Though Not Dead by Dana Stabenow, Read by Marguerite Gavin

With the narration of over 200 audio books to her credit there's no question that author/actress Marguerite Gavin is a well respected and sought after reader. With the first audiobook in the Kate Shugak series A Cold Day for Murder, this reader was praised by AudioFile magazine, "Marguerite Gavin has found a voice for Kate that captures - without being grating - a voice frazzled and nearly silenced in the violent struggle that caused Kate to leave her job as an investigator for the Anchorage D.A.'s office." True, indeed, Gavin is the voice of Kate, and that voice is especially compelling in THOUGH NOT DEAD.

No question that Dana Stabenow loves Alaska; that affection is clear in each novel in this series. What is also clear is that Stabenow is a powerful, exciting writer who begins her stories with a grabber and doesn't let go until the last word. THOUGH NOT DEAD reminds us of 1918 Alaska when the Black Death enveloped that territory then it moves on through Alaskan history as Kate attempts to fulfill the dying wish of her 87-year-old uncle, Sam Dementieff, who was fondly called the "father" of all the park rats who live in National Park. There is a letter within his will telling Kate to "find my father."

Now that may seem innocuous enough but the trail Kate follows takes her into perilous territory where her very life is soon at stake. Along the way listeners are treated to bits of Alaska's history which are part and parcel of family secrets that have been hidden for years.

Of course, she's accompanied by her fierce protector, Mutt, a 140 pound half-wolf. The relationship between the two is more than remarkable. Listeners will be fascinated by the places Kate visits on her Arctic Cat, and shiver as Kate comes closer to solving a mystery that is, perhaps, best left unsolved.

A Kate Shugak mystery is always a treasure - enjoy!

- Gail Cooke