Restless in the Grave: A Kate Shugak Novel

Written by Dana Stabenow

Narrated by Marguerite Gavin

New York Times bestseller 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Feb 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781427214843

Dana Stabenow

Dana Stabenow was born in Anchorage, Alaska and raised on a 75-foot fishing tender. She knew there was a warmer, drier job out there somewhere and found it in writing. Her first book in the bestselling Kate Shugak series, A Cold Day for Murder, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. Follow Dana at stabenow.com

Reviews for Restless in the Grave

[buffalogr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kate has reluctantly, once again taken on an undercover job. This is a crossover between Kate Shugak and Liam Campbell series; it will help the reader to have knowledge of both. I really had a hard time differentiating between Liam Campbell and "Chopper" Jim--both are Alaska State Troopers and act similarly. But, Kate pines for "Chopper" Jim. The plot unfolds nicely and in the end, what's good is tainted. On to the next in Shugak's series.

[tigerb-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pretty disappointed with this Shugak mystery. The crossover with Liam Campbell is slight -- very slight, he's barely in the book. Kate does some good PI work and the reveal at the end is good, but I almost would have preferred more scenes in Niniltna rather than so many missed opportunities for Liam and Kate to work together.

[edwardsgt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Accomplished plotting and characters set in many real Alaska location so made this an enjoyable read. Kate Shugak is an Alaskan (Aleut) private eye who goes undercover to find out if a rich entrepreneur's death was an accident or murder. Good use of local colour and humour adds to the enjoyment.

[bgknighton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kate is getting back in the swing -- still getting her feet under her from Jack's death, but she has a good support system in Jim and Johnny. I hope she gets someone to teach her the form, it would really come in handy if she doesn't start being more alert. Maybe she gets to take out Bannister in the next book and clear Sam's name?

[reedley1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The character is not, to me, a very likable person. The mystery is solved, but without clues that I could see.

[khuben_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thanks to reviewingtheevidence.com for an ARC of this book. Restless in the Grave brings together the lead characters from two of Stabenow's series, Kate Shugak and Liam Campbell. When Alaskan businessman,Finn Grant's plane crashes, the question arises was it an accident or murder? Alaska State Trooper Liam Campbell feels obligated to investigate but faces a conflict of interest since his wife, a business competitor of Grant's, was seen arguing with him shortly before his death and must be considered a potential suspect. For help he turns to fellow state trooper, Jim Chopin, and his significant other, private investigator, Kate Shugak. Kate's investigation of Grant's death uncovers blackmail, smuggling and embezzlement of a trust fund, while at the same time she is dealing with Grant's totally dysfunctional family. A well-written novel, the plot flows smoothly building suspense, with enough unexpected turns to keep the reader wondering what's going to happen next and the right amount of humor to occasionally ease the tension. One of the problems with long running series is providing a new reader enough background to make continuing storyline understandable without boring to tears long time fans. Overall Stabenow handles this quite well. I know there were events in the book I would have understood better if I had read the entire series, but enough detail was provided to keep me from feeling lost. I thoroughly enjoyed it - enough so I went out and found Poisioned Pen Press' re-issue of the first Kate Shugak novel for my to-be-read pile.

[beamis12 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have to admit that when I started this I had a little trouble getting into it. Kate left her home base and although I was familiar with Liam Campbell, there were many new characters and a different kind of case to solve. Stabenow is always a fantastic writer, so I never really thought of putting it aside and I was so glad I did not. Loved that she also kept us apprised on what was going on at home base, where Jim is being run ragged because of the introduction of satellite service in the park. Everyone has a cell phone much to his dismay (and mine as I refuse to have one) and instead of solving many problems on their own as they had done in the past, they now call 911. All in all another fantastic read by Stabenow.

[kc9333 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another great addition to the Kate Shugak series 

[cats57_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the newest and most unusual of all of Ms Stabenow’s books. Dana writes 2 separate series set in Alaska. One is about state trooper Liam Campbell and the other is about private investigator Kate Shugak. Restless in the Grave combines the 2 main characters from both series and turns it into one action and mystery filled, un-put-downable book. Some readers who have never read any of Ms Stabenow’s works may wonder if they can read this as a stand–alone book. While I believe these two series to be the best things since sliced bread and I whole-heartedly suggest you DO read them from book one…but with this particular book, there really is no need. You can dive right in because this is just a little different than her usual books. It does revolve around Kate so you might feel you need the full background but Ms Stabenow’s writing is so complex in this novel and the past experiences of Kate really takes a back-seat to the action and adventure you will find in this book. Once you’ve read this one you may feel compelled to read them all. I hope you do.This book takes place in Liam’s back-yard, where his wife has a shadow of suspicion thrown on her over the recent death of Finn Grant---who is a totally loathsome creature. Liam asks Kate to come and investigate the death of Finn and to put to rest once and for all whether or not it was pilot error or murder.Kate starts working undercover and during the course of her investigation, gets locked in a chest freezer with her half wolf Mutt, (among other places she is locked into, meets a super hunky male movie star who may have the hots for Kate and find a plot sending American arms meant for our army into the hands of the enemy. This book does tragically end the life of a much-loved character and that is not unusual for Ms Stabenow. Throughout this long running series fans have had to come to terms with the death both natural and un-natural of many beloved characters. Ms Stabenow does work her magic and never leaves you feeling bereft for too long.This book is filled with the usual red-herring, humor and sharp wit that we’ve come to depend on. It has a very large cast of complex characters and leaves us with what appears to be the plot for her next book.This is an exceptional installment into an exceptional series, or should I say 2 series? I really loved the blending of the two and I hope that Dana will do it again in the future.

[readinggeek451 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Shortly after Old Sam's funeral, Kate Shugak takes a case in Southwest Alaska to give the NNA chair, Annie Mike, a chance to settle into the job without interference. The case, an air crash that might have been a murder, comes courtesy of Sgt. Liam Campbell, currently the only police presence in Newenham and environs. The deceased, a massively unpopular pilot, owned a private airfield, which is oddly busy and much richer than it ought to be. Kate's investigation takes some odd turns.A nice crossover between the two series.