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Secret Places: A Southeast Alaska Mystery
Three days before the season opening, Native Alaskan commercial salmon fisherman, Johnny Ingman leaves his hometown of Sweetwater bound for the fishing grounds and disappears.
Johnny's disappearance comes at a time of deep frustration in Johnny's tiny home village. Changing pressures, values, and demands from the outside world are increasingly disrupting insular, secretive, and self-reliant Alaskan communities like Sweetwater, undermining their traditional cultures, and threatening the vulnerable salmon troll fishery that is their economic base.
The relentless investigation by Johnny's close friend, Alaska Wildlife Trooper Chuck Kolinsky, highlights these forces and ignites an acrimonious public confrontation between him and an crowd of angry fishers at a fish buying scow in a cove on the fishing grounds. And it sparks new insights which allow Kolinsky to identify the killer.
Johnny's disappearance comes at a time of deep frustration in Johnny's tiny home village. Changing pressures, values, and demands from the outside world are increasingly disrupting insular, secretive, and self-reliant Alaskan communities like Sweetwater, undermining their traditional cultures, and threatening the vulnerable salmon troll fishery that is their economic base.
The relentless investigation by Johnny's close friend, Alaska Wildlife Trooper Chuck Kolinsky, highlights these forces and ignites an acrimonious public confrontation between him and an crowd of angry fishers at a fish buying scow in a cove on the fishing grounds. And it sparks new insights which allow Kolinsky to identify the killer.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 13, 2025
At the start of the fishing season in Alaska, local fisherman Johnny Ingman disappeared. Disappearances aren’t common in the small town of Sweetwater, where fishing is life. Ingman’s friend, Alaska Wildlife Trooper Chuck Kolinsky, tries to solve the mystery. But as the narrative shifts between different points of view, it’s revealed that almost every fisherman in town is harboring secrets. Kolinsky doesn’t think that Ingman drowned; he suspects foul play. What follows is a twisting thriller that kept me guessing until the very end.
I knew very little about Alaskan culture and salmon fishing before reading Don Stuart’s Secret Places: A Southeast Alaska Mystery. While I now wouldn’t consider myself an expert, I do have a better understanding thanks to Stuart. Throughout the novel, Stuart carefully balances the information we as readers need to know about the Alaskan fishing industry while keeping us engaged in the novel’s overarching mystery. Stuart reveals how something as simple as a boat’s gears malfunctioning can devastate an entire town’s economy. Thankfully, Stuart never bogs the narrative down with unnecessary fishing information; every detail about fishing is key to the overall plot. By doing so, Stuart keeps the pacing tight and suspenseful.
Balancing multiple points of view in a novel is never easy, especially when shifting between third-person and first-person perspectives. But Stuart does so seamlessly, as each chapter shifts to another character’s backstory and personal beef with Ingman. As the novel goes on, each plot blends together in a fascinating web, eventually culminating in an intense showdown.
In his exploration of Alaskan culture, Stuart touches on the clash between Native Alaskans and non-Natives. By incorporating historic details about the strife Native Alaskans have undergone, Stuart explains why they are wary of government bureaucracy. While some writers could have ventured into stereotypes or mystical territory, Stuart ensures each character, regardless of race, is a fully fleshed-out, three-dimensional person. Secret Places by Don Stuart is an intriguing read for adults that will also satisfy teen and young adult readers.
I knew very little about Alaskan culture and salmon fishing before reading Don Stuart’s Secret Places: A Southeast Alaska Mystery. While I now wouldn’t consider myself an expert, I do have a better understanding thanks to Stuart. Throughout the novel, Stuart carefully balances the information we as readers need to know about the Alaskan fishing industry while keeping us engaged in the novel’s overarching mystery. Stuart reveals how something as simple as a boat’s gears malfunctioning can devastate an entire town’s economy. Thankfully, Stuart never bogs the narrative down with unnecessary fishing information; every detail about fishing is key to the overall plot. By doing so, Stuart keeps the pacing tight and suspenseful.
