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Kate Shugak #4
A Cold-Blooded Business
Work hard, play hard. That's the credo on the oilfields of Alaska's North Slope, where harsh conditions and long, isolated shifts make for some of the best-paid jobs in the state. Management typically turns a blind eye to off-hours drinking and gambling, but a spate of drug-related deaths means it's time for Royal Petroleum to get its house in order. Working on behalf of the Anchorage DA, Kate Shugak is brought in undercover to identify the dealer and shut down the flow of cocaine. Of course, the dealer might have some very different ideas.
Informed by her own years working on the North Slope, Dana Stabenow's A Cold-Blooded Business captures a slice of life in a very Alaskan milieu.
Informed by her own years working on the North Slope, Dana Stabenow's A Cold-Blooded Business captures a slice of life in a very Alaskan milieu.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
578 people are currently reading
1027 people want to read
About the author
Dana Stabenow
103 books2,173 followersDana Stabenow was born in Anchorage and raised on 75-foot fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska. She knew there was a warmer, drier job out there somewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
January 9, 2023
Former Anchorage DA Kate Shugak gets sent undercover to the North Slope in Alaska where the oilfield jobs mean high pay but hard working conditions. There have been a string of drug related deaths and Kate quickly discovers extensive drug use among everyone at the company, as well as other illegal business going on. My favorite thing about this series is the way the author so vividly describes life in Alaska. Each book takes you to a new location and describes a new aspect of life there, not always pretty, but always interesting to read. 4/5 stars.
April 27, 2018
I thoroughly enjoy the Kate Shugak books. With this one the technical details were a bit over my head and I didn't understand some of the jokes because I couldn't figure out what they hinted at, it probably was Alaskan inside information. Nevertheless I will gladly read the next one in the series.
July 17, 2017
Another really enjoyable case solved with Kate. this time she goes way out and up in to the pipeline and works for the company that her whole being hates. Amazing scenery and revelations.
She is such a fantastic character. Strong, independent, a happy loner and never cowers who she is. I love her and can't wait for the next book.
She is such a fantastic character. Strong, independent, a happy loner and never cowers who she is. I love her and can't wait for the next book.
April 8, 2023
This is one of the more interesting Kate Shugak novels, not so much for the mystery aspect, although it WAS a good mystery. But, unfortunately, the mystery seemed to take a backseat to the history of the pipeline and what these people that work there go through during their time.
What made this a good read for me was learning just what working an Alaskan pipeline is like. What it does and doesn't do to our environment, how it has potential (as we have seen) to cause huge problems...but if this book is written fairly, it also shows that it is not as bad as we've all been led to believe. But, of course, I am not a native Alaskan, so I don't feel the effects as an Alaskan does.
The mystery aspect does seem to get a bit of short shrift but finally comes to the front and center during a most exciting last quarter of the novel. Not to say that Kate isn't doing her best throughout the book...it is just that she is keeping too much, too close to her vest (and away from the readers). It was almost as if she wrote the book to teach us about the pipeline and then, in the last quarter of the book, said, "oh poop, I forgot I was writing a mystery! I'd better get to it!".
We do get to meet Jack's son and his ex-wife in this book, and what an interesting pair they are!
What made this a good read for me was learning just what working an Alaskan pipeline is like. What it does and doesn't do to our environment, how it has potential (as we have seen) to cause huge problems...but if this book is written fairly, it also shows that it is not as bad as we've all been led to believe. But, of course, I am not a native Alaskan, so I don't feel the effects as an Alaskan does.
The mystery aspect does seem to get a bit of short shrift but finally comes to the front and center during a most exciting last quarter of the novel. Not to say that Kate isn't doing her best throughout the book...it is just that she is keeping too much, too close to her vest (and away from the readers). It was almost as if she wrote the book to teach us about the pipeline and then, in the last quarter of the book, said, "oh poop, I forgot I was writing a mystery! I'd better get to it!".
We do get to meet Jack's son and his ex-wife in this book, and what an interesting pair they are!
