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A Dinah Pelerin Mystery #3
Bonereapers
Hewed out of a frozen mountain six hundred miles from the North Pole, the Doomsday Seed Vault was designed to safeguard the earth’s precious collection of seeds from rising sea levels, hurtling asteroids, nuclear holocaust, and every other conceivable disaster. But no fortress, however remote or carefully constructed, can protect against human corruption and men who have made it their business to gain control of the world’s food supply.
Dinah Pelerin had no idea when she left sunny Hawaii on an undercover fact-finding mission to the seed vault in Longyearbyen, Norway, that she would get a crash course in the politics of genetic engineering, or that she would become embroiled in the marital troubles of an American presidential candidate and his enigmatic, Norwegian-born wife. Or that a dead body would tumble out of the hotel sauna into her arms.
In late December, Polar Night wraps around the little town of Longyearbyen like a lead blanket, impenetrable and endless. The temperature rarely climbs above zero and bodies don’t decompose in the permafrost. The dead have to be shipped south for burial and soon there are two murder victims headed there. Who has killed them, and why? With three U.S. senators, a powerful corporate CEO, and a Norwegian government minister as her fellow suspects, Dinah is under no illusions. She had better untangle the knot of motives and pretenses fast or suspicion will come crashing downhill like an avalanche and bury her so deep she’ll never see daylight again.
Dinah Pelerin had no idea when she left sunny Hawaii on an undercover fact-finding mission to the seed vault in Longyearbyen, Norway, that she would get a crash course in the politics of genetic engineering, or that she would become embroiled in the marital troubles of an American presidential candidate and his enigmatic, Norwegian-born wife. Or that a dead body would tumble out of the hotel sauna into her arms.
In late December, Polar Night wraps around the little town of Longyearbyen like a lead blanket, impenetrable and endless. The temperature rarely climbs above zero and bodies don’t decompose in the permafrost. The dead have to be shipped south for burial and soon there are two murder victims headed there. Who has killed them, and why? With three U.S. senators, a powerful corporate CEO, and a Norwegian government minister as her fellow suspects, Dinah is under no illusions. She had better untangle the knot of motives and pretenses fast or suspicion will come crashing downhill like an avalanche and bury her so deep she’ll never see daylight again.
250 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne Matthews
16 books43 followersJeanne Matthews graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism and a yen to write. Born with an insatiable wanderlust, she travels whenever she can and if she likes a place, writes a book about it - almost always including a dash of the local mythology and a murder.. Currently, she lives in Renton, Washington with her husband and a Norwich terrier named Jack Reacher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 28, 2015
The Doomsday Vault, polar bears, never-ending night, and the snarkiest, smartest woman you'll ever meet. Oh, yeah, and a kick-ass mystery to boot. Questions?
July 24, 2018
A run of the mill mystery/thriller, added to my reading list because it involves the Global Seed Vault and is set in Norway. My food for thought book club read a nonfiction title about the seed vault last month. I think it's important to read not only nonfiction about food, climate, and the environment but also the fiction.
I enjoyed the Norwegian setting and the information about Longyearbyen and Norwegian myths. The environmental politics were also interesting. The seed vault's role was not big enough and the mystery itself was meh.
Not a bad read but I don't plan to seek out the other books in the series.
I enjoyed the Norwegian setting and the information about Longyearbyen and Norwegian myths. The environmental politics were also interesting. The seed vault's role was not big enough and the mystery itself was meh.
Not a bad read but I don't plan to seek out the other books in the series.
August 27, 2014
I am a fan of Jeanne Matthews' books, and this one doesn't disappoint -- superb writing, wit, well drawn characters, fleshed out setting and an intriguing plot. Recommend this book to all mystery readers.
August 6, 2012
I must admit this book was somewhat of a yawner. I learned more about Norway myths and gods than anything.
September 18, 2012
Very interesting about the seed vault. Food for thought -- literally. The mystery didn't pull me in.