Balancing multiple points of view in a novel is never easy, especially when shifting between third-person and first-person perspectives. But Stuart does so seamlessly, as each chapter shifts to another character’s backstory and personal beef with Ingman. As the novel goes on, each plot blends together in a fascinating web, eventually culminating in an intense showdown.
In his exploration of Alaskan culture, Stuart touches on the clash between Native Alaskans and non-Natives. By incorporating historic details about the strife Native Alaskans have undergone, Stuart explains why they are wary of government bureaucracy. While some writers could have ventured into stereotypes or mystical territory, Stuart ensures each character, regardless of race, is a fully fleshed-out, three-dimensional person. Secret Places by Don Stuart is an intriguing read for adults that will also satisfy teen and young adult readers.
June 30, 2026
Secret Places is a compelling and thoughtfully crafted mystery that combines an engaging criminal investigation with a vivid portrayal of life in coastal Alaska. Don Stuart has written far more than a traditional whodunit he has created a story that explores community, tradition, resilience, and the challenges of preserving a unique way of life in the face of constant change. The result is a novel that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally rewarding.
From the opening chapters, the mysterious disappearance of Native Alaskan commercial salmon fisherman Johnny Ingman immediately captures the reader's attention. What begins as a missing-person case gradually unfolds into a layered and suspenseful investigation, revealing hidden tensions, long held secrets, and the complex relationships within a close knit fishing community. The mystery develops naturally, with each new clue adding depth and keeping readers eager to uncover the truth.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its authentic setting. Don Stuart brings the Alaskan fishing communities to life with remarkable detail and realism. Rather than simply serving as a backdrop, the rugged coastal environment, the commercial salmon fishery, and the traditions of the people become central elements of the story. The descriptions create a vivid sense of place, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the unique culture, breathtaking landscapes, and daily realities of life in these remote communities.
Chuck Kolinsky is an excellent protagonist whose dedication, integrity, and determination make him easy to admire. His investigation is driven not only by a desire to solve a crime but also by genuine loyalty to his friend and concern for the community he serves. As the case unfolds, Kolinsky's persistence, thoughtful approach, and willingness to confront difficult truths make his journey both believable and deeply engaging.
Beyond the mystery itself, Secret Places thoughtfully examines important issues affecting rural Alaskan communities, including economic uncertainty, cultural preservation, outside influence, and the pressures of modernization. These themes add meaningful depth to the novel without ever overshadowing the suspense. Instead, they enrich the story, giving readers a broader understanding of the people, traditions, and challenges that shape the characters' lives.
Don Stuart's writing is confident, immersive, and highly descriptive. The pacing allows the mystery to build steadily while giving readers time to appreciate the richly developed setting and nuanced characters. The dialogue feels natural, the emotional moments are sincere, and the final resolution is both satisfying and well earned, rewarding readers who followed every clue along the way.
Overall, Secret Places is an outstanding mystery that successfully blends suspense, memorable characters, cultural authenticity, and thoughtful storytelling. It is a novel that will appeal to readers who appreciate mysteries grounded in realistic settings with strong emotional and social themes. Don Stuart has created a captivating story that remains engaging from beginning to end, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an intelligent, atmospheric, and rewarding mystery.
From the opening chapters, the mysterious disappearance of Native Alaskan commercial salmon fisherman Johnny Ingman immediately captures the reader's attention. What begins as a missing-person case gradually unfolds into a layered and suspenseful investigation, revealing hidden tensions, long held secrets, and the complex relationships within a close knit fishing community. The mystery develops naturally, with each new clue adding depth and keeping readers eager to uncover the truth.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its authentic setting. Don Stuart brings the Alaskan fishing communities to life with remarkable detail and realism. Rather than simply serving as a backdrop, the rugged coastal environment, the commercial salmon fishery, and the traditions of the people become central elements of the story. The descriptions create a vivid sense of place, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the unique culture, breathtaking landscapes, and daily realities of life in these remote communities.
Chuck Kolinsky is an excellent protagonist whose dedication, integrity, and determination make him easy to admire. His investigation is driven not only by a desire to solve a crime but also by genuine loyalty to his friend and concern for the community he serves. As the case unfolds, Kolinsky's persistence, thoughtful approach, and willingness to confront difficult truths make his journey both believable and deeply engaging.
