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Cork O'Connor #20
Spirit Crossing
A disappearance and a dead body put Cork O’Connor’s family in the crosshairs of a killer in the twentieth book in the New York Times bestselling series from William Kent Krueger, “a master storyteller at the top of his game” (Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author).
The disappearance of a local politician’s teenaged daughter is major news in Minnesota. As a huge manhunt is launched to find her, Cork O’Connor’s grandson stumbles across the shallow grave of a young Ojibwe woman—but nobody seems that interested. Nobody, that is, except Cork and the newly formed Iron Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police. As Cork and the tribal officers dig into the circumstances of this mysterious and grim discovery, they uncover a connection to the missing teenager. And soon, it’s clear that Cork’s grandson is in danger of being the killer’s next victim.
The disappearance of a local politician’s teenaged daughter is major news in Minnesota. As a huge manhunt is launched to find her, Cork O’Connor’s grandson stumbles across the shallow grave of a young Ojibwe woman—but nobody seems that interested. Nobody, that is, except Cork and the newly formed Iron Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police. As Cork and the tribal officers dig into the circumstances of this mysterious and grim discovery, they uncover a connection to the missing teenager. And soon, it’s clear that Cork’s grandson is in danger of being the killer’s next victim.
318 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 2024
About the author
William Kent Krueger
99 books13.9k followersRaised in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, William Kent Krueger briefly attended Stanford University—before being kicked out for radical activities. After that, he logged timber, worked construction, tried his hand at freelance journalism, and eventually ended up researching child development at the University of Minnesota. He currently makes his living as a full-time author. He’s been married for over 40 years to a marvelous woman who is an attorney. He makes his home in St. Paul, a city he dearly loves.
Krueger writes a mystery series set in the north woods of Minnesota. His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage—part Irish and part Ojibwe. His work has received a number of awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. His last five novels were all New York Times bestsellers.
"Ordinary Grace," his stand-alone novel published in 2013, received the Edgar Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America in recognition for the best novel published in that year. "Windigo Island," number fourteen in his Cork O’Connor series, was released in August 2014.
Krueger writes a mystery series set in the north woods of Minnesota. His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage—part Irish and part Ojibwe. His work has received a number of awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. His last five novels were all New York Times bestsellers.
"Ordinary Grace," his stand-alone novel published in 2013, received the Edgar Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America in recognition for the best novel published in that year. "Windigo Island," number fourteen in his Cork O’Connor series, was released in August 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 925 reviews
July 8, 2024
4.5 stars
William Kent Krueger is an author I automatically know I want to read. His words, his story, his way of telling is what brings me back to anything he writes.
This is the twentieth book in the Cork O'Connor series and each one I have read have proved to be winners.
In this outing, We see that a young woman, daughter of a politician, has gone missing, but there seems to be no trace of her. Many police organizations have been searching to no avail. Then Cork's young grandson, a boy who can perceive things, while searching for a blueberry patch, stumbles upon a grave of an Ojibwe woman, but the same agencies that are so interested in the politician's daughter, show little interest in this Ojibwe girl. Cork's grandson, perceives evil revolving around a deserted cabin near by and from that point on his little life is in danger.
As Cork and the tribal officials investigate, it becomes a very sinister place and the very people Cork loves are in danger of death.
Thank you to William Kent Krueger, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an early copy of this mesmerizing story due out this August.
William Kent Krueger is an author I automatically know I want to read. His words, his story, his way of telling is what brings me back to anything he writes.
This is the twentieth book in the Cork O'Connor series and each one I have read have proved to be winners.
In this outing, We see that a young woman, daughter of a politician, has gone missing, but there seems to be no trace of her. Many police organizations have been searching to no avail. Then Cork's young grandson, a boy who can perceive things, while searching for a blueberry patch, stumbles upon a grave of an Ojibwe woman, but the same agencies that are so interested in the politician's daughter, show little interest in this Ojibwe girl. Cork's grandson, perceives evil revolving around a deserted cabin near by and from that point on his little life is in danger.
As Cork and the tribal officials investigate, it becomes a very sinister place and the very people Cork loves are in danger of death.
Thank you to William Kent Krueger, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an early copy of this mesmerizing story due out this August.
May 29, 2024
The search is on…
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Missing girls. One white, the other indigenous and the powers that be care only about one. One is found dead and the search continues for the other. Cork O’ Connor and the newly found tribal police force jump into the fray, working to determine who the killer is and if the two cases are connected. Another wrinkle for Cork - his grandson, little Waboo who is gifted with spiritual sight, has been set firmly in a killer’s crosshairs.
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: I have read EVERY Cork novel and this was a perfect addition. I would say I do NOT recommend reading this as your first Cork Book or be prepared to track a lot of characters. Being a big fan? No issues! Love that everyone came together in this one… the whole family, but no spoilers. Nope.
The story touches on so many issues - missing girls (and trafficking issues with indigenous peoples I was not aware of), but also spirituality, the environment… there’s much to unpack but all are issues currently happening, making the novel relevant and a catalyst for me to read more about these problems.
Because I’m fascinated with spirituality, I’ve read a bit on that and admire that Krueger is like me - just a non-indigenous person who has admiration and respect for Native people. He’s done his research and written a deferential and engaging tale that has continued throughout all 20 books. I appreciate the knowledge and the fantastic writing that has me missing Michigan and summers in the north.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: All the mystery peeps and WKK fans, but especially if (like me) you grew up in the North. Krueger will make you miss home, even with all the pesky murders.
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Those who don’t like some education in their novels.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for the education I always appreciate in these novels. And for the good cry I needed.
(I follow back bookish peeps!): IG @ ScrappyMags
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Missing girls. One white, the other indigenous and the powers that be care only about one. One is found dead and the search continues for the other. Cork O’ Connor and the newly found tribal police force jump into the fray, working to determine who the killer is and if the two cases are connected. Another wrinkle for Cork - his grandson, little Waboo who is gifted with spiritual sight, has been set firmly in a killer’s crosshairs.
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: I have read EVERY Cork novel and this was a perfect addition. I would say I do NOT recommend reading this as your first Cork Book or be prepared to track a lot of characters. Being a big fan? No issues! Love that everyone came together in this one… the whole family, but no spoilers. Nope.
The story touches on so many issues - missing girls (and trafficking issues with indigenous peoples I was not aware of), but also spirituality, the environment… there’s much to unpack but all are issues currently happening, making the novel relevant and a catalyst for me to read more about these problems.
Because I’m fascinated with spirituality, I’ve read a bit on that and admire that Krueger is like me - just a non-indigenous person who has admiration and respect for Native people. He’s done his research and written a deferential and engaging tale that has continued throughout all 20 books. I appreciate the knowledge and the fantastic writing that has me missing Michigan and summers in the north.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: All the mystery peeps and WKK fans, but especially if (like me) you grew up in the North. Krueger will make you miss home, even with all the pesky murders.
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Those who don’t like some education in their novels.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for the education I always appreciate in these novels. And for the good cry I needed.
(I follow back bookish peeps!): IG @ ScrappyMags
July 16, 2024
A shallow grave in a blueberry patch, spirits, a missing local politician's daughter, and a pipeline set the stage in this gripping and shocking book by William Kent Krueger. The body in the grave is that of a young Ojibwe woman. As the search for the truth begins, tension, danger, and new questions emerge. Cork O'Connor is at the center of the investigation along with the Iron Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police. I enjoyed this book featuring Cork O’Connor and his family. His daughter Annie has come home with her girlfriend. Annie didn't just bring her luggage; she came home with a secret as well. I enjoyed the mystery, the focus on family, spirits, love, and the search for the truth. The book tackles heavy subjects but with care.
