Secret Places by Don Stuart is for fans of mystery, drama, suspense, and crime. A well-respected professional fisherman, Johnny Ingman, from the small town of Sweetwater, Alaska, goes missing, and his boat shows signs of sabotage. Wildlife Trooper Chuck Kolinsky investigates Ingman's death. It turns out many people in Sweetwater were unhappy with Ingman, including his fellow fishermen. They face restrictions on the salmon troll fishery and consider themselves a dying breed. Their clash with the local authorities seems inevitable, and Kolinsky must be careful while interrogating them. Can a seasoned fisherman, Leo Prescott, whom Ingman sued for damages, be his killer? A fish plant owner, Hank Weller, overpays some fishermen and bypasses others. Is he Ingman's murderer? The young and arrogant Dennis Cleveland also arouses Kolinsky's suspicions.

In Secret Places, Don Stuart paints a realistic and detailed picture of fishermen's lives in a small Alaskan community in the mid-1980s. As the narrative unfolds, we understand that these fishermen are genuinely dedicated to troll fishing, an integral part of their lifestyle and worldview. The author meticulously explores the nuanced characters. Chuck Kolinsky is not a flawless investigator. He makes mistakes, thus adding realism to the story. As we get to know Ingman's murder suspects, the intrigue tightens. This novel is an engaging combination of drama and mystery, and the background plays a crucial role in developing events. Those who, like me, don't know much about trolling will find this book enlightening, thanks to its well-written descriptions. Stuart skillfully brings the narrative to a climax and doesn't leave any unanswered questions at the end.

In Secret Places by Don Stuart, Johnny Ingman set out in his boat, Carla Lee, to go fishing but disappeared. Chuck Kolinsky, a close friend and an Alaska Wildlife Trooper, took on the investigation into this disappearance. Fishing was risky, and no one knew Johnny's whereabouts. Johnny might have been hidden away somewhere out of sight. There were rumors that Hank, the town’s sole fish processor, had struck a deal with his cousin, Eugene, to purchase his fish at a higher price, which Johnny had heard. Johnny was unhappy about it and approached Hank to discuss the matter, threatening to inform the other fishermen. Johnny occasionally clashed with some local fishermen. When Johnny failed to appear to testify in a court case, Chuck suspected that his disappearance involved more than initially appeared.

Secret Places by Don Stuart is an intriguing and informative read. The book covers aspects of Alaska's history and describes its surroundings in detail. I found it easy to immerse myself in the Alaskan lifestyle and feel connected to the fishing community. The story was fast-paced and maintained my interest from the start. The characters were relatable, and there was a unique camaraderie among the fishermen. Each person pursued their means of making a living while also supporting one another. The writing was exceptional, and I was engrossed right up until the conclusion. Many suspects could be responsible for Johnny's disappearance. The revelation of the true perpetrator took me by surprise; I had not anticipated it at all, making this a big surprise.