I'd better read something else for a while. I figured this one out long before the end. Depressing. No, I mean the book. The crime is all around and about a fanatical religious cult whose charismatic leader has come to Alaska to set himself up as God after he left Oklahoma just ahead of the law. The most depressing part is that this time there is no justice. Kate walks away and lets it be. The only hope comes from one of the men of the community who reminds her that they (native Alaskans) have survived before. The Russian orthodox came and baptized the lot of them, but the Russians are gone and they are still there. He cited several other examples, and tells her that someday the evil will depart - and the natives will still be there.
We learn something more of Kate's extended family, but not the mysticism that appeared in the last few books. We do learn more of Kate's personal history - the people and incidents which led her into law enforcement, the charismatic professor who rescued her as a college student thrown out of her own world to sink or swim.
In the last book, we met Jack's son. And in this one we have a young boy who is a minor but pivotal character. Kate has also invited Jack to bring his son with him when he next comes to visit her - which takes their relationship to a different level.
Now I really must read the 400+ page "original source" document for the next paper in the class I am taking. It is about as long as two of these books - and a lot less entertaining. The last three days have been consumed with classwork (and a concert or two) - and I had to have a murder before I got back to work.
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