New York Times bestseller Dana Stabenow returns to her enormously popular Kate Shugak series with Whipser to the Blood Inside Alaska's biggest national park, surrounding the town of Niniltna, a gold mining company has started buying up land. The residents of the Park, are uneasy. "But gold is up to nine hundred dollars an ounce," is the refrain of Talia Macleod, the popular Alaskan skiing champ the company hired to improve their relations with Alaskans. And she promises much needed jobs to the locals. But before she can make her way to every village in the area to make her case at town meetings and village breakfasts, there are two murders—one a long-standing mine opponent, and Ms. Macleod herself. Between that and a series of attacks on snow mobilers up the Kanuyaq River, not to mention the still-open homicide of Park villain Louis Deem last year, part-time P.I. and newly elected chairman of the Niniltna Native Association Kate Shugak has her hands very much full.
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"This book was a great addition to the Kate Shugak series. The mystery kept me guessing, but it is the relationships that really make the story wonderful. I like that life isn't perfect for Jim and Kate - that they are still figuring out what they are to each other. And, I love Mutt:)"
— Janna (4 out of 5 stars)
Marguerite Gavin has found a voice for Kate that captures--without being grating--a voice frazzled and nearly silenced in the violent struggle that caused Kate to leave her job as an investigator for the Anchorage D.A.'s office.
— AudioFile on A Cold Day for MurderGavin's rendering of Kate is exceptional, along with her tackling of various German accents. Listeners will find themselves tingling with fright as they are stalked alongside Kate.
— AudioFile on Hunter's MoonReader Marguerite Gavin has a sonorous voice, rich and full of emotion; she easily delivers the wry humor that is so much a part of a Kate Shugak book. Gavin moves smoothly from accent to accent without hesitation, recalling multiple characters perfectly and bringing to life a main character you wouldn't mind being snowed in with for a few days.
— AudioFile on The Singing of the DeadGavin does justice to the complex character of Kate and those who enter her sphere...[her] rather gravelly voice reflects Kate's untamed nature.
— Booklist on The Singing of the DeadGavin's multi-voiced reading is quite fine. She handles the Native American characters realistically and reveals Kate Shugak to be the painstaking, uncompromising character readers have come to expect.
— KLIATT on A Taint in the BloodFeaturing highly original and well-drawn characters, the novel is yet another triumph for author Stabenow and an excellent platform for narrator Marguerite Gavin to showcase her talent. Her emotionally charged and intimate reading moves seamlessly from suspenseful scenes to Kate's domestic drama with her foster son and state trooper boyfriend. Through every plot twist, Gavin keeps listeners tightly hooked and empathetic toward to the characters.
— Publishers Weekly“Gavin superbly masters the pronunciation of native names and places as well as the cadence of native speakers, making this title an exquisite listening pleasure.
— AudioFile, Earphones Award winner" I really enjoyed listening to this book. The details of life in Alaska are amazing. The characters are interesting. The story is nicely interwoven with the details about the mystery and the descriptions of the place and the people. Very nice voice of the reader. "
— Darlis, 2/20/2014" Author Dana Stabenow lives in Anchorage, Alaska and writes about life in the 49th state. While I was on vacation there, I thought it would be interesting to read a book set in Alaska. It was most enjoyable because I was there while reading.It was a good enough mystery, but I liked the insights into life in such a wilderness. I had learned about subsistence living on my trip and that played a large part in the book. You have to love hunting and fishing to live there and realize that that's how many people both white and native feed and clothe themselves. The novel took place during the winter which means darkness during the day and night. How people can ride snow machines (snowmobiles)on trails in the dark amazed me, but that's what they are used to. A good book if you like a mystery in an unusual setting. "
— Mary, 1/29/2014" Really like these characters... "
— Modisettwilson, 1/25/2014" I hadn't read a Dana Stabenow in quite a while, and thoroughly enjoyed this one. That being said, however, there were a few times when I found the plot to be somewhat predictable. Nevertheless, her mysteries are always a fun read since they're based in Alaska. "
— Jodi, 1/17/2014" She writes such a good mystery. The Alaska information is so interesting. I loved this book. "
— Vickie, 1/12/2014" Kate Shugak is on the tribal council & tracks down killer of lady olypian who is killed while lobbying for new gold mine in then park. Lots of details -- lots of references to previous books. "
— Steve, 1/11/2014" ate it up. I had lost the thread of characters since I didn't read the last book, but jumped right in with no problems. I loved learning while being entertained. "
— Pickett, 12/29/2013" This is my second Kate Shugak novel to read. Takes up some time later, but many of the players are the same. Set in Alaska with Native Americans figuring prominently, it is a good insight into tribal workings, all amid several murders and snowgo ambushes. Good read. "
