Sue Henry’s Alaskan Mysteries Review

By Daniel Taverne

During this past year I started reading a series of mystery books that, I think people everywhere would enjoy. That said, if you want adventure, vivid imagery of wild yet beautiful landscapes, intrigue and suspense, I suggest you begin reading Sue Henry’s Alaskan mysteries.

I can’t say how many of these books are out there, but I’ve read at least nine. The first one I read is called, “Murder on the Iditarod Trail” which took me on an action packed journey through the breath taking Alaskan winter wilderness on the back of Jessie Arnolds sled with a killer on the loose.

Another Alaskan mystery By Sue Henry is, “Murder on the Yukon Quest” that also captured and held my attention. In this story, Jesse Arnold’s sled dog training pays off with a heart stopping suspense filled climax.

A common thread through these stories is the hardy lives the main characters live. Alex Jensen, an Alaskan State Trooper and more often, Jesse Arnold, an Alaskan dog musher, fight the cold wintery elements as well (as criminals) and take full advantage of modern yet rustic life amenities. They eat hearty meals without fear of calories or cholesterol, they live in a log cabin, and heat it with a woodstove. There are wonderful moments of contented bliss when despite the cold, harsh outdoor conditions the characters take solace and refuge in some rustic yet quaint cabins sipping on hot tea and getting warm by a stove fire.

We learn that Alaskans count on each other in idealistic ways that most city dwelling people in the states can’t imagine, and we learn that, in general, Alaskans are a good, hardworking and hardy people.

These qualities aren’t reserved only for the main characters though because In Sue Henry’s Alaskan mysteries, we’re introduced to the Dog Mushing community in intimate ways. We find out for example that mushers count on each other, sometimes for their very survival. And in the stories, we can almost be a participant ourselves; standing on the runners of Jesse’s sled being pulled along through the snow by her team of mutts with Tank, “the best lead dog ever”, leading the way .

Sue Henry, if you ever come across this little pat on your back for a job well done, feel free to look me up and give me a call. I sure would like to meet you and one day, before I die, I’d like to actually visit Alaska to see for myself how your wonderful imagery measures up. Thanks for some wonderful reading.