A review by lisawreading
Bad Blood by Dana Stabenow

4.0

I began the Kate Shugak series a little over a year ago, and here I am, done with #20! Bad Blood is the last in the series so far, and all I can say is -- there'd better be more! After 20 Kate books plus 4 Liam Campbell books, I'll go through major withdrawal if that's all there is. Plus, and I say this with love, what the hell? You can't end a book that way without a follow-up on the way!

Spoiler

Bad Blood ends with both Mutt and Kate getting shot, and it's not clear that either will survive. In fact, it really seems like this would be the end for Mutt, which is absolutely terrible. And Kate was just shot in the chest, so things don't look so good for her either! Given that the author has said that there will be a book 21, I can only assume Kate will make it.

The mystery in Bad Blood was a little slow to grab my interest, but ultimately I enjoyed the Romeo and Juliet aspect of a pair of young lovers from villages on opposite sides of a river whose residents are sworn enemies. Throw in a few murders, and things really heat up!

I was happy to see Jim and Kate enjoying some quality time together, although it disturbs me that Kate's attraction to the movie star, introduced in the previous book, is still on her mind here. What's the point? Please, please, please let Kate and Jim be happy together!

Okay, bottom line: If you've read the rest of the series, of course you need to read #20! And then settle in with me to wait for the next book.