Bad Blood

A Kate Shugak Mystery, Book 20

By: Dana Stabenow

Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

New York Times best-selling author Dana Stabenow's latest, Bad Blood, finds Kate Shugak entangled in a bitter tribal rivalry and murder.

In Alaska, 100 years of bad blood between the villages of Kushtaka and Kuskulana come to a boil when the body of a young Kushtaka ne'er-do-well is found wedged in a fish wheel. Sergeant Jim Chopin's prime suspect is a Kuskulana man who is already in trouble in both villages for falling in love across the river. But when the suspect disappears, members of both tribes refuse to speak to Jim. When a second murder that looks suspiciously like payback occurs, Jim has no choice but to call in Kate Shugak for help. This time, though, her Park relationships may not be enough to sort out the truth hidden in the tales of tragedy and revenge.

©2013 Dana Stabenow (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Love/Hate Relationship

I really liked this book for the most part, but found it to be a review of Kate's overall story and how she got here. I know that story because I have read every one of Dana's books. I love Kate because she has guts and she isn't easily fooled by anyone. I found the murder mystery portion to have its twists. The conclusion is unexpected, however, and leaves me wanting more Kate and Mutt so Dana get busy!

Excellent until the end

I read this book when it was first published. I just listened to the audiobook. Very well done. I have been re-reading the Kate Shugak series. it is excellent. The view into Alaska life and people always makes me want to move to Alaska and live alone. The end of this story is very unexpected. No spoiler report but....what the what???

Classic, with a twist

This is a classic Kate Shugak story, with all your favorite characters and descriptions of The Park, but a twist at the end.

CLIFFHANGER!!

I love the Kate Shugak series and was under the impression this was the last book. The ending was a terrible shock and I was royally p***ed…then after checking Diana Stabenow's web site, I find that she's working on the 21st book in the series!! Thank god! That shocking ending was the only reason for a lost star on the story. Love Kate and Mutt and Chopper Jim!!

I hate cliffhangers even thou I’ve got the next book

This one was hard to follow for me because the two village names were so close & there were so many new characters in each. However, once I finally got them straight it was a very good story until the ending. I know surely they’re not both dead, however, she killed off Jack so who knows.

Less Kate Shugack than I expected

Story was interesting as usual but Kate wasn't the center of the story as in most of the past stories. It seemed more about Chopper Jim than about her which is different. But after that it ended in a way I never thought could happen so it did leave me speechless.

good book, good narration

The narration was much better in this book than in the last one. Liked the story; did not like the ending but I guess I'll have to see. Have liked all of the Kate Shugak novels. Read/listen to them in order.

After more than a year, I have more understanding.

For those who are quite upset (as I was for a very long time)... The reason for such a 'harsh' cliff hanger was because Dana is pursuing a different series and I think fresh ideas for Kate and Mutt have been difficult for the last few books she cranked out. She will be back but I do not know when. Her newest book is out; Silk and Song.

Don't worry... There will be more Kate. But when Dana is ready and when she has worthy ideas. It would be a disservice to the series to write a book just to write it.

Believe me, I cried, I was furious, I was in total shock with the cliffhanger. Now... with so much time that has passed... I still listen to the audible version of this BUT only because I know that this is not the ending. So hang in there folks. I was just as frustrated but there is some light at the end of this particular tunnel. Now with that out of the way...

Great performance as usual! Story... ehhhhhh... I am still torn over it. Overall, yes, it is a good book with a different feel from the rest of the series. Kate is more in the background on this one and Jim takes the lead with a case that is frankly, 'Hatfield & McCoy' sized. Push through and hang on because the last few pages of this will leave you quite disheveled.

Another Great Kate Shugak Story

This 20th book in the story of Kate Shugak and Alaska is another winner, though much of the story is actually about Jim Chopin. The plot, straight out of Shakespeare, involves the feud between two villages in the Park, and the problems of young love in the midst of feud fueled by profound cultural and socio-economic differences.
This book ends with a rather controversial ending that I will not describe or comment on to avoid spoiling the book. Suffice it to say, it's a shocker.
But even knowing that, I am extremely glad to have read this book, and, as usual, Marguerite Gavin's superb narration adds to the enjoyment and understanding.

Go Alaska

At their core Dana Stabenow's books are about Alaska, the land, the people and throw in a mystery to be solved by the indomitable Kate Shugack.

I listened to this book while in Alaska. It brought the land and the people to life. While not a taut thriller it was still an enjoyable listen. If you like the series, you will like this one, too.