Read
June 8, 2017Miniseries: A Dinah Pelerin Mystery
October 11, 2013
An ok read. I liked using Google Earth and learning a little about Norway and north.
April 15, 2024
I was in the mood for a mystery - so I picked this book up. It's my first Jeanne Matthews mystery and it was ... okay. I know that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement - just 'okay', but if you love to learn about a locale while trying to solve a murder mystery, then I would suggest picking up this book.
Matthews educates her readers as she spins a story. She is a smart writer and uses some of the best similes I've ever read to describe people, places and things. I learned some facts about Norway, picked up some common phrases in Norwegian, all while trying to keep up with the political subterfuge among our cast of characters.
Honestly, I had no idea that there was a doomsday seed vault in Norway and this, among other references in her novel, compelled me to look up facts she referred to. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is actually quite fascinating to read about. This mystery is also peppered with Norse mythology, which I adore.
So what's the problem? I knew within the first chapter that this could be a bit of a bore for the average reader. Matthews has certainly done her research, but imparting too much information at unusual times broke the flow of the story and lessened the suspense. Also, throughout most of the story, the main character Dinah, is a bit too aloof and too stoic to be believable. She seems as cold as her surroundings and I can't imagine her, even back in Hawaii as someone you could warm up to.
It was a rewarding ending though, complete with the appearance of a real live isbjorn!
Matthews educates her readers as she spins a story. She is a smart writer and uses some of the best similes I've ever read to describe people, places and things. I learned some facts about Norway, picked up some common phrases in Norwegian, all while trying to keep up with the political subterfuge among our cast of characters.
Honestly, I had no idea that there was a doomsday seed vault in Norway and this, among other references in her novel, compelled me to look up facts she referred to. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is actually quite fascinating to read about. This mystery is also peppered with Norse mythology, which I adore.
So what's the problem? I knew within the first chapter that this could be a bit of a bore for the average reader. Matthews has certainly done her research, but imparting too much information at unusual times broke the flow of the story and lessened the suspense. Also, throughout most of the story, the main character Dinah, is a bit too aloof and too stoic to be believable. She seems as cold as her surroundings and I can't imagine her, even back in Hawaii as someone you could warm up to.
It was a rewarding ending though, complete with the appearance of a real live isbjorn!
January 18, 2022
Great mystery, just don't want to go to Norway and get eaten by a Polar bear.
May 30, 2022
Didn't like what I read. Couldn't hold my interest. Didn't finish it.
February 18, 2015
A nice mystery set in an unusual location, Longyearbyen in the far north of Norway. I had to go and research to see if it is a real place and if there was in fact an international seed bank there. Both are real, almost like something out of science fiction. So the setting for this mystery involves three US politicians going to Longyearbyen to deposit seeds from their respective states in the international seed vault. The politicians are portrayed as greedy and selfish, in perhaps a little of a cardboard-cutout kind of way, though that did not distract much from my enjoyment of the story. They are there ostensibly to deposit seeds, but really so they can posture about the quality of the crops of their respective states, and thus set themselves up a presidential material eventually. Their genetic engineering company masters have come along for the ride too. The author obviously does not think a lot of politicians or agri-businesses.
Enter our hero, Dinah Pelerin. She has been sent to Longyearbyen to deposit some Hawaiian banana seeds, and to test the waters to see if the depository is a legitimate place of safety for other more unique Hawaiian plants. (She eventually decides that it is not really as safe as it could be, due to the ability of businesses to get at, not the Norwegian depository, but the local backup). This all seems to be factual and was actually very interesting. Also interesting were the Norse mythology stories Dinah reads while she is holed up in her hotel room, languishing in the winter blackness that is the Arctic Circle.
