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Top reviews from the United States

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Patricia M

CABIN FEVERP

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2020

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The now familiar characters dive into spring as only they can - not exactly enthusiastically, but with a sense of fatality and good humor - except when the good humor escapes them. They are, by now, so well defined that the reactions of the main characters can almost be predicted.
Except when they are faced with situate no one can prepare for, like the sky apparently falling, or a gunfight at the Okay Corral.
They do their best, they solve the problems, and prepare for the next go round.
Well worth the read.

A. Shopaholic

Great as usual except the anti-Christian paragraphs

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2020

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If the author could keep her hate for Christians out of her books, I would be able to fully enjoy her otherwise stellar writing. I love all Kate Shugak books except the horrendous book 5 that was a pure anti-Christian rant the entire book and now a few paragraphs in this book that again shows a ridiculous amount of bias against Christians.

The author clearly feels that if you are a Christian, you are also white, meat eating, Republican, pro-lifers, uneducated and homophobic.

Here are a couple of quotes from this book, “the Jeppsons are your everyday born-again Christian fanatics, who think the Bible is the only book necessary.” And then after making sure you knew (an entire paragraph) that the bad people are Christian and therefore uneducated and the non-Christians have master degrees, she stated, “the Bible says Love thy neighbor. That’s all it says. It doesn’t say, Love thy neighbor only if he’s a straight white anti-abortion meat-eating born again right-wing Republican foot-washing Baptist.”

Tax Lady

Alaskan Breakup Turns Life Upside Down

Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2018

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One of my very favorite books of a favorite series. Dana Stabenow knows how to write a book in a series that can also be a good stand-alone story. Breakup has little more obvious humor than some of the others. As in her other books, there is also straight up great detective work, logical consequences, a heroine I wish I could be and a DOG (half wolf but a dog to fit Kate Shugak's personality and ethics). Alaska comes to life in her writings and you can feel as though you know these people and where they live. Read this alone if you want but I recommend starting with the first book of the series, A Cold Day for Murder, and working your way through every single book- slowly.

S. Warfield

Breakup of snow and ice cause a lot of problems

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2016

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It's been a while since I read the last book in the Kate Shugak series by Dana Stabenow. This is book number 7.I have always enjoy the books and the character of Kate since she's on her own on a homestead in Alaska with her dog and she knows how to take care of herself. In "Breakup" it's the end of winter and going into the beginning of spring when all the snow and ice starts melting and the area turns to slush. It makes getting around difficult and people are tired of being in for the cold winter. However, Kate, is trying to get her taxes done and into the tax folks on time. The job she wanted to finish doesn't quite get done because of other circumstances beyond her control.

In the time it takes to get from the beginning to the end of this book Kate has been chased by a bear, lost her means of transportation, been shot at by a feuding family and of course, comes upon a dead body in an old mining town. Par for the course, Kate is supposed to stay out of the investigation of the woman who was found at the mine, but Kate can't let it go. She does some investigating of her own and tries to settle things with the family who is having a few domestic problems so that the wife will at least untie her husband from the bed and put down the shotgun.

There are a lot of very humorous moments in the book as well as serious ones, but this is very good and well worth reading. Throughout the book people constantly mumble, "breakup!" because a lot of the problems start there.

Lincoln County MT

Enjoyed it but got tired of hearing BREAKUP just a tad.

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2012

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Enjoyed the book. Enjoy all the Kate Shugak Books so far. I unfortunately recieved some out of order so have been reading them as such. When I caught on an essential character is killed a few books after Breakup....I started skipping around that book. Now it's the last one I currently have. OOPS. Still have the last 4 books in the series to arrive. I buy used and hard copy when availabe. So looks like it's time to get on with the sad book afterall. Sooner or later life serves up the bad along with the good and so do the books. And at least this writer shovels both out in handfuls. She's really good and seems to be getting better. And love her fiction...and have no problem realizing it's fiction. She's so good some readers no doubt think otherwise. Say hi to Shitting Seagull the next time you see him will you? PS maybe Breakup was my all time favorite wild ride though. I mean really? I don't want to do a spoiler here...so biting my nails trying not to. The wild ride was amazing though. I could go for a few other books like that but then....no doubt it might just tire the author out trying to sustain that kind of action. We all need a calm rest now and again. I went and ordered the liam series too in anticipation of hearing the latest book out this year in the Shugak series is tied in with that character. So before reading the very last 2012 book...I'll read the other spin off so to speak so it perhaps all comes together out of both series into the last book.
If you haven't read this book and not the others yet...this one might just hook you in.

nasknit

Kate Shugak Mystery

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2019

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Set in Alaska, main character is Kate Shugak, former investigator for big Alaska city child protective services. Now solves mysteries closer to home. Numerous humorous moments, great dialogue, great character development, good mystery. I read it again, when I want to laugh!

Top reviews from other countries

IMG

Great Series

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2014

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I only discovered Dana Stabenow this year. I don't have a Kindle but prefer the tactile experience of holding a book. I tend to flick back and forth too which I suspect is easier on paper. I am really enjoying the series and the characters, so much so that I've only got two left to complete the 20 books currently available. This one was as usual a good story, excellent character development and really conveys the Alaskan lifestyle to somebody who has never been further north than Shetland. In fact we have started to re-watch our DVDs of Northern Exposure and whilst that is in a much lighter vein, there are definite similarities and the climate and landscape are well conveyed in both. I love that there are positive female and male characters, some unconventional views are expressed so it isn't just a slick thriller and a real love of landscape comes across - in my view far better than in all those overly earnest "landscape" books written by public school educated english academics.

missusnoh

A Favourite

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2011

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The Kate Shugak series by Dana Stabenow is One of THE BEST mystery series being written. Being able to have the collection on my kindle is like having my favourite sweeties on hand any time I want them. This is my favourite one of all in the series. All her books show off her writing skills to be at the top of her game. Some are heartbreaking, some so brilliantly plotted I never would have guessed who done it. Breakup is blankie book. It's the one you go to when 'don't have anything to read'.

It's Spring in the Park, the time called Breakup. The ice and snow melt. The flowers bloom. The bodies show up. There is a crime to solve, the usual characters, a nice tight ending. What makes this my favourite? The humour. Kate's a wee bit cranky. People acting crazy. Kinda like Seattle when the sun comes out, 'what is that round ball of light in the sky?'. (I'm not picking on Seattle I'm from there, it's the same here in Northern England)

I know I've not even given you a plot synopsis but c'mon folks for 86 pence buy my favourite Kate book for your kindle. I came here as soon as I got the email from amazon. If you've just started this series you are in for a treat. Now go on buy the ebook, read it, and write your own review, preferably better than this one. Breakup (Kate Shugak #7)

DrJoe

Another splendid story from Dana Stabenow

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2020

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This tale began very lightly and continued with a level of humour but became deeper and darker as it went along. Another excellent tale set deep in that lovely part of the world that is Alaska.

Colour mad.

Great story.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 27, 2020

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Love the Shugak series of books , this one was very good it shows what it must be like when Spring arrives after a very hard cold winter. Mad things happen.

S. Ivory

Loved, loved this book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2012

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This has to rate as the best, most descriptive book of the whole series up to now. I sat and visualised myself there in the bar sitting in a corner and watching all of the events unfold. The "aunties' quilting, the resident drunk, the tourist. Every single person added to the story. The actual plot in the story was not really needed, or even noticed when you had the rich evocative vision of Alaska at 'break up'. Brilliant. Going straight on to the next in the series, but it cannot surely match this one.

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