— Kitty, 12/25/2013" Small town...not sure how they're going to keep murdering people and not run out of population, but another strong mystery. Love the details about life in Alaska. "
— Sarah, 12/15/2013" Number 16 in the Kate Shugak Alaskan mystery series. Still enjoying these and looking forward to #17. "Pirates" on snowmobiles are ambushing park-rats as they return from shopping trips. Gold has been found in the park and a big developer has major plans to mine it. "
— Bayneeta, 12/12/2013" The only problem with finishing a Kate Shugak book is knowing you are now going to have to wait until the next one comes out. Stabenow never disappoints and she gets better with each book. "
— The, 12/10/2013" Dana Stabenow and her Kate Shugak are an awesome combination. This Alaskan mystery series just keeps getting better and better. The characters and the scenery are superb...and quite unique to our largest state. So worth the read... "
— Karen, 12/8/2013" Excellent! So happy to be back spending time with Kate, Mutt, the Aunties, the Park Rats, et al. And let's hear it for Roberts' Rules of Order! "
— mampdx, 9/4/2013" The latest in Stabenow's Kate Shugak series about Alaska. While making a statement about environmentalism and development in Alaska, Stabenow ties up a loose end or two from "A Deeper Sleep". It is a quick, enjoyable read for those of us familiar with Kate Shugak and her dog Mutt. "
— Bruce, 8/10/2013" This was not as strong an entry in the Kate Shugak mysteries as her other books. You need to read this one back to back with the previous entry in the series. I had read the other book so long ago that I didn't remember a lot of important details. "
— Liz, 8/1/2013" I have tried the beginning, middle and end of this series and I can't get into them at all. I'm just going to have to give them up. "
— farmwifetwo, 6/15/2013" Always enjoy her books well written and in Alaska as a local author I like that. "
— Sherry, 5/5/2013" very dry read, although the descriptions of the alaskan landscape were dreamy. "
— Barbi, 3/19/2013" Not as good as some, but great, especially for an Alaskan. There are a lot of "inside" jokes unknown to those 'Outside"(not from Alaska - bad pun intended). "
— John, 1/3/2013" Another great addition to the Kate Shugak series. "
— Cheryl, 12/14/2012" Enjoyed that it takes place in Alaska, but a bit slow "
— Deb, 11/21/2012" One of 15 Kate Shugak novels set in Alaska's biggest National Park. "
— Nance, 11/3/2012" Really liked the ending to this one. Tying up loose ends is great, now I just want more. "
— Nicole, 1/19/2012" Good story line, but you need to read all Stabenow books in order to really get what is going on in the Park. "
— Gary, 6/23/2011" still catching up from my ipod!! davenport must be getting closer!!!! "
— Joanne, 6/23/2011" My first Kate Shugak book so I may be missing something. I like the setting and the female lead character, but some of the assumptions seem a bit typical, so I'd like to see a stronger Kate...but maybe she's stronger in the previous ones! "
— Pam, 3/7/2011" I LOVE this series, even though I am totally reading it out of order - which sometimes has to happen when you're borrowing the books from the library. "
— Janelle, 1/8/2011" Second time I tried this book--just not my style. Have loved her other books. "
— Deanna, 12/29/2010" I am continuing along with this series and continue to enjoy the characters and Alaskan setting. "
— Lynette, 12/12/2010" This was a really good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was my first crack at a Dana Stabenow/Kate Shugak tale and it was well worth it. Great writing, good story, characters and Alaska as the setting was great. "
— Alan, 11/8/2010" A fitting companion to the previous book in the serious, but maybe a little difficult to read on its own. "
— Meg, 10/21/2010" One of the things I like about the Kate Shugak series are the surprises that pop up, and how well everything is woven together throughout the story. <br/> <br/>Whisper to the Blood was no exception, and another great entry in the series. Loved it. "
— G.L., 8/16/2010" Always enjoy her books well written and in Alaska as a local author I like that. "
— Sherry, 8/12/2010" It's amazing how Dana Stabenow takes events in the Park and ongoing relationships and uses them to sneak in commentary on Larger Issues: change, ambivalence, economic growth, deception. Another satisfying Kate Shugak. "
— Nancy, 6/11/2010" Dana Stabenow and her Kate Shugak are an awesome combination. This Alaskan mystery series just keeps getting better and better. The characters and the scenery are superb...and quite unique to our largest state. So worth the read... "
— Karen, 3/25/2010Dana Stabenow was born in Alaska and is the author of historical adventure novels, mysteries, suspense, and science fiction, including the award-winning Kate Shugak mystery series. The first book in that series, A Cold Day for Murder, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America, and Though Not Dead made the New York Times bestseller list. She lives in Alaska, where she was awarded the 2007 Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities.
Marguerite Gavin is a seasoned theater veteran, a five-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award, and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly awards. She has been an actor, director, and audiobook narrator for her entire professional career. With over four hundred titles to her credit, her narration spans nearly every genre, from nonfiction to mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and children’s fiction. AudioFile magazine says, “Marguerite Gavin…has a sonorous voice, rich and full of emotion.”