The mystery begins when a crusading journalist is found murdered, having previously gatecrashed the welcome reception for the politicians. He was virulently anti-genetic engineering of crops, and may have known something about an event in Africa, to which two of the politicians were party. Was that the cause of his demise? Anyway, all the party are suspect, including Dinah, who is especially suspect when she finds the dead body of one of the politicians’ secretaries in a sauna. Events move along a quite a rate, as another journalist tries to pry secrets out of Dinah, who ends up being shot at and attacked by a polar bear, who seem to be prevalent in Longyearbyen. (Reindeer are also frequent wanderers of the streets..)
To complicate matters, the wife of one of the politicians is an ex-Norwegian pop star, and she decides to go AWOL. Is she also dead? Is she avoiding politics? Another mystery for Dinah to solve.
The actual solution comes relatively quickly at the end, and didn’t involve a lot of detection, but the book is good, interesting and keeps your interest all the way through. I was a little annoyed by some of the lack of editing; spelling errors and wrong word us, like “abstracted” instead of “distracted” etc.
But overall very enjoyable; it captured the atmosphere of the frozen north well, seen from the viewpoint of a Hawaiian!
Enter our hero, Dinah Pelerin. She has been sent to Longyearbyen to deposit some Hawaiian banana seeds, and to test the waters to see if the depository is a legitimate place of safety for other more unique Hawaiian plants. (She eventually decides that it is not really as safe as it could be, due to the ability of businesses to get at, not the Norwegian depository, but the local backup). This all seems to be factual and was actually very interesting. Also interesting were the Norse mythology stories Dinah reads while she is holed up in her hotel room, languishing in the winter blackness that is the Arctic Circle.
The mystery begins when a crusading journalist is found murdered, having previously gatecrashed the welcome reception for the politicians. He was virulently anti-genetic engineering of crops, and may have known something about an event in Africa, to which two of the politicians were party. Was that the cause of his demise? Anyway, all the party are suspect, including Dinah, who is especially suspect when she finds the dead body of one of the politicians’ secretaries in a sauna. Events move along a quite a rate, as another journalist tries to pry secrets out of Dinah, who ends up being shot at and attacked by a polar bear, who seem to be prevalent in Longyearbyen. (Reindeer are also frequent wanderers of the streets..)
To complicate matters, the wife of one of the politicians is an ex-Norwegian pop star, and she decides to go AWOL. Is she also dead? Is she avoiding politics? Another mystery for Dinah to solve.
The actual solution comes relatively quickly at the end, and didn’t involve a lot of detection, but the book is good, interesting and keeps your interest all the way through. I was a little annoyed by some of the lack of editing; spelling errors and wrong word us, like “abstracted” instead of “distracted” etc.
But overall very enjoyable; it captured the atmosphere of the frozen north well, seen from the viewpoint of a Hawaiian!
August 8, 2012
This mystery book is quite different than most of the other mysteries I've read. It brings in politics, Norwegian folklore, environmental issues, and teaches you a bit of Norwegian words along the way. Out of the many mystery books I've read, I've never come across the combination of these topics. I am not usually all that interested in political matters but without it in this book, it wouldn't be quite as good. I'm definitely glad that I was given the opportunity to read it.
I enjoyed the wide range of characters in the book. From the politicians to the political activists, to the waitresses and shopkeepers, all of them added a little something to the story. While there were many different characters, I felt especially connected to the main character, Dinah. She is very bold and adventurous, and has a knack for investigating (which isn't surprising since she is an anthropologist). Reading her inner dialogue, especially when she's trying to solve the crimes, was really enjoyable.
The storyline had many twists and turns that made it all the more interesting. Though, I wish the story had continued on a bit more to give more closure on what happened with Dinah after all was said and done.
Overall, the book is an enjoyable read. For anyone who enjoys mystery books, I definitely recommend reading the description of the book and give it a chance. You won't regret it!
(I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads!)
I enjoyed the wide range of characters in the book. From the politicians to the political activists, to the waitresses and shopkeepers, all of them added a little something to the story. While there were many different characters, I felt especially connected to the main character, Dinah. She is very bold and adventurous, and has a knack for investigating (which isn't surprising since she is an anthropologist). Reading her inner dialogue, especially when she's trying to solve the crimes, was really enjoyable.
The storyline had many twists and turns that made it all the more interesting. Though, I wish the story had continued on a bit more to give more closure on what happened with Dinah after all was said and done.
Overall, the book is an enjoyable read. For anyone who enjoys mystery books, I definitely recommend reading the description of the book and give it a chance. You won't regret it!
(I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads!)
February 9, 2013
It's a extremely lightweight, forgettable mystery. It reminds me of a one-hour soap opera for TV where plots happen so fast, with twists and turns (if you can call it that) be over and done with in a few sentences, that you would have wondered what has just happened when this very short book is over. Characters and plots development are almost non-existent. Laughable plots and a busy-body character that I doubt if even the Norwegians up in the arctic north (no offence) would have taken her seriously. It's a pity because the book could have amounted to so much more, but the author is so busy recounting all the Norse myths (probably all from the one single research on Norse mythology that she's more keen on showing off on) that nothing much else matters. Instead of calling this a fiction, it's more like a brief synopsis of an eventual fictional work that this author fails to make it happen. It's such a sloppy piece of work that I can safely say this will be the first and last book I would read from this author.
I'd admit that the author has successfully sought attention from potential readers like myself, thanks to a well-chosen title which bears nothing of consequence or relevance to the story at all.
I'd admit that the author has successfully sought attention from potential readers like myself, thanks to a well-chosen title which bears nothing of consequence or relevance to the story at all.
March 21, 2013
I liked the tie-ins to Norse Mythology and Norwegian culture, but this book was so similar to so many books that have come before it. You were kept guessing about who the culprit was, but it seemed like the author hadn't even made up her mind. It's not difficult to keep your reader guessing if you keep feeding them extraneous details hinting at different people as guilty.
But the romance? It felt like it was forced in there in a sorry attempt to amp up the story so that readers might feel more connected to the characters. Perhaps I'm tired of novels with fickle people who were so madly in love and then suddenly moving on with someone else and justifying it as not being commitment types. It seems like a cop out, and like Jeanne Matthews wanted to have a hint of romance in her book and tried to do it without completely ruining the love stories she may have laid out in her previous books (which, granted, I have not read).
I felt like she was trying to tie everything going on in the book together, like every single thing was important, but instead she just kept focusing on everything at once and being a little ADD about the whole thing.
But the romance? It felt like it was forced in there in a sorry attempt to amp up the story so that readers might feel more connected to the characters. Perhaps I'm tired of novels with fickle people who were so madly in love and then suddenly moving on with someone else and justifying it as not being commitment types. It seems like a cop out, and like Jeanne Matthews wanted to have a hint of romance in her book and tried to do it without completely ruining the love stories she may have laid out in her previous books (which, granted, I have not read).
I felt like she was trying to tie everything going on in the book together, like every single thing was important, but instead she just kept focusing on everything at once and being a little ADD about the whole thing.
October 5, 2014
In Matthews’ mystery novel, ethno botanist Dinah Pelerin is on her way to Norway hoping that work and a trip afar will help her regroup after a romance gone wrong. Serving as part of the United States delegation, her duty is to insure the preservation of precious Hawaiian heirloom seeds in a doomsday vault. Accompanying her is a group of profit-driven senators and money-hungry executives with agendas all their own that include a mythical Norse battle. When a reporter is found murdered, a senator’s wife goes missing, and a blizzard approaches, Dinah sets out to uncover the truth before a ruthless killer kills again.
An intelligent sleuth and a great story make a wonderful addition to the A Dinah Pelegrin Mystery series.
An intelligent sleuth and a great story make a wonderful addition to the A Dinah Pelegrin Mystery series.
May 14, 2012
Have you ever heard of Longyearbyen? I had not either. It is always interesting to read about a place that you did not know existed. It was interesting having Norway and the Norwegian people featured in the story.