March 4, 2026
I am a Kate Shugak fan and read a book in this a couple of times a year. This one was a bit different, somewhat like the last one which took place on a fishing boat, in that it did not take place on her homestead either. This one was set on the North Slope, in Prudhoe Bay Alaska which I got a particular kick out of in that I once had the opportunity to visit there myself (some fifty years ago back when I was merely old, rather than ancient). That experience led to one observation about this book which I will mention later.
Kate is hired by the man who runs the business for one of the two North Slope operators. It seems that he is aware of the extensive use of drugs on his half of the slope and is determined to end it. Kate, being a seasoned investigator, and a Native American seems like an excellent choice for the job so she is hired on, ostensibly, as a roustabout, (general laborer) for the company, who will work undercover as an investigator.
She is assigned as the bus driver for the woman who conducts tours, among other things, for official visitors to the slope. One such visitor on Kate's first tour was a US Senator who, against all instructions, handles one of the smaller wild animals which, as a result, has to be put to death. Apparently, the book quite realistically portrays the stupidity of US politicians. In her position, Kate has the opportunity to observe quite a lot activity and rather quickly forms a hypothesis as to who might be among the drug dealers. From this point on, things get very interesting!
By and large, the book was pretty well plotted, characters were quite realistic, the pace was decent and the dialogue was realistic. There was one thing, however, that was outside of the realm of possibility. The climax of the book occurred in the middle of the night and the key events happened without being noticed by virtually anybody. The problem with that is that the North Slope is a two twelve-hour shift, around the clock operation, except for the office jobs. Therefore anyone sneaking around the pumping stations, etc. would certainly be noticed by one of the hundreds of night shift workers.
If one ignores that fact, the book is fairly suspenseful and nearly gripping. The only other strong criticism I have is that the thing went on far too long after the mystery was resolved. Perhaps the basis for a further book was being laid but, nonetheless, it should have been shorter. Although it is true that I often see this fault in books so, I guess, I may be a bit too sensitive on that issue.
Final judgement, a slight bit below a four star rating.
adios
Kate is hired by the man who runs the business for one of the two North Slope operators. It seems that he is aware of the extensive use of drugs on his half of the slope and is determined to end it. Kate, being a seasoned investigator, and a Native American seems like an excellent choice for the job so she is hired on, ostensibly, as a roustabout, (general laborer) for the company, who will work undercover as an investigator.
She is assigned as the bus driver for the woman who conducts tours, among other things, for official visitors to the slope. One such visitor on Kate's first tour was a US Senator who, against all instructions, handles one of the smaller wild animals which, as a result, has to be put to death. Apparently, the book quite realistically portrays the stupidity of US politicians. In her position, Kate has the opportunity to observe quite a lot activity and rather quickly forms a hypothesis as to who might be among the drug dealers. From this point on, things get very interesting!
By and large, the book was pretty well plotted, characters were quite realistic, the pace was decent and the dialogue was realistic. There was one thing, however, that was outside of the realm of possibility. The climax of the book occurred in the middle of the night and the key events happened without being noticed by virtually anybody. The problem with that is that the North Slope is a two twelve-hour shift, around the clock operation, except for the office jobs. Therefore anyone sneaking around the pumping stations, etc. would certainly be noticed by one of the hundreds of night shift workers.
If one ignores that fact, the book is fairly suspenseful and nearly gripping. The only other strong criticism I have is that the thing went on far too long after the mystery was resolved. Perhaps the basis for a further book was being laid but, nonetheless, it should have been shorter. Although it is true that I often see this fault in books so, I guess, I may be a bit too sensitive on that issue.
Final judgement, a slight bit below a four star rating.
adios
September 3, 2022
How does all the cocaine come into the workplace on the oilfield? That is what Kate has to figure out in A Cold-Blodded Business. I still find this series fun reading.
May 31, 2025
An Alaskan policewoman goes to the far North to investigate drug dealing at an oil rig, and finds more than she bargained for.
Takes a long time to get going. Very 90's but not in a good way.
Takes a long time to get going. Very 90's but not in a good way.
July 18, 2016
Book on CD narrated by Marguerite Gavin
3.5***
After one too many drug-related deaths at the site, former DA Investigator Kate Shugak is asked to go undercover to the Prudhoe Bay oil fields to find out who is dealing drugs.
I had read the first book in this series a couple of years ago and I was not impressed, but I’m glad I gave the series another chance. I like that Shugak is a strong woman, smart, resourceful, dedicated, committed and independent. I also like her strong sense of integrity – her willingness to do what is right even when it may hurt someone she knows and loves. I also liked the subplot regarding the Native archeological treasures.
That being said, I did find some of the characters thinly drawn stereotypes. A hard-hitting PR type, who is all sweet façade with an inner core of steel; an angry, overweight head of security who is totally at a loss to explain what is happening; a lonely man, besotted with a woman.
Marguerite Gavin does a fine job narrating the audio book. She has good pacing and sufficient skill as a voice artist to differentiate the many characters.
3.5***
After one too many drug-related deaths at the site, former DA Investigator Kate Shugak is asked to go undercover to the Prudhoe Bay oil fields to find out who is dealing drugs.
I had read the first book in this series a couple of years ago and I was not impressed, but I’m glad I gave the series another chance. I like that Shugak is a strong woman, smart, resourceful, dedicated, committed and independent. I also like her strong sense of integrity – her willingness to do what is right even when it may hurt someone she knows and loves. I also liked the subplot regarding the Native archeological treasures.
That being said, I did find some of the characters thinly drawn stereotypes. A hard-hitting PR type, who is all sweet façade with an inner core of steel; an angry, overweight head of security who is totally at a loss to explain what is happening; a lonely man, besotted with a woman.
Marguerite Gavin does a fine job narrating the audio book. She has good pacing and sufficient skill as a voice artist to differentiate the many characters.
August 10, 2025
One of my favorites in the series, set in the North Slope oilfields. Stabenow spent 6 years working on the Slope and it shows. Kate's new boss Toni is evicting a couple of entrepreneurs from the camp:
'After a moment the door cracked. A large, round blue eye peered out. It encountered Toni and paused. There was a long sigh, and the door opened further, to expose a six-foot platinum blonde in a minuscule leather cowboy vest... There was a lot more breast than there was vest. Kate sternly
repressed what she assured herself was merely a momentary feeling of inadequacy...
A gentleman was just rising from the bed, buckling his jeans. "Why, Bob", Toni cooed. "I haven't seen you in ages. Where've you been keeping yourself?"
"Up yours, Hartzler", he snarled.
"Oh, goodness me, did I knock a moment too soon?" Toni wondered aloud. Belle and Jane both giggled as he snarled again and shouldered Kate aside on his way out.
Highly recommended. 5-star book.
Re-read Jan 2023. Just as good as I recalled. My favorite of the series, I think.
'After a moment the door cracked. A large, round blue eye peered out. It encountered Toni and paused. There was a long sigh, and the door opened further, to expose a six-foot platinum blonde in a minuscule leather cowboy vest... There was a lot more breast than there was vest. Kate sternly
repressed what she assured herself was merely a momentary feeling of inadequacy...
A gentleman was just rising from the bed, buckling his jeans. "Why, Bob", Toni cooed. "I haven't seen you in ages. Where've you been keeping yourself?"
"Up yours, Hartzler", he snarled.
"Oh, goodness me, did I knock a moment too soon?" Toni wondered aloud. Belle and Jane both giggled as he snarled again and shouldered Kate aside on his way out.
Highly recommended. 5-star book.
Re-read Jan 2023. Just as good as I recalled. My favorite of the series, I think.
May 8, 2017
It's a return to form, thrice welcome, that I celebrate. I didn't lose faith in this series. After the previous book got one star, I kept my faith and my peace and waited while reading this book - what will happen?
How will I review the book? How will I understand the geopolitics of the book? How will I cope with references that I don't understand?
Despite such lapses in memory, concentration, and understanding, I made amends with this series. I'm very optimistic about what is going to be a great series and I revel in the superior quality over most pulp literature.
How will I review the book? How will I understand the geopolitics of the book? How will I cope with references that I don't understand?
Despite such lapses in memory, concentration, and understanding, I made amends with this series. I'm very optimistic about what is going to be a great series and I revel in the superior quality over most pulp literature.
January 15, 2022
I'm really enjoying this series because the main character is indigenous and a spit fire. The reader gets to experience a different Native POV. The author ties in a lot of facts/history into the story which makes it even more interesting.
July 5, 2020
Why is this mystery fabulous? The reader not only has the pleasure of reading a great Kate Shugak adventure (as she is hired as a roustabout in the oil fields of Alaska), but the reader is taught and/or informed of other topics. In this book the side topics include the archeology, history, and culture of native Americans such as the Aleuts and Eskimos. This also includes laws that protect the artifacts and historic land areas that were once used by these people. Super Read!
February 22, 2015
disjointed story. I was really befuddled with how it seemed to take half the novel for her to actually get into the investigation. Once she did, it felt like she wasn't investigating as much as being handed things on a platter. The twists didn't even feel like much of a reveal.
January 6, 2023
This fourth book in Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak series is a bit different from the rest, but still an interesting and satisfying read. In this book, Kate poses as a roustabout in order to uncover illegal trafficking of cocaine that is going on in a major oil company that is threatening the sovereignty of Alaska and its indigenous communities. In this one, Kate remains the tough and streetwise detective we know, but we also see a bit more of her dark side. The reasons why she does not drink are explicitly revealed, and she experiences racism in the workforce. I would say that there is nothing all that unexpected about the mystery, but Kate's character development and the personal experiences she has really add depth to her character. I will continue this series at some point, but it is a long one and for now I can say I've completed the books that are on my shelves. Kate Shugak is definitely a multi-layered and complex heroine who is fun, interesting and challenging to follow,
June 7, 2021
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It feels like Kate lost several IQ points. I mean, you seriously know the people who are involved but you take a drink from one of them? After being warned there is danger? DUMB. D. U. M. B. Dumb. And then, to be so childish with one of the perps. In the real world, they'd have filed charges against Kate even knowing they'd be going to jail a long time. No one is outside the law. Yes, the rage is real and raw but there would have been multiple solutions to contain someone other than what was done. So, I guess I feel like this one was incomplete and a little out of character.
July 23, 2017
I love Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak Series. Shugak is not only beautiful, she's one tough smart cookie. And she'll need all of her wits on this case.
Work hard, play hard. The men (and a few women) on the Slope, just above the Arctic Circle adhere to that motto. But a series of drug overdoses and a drug related death have FINALLY caught the attention of John King. He wants the drugs gone - yesterday. RPetCo Chief of Security Childress thinks he can handle sniffing the dealers out on his own. Sure he can. (Sarcasm) That's why Kate Shugak is meeting with the Oil Company Executive. (Those opening scenes had me howling with laughter!)
On the slope, Kate meets a couple of old buddies and makes a few more friends. But not is all what it seems, and a dangerous drug dealer will not let anything or anyone interfere with business.
Stabenow follows her usual formula: quick pace, humour, beautiful descriptions of Alaska, Kate investigating, Kate getting into extreme danger and narrowly escaping death. But I don't mind. Reading a Kate Shugak novel always leaves me smiling
Work hard, play hard. The men (and a few women) on the Slope, just above the Arctic Circle adhere to that motto. But a series of drug overdoses and a drug related death have FINALLY caught the attention of John King. He wants the drugs gone - yesterday. RPetCo Chief of Security Childress thinks he can handle sniffing the dealers out on his own. Sure he can. (Sarcasm) That's why Kate Shugak is meeting with the Oil Company Executive. (Those opening scenes had me howling with laughter!)
On the slope, Kate meets a couple of old buddies and makes a few more friends. But not is all what it seems, and a dangerous drug dealer will not let anything or anyone interfere with business.
