I liked it. Kate, Mutt, Jim, Dan, Bernie were all there and contributed to the story. This cast of characters illuminated a threat of hatred and division that is ripping through the rest of America. As always, Kate solves the problem. OBTW, Dana Stabenow, when will Kate become one of the "aunties?" ( )

Even Alaska and the Park couldn't avoid COVID, but people are beginning to venture out into society again. Kate's hackles rise when a group of Outsiders terrorizes Bobby and the new postmaster utters a cryptic warning about some recent transplants to the area. Throw in several drones, and a suspicious mid-air collision of two planes, and you have a rollicking investigation. As usual, Kate is pissed and taking names and kicking butt, despite her sudden realization that she has become one of the Aunties!

Thanks to Head of Zeus for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley. ( )

Dana Stabenow continues with this excellent series. Her lively cast of characters is in full spate as the Park is threatened by an invasion of "white supremacists". Drones and planes do not mix well resulting in many deaths. And then, there is the murder of several of the locals combined with arson at the Roadhouse. More resolving than sleuthing but a good tale well told. ( )

'Not The Ones Dead' was an excellent addition to the Kate Shugak series, with a strong, topical plot. filled with violence, hate, destruction, death and political intrigue, balanced by the resilience of the people in the Park and by Kate's determination to find the truth and defend the people she cares about.

Even if you've never read a Kate Shugak book before, this would work as a thriller with a cast of strong characters anchored to a community and a landscape being threatened by the hatred and division that is ripping through the rest of America. If, like me, you've read the other twenty-two books and have been visiting Kate and the Park for more than a decade, then the experience is even more powerful.

Dana Stabenow has an extraordinary ability to keep this series fresh. She does this partly by letting her characters, not just Kate but all the people around her, grow, evolve and age. This isn't one of those series where time stands still. The young grow up, the old die and the ones in between often have their lives torn apart by the disaster mundane and personal or dramatic and community-wide. In this book one of the staples of Park life is destroyed, Kate's adopted son and his girlfriend start to find their feet as adults who look as if they will become formidable, we get Mutt's origin story and Kate reluctantly finds herself being redefined as an Auntie, one of the elders who exercise authority across the Park.

Another way that Dana Stabenow keeps the series fresh is by throwing topical issues at life in the Park. This time she places the Park under threat from white supremacist incomers with deep pockets, lots of weapons and a fierce Christofascist view of the world.

But I think the main thing that keeps the series fresh is that Dana Stabenow knows how to tell a story. She carries me with her through the story, making me aware of strange goings on, building a sense of threat and feeding my curiosity about how disparate events are linked, giving me time to speculate on motive and worry about consequences so that I lost myself entirely in the tale.

When I saw how the twentieth Kate Shugak book ended, I thought the series was over. I'm so glad it wasn't. I want this series to run and run. I want to see Kate age and the youngsters grow up. I want to lose myself in these stories as often as Dana Stabenow is willing to spin them and I want Marguerite Gavin to be the voice bringing me the stories. Her narration is perfect. Click on the Soundcloud link below to hear a sample.

https://soundcloud.com/bloomsburypublishing/not-the-ones-dead-by-dana-stabenow ( )

I liked it but not as much as past books in the series. Kate, Mutt, Jim, Dan, Bernie,... my favorites were al there but the tone of the series has changed. There isn't the intensity that this series once gripped me with. Kate and Jim have retired sort of, they are not rushing out into black holes anymore, there is a lot more thinking and enjoying the scenery. It was slow, I wished I'd gotten it on audio I think I would have enjoyed it more.
The area is infested with an extremest religious group, that has very narrow views on who is godly and who is not. (Racist) They are very dangerous, and do their best to hide while causing major damage to the area. They aren't the brightest bunch, young, dumb and heavily armed. The government is doing it's best to avoid any responsibility. I really was irked at this point, come on just tell the truth ! Ha ha ha ha I made a joke there, government telling the truth ?!?!?! As if that'd ever happen. Snort*** Okay back to the book. It's dealt with, the bad guys are thwarted for now... ( )