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Jessie Arnold is finally seeing the construction of her new cabin, the old one having been destroyed by fire. The foundation has been dug and the crew is ready to go on when they find an old skeleton in the dirt of the basement. The police assume it is probably the body of the old man who used to live in the cabin and disappeared some time before Jessie bought it from his heir. At the same time, people begin to find bodies of women who have disappeared from Anchorage. This is reminiscent of the serial killer, Hansen, who killed a at least seventeen women and buried their bodies about the Knik River. (Most people think Hansen killed more, but the bodies have not been discovered.) Now someone may be threatening Jessie and her friends are very concerned about her vaunted independence and refusal to leave her property. In spite of herself, she must investigate. The very best element of Ms. Henryís books are the characters. They are warm, attractive, empathetic, and believable. We feel with Jessie throughout the book, both in her fear and in the still painful moments when she remembers Alex and the love they had once. The others, while not as well developed, are intriguing and pleasant to know as well. The setting is exhilarating and exciting. Summer in Alaska is not like summer here in Nebraska. The bears are rutting, the salmon are running, the rivers flow with glacial waters and the world seems alive with possibilities. With the Chugash mountains as a backdrop, the valley of the Knik River seems welcoming and accessible, unlike the Alaska of winter when bodies cannot even be buried because the soil is frozen and the sun lasts only scant hours during the day. The plot is intriguing. There is enough suspense and excitement for everyone. The identity of the murderer remains hidden until the very end and there are a few other surprises as well. All in all it was a satisfying story. And as an added bonus, there are the wonderful sledding dogs, especially Tank, her lead dog, who is a character in his own right.
Reviewed by Sally A. Fellows, June 2002
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