Crow in Stolen Colors

Alaska Panhandle Mysteries #2

by Marcia Simpson

When freight captain Liza Romero finds the body of a Tlingit boy washed up on the shoreline, she is plunged deeply into the mystery surrounding his death.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Marcia Simpson lives on Lopez Island in the San Juans. She and her husband spend much of their time aboard a sailboat in Alaska.

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1 of the Liza Romero series. The series only ran to two entries but it was interesting for its protagonist and setting. Finalist 2001 Edgar Award for Best First Novel; Finalist 2001 Macavity Award for Best First Novel.

Liza Romero is the captain of the Salmon Eye, a small freighter/library-boat, plying the coast and islands around Wrangell, AK. She, and her dog Sam, discover a nearly drowned Tlingit boy, James. They rescue him and after reporting their planned return to Wrangell, discover the body of a dead Indian man, are attacked and Sam is shot. Someone doesn't want James rescued.

[Kara of BookishBytes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this is the second book in a series, I believe it was published before the "first" book. I happened to read the two books in the order they were published, second book first. This one is far superior to the other. I'm hoping the third will be worth reading since Ms. Simpson created some fascinating and entertaining characters in this book.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this new-to-me author: seting and characters, story and American Indian background. Stephanie Brush's narration - with many varied voices and a real sense of ease - was a large part of the pleasure of the experience.

[Olgalijo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than the first one on the series. There is still a fair amount of fact unneeded repetition, but much less than in the previous book. Also, the depiction of the native culture seems to be very deep and accurate.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a good debut novel. At time the details about operating a boat in frigid Alaskan waters got to be too much sailing jargon..I understood about half (of less), but the story, the plot, the characters were all enjoyable.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Librarian in Alaska. Boat-mobile and murder. Lots of legend and lore. Good mystery. Great Location

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A basic little mystery. The real star was Alaska.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wrangell Alaska and a Librarian...can't wait to get this one! Meh...just okay. Didn't love the style of writing.

[Darla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good first novel. Interesting to read about some of the customs of the native people and some of how they live now.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tlingit country, want more

[Janiej78 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after visiting Wrangell, AK - it was her first book and very interesting.

[Wendy · Rating 1 out of 5]

S L O W, Athough it did have some interesting information about Native Culture and some about Alaska.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good. Kept me on the edge of my seat.

[Sally Atwell Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery, written about the native Americans in Alaska. Simpson's first book with these characters. I am now starting her second mystery with these characters - SOUND TRACKS. Good read!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - Very, Very Good