Stabenow follows her usual formula: quick pace, humour, beautiful descriptions of Alaska, Kate investigating, Kate getting into extreme danger and narrowly escaping death. But I don't mind. Reading a Kate Shugak novel always leaves me smiling
November 17, 2017
This is the fourth book in a series featuring Aleut investigator Kate Shugak. In this one, Kate goes undercover on Alaska's North Slope oil pipeline to find out who's been running drugs. Kate finds out soon enough that this is not going to be an easy job.
She soon discovers that pipeline workers have some incredible luxuries. Employees are provided with gourmet meals, steak twice a week and prime rib on Sunday, a fabulous pool, sauna, and a state of the art gym. Traditionally a loner, she soon starts to form relationships with her coworkers and isn't sure she really wants to know if they are part of the drug problems.
I really enjoy this series. I lived in Alaska for three years during the construction of the pipeline and the author does a great job of making sure all the landmarks are correct. She always gives the reader some insight into traditional Alaskan Native culture. This wasn't my favorite of the series but I still enjoyed it quite a bit and plan to continue the rest of the series.
She soon discovers that pipeline workers have some incredible luxuries. Employees are provided with gourmet meals, steak twice a week and prime rib on Sunday, a fabulous pool, sauna, and a state of the art gym. Traditionally a loner, she soon starts to form relationships with her coworkers and isn't sure she really wants to know if they are part of the drug problems.
I really enjoy this series. I lived in Alaska for three years during the construction of the pipeline and the author does a great job of making sure all the landmarks are correct. She always gives the reader some insight into traditional Alaskan Native culture. This wasn't my favorite of the series but I still enjoyed it quite a bit and plan to continue the rest of the series.
May 14, 2009
Kate is working on the Alaska Pipeline. She's a bus driver on the face of it, but is really looking for the source of a major cocaine distribution among the workers: workers who are bright, riotous, rich, and thoroughly entertaining. There's a description of a turtle race that had me rolling with laughter. For Kate, disposed to hate the Pipeline because of its wake of destruction, the workers she spends time with give the Pipeline a face, and Kate develops a new viewpoint. Even being nearly killed by the drug dealing ring doesn't change that.
Stabenow doesn't hesitate to explore the controversies involved in keeping alive one of the last remaining great wildernesses. She knows there is no one good answer, and she helps readers to see the various angles. As always the setting is crisp and all-encompassing. If you are sensitive to cold, wear a sweater while you read it.
Stabenow doesn't hesitate to explore the controversies involved in keeping alive one of the last remaining great wildernesses. She knows there is no one good answer, and she helps readers to see the various angles. As always the setting is crisp and all-encompassing. If you are sensitive to cold, wear a sweater while you read it.
September 30, 2017
This is a great entry in a wonderful mystery series.
Kate is an Aleut living in the wilds of Alaska. Due to her background as an investigator for the Anchorage DA's office she is often called in for difficult or private matters. In this book she is hired to go undercover on The Slope to figure out who is dealing drugs to the few hundred workers pulling up crude oil North of the Arctic circle.
This book is like a little glimpse into a totally different world and culture that takes place on a crude oil facility. Ms. Stabenow does an amazing job of creating interesting characters that draw you into the story. I missed Mutt in this book, but it would not have made sense to have her in. The mystery is well written and keeps you guessing until the end while at the same time being very satisfying. This is an older series but well worth the read! Can't wait to pick up the next book!
Kate is an Aleut living in the wilds of Alaska. Due to her background as an investigator for the Anchorage DA's office she is often called in for difficult or private matters. In this book she is hired to go undercover on The Slope to figure out who is dealing drugs to the few hundred workers pulling up crude oil North of the Arctic circle.
This book is like a little glimpse into a totally different world and culture that takes place on a crude oil facility. Ms. Stabenow does an amazing job of creating interesting characters that draw you into the story. I missed Mutt in this book, but it would not have made sense to have her in. The mystery is well written and keeps you guessing until the end while at the same time being very satisfying. This is an older series but well worth the read! Can't wait to pick up the next book!
