Science Fiction: Second Star, by Dana Stabenow

 

Title: Second Star

Author: Dana Stabenow

Publisher: Ace, 1991.  208 pages.

Source: purchased ebook 

Summary:
Star Svensdotter is in command of the first self-sustaining (almost) space colony, and she is committed to keeping it safe and getting it ready for the first round of colonists. She's pretty good at fending off human threats, but that may not be the only kind out there.

Review:
Given the 1991 publication date, it's no wonder that this book has some interesting historical anomalies (a lot has happened in those 23 years), but the story is still good fun space opera. As the somewhat retro (even for 1991?) cover suggests, this has the feel of classic SF of the Asimov-Heinlein era, which just happens to be the stuff I grew up on and loved.

The story starts a bit slow in some ways--there is probably a bit too much explanation and exposition and character development--but it moved fast enough into action to keep me engaged, and then picked up speed until action was coming at me like a field of space debris. I detected echoes of other books (though I can't actually put my finger on which), but again, nothing that distracted from the story.

Recommendation:
I stumbled on this while looking for inexpensive ebooks to add to my Nook for our summer travels.  How could I pass up some 99-cent SF from a favorite mystery author?  Second Star isn't a piece of great lit, and it's dated as SF, but it's still a fun read, and there are characters I'll be happy to revisit in the 2nd and 3rd books of the trilogy. SF fans who want a good strong female lead will enjoy Star Svensdotter.

Full Disclosure: I purchased Second Star with my own money and of my own volition, and received nothing from the writer or publisher in exchange for my honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Mystery Monday: Restless in the Grave by Dana Stabenow

 

Title: Restless in the Grave

Author: Dana Stabenow

Publisher: Minotaur Books, 2012.  373 pages.

Source: Purchased ebook 

Summary:
Stabenow has yielded to temptation at last and brought her two Alaska detectives together in one story. Liam Campbell has finally met a crime, or a possible crime, he can't handle himself. His own wife is a key suspect, and what he most wants is for Kate Shugak to prove it wasn't Wy who messed with a fellow-pilot's plane. What Kate encounters, of course, is way bigger than either of them imagined.

Review:
This book has everything I've come to expect of a Dana Stabenow mystery: a complex plot, a modest amount of violence, sex, and a touch of humor that holds it all together. In addition, it has both of her star detectives, whom I like very much: PI Kate Shugak (and her sidekick Mutt, who is "only" half wolf), and Liam Campbell, sole representative of the Alaska State Troopers in Newenham on Bristol Bay.

I found the mystery compelling (and far beyond my ability to predict, though I picked up on a couple of connections that I knew had to go somewhere), and the violence is kept to a level I can live with. Since Kate and Jim Chopin, her Significant Other, spend the story on opposite sides of the state, the sex is also kept at a more tolerable level. [This may or may not be an issue for some readers, but I'm beginning to find Stabenow's sex scenes a bit over the top.]  I do get a little tired of male characters who have a magical sex appeal that makes even sensible and otherwisely committed women lose their heads. Of course, Kate and some others have the same effect on a lot of the male characters, so maybe this is a comment on Alaska?

In any case, as a long-time fan of Kate Shugak and Mutt, I greatly enjoyed their latest adventure, and have no complaints about the plot and story development.

Recommendation:
If you've read other Stabenow mysteries, read this. If you haven't, I recommend starting with Kate from the beginning. Each novel does stand alone, but there is a lot of backstory that has built up over 19 novels, and the read will be richer if you know the history. Besides, it's fun to watch Stabenow's style change and develop over the years. I do wholeheartedly recommend the series to anyone who likes mysteries with a bit of an edge (definitely not "cozies") but also just a touch of humor, in a great setting.

Full Disclosure: I purchased Restless in the Grave with my own money and of my own volition, and received nothing from the writer or publisher in exchange for my honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."