Blood Will Tell

Kate Shugak Mysteries: 6

ISBN: 0-7366-4913-1 Order from: Books on Tape

A satisfying, well-paced, richly Alaskan mystery with likable protagonist, good supporting chararacters, and a balance of detection and personal development.

Reviewed by David on April 28, 2002

Genre: Mystery (Private Investigator, Alaska)

Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of Blood WIll Tell.

Kate Shugak, an Aleut, once of Anchorage D.A. is now a private investigator. Kate's relations with her imperious grandmother, the matriarch Ekaterina Moon and Shugak, have been strained. When Ekaterina comes to Kate's remote residence in the park, Kate is pleased at the reprochment, but cautious about the matriarch's motives. Kate's suspicions prove right: Ekaterina wants Kate to come to the noisy Anchorage, and, even worse, delve into Native American politics.

But grandmother's arguments are compelling: evidence of corruption and even murder are aimed at getting a tract of native land. Reluctantly, Kate comes to the city, and engages in battles, political as well as personal, with corruption, greed and malice.

Full Review: As much about Kate (and her lover's Jack) personal life as about the criminal investigation, this mystery is well-paced and full of colorful characters. The novel is full of Alaskan details, and Kate's appreciation of her heritage, along with her modern upbringing, allow the author to introduce these details with a sense of novelty and appreciation.

The author makes use of story-telling conventions in dialogue to bring a sense of unusual to the Aleut culture. The tone is pleasing, although this reader is not sure that heavy use of anaphora (repeating a word at the start of each sentence) is that common in Alaskan story-telling.

The book stands well on its own, although characters from previous books play important roles. The story comes to a satisfying conclusion, and its appealing protagonist and appreciation for local culture and nature bring an additional advantage to an already enjoyable mystery.

Overall: 6; Plot: 6; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 5;

ISBN: 0-7366-4913-1 Order from: Books on Tape