Play with fire by Dana Stabenow

This mystery novel excerpt follows investigator Kate Shugak as she discovers a charred corpse while gathering mushrooms in the Alaskan wilderness. Alongside her friends Bobby and Dinah, Kate navigates a landscape defined by religious extremism, cultural tension, and the aftermath of a devastating forest fire. The investigation leads her to the Chistona Little Chapel, where the rigid and controlling Pastor Seabolt clashes with those who question his fundamentalist authority. Through interviews in Fairbanks and local inquiries, Kate connects the victim to a missing teacher who was targeted for his secular teachings. The narrative explores the dark intersection of faith and violence, culminating in the realization that the community's fanatical devotion led to a tragic cover-up. Ultimately, the story highlights the rugged isolation of Alaska and the complex moral dilemmas faced by those living on the fringes of society.