Vermillion Drift: A Novel

by William Kent Krueger

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Audiobook

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2010

About the author

Raised 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.

Reviews

[Francine Kessel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of this series, but any time I have nothing to read, I will still turn to William Kent Kreuger! Always interesting, always keeps my interest!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERMILLION DRIFT by William Kent Krueger is number 10 in this Cork O'Connor series. I've seen some reviews that indicate this is not. Krueger's best work, but I was blown away by this one.

Cork, (now a private investigator,) is called by a local iron ore executive to find his sister. As he begins to learn more about her, unusual information arises. There are hints of her behaviors and there are past mysteries that arise. When the mine owner and Cork begin to search a largely unknown area of the mine, they discover a scene of horror. There are remains of decades old bodies, and a new body.

This discovery requires Cork to talk with the older generations of the Ojibwa during a time known as the disappearances, to connect the past with the disappearance in the present.

I really think that this one is the best so far. The blend of past and future, of Native and White, and the beliefs and practices were all very interesting.

[Tricia Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done Krueger novel continuing with Cork O’Connor’s character.

[Teresa Guinon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. This book doesn’t have the heart and soul that I felt through the others in the series. I think the premise that some people are just born evil, monstrously inhumane, and that this wicked DNA can be passed down, does not make for a complex analysis of murder. It is interesting how Krueger develops the parallel time periods of Cork as a child and Cork as an adult dealing with seemingly connected murders in the town/reservation. One of the most intriguing aspects for me is how this book reveals Cork’s father’s conflict of following the letter of the White Law vs. following the spirit and justice of the Ojibwe Law. This split of conscience has the potential to break his family and his own identity into pieces. This is definitely an inherited personal and professional conflict that Cork continues to struggle with whether he wears the badge or not.

[Rick Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second novel by William Kent Krueger and it did not disappoint. He finds a way to combine gruesome murders and a great mystery plot with a beautiful sense of humanity. His characters made me think about my own life and reflect on how I viewed the world around me. His insights into the human spirit are uncanny. All emotions are unleashed while experiencing this read. I found myself reflecting on what I had just read after each session and thinking about my own life.

On to the next book.

[Amy Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Not my favorite of the series, but well-written and paced and Kreuger's descriptive passages of the landscape sometimes just take my breath away. I figured out who dun it fairly early, so I guess that's why I didn't enjoy it as much as the others. But still an enjoyable read and it's good to see Cork's character development.

[Lorraine McCleary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cork O'Connor's wife died a year and a half ago and his kids are mostly out of the house. Yet he is still haunted by his father's early death. When bodies of 4 women are found in a closed mine shaft, the 40 year mysteries of their death's are explored as well as the recent death of a woman. The hidden complexity of the Native involvement as well as his parents is explored.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book by this author! This story concerns a large mining operation in the north woods area and the native American tribe, as always, and a set of bad characters and a string of murders. The story keeps readers in suspense!

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #10 in the series. This is fantastic, in every sense of the word. I enjoyed this more than any of the previous books. The threads and connections, mutations and subplots are vast and intricate.

I listened to the audio version and was captured until it finished.

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Krueger’s best work but an interesting tale. Took a couple twists at the end to make it interesting

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

audiobook

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Janice Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mr. Krueger's books, but this one was particularly good.

[Jocelyn]

Each one is better than the last. I’m glad I’m reading (listening to) them in order.

[Margaret Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

March 2026

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent addition to the series, might be the best one yet

[Christopher Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting tale of past events that resulted in the murder of many people. While these past events were about 40 years ago, there was a recent murder that ties everything together.

[Tony Sannicandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

👍🏻

[Mandi Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story! One of the best. I can usually count on these books to take me away. Like the deepening characters.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, twisty story. Enjoyed the read.