Beyond the mystery itself, Secret Places thoughtfully examines important issues affecting rural Alaskan communities, including economic uncertainty, cultural preservation, outside influence, and the pressures of modernization. These themes add meaningful depth to the novel without ever overshadowing the suspense. Instead, they enrich the story, giving readers a broader understanding of the people, traditions, and challenges that shape the characters' lives.
Don Stuart's writing is confident, immersive, and highly descriptive. The pacing allows the mystery to build steadily while giving readers time to appreciate the richly developed setting and nuanced characters. The dialogue feels natural, the emotional moments are sincere, and the final resolution is both satisfying and well earned, rewarding readers who followed every clue along the way.
Overall, Secret Places is an outstanding mystery that successfully blends suspense, memorable characters, cultural authenticity, and thoughtful storytelling. It is a novel that will appeal to readers who appreciate mysteries grounded in realistic settings with strong emotional and social themes. Don Stuart has created a captivating story that remains engaging from beginning to end, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an intelligent, atmospheric, and rewarding mystery.
May 18, 2025
Secret Places by Don Stuart is a murder mystery set against the backdrop of local politics and the struggles of the Alaskan fishing trade in the 1980s. The author skillfully intertwines the mysterious and unusual disappearance of Johnny Ingram, one of the seasoned fishermen, while vividly describing the other fishermen and occupations involved in the Alaskan fishing industry. The characters are based on the author’s own career, personal interactions, and experiences while troll fishing his own boat in Alaska. The differing viewpoints reflect his encounters in the early 1980s with fish buyers, other fishermen, the union, departmental officials, the fishing community, and his own understanding of the Tlingit culture.
The characters’ perspectives were fascinating and educational for me, as I have limited knowledge of this unique trade and part of the world. It is apparent that the livelihood of this community depends heavily on the weather, good maintenance of fishing boats, and navigating bureaucracy during the short salmon fishing season. The cultural differences within this small community remain evident, with outsiders taking years to integrate.
The chapters are told from the perspectives of various characters, each with increasingly apparent motives to murder the victim, Johnny Ingram. It is up to his childhood friend, Chuck Kolinsky, a local sergeant in the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, to question the circumstances surrounding Johnny’s disappearance and apparent accidental death—ultimately discovering the truth.
The book’s strength lies in its unusual setting and its insightful portrayal of a small, tight-knit Alaskan community. I found the murder mystery itself less captivating, as it offered no clues to me as the reader until the ending, and each character seemed to have an equally valid motive. In an interview, the author said he hopes Alaskans read his novel to better appreciate the wonder and uniqueness of the life they lead—something that is certainly captured within the unfolding storyline. For that reason, this novel is definitely worth reading.
Many thanks to Reedsy Discovery for giving me an ARC and asking me to provide my honest opinion.
The characters’ perspectives were fascinating and educational for me, as I have limited knowledge of this unique trade and part of the world. It is apparent that the livelihood of this community depends heavily on the weather, good maintenance of fishing boats, and navigating bureaucracy during the short salmon fishing season. The cultural differences within this small community remain evident, with outsiders taking years to integrate.
The chapters are told from the perspectives of various characters, each with increasingly apparent motives to murder the victim, Johnny Ingram. It is up to his childhood friend, Chuck Kolinsky, a local sergeant in the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, to question the circumstances surrounding Johnny’s disappearance and apparent accidental death—ultimately discovering the truth.
The book’s strength lies in its unusual setting and its insightful portrayal of a small, tight-knit Alaskan community. I found the murder mystery itself less captivating, as it offered no clues to me as the reader until the ending, and each character seemed to have an equally valid motive. In an interview, the author said he hopes Alaskans read his novel to better appreciate the wonder and uniqueness of the life they lead—something that is certainly captured within the unfolding storyline. For that reason, this novel is definitely worth reading.
Many thanks to Reedsy Discovery for giving me an ARC and asking me to provide my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews