White Heat

A Novel

By: M. J. McGrath

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Half Inuit and half outsider, Edie Kiglatuk is the best guide in her corner of the Arctic. But as a woman, she gets only grudging respect from the elders who rule her isolated community on Ellesmere Island. When a man is shot and killed while out on an “authentic” Arctic adventure under her watch, the murder attracts the attention of police sergeant Derek Palliser. As Edie sets out to discover what those tourists were really after, she is shocked by the suicide of someone very close to her. Though these events are seemingly unrelated, Edie’s Inuit hunter sensibility tells her otherwise. With or without Derek’s help, she is determined to find the key to this connection—a search that takes her beyond her small village and into the far reaches of the tundra.

White Heat is a stunning debut novel set in an utterly foreign culture amid an unforgiving landscape of ice and rock, of spirit ancestors and never-rotting bones. A suspense-filled adventure story that will captivate fans of Henning Mankell’s bestselling mysteries, this book marks the start of an exciting new series.

©2011 M. J. McGrath, Ltd. (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“M.J. McGrath opens a window onto a fascinating and disappearing culture in this haunting mystery.” ( Parade)

different

not the same old mystery. the customs of the North add unique flavor

Great high arctic mystery.

Well-crafted mystery in the very interesting setting. Great insights into Inuit culture included in the structure which gives the story a great feel. Love yet likeable heroine.

Arctic Mystery

Would you consider the audio edition of White Heat to be better than the print version?

No, Ms. reading was ok, but not perfect. She had trouble with different voices. She was somewhat a monotone

Would you recommend White Heat to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes. The story was OK, but the arctic setting made the book. The difference in culture is presented quite well. I really enjoyed Mcgrath introducing us to a world and a culture I do not know

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene with the old man who was fishing. How Edie and he interacted and how their culture was maintained

If you could take any character from White Heat out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The old man. He seemed so interesting and so pure.

Any additional comments?

Felt the ending was too sweet and too obvious. Hard to think everything is going to fall into place so easily . It seemed to change from an interesting story of an interesting culture to a predictable love story.

Unique Backdrop

Where does White Heat rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was a unique book because of the setting in the arctic and characters that have such a different life experience

What was one of the most memorable moments of White Heat?

No one moment stands out, so many were surprising.

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kate has the ability to pronounce dialog that would be difficult to read and make it sound like everyday speech.

Who was the most memorable character of White Heat and why?

Edie is a character who is difficult to love, but easy to understand and empathize with during a time of sorrow and upheaval.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to reading more of this series.

mildly interesting

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, it was not really my taste. It must have been a Book of the Day. I found myself getting disinterested, my mind wandered, yet I was able to keep up with the plot. I did listen until the end, but was glad when it ended.

A must read/listen!

Where does White Heat rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Now one of my favorites, White Heat plunges you into a foreign world for most of us...Inuit. On top of a stellar performance by both author and narrator, you get a book combined with mystery and anthropology. I didn't know much about Inuits, or "Eskimos" as I had referred to them before this read, and came away with a deep respect and fascination of their customs and thinking. Us "Southerns", as they call us, should read this book both for the fiction and the history lesson.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main and supporting characters are all fascinating and all bring something to the book.

Which character – as performed by Kate Reading – was your favorite?

I guess the main character, Edie Kiglatuk, would have to be my favorite. Kate Reading does an amazing job voicing her and pronouncing the Inuit language.

If you could rename White Heat, what would you call it?

White Lies

Any additional comments?

A must read for any mystery lover!

A Unique Detective

I love mysteries it's my passion. Edie Kiglatuk was a hunter. Her new occupation teaching and guide for amateur explorers. But there are mysterious deaths that turns her hunters' experience into a great detective. It's fun to read about different nationalities, Edie is Inuit and lives Artic. She has tenacity, wit, and a beautiful soul. So sit back, relax and enjoy Edie story.

Interesting story but bad language

This had potential to be a good story but the language ruined it for me. Obscenity is not necessary for a good book.

An excellent primer about Inuit hunters.

What made the experience of listening to White Heat the most enjoyable?

The fascinating culture, from the viewpoint of a 1/2 insider. The story was well crafted and told with talent.

Which character – as performed by Kate Reading – was your favorite?

Kate Reading did an outsanding job for the various characters, making each distinct and with unusual (and seemingly authoentic) flavors. The protagonist, of course, was the dominant character and well narrated.

If you could take any character from White Heat out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would love to just chat with Eda Kigletuk and find out yet more about the Inuit people.

Any additional comments?

This was well worth the price for the Audible Daily Deal and the time invvested in listening.

It's not Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I bought this book hoping for another Kate Shugak--because I'd read all in the series & the last book I had read, Bad Blood, (Spoiler alert!) ended on a horrible life-and-death cliff-hanger. Then when no more books in that series came out and more in the Silk series came out, I was afraid the author was done with Kate. So it's hard to rate this book on its own merits. My overall feeling is there are too many bad guys & the plot is too complicated. Admittedly I "read" this book at a very bad time in my life - family member dying - so maybe my concentration wasn't up to par.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Less complicated plot & fewer bad guys. Needed a scorecard. Didn't need all the details about blood soup & blubber. Kate Shugak shoots a moose but we don't get details about every subtask in rendering. May have made it more realistic but also added to boredom.

What three words best describe Kate Reading’s performance?

Wow, I forgot that's who read it. That's probably why I bought this book. I like her much better reading Cornwell Kay Scarpetta series. Her voice was nice but somehow wasn't as dramatic as in Kay.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Any additional comments?

If this is a series, I probably won't buy another.