This is the 4th, and presumably final, book in the Liam Campbell series, following Nothing Gold Can Stay. The story begins approximately 1 month following the close of the previous novel.Everyone but Prince is suffering from some form of PTSD following the shoot-out that culminated the 3rd novel. And the only reason Prince is not suffering is because she wasn’t there. It has been an agonizing month for Liam and Wy as Liam, at the end of the 3rd book, was promoted back to his original rank in the Alaska State Trooper system and was offered his old job back in Anchorage. As the novel opens, Liam has not made a decision about returning to Anchorage and all but the most basic communication between Liam and Wy has shut down. Neither one wants to ask the question of “will you go with me” or “will you stay with me,” because neither one wants to face the possibility of “No.” This emotional tension forms the thread of the novel, and the deaths that are discovered shortly after the novel begins serve as the conduit for the resolution of the emotional conflict. First, as the book blurb states, there is the discovery of body parts near the previously un-located site of a WWII military plane that was known to have crashed in December 1941. Then, the next day, there is the murder of a well-liked female elder in the community. There are really very few clues given to the reader as to the identity of the murderer. That discovery truly boils down to good police work and, thankfully, both Liam and Prince seem to have lost the “if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it must be a duck” theory of interpreting evidence that was so prominent in the 2nd and 3rd novels.Secondly, the author uses a flashback-type device to help us with the deaths associated with the plane crash. From the very first page of the novel to the very last page of the novel, the author provides excerpts from the 1941 diary of one of the crewmembers aboard the plane. But this is a diary the existence of which is unknown to Liam and Wy; only the reader is privy to its contents. And, again, until the very last page of the novel, the reader is in the dark as to the identity of the crewmember and the cause of the crash. But, then, maybe you only think you know. As stated earlier, all of the deaths and the investigations involved are important in their own right. However, the unresolved issues between Liam and Wy slow the investigative process down. So, for the majority of the book, the reader must wait, in agonizing frustration, for the stalemate to end. But when it does, it does so in a blaze of action. And once those lines of communication open, the investigation proceeds quickly to its resolution.But, like the end of any life, this series does end with unresolved issues. The author ties up several loose ends that had been building since the first book, gives the impression of a happy resolution to several others, but creates a new issue two pages from the last. Thus, should the author ever choose to revisit Liam and Wy, the door is open.
This review covers all four Liam Campbell mystery books....What do you get when you mix one sexy Alaskan state trooper, one sassy pilot love interest, lots of cool details about Alaskan history and culture, juicy plot lines, juicy sex scenes, complex relationships, and a little touch of the paranormal? The Liam Campbell mystery series. I read all four books back-to-back and inhaled them like a greasy cheeseburger at Bill's diner. I think Stabenow has done a fabulous job balancing the storyline and characterization in these books. Sometimes mysteries are too light on the characterization, and the stories suffer as a result. Not so with this series. She creates complex characters and real issues for the characters to deal with. Although I do think she went slightly overboard with Liam's troubles....adultery, scandalous demotion from a tragic accident, kid killed by drunk driver, and comatose wife would have been enough. Then she heaped on Liam having to confront the drunk who killed his son in a routine traffic stop....that was pushing it. Nevertheless, I loved how Liam and Wy had to deal with difficult decisions in their lives, and how their love continued to grow and flourish. This is a great mystery series for romance lovers! (I did have a bit of a problem with book #3....it deals with the abduction, rape and murder of women by a serial killer, a topic that was a bit too gruesome for me). Overall, this series is a super epic win! Highly recommended!!!!
What do You think about Better To Rest (2003)?
I was introduced to Trooper Campbell and Wy Chouinard in the latest book in the Kate Shugack series, Restless in the Grave. What a great idea to bring the characters together. I found all four of the Liam Campbell books at my father-in-law's cabin, and brought them home. I read them all in a week. I just couldn't put them down, and started the next one as soon as I finished he previous one. Just like the Kate Shugack books, these are full of great characters and page-turning plots. More, please!
—Sue
Wyanet - worried about Liam leaving, to go back to Anchorage for the promotion, unable to give him the words he wants to hear, unable to fully commit - when he brings up buying a bigger bed, she puts him off... and Moses tells her about her birth parents - that he is her grandfather, and he fears she will hear the voices as he does... she's worried about the vices... and a few times she has an 'itch'at the back of her neck that leads her to throw herself & Liam to safety when part of the gla
—Kathy
This is Dana Stabenow's 4th book in the Liam Campbell series. Narrated by for the 4th time by Marguerite Gavin. I can't say enough about this series. I love the glimpse into the Alaskan bush, the small town feel, and how centuries pass where very little changes.This book involves another death in the small town and a mystery that may go back 60 years. When hunters stumble upon a plane crash and bring back a severed hand holding a gold piece Liam must secure a scene that is unreachable by humans due to glacier ice. Sounds easy until others hear there may be gold on the glacier and are willing to Rick their life to reach it.Liam also having been promoted to Seargent after closing a major case in the previous book must choose to stay in his small town or move to Ancorage. This affects his personal and professional life and weighs heavy on his mind and heart throughout the book.If you are a Liam Campbell fan you will enjoy this book as it wraps up many story lines from the three previous books. So as to not promote spoilers please read the previous 3 books "Fire and Ice", "So Sure of Death", and "Nothing Gold Can Stay". All of which may be purchased at Audible.comO
—Perry Martin
