Restless in the Grave

By: Dana Stabenow

Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best seller Dana Stabenow returns with her most outstanding novel yet, teaming up two of her most beloved characters, Aleut private investigator Kate Shugak and Alaska state trooper Liam Campbell, in the same story for the first time.

Alaska aviation entrepreneur Finn Grant died in the fiery crash of his Piper Super Cub. Someone sabotaged his engine, and virtually everyone in southwestern Alaska has a motive, including his betrayed wife, his bullied children, and Liam’s wife, bush pilot Wyanet Chouinard. With few places to turn, Liam asks his former mentor Niniltna post commander Sergeant Jim Chopin, for help, and Jim quickly brings Kate onto the case.

Working undercover as - of all things - a waitress at Bill’s Bar and Grill, Kate learns over beer and burgers that Grant’s business had expanded meteorically over the last two years. After buying the closed Air Force base south of town from the federal government at a bargain-basement price, he became a fixed-base operator running his fishing, hunting, and flight-seeing business, servicing planes flying through the area, and most interestingly and lucratively, getting into the air freight business. But what kind of freight was he moving, and where? The answers involve Kate in her most challenging case to date, one that starts with murder and quickly sprawls into a much larger conspiracy ranging from the darkest family secrets to treason and beyond. Restless in the Grave is a treat for fans and another outstanding addition to Dana Stabenow’s acclaimed and award-winning series.

©2012 Dana Stabenow (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Kate Shugak plus Liam Campbell!

In this primarily Kate Shugak story, Liam Campbell plays an important role, and we get a chance along the way to learn a bit of the Campbell back story that we hadn't gotten yet. The story overall takes place primarily in Campbell's town and revolves around the death of a pilot that turns out not to be an accident. Liam asks Kate (and Mutt, of course) to investigate because Liam's wife, Wyanet Chouinard, is a prime suspect.

The dead pilot, Finn Grant, was a thoroughly unpleasant person with no shortage of suspects for his death, but someone doesn't want Kate to investigate, apparently, since she is attacked almost immediately upon arrival and stuffed in a chest freezer. With Mutt!

Overall, an excellent addition to the Kate Shugak series. Very well read by Marguerite Gavin, as are all the Kate Shugak books. Highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Good story but recorded at wrong speed

After reading others in this series, the characters are like family, the stories of Alaska along with a bit of mystery, usually great fun but this was hard to listen to and enjoy because of the speed. I know this reader and how she usually portrays these characters and I don't think she could possibly read this fast. The characters voices were distorted. Couldn't this be slowed down to a normal pace?

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wish The Narrator didn't speak so fast

Would you listen to Restless in the Grave again? Why?

No I rarely listen to a book more than once.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kate she is always my favorite character

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I liked the narrators voice, but unfortunately she spoke so fast it seemed to me that she just wanted to get it over. I will probably read Dana Stabenow's books from now on rather than listen to Marguerite Gavin.

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

The speed reading made me nervous.

Any additional comments?

No

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good story - grating narration

Rapid fire and mechanical sounding narration made this a difficult book to listen too and cut the enjoyment by plenty. The story was good, so I stuck with it, but I will definitely avoid this narrator in the future.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Two Hits in a Row -- love Kate here.

First, I haven't yet read any of the Liam Campbell books though the first is in my cue. Based on this book I am looking forward to that series. I found Liam to be humble, kind, and likable. He will make an interesting protagonist. And I am even more excited about the idea of getting to know more about his wife.

Second, Book #18 returned to its roots and gave me a lot of backstory on Kate and Jim, glimpses into life in the Park, and Alaska shining as its own character -- which is exactly what I want when reading a Kate Shugak mystery. This book continues a good trend. We don't get the history, but we do see Kate's continuing awakening to her feelings for Jim, her inability to let go of those she loves who have died, and the humor and loyalty that make her an intriguing character. Although her story takes part outside of the Park, Jim's story allows the reader to stay in touch with the "park rats". The mystery allows us to examine a little more about life in Alaska -- learning more about its closeness to Russia and how that affects both its history and its current life, examining how integral aviation is to the survival of those who call Alaska home, and more details about the role of both the mining industry and weaponry on the citizenry. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the most recent in the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Twisty Alaska Mystery Expertly Acted

What made the experience of listening to Restless in the Grave the most enjoyable?

Marguerite Gavin should star in the movie version of Restless in the Grave. Her audio performance shows how tough it would be to cast her in any one role, though. She plays wise-ass, gruff or sweet when the story calls for it. Her reading flashes pictures in your head as the story unfolds, a hallmark of an expert storyteller.

And the story could be direct from the headlines. I grew up in the Chicago area during the 1960s and 1970s, watching enough questionable politics to learn what power and emotions do to people. Dana Stabenow's story leads a tour through a small town's pride, greed, anger and larceny, with a scoop of movie star attraction and realistic police-blotter touches. That it's set in the U.S. state with the last remaining true wilderness and strong native culture is an incredible bonus.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Restless in the Grave?

The climactic scene with an assault weapon wielded by a drunk teenager definitely stands out, in a book filled with vignettes of the real Alaska.

What about Marguerite Gavin’s performance did you like?

Gavin can play anything. She does gruff state troopers, nail-hard tribal chairwomen, and emotionally-damaged detectives trying to raise adopted teenagers equally well. I'm surprised we haven't seen her on the stage or big screen.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The blackmailing bush pilot everyone loves to hate murdered in Alaska.

Any additional comments?

This was a great meeting of four strong characters from Dana Stabenow's two excellent book series. The incredible thing was that it took so long for Kate, Liam, Wy and Jim to share one story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I can hardly wait for the next book in the series

I love, love, love these books and I will try to never miss one.
I enjoyed listening to this book but I missed Jim Chopin. Kate can surely get herself into some tight spots, thank goodness for Mutt. What you learn about Alaska is amazing and the description of the country side is wonderful

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Two formidable stories come together

Stabenow weaves together a thrilling story that includes Kate Shugak and Liam Campbell two characters that on their own have successfully led their own series. Stabenow beautifully illustrates the rich and complex characters of Kate and Liam. How family ties can be cruel, unforgiving and wonderfully loyal and unconditional. I strongly encourage you to read the full Kate and Liam series to fully appreciate the magic of Dana Stabenow's writing.

Another great novel.

Enjoyed this rich novel full of intrigue without a dull moment. You have to stay aware to keep up with Kate.

really like the Alaska aspect

This is my second Stabenow Kate Shugak novel and I enjoyed them both. The mystery/crime side of the story was interesting. One of the highlights to the book is the Alaska setting. This book was set in January and you'd think SW Alaska would be cold and nasty and the book makes it seem that way. Plus you get the feel for Alaska in general, the people, the landscape, the lifestyle, etc. In fact, at the end of the book the author has a short interview where she states the book is about all things Alaskan, that's a good way to put it. If there was one distraction it was the narrator. I read some of the reviews before listening to the book so had an ear out for the narrator and she seemed to be talking a bit too fast. I went so far as to slow down the audio on my iPod and that didn't solve it. She must just talk fast, I can't think it was intentional on the part of the producers. But like most audiobooks, in my experience anyway, you get used to the narrator in about every book the further you get into it and this one was no different. After getting about a quarter of the way through the book I quit paying attention to the narrator and just enjoyed the story.