With all of William Kent Krueger's books, I found this book to be wonderfully written, well thought out and moving. I was fully invested in the mystery, worried about several of the characters, rooting for them, and being moved by them.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
*A Wiches Words buddy read with Dorie. Please read her review as well to learn her thoughts on this book.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
With all of William Kent Krueger's books, I found this book to be wonderfully written, well thought out and moving. I was fully invested in the mystery, worried about several of the characters, rooting for them, and being moved by them.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
*A Wiches Words buddy read with Dorie. Please read her review as well to learn her thoughts on this book.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
August 29, 2024
Missing Voices
“To the far too many who have been murdered or are still missing. Let them never be forgotten.” – Epigraph to Spirit Crossing
In his twentieth installment of the Cork O’Connor family, in a fictitious murder-mystery, William Kent Krueger shines a light on a horrifyingly ignored issue– the disappearances and murders of indigenous women. Set in rural Minnesota, the white daughter of a state senator has been missing and when a body is discovered it causes a commotion– until it is determined the body is “only” a native girl. Now the federal government shows only a passing interest.
Cork O’Connor is a retired cop, part Irish and Anishinaabe Indian, who makes himself available to the Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police, where his son-in-law Daniel works. Daniel’s seven-year-old son, Waaboo, is the one who discovered the corpse. The boy is blessed, or cursed, with the gift of seeing and seeing the dead.
“She can’t find the path of souls,” Waaboo said.
Unfortunately, Waaboo is drawing the attention of the press. They want to run with the sensational story of the boy’s supernatural gift. Someone else is watching, too– the murderer who sees Waaboo as a threat to be eliminated.
The O’Connor family is also involved in tense demonstrations against the construction of an oil pipeline running through land sacred to the Ojibwe people, a place called Spirit Crossing.. land sacred to the Ojibwe people. The swelling presence of construction workers turns out to be a factor in the disappearance of some of the women.
There is another important theme. A family member has to face mortality, to come to grips with their own spirit crossing, to deal with their approaching journey down the path of souls. As the family reels from this news, they look to an old man for guidance. Henry Meloux, over a hundred years old, is a Mide– a healer. He is also there to counsel Waaboo with the boy's visions and voices.
This is an enjoyable murder-mystery chock full of solid characters and issues significant to Native Americans. The book’s importance is magnified by the voice it gives to thousands of victims both in the United States and Canada. A Canadian national inquiry labeled the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women a Canadian genocide. “4 out of 5 Native women are affected by violence today and American Indian women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average.” – Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women.
I have read and enjoyed a few of William Kent Krueger’s books– not sure I can add the previous 19 Cook O’Connor books to my TBR list, but there is the temptation…
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #SpiritCrossing #NetGalley #MMIW
“To the far too many who have been murdered or are still missing. Let them never be forgotten.” – Epigraph to Spirit Crossing
In his twentieth installment of the Cork O’Connor family, in a fictitious murder-mystery, William Kent Krueger shines a light on a horrifyingly ignored issue– the disappearances and murders of indigenous women. Set in rural Minnesota, the white daughter of a state senator has been missing and when a body is discovered it causes a commotion– until it is determined the body is “only” a native girl. Now the federal government shows only a passing interest.
Cork O’Connor is a retired cop, part Irish and Anishinaabe Indian, who makes himself available to the Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police, where his son-in-law Daniel works. Daniel’s seven-year-old son, Waaboo, is the one who discovered the corpse. The boy is blessed, or cursed, with the gift of seeing and seeing the dead.
“She can’t find the path of souls,” Waaboo said.
Unfortunately, Waaboo is drawing the attention of the press. They want to run with the sensational story of the boy’s supernatural gift. Someone else is watching, too– the murderer who sees Waaboo as a threat to be eliminated.
The O’Connor family is also involved in tense demonstrations against the construction of an oil pipeline running through land sacred to the Ojibwe people, a place called Spirit Crossing.. land sacred to the Ojibwe people. The swelling presence of construction workers turns out to be a factor in the disappearance of some of the women.
There is another important theme. A family member has to face mortality, to come to grips with their own spirit crossing, to deal with their approaching journey down the path of souls. As the family reels from this news, they look to an old man for guidance. Henry Meloux, over a hundred years old, is a Mide– a healer. He is also there to counsel Waaboo with the boy's visions and voices.
This is an enjoyable murder-mystery chock full of solid characters and issues significant to Native Americans. The book’s importance is magnified by the voice it gives to thousands of victims both in the United States and Canada. A Canadian national inquiry labeled the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women a Canadian genocide. “4 out of 5 Native women are affected by violence today and American Indian women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average.” – Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women.
I have read and enjoyed a few of William Kent Krueger’s books– not sure I can add the previous 19 Cook O’Connor books to my TBR list, but there is the temptation…
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #SpiritCrossing #NetGalley #MMIW
September 8, 2024
Consistency is the trait of great writing and this is what we experience with this latest Cork O'Connor story. Since my preference of genre is literary fiction whose themes are love, change, spirit and redemption, I found it rare that an author would achieve this with mystery. I've noticed use of 'missing person' plots prevalent with many 'detective' series and WKK has penned plenty with Cork O'Connor. However, this one goes far beyond the others!
I'm going to assume most are familiar with Cork O'Connor who dwells in Aurora, MN where Iron Lake is home to Native Indian reservations. Like his father, he became sheriff years previous, and resigned when his Ojibwe wife was murdered. A father of three, and friend to the local tribes, he inherited Sam's Cafe when his friend Sam Winter Moon passed away. Knowing the difficulties Native Americans have with whites in the Midwest, he procured private detective license and worked from the cafe back office. Having amiable relationships with both law enforcement and tribal police, Cork became renown for his skill at solving complex cases while maintaining compassion and love for all that are around him.
Now married to Rainy, the niece of the local Mide and close friend Henry Meloux, his son Stephen and daughters Jenny and Annie have matured. Jenny is married to Daniel English, an Ojibwe Tribal Police officer, their adopted son Waboo, a blessing. Annie returns home with her Guatemalan partner Maria to celebrate Stephen's upcoming wedding to Belle. She's suffering with health episodes and does her best to hide it from her family.
Cork is called into the investigation of the disappearance of Olivia Hamilton, the daughter of a prominent politician. This is the blueberry picking season so Cork takes his grandson Waboo to a secret patch near vacant cabin and while hunting, the 7 year old finds a shallow grave and encounters the soul of a missing Ojibwe girl. Its here Cork realizes his grandson possesses the ability to communicate with spirit much as Henry does.
Meanwhile a protest against an oil pipeline in an area called Spirit Crossing becomes the focus for Daniel, Stephen and Rainy since people are being injured by the opposition. When Annie and Maria arrive to assist, Stephen's sister is accosted Adrian Lewis, a security officer who had been terminated from a nearby police force.
The story toggles back and forth between the protest and missing persons dilemma. Waboo becomes a target when word gets out about his vision at the grave. Frightened for their son's life, Waboo and Jenny head to Henry's cabin at Crows Point. A former tribal police officer called Prophet helps and protects 100 year old Henry offering support and protection to others. Meloux works closely with Waboo to eliminate nightmares, and deepen vision skills which soon reveal other 'ghosts' of missing girls.
Annie notices a stranger lurking outside the O'Connor residence on Gooseberry Lane while Cork and Marsha hunt for clues.
As the investigation deepens, other law enforcement agencies are called in due to a string of missing young women, including Fawn Blacksmith and Ojibwe teenager. When a hidden cellar in the cabin is found, they discover another girl's cadaver.
The jigsaw puzzle includes connections to the cabin owner, Lewis and a pimp named Billy Bones and with it, spats of violence. As with all my reviews, I feel illuminating details, characters and plot points spoils the experience for others.
At first I was unable to connect the title with the plot, but as it unraveled, it became obvious. This is by far one of the best in the series and I can't recommend it enough!
I'm going to assume most are familiar with Cork O'Connor who dwells in Aurora, MN where Iron Lake is home to Native Indian reservations. Like his father, he became sheriff years previous, and resigned when his Ojibwe wife was murdered. A father of three, and friend to the local tribes, he inherited Sam's Cafe when his friend Sam Winter Moon passed away. Knowing the difficulties Native Americans have with whites in the Midwest, he procured private detective license and worked from the cafe back office. Having amiable relationships with both law enforcement and tribal police, Cork became renown for his skill at solving complex cases while maintaining compassion and love for all that are around him.
Now married to Rainy, the niece of the local Mide and close friend Henry Meloux, his son Stephen and daughters Jenny and Annie have matured. Jenny is married to Daniel English, an Ojibwe Tribal Police officer, their adopted son Waboo, a blessing. Annie returns home with her Guatemalan partner Maria to celebrate Stephen's upcoming wedding to Belle. She's suffering with health episodes and does her best to hide it from her family.
Cork is called into the investigation of the disappearance of Olivia Hamilton, the daughter of a prominent politician. This is the blueberry picking season so Cork takes his grandson Waboo to a secret patch near vacant cabin and while hunting, the 7 year old finds a shallow grave and encounters the soul of a missing Ojibwe girl. Its here Cork realizes his grandson possesses the ability to communicate with spirit much as Henry does.
Meanwhile a protest against an oil pipeline in an area called Spirit Crossing becomes the focus for Daniel, Stephen and Rainy since people are being injured by the opposition. When Annie and Maria arrive to assist, Stephen's sister is accosted Adrian Lewis, a security officer who had been terminated from a nearby police force.
The story toggles back and forth between the protest and missing persons dilemma. Waboo becomes a target when word gets out about his vision at the grave. Frightened for their son's life, Waboo and Jenny head to Henry's cabin at Crows Point. A former tribal police officer called Prophet helps and protects 100 year old Henry offering support and protection to others. Meloux works closely with Waboo to eliminate nightmares, and deepen vision skills which soon reveal other 'ghosts' of missing girls.
Annie notices a stranger lurking outside the O'Connor residence on Gooseberry Lane while Cork and Marsha hunt for clues.
As the investigation deepens, other law enforcement agencies are called in due to a string of missing young women, including Fawn Blacksmith and Ojibwe teenager. When a hidden cellar in the cabin is found, they discover another girl's cadaver.
The jigsaw puzzle includes connections to the cabin owner, Lewis and a pimp named Billy Bones and with it, spats of violence. As with all my reviews, I feel illuminating details, characters and plot points spoils the experience for others.
At first I was unable to connect the title with the plot, but as it unraveled, it became obvious. This is by far one of the best in the series and I can't recommend it enough!
September 28, 2024
More family oriented than many in the series. Everyone is back home, one for a wedding and one carrying a terrible burden. Environmental woes and a young boy who has visions. Brings attention to the many missing native women that doesn’t get the notice it deserves. Henry, the midi, is once again the voice of reason.
I love this series and I really could use my very own midi.
ARC from Edelweiss."
I love this series and I really could use my very own midi.
ARC from Edelweiss."
September 8, 2024
This was a buddy read with Simon. In this volume of the Cork O'Connor series William Kent Krueger highlights the violence against Native American women and the grief experienced by their families.
In his afterword, he writes: "My wish is that in writing stories like this one, I may in some small way open the hearts and minds of readers to the enormous struggles our native brothers and sisters face."
Standout quotes:
Henry Maloux - "That is the blessing of the heart - it can be broken again and again and still it heals."
Describing Annie: "She'd always been the rebelious O'Connor. She'd been an athlete involved in the game, not a sideline cheerleader - she'd been a voice, not an echo."
In his afterword, he writes: "My wish is that in writing stories like this one, I may in some small way open the hearts and minds of readers to the enormous struggles our native brothers and sisters face."
Standout quotes:
Henry Maloux - "That is the blessing of the heart - it can be broken again and again and still it heals."
Describing Annie: "She'd always been the rebelious O'Connor. She'd been an athlete involved in the game, not a sideline cheerleader - she'd been a voice, not an echo."
September 6, 2024
Disappointing...
After waiting two years for the next installment of the Cork O'Connor series, I was disappointed in this one. I finished the book, but...
For one thing, too many secondary characters added little or nothing to the story. Also, it had too many storylines - Stephen's upcoming wedding (which got very little attention), Annie O'Connor's return to Aurora, and pipeline protests at a place called Spirit Crossing (hence the name of the book).
But the main focus was the murder of two girls, who turned out to be victims of human trafficking. This had nothing to do with the book's title. It's like the author couldn't decide what he wanted to write about. He has also started to weave his politics into his stories. While I respect people's views, I don't care to read about them in the books I select for entertainment. I can read and hear about politics every time I turn on the news or open my laptop.
Also, the story lacked the depth of many of his earlier books. I missed the vivid descriptions of the north country. If this was my first time reading Kruegar, it would be my last. However, because I'm invested in the series, I'll read another O'Connor story, but I wonder if he needs to bring this series to an end.
And if Henry ever goes... that's it for me.
After waiting two years for the next installment of the Cork O'Connor series, I was disappointed in this one. I finished the book, but...
For one thing, too many secondary characters added little or nothing to the story. Also, it had too many storylines - Stephen's upcoming wedding (which got very little attention), Annie O'Connor's return to Aurora, and pipeline protests at a place called Spirit Crossing (hence the name of the book).
But the main focus was the murder of two girls, who turned out to be victims of human trafficking. This had nothing to do with the book's title. It's like the author couldn't decide what he wanted to write about. He has also started to weave his politics into his stories. While I respect people's views, I don't care to read about them in the books I select for entertainment. I can read and hear about politics every time I turn on the news or open my laptop.
Also, the story lacked the depth of many of his earlier books. I missed the vivid descriptions of the north country. If this was my first time reading Kruegar, it would be my last. However, because I'm invested in the series, I'll read another O'Connor story, but I wonder if he needs to bring this series to an end.
And if Henry ever goes... that's it for me.
July 23, 2024
Reading the Cork O’Connor series for the first time was enjoyable but heavy. Despite that, I had no problem turning the pages. Spirit Crossing revealed my ignorance about Native American life and their struggles. The racism portrayed in Spirit Crossing is eye-opening and hard to swallow. The strength shown is awe-inspiring. I plan to read more of the Cork O’Connor series in the near future.
Thank you Atria Books for the advanced copy of Spirit Crossing via NetGalley.
Thank you Atria Books for the advanced copy of Spirit Crossing via NetGalley.
September 5, 2024
This mystery packs an emotional punch, and I'm always amazed by how WKK can tell such a harsh story with such tenderness. Sex trafficking, abduction, and murder are addressed in his blunt but sympathetic way through the eyes of Cork O'Connor, one of my all-time favorite sleuths. The ending gutted me and I was moved to tears by the author's note. WKK's talent grows with every novel. Recommended for fans of Louise Penny and Michael Connelly and fans of complex characters and rich settings.
July 18, 2024
I received a copy for review purposes; all opinions are honest and mine alone.
Consummate storyteller, William Kent Krueger, delivers a multi arc’d tale with well crafted characters, lush settings and contemporary issues in need of a voice. My suggestion is to read the author’s note prior to starting the story. It will provide statistical information and his point of reference, not a political rant. Kudos Mr. Krueger.
Altho' this series features Cork O'Connor, he has an expansive family and network of close friends, many of whom he works closely with. This installment features his 7 year old grandson, who has a special gift, and his daughter, Annie, who has a secret she's hiding from almost everyone, and spiritually gifted Henry, “past his century mark”, but vital to the lives of everyone, especially Waaboo, the 7 year old, learning to understand his gifts.
Some family members are involved in working to peacefully protest and protect sacred land from a pipeline project. It’s summer and there will be a wedding and the young couple moving away for schooling at the conclusion. Cork, Waboo and his parents plus others are embroiled finding lost and believed dead Indian girls. Tribal police are paying attention to all clues. The alphabets are focused on a white senator’s daughter; inequity personified. Krueger is masterful at weaving these storylines together.
There is a strong spiritual theme running thru this story. Some of the roots spring from the O’Connor Irish Catholic traditions but most come from the Indian beliefs. I didn’t get any feelings of “supernatural” or “magical powers” but rather a nature application to Godly things that have been in place for thousands of years by a people that didn’t have the written Word.
Human trafficking and murder along with abuse, alcoholism, rape and other crimes of violence are part of the story. One of the greatest examples of WKK’s prowess of prose is his ability to tell a tale without assaulting the senses of his readers. Foul language and explicit imagery is not necessary for good storytelling.
Not an easy read but one that will educate and perhaps provide an awareness to what’s happening with missing children, especially girls and young indigenous women in our country and Canada📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
Consummate storyteller, William Kent Krueger, delivers a multi arc’d tale with well crafted characters, lush settings and contemporary issues in need of a voice. My suggestion is to read the author’s note prior to starting the story. It will provide statistical information and his point of reference, not a political rant. Kudos Mr. Krueger.
Altho' this series features Cork O'Connor, he has an expansive family and network of close friends, many of whom he works closely with. This installment features his 7 year old grandson, who has a special gift, and his daughter, Annie, who has a secret she's hiding from almost everyone, and spiritually gifted Henry, “past his century mark”, but vital to the lives of everyone, especially Waaboo, the 7 year old, learning to understand his gifts.
Some family members are involved in working to peacefully protest and protect sacred land from a pipeline project. It’s summer and there will be a wedding and the young couple moving away for schooling at the conclusion. Cork, Waboo and his parents plus others are embroiled finding lost and believed dead Indian girls. Tribal police are paying attention to all clues. The alphabets are focused on a white senator’s daughter; inequity personified. Krueger is masterful at weaving these storylines together.
There is a strong spiritual theme running thru this story. Some of the roots spring from the O’Connor Irish Catholic traditions but most come from the Indian beliefs. I didn’t get any feelings of “supernatural” or “magical powers” but rather a nature application to Godly things that have been in place for thousands of years by a people that didn’t have the written Word.
Human trafficking and murder along with abuse, alcoholism, rape and other crimes of violence are part of the story. One of the greatest examples of WKK’s prowess of prose is his ability to tell a tale without assaulting the senses of his readers. Foul language and explicit imagery is not necessary for good storytelling.
Not an easy read but one that will educate and perhaps provide an awareness to what’s happening with missing children, especially girls and young indigenous women in our country and Canada📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
August 17, 2024
I am a big fan of William Kent Krueger's standalone novels, but I've only read the last two mysteries in his Cork O'Conner series--there are now 20! I have to admit that there were a few times I felt a little lost with the complicated family history. I might have to go back one of these days and start from the beginning of the series.
There's a lot going on in this book: there's a Native protest over sacred grounds that are being desecrated with oil pipeline construction, a son is getting married, and a daughter returns home after years in Guatemala...with her partner Maria, and a secret she's not ready to share.
Cork and his family are picking blueberries when his young grandson Waaboo discovers a mound in the dirt and says he hears her spirit speaking to him. Because the teenaged daughter of a local politician has been reported missing recently, they fear the worst for her. But the boy says no, this is a Native girl's spirit and her name is Fawn...and she says there's another lost spirit.
When word gets out that there might be a psychic element to the discovery of the body, the news media is all over that story, and a murderer, who thought his crimes were hidden, starts to get nervous...
Very well written mystery which at its heart is about the many missing or murdered Indigenous people (mostly young women) whose cases are often ignored or poorly investigated.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery by one of my favorite writers. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
There's a lot going on in this book: there's a Native protest over sacred grounds that are being desecrated with oil pipeline construction, a son is getting married, and a daughter returns home after years in Guatemala...with her partner Maria, and a secret she's not ready to share.
Cork and his family are picking blueberries when his young grandson Waaboo discovers a mound in the dirt and says he hears her spirit speaking to him. Because the teenaged daughter of a local politician has been reported missing recently, they fear the worst for her. But the boy says no, this is a Native girl's spirit and her name is Fawn...and she says there's another lost spirit.
When word gets out that there might be a psychic element to the discovery of the body, the news media is all over that story, and a murderer, who thought his crimes were hidden, starts to get nervous...
Very well written mystery which at its heart is about the many missing or murdered Indigenous people (mostly young women) whose cases are often ignored or poorly investigated.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery by one of my favorite writers. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
August 10, 2024
William Kent Krueger is no doubt an extremely talented writer. I have enjoyed his Cork O'Connor series, but a few years ago, the tone of the books moved from excellent police procedural to pacifistic mysticism with a side of environmental consciousness.
There's a lot going on here. Cork's son is trying to fit in a wedding amidst the protests he and his fiancée are involved in against the big bad corporation digging a pipeline through the area. Cork's daughter - the former nun novice - comes home with her girlfriend and a secret. Cork's grandson is seeing dead people. Plus there is a rich white girl who has been missing for two weeks, but no one cares about the missing native girls. While I would never doubt the racism faced by some, this is like being beaten over the head by a two-by-four.
This book is sad, filled with agenda items, and has a dreary tone. While I appreciate the beauty of the writing, this was a miss for me. It will be the last one of this series I read.
Not family friendly due to subject matter.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
There's a lot going on here. Cork's son is trying to fit in a wedding amidst the protests he and his fiancée are involved in against the big bad corporation digging a pipeline through the area. Cork's daughter - the former nun novice - comes home with her girlfriend and a secret. Cork's grandson is seeing dead people. Plus there is a rich white girl who has been missing for two weeks, but no one cares about the missing native girls. While I would never doubt the racism faced by some, this is like being beaten over the head by a two-by-four.
This book is sad, filled with agenda items, and has a dreary tone. While I appreciate the beauty of the writing, this was a miss for me. It will be the last one of this series I read.
Not family friendly due to subject matter.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 16, 2024
Once again, William Kent Krueger has won my heart and mind with his latest book, Spirit Crossing. This latest in the Cork O’Connor series has several story lines but the core involve missing young Indian women, who have disappeared over weeks, months, even years with little attention from law enforcement. Now the daughter of a rich white politician is missing and all levels of national, local and reservation enforcement are engaged. Then Cork’s grandson discovers a body.
Another pressure on the reserve is the pipeline about to pass through one of their sacred springs. Demonstrations are held to try to slow what seems inevitable. Meanwhile there is the undercurrent of more crime behind the one discovered dead mystery woman.
Throughout the novel, Krueger weaves in Ojibwa beliefs and culture and its clashes and melding with 21st century America. I enjoyed the use of native words and phrases and application of some ideas to life. Krueger writes meaningfully about some of his inspiration in an afterword.
I highly recommend this book and series to all. I have only recently begun reading the series along with some of Krueger’s standalone novels. All have been excellent.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an eArc of this book.
Another pressure on the reserve is the pipeline about to pass through one of their sacred springs. Demonstrations are held to try to slow what seems inevitable. Meanwhile there is the undercurrent of more crime behind the one discovered dead mystery woman.
Throughout the novel, Krueger weaves in Ojibwa beliefs and culture and its clashes and melding with 21st century America. I enjoyed the use of native words and phrases and application of some ideas to life. Krueger writes meaningfully about some of his inspiration in an afterword.
I highly recommend this book and series to all. I have only recently begun reading the series along with some of Krueger’s standalone novels. All have been excellent.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an eArc of this book.
July 3, 2024
I received an ARC from goodreads and appreciate it ! Thank you ! I was excited to get the book because I am a big fan of the author- however I had never read his cork O’Connor series - it was a big disappointment! Didn’t seem to be written by the same author as his stand alone books. The characters were hard to keep track of and perhaps a glossary for the native words would have helped. The plot moved along but there were too many subplots. The author seems to have lots of white guilt and describes the continuous victimization of Native Americans which to me seems a bit exaggerated in 2024 with their own police, their own sovereign nations, casinos, etc you would think they would have stopped blaming white people for their issues with drugs, alcohol ,crime etc - these things are in every community white, black , brown etc …I just can’t keep hearing the same old story about the bad white man every time I pick up a book lately - sorry but that’s my personal opinion ! I don’t recommend this book.
September 19, 2024
Sometimes dreams are wiser than waking.
Black Elk
I have missed these characters so much! I immediately felt as though I had wrapped myself in a soft blanket and visited with my old friends as I played flute music softly in the background.
A huge manhunt has been launched to find a local politician’s teenage daughter. Cork O’Connor’s grandson stumbles across the shallow grave of a young Ojibwe woman but no one seems to care about her. Ah, but one does. Cork's grandson, Waaboo. (Little Rabbit.) He's only seven years old but reminds me a lot of Henry.
I love that Spirit Crossing has some gentle reminders about some of what has happened in previous books in the Cork O'Connor Series. That is quite helpful to those who started the series years ago!
I happy dance every time a new book is released in this series and I hope it never ends!!
HUGE thanks to both #AtriaBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Spirit Crossing!! This book is #20 in the Cork O'Connor series, with an expected publication date of August 20, 2024.
#WilliamKentKrueger #IndigenousPeoples
Black Elk
I have missed these characters so much! I immediately felt as though I had wrapped myself in a soft blanket and visited with my old friends as I played flute music softly in the background.
A huge manhunt has been launched to find a local politician’s teenage daughter. Cork O’Connor’s grandson stumbles across the shallow grave of a young Ojibwe woman but no one seems to care about her. Ah, but one does. Cork's grandson, Waaboo. (Little Rabbit.) He's only seven years old but reminds me a lot of Henry.
I love that Spirit Crossing has some gentle reminders about some of what has happened in previous books in the Cork O'Connor Series. That is quite helpful to those who started the series years ago!
I happy dance every time a new book is released in this series and I hope it never ends!!
HUGE thanks to both #AtriaBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Spirit Crossing!! This book is #20 in the Cork O'Connor series, with an expected publication date of August 20, 2024.
#WilliamKentKrueger #IndigenousPeoples
August 15, 2024
As always, to sit in a quiet place to read a book written by William Kent Krueger is a lot like preparing for a long-awaited family member to return home. Etchings of joy dance around your spirit in anticipation, a soothing light fills your eyes, and the melodious and cacophony of music threaded through this novel both soothe and disturb your soul.
People often concern themselves only with the world around them, rarely venturing out to investigate the goings-on outside their purview. It’s like walking out of a Walmart store and gazing at the black and white posters of the missing, pausing slightly, before moving on to put your keys in the ignition.
Something inside you changes after reading Spirit Crossing. It’s profound. Provocative. Unsettling. Repetitive. Mindful. Disturbing. Could it be the realism coming from the events surrounding the story?
Indeed.
By the time the story ended, I was left with this one question: How can I solve the problem of prejudice, sexual abuse, other’s murderous intent, children who have lost their way? The question is so overwhelming I almost lost perspective on what I could do, which is to work with one individual at a time. When I see something, say something; not walk away helpless.
The ending of Spirit Crossing was as moving as its beginning, leaving you with a myriad of emotions you can’t control or identify until days later. The story moves fast, filled with action-packed events. There are too many characters to count, and I almost needed to create a ledger to keep up with them. Krueger doesn’t waste time overloading you with feely-touchy thoughts. He’s on a mission … to exploit the facts … that we are prejudice and bent on putting others beneath ourselves for the sole purpose of supporting the misguided theory that we are superior.
He also doesn’t shy away from exposing the carelessness of grownups who have changed the hopeful future of precious children. The ill behavior of grown people who are commissioned to care for the helpless can often weave webs of confusion and anger, leaving these precious babies without an outlet—except to impose their trauma upon others, which they sometimes do, which is why some are psychological disturbed, addicted, incarcerated, or killed.
At the end of Spirit Crossing, you will undoubtedly face your prejudice and be left to deal with it. Surprisingly, you’ll find yourself at a crossroad. Wait for it— Whatever you feel toward others will also be reciprocated toward you. If you don’t nurture your children, they will in turn absorb and impose your evil behavior upon others. And there lies the world’s dilemma ... a repetitive conundrum we can’t seem to break.
Though I do not consider the writing to be Krueger’s best, the substance of the story saves. And that’s the point.
People often concern themselves only with the world around them, rarely venturing out to investigate the goings-on outside their purview. It’s like walking out of a Walmart store and gazing at the black and white posters of the missing, pausing slightly, before moving on to put your keys in the ignition.
Something inside you changes after reading Spirit Crossing. It’s profound. Provocative. Unsettling. Repetitive. Mindful. Disturbing. Could it be the realism coming from the events surrounding the story?
Indeed.
By the time the story ended, I was left with this one question: How can I solve the problem of prejudice, sexual abuse, other’s murderous intent, children who have lost their way? The question is so overwhelming I almost lost perspective on what I could do, which is to work with one individual at a time. When I see something, say something; not walk away helpless.
The ending of Spirit Crossing was as moving as its beginning, leaving you with a myriad of emotions you can’t control or identify until days later. The story moves fast, filled with action-packed events. There are too many characters to count, and I almost needed to create a ledger to keep up with them. Krueger doesn’t waste time overloading you with feely-touchy thoughts. He’s on a mission … to exploit the facts … that we are prejudice and bent on putting others beneath ourselves for the sole purpose of supporting the misguided theory that we are superior.
He also doesn’t shy away from exposing the carelessness of grownups who have changed the hopeful future of precious children. The ill behavior of grown people who are commissioned to care for the helpless can often weave webs of confusion and anger, leaving these precious babies without an outlet—except to impose their trauma upon others, which they sometimes do, which is why some are psychological disturbed, addicted, incarcerated, or killed.
At the end of Spirit Crossing, you will undoubtedly face your prejudice and be left to deal with it. Surprisingly, you’ll find yourself at a crossroad. Wait for it— Whatever you feel toward others will also be reciprocated toward you. If you don’t nurture your children, they will in turn absorb and impose your evil behavior upon others. And there lies the world’s dilemma ... a repetitive conundrum we can’t seem to break.
Though I do not consider the writing to be Krueger’s best, the substance of the story saves. And that’s the point.
October 6, 2024
Spirit Crossing
William Kent Krueger
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
It is always such a joy to read another Cork O’Connor tale. They are all infused with raw emotion, warmth, and an overwhelming sense of family and love. This is an excellent jumping-off point for new readers, as Krueger eloquently supplies the necessary backstory to make this a poignant standalone. His almost poetic prose provides a perfect blend of suspense and mystery, infused with his ever-present insights into human nature.
