Whisper to the Blood

Inside Alaska's biggest national park, surrounding the town of Niniltna, a gold mining company has started buying up land, making many residents uneasy. "But gold is up to nine hundred dollars an ounce," is the refrain of Talia Macleod, the popular Alaskan skiing champ the company hired to improve their relations with Alaskans.But before she can make her case, there are two murders -- that of a long-standing mine opponent, and the second of Ms. Macleod herself. Between these homicides and a series of attacks on snowmobilers up the Kanuyaq River, part-time P.I. and newly elected chairman of the Niniltna Native Association, Kate Shugak, has her hands full.