Fire and Ice: A Liam Campbell Mystery

Liam Campbell Mysteries, Book 1

By: Dana Stabenow

Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

In this mystery series by Dana Stabenow, the Edgar Award-winning author returns to the Alaskan setting she's famous for, with a wonderful character - state trooper Liam Campbell. Liam's just been transferred from Anchorage to the small fishing village of Newenham, Alaska - where a local pilot seems to have lost his head.

©1998 Dana Stabenow (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Beautifully written Alaskan mystery

Ms. Stabenow is a wonderful writer. Her knowledge of Alaska is from her own perspective, having lived there all her life. And she uses that knowledge exceptionally well. Admittedly, I am not as crazy about the Liam books as I am about her Kate Shugak mysteries, but that is a personal preference which has nothing to do with whether the Liam books are good. They are very very good. This is the first in the Liam series, and I highly recommend you read all of them. I have, and they are right up there on my all time favorites list.

The characters in all of Ms. Stabenow’s works are quirky, to say the least. They are the kind of people you would expect in a dangerous land like the wilds of Alaska – strong, determined, and sometimes weird beyond measure! Another thing I really like about the book is the fact that her heros and heroines are in no way perfect. Liam is a recovering alcoholic, riddled with self doubt and wanting badly to turn his life around. Moving from the “big city” of Anchorage to a small fishing village, Liam is immediately drawn in to the weirdness of an Alaska fishing village – the odd ducks, alcoholics, and various and sundry detritus of society who are more comfortable in the wilds than in civilization. And nobody writes these characters better than Dana.

The story grabs you from the first and doesn’t let go. Overall, Highly recommended. Then go buy all her other books too – they are well worth the read!

Dana Stabenow and Audible Rock!

2014 I bought and read "Fire and Ice". I had never heard of the author. I bought it on a $4.95 Sale (Before the great Daily Deals started.) The reasons I bought it, besides being on sale, were 1. Setting, Alaska!!! 2. Great cover. and 3. Marguerite Gavin, a wonderful narrator I had just discovered on another series. Before Audible, I would never have found this author, and this series. Thank you Audible, you have greatly widened my reading enjoyment, and for all the new authors and narrators I am destined to discover.

"Fire and Ice" is the first of 4 books in the Liam Campbell series. Damn you Dana for only writing 4. Once I started, I could not stop, until I had read ever last one of them. I had never binged a series before! But I could not get enough of these characters and this author. I don't like discussing plot, that's what reading this book is about, but the series is great. Liam Campbell and Alaska, two great characters you'll never forget. And Marguerite Gavin crawls inside these people and makes them real!

Okay mystery

The story starts out pretty intensely. A demoted State trooper is on his way to his new post in Alaska. When he gets there he gets off the plane in the middle of a crime scene. A man's head had been removed by a plane's propeller. The State trooper that was stationed there turns it over to Liam and without really briefing Liam on the job gets on the plane and leaves. Liam is thrust into one situation after another without having time to change into his uniform or even finding a place to live.

After the beginning the story sort of goes downhill. The description of Alaska and what it took to be a herring spotter were interesting but the rest of the story was kind of lame.

There was one reviewer who did a pretty good analysis of the book which I would have to agree with. Liam doesn't like himself so it's hard for us to like him.

Kate is Hard Act to Follow

Just before I listened to Fire & Ice again (I read it when first released), I browsed through the reviews and was quite surprised at the negative comments. Yes, this series doesn't have as much humor as Kate's and there's no cute dog, but I wonder if Kate is just a hard act to follow.

I also struggle with the infidelity issue - both Liam and Wy admitted their affair was wrong. However, it made the point that good people sometimes make mistakes, which can be forgiven. Liam genuinely cared for his wife, was never violent or controlling and showed all the women he encountered respect and consideration.

I really liked Wy, a confident & intelligent pilot who was trying to adopt a 12 year old boy she had rescued from terrible abuse. When she broke up with Liam, she didn't wallow in self pity. No, she started her own business, created a home and became a mother. What a pleasant change from the submissive little wimps so popular lately.

I also liked Moses (shaman) and Bill (female bar owner), who were over 55 and still passionate about life and each other. This series has great potential; a wide variety of characters, interesting setting and a little romance.

Great Mystery

I'm not a regular mystery reader, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read some complaints about too much other stuff going on - but hey that's real life - and it added depth to the puzzle. There were also a few comments about there being too much sex. Well, if you listened to those parts over and over and over perhaps there would be - otherwise the rest of us saw only the passion of the main characters.

This my first Dana Stabenow book, but it won't be my last. Good writing - and good narration by Marguerite Gavin.

This was a surprise!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I've never written a review before...I'm not sure why this will be my first...it was a fun, entertaining book! I lived in Alaska most of my life....maybe that is part of the appeal, I've purchased book 2 in the series. The book was week done. It kept my interest...I listen to several books a week and I'm not young...I plan on completing series!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fire and Ice: A Liam Campbell Mystery?

I liked the introduction...the officer based the people on the plane with him; flirt girl, Harley man, moccasin man...They were part of the story...even had real names, not that I cared! I liked their nicknames! Fun way of seeing them!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I listened to it during a night I couldn't sleep. I found myself laughing and trying not to wake my husband! It shouldn't be a funny book but the author does a great job throwing in hilarious subject matter! I belly laughed!

Any additional comments?

Great book! Unexpected...I purchased during Audible book of the day!

Alaska Cop

Excellent whodunit...Alaska style. Our newly demoted Alaska cop finds himself in a small town with relationships that have existed for decades. He successfully navigates uniquely Alaskan issues and catches the bad guy. Where is the next book in the series?

A great adventure in a great state

Didn’t care for Liam’s or Wy’s relationship while he was married, however, they were both very interesting characters. There were a lot of separate mysteries going which kept you engrossed in the story. I was routing for them in the end. Loved the characters of Bill & Moses. I loved Ms Stabenow’s Kate Shugak series, don’t remember which came first but I read them years ago and now bought them on audio, she paints a picture with her words so detailed you can see it like you’re there. Great narration by Marguerite Gavin.

Seemed like it was only a couple of hours long.

Great Book. I listened to all of it in a couple of days, and could not believe it was over when it ended. Non stop action.

A great new series from Dana Stabenow

This is the First of the Alaska Trooper Liam Campbell novels. Narrated by Marguerite Gavin. Marguerite is a great narrator and brings all of the many characters to life.

Once Trooper Campbell arrives at his new posting someone dies. In the first three days there are many activities and shootings that take his attention. This story lays the groundwork and background for many characters including the town and villages of Liam's new posting.

As Liam solves the murder and works to gain the trust of the people at his new posting his personal life becomes Intwined with his investigations. This audiobook is a great first book in what I think will be an even better series.

I purchased this book for my own interest, this review is my own.