A cast of eclectic characters are deftly developed, surrounding Cork, who is now a retired sheriff from Aurora, Minnesota. Although he spends a lot of time working at his long-term fast-food eatery, he is often drawn into private investigation for friends and close locals.
Krueger provides an immersive tale that effortlessly weaves together three major plotlines. Olivia Hamilton, the privileged daughter of a wealthy and influential politician, goes missing. Last seen at a rowdy biker bar, the “Howling Wolf,” full of drunks and assorted low-lives. At the same time, a standoff is ramping up at Spirit Crossing. Construction of the controversial Stockbridge oil pipeline is approaching the critical wetlands of the Jiibay River. This area, known as Spirit Crossing, is sacred to the Anishinaabe of Minnesota. The pipeline has a history of catastrophic spills, and protestors are amassing, attempting to stop the inevitable. Meanwhile, Cork’s daughter, Annie, returns home from Guatemala with her partner, Maria, and a deep secret.
The pot is stirred when the men of the O’Connor clan go out on a wild blueberry-gathering outing. In attendance are Cork’s twenty-three-year-old son, Stephen, his son-in-law, Daniel England (a full-blood Anishinaabe), and his seven-year-old son, “Waaboo” (a nickname meaning “little rabbit” in Ojibwe). While foraging, Waaboo comes across a small mound of earth where he sees a vision of a dead woman. He insists she is lost and sad as she attempts to walk the Path of Spirits. This discovery results in an intense involvement of the FBI and state and local law enforcement. However, this interest quickly dissipates when the exhumed body is that of a Native woman. A local indigenous woman, named Crystal Two Knives, has been missing for six months, with little, if any, ongoing investigation. Cork takes it upon himself, with the aid of the local tribal police, to further investigate the murder of this unknown woman. The news of Waaboo’s vision goes viral, and the O’Connor family home is besieged by the media.
William Kent Krueger proves to be a masterful storyteller as he deftly weaves and collides these plotlines together. The suspense and intrigue culminate in a masterful denouement. His mesmerizing prose and character development rival that of James Lee Burke’s best. He continues to speak for the powerless while acknowledging the importance of love and family. Krueger explores themes of native trauma, social inequities, the ravages of addiction, the horrors of human trafficking, and the struggle against big business.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for supplying an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. Hopefully, we will be treated to another Cork O’Connor tale from this master of the genre
.... Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com....
William Kent Krueger
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
It is always such a joy to read another Cork O’Connor tale. They are all infused with raw emotion, warmth, and an overwhelming sense of family and love. This is an excellent jumping-off point for new readers, as Krueger eloquently supplies the necessary backstory to make this a poignant standalone. His almost poetic prose provides a perfect blend of suspense and mystery, infused with his ever-present insights into human nature.
A cast of eclectic characters are deftly developed, surrounding Cork, who is now a retired sheriff from Aurora, Minnesota. Although he spends a lot of time working at his long-term fast-food eatery, he is often drawn into private investigation for friends and close locals.
Krueger provides an immersive tale that effortlessly weaves together three major plotlines. Olivia Hamilton, the privileged daughter of a wealthy and influential politician, goes missing. Last seen at a rowdy biker bar, the “Howling Wolf,” full of drunks and assorted low-lives. At the same time, a standoff is ramping up at Spirit Crossing. Construction of the controversial Stockbridge oil pipeline is approaching the critical wetlands of the Jiibay River. This area, known as Spirit Crossing, is sacred to the Anishinaabe of Minnesota. The pipeline has a history of catastrophic spills, and protestors are amassing, attempting to stop the inevitable. Meanwhile, Cork’s daughter, Annie, returns home from Guatemala with her partner, Maria, and a deep secret.
The pot is stirred when the men of the O’Connor clan go out on a wild blueberry-gathering outing. In attendance are Cork’s twenty-three-year-old son, Stephen, his son-in-law, Daniel England (a full-blood Anishinaabe), and his seven-year-old son, “Waaboo” (a nickname meaning “little rabbit” in Ojibwe). While foraging, Waaboo comes across a small mound of earth where he sees a vision of a dead woman. He insists she is lost and sad as she attempts to walk the Path of Spirits. This discovery results in an intense involvement of the FBI and state and local law enforcement. However, this interest quickly dissipates when the exhumed body is that of a Native woman. A local indigenous woman, named Crystal Two Knives, has been missing for six months, with little, if any, ongoing investigation. Cork takes it upon himself, with the aid of the local tribal police, to further investigate the murder of this unknown woman. The news of Waaboo’s vision goes viral, and the O’Connor family home is besieged by the media.
William Kent Krueger proves to be a masterful storyteller as he deftly weaves and collides these plotlines together. The suspense and intrigue culminate in a masterful denouement. His mesmerizing prose and character development rival that of James Lee Burke’s best. He continues to speak for the powerless while acknowledging the importance of love and family. Krueger explores themes of native trauma, social inequities, the ravages of addiction, the horrors of human trafficking, and the struggle against big business.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for supplying an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. Hopefully, we will be treated to another Cork O’Connor tale from this master of the genre
.... Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com....
September 20, 2024
It doesn't embarrass me to admit a book made me cry. Nope. Not a bit.
The Cork O'Connor series is one of those very rare things--a book I look forward to for months, a book I want to clear my schedule for, a book that once I start, I have to keep whispering to myself, "Go slower. Don't finish it all today."
I love this family. I love Henry. I love this series even when it touches on topics I don't usually read about, even when it makes me uncomfortable, even when it makes me cry.
Well done, Mr. Krueger.
Highly recommend.
The Cork O'Connor series is one of those very rare things--a book I look forward to for months, a book I want to clear my schedule for, a book that once I start, I have to keep whispering to myself, "Go slower. Don't finish it all today."
I love this family. I love Henry. I love this series even when it touches on topics I don't usually read about, even when it makes me uncomfortable, even when it makes me cry.
Well done, Mr. Krueger.
Highly recommend.
June 10, 2024
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on August 20th, 2024.
Writing: 3/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot: 3.5/5
This is my first foray into the Cork O’Connor, Minnesota Ojibwe territory mystery series. Obviously I’m way behind because this is the 20th in the series! In this story, a body “felt” by O’Connor’s 7-year old grandson on a berry picking expedition turns out not to be the missing daughter of a local (white) politician, causing the FBI and BCA to lose interest rapidly. But through his grandson’s “visions” they quickly identify the body as belonging to a local native girl, missing for some time. And O’Connor, along with the tribal police and local sheriff, do not lose interest. Danger ratchets up for everyone as more grim discoveries are made and the grandson (among others) appears to be the next target.
There were several other storylines not directly related to the plot. Members of O’Connor’s family are part of a large, and sometimes violent protest at the Stockbridge pipeline. One of his daughter’s has just returned from Guatemala with a pretty deep secret that she isn’t quite ready to share. And there is plenty of depressing stories of trafficking, runaway Native girls, alcoholism, and other stereotypical Native problems. A strong theme of forgiveness, even for people who commit heinous acts, with the blame laid squarely on their bad childhoods. To be honest, this always rubs me the wrong way. Not everyone who has a bad childhood becomes a cold hearted killer, and regardless of the problem’s origin, people who are or who have become sociopaths need to be stopped. But I digress.
Overall, I liked the characters. I found the writing acceptable though a little choppy, sometimes making deep sentiments come off as saccharine when they really aren’t. The plot moved at a good pace, though I didn’t appreciate the preachiness (and the fact that all but one white man were “bad” while all Natives and women were “good.”) I did enjoy the depiction of Native philosophy and positive ways of life when we weren’t focusing on those afflicted by alcoholism, abandonment, etc.
Writing: 3/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot: 3.5/5
This is my first foray into the Cork O’Connor, Minnesota Ojibwe territory mystery series. Obviously I’m way behind because this is the 20th in the series! In this story, a body “felt” by O’Connor’s 7-year old grandson on a berry picking expedition turns out not to be the missing daughter of a local (white) politician, causing the FBI and BCA to lose interest rapidly. But through his grandson’s “visions” they quickly identify the body as belonging to a local native girl, missing for some time. And O’Connor, along with the tribal police and local sheriff, do not lose interest. Danger ratchets up for everyone as more grim discoveries are made and the grandson (among others) appears to be the next target.
There were several other storylines not directly related to the plot. Members of O’Connor’s family are part of a large, and sometimes violent protest at the Stockbridge pipeline. One of his daughter’s has just returned from Guatemala with a pretty deep secret that she isn’t quite ready to share. And there is plenty of depressing stories of trafficking, runaway Native girls, alcoholism, and other stereotypical Native problems. A strong theme of forgiveness, even for people who commit heinous acts, with the blame laid squarely on their bad childhoods. To be honest, this always rubs me the wrong way. Not everyone who has a bad childhood becomes a cold hearted killer, and regardless of the problem’s origin, people who are or who have become sociopaths need to be stopped. But I digress.
Overall, I liked the characters. I found the writing acceptable though a little choppy, sometimes making deep sentiments come off as saccharine when they really aren’t. The plot moved at a good pace, though I didn’t appreciate the preachiness (and the fact that all but one white man were “bad” while all Natives and women were “good.”) I did enjoy the depiction of Native philosophy and positive ways of life when we weren’t focusing on those afflicted by alcoholism, abandonment, etc.
June 23, 2024
I love how Kent Krueger keeps churning out book after book, all set in his beloved northern mid-west, many with the continuing story of Cork O'Connor and his family and neighbors, and lately with the same themes, and yet making them fresh and informative. His recurring themes are subjects close to his heart, the mistreatment of indigenous people by their colonizers and most particularly the vulnerability of young women trafficked, many times abused and murdered, and not given the same respect in their deaths as white women suffering the same fate. His rage at the system is placated by his good-guy protagonists.
September 16, 2024
The 20th in a series. The suspense was there but the book as a whole felt “messy” maybe. Lots of characters, lots of sideline plots. It didn’t seem to me to be as tightly plotted.
August 30, 2024
WKK takes readers on a heart wrenching journey as the O'Connor family endures another tragic development...
During an innocent outing picking blueberries, 7yo Wabu senses a soul that's not at rest. Cork looks around and discovers a shallow grave. Most folks think it'll contain a missing white girl whose picture is all over town; Wabu thinks the spirit was Anishinaabe. I guess Steven isn't the only O'Connor with the gifts of a Mide! The story of Wabu's vision spreads and bad guys desperately want to hush him up.
Steven is graduating from college and all set to marry his sweetheart, whom I didn't remember from before. Cork's eldest daughter Annie comes home for the wedding after a few years away, and the family couldn't be happier to have her home. What they don't know is that she's keeping secrets. The first is that the female friend she brought home from Guatemala is the love of her life; the other you'll have to read the book to find out.
Catching up on this series was a huge effort since I pretty much read the whole series back-to-back. The several-month break did a lot of good! I feel much less fatigued with this strait-laced family and their tiny, murderous town. It was kinda nice to get back to them, especially Henry Meloux - he's 105 years young and still kicking around! I'll check in with the O'Connors again when the next book comes out.
During an innocent outing picking blueberries, 7yo Wabu senses a soul that's not at rest. Cork looks around and discovers a shallow grave. Most folks think it'll contain a missing white girl whose picture is all over town; Wabu thinks the spirit was Anishinaabe. I guess Steven isn't the only O'Connor with the gifts of a Mide! The story of Wabu's vision spreads and bad guys desperately want to hush him up.
Steven is graduating from college and all set to marry his sweetheart, whom I didn't remember from before. Cork's eldest daughter Annie comes home for the wedding after a few years away, and the family couldn't be happier to have her home. What they don't know is that she's keeping secrets. The first is that the female friend she brought home from Guatemala is the love of her life; the other you'll have to read the book to find out.
Catching up on this series was a huge effort since I pretty much read the whole series back-to-back. The several-month break did a lot of good! I feel much less fatigued with this strait-laced family and their tiny, murderous town. It was kinda nice to get back to them, especially Henry Meloux - he's 105 years young and still kicking around! I'll check in with the O'Connors again when the next book comes out.
September 29, 2024
I haven't read the previous books in this series, but I was immediately captivated by the mystery and heart of this book. A body is found buried in a blueberry patch and the hunt for the killer begins.
But this book is more than just a murder mystery. Interwoven with clues that lead to those behind the murders of young women in a small Minnesota community, is the rich story of a family and their individual struggles and strengths. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. The writing was beautiful and the murder mystery kept me intrigued. I didn't want to put it down and hope to return to the series soon.
Many thanks so Netgalley and Atria Books for opportunity to read this book.
But this book is more than just a murder mystery. Interwoven with clues that lead to those behind the murders of young women in a small Minnesota community, is the rich story of a family and their individual struggles and strengths. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. The writing was beautiful and the murder mystery kept me intrigued. I didn't want to put it down and hope to return to the series soon.
Many thanks so Netgalley and Atria Books for opportunity to read this book.
August 25, 2024
Another book of his that made me cry!
September 16, 2024
Not long ago, I read William Kent Krueger’s The River We Remember, and I was moved enough to call it “a big, old-fashioned, beautifully written novel…set in a small Minnesota river town, fictional but achingly specific.” I was really looking forward to another book by this prolific Minnesota writer and was excited to see this one set in northern Minnesota, near Indian reservations and fraught with the tensions that have existed since white men pushed native people aside, compounded by the added stress of an oil pipeline under construction that further threatens native land.
I’m sorry to say that this book did not meet my expectations. It is an installment in the large Cork O’Conner series, so it may be welcome to fans of the prior books. For me, however, this was unsatisfying on a number of levels, despite its good intentions (it is dedicated “To the far too many who have been murdered or are still missing”). Krueger seems to be trying to do too many things in this tale at the expense of character and plot development.
There are far too many characters for a relatively short book (just over 300 pages), few of whom receive any development at all. Apparently we are supposed to be familiar with Cork and his extended family, the most significant here being his grandson, Waaboo (a young native boy who was discovered and adopted by Cork’s son Daniel and his wife Jenny) and his daughter Annie, who has returned from a long sojourn in Guatemala with a new female lover and a painful secret. All of the family members seem like they are almost too good to be true—the seven-year-old boy never misbehaves, the adults are almost always perfectly devoted to doing the right thing at all times, and there are few tensions between them.
As for the plot, numerous threads are woven into the story—the mystery of Native American visions and spirituality, as seen in the visions of Waaboo and a Native elder; the vulnerability and disappearance of young Native women and the indifference of authorities to finding them; the destruction caused by greedy oil companies in building pipelines through sacred land; the struggle to accept death when it is coming too soon. While Krueger has obviously done diligent research to accurately portray the complexities of policing in this fraught area and is sensitive to Native cultures, his reverence is almost too much: characters seem one-dimensional and the plot seems cluttered with impossibly accurate visions and foresight. I understand that he is concerned that, as a white man, he is stepping into territory that he doesn’t own, but as a writer he needs to create characters with more complexity than members of the Walton family. I will still be interested in Krueger’s fiction, but I think I’ll pass on this series in the future.
