Deadfall

Jessie Arnold & Alex Jensen #5

by Sue Henry

Iditarod musher Jessie Arnold is being stalked and terrorized by an anonymous enemy. First, one of her sled dogs is badly injured in a steel trap and an ominous note leaves no doubt that the trap was set with malicious intent. Threatening phone calls and unsigned messages follow—pressing Alaska State Trooper Alex Jensen to urge Jessie to go into hiding while he tries to track down the source of the threats. Finally, a near fatal car crash convinces Jessie to let Alex fly her to an isolated island more than two hundred miles away.

There on desolate, windswept Kachemak Bay, Jessie hikes the island trails with her lead dog Tank, marveling at the splendor of her solitude. But in a wilderness filled with hazards and hiding places, she soon discovers she is not alone. With Alex searching for a madman hundreds of miles away, Jessie is on her own... playing a deadly game of hide and seek with a killer.

"WONDERFULLY EVOCATIVE"
—The Baltimore Sun (Deadfall)

"Suspenseful, intelligent, and filled with the spectacular beauty of the northern wilds..."
—Dallas Morning News (Deadfall)

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Dogs, Mystery Thriller, Cozy, Thriller, Nature

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Sue Henry is the author of 17 novels in two award-winning Alaska mystery series. Her first book, "Murder on the Iditarod Trail" (1991), was well reviewed and won both the Macavity Awards and Anthony Awards for best first novel, prompting the author to develop a series based on this book's characters, Alaskan state trooper Alex Jensen and Jessie Arnold, a sled dog racer.

In 2005, she started a new mystery series featuring a 63-year-old widow, Maxine McNab, travelling in her Winnebago with a miniature dachshund, Stretch. Maxine had appeared in Dead North (2001) in the first series.

Murder on the Iditarod Trail was filmed for television as The Cold Heart of a Killer (1996) starring Kate Jackson, who bought the rights to the book. Sue Henry lived in Alaska for more than a quarter of a century, and brought history, Alaskan lore, and the majestic beauty of the vast landscape to her mysteries. She also taught writing at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

Reviews

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent entry in the Alaskan mystery series featuring Jessie Arnold and her boyfriend Alex Jensen. In this story, someone is trying to kill Jessie by going after her dogs first, and then after her. Alex insists she go to stay on a remote island where she will be safe, but little does he know that the killer is following her, and she is then in even more danger from the killer. This is a page-turner, and mystery fans will love it.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another series I didn’t start until just a few years ago, but I enjoy the stories. The author is no longer with us, so I have been trying to spread out the books to make them last longer, but it’s hard when the series is so good.

I love the setting, and every time I read one of these books, I want to book a trip to Alaska right away, although the books are set in a remote part of Alaska that I will probably never get to visit. The characters are starting to feel like old friends, and I like the way they all look out for one another, no matter what is happening. Jessie seems to still be struggling with her need for independence, which has to be hard for the rest of them, but most women would probably understand her dilemma.

This book wasn’t so much a murder mystery as a thriller where the reader has to figure out what’s going on and who is behind it. It’s not as obvious as it first appears, and it was at turns heart-racing and frustratingly slow to follow the clues as they turned up. The confrontation scene was tense, which made it hard to put the book down.

I wasn’t happy with some of the things that happened at the end of the book, and I hope they’re resolved soon rather than dragging on for several books, but the only way to find out will be to read the next book – or more? – in the series.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was "by wayyyyy far" my fav Jessie Arnold book. This is book 5 and the action and intrigue gets kicked up a major notch!

Someone is after Jessie. She is receiving threats in a variety of ways, but when her life has been put in danger when the breaks on her vehicle go out, its time to hide out somewhere and wait for the storm to pass. However, the storm does not pass, it follows her wherever she goes.
Its up to her "BF" Trooper Alex Jensen to find out who is harassing and threatening Jessie's life and her prized dogs. What in the world did Jessie ever do to anyone to deserve the things that are happening in her life now. Could it be someone angry at her who is involved with dog mushing? Could it be someone wanting to get back at Trooper Alex, someone who he put behind bars?

Loved this book!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually read mysteries as the genre doesn’t particularly appeal to me, but this one was set in Alaska so it fit my MMD reading challenge for the year. It was definitely a page-turner and I enjoyed it as much as I would enjoy any mystery. :)

[Scilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie Arnold finds one of her dogs with a steel trap on its leg. She frees the dog from the trap, and she and Alex have to leave the dog with the vet. On checking out the rest of the dog beds, she finds another trap lying in wait in another dog bed, after which she turns over every bed. The two traps found have tags attached saying "Happy Birthday Jessie". Then, the staulking continues with phone calls with no one talking, mail broken into and messages inserted. Then, Jessie's truck had the brake line tampered with, and it went out of control on a bad section of road. Jessie and her friend were both hospitalized. Eventually, Alex suggests she go to his parent's home in Idaho, but Jessie finally decides to hide on her friend's remote island in Kachemak Bay. Alex's friend Caswell has a small plane, and he and Alex fly Jessie and Tank (her lead dog) to the island.

While Alex and Caswell look into who can be the staulker, Jessie finds she is not alone on the island. Will Alex find the staulker before it's too late and come to the island to rescue her?

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Jessie's birthday & Alex has given her diamonds; a pair of earings. Then all hell breaks loose. Jessie finds her young female husky with her foot stuck in a steel trap inside her box outdoors in the lot. Her rear leg is pretty bad off. Alex drives her & the dog to the vet to see the extent of the injuries. She leaves her dog behid so the vet could work miracles. This is just the beginning of a series of attacks on her dogs & herself. The attacks go from bad to worse. Alex sets out with a friend to fing out who is doing this to Jessie & why. After the roll-over at Alex recommendation she leaves to stay at a secluded beach house on an island. Surely her stalker won't find her there... To find out what happens to Jessie and Tank on the deserted island, Deadfall is waiting for you to read it. This thriller keeps your attention to the very end which is why I gave it 5 stars.

[Scott Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a $2 used paperback, I got my money's worth. Not having read books #1 - #4 didn't hinder my enjoyment of the story. The author's ability to transport you to the Alaskan coast was definitely the story's strength. I assume she's had much experience with the region, the weather and terrain. The "mystery" aspect weakened significantly for me after the "whodunnit" was revealed, which means I won't be tracking down the other books, but if I happen upon the first one while thrifting, I may pick it up to see the character origins.

[Beverlyb · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF, a rarity for me.

SPOILERS
Got to page 183, where Rudy throws the coffee pot at the stalker and he and Jessie run out of the cabin into the raging storm.

Give me a break.
You clocked the perp, conk him on the head and use his duct tape to incapacitate him.

Also- and this should probably be the bigger peeve- why is Alex investigating Jessie's stalker? Why isn't another trooper or 2 assigned to this case? Does anyone else think conflict of interest?

[Cheryl Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadfall

I like mysteries for some easy reading Sue Henry keeps you glued to the story. I have been to Alaska many times and one of my favorite places I Homer, AK. She describes it beautifully. Her bond with Tank could not be any closer.

[Linda Pobanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadfall

I was worried about Jesse but knew she was going to be alright. Alex and Cas, not so much. I liked the book and can't wait to read the next one. I would recommend these books to anyone. They are exciting and informative.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Well written mystery that kept me guessing as Alex and Jessie solved it. Lots of outdoor wilderness action.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Jessie is the main character in this book. Really enjoying this series.

[Christopher Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a riveting story. Definitely my favorite Sue Henry book so far. A demented stalker harasses Jessie Arnold, but no-one knows why.
A game of cat and mouse ensues.

[Tomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another mystery offering tantalizing clues and suspenseful action. I am really enjoying this series. The descriptions of Alaska make me want to visit.

[Sandy Holz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Popular series. First one for me, good, not great.
Will re-visit at some point.
Next in series is YUKON QUEST.

[Leah Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is after who?

Someone hurt Jessie's dog, and this started a mission of terror. Are they really after Jessie, or is something deeper going on?

[Marilyn Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadfall

I’ve read several of Sue Henry’s books and really enjoyed them. This book, Deadfall, is the best one so far.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - Very, Very Good

[Karen Anderson]

Great read, lots of twists and turns!

[Sara Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun quick read. I do wish my library had the whole series, but I will enjoy the ones they do have.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good Jessie and Alex story.

[jenn Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. She Henry is an excellent author.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really should write a full review for this one, but since I won’t be posting reviews for every book in this series on booksta for it, I’m not going to.

Quick & simple: I love Jessie & Alex, and this whole series, and I do enjoy this one. I really love that this one we got a pretty even split of Jessie & Alex while Alex worked a case Jessie was directly involved in! I also really loved getting to experience more of Alaska!

