

Another excellent volume in the Kate Shugak mystery series. The audiobook narrator is terrific, and the stories themselves are compelling. With each book in the series, we get to know the recurring characters even more, and Kate herself continues to be an outstanding, complex hero. Can't wait for the next book!

abibliofob's review

4.0

Play With Fire is another great Alaskan mystery involving religion and mushrooms? Dana Stabenow is a pleasant surprise for me and I will continue following the adventures of Kate Shugak.

terrik_409's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Although written years ago the events in the book are timely given the rise in Christian fundamentalism. This book also doesn't have a neat ending.

Although Mutt doesn't die she does get injured and there is another dog death.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death

lemanley's review against another edition

challenging mysterious fast-paced

4.0

katkinney's review

3.0

This is the fifth book in the Kate Shugak series. Kate, a former investigator for the Anchorage DA’s office, is picking mushrooms in an area of the forest formerly devastated by forest fire, when she discovers a body. She is then hired by a local kid to find his missing dad and it doesn’t take long to put the pieces together that the missing body is his dad. I am enjoying this series for the in-depth descriptions of life in Alaska and way the author brings the setting (different in each book) to life. This was not probably my favorite book in the series. Religious fundamentalist cultists take up most of the narrative, which quickly grew tiresome. 3/5 stars.