I’m sorry to say that this book did not meet my expectations. It is an installment in the large Cork O’Conner series, so it may be welcome to fans of the prior books. For me, however, this was unsatisfying on a number of levels, despite its good intentions (it is dedicated “To the far too many who have been murdered or are still missing”). Krueger seems to be trying to do too many things in this tale at the expense of character and plot development.
There are far too many characters for a relatively short book (just over 300 pages), few of whom receive any development at all. Apparently we are supposed to be familiar with Cork and his extended family, the most significant here being his grandson, Waaboo (a young native boy who was discovered and adopted by Cork’s son Daniel and his wife Jenny) and his daughter Annie, who has returned from a long sojourn in Guatemala with a new female lover and a painful secret. All of the family members seem like they are almost too good to be true—the seven-year-old boy never misbehaves, the adults are almost always perfectly devoted to doing the right thing at all times, and there are few tensions between them.
As for the plot, numerous threads are woven into the story—the mystery of Native American visions and spirituality, as seen in the visions of Waaboo and a Native elder; the vulnerability and disappearance of young Native women and the indifference of authorities to finding them; the destruction caused by greedy oil companies in building pipelines through sacred land; the struggle to accept death when it is coming too soon. While Krueger has obviously done diligent research to accurately portray the complexities of policing in this fraught area and is sensitive to Native cultures, his reverence is almost too much: characters seem one-dimensional and the plot seems cluttered with impossibly accurate visions and foresight. I understand that he is concerned that, as a white man, he is stepping into territory that he doesn’t own, but as a writer he needs to create characters with more complexity than members of the Walton family. I will still be interested in Krueger’s fiction, but I think I’ll pass on this series in the future.
November 5, 2024
This was smug on so many levels which illuminates the older generation of writers whose egos surpass the need to write with alacrity. Another mystery novel that pivots from chapter to chapter on Indian pet names and how stalwart and upstanding Cork's family is.
This author offers up a lot of opinions on Reservation life as a liberal* white boy from Orygun. Surprisingly accurate in comparison to my experiences working for Tribes 30 plus years and whose grandmother is 100 percent First Nations. What he conveniently leaves out, is how racist the tribes are - not only for anyone not native but those of a different tribe. The author paints this picture of native stoicism and forebearance under the strain of attacks from arrogant Feds and whitey that view the Tribes as a turgid anachronism. The Feds I worked with were good people across the board and accomodated the Tribes insistence on funding while being constantly reminded how they suck for being human beings.
This novel may have been better served, delivering reality rather than aggrandizing Native Americans / First Nations people. The Tribes collective malady is in it's inherent construction. A structure that once served as a means of survival, exists in a world that favors individuality. The outcome where an organization like the Tribes, value the collective over the individual results in wide spread self-esteem issues pursuant to an idealized form of entitlement. The author paints a picture that is certainly not steeped in reality. I doubt he ever lived on a reservation for any length of time and has some "friends" that are native to bolster his credibility.
This novel starts off slower than snail porn with page after page of familial bs that tethers you to the story line in hopes that some movement ensues. Why two lesbians were pertinent to the theme is beyond me. Spending so many chapters on a side story that has no relevance to the outcome, is baffling (see above)*. This digs too deep into injustices perpetrated on natives as a primer for social justice. What the author fails to understand is that they don't care for your version of what they need to become whole, as it is another non-native construct. In other words, go feel good about yourself somewhere else.
What is really weird are the three star reviews that gush about this authors work, while mine trends a more gutteral review. The native americans that go missing is also a big problem for our reservations out west. The author gets kudos for bringing more light to the issue with broader exposure.
3.2/5
This author offers up a lot of opinions on Reservation life as a liberal* white boy from Orygun. Surprisingly accurate in comparison to my experiences working for Tribes 30 plus years and whose grandmother is 100 percent First Nations. What he conveniently leaves out, is how racist the tribes are - not only for anyone not native but those of a different tribe. The author paints this picture of native stoicism and forebearance under the strain of attacks from arrogant Feds and whitey that view the Tribes as a turgid anachronism. The Feds I worked with were good people across the board and accomodated the Tribes insistence on funding while being constantly reminded how they suck for being human beings.
This novel may have been better served, delivering reality rather than aggrandizing Native Americans / First Nations people. The Tribes collective malady is in it's inherent construction. A structure that once served as a means of survival, exists in a world that favors individuality. The outcome where an organization like the Tribes, value the collective over the individual results in wide spread self-esteem issues pursuant to an idealized form of entitlement. The author paints a picture that is certainly not steeped in reality. I doubt he ever lived on a reservation for any length of time and has some "friends" that are native to bolster his credibility.
This novel starts off slower than snail porn with page after page of familial bs that tethers you to the story line in hopes that some movement ensues. Why two lesbians were pertinent to the theme is beyond me. Spending so many chapters on a side story that has no relevance to the outcome, is baffling (see above)*. This digs too deep into injustices perpetrated on natives as a primer for social justice. What the author fails to understand is that they don't care for your version of what they need to become whole, as it is another non-native construct. In other words, go feel good about yourself somewhere else.
What is really weird are the three star reviews that gush about this authors work, while mine trends a more gutteral review. The native americans that go missing is also a big problem for our reservations out west. The author gets kudos for bringing more light to the issue with broader exposure.
3.2/5
May 29, 2024
The 20th book in Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series is the best one yet. Cork’s son Stephen and his civil rights attorney fiancé are planning their wedding while at the same time trying to help the Ojibwe and other native people stop the building of an oil pipeline sure to damage the land, the water and their way of life. Anne and her partner Maria have come home from Guatemala for the wedding. Everything seems calm until the day Cork takes his grandson Waaboo blueberry picking on some abandoned farmland and Waaboo finds a grave and he is able to hear her spirit. Meanwhile the daughter of a local politician has disappeared as have several native girls. As Cork and local authorities look into these strange disappearances and find some clues that hint at human trafficking, Henry Meloux tries to keep Waaboo, Anne and other members of the O’Connor family safe, it becomes apparent that Anne may have a secret too.
I have read all the books in this series but this is the only one that had me crying at the end. As only Krueger can, he digs deep into the human condition - at its best and at its worst.
I have read all the books in this series but this is the only one that had me crying at the end. As only Krueger can, he digs deep into the human condition - at its best and at its worst.
October 20, 2024
Absolutely love this authors writing style!
I have not read all the Cork O’Connor series but have read several along the way and many of the stand alones.
I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of his latest, Spirit Crossing, from Atria Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
A hot topic this election season, and in this one, the teenage daughter of a local politician has disappeared, and as a gigantic manhunt is underway to find her, the grandson of Krueger’s familiar character Cork O’Connor stumbles on the grave of a young woman – not the object of the search, but rather a young Ojibwe female. No one seems to care much, except Cork and the recently formed Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police. Also there is a connection between the two females, and Cork’s grandson seems in line to be the next victim.
As usual, Krueger’s writing about the setting is beautiful and the mystery unravels in a mesmerizing way!!
I have not read all the Cork O’Connor series but have read several along the way and many of the stand alones.
I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of his latest, Spirit Crossing, from Atria Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
A hot topic this election season, and in this one, the teenage daughter of a local politician has disappeared, and as a gigantic manhunt is underway to find her, the grandson of Krueger’s familiar character Cork O’Connor stumbles on the grave of a young woman – not the object of the search, but rather a young Ojibwe female. No one seems to care much, except Cork and the recently formed Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police. Also there is a connection between the two females, and Cork’s grandson seems in line to be the next victim.
As usual, Krueger’s writing about the setting is beautiful and the mystery unravels in a mesmerizing way!!
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