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iditarod musher Jessie Arnold is being stalked and terrorized by an anonymous enemy. First, one of her sled dogs is badly injured in a steel trap and an ominous note leaves no doubt that the trap was set with malicious intent. Threatening phone calls and unsigned messages follow -- pressing Alaska State Trooper Alex Jensen to urge Jessie to go into hiding while he tries to track down the source of the threats. Finally, a near fatal car crash convinces Jessie to let Alex fly her to an isolated island more than two hundred miles away. There on desolate, windswept Kachemak Bay, Jessie hikes the island trails with her lead dog Tank, marveling at the splendor of her solitude. But in a wilderness filled with hazards and hiding places, she soon discovers she is not alone. With Alex searching for a madman hundreds of miles away, Jessie is on her own...playing a deadly game of hide and seek with a killer.

Filled with suspense and intrigue from start to finish, another in the Alaskan mystery series that is filled with plenty of red herrings, great descriptions of Alaskan wildlife, topography and life. This storyline focuses once again on Jessie and what a strong, independent young woman she is. Definitely an Alaskan kind of woman.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sue Henry’s imagination takes flight in this thrilling novel set against the awesome natural spectacle that is Alaska. This is number five in Henry’s series that follows the adventures of Alaskan State Trooper Alex Jensen.

With her strong narrative sense in the forefront, Henry has fashioned a novel of real human dimension, which makes the contrast with the larger than life Alaskan reality all the more telling. Alex Jensen’s close personal friend and champion musher, Jessie Arnold is being stalked by an unknown enemy. In carefully staged escalations, Jessie’s dogs are threatened, her friends are menaced and Jessie herself must come to terms with increasing restrictions on her independent lifestyle, and to realize the frustration and then terror of trying to protect herself against an invisible enemy. The book also portrays the increasing anxiety and frustration of the police as Alex Jensen tries to identify the shadowy perpetrator and protect Jessie without upsetting their always tenuous relationship.

Henry builds the suspense in a sure handed way, and while the resolution may be a bit unfocused, overall, this is an excellent novel, well conceived and executed. Henry is an author who can be counted on to deliver the goods.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I liked the first story I read by Sue Henry, "Murder on the Iditarod Trail," better. Both were pretty violent and overly dramatic, but the thrill of the race helped that book.

This book was just drama wthout a lot of substance. I will admit that I enjoy her depiction of the landscape of Alaska, a place I've only spent minimal time in. I could visualize the remote island and thought that it would be great to explore a place like that.

The story was okay - a quick read and decent brain candy, but I prefer less violence. I picked this story up because I remembered that I liked her main characters, Jessie and Alex, and I loved the descriptions of Alaska, but I'm not so sure I'll be so eager to read another of her stories.

[Jan C · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is generally an OK series.

I wasn't that crazy about the stalker plotline. It was kind of wacky.

At first, they think that it is something personal against Jessie. Perhaps someone she beat in a race. I guess some of those mushers can have pretty thin skins where women are concerned. And then they think it is something personal against Alex. Maybe someone he arrested. But it turns out to be a little more wacky than that.

It is kind of adventurous. Alex makes Jessie leave town. She didn't really like that. So she went to her friend's place on some island. That's real smart. You have a stalker after you so of course the place to go is an island where you are the only person.

So I thought this one was a little bit bizarre.

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

No disrespect meant by the three stars. It's a good read, and tells a story at an earlier point than the books I've been reading. I'm an omnivore reader, and three stars means I liked reading the book. I've liked other Sue Henry books more, probably because this villain is someone I don't understand well, and whose motives I don't really connect to. The resolution also comes very quickly, and the ends are tied up just as quickly. But the heroine of the book is well done, and I understand her appeal in later books.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry’s mystery series once again follows dog sled trainer and racer, Jessie and her state trooper boyfriend, Alex. Jessie is being stalked and her dogs hurt. As she hides out on a remote Alaskan island her peaceful sanctuary is broken when she discovers she is not alone!

I like that Henry has a mystery to solve, but she combines just enough thriller, adventure and creepiness into her stories so that you are engaged. She’s not too over the top with Jessie and Alex’s romance either.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessie Arnold appears to have a stalker. First one of her sled dogs is injured and then she has an "accident." There are also anonymous threat letters and hang up phone calls. Alex Jensen can't figure out who would want to hurt her and she leaves her home until he can find the culprit. However, her life may be in even more danger there. This book was very good and suspenseful.