Northwest Angle

Cork O'Connor #11

by William Kent Krueger, David Chandler (Narrator)

12 hours, 20 minutes

During a houseboat vacation on the remote Lake of the Woods, a violent gale sweeps through unexpectedly, stranding Cork and his daughter, Jenny, on a devastated island where the wind has ushered in a force far darker and more deadly than any storm.

Amid the wreckage, Cork and Jenny discover an old trapper’s cabin where they find the body of a teenage girl. She wasn’t killed by the storm, however; she’d been bound and tortured before she died. Whimpering sounds coming from outside the cabin lead them to a tangle of branches toppled by the vicious winds. Underneath the debris, they find a baby boy, hungry and dehydrated, but still very much alive. Powerful forces intent on securing the child pursue them to the isolated Northwest Angle, where it’s impossible to tell who among the residents is in league with the devil. Cork understands that to save his family he must solve the puzzle of this mysterious child whom death follows like a shadow.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Suspense

Audiobook

First published August 30, 2011

About the author

Raised in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, William Kent Krueger briefly attended Stanford University—before being kicked out for radical activities. After that, he logged timber, worked construction, tried his hand at freelance journalism, and eventually ended up researching child development at the University of Minnesota. He currently makes his living as a full-time author. He’s been married for over 40 years to a marvelous woman who is an attorney. He makes his home in St. Paul, a city he dearly loves.

Krueger writes a mystery series set in the north woods of Minnesota. His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage—part Irish and part Ojibwe. His work has received a number of awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. His last five novels were all New York Times bestsellers.

"Ordinary Grace," his stand-alone novel published in 2013, received the Edgar Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America in recognition for the best novel published in that year. "Windigo Island," number fourteen in his Cork O’Connor series, was released in August 2014.

Reviews

[MarilynW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Northwest Angle (Cork O'Connor #11) by William Kent Krueger

The tension never lets up with this one as Cork tries to get some time with his family. His two daughters, son, brother-in-law and sister-in-law are vacationing with him on a houseboat on the remote Lake of the Woods when a devastating storm called a derecho demolishes everything in it's path. While the family tries to locate each other, Jenny finds the body of a young teenage girl and her live baby, who had been hidden in a hole in the ground. Someone killed the mother and now seems to want the baby and they will do anything to get that baby.

Getting to safety from the after effects of the storm is just a small part of the story because trying to keep the baby safe runs the family head on into more trouble and danger. This tension filled story takes place over just a few days but there is no time for anyone to let down their guard. Through all of this, Cork feels great guilt for not connecting with his family in a better way and also great loneliness from the loss of his wife and the fact that his daughters are grown and that his son will soon not need him anymore. Added to this is the fact that his daughter Jenny and the baby have developed an unbreakable bond and Cork sends Jenny farther away from him with his insistence that she keep an emotional distance from the baby. Once again, being in the vicinity of Cork O'Connor seems to be unhealthy, as the bodies drop.

Published August 30th 2011

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good one! Krueger takes a bit of a different path in that it is very much character driven. There is a mystery and a lot of action and it is very tense at times, but we also get to see all of the family interacting and showing how they care for each other.

As usual there is atmosphere and lots of nature. Henry is old and wise, Cork is alternately angry and sad, Jenny finds herself in a very unusual situation and Stephen seems to have suddenly grown up. I still think I see a new relationship blooming for Cork.

I look forward each month to reading the next episode in this saga and the author has not let me down yet. Five stars for this one.

[Jonetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cork O’Connor rented a houseboat for his entire family, including sister-in-law Rose Thorn and her husband Mal, giving them all a much-needed family outing after a tragedy ridden couple of years. They’re on the Lake of the Woods, which occupies parts of Minnesota and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, when they encounter a vicious storm, a derecho*. Cork and Jenny were out on a dingy, on their way to pick up her boyfriend. Stephen and Anne had swum away from the houseboat to go exploring. When the storm struck, each group was separated and fought hard to just survive. However, the nightmare didn’t end for Cork and Jenny after they landed in a different storm on an island where they discovered the dead and tortured body of a teenage girl and her newborn baby (still alive) hidden in a bush nearby.

This felt like two separate stories, the first being the fight for survival in the midst of the storm and its immediate aftermath. It was exciting stuff, keeping me on the edge of my seat as each group struggled to survive, recover and reunite. The second half was equally exciting as Jenny and Cork attempt to evade the hunters who appeared to be responsible for the teen mother’s death and keep the baby out of harm’s way. Krueger was masterful again at creating a strong sense of place as I could visualize the imagery with ease. Figuring out the what and why wasn’t all that easy but I thought the who was more obvious until I got it wrong.

Just when I think this series couldn’t get any better the author goes and creates a story like this. I couldn’t stop listening and wanted even more when I reached the end.


*Derecho - widespread, long-lived, straight-line wind storm that is associated with a land-based, fast-moving group of severe thunderstorms. They can cause hurricane-force winds, tornadoes, heavy rains, and flash floods. A warm-weather phenomenon, derechos occur mostly in summer, especially during June, July, and August in the Northern Hemisphere, within areas of moderately strong instability and moderately strong vertical wind shear. They may occur at any time of the year and occur as frequently at night as during the daylight hours.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a great series. This book is different as the whole family is in danger from both Mother Nature and human evil. Yes, you can often see where the plot is going. But the point of WKK books is really more about the characters than the mystery.
I'm guessing that WKK is a devout Catholic as his religious views tend to come out stronger in this book than previous ones. Or maybe I'm just projecting his characters' beliefs onto him.

[Charty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've mostly enjoyed the previous Cork O'Conner mysteries, some more than others, but this was a new low point for the series. The first half, with the devastating storm was solid and suspenseful, but the second half fell apart with forced plotting, cardboard villeins and extraneous characters. One thing that really bothered me was the overt religiosity of the book. Krueger has always include some thoughts on faith and the intersections of good and evil, but this book felt particularly unsubtle about it. Rose, Mal and Anne were basically a useless Greek chorus of yay, faith and if Krueger had written them out of the book, nothing would have suffered from their removal.

I was also bothered by the mother-figure Jenny was portrayed as. Not that motherhood is bad, but Jenny became this mindless mother/sheep and frankly reading about her warming up formula for the 800th time was 799 times too many, that whole subplot was just cloying and annoying. Aaron, her boyfriend who didn't want children was basically shown to be the this terrible, close-minded person who the author no doubt took great delight in writing him to his just desserts.

It occurred to be that Krueger simply doesn't write women very well. I was trying to think back through the books, and really, it's Cork whose the focus and the main character. In this book he tried to bring the other family members to the fore, especially the many women, but they were basically placeholders, baby care-takers, cooks and comforters. I never sensed that before so overtly and it really bothered me in this book. Hopefully Krueger can do better next time around.

[Surreysmum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've liked all of the Cork O'Connor mysteries, and I liked this one - but I wasn't thrilled by the increased religiosity of the book (it's always been present, but it went a bit beyond my low tolerance level in this one, despite the fact that it was balanced out by the scathing depiction of religious fanatics). I probably would have handled that better if it hadn't been accompanied by the transformation of daughter Jenny from a reasonably sensible girl into a maternal-hormone-addled critter, and the cheerful killing off of her child-wary fiancee (not good enough, obviously, if he didn't desperately want kids). There were a few heartfelt sighs of "oh puhleeze" as I read this one. Nonetheless, the plot held my interest, and the minor characters, as usual, were interesting and well depicted. I wish "the Canadians" had been allowed a bigger role in the story rather than being just an occasional plot point that had to be dealt with because Lake of the Woods *is* international waters. No doubt they would have disapproved of O'Connor's complete inability to keep to his determination not to carry firearms. Well, I suppose that would get in the way of his ability, as a private citizen, to get muddled up in major crime investigations - and there would go the series!

Anyway, enjoyed it, and will recommend it (with reservations) - but if WKK gets any more preachy, or treats his women any more sentimentally, he will lose me, I'm afraid.

[Karen J · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

William Kent Krueger I love all your books. This one in the “Cork O’Connor” series is definitely my favourite.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, this book started off on the wrong foot with me – an unusual experience with this author. I felt like I was being fed the notion that simply because one is female, one automatically has the motherly instinct, and automatically craves a baby. I don’t believe those things as a rule (living proof, right here!). However, Kreuger has a way of sharing his ideas and reasoning that really resonates with me, and he brought me around to appreciate this story despite my initial misgivings.

At its heart, this is a story about love. In particular it’s about the love between parents and their children; Cork and his children. His sister in law Rose and those same children whom she helped raise. Jenny and the child that she rescues, who has lost his own mother. There were some very emotionally charged moments between the various members of the O’Connor clan and I truly enjoyed seeing their dynamic from this new perspective.

That’s all I will say on this one, but let me add this once again: Try the Cork O’Connor series for well-paced thrillers, intricate characterizations, and above all, the writing. Deep, moving, lovely.

[Keri Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest in the series has Cork and his family coming together for a vacation on a houseboat in a remote Northern area. Cork and daughter Jenny are away from the group when a violent storm occurs and they end up separated. Jenny is on an island where she discovers a murdered young woman and abandoned baby. She rescues the baby but realizes she may be in a dangerous situation, unsure if the murderer may return. Cork soon finds her on the island, and the two allude the man with a gun that returns.

Aunt Rose and husband Mel meanwhile have also survived the storm, and with Cork’s other children Ann & Steven, they try to get back to town.

Soon they are all involved in a dangerous situation of guarding the baby, investigating a group of extreme Christians on a remote island where the girl had lived, while trying to determine who killed the woman and why they are after the baby.

Much adventure, drama and danger ensue as Cork struggles to keep his family safe. After the distance within the family after Jo’s death in recent books, it is good to see the family all come together… even if they are fighting for their lives. I loved how it all resolved and the family moves forward with a new chapter in their lives!

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the eleventh offering in the Cork O’Connor crime mystery series. Krueger’s charm is that he loves Northern Minnesota with its significant Anishinaabe (Ojibwa) culture and incorporates Native American elements into his plot lines.
In this offering, the O’Connor clan has chosen to vacation on a houseboat in the remote Lake of the Woods. Suddenly, a derecho (a severe storm accompanied by horrific wind sheers) descends upon them. [I actually experienced one of these storm events in Northern Michigan in 1995. It caused several 150-year-old pines to topple with horrific thuds and causing severe property damage.] Cork’s daughter takes shelter on one of the small islands when she gets separated from her father. She hears a baby cry and discovers the mother dead nearby—clearly having been recently murdered. A fast-paced action-filled story is the result.
Krueger incorporates faith in several forms in the plot line: Anishinaabe, Christian and even a religious cult. The author recognizes the importance of faith when facing danger—whether it is a natural disaster or of man-made origin. Enjoy.

[Marty Fried · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was one of the best in the series so far. It starts out with a bang, and keeps going. It seems a little like a nature story, or an adventure recovering from a natural disaster, but that wasn't really the real mystery, just a catalyst. Things are not what they seem to be for much of the book as we get deeper and deeper into the mystery. I really never expected that the butler did it.

There's the usual mix of violence, good and evil intermixed, and spiritual lessons, especially from the Native American point of view. I was worried that my hero, Henry, might not make an appearance - I'm surprised he even remembers Cork's name, as old as he is.

If you're a fan of the author or the series, just read it - you won't be disappointed.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this was a 2.5 star rounded up for the natural world angle descriptions and rugged water boundary territory. Cork was Cork and the plot was the weakest of the bunch I've read.

The problem was the other characterizations and especially the women. The women have become increasingly flat as the series progresses, IMHO. And Rose increasingly annoying, off-putting. Far too much a stereotype. Mide or not, Krueger never seems to grasp the component of her personality, fire, motivations. Religious aspects more over the top facade without knowing the underpinning to her individual past beyond the tribal tradition. Anne too. But at least I can approach the real woman there at times. And Cork's daughter in this one and her Aaron? On different wave lengths and not just about Little Rabbit either. And double that down by the repetition of paragraphs over and over throughout a full 2/3rds of the book re Jenny's motherly instincts and urges come alive and throbbing. Krueger was verbose. Not saying that it doesn't occur to have a strong connection, but she sure doesn't seem that connected to anything or anyone else??

The entire was overlong and took me far more start and stop reading than usual. In fact, I had to force myself to finish. The first sections with the chase around those islands was the best written of the whole, IMHO. After that, for me, it was all cartoon level super bad guys, who are "the other" as opposed to the goody two shoes of spiritual tradition. Accompanied by far more "he said, she said" around the origins and ultimate options for the infant that dragged. And dragged.

The women in these last few Cork's have turned me off from the series. Too preachy and not just on the religious comparisons, because all of that is way too unattached to joy.

That's the crux. These are nearly fatalistic now. Stolid, joylessness but resilience the best outcomes? Krueger stand alone novels would be fine- but I think he has lost me for the Cork series. And not because they are too dire, but to me- because they have just become too uninteresting. Especially when religiosity is over the top and scathing stereotype groups of "the other" become description highlighted.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mysteries are very good but I love all the information related about the Ojibwa Indians.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific novel in the Cork O'Connor series from William Kent Krueger. If you like this character and this series, you'll love this one.

[TracyGH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I listened and read the book in tandem. 4.5 stars ⭐️

Lake of the Woods is the setting for this one. I am familiar with this lake as my husband, an avid fisherman, has always wanted to fish there. 😉

I love the intrigue with the O’Connor family and this book was no different. Cork,the steadfast pillar of the family, the kids as they continue to grow into lives of their own. Henry Meloux, the wise sage. Aunt Rose who is an absolute sweetheart. The list goes on.

I love this series and always look forward to what the next book will bring. What series will be next when I finally get caught up? 🥹

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

11 books down and this series, for me, just keeps going from strength to strength. After events in previous books I was doubtful how invested I would still feel in this series. I shouldn't have worried, these books are written by a very, talented author.

One of my favourite aspects of Northwest Angle was that we had so many different points of view. Krueger, has mastered that art of changing the point of view structure through his series and I see this as a real strength. I enjoyed that the O'Connor children (young adults now) had points of view in Northwest Angle. We've watched them grow up over the course of the series and they are really starting to come into their own. This book, even though grim as all of the books are murder mysteries, felt like a new beginning for Cork.

Recommended for people who love a good mystery series.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! A natural disaster brings a new character to the O'Conners, with perhaps an inkling of a second one. Good and evil meet, and life goes on. There is still a feeling in me of something more disastrous, though, in the future.

[Alex Cantone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Northwest Angle starts off well. The extended O’Connor family are vacationing on a houseboat out of Northwest Angle, on the chimney of Minnesota reaching north to Canada, with the boundary running almost north-south, near the Lake of the Woods First American people’s settlement. The trip is partially overshadowed by the death a while ago of Cork’s wife/the children’s mother/Rose’s sister.

They are to be joined by daughter Jenny’s fiancé Aaron, and en route to pick his up in a dingy, Cork diverts to an uninhabited island to show Jenny some of her Ojibwe heritage. Before the pair can make it to Young’s Landing, a vicious storm-cell called a derecho strikes – multiple thunderstorms with hurricane-strength winds rising out from the Black Hills of Dakota. Cork is thrown overboard and Jenny makes it an island to seek shelter, emerging to find the devastation has revealed a cabin normally screened from the shore by trees, where she finds the dead body of a young woman who was tortured then shot, and a baby hidden in the woods nearby. Cork struggles to shore but they are threatened by a man armed with a hunting rifle, riding a high-powered cigarette boat, used for smuggling.

Miraculously the various family members survive the storm and are reunited, and while Jenny grows attached to the baby, Cork contacts the local deputy and the owner of a resort, to describe the victim, who they feel might be a girl with development problems, reported missing from an island mission once run by the Baptists. An early suspect is the girl’s half-brother, but the girl’s body is long gone and the cabin torched. Cork and son Stephen visit the mission, now run by a looney Doomsday sect whose singular beliefs stem from the Book of Revelations.

Cork thought the man was way too sensitive, but in his experience a lot of deeply religious people were. In his own mind, there was often a profound difference between those who thought of themselves as a religious people and those who preferred to think of themselves as spiritual.

This was my first book by the author, and probably not the best one to start on. The area and the storm were vividly portrayed, and the Ojibwe beliefs and values instructive. However, the murder mystery was overshadowed by the family drama, misgivings and moral dilemmas, which did not appeal. I came to feel sorry for Aaron, as an outsider.

[ScrappyMags · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dearly love Krueger's books, but this one left me a bit disappointed. The main plot was great and the writing and descriptive narrative, again, superb, but the subplot religious story and the baby with Jenny? Pedantic and unrealistic. Jenny is what? 22? Early 20's, has no money or a stable home of her own and is not married. No judge would grant her custody. I have personally witnessed the adoption process both private and public from family members adotping and this was so unrealistic and handled so quick-handed at the end. I was actually sort of hoping that Mal & Rose would have adopted the baby - now THAT would have been a great ending and Jenny could have been accepting of that. I was also upset at how the offing of Aaron was handled. So you don't want to be a dad? Okay, jerk, buh-bye and I thought he was the most REAL character - honest and forth-coming and gosh, actually like a single guy in his early 20's. Not wanting kids at that time? Pretty normal, but the author's tone suggested that was selfish of him. I disagree - I thought is was pretty real. Krueger's understanding of early 20-somethings is a bit off. The family is becoming a bit too Brady Bunch, despite the fact that Jenny once got knocked up (one bad thing... oooohhhh), but Anne, a nun? Stephen a medicine man? It's all too "perfect" and unrealistic. I'm still a fan, still going to read the books, but just left feeling a little dissatisfied after this one.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of you likely know that I am hooked on William Kent Krueger's Cork O'Connor mystery series. This 11th book is no exception. It was a timely read in the sense that the story begins as Cork and his family are taking a much needed vacation on a houseboat in the Lake of the Woods area in northern Minnesota. Suddenly there's a derecho, a widespread windstorm that can produce hurricane-force winds. (I had to look that one up!) As those who live in Florida and other eastern states have recently experienced, they encounter massive devastation where the storm has struck. Cork and his daughter take refuge on an island and to their horror they discover the body of a teenage girl and her death is not due to the storm. They discover a baby as well but the baby is very much alive. In this story, you will also encounter people of the Church of Seven Trumpets and that is somewhat timely as well. As usual, there is wonderful character development, suspense and nonstop action. Loved it!

[Chuck Karas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have embraced every book I’ve read in this series. They have all moved me in some fashion. Krueger has climbed up my list to a must read author. I imagine the later books in the series will continue to develop the characters. So far every book has shown development in some of the protagonists and developed some very worthwhile antagonists. They have also shown some wonderful plot twists. I look forward to reading the later volumes. Though every book has moved me, this book did so most strongly. Highly recommended for mystery fiction fans, Native American mystery fans, and just about anyone who enjoys a great read! Krueger has brought Cork O' Connor to life so much so that I feel I feel as if he is a close friend!

There is a gentleness and deep love for people and nature to this author that shines through in his words. Highly recommend this series as well as his stand alones.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved his Cork O'Connor series but was very disappointed with this one. I am not inspired by all the inspiration in this book. The characters were flat and not the warm-blooded characters I am used to reading in his books. The action was pretty much beyond belief. Not up to his usual greatness

[Vannetta Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5* read from William Kent Krueger. Amazing!

One of the things I appreciate most about this series (other than the character ARCs which are amazing), is how Krueger is able to blend the different religious attitudes of his characters into a cohesive whole. It's not forced. It's definitely integral to the plot, and as usual--it is well done.

Highly recommend.
Note: This series is best read in order.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First line: Later, when it no longer mattered, they learned that the horror that had come from the sky had a name: derecho.

Cork has taken his family on a houseboat vacation on Lake of the Woods, when they are separated during a derecho, a land-based hurricane. In the aftermath, Jenny finds a murdered woman and her hidden baby.

The story, as always from Krueger, is meticulously plotted and the characters are like family. But there was a tad too much religiosity in this outing for my taste. Otherwise it would have been a five star.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this 4.5 stars if I could. Another excellent addition to the Cork O'Connor series with Jenny at the center of the action. Concerns a cult religious group and an orphaned baby. Krueger is one of our best novelists. Highly recommended.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Sentence: He woke long before it was necessary, had wakened in this way for weeks, troubled and afraid.

Former cop and PI Cork O’Connor and his family are vacationing on a houseboat in a remote part of Lake of the Woods, Minnesota. Cork and his daughter, Jenny, off in an outboard, run for shelter as a deadly storm rages through. Cork is knocked overboard but Jenny makes it to an island where she finds a cabin containing the tortured and murdered young woman and the baby she’d desperately hidden. Now the murderer is after them, desperate to regain the child.

Krueger is an author who excels at captivating you with his opening paragraph and not letting you go. He violates the “rule” of not opening with the weather; making is powerfully effective. His descriptions first placate, then terrify the reader with a very good escalation of terror and the desperation one would feel from the uncertainty of the situation. He also knows how to create a sense of menace and convey raw emotion.

Krueger’s character-creation is excellent. You want to be part of Cork’s family, but although they are far from perfect, they are real. This book does play heavily on the themes of religion, spirituality and faith; Christianity versus Christianity distorted and Indian spiritualism, but looking at them in ways that are honest and true, allowing for doubt, and not being preachy.

The plot was well-developed with some very good twists; yet there were elements that were predictable. Although “Northwest Angle” was a better than a good read, it would be nice to see Krueger focus less on family in future books.

NORTHWEST ANGLE (Lic Invest-Cork O’Connor-Minnesota-Cont) – G+
Krueger, William Kent – 11th in series
Atria Books (Simon & Schuster), 2011, ARC - HC ISBN: 9781439153956

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series has taken a turn and the characters have become one-dimensional. I’m also having trouble with all the religious focus and the “prayers” constantly thrown in. I just can’t waste more time on this one.

Hopefully the next will have a better plot, less religion and develop the characters. Otherwise I’ll have to throw in the towel on Krueger.

On the other hand, his books that he’s written outside of O’Connor series are among my favorites: Ordinary Grace, This Tender Land.

[Soo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:

Yay for libraries!
(Otherwise it would be harder for me to continue the buddy read.)

It was nice to have the whole family back together for the story. I find it ironic that the author's note about using a storm for the story was a small blip in the overall plot. lol

The case was lackluster, but there were a lot of personal development for the O'Connor clan and I liked that.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so immersed in this series. I’m listening on audiobooks and as each story comes to an end I’m looking forward to the next.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorites so far, perhaps because I have been wondering what will happen to Jenny, Cork's older daughter, ever since the tragic events that completely changed her plans. Watching her grow up very quickly and realize what she really wants in life in this book and watching Cork realize that he doesn't always know better--as long as it took him, it really fit in with both their characters. Cork is one who acts at the moment if he thinks his family is being threatened and everything else takes a back seat, even how he treats them. While that makes him the guy you want at your side when you're in danger, he definitely lacks in the bedside manner department. But he does eventually realize his deficits and it's helpful that he has very loving friends like Rose, Mal, and Meloux who can gently but firmly guide him. But what I really love about these books is the exploration of religion, spiritualism, and humanity that happens in every book. With the Ojibwe, Catholics, Methodists, and in this one, a fringe group of Holy Rollers, you discover all the ways that religion can both harm and heal and I appreciate that about these books. While many of these books can be read on their own (the author often includes enough details of previous books), I think you really should start with book one to fully appreciate how much these characters have grown throughout these books.