Deeper Sleep: a Kate Shugak Mystery
by Dana Stabenow
Published by St. Martin's
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Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann
Edgar award-winning Dana Stabenow is the author of 14 Kate Shugak novels, 3 Liam Campbell novels and 1 stand-alone thriller.
Shugak is a PI, living in the remote native area of Alaska. She is involved with Alaska state trooper Jim Chopin, and is stepmother to teenager Johnny Morgan, son of deceased Jack Morgan, her longtime lover.
Jim and Kate had been involved in the arrest and prosecution of Louis Deem, and at the beginning of this book, the verdict is about to be announced in his trial for the murder of his third wife. The previous two died in unusual manners as well--one drowned in a frozen creek, with a bump on the back of her head, and another had a truck fall on her while she was changing a tire. He was well known for abusing women, and was a thoroughly nasty and evil man, detested and feared by all. To everyone's shock, he is acquitted, and returns home after threatening Kate and her son.
Next, a woman and her 14-year-old son die after being shot in a robbery. Johnny was there, and caught a glimpse of the killer. He is sure it is Deem, and picks him in a line up. Deem, however, has an alibi--the oldest daughter of a huge Christian family that is new to the area, homesteading on the fringes of the park, near Salmon Creek. The prosecutors decide they do not have enough evidence to convict, and Deem is let out of jail. He is found dead, shotgun wound to the chest, on a deserted road hours later.
This book is full of twists and turns and surprises, lies and secrets.
Armchair Interviews says: A fast and riveting read, it is perfect for a cold winter night.
Author's Web site:
http://www.stabenow.com