December 21, 2019
I have read the first four of the Kate Shugak books in order. I am pleased to find that they are getting better as the series progresses. Years ago I lived in Alaska and was fascinated by the schedule kept by the people on the North Slope, though I believe at the time it was two weeks on and two weeks off. The characters seem a bit more developed with each volume. Her love interest remains a bit of a one sided token character, though we did get a peek at his family life this time around.
I recommend this book to mystery lovers, those who like tales set in out of the way places, and fans of the Native American mystery genre. I plan to keep reading the series and look forward to the next volume.
I recommend this book to mystery lovers, those who like tales set in out of the way places, and fans of the Native American mystery genre. I plan to keep reading the series and look forward to the next volume.
December 16, 2015
Another excellent addition to the Kate Shugak mystery series! Kate herself is a magnificent main character, tough as nails, ultra smart, and with a fierce love for her people and her land. In this book, Kate is hired to investigate drug dealing at the Prudhoe Bay oil facility, which means we get to see Kate outside of her comfort zone, in an entirely new setting, but still doing what she does best. It's a surprisingly nuanced look at the impact of the oil industry in Alaska, as well as a terrific, dangerous adventure. Highly recommended!
September 17, 2015
This was a strange sort of mystery where any actual investigation didn't seem to occur until three quarters of the way through the book. Far too much description of pipelines and information that was often difficult to understand. Could have been really good but wasn't.
February 27, 2020
Another very good novel in the series by Stabenow. Marguerite Gavin is the narrator, and she is very good also.
4 stars, and recommended.
4 stars, and recommended.
Read
June 14, 2018I need to take a break from this series before I stop enjoying it.
August 5, 2020
Kate Shugak is a great character but this was not the best book in the series so far, quite slow moving until the last third
December 20, 2020
Bit of a slow start, but then the story picked up and I couldn't stop. Katie is called in again to stop a crime. In this case, drugs finding their way into the Slope. The Slope is in northern Alaska where the oil companies are drilling. One death is too many for the John King and he wants the drugs off his land. Katie is brought in to figure out how the drugs are getting in and who is selling them. Just like previous books in the series the author spends a lot of time describing Katie's surroundings - the beauty of Alaska and the danger. The reader can't help but walk away with a new appreciation of another area in Alaska.
November 1, 2017
Kate Shugak leaves her homestead and takes a job working for an oil company — tracking down who is bringing in and seeing illicit drugs that have caused damage and killed one of the workers. And she knows too many of the people there -- will they tell others about her background as an investigator with the Anchorage DA office. Events happen quickly and soon Kate may be over her head and the price may be her life.
Good solid story and great characters. Another winner from Dana Stabenow who is sure of who Kate is and lets her show her stuff.
Good solid story and great characters. Another winner from Dana Stabenow who is sure of who Kate is and lets her show her stuff.
May 16, 2023
Ambientato nella tundra artica, leggere le descrizioni presenti in questo libro mi ha fatto venire freddo... non è che l'attuale clima dalle mie parti abbia contribuito molto a tenermi calda... Scherzi a parte, storia interessante, mi domando perché i colpevoli finiscono spesso per essere i personaggi che mi erano simpatici. E vorrei che Mutt fosse sempre presente, mentre in questo e nel libro precedente età stata lasciata a casa. Per chi se lo chiedesse, Mutt è l'incrocio fra cane e lupa che fa compagnia alla protagonista. Definirla il suo animale domestico è un attimino esagerato...
December 1, 2022
Really like this Kate Shugak series. Love the harsh arctic backdrop, Kate’s native backstory and former law enforcement.
Dana Stabenow is a good author and knows Alaska. On to the next in the series!
Dana Stabenow is a good author and knows Alaska. On to the next in the series!
July 8, 2021
This was a new author for me. I enjoyed the story, and the heroine's passion for her culture. I'll be checking out other book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews