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Cork O'Connor #0
Lightning Strike
The author of the instant New York Times bestseller This Tender Land returns with a powerful prequel to his bestselling Cork O’Connor series—a book about fathers and sons, long-simmering tensions in a small Minnesota town, and young Cork’s coming of age in the summer of 1963.
Aurora is a small town nestled in the ancient forest alongside the shores of Minnesota’s Iron Lake. In the summer of 1963, it is the whole world to twelve-year-old Cork O’Connor, its rhythms as familiar as his own heartbeat. But when Cork stumbles upon the body of a man he revered hanging from a tree in an abandoned logging camp, it is the first in a series of events that will cause him to question everything he took for granted about his hometown, his family, and himself.
Cork’s father, Liam O’Connor, is Aurora’s sheriff and it is his job to confirm that the man’s death was the result of suicide, as all the evidence suggests. In the shadow of his father’s official investigation, Cork begins to look for answers on his own. Together, father and son face the ultimate test of choosing between what their heads tell them is true and what their hearts know is right.
In this masterful story of a young man and a town on the cusp of change, beloved novelist William Kent Krueger shows that some mysteries can be solved even as others surpass our understanding.
Aurora is a small town nestled in the ancient forest alongside the shores of Minnesota’s Iron Lake. In the summer of 1963, it is the whole world to twelve-year-old Cork O’Connor, its rhythms as familiar as his own heartbeat. But when Cork stumbles upon the body of a man he revered hanging from a tree in an abandoned logging camp, it is the first in a series of events that will cause him to question everything he took for granted about his hometown, his family, and himself.
Cork’s father, Liam O’Connor, is Aurora’s sheriff and it is his job to confirm that the man’s death was the result of suicide, as all the evidence suggests. In the shadow of his father’s official investigation, Cork begins to look for answers on his own. Together, father and son face the ultimate test of choosing between what their heads tell them is true and what their hearts know is right.
In this masterful story of a young man and a town on the cusp of change, beloved novelist William Kent Krueger shows that some mysteries can be solved even as others surpass our understanding.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2021
About the author
William Kent Krueger
91 books17.6k 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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May 12, 2021
Lightning Strike (Cork O'Connor #0) by William Kent Krueger
Having read and greatly enjoyed Krueger's two stand alone novels, Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, I knew I wanted to tackle his long running Cork O'Connor series. Now Krueger has written a prequel to the entire series which gives me a great opportunity to jump in before it all began. Lightning Strike takes place at a very pivotal time in Cork's life, the summer before he turns thirteen.
It's 1963 and Liam O’Connor, Cork's father, is Aurora’s sheriff. Cork has his paper route, friends, baseball, biking, camping, church, family and dog. He's on the cusp of learning that all he thought was sacred and simple isn't so. The racial tension that he barely noticed in the past comes to a head when Cork finds a man he considered a mentor, hanging from a tree, in an apparent suicide. But Cork and his dad suspect otherwise and as they try to determine who might have killed this man, not only does the town's divide become more apparent between white and Ojibwe, but even his family starts to show cracks. Liam is white, Cork's mother is half white, half Ojibwe, Cork is a quarter Ojibwe.
No one is happy that Liam is looking for "facts" in the death of the dead man, when each side wants the other blamed for his death. This summer will harden Cork, as he loses his naivety and wonder about life and the future. Cork's summer reflects what is happening to us today and so often there seems to be no answer to the problems of the world. This has been a great introduction into the Cork O'Connor series and I look forward to all the books ahead of me.
Pub: August 24th 2021
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Having read and greatly enjoyed Krueger's two stand alone novels, Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, I knew I wanted to tackle his long running Cork O'Connor series. Now Krueger has written a prequel to the entire series which gives me a great opportunity to jump in before it all began. Lightning Strike takes place at a very pivotal time in Cork's life, the summer before he turns thirteen.
It's 1963 and Liam O’Connor, Cork's father, is Aurora’s sheriff. Cork has his paper route, friends, baseball, biking, camping, church, family and dog. He's on the cusp of learning that all he thought was sacred and simple isn't so. The racial tension that he barely noticed in the past comes to a head when Cork finds a man he considered a mentor, hanging from a tree, in an apparent suicide. But Cork and his dad suspect otherwise and as they try to determine who might have killed this man, not only does the town's divide become more apparent between white and Ojibwe, but even his family starts to show cracks. Liam is white, Cork's mother is half white, half Ojibwe, Cork is a quarter Ojibwe.
No one is happy that Liam is looking for "facts" in the death of the dead man, when each side wants the other blamed for his death. This summer will harden Cork, as he loses his naivety and wonder about life and the future. Cork's summer reflects what is happening to us today and so often there seems to be no answer to the problems of the world. This has been a great introduction into the Cork O'Connor series and I look forward to all the books ahead of me.
Pub: August 24th 2021
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
May 23, 2021
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY -- DON'T MISS THIS PREQUEL***
BOYS GREW UP A LITTLE FASTER IN 1963, ESPECIALLY IN SMALL TOWN MINNESOTA!
This is the summer that Cork O’Connor turns 13 and while this is a coming of age novel it is so much more.
There is a tangled mystery to unravel which causes strained tensions between some of the white men in town and the Ojibwa Indians. Cork’s mother is half Ojibwa and half Irish. His father is Liam O’Connor, town sheriff, Irish and relatively new in town. He left his old life as a police officer in Chicago hoping for a better life for his family.
The novel takes off pretty quickly when Cork and his friend discover a well known and respected Indian mentor hanging in Lightning Strike. The shock of this sight will haunt Cork throughout the story and he is just as determined to solve this crime as his father. There are many changes coming both to the town and to Cork.
At first appearances Liam and others believe that Big John committed suicide, but his family and friends say he would never kill himself and especially not in this sacred site.
There is a tug and pull between how the Indians want things to proceed and how Liam insists things are done. He takes the law very literally, he knows that to convict someone he needs solid evidence!
What is so captivating in this novel is how Mr. Krueger is able to speak so clearly in the voice of this young man and his two friends. I think that was a lot of the appeal of Ordinary Grace as well as This Tender Land.
I quickly felt as though I was surrounded by the beauty of this area “Beyond a line of aspen, the water of Iron Lake burned with the gold light of early day”. Living in Wisconsin I can relate to the beautiful woods and lakes that my parents took me to.
If you loved this Tender Land you will find a lot of the elements that you enjoyed in this novel This is a prequel to his long standing series, which features Cork as a grown man, he also as the town sheriff !!!!!!
I THINK THIS IS STORYTELLING AT IT'S BEST AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
BOYS GREW UP A LITTLE FASTER IN 1963, ESPECIALLY IN SMALL TOWN MINNESOTA!
This is the summer that Cork O’Connor turns 13 and while this is a coming of age novel it is so much more.
There is a tangled mystery to unravel which causes strained tensions between some of the white men in town and the Ojibwa Indians. Cork’s mother is half Ojibwa and half Irish. His father is Liam O’Connor, town sheriff, Irish and relatively new in town. He left his old life as a police officer in Chicago hoping for a better life for his family.
The novel takes off pretty quickly when Cork and his friend discover a well known and respected Indian mentor hanging in Lightning Strike. The shock of this sight will haunt Cork throughout the story and he is just as determined to solve this crime as his father. There are many changes coming both to the town and to Cork.
At first appearances Liam and others believe that Big John committed suicide, but his family and friends say he would never kill himself and especially not in this sacred site.
There is a tug and pull between how the Indians want things to proceed and how Liam insists things are done. He takes the law very literally, he knows that to convict someone he needs solid evidence!
What is so captivating in this novel is how Mr. Krueger is able to speak so clearly in the voice of this young man and his two friends. I think that was a lot of the appeal of Ordinary Grace as well as This Tender Land.
I quickly felt as though I was surrounded by the beauty of this area “Beyond a line of aspen, the water of Iron Lake burned with the gold light of early day”. Living in Wisconsin I can relate to the beautiful woods and lakes that my parents took me to.
If you loved this Tender Land you will find a lot of the elements that you enjoyed in this novel This is a prequel to his long standing series, which features Cork as a grown man, he also as the town sheriff !!!!!!
I THINK THIS IS STORYTELLING AT IT'S BEST AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
July 19, 2021
*UPDATE 1/27/22- Since I posted this review I have received comments from several readers that have strongly disagreed with my rating/review. I appreciate the fact that people may have differing opinions, most of my GR’s friends have enjoyed this book, and while I may not agree, I will always respect others opinions. To this point… it is NOT ok to leave comments attacking someones character because you don’t agree with a rating/review. Doing so not only makes the person leaving the comment look bad but it also reflects poorly on the book you are trying to defend. Because of this particular book and the comments I have received I will now only allow ‘friends’ to leave comments on my book reviews. I’m sad I feel the need to do this and I am sorry that some people in this community do not know how to behave respectfully.
Devastatingly disappointed…
Rant coming in 🔥, so continue at your own risk….
Let me first start by saying that I have absolutely adored Krueger’s stand-alone novels, This Tender Land and Ordinary Grace. Both of these have firm spots on my ‘favorites’ self. They are beautifully written and are stories that touched my heart in a profound way. They are, also, novels that I never hesitate to recommend.
This is why I’m so disappointed in his latest novel, Lightening Strike. I’ve been meaning to start his Cork O’Conner series for some time and was delighted to see that this was a prequel to it. What perfect timing to start this series!
I’d been reading for a couple of days and the story didn’t grab me the way his others had. The plot was good, but something just felt forced. The grandmothers behavior and her treatment of her son-in-law really bothered me, however, my faith in Krueger’s purpose kept me reading on until this sentence, which is thought by 12 year-old Cork…
“Logic was a part of that, sure, but was something else at work, something dark in him that he didn’t want to acknowledge? He was only a quarter Shinnob. Three-quarters of his blood came from European ancestry. Was his thinking swayed by all that whiteness?”
I read this sentence several times to make sure I was reading it correctly… ‘swayed by all that whiteness’? This is a thought made in 1963 by a 12 year-old boy? Seriously? How very 2021… and, unfortunately, that is where this story ended for me.
While I agree completely with Krueger’s view of indigenous people’s treatment, I do not appreciate being ‘force-fed’ opinions in the way he has chosen to do it.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Devastatingly disappointed…
Rant coming in 🔥, so continue at your own risk….
Let me first start by saying that I have absolutely adored Krueger’s stand-alone novels, This Tender Land and Ordinary Grace. Both of these have firm spots on my ‘favorites’ self. They are beautifully written and are stories that touched my heart in a profound way. They are, also, novels that I never hesitate to recommend.
This is why I’m so disappointed in his latest novel, Lightening Strike. I’ve been meaning to start his Cork O’Conner series for some time and was delighted to see that this was a prequel to it. What perfect timing to start this series!
I’d been reading for a couple of days and the story didn’t grab me the way his others had. The plot was good, but something just felt forced. The grandmothers behavior and her treatment of her son-in-law really bothered me, however, my faith in Krueger’s purpose kept me reading on until this sentence, which is thought by 12 year-old Cork…
“Logic was a part of that, sure, but was something else at work, something dark in him that he didn’t want to acknowledge? He was only a quarter Shinnob. Three-quarters of his blood came from European ancestry. Was his thinking swayed by all that whiteness?”
I read this sentence several times to make sure I was reading it correctly… ‘swayed by all that whiteness’? This is a thought made in 1963 by a 12 year-old boy? Seriously? How very 2021… and, unfortunately, that is where this story ended for me.
While I agree completely with Krueger’s view of indigenous people’s treatment, I do not appreciate being ‘force-fed’ opinions in the way he has chosen to do it.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2021
Although this is part of a long running series, this newest book takes us back to the beginning. It is 1963 in Aurora, MN, Iron Lake and we are introduced to a young fourteen year old Cork. His father Liam is Sheriff, his mother part Objibwe, so Cork is a part of both worlds. We meet a younger Henry Meloux, a Midi, who will help form the man he becomes and Sam Winter Moon, who will help him find the way between two cultures. We learn of the mistreatment if the Indian and its long range effects. We encounter the prejudice against those with any such blood.
This case will place many in danger. Will show us the difference in the beliefs of those who live on the reservation and those who live in town. The struggles of a good man, a family man who wants only to do right, but finds the navigation between cultures adds difficulty to his job.
If one starts here, with this book, it will provide a sold d entry into one of my favorite series. I love how the author shows us how the past is always present, and for the many mistreated, the scars that have never healed. The history, the mistreatment and cruelty with which the American Indians were treated is another shameful episode in Americas past.
ARC from Edelweiss.
This case will place many in danger. Will show us the difference in the beliefs of those who live on the reservation and those who live in town. The struggles of a good man, a family man who wants only to do right, but finds the navigation between cultures adds difficulty to his job.
If one starts here, with this book, it will provide a sold d entry into one of my favorite series. I love how the author shows us how the past is always present, and for the many mistreated, the scars that have never healed. The history, the mistreatment and cruelty with which the American Indians were treated is another shameful episode in Americas past.
ARC from Edelweiss.
November 6, 2021
William Kent Krueger is one of the finest contemporary writers in the US and one of my personal favorites. He has a real way with young male characters finding their way in the world. This story is a prequel to his Cork O’Connor series.
Within the first sentence of the Author’s Note at the beginning of this book, I had learned something new. For all I knew about the US government's attempts to eradicate the Native American tribes during the 19th Century, I was unaware of the Indian Relocation Act of 1956. This time, the government paid to relocate Native Americans to cities. Promises for decent housing and jobs, of course, came to naught. While not a meaningful part of the story, it helps explain the mindset of the day.
The book takes us back in time to 1963. Cork O’Connor is almost 13; his father the county sheriff. Cork and a friend stumble upon a body hanging at Lightning Strike, a former lumber yard and a piece of ground deemed sacred by the Native Americans. The man hanging was Big John Manydeeds, a local Ojibwa known and revered by the young boys. Initially deemed a suicide, it soon is apparent it’s a murder.
This is a complicated story, with lots of twists. I appreciated the balancing act Liam O’Connor was forced to take while trying to find solid evidence against high emotions on both sides. WKK does a fabulous job capturing the prejudice of the whites and the mistrust of the Ojibwas. As with his two stand alones, we watch a young man trying to find his own moral compass.
The book is more than a standard mystery, it’s a look at what it means to be a good person, “one who stands between evil and his people”.
David Chandler did a fabulous job of narrating this story. His performance heightened my enjoyment of this fabulous book.
Within the first sentence of the Author’s Note at the beginning of this book, I had learned something new. For all I knew about the US government's attempts to eradicate the Native American tribes during the 19th Century, I was unaware of the Indian Relocation Act of 1956. This time, the government paid to relocate Native Americans to cities. Promises for decent housing and jobs, of course, came to naught. While not a meaningful part of the story, it helps explain the mindset of the day.
The book takes us back in time to 1963. Cork O’Connor is almost 13; his father the county sheriff. Cork and a friend stumble upon a body hanging at Lightning Strike, a former lumber yard and a piece of ground deemed sacred by the Native Americans. The man hanging was Big John Manydeeds, a local Ojibwa known and revered by the young boys. Initially deemed a suicide, it soon is apparent it’s a murder.
This is a complicated story, with lots of twists. I appreciated the balancing act Liam O’Connor was forced to take while trying to find solid evidence against high emotions on both sides. WKK does a fabulous job capturing the prejudice of the whites and the mistrust of the Ojibwas. As with his two stand alones, we watch a young man trying to find his own moral compass.
The book is more than a standard mystery, it’s a look at what it means to be a good person, “one who stands between evil and his people”.
David Chandler did a fabulous job of narrating this story. His performance heightened my enjoyment of this fabulous book.
October 23, 2021
If you ever want to read a book that you know will make you cry then try this one. The epilogue is just heart breaking. Because I have read the whole series to date I had a good idea of some of the events which had to occur in this flashback novel but Krueger has a real way with words and he absolutely made me reach for the tissues.
Lightning Strike is set in 1963 when Cork O'Connor was 12 years old. We are introduced to his father, Liam O'Connor, Sheriff of Aurora , a small town situated next to the Minnesota Iron Lake. Cork is a growing boy in a small town, doing all the things that boys do, until a suspected murder occurs and suddenly the town is torn apart by racial differences. Cork's own family is mixed race and his father is Sheriff so they are front and centre in the whole affair.
As usual Krueger uses the beauty of the country to full advantage and also makes much of the
residents' mysticism and their relationship with nature. It was interesting to see how much Cork's early experiences contributed to the man he is in the rest of the series. I loved it all and would recommend it to be read first if you have not yet started the series.
Lightning Strike is set in 1963 when Cork O'Connor was 12 years old. We are introduced to his father, Liam O'Connor, Sheriff of Aurora , a small town situated next to the Minnesota Iron Lake. Cork is a growing boy in a small town, doing all the things that boys do, until a suspected murder occurs and suddenly the town is torn apart by racial differences. Cork's own family is mixed race and his father is Sheriff so they are front and centre in the whole affair.
As usual Krueger uses the beauty of the country to full advantage and also makes much of the
residents' mysticism and their relationship with nature. It was interesting to see how much Cork's early experiences contributed to the man he is in the rest of the series. I loved it all and would recommend it to be read first if you have not yet started the series.
January 24, 2022
My first book with Cork, and I'm glad I started the series at last!
June 24, 2026
Several years ago, my GR friend Skye recommended this series to me and I read book 1, and planned to read more. Now I am finally reading more. This is a prequel to the series, with Cork O'Connor just 12 years old. Cork and two of his friends head into the Minnesota woods for a ten mile hike to earn a Boy Scout merit badge. But they discover Big John, a man they know, hanging from a tree. He is a well liked member of a local First Nation tribe. His death appears to be suicide. But his tribal friends insist that he would not commit suicide and demand that the Sheriff, Liam O'Connor, Cork's dad, keep investigating.
Cork and his friends take it upon themselves to investigate also. Together, with the Sheriff's department, they do solve the case. This is a coming of age story. There are elements of racism, as some people in the book are prejudiced against the Ojibwe tribe. Even mixed race people are looked down on by these racists.
There are some spiritual elements, as Big John's ghost appears to the boys. Ojibwe tribal members believe that a man's spirit cannot go to the afterlife if his death is unnatural. Cork and his friends believe that his spirit wants them to find the truth so he will be at peace.
Tribal members, including Cork's wife, clash with Cork, as he investigates.
One quote, by Liam's wife, Colleen: "Liam, you're not from here. You are a wonderful cop and that's why you are our sheriff. But there are forces here that you can't possibly understand, emotions that run deep and go back to forever. You are walking a thin line."
I, along with Skye, recommend this series to police procedural fans. I rate this book 4.5 stars rounded down.
This was a library book.
Cork and his friends take it upon themselves to investigate also. Together, with the Sheriff's department, they do solve the case. This is a coming of age story. There are elements of racism, as some people in the book are prejudiced against the Ojibwe tribe. Even mixed race people are looked down on by these racists.
There are some spiritual elements, as Big John's ghost appears to the boys. Ojibwe tribal members believe that a man's spirit cannot go to the afterlife if his death is unnatural. Cork and his friends believe that his spirit wants them to find the truth so he will be at peace.
Tribal members, including Cork's wife, clash with Cork, as he investigates.
One quote, by Liam's wife, Colleen: "Liam, you're not from here. You are a wonderful cop and that's why you are our sheriff. But there are forces here that you can't possibly understand, emotions that run deep and go back to forever. You are walking a thin line."
I, along with Skye, recommend this series to police procedural fans. I rate this book 4.5 stars rounded down.
This was a library book.
December 22, 2021
This is my third book by this author, who won my heart with “Ordinary Grace” & “This Tender Land”.
The story here is set in 1963.
I really wanted to love this book, which started so well, but unfortunately dragged for too long to solve a mystery.
It was very repetitive and I did not think that the development of the storyline was that engaging.
Several times I felt the desire to quit or just jump to its conclusion (which I have never done with any book), but, although I had lost interest and my curiosity, I persisted and kept reading to the end.
Regardless, as this is a prequel to the series of at least 19 books, I will try the first 3 volumes, which are already sitting on my shelves because I purchased them when they were on sale.
The story here is set in 1963.
I really wanted to love this book, which started so well, but unfortunately dragged for too long to solve a mystery.
It was very repetitive and I did not think that the development of the storyline was that engaging.
Several times I felt the desire to quit or just jump to its conclusion (which I have never done with any book), but, although I had lost interest and my curiosity, I persisted and kept reading to the end.
Regardless, as this is a prequel to the series of at least 19 books, I will try the first 3 volumes, which are already sitting on my shelves because I purchased them when they were on sale.
October 29, 2021
It’s the summer of 1963 in Aurora, Minnesota when Corcoran (Cork) O’Connor was 12-years old. He and friend Jorge were exploring an area around the Boundary Waters of Iron Lake when they came upon the area called Lightning Strike. To their horror, they discovered the remains of Big John Manydeeds, a man they both revered, hanging from a tree. Cork’s father, Liam, is the county sheriff who comes to the scene, which at first appearance looks to be a suicide. However, as Liam proceeds with the investigation, that preliminary assessment may have been premature. The case also highlights the divide within the community between the indigenous people and the white residents.
I’m current in this series so to go back in time and learn more about who and what helped shape Cork O’Connor was a gift. For those who haven’t started the series, this is the perfect place to begin. Throughout the series, Cork has often reminisced about his parents but seemed especially impacted by his father. This story provides an excellent illustration of who Liam O’Connor was, his relationship with his son and his sense of justice. He’s sorely challenged as the pressures from all sides was awful. Despite it all, he stayed true to himself and the law.
The tension was high from the onset and only intensified as the investigation progressed. What saddened me was how many of the cultural issues of that era haven’t improved much and are still manifesting themselves today. But what was heartening was the friendship between young Cork and his two friends, one a Latino and the other an Anishinaabe, who provide a primer for how to manage through difference. This is an incredible story with many, many layers, made even more wonderful by the outstanding narration of David Chandler. If you’re considering this series, please listen to the books because he elevates Krueger’s superior storytelling skills into the stratosphere. It’s one of my top ten series and this prequel put me in a very, very happy place.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Recorded Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
I’m current in this series so to go back in time and learn more about who and what helped shape Cork O’Connor was a gift. For those who haven’t started the series, this is the perfect place to begin. Throughout the series, Cork has often reminisced about his parents but seemed especially impacted by his father. This story provides an excellent illustration of who Liam O’Connor was, his relationship with his son and his sense of justice. He’s sorely challenged as the pressures from all sides was awful. Despite it all, he stayed true to himself and the law.
The tension was high from the onset and only intensified as the investigation progressed. What saddened me was how many of the cultural issues of that era haven’t improved much and are still manifesting themselves today. But what was heartening was the friendship between young Cork and his two friends, one a Latino and the other an Anishinaabe, who provide a primer for how to manage through difference. This is an incredible story with many, many layers, made even more wonderful by the outstanding narration of David Chandler. If you’re considering this series, please listen to the books because he elevates Krueger’s superior storytelling skills into the stratosphere. It’s one of my top ten series and this prequel put me in a very, very happy place.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Recorded Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
September 3, 2021
The one thing that I have always found with Mr Krueger is that he can certainly weaves a terrific story that is both enjoyable and enlightening. I am one, who loves learning new things and this author can definitely add to one's knowledge base.
In this outing, we go back to the beginning and learn about Cork's ancestry, and the people who made him become the man he grows to be. We also find sadly relevant and irreverent ways in which the native Americans, (the Ojibwa), were treated. This formed an intrinsic way in which the story was presented as the cultures of both the Ojibwa and the white people people was presented. The Native Americans were considered to be drunks, nasty, and uneducated. The prejudicial stance is so apparent through the entire story, and stands in place for the history of behavior of all Native American tribes throughout history.
Cork's mother, Colleen, is half Ojibwa and his father, Liam, is Irish. Being sheriff of the town, is difficult as the relationship between the Ojibwa and the white people is tenuous at best. When the body of an Ojibwa man is found by Cork and his friends hanging from a tree, the supposition is that he committed suicide, but Liam and Cork can't help but think something is amiss. They follow their belief and stumble onto a mystery that needs solving. Liam and Cork develop a father son bond, one that later comes with grief and sorrow.
This is such a moving tale, a story of so much is contained within its pages. A recommendation for this book is certainly one that comes from this reader. Mr Krueger has done it again!
In this outing, we go back to the beginning and learn about Cork's ancestry, and the people who made him become the man he grows to be. We also find sadly relevant and irreverent ways in which the native Americans, (the Ojibwa), were treated. This formed an intrinsic way in which the story was presented as the cultures of both the Ojibwa and the white people people was presented. The Native Americans were considered to be drunks, nasty, and uneducated. The prejudicial stance is so apparent through the entire story, and stands in place for the history of behavior of all Native American tribes throughout history.
Cork's mother, Colleen, is half Ojibwa and his father, Liam, is Irish. Being sheriff of the town, is difficult as the relationship between the Ojibwa and the white people is tenuous at best. When the body of an Ojibwa man is found by Cork and his friends hanging from a tree, the supposition is that he committed suicide, but Liam and Cork can't help but think something is amiss. They follow their belief and stumble onto a mystery that needs solving. Liam and Cork develop a father son bond, one that later comes with grief and sorrow.
This is such a moving tale, a story of so much is contained within its pages. A recommendation for this book is certainly one that comes from this reader. Mr Krueger has done it again!
May 30, 2022
This is the first ‘Cork O’Conner’ book I started with the long series.
Diane S. offered me this advice ways back - great for newbies interested in the series.
I ‘am’ interested—
And will continue with book 1 next.
I felt I got a pretty good context from Lightning Strike —-
book #18 …..(a prequel of sorts to the entire series)
There is a murder mystery tragedy easy to follow that had the “Stand By Me” feel to it —-
And I got an experience of ‘young’ Cork as a teenager -
was introduced to his parents — friends — community and setting.
The standout - (besides the reminder that Krueger is a wonderful intimate writer), was the connection Cork and his father had…..
I look forward to reading more in the series -more of the mysteries with Cork as an adult.
Diane S. offered me this advice ways back - great for newbies interested in the series.
I ‘am’ interested—
And will continue with book 1 next.
I felt I got a pretty good context from Lightning Strike —-
book #18 …..(a prequel of sorts to the entire series)
There is a murder mystery tragedy easy to follow that had the “Stand By Me” feel to it —-
And I got an experience of ‘young’ Cork as a teenager -
was introduced to his parents — friends — community and setting.
The standout - (besides the reminder that Krueger is a wonderful intimate writer), was the connection Cork and his father had…..
I look forward to reading more in the series -more of the mysteries with Cork as an adult.
January 26, 2022
William Kent Krueger never disappoints. This novel about Caucasians vs Indians to figure out who murdered whom was no different. Started out a big slow but quickly picked up the pace. I hate racism. I will never understand hate based on basic human traits. ✌🏽
September 16, 2021
Unpopular opinion and longer review than necessary ahead:
This author is hit or miss with me. I loved This Tender Land but I've not been enamored with his Cork O'Connor series. After seeing all the stellar reviews, I decided to give this prequel a try. I should've trusted my gut and taken a hard pass.
As with the previously read O'Connor books, I found this to be overly preachy with too much focus on educating the reader about Native American folklore and history. Frankly, it gets boring. There's supposed to be a dangerous underlying tension when Cork's Irish dad, Liam, investigates a possible murder and has the audacity to question people of the tribe about it. I didn't feel it. I found myself skipping pages of repeated reference to the treatment of Native Americans by whites (example: the Indian Schools). The overall mystery is intriguing but the extraneous stuff ruined it for me.
I feel that it would've been a good story with fewer pages of information, less stereotyping, less telling more showing, and a more realistic look at what being a 12 year old boy in 1963 was like. Cork is much too 'woke' for the time period and his beleaguered dad confiding the details of the investigation to everyone within the family and beyond is simply unrealistic.
My main issue with the book: I'm tired of authors using the obvious tactic of pushing political agenda in their books by writing unrealistic dialogue and/or long passages about what they consider to be shameful events in history. I don't mind a little back story to understand motivation, but I don't need to be hit over the head with it numerous times. Please, give the reader some credit for knowing some historical facts and being able to form their own thoughts based on the actions and emotions of the characters.
This author is hit or miss with me. I loved This Tender Land but I've not been enamored with his Cork O'Connor series. After seeing all the stellar reviews, I decided to give this prequel a try. I should've trusted my gut and taken a hard pass.
As with the previously read O'Connor books, I found this to be overly preachy with too much focus on educating the reader about Native American folklore and history. Frankly, it gets boring. There's supposed to be a dangerous underlying tension when Cork's Irish dad, Liam, investigates a possible murder and has the audacity to question people of the tribe about it. I didn't feel it. I found myself skipping pages of repeated reference to the treatment of Native Americans by whites (example: the Indian Schools). The overall mystery is intriguing but the extraneous stuff ruined it for me.
I feel that it would've been a good story with fewer pages of information, less stereotyping, less telling more showing, and a more realistic look at what being a 12 year old boy in 1963 was like. Cork is much too 'woke' for the time period and his beleaguered dad confiding the details of the investigation to everyone within the family and beyond is simply unrealistic.
My main issue with the book: I'm tired of authors using the obvious tactic of pushing political agenda in their books by writing unrealistic dialogue and/or long passages about what they consider to be shameful events in history. I don't mind a little back story to understand motivation, but I don't need to be hit over the head with it numerous times. Please, give the reader some credit for knowing some historical facts and being able to form their own thoughts based on the actions and emotions of the characters.
September 7, 2021
The latest from bestselling author William Kent Krueger,
Lightning Strike
is a beautifully told story, of a small town in the 1960s rocked by a mysterious death and culture clashes, and a boy’s coming of age.
It’s funny, I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, but give me a well-written book like this and I’m totally hooked. I felt the same about Krueger’s last book, This Tender Land , which was one of the best books I read in 2019.
In this prequel to Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series, it’s 1963 and Cork is 12 years old. His father is the sheriff of their small town of Aurora, Minnesota, which is shaken when Cork and his friend find the body of a town resident hanging from a tree.
The man was a well-known Native American in town, and while every sign points to suicide, his friends and relatives insist otherwise. They quickly become angry that Cork’s father is only interested in the facts he sees, and doesn’t believe it could have been murder. But Cork and his friends feel a responsibility to try and find out what happened, and it’s not long before father and son find themselves in the midst of a mystery with possibly dangerous ramifications.
I eagerly anticipated Lightning Strike and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. I love the way Krueger tells a story, the way he meshes emotion, narrative, and historical details. Even though this is a prequel to a series, it’s fine to read as a standalone, although if you’re like me, you’ll want to dive in to the whole series afterward!
I so loved this.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
It’s funny, I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, but give me a well-written book like this and I’m totally hooked. I felt the same about Krueger’s last book, This Tender Land , which was one of the best books I read in 2019.
In this prequel to Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series, it’s 1963 and Cork is 12 years old. His father is the sheriff of their small town of Aurora, Minnesota, which is shaken when Cork and his friend find the body of a town resident hanging from a tree.
The man was a well-known Native American in town, and while every sign points to suicide, his friends and relatives insist otherwise. They quickly become angry that Cork’s father is only interested in the facts he sees, and doesn’t believe it could have been murder. But Cork and his friends feel a responsibility to try and find out what happened, and it’s not long before father and son find themselves in the midst of a mystery with possibly dangerous ramifications.
I eagerly anticipated Lightning Strike and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. I love the way Krueger tells a story, the way he meshes emotion, narrative, and historical details. Even though this is a prequel to a series, it’s fine to read as a standalone, although if you’re like me, you’ll want to dive in to the whole series afterward!
I so loved this.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
December 11, 2021
William Kent Krueger is an author that is really popular among our patrons, and it doesn’t hurt that his books take place close to our location. I knew that this book is a prequel to his mystery series that I enjoy immensely, but I wasn’t sure if this book was going to be written like the other books in his series or like the standalone books of his such as This Tender Land .
I’m always surprised how some of his mystery books and other books written by veteran mystery writers are hardly ever nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards in mystery, but I digress. Still, I was excited to read about the fictional town and characters I’ve grown to love in a different era than I am used to reading.
The story follows a young Cork O’Connor and his father, Liam O’Connor, who is the sheriff in Aurora. Cork is playing with his friend when they stumble across the corpse of a friend’s relative. This starts to cause tension among the community where some think that it was a classic suicide while the Indigenous American community seems to think that foul deeds were afoot, and he was murdered.
Both Cork and Liam are torn between the communities they serve, where Liam has to the follow the facts of the case while getting admonished by friends and family alike. Memories of forced boarding schools for the residents of the reservation as well as predatory treaties and laws still sit in the mind of the tribal leaders who found it hard to trust a white man’s badge that was used in the past to drag them away from their families.
After some heavy sleuthing by both Cork and his father, the mystery surrounding the dead man finally seems solved for better or for worse. That is until another body shows up in the form of an Indigenous American girl who went missing in a neighboring community. The tension between the Indigenous American reservation and the white community of Aurora is almost palpable and puts families at odds with each other including Cork’s family.
With a fast paced and heart pounding climax, this book offers all the elements that readers love in the mystery series written by William Kent Krueger. Old audience favorite characters are reintroduced in the form of Henry and Sam Winter while some other easter eggs are dropped here and there. The two best characters introduced in this book though are Cork’s mother and grandmother who have a compelling relationship with each other and the rest of the family.
The best thing about this book for me other than the mystery was the supporting cast of characters. The grandmother was a breath of fresh air while familiar characters from the series give this book the same feel as the rest of the series. The relationship between Cork’s mother and father was also interesting and engaging for me when compared to Cork’s marriage in other books. Cork’s friends were also fun to read about since they were such a different cast of characters who each had their own struggles including with each other until they learn to resolve them.
The only POVs that this book followed were Cork and Liam. This was a blessing yet also a curse for me. First of all, I feel like this book followed the POV of Cork too much instead of his father which kind of took it away for me since the Liam is a new character that I wanted to explore more so than Cork. That is also because it just didn’t feel like Liam was a unique enough character.
It felt like an adult Cork POV from the rest of the series with some minor differences with the big one in not having indigenous blood running through his veins though his relations to friends, wife, and mother-in-law almost seemed to bridge the gap with some of the relationships that Cork developed with the Anishinaabe. Both though had problems fitting in with both of the communities in their own way. It was also fun though in seeing how both father and son were like-minded when it came to the same case they were trying to solve.
We follow young Cork, but his POV just seems too good to be true almost like he is an investigative genius. He somehow finds clues or knows certain aspects leave the sheriff’s office baffled. Young Cork is so put together and mature for his age where even interactions with his friend and strangers at times feel too adult-like. We know for a fact that adult Cork in the series is nowhere near this perfect of a person and is more realistic.
It is kind of frustrating to see how his young mind works compared how he fumbled around in some of the first books of the series too. In contrast though, it is also fun and interesting to see his naïve and innocent POV before the mess of adulthood happens to him with problems he’s forced to persevere through.
This book had twists and turns galore that kept me on my toes. Even when I thought I knew what happened, some element of the mysteries presented had me surprised. I was a bit surprised with the epilogue since I thought that either the whole book would have been about that, or that it would have been broached in another prequel book. I love this series so of course I was going to be impressed with this book almost no matter what happened. I recommend this book to fans of the series this is a prequel to and to mystery lovers in general.
In fact, other than the first book in the series, this would be a perfect place to start reading the William Kent Krueger’s mystery series as well.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
I’m always surprised how some of his mystery books and other books written by veteran mystery writers are hardly ever nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards in mystery, but I digress. Still, I was excited to read about the fictional town and characters I’ve grown to love in a different era than I am used to reading.
The story follows a young Cork O’Connor and his father, Liam O’Connor, who is the sheriff in Aurora. Cork is playing with his friend when they stumble across the corpse of a friend’s relative. This starts to cause tension among the community where some think that it was a classic suicide while the Indigenous American community seems to think that foul deeds were afoot, and he was murdered.
Both Cork and Liam are torn between the communities they serve, where Liam has to the follow the facts of the case while getting admonished by friends and family alike. Memories of forced boarding schools for the residents of the reservation as well as predatory treaties and laws still sit in the mind of the tribal leaders who found it hard to trust a white man’s badge that was used in the past to drag them away from their families.
After some heavy sleuthing by both Cork and his father, the mystery surrounding the dead man finally seems solved for better or for worse. That is until another body shows up in the form of an Indigenous American girl who went missing in a neighboring community. The tension between the Indigenous American reservation and the white community of Aurora is almost palpable and puts families at odds with each other including Cork’s family.
With a fast paced and heart pounding climax, this book offers all the elements that readers love in the mystery series written by William Kent Krueger. Old audience favorite characters are reintroduced in the form of Henry and Sam Winter while some other easter eggs are dropped here and there. The two best characters introduced in this book though are Cork’s mother and grandmother who have a compelling relationship with each other and the rest of the family.
The best thing about this book for me other than the mystery was the supporting cast of characters. The grandmother was a breath of fresh air while familiar characters from the series give this book the same feel as the rest of the series. The relationship between Cork’s mother and father was also interesting and engaging for me when compared to Cork’s marriage in other books. Cork’s friends were also fun to read about since they were such a different cast of characters who each had their own struggles including with each other until they learn to resolve them.
The only POVs that this book followed were Cork and Liam. This was a blessing yet also a curse for me. First of all, I feel like this book followed the POV of Cork too much instead of his father which kind of took it away for me since the Liam is a new character that I wanted to explore more so than Cork. That is also because it just didn’t feel like Liam was a unique enough character.
It felt like an adult Cork POV from the rest of the series with some minor differences with the big one in not having indigenous blood running through his veins though his relations to friends, wife, and mother-in-law almost seemed to bridge the gap with some of the relationships that Cork developed with the Anishinaabe. Both though had problems fitting in with both of the communities in their own way. It was also fun though in seeing how both father and son were like-minded when it came to the same case they were trying to solve.
We follow young Cork, but his POV just seems too good to be true almost like he is an investigative genius. He somehow finds clues or knows certain aspects leave the sheriff’s office baffled. Young Cork is so put together and mature for his age where even interactions with his friend and strangers at times feel too adult-like. We know for a fact that adult Cork in the series is nowhere near this perfect of a person and is more realistic.
It is kind of frustrating to see how his young mind works compared how he fumbled around in some of the first books of the series too. In contrast though, it is also fun and interesting to see his naïve and innocent POV before the mess of adulthood happens to him with problems he’s forced to persevere through.
This book had twists and turns galore that kept me on my toes. Even when I thought I knew what happened, some element of the mysteries presented had me surprised. I was a bit surprised with the epilogue since I thought that either the whole book would have been about that, or that it would have been broached in another prequel book. I love this series so of course I was going to be impressed with this book almost no matter what happened. I recommend this book to fans of the series this is a prequel to and to mystery lovers in general.
In fact, other than the first book in the series, this would be a perfect place to start reading the William Kent Krueger’s mystery series as well.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
March 19, 2023
Aurora Minnesota summer of 1963. Life is running as it should be for 12 year old Cork O'Connor until Cork stumbles upon the body of Big John Manydeeds hanging from a tree at Lightning Strike. A place that is sacred to the Ojibwe living on the reservation in Allouette.
Later Louise Larose a teenage girl from a neighboring reservation is reported missing.
At first Big John's death is thought to be a suicide by Cork's father Liam. Or is it murder? And are Big John's and Louise's deaths connected in some way?
Lightning Strike is a bit different from the other books in the series in that it gives us a look into a 12 year old Cork and his relationship with his parents, Liam and Colleen and grandma Dilsey.
In the earlier books in the series we learned that Cork lost his father at 12 years old but not the whole story behind and leading up to Liam's death.
This is Cork's coming of age story, and beautifully written by Mr. Krueger.
One of the best books in the series if not the best. Five stars.
Later Louise Larose a teenage girl from a neighboring reservation is reported missing.
At first Big John's death is thought to be a suicide by Cork's father Liam. Or is it murder? And are Big John's and Louise's deaths connected in some way?
Lightning Strike is a bit different from the other books in the series in that it gives us a look into a 12 year old Cork and his relationship with his parents, Liam and Colleen and grandma Dilsey.
In the earlier books in the series we learned that Cork lost his father at 12 years old but not the whole story behind and leading up to Liam's death.
This is Cork's coming of age story, and beautifully written by Mr. Krueger.
One of the best books in the series if not the best. Five stars.
July 20, 2026
I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn’t really a thriller. It’s more of a historical mystery and coming-of-age story... and once I adjusted my expectations, I really enjoyed it.
The story starts slowly, but the writing is beautiful and the people of Aurora completely pulled me in. ❤️ I loved young Cork, and I found his father’s role as sheriff especially interesting. Watching Cork quietly wander through the woods and begin trying to solve the mystery himself made the story feel both thoughtful and personal.
I also appreciated how much this book explores Native American culture, the challenges Indigenous communities faced, and the way our experiences can shape how we view the truth. The mystery kept me guessing much longer than I expected. Just when I thought it was solved…nope! 😂
This wasn’t my usual genre, but it was well written, full of heart, and gave me characters I wasn’t ready to leave behind.
I came for the mystery, but I stayed for the people. ❤️
The story starts slowly, but the writing is beautiful and the people of Aurora completely pulled me in. ❤️ I loved young Cork, and I found his father’s role as sheriff especially interesting. Watching Cork quietly wander through the woods and begin trying to solve the mystery himself made the story feel both thoughtful and personal.
I also appreciated how much this book explores Native American culture, the challenges Indigenous communities faced, and the way our experiences can shape how we view the truth. The mystery kept me guessing much longer than I expected. Just when I thought it was solved…nope! 😂
This wasn’t my usual genre, but it was well written, full of heart, and gave me characters I wasn’t ready to leave behind.
I came for the mystery, but I stayed for the people. ❤️
June 15, 2021
Thank you to the senders for the free paperback copy sent.
It's prequel to the Cork series which has been well established. Cork of 12 years at the beginning of this overlong rendition. Taking a finish/ epilogue about 2 years later.
Loving the stand alone novels by Krueger so much more than this I'm going to take a day or so to ponder thoughts before I express them. It's a poignant portrayal and yet extremely morose. Other characters feel far more real or in any sense authentic to the place and era than do the O'Connors.
I've decided to elaborate much more about plotting (weak motives) and character developments. The heavy handedness to parsing people in race/politico is far more 2020 than 1963 in this writing. And I have the exact problem with this voice of Lightening Strike as I do with the latest one or two Cork series novels. Preach /teach is literally half the copy word count. And the O'Connors as a family are totally and completely humorless within them too. Also hypocritical by parts as having some practice of religion but absolutely no heart of the faith or beliefs it encompasses. And I have a total repulsion on Grandma Delsey in all of these that's elemental. The baggage of mood and word she hands out with cordial care is nearly child abuse, IMHO. As is her judgments of people solely by origin and not at all by actions except in some method of looking back afterwards. Thank God, that all my own ancestors that wandered half or 3/4ths of a world from their homes and never got to return did not press retributions into me for their complete and almost total identity losses. Nor instill sameness and being illiterate and separate as any kind of model. Even if they were illiterate and victims themselves until the day they died. Early too- across the boards.
Manydeeds was a great character and Henry has some good moments. Liam talks like a sausage at times and the parental units of Cork were not at all 1963 in consequences of lying, disobedience. Cork went from acting about 10 to acting 42. I considered giving this 2 stars. But Iron Lake and the Spider Creek were too real, despite many other aspects not coming close.
My best friend of my entire life for almost all of it was born and raised in Hibbing, MN. I can hear her laughing at my bluntness in this review. I'll read his stand alone novels. His O'Connor- not interested. They wouldn't even know a batch of lutefisk or a joke if it hit them in the eye.
It's prequel to the Cork series which has been well established. Cork of 12 years at the beginning of this overlong rendition. Taking a finish/ epilogue about 2 years later.
Loving the stand alone novels by Krueger so much more than this I'm going to take a day or so to ponder thoughts before I express them. It's a poignant portrayal and yet extremely morose. Other characters feel far more real or in any sense authentic to the place and era than do the O'Connors.
I've decided to elaborate much more about plotting (weak motives) and character developments. The heavy handedness to parsing people in race/politico is far more 2020 than 1963 in this writing. And I have the exact problem with this voice of Lightening Strike as I do with the latest one or two Cork series novels. Preach /teach is literally half the copy word count. And the O'Connors as a family are totally and completely humorless within them too. Also hypocritical by parts as having some practice of religion but absolutely no heart of the faith or beliefs it encompasses. And I have a total repulsion on Grandma Delsey in all of these that's elemental. The baggage of mood and word she hands out with cordial care is nearly child abuse, IMHO. As is her judgments of people solely by origin and not at all by actions except in some method of looking back afterwards. Thank God, that all my own ancestors that wandered half or 3/4ths of a world from their homes and never got to return did not press retributions into me for their complete and almost total identity losses. Nor instill sameness and being illiterate and separate as any kind of model. Even if they were illiterate and victims themselves until the day they died. Early too- across the boards.
Manydeeds was a great character and Henry has some good moments. Liam talks like a sausage at times and the parental units of Cork were not at all 1963 in consequences of lying, disobedience. Cork went from acting about 10 to acting 42. I considered giving this 2 stars. But Iron Lake and the Spider Creek were too real, despite many other aspects not coming close.
My best friend of my entire life for almost all of it was born and raised in Hibbing, MN. I can hear her laughing at my bluntness in this review. I'll read his stand alone novels. His O'Connor- not interested. They wouldn't even know a batch of lutefisk or a joke if it hit them in the eye.
September 28, 2021
WOO HOO! Happy Dance! Skip the line! YES! I didn’t get my chance at an ARC copy of William Kent Krueger’s newest Cork O’Connor book this time around, so I patiently waited my turn for my public library’s Libby app. Imagine my surprise when I was notified that I could read it NOW! Lightning Strike was available at long last! I have long been a fan of William Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series, and he is one of my favorite Minnesota authors. No, favorite storytellers. Period. Yes, I grew up in the northland of Minnesota, and his books feel like home to me.
The prequel to this long series gets its name, according to the story, from a site near Aurora, Minnesota, that was sacred to the Ojibwe. The First People believed that the spirits caused it to be hit by lightning because it was being used for logging, because this would have been forbidden. The area, which featured the charred chimney and other blackened remnants of a log building, had been filling in with ferns, moss, and weeds. This is the spot where 12-year-old Cork O’Connor hikes with his friend Jorge one hot July day. The pair are working on a Boy Scout merit badge and intend to camp out overnight. Their plans change suddenly when they are struck by a horrific sight – the body of a man hanging from a nearby tree.
The man, Big John Manydeeds, was known to have been a recovering alcoholic, but there is evidence at the scene to suggest otherwise. This leads to assumptions – some based on stereotypes of “drunken Indians” – that have been with us for generations. Despite appearances, Cork does not believe that this man, whom he admired and respected, committed suicide. His father, Liam O’Connor, is the sheriff in the small northern town of Aurora, including the reservation. He tries to explain that he needs to follow the evidence. Cork wants to help. His father has misgivings but allows him some leeway. Convincing his full-blooded Ojibwe mother-in-law that he is doing his best to find the truth is no easy task. She and family friend Sam Winter Moon are really in a tough position – between a rock and a hard place with the O’Connors and people on “the rez.”
The O’Connors are a close-knit family. Cork’s mother Colleen is half Ojibwe. Dad is Irish. Cork’s grandmother Dilsey eats supper with them at least once a week. Father and son have a Saturday night tradition of cooking supper together, and the women are not allowed in the kitchen. The guys fix burgers, coleslaw, and hand-cranked ice cream. Lots of time for them to talk and to bond. After supper, they might all play Parcheesi or watch their favorite shows, like Gunsmoke. But as the investigation goes on, tensions within the family mount. Even Cork feels the pressure. Never has he raised an eyebrow over the ethnicity of his family or friends. His two best friends, Jorge and Billy, are not white. Members of the community and classmates call him and his family names. “Squaw man,” his dad is called. While he respects his father, he seems to grow impatient with him at times, wishing an arrest would come soon. Most of the time, however, Cork seems to have more patience and maturity than I would have expected from a boy his age. And Liam is an experienced cop caught in a tough spot. He’s felt pressure before, hasn’t he?
The book focuses mainly on the boy Cork, but the author also shows us the man who was his father. He is a man of quality and conviction. He will stand his ground when he knows he is right; he will also admit when he is wrong because he wants to do the right thing. He wants the truth, and even though he doesn’t say it often, he loves his family deeply.
I love the friendships that Cork has with Jorge and Billy. It was reminiscent of This Tender Land, which felt to me like Wm Kent Krueger’s finest book ever. These boys share everything, and even when they disagree, they get over it quickly. Cork tells them things that he shouldn’t. He trusts too much. He risks all for his friends.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention the history of the Native American boarding schools. Much has been made of this in the Canadian and U.S. press in recent months. Native children were forced to leave their families on the reservations to attend these schools. They were forbidden from speaking their native language, prevented from wearing native garb or hairstyles, and in many cases were treated very harshly. Grandma Dilsey mentions the schools, and Big John ran away from school several times until he was finally taken in by Henry Meloux, who mentored him to be a guide. (This article just ran in the Minneapolis Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/in-wake-o...)
Finally, Lightning Strike is so much more than a mystery, or even a coming-of-age tale, for it is that as well. Krueger’s recipe for a well-told story generally includes family relationships, good and loving, challenging, healing. There is no lack of conflict, darkness, and foreboding. But it would not be a WKK novel without an element of spirituality, would it? There are several instances where Cork sees an ominous, dark shadow emerge, even when no one else sees it. He wonders if Big John is not yet at peace to walk the Path of Souls. His friend Billy Downwind agrees; he thinks that his uncle wants something. What? Will the boys or Liam ever know what it is that Big John’s spirit wants? Henry Meloux, the Mide, Ojibwe healer, has a more limited role than in some books, but when asked, he has some timely, if obscure words for the youngster: "Find a place where your head and your heart can talk to each other…Maybe then you will see clearly.” (p.529)
The Prologue shows us an adult Cork O’Connor on his first day as sheriff. For those readers who have come to love this character, reading the prequel gives us some idea how he came to be that man. All I will say about the Epilogue is that, yes, it is stunning, and yes, it too undoubtedly affected the adult Cork O’Connor we see in all the 17 books of the series.
Migwech, Kent Krueger. Chi migwech.
4.5 stars rounded up
The prequel to this long series gets its name, according to the story, from a site near Aurora, Minnesota, that was sacred to the Ojibwe. The First People believed that the spirits caused it to be hit by lightning because it was being used for logging, because this would have been forbidden. The area, which featured the charred chimney and other blackened remnants of a log building, had been filling in with ferns, moss, and weeds. This is the spot where 12-year-old Cork O’Connor hikes with his friend Jorge one hot July day. The pair are working on a Boy Scout merit badge and intend to camp out overnight. Their plans change suddenly when they are struck by a horrific sight – the body of a man hanging from a nearby tree.
The man, Big John Manydeeds, was known to have been a recovering alcoholic, but there is evidence at the scene to suggest otherwise. This leads to assumptions – some based on stereotypes of “drunken Indians” – that have been with us for generations. Despite appearances, Cork does not believe that this man, whom he admired and respected, committed suicide. His father, Liam O’Connor, is the sheriff in the small northern town of Aurora, including the reservation. He tries to explain that he needs to follow the evidence. Cork wants to help. His father has misgivings but allows him some leeway. Convincing his full-blooded Ojibwe mother-in-law that he is doing his best to find the truth is no easy task. She and family friend Sam Winter Moon are really in a tough position – between a rock and a hard place with the O’Connors and people on “the rez.”
The O’Connors are a close-knit family. Cork’s mother Colleen is half Ojibwe. Dad is Irish. Cork’s grandmother Dilsey eats supper with them at least once a week. Father and son have a Saturday night tradition of cooking supper together, and the women are not allowed in the kitchen. The guys fix burgers, coleslaw, and hand-cranked ice cream. Lots of time for them to talk and to bond. After supper, they might all play Parcheesi or watch their favorite shows, like Gunsmoke. But as the investigation goes on, tensions within the family mount. Even Cork feels the pressure. Never has he raised an eyebrow over the ethnicity of his family or friends. His two best friends, Jorge and Billy, are not white. Members of the community and classmates call him and his family names. “Squaw man,” his dad is called. While he respects his father, he seems to grow impatient with him at times, wishing an arrest would come soon. Most of the time, however, Cork seems to have more patience and maturity than I would have expected from a boy his age. And Liam is an experienced cop caught in a tough spot. He’s felt pressure before, hasn’t he?
The book focuses mainly on the boy Cork, but the author also shows us the man who was his father. He is a man of quality and conviction. He will stand his ground when he knows he is right; he will also admit when he is wrong because he wants to do the right thing. He wants the truth, and even though he doesn’t say it often, he loves his family deeply.
I love the friendships that Cork has with Jorge and Billy. It was reminiscent of This Tender Land, which felt to me like Wm Kent Krueger’s finest book ever. These boys share everything, and even when they disagree, they get over it quickly. Cork tells them things that he shouldn’t. He trusts too much. He risks all for his friends.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention the history of the Native American boarding schools. Much has been made of this in the Canadian and U.S. press in recent months. Native children were forced to leave their families on the reservations to attend these schools. They were forbidden from speaking their native language, prevented from wearing native garb or hairstyles, and in many cases were treated very harshly. Grandma Dilsey mentions the schools, and Big John ran away from school several times until he was finally taken in by Henry Meloux, who mentored him to be a guide. (This article just ran in the Minneapolis Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/in-wake-o...)
Finally, Lightning Strike is so much more than a mystery, or even a coming-of-age tale, for it is that as well. Krueger’s recipe for a well-told story generally includes family relationships, good and loving, challenging, healing. There is no lack of conflict, darkness, and foreboding. But it would not be a WKK novel without an element of spirituality, would it? There are several instances where Cork sees an ominous, dark shadow emerge, even when no one else sees it. He wonders if Big John is not yet at peace to walk the Path of Souls. His friend Billy Downwind agrees; he thinks that his uncle wants something. What? Will the boys or Liam ever know what it is that Big John’s spirit wants? Henry Meloux, the Mide, Ojibwe healer, has a more limited role than in some books, but when asked, he has some timely, if obscure words for the youngster: "Find a place where your head and your heart can talk to each other…Maybe then you will see clearly.” (p.529)
The Prologue shows us an adult Cork O’Connor on his first day as sheriff. For those readers who have come to love this character, reading the prequel gives us some idea how he came to be that man. All I will say about the Epilogue is that, yes, it is stunning, and yes, it too undoubtedly affected the adult Cork O’Connor we see in all the 17 books of the series.
Migwech, Kent Krueger. Chi migwech.
4.5 stars rounded up
August 17, 2021
This reminded me a bit of Ordinary Grace. Cork O'Connor and Frank Drum have much in common in addition to their age. In this new release from William Kent Krueger, young Cork is just twelve and it is the summer of 1963. When an Ojibwe man is found in a sacred woodland location, the apparent result of suicide, tension rises between those on the rez and Liam O'Connor, Cork's sheriff father. Cork's family attempts to bridge the gap with respect and understanding. There are times, though, when Cork's grandma from the rez seems like she is not giving Liam any credit for his work or the steps needed to conduct a fair investigation. Also, at times Cork says weird things that a 12-year-old in 1963 would not say.As the summer progresses, there are more tragedies to deal with. How do they all fit together? A wise old Ojibwe man encourages Cork to follow the crumbs; to find a place where his head and heart meet. Cork's father allows him to do simple legwork in the investigation, sharpening his skills for the future. He is his father's son. He was born ogichidaa --"one who stands between evil and his people."
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2022
This was my third book by this author, who won my heart with “Ordinary Grace” & “This Tender Land”.
The story here is set in 1963.
I really wanted to love this book, which started so well, but unfortunately dragged for too long to solve a mystery.
It was very repetitive and I did not think that the development of the storyline was that engaging.
Several times I felt the desire to quit or just jump to its conclusion (which I have never done with any book), but, although I had lost interest and my curiosity, I persisted and kept reading to the end.
Regardless, as this is a prequel to the series of at least 19 books, I will try the first 3 volumes, which are already sitting on my shelves because I purchased them when they were on sale.
The story here is set in 1963.
I really wanted to love this book, which started so well, but unfortunately dragged for too long to solve a mystery.
It was very repetitive and I did not think that the development of the storyline was that engaging.
Several times I felt the desire to quit or just jump to its conclusion (which I have never done with any book), but, although I had lost interest and my curiosity, I persisted and kept reading to the end.
Regardless, as this is a prequel to the series of at least 19 books, I will try the first 3 volumes, which are already sitting on my shelves because I purchased them when they were on sale.
February 18, 2021
I feel after reading this whole book, it's the best that William has written ever. I know that it was written about Cork's life as a boy, which was something unusual since he was the sheriff in his later books. But it really hit home, since I'm from Northern Minnesota and had similar things happen in my life. I spent many nights under the stars in the Boundary Waters, took my wife there on our second honeymoon (I was overseas for a year). I would suggest you read this book, even if you haven't read any of Krueger's stories before. Paper routes, scouts, camping it all fits together.
August 9, 2024
This is another one for my 2024 Cleaning out the TBR Closet challenge. This is a series that I have had on my to-read list for a long time, this installment has been on my list since Jul2022. However, that is when I discovered that this was a prequel to installment #1, which has been on my list since Jun2021.
The prologue starts in 1989, with the swearing in of Cork O’Connor becoming Sheriff of Tamarack County, MN and Cork’s memories 25yrs earlier of when Cork’s father, Liam, was Sheriff. The book summary introduces the primary storyline of 12yr old Cork and his buddy, Jorge, finding the body of Big John, a legend on the Ojibwe reservation, hanging from a tree in Lightning Strike meadow. Big John, a recovering alcoholic was ruled intoxicated and the hanging a suicide. But Cork doesn’t believe it, nor do most of the people on the reservation. Cork and his friends, Jorge and Billy, believe that Big John’s spirit is still around. There is also a secondary storyline of the relationship between Liam and son, a relationship that has had an effect on Cork for the rest of his life.
Most of the story revolves around Sheriff Liam’s investigation of Big John’s death. Simultaneously, Cork, Jorge and Billy search for what they believe is Big John’s spirit, while also doing their own investigation, much to the dismay of Sheriff Liam. Many at the reservation believe that Big John’s spirit hasn’t moved on because they believe that there is something that Big John is still waiting for something to be done. There are a couple of strong suspects that could mean Big John’s death was murder and not suicide.
The second half (Part 2) takes a surprising turn and is so indicative of how there are a whole different set of rules and advantages for white people than the set of rules and disadvantages for everyone else. White privilege at its worst. The scenes of parents letting their kids run around all summer unsupervised for most of the day, and sometimes even allowing them to go on overnight camping trips brought back memories of my own childhood in the late 60’s and 70’s. When I was a kid, my brothers and I would spend summers and most school vacations at our family cabin up in Big Bear Mountain. We would spend our days roaming all over the mountain and the woods off on our own, with absolutely no supervision. No way any of my friends or relatives would allow their kids to do something like that now.
I also enjoyed the Author’s Notes that provided background on the Indian Relocation Program that was enacted by Harry Truman. It was an absolutely horribly program and practice of basically eradicating native American Indian tribes and forced assimilation to a life and world that they have never belonged to and have never felt welcomed to. Krueger illustrates the effects of this program in this story with Cork’s friend Billy and his family as well as the attitudes and behaviors of many of the townspeople in Aurora.
The character development of Cork and his father was well done but was a little thin on some of the other primary characters. I would have loved to know more about some of the other characters, like Grandma Dilsey. Being that this is when Cork is a tween, I don’t imagine that she will be around for the next installment that takes place 25yrs later. The pacing was a slow build throughout the story to the shocking end and kept me interested throughout. The writing was very well done. I’m usually not the kind of reader that typically enjoys a lot of descriptive prose. However, Krueger’s prose definitely had a way of capturing my interest and holding it. He’s a good writer and storyteller. Then there was that rather shocking end that got me a little teary-eyed. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.3 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating.
The prologue starts in 1989, with the swearing in of Cork O’Connor becoming Sheriff of Tamarack County, MN and Cork’s memories 25yrs earlier of when Cork’s father, Liam, was Sheriff. The book summary introduces the primary storyline of 12yr old Cork and his buddy, Jorge, finding the body of Big John, a legend on the Ojibwe reservation, hanging from a tree in Lightning Strike meadow. Big John, a recovering alcoholic was ruled intoxicated and the hanging a suicide. But Cork doesn’t believe it, nor do most of the people on the reservation. Cork and his friends, Jorge and Billy, believe that Big John’s spirit is still around. There is also a secondary storyline of the relationship between Liam and son, a relationship that has had an effect on Cork for the rest of his life.
Most of the story revolves around Sheriff Liam’s investigation of Big John’s death. Simultaneously, Cork, Jorge and Billy search for what they believe is Big John’s spirit, while also doing their own investigation, much to the dismay of Sheriff Liam. Many at the reservation believe that Big John’s spirit hasn’t moved on because they believe that there is something that Big John is still waiting for something to be done. There are a couple of strong suspects that could mean Big John’s death was murder and not suicide.
The second half (Part 2) takes a surprising turn and is so indicative of how there are a whole different set of rules and advantages for white people than the set of rules and disadvantages for everyone else. White privilege at its worst. The scenes of parents letting their kids run around all summer unsupervised for most of the day, and sometimes even allowing them to go on overnight camping trips brought back memories of my own childhood in the late 60’s and 70’s. When I was a kid, my brothers and I would spend summers and most school vacations at our family cabin up in Big Bear Mountain. We would spend our days roaming all over the mountain and the woods off on our own, with absolutely no supervision. No way any of my friends or relatives would allow their kids to do something like that now.
I also enjoyed the Author’s Notes that provided background on the Indian Relocation Program that was enacted by Harry Truman. It was an absolutely horribly program and practice of basically eradicating native American Indian tribes and forced assimilation to a life and world that they have never belonged to and have never felt welcomed to. Krueger illustrates the effects of this program in this story with Cork’s friend Billy and his family as well as the attitudes and behaviors of many of the townspeople in Aurora.
The character development of Cork and his father was well done but was a little thin on some of the other primary characters. I would have loved to know more about some of the other characters, like Grandma Dilsey. Being that this is when Cork is a tween, I don’t imagine that she will be around for the next installment that takes place 25yrs later. The pacing was a slow build throughout the story to the shocking end and kept me interested throughout. The writing was very well done. I’m usually not the kind of reader that typically enjoys a lot of descriptive prose. However, Krueger’s prose definitely had a way of capturing my interest and holding it. He’s a good writer and storyteller. Then there was that rather shocking end that got me a little teary-eyed. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.3 that I will be rounding down to a 4star rating.
June 3, 2022
Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger was a captivating and suspenseful mystery. It was the prequel to the Cork O’Connor series. William Kent Krueger once again showed off his talent as a masterful storyteller. The plot was richly imagined and the characters were memorable and vividly drawn. I had read This Tender Land and Ordinary Grace, two stand alone novels, and enjoyed them very much. At some point, I had planned to read the Cork O’Connor series. After having read Lightning Strike, I am even more excited to read this series now. I switched back and forth between the hard covered book that I purchased last summer and the audio CD. The audio CD was performed very well by David Chandler. Lightning Strike was beautifully written, brilliantly plotted and fast paced. There were lots of “bread crumbs” that needed to be followed to solve the mystery about a suspicious death that was discovered out at Lightning Strike. It kept me guessing and just when I thought I had solved the mystery, a twist and turn was added to confuse me even more.
Lightning Strike explored the relationship between Cork and his father, Liam, who was the sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota. Their relationship was seen in a tender, raw and emotional way. Both father and son respected, loved and admired each other as only a father and son were capable of doing. In the summer of 1963, twelve year old Cork and his friend were on their way to Lightning Strike where they planned to camp overnight when they saw something no twelve year old boy should see. Dangling from a rope high above the boys in a tree was the body of Big John Manydeeds. The immediate impression of those that later investigated the crime scene was that it was suicide. Not everyone agreed, though. Liam was tasked with the job of discovering the truth about how Big John really died. He allowed Cork to gather “crumbs” as long as he was not put in any danger. Both father and son would be tested and would have to choose the path that led to justice despite all the obstacles they encountered along the way.
William Kent Krueger brilliantly portrayed the father/son relationship between twelve year old Cork and his father, Liam. Cork was a respectful and hardworking son. He had a paper route and most of the time asked permission to go places and do things. Like most boys of that age, though, Cork sometimes bent the rules and did things he knew his parents would not have given him permission to do. Liam tried to protect Cork the best way he knew how to. Cork sometimes challenged his father about the decisions he made or the way he was conducting the investigation. Their relationship felt real.
William Kent Krueger also portrayed the life of the Ojibwe on the reservation. He was able to bring to light many of the things that caused animosity among the Ojibwe and the whites from the past. Native American children were known to be taken against their will and that of their family’s and placed in special schools where their treatment was not kind. Relocation programs were designed to lure Native American families away from the land they had lived on for generations with the promise of better jobs and better housing. Unfortunately, these promises held little truth. In addition, William Kent Krueger was able to portray the hate and prejudice that ran rampant among the whites in Aurora against the Ojibwe people.
Lightning Strike explored right vs wrong, choices and change, love and loss, life on the reservation vs living in town and assuming or stereotyping vs hard facts. It was a mystery and a coming of age story. Human nature was captured at its best in Lightning Strike. Lightning Strike was powerful and poignant. I am so glad I read Lightning Strike before I began to read this series. It was a perfect way to start the series. I can’t wait to read what Cork has in store for him in The Cork O’Conner series. I highly recommend this book.
Lightning Strike explored the relationship between Cork and his father, Liam, who was the sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota. Their relationship was seen in a tender, raw and emotional way. Both father and son respected, loved and admired each other as only a father and son were capable of doing. In the summer of 1963, twelve year old Cork and his friend were on their way to Lightning Strike where they planned to camp overnight when they saw something no twelve year old boy should see. Dangling from a rope high above the boys in a tree was the body of Big John Manydeeds. The immediate impression of those that later investigated the crime scene was that it was suicide. Not everyone agreed, though. Liam was tasked with the job of discovering the truth about how Big John really died. He allowed Cork to gather “crumbs” as long as he was not put in any danger. Both father and son would be tested and would have to choose the path that led to justice despite all the obstacles they encountered along the way.
William Kent Krueger brilliantly portrayed the father/son relationship between twelve year old Cork and his father, Liam. Cork was a respectful and hardworking son. He had a paper route and most of the time asked permission to go places and do things. Like most boys of that age, though, Cork sometimes bent the rules and did things he knew his parents would not have given him permission to do. Liam tried to protect Cork the best way he knew how to. Cork sometimes challenged his father about the decisions he made or the way he was conducting the investigation. Their relationship felt real.
William Kent Krueger also portrayed the life of the Ojibwe on the reservation. He was able to bring to light many of the things that caused animosity among the Ojibwe and the whites from the past. Native American children were known to be taken against their will and that of their family’s and placed in special schools where their treatment was not kind. Relocation programs were designed to lure Native American families away from the land they had lived on for generations with the promise of better jobs and better housing. Unfortunately, these promises held little truth. In addition, William Kent Krueger was able to portray the hate and prejudice that ran rampant among the whites in Aurora against the Ojibwe people.
Lightning Strike explored right vs wrong, choices and change, love and loss, life on the reservation vs living in town and assuming or stereotyping vs hard facts. It was a mystery and a coming of age story. Human nature was captured at its best in Lightning Strike. Lightning Strike was powerful and poignant. I am so glad I read Lightning Strike before I began to read this series. It was a perfect way to start the series. I can’t wait to read what Cork has in store for him in The Cork O’Conner series. I highly recommend this book.
February 7, 2026
4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was another good story by William Krueger and part of the Cork O’Conner series. Krueger’s storytelling is always so intriguing. This saga moved a bit slow, but I waited patiently for something to pop, and yep it did! The breadcrumbs were slow to fall so I couldn’t figure out who was our murderer. The story reminds me a great deal of “To Kill A Mockingbird” with the morality of the sheriff’s values coming into question.
In the summer of 1962, this story deals with the prejudices against the Ojbwe Indians in Aurora, Minnesota by the white folk. Dealing with two murders at Iron Lake, finds this story with lots of intense drama and whodunit theories. Of course the Indians are the first suspects, unfair but commonplace here.
With death at the constant doorstep here, it looks like Big John (an Indian) has committed suicide, but the reservation knows better than believing this myth. He was too good of a man…Is his unsettled spirit lurking at the lake?
The sheriff, Liam O’Conner is receiving the wrath from both the white folk of this small town and the Ojbwe people. So much conflict. No matter which stone he turns over to find a young girl who has disappeared, someone finds fault with his investigation techniques. His job as sheriff is to enforce the laws but no one is stepping forward with unbiased information to help these investigations. His son Cork (quarter Indian and Irish) is the hero in this story, for me. He helps his dad at every turn in solving the cases that seem to be linked. A compelling story, dealing with friendships, a boy coming into age, and a man following his heart, knowing it has the right answers.
This was another good story by William Krueger and part of the Cork O’Conner series. Krueger’s storytelling is always so intriguing. This saga moved a bit slow, but I waited patiently for something to pop, and yep it did! The breadcrumbs were slow to fall so I couldn’t figure out who was our murderer. The story reminds me a great deal of “To Kill A Mockingbird” with the morality of the sheriff’s values coming into question.
In the summer of 1962, this story deals with the prejudices against the Ojbwe Indians in Aurora, Minnesota by the white folk. Dealing with two murders at Iron Lake, finds this story with lots of intense drama and whodunit theories. Of course the Indians are the first suspects, unfair but commonplace here.
With death at the constant doorstep here, it looks like Big John (an Indian) has committed suicide, but the reservation knows better than believing this myth. He was too good of a man…Is his unsettled spirit lurking at the lake?
The sheriff, Liam O’Conner is receiving the wrath from both the white folk of this small town and the Ojbwe people. So much conflict. No matter which stone he turns over to find a young girl who has disappeared, someone finds fault with his investigation techniques. His job as sheriff is to enforce the laws but no one is stepping forward with unbiased information to help these investigations. His son Cork (quarter Indian and Irish) is the hero in this story, for me. He helps his dad at every turn in solving the cases that seem to be linked. A compelling story, dealing with friendships, a boy coming into age, and a man following his heart, knowing it has the right answers.
April 2, 2022
Krueger offers an in-depth look at how adult Cork O'Connor was inspired as a precocious child to become a cop. Heavily influenced by his father, the county sheriff, Cork is pulled into a murder investigation and actually helps collect evidence and offers theories on what could have happened. A good way to break into a future career, but it felt to me that the dad acted irresponsibly in allowing such involvement, out of character, which is why it wasn't 5 stars. Otherwise, a good story as usual.
November 1, 2021
I think my low star count of this book is partially due to my experience with how great a story teller Krueger can be. I am also finding myself a little tired of mysteries lately but know Krueger has written great literary mystery type fiction in the past so I picked it up on audio. Ordinary Grace is one of my favorite books and this story frequently reminded me of it in plot if not in the writing.
This is being labeled as a prequel to Krueger's sheriff/crime series staring Cork O'Connor who is half Irish half Ojibwe.
There was much I did like in this book, the Ojibwe lore, a mystery that was set up quickly, Cork as a young boy seeing and experiencing the duel cultures around him.
What I did not like was the slowness of the plot, never a good think for a mystery. After the initial scene the story really dragged and was often redundant. The writing was very heavy handed--the author writing with a distinct message rather than letting the reader draw conclusions (this is a pet peeve of mine--I don't like being told how to think or react). Too often I felt the author trying to make a phrase quotable or overly significant for the situation.
So in all I will say I was disappointed with this book. While it might have been acceptable (3 star) for a lesser writer for Krueger who I know is capable for so much more it dropped a star.
This is being labeled as a prequel to Krueger's sheriff/crime series staring Cork O'Connor who is half Irish half Ojibwe.
There was much I did like in this book, the Ojibwe lore, a mystery that was set up quickly, Cork as a young boy seeing and experiencing the duel cultures around him.
What I did not like was the slowness of the plot, never a good think for a mystery. After the initial scene the story really dragged and was often redundant. The writing was very heavy handed--the author writing with a distinct message rather than letting the reader draw conclusions (this is a pet peeve of mine--I don't like being told how to think or react). Too often I felt the author trying to make a phrase quotable or overly significant for the situation.
So in all I will say I was disappointed with this book. While it might have been acceptable (3 star) for a lesser writer for Krueger who I know is capable for so much more it dropped a star.
January 3, 2024
Great place to start if you’re wanting to start the Cork O’Connor series but don’t want to embark on the whole series yet! This gives you the prequel story of where Cork’s story began with his father Liam and mother Colleen. I liked the story! Definitely a WKK classic story of a murder in the town and a lot of spiderwebs to sift through. Excited to start with book 1 now!
January 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely love reading anything William Kent Krueger writes!
I absolutely love reading anything William Kent Krueger writes!
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