Enjoyable murder mystery in a unique setting makes for a good read. Constant darkness and cold are mentioned quite often but the mood is not captured in any way. The main character Dinah is not one that you warm up to in any great hurry. But the combination of the story involving preserving seeds in case of catastrophe combined with the setting and the mystery do combine to make an enjoyable read.
Enjoyable murder mystery in a unique setting makes for a good read. Constant darkness and cold are mentioned quite often but the mood is not captured in any way. The main character Dinah is not one that you warm up to in any great hurry. But the combination of the story involving preserving seeds in case of catastrophe combined with the setting and the mystery do combine to make an enjoyable read.
August 14, 2012
This was the first murder mystery book I've read in a really long time, and I honestly enjoyed it much more than anticipated. Having won it from First-reads, I didn't really know what to expect as I read it. The "twist" and revealing of the murderer were well written and exciting, as well as Dinah's regular brushes with death. I was disappointed, however, with several scenes which didn't progress the plot or reveal information about the crimes. Some events in the story seemed to fill pages more than have a purpose. Aside from these, the story line was unique and intriguing. I had a good time reading it.
August 18, 2012
Dinah has gone to the fartherest north village in Norway for a seed savers presentation attended by three senators, one a presidential candidate as well as the head of a genetic seed company. In the midst of the cold Dinah learns lots of information about genetic engineered seed mutation as she becomes involved with a coverup, two murders and her life is at risk.
A good Norwegian mystery with man an Ameican twist.
A good Norwegian mystery with man an Ameican twist.
August 13, 2013
Dinah Pelerin, working in Hawaii as an ethnobotanist, is sent on a junket to northern Norway--in December! Her boss is no fool--she'll stay where it's nice and warm. Dinah finds herself on a private jet with several US Senators and an industrialist whose firm manufactures genetically modified seeds. When a man who protests the visit is found murdered, her whole party falls under suspicion. A second murder follows, and Dinah is in the thick of things, along with a Norwegian policeman.
January 28, 2013
I won't be writing a long review on this one, as I don't remember much. ):
I enjoyed it, but I wasn't addicted. I guess that's mostly due to the genre, because I'm a bigger fan of YA/New Adult.
If it sounds good to you, go for it!
ACTUAL RATING: 3.5 stars
I won a free (signed) copy of this from the author through Goodreads/ First Reads.
I enjoyed it, but I wasn't addicted. I guess that's mostly due to the genre, because I'm a bigger fan of YA/New Adult.
If it sounds good to you, go for it!
ACTUAL RATING: 3.5 stars
I won a free (signed) copy of this from the author through Goodreads/ First Reads.
January 29, 2013
I'm not usually a fan of the average-woman-solves-a-crime books but this one partially changed my mind. If you think Monsanto is an evil company then you should read this book - it definitely adds an extra star to the rating ;)
April 26, 2013
to be more fair, I think I'd give 3.5. I've enjoyed the other two very much, and I can't say there was anything about the writing in this story that was below par. I think I just didn't personally care for the storyline as much in this case.
February 24, 2015
Another good segment in the Dinah Pellerin series. I liked the Norse mythology that was included. I also didn't figure out the killer until Dinah did, so I liked that. The only thing that I didn't like was the amount of suspects. I had a bit of a hard time keeping them straight.
July 13, 2012
Norway mystery
September 11, 2012
Interesting book, I liked the way the author introduced Norse myths into the story. From the description of the setting it is not anywhere I want to visit......too cold!
November 29, 2012
A little over the top in plotting, but witty and entertaining.
January 2, 2015
Really enjoyed this mystery. I liked all the tidbits about Norway and Norse myths.
December 5, 2013
I was cold just reading this mystery set in the far north of Norway. Plus it was always dark. Brrrr!
April 6, 2015
I recommend "reading" the Dinah Pellerin novels in audio form. The plethora of accents is just too delicious to do in my head. Dinah's southern cadences are the best.
February 7, 2020
I really enjoy this series! They just keep getting better and better!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews