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lisawreading's review
4.0
I somewhat grudgingly decided to read the Liam Campbell mysteries after reading 18 Kate Shugak books, knowing that Liam shows up in Kate #19.
Now, after reading the four Liam books, I can say without hesitation that it was worth the detour! The Liam Campbell mysteries are set in a different part of Alaska than the Kate books, and Liam -- a state trooper -- presents a very different set of eyes through which to view the characters and issues there.
If you're a fan of the Kate Shugak books, wondering whether to read the Liam stories... the answer is yes!
Now, after reading the four Liam books, I can say without hesitation that it was worth the detour! The Liam Campbell mysteries are set in a different part of Alaska than the Kate books, and Liam -- a state trooper -- presents a very different set of eyes through which to view the characters and issues there.
If you're a fan of the Kate Shugak books, wondering whether to read the Liam stories... the answer is yes!
constantreader471's review
4.0
4 stars for a pleasant mystery set in Alaska. This is book 4 in the Liam Campbell series, but it would work as a stand alone. Liam is an Alaska State trooper stationed in Newenham, on the Bristol Bay area of Alaska. He starts an investigation when a severed arm is discovered at the home of some sketchy characters suspected of trying to steal an ATM. This leads to a long buried WWII airplane uncovered by glacier melt.
Some characters:
John Kvichak, leader of the ATM robber group
Liam Campbell, Alaska State Trooper, head of Newenham office
Prince, Alaska State Trooper
Wyanet Chouinard, owner of an air taxi service and Liam's lover
Lydia Tompkins, 74 year old widow who flirts with Liam while reporting a crime
Bill Barrington, bar owner and town magistrate
Two murders occur in this book and Liam does solve the case, but not until the end is the killer revealed and I did not suspect the killer until the end.
There is some bad language, but no graphic violence. There are also some sex scenes, including between Bill, in her 60s, and Moses Alakuyak, in his 70s, who rejoice in their ability to have sex 2 or 3 times a day. i am in my 70s and that level of sex is beyond me.
One quote on Lydia flirting with Liam: "She uncrossed and crossed her legs, rearranged the skirt of her blue-flowered housedress, fussed with a short, smooth cap of still-black hair and smiled at Liam."
This was a library book. Both my wife and I enjoy this series.
Some characters:
John Kvichak, leader of the ATM robber group
Liam Campbell, Alaska State Trooper, head of Newenham office
Prince, Alaska State Trooper
Wyanet Chouinard, owner of an air taxi service and Liam's lover
Lydia Tompkins, 74 year old widow who flirts with Liam while reporting a crime
Bill Barrington, bar owner and town magistrate
Two murders occur in this book and Liam does solve the case, but not until the end is the killer revealed and I did not suspect the killer until the end.
There is some bad language, but no graphic violence. There are also some sex scenes, including between Bill, in her 60s, and Moses Alakuyak, in his 70s, who rejoice in their ability to have sex 2 or 3 times a day. i am in my 70s and that level of sex is beyond me.
One quote on Lydia flirting with Liam: "She uncrossed and crossed her legs, rearranged the skirt of her blue-flowered housedress, fussed with a short, smooth cap of still-black hair and smiled at Liam."
This was a library book. Both my wife and I enjoy this series.
abibliofob's review
4.0
Better to Rest by Dana Stabenow is the fourth Liam Campbell story and as usual it's a great mystery this time set in two time periods separated by sixty years. Oh, don't forget ther is murder and the still ongoing struggle between Liam and Wy. I do enjoy the humor in these books and the fact that we get to know more about the characters all the time.
rclz's review
5.0
this was very good but I'm mad it's the last one. I'm going to miss Wy and Liam but you can see that it all got tied up nicely at the end and if you're going to end a series that's the way it should be.
tctimlin's review
3.0
another enjoyable episode in the Trooper Liam Campbell series. interesting tie-in with the WWII Lend-Lease program. more backstory on Wyanet (she is Moses' granddaughter) . some of the story doesn't wrap up neatly. you never find out why the plane crashed, who the spy was or what the crew was doing with the gold. because that storyline is left dangling, I am not sure the purpose of the soldier's diary entries (a diary which is never found and has no role in the rest of the story).
littlemainelibrarian's review
5.0
I loved this book and cannot wait for the next in the series to be written!
Now I can say I have read BOTH of Ms. Stabenow's series and enjoyed them both, but the Kate Shugak books are still my favorite. Liam Campbell will get there, we just need to read more of him! :-)
~Hope
Now I can say I have read BOTH of Ms. Stabenow's series and enjoyed them both, but the Kate Shugak books are still my favorite. Liam Campbell will get there, we just need to read more of him! :-)
~Hope
skinnypenguin's review
3.0
Love how small villages are so interconnected. All the residents know each other and secrets are hard to keep. Interesting how events from the past combined with events in the present to precipitate the crime. Glad to see Liam and Wy finally make a commitment at the end.
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