So Sure of Death

A fun read with two murder mysteries, character insights and rapid action

I liked Liam Campbell a little better in this book than in the first. I think there is hope for his redemption after all. It was refreshing to see that the pain Liam and Wy caused through their affair is not glossed over and continues to have an impact on not just their behaviour but their sense of who they are. Meeting Liam's father helped round him out and the addition of another trooper to the post gave a more realistic context for assessing him.

Dana Stabenow delivers two murder mysteries to move the plot along this time - a whole family killed on a fishing boat and a researcher killed at an archaeological dig. Both are well thought through, with multiple show more who-dunnit candidates and good local colour but for me Stabenow's strength lies in her willingness and ability to make me feel the emotional weight of the extinction of a whole family.

On the whole this remains a light, enjoyable read, with lots of jumping out of planes and on to boats and ruining of uniforms at a brisk pace. There are moments of introspection that make the action matter more and there is a continuous and skilful development of my knowledge of the local cast of characters that promises to build the books into a rich world rather than just a series of solved murders.

I'm looking forward to reading the next one. show less

I go back and forth with Stabenow. I don't think I will look hard for other books of hers. But that is because I have certain prejudices.

The mystery is the burned-out boat with the bodies of a whole family on it. The investigator is Alaska Trooper Liam Campbell, newly demoted because of errors made by his men on a previous mission.

Campbell is joined by a new assistant and pilot Diana Prince (wonder woman???), who is a rookie but fiercely determined. By some sort of accident, Liam meets up with private pilot Wyanet Chouinard, who apparently broke his heart some time ago. He still has feelings for her and wants to know if those feelings are returned.

Wy has a contract to fly an archeologist to and from his dig in a remote area near Chinook show more Air Force Base. On a routine fly-in, she discovers the archeologist's assistant dead, murdered.

Liam also meets with his father at the air force base. The two have been estranged but the elder Campbell wants Liam back in the fold. There is a lot to contend with, and much of it is hidden.

My problem with this particular novel was that it reeks of romance novel. Yes, there are mysteries here, worth following, but there are also the usual stereotypes: the tough young woman hurt by love, the tough super-capable man also wary but willing. They could fit into any number of romantic suspense books. If they were more interesting characters I'd like them more. show less

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It is book 2 of the Liam Campbell Alaska state trooper series. I read it in 4 days, an easy, satisfying read. Liam has two separate murder incidents. One is a multiple murder of 7 people and the other a single person. He must fly to these murder scenes, because his territory in bush Alaska is huge. He is terrified of flying, but he must do it everyday, sometimes more than once.

A subplot is his on/off romantic relationship with Wyanet Chouinard, who owns the small plane charter service that he uses on a daily basis.

The book also has some humorous observations on Alaska:

"The governor narrowly escaped prison only by payment of a $330,000 fine, but when the legislature changed hands two years later, they show more vacated the judgement and repaid the fine with interest."
A newspaper reporter comments "Ah, Alaska, gays can't marry .. and embezzlers never go hungry." show less

Dana Stabenow is a good storyteller and her Liam Campbell series truly reflects that skill. New and interesting characters are introduced as Liam settles into his new territories. When he is not jumping from or riding the pontoon of an airplane; he Is quaking with fear from riding in them. Lots of deaths, some surprising villains and a smash ending when his pet raven saves him from an avalanche of walruses.

Liam Campbell is dealing with several things apart from murder, a second murder, his job, his father and the mess he has made of his relationship with Wyn. All of these things loom large in his life and all of them require him to pay attention, the two murders most of all.
Well not two murders per say, two murder situations. One is a single murder and the other is seven people. He also ends up with a partner on the force, who is eager and can fly.
It was interesting and the two murders tragic. Female characters don't seem to fare well in many of these stories.

Lots of interesting Alaska scene setting and bunches of characters. The two mysteries though seemed to be resolved by just talking people around until the guilty broke and revealed themselves. Not all that satisfying. Still, fast moving and entertaining.

Liam Campbell is a state trooper assigned to a small settlement in the Alaskan Bush and the surrounding area. He hates flying, but of course, in the Bush, the only way to reach some places to investigate a murder is by flying.

This is a whodunit that keeps you guessing. Besides flying, Liam Campbell has the challenge of overcoming the bad actions by the former trooper, the native culture and beliefs, and a beady-eyed, feathered, heckling bird.

Will Liam get his man/woman? Read the book to find out.