"Beauty and the danger of the Alaskan frontier"
Now that the Republicans are back in the White House,
there is an intense interest in exploring the Alaskan
wilderness for oil reserves. The natives of the state are
torn between the need for new jobs and preserving the
beauty of their untamed land. Chief park ranger Dan
O'Brien is on the record for wanting to preserve the
environment and as a result was asked by his superiors to
take an early retirement. Kate Shugak, a homesteader in the Park, is rallying the
people to save Dan's job. When two elderly radical
conservationists that Kate spoke to about the problem are
found dead, Alaska state trooper Jim Chopin arrests a
Vietnam vet, covered in blood and holding the murder
weapon. Although it looks like an open and shut case, both
Kate and Jim find that things seem too pat and decide to
investigate, a decision that puts Kate in deadly danger. Although A FINE AND BITTER SNOW is a great mystery, the
author puts more emphasis on the strange but very real
courtship of Kate and Jim. Kate's efforts to avoid Jim and
his honest bewilderment about his feelings for the prickly
investigator make for some funny episodes. As always, Dana
Stabenow brings the beauty and the danger of the Alaskan
frontier alive, but also provides insight into the oil
rigging environmental controversy This exciting novel will
leave readers excited yet bushed from a wonderful reading
experience. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted May 11, 2002
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