The Devil's Bed

by William Kent Krueger

From the creator of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Cork O'Connor mystery series comes a haunting, atmospheric, conspiracy thriller.When President Clay Dixon's father-in-law—a former vice president—is injured in a farming accident, First Lady Kate Dixon returns to Minnesota to be at his side. Assigned to protect her, Secret Service agent Bo Thorsen soon falls under Kate's spell. He also suspects the accident is part of a trap set for Kate by David Moses, an escaped mental patient who once loved her. What Bo and Moses don't realize is that they're caught in a web of deadly intrigue spun by a seemingly insignificant bureaucratic department within the federal government. Racing to find answers before an assassin's bullet can kill Kate, Bo soon learns that when you lie down with the devil, there's hell to pay.

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

496 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2003

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

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil's Bed is one of William Kent Krueger’s early books, published in 2003, when he had published only three of his more famous Cork O’Connor series novels. This political thriller is a standalone featuring a Secret Service agent, Bo Thorsen, who is initially assigned to protecting the First Lady when she returns to her family home near St. Paul, Minnesota, after her father is seriously injured in a tractor accident.

As I got further and further into the story, I found myself wondering why Krueger never continued with Bo Thorsen as a series. He’s a solid character, a man of integrity. He’s the son of a single mother, a woman who required taking care of rather than someone who took care of him. I won’t tell too much of his story, but he spent a lot of time on the streets, on his own and with a core group of friends in like situations, guys he considered family. Eventually he got into trouble and came before a judge named Annie Jorgenson, who turned out to be the aunt of the person who would become the First Lady. Annie saw promise in young Bo and gave him a chance to make something of himself. She sent him to a foster home, where he learned about respect, hard work, and family.

This is not a Cork O’Connor mystery. This is darker and more complex. David Solomon Moses is an escaped mental patient with past ties to Kate Jorgenson Dixon. Bo goes beyond the scope of his Secret Service duties and dives into detective mode. He suspects that Tom Jorgenson’s accident could have been a staged attack, either to kill the former senator or to lure his daughter to Wildwood, the family homestead. Why would someone want to harm her? His instincts and deductions have merit, but can he get anyone to listen? What he uncovers is far more dangerous than he imagined.

The complexity of Krueger’s plot is confusing at times, but it does all come together. Interestingly, Thorsen and Moses have some similarities in their backgrounds, but they are two vastly different human beings. We see the struggles between President Clay Dixon and his advisors as he runs for reelection. This is causing friction in his marriage, and we wonder if his marriage to Kate will survive. We suspect it will not, especially when we see the effect that she has on Bo. Then there is the pervading secret, sinister element that makes Dixon wonder if there is anyone he can trust. Bo Thorsen will be asking himself the same question.

Some of the secondary characters may be cliché and forgettable, but there are some memorable characters too. Moses is portrayed as mentally ill and malevolent, but I liked this character. As a youngster, he was inquisitive and learned to be resourceful. He endured mistreatment and betrayal; as an adult he was tortured. That doesn’t excuse what he does, but it helped me understand him. Bo Thorsen was an orphan who learned to survive too. He caught a break in Judge Annie Jorgenson’s courtroom, and he used it as an opportunity for growth. He turned out to be a sincere, honest man. The third man that I really liked was Bo’s childhood friend, Otter. When he needed a place to go, Bo (called Spider Man by his pals) would go to an old abandoned bus. He and Otter and sometimes a couple others would hang out. The other two were gone now, but he still had Otter. Turns out, they have each other’s back. Friends for life. Honorable mention goes to Kate’s brother Earl. Earl is a happy-go-lucky intellectually challenged man with a wonderful spirit and a big heart filled with joy.

Parts of the story were predictable, but when I read Krueger’s writing, it’s about the storytelling, and he’s got it in spades. Yes, I still prefer the O’Connor series, but it was still fun to read something he wrote more than a decade ago. As a big fan of Cork, I found a priceless tidbit. Late in the book, when the First Lady speaks to her father-in-law, Senator Dixon, she refers to the Ojibwe legend of the Windigo. It is a perfect analogy, and it felt like something the old Henry Meloux would say. Windigo Island, published in 2014, is the 14th book in the O’Connor series. If I had any doubts about who wrote this book, this sealed the deal. This was Kent Krueger through and through.

4 stars

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good stand alone by Krueger. A secret service agent must protect the first lady (an old friend) from assassination. Well written with good plot twists, I would recommend this to all fans of political mysteries.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent mystery, 4.5 stars! If half stars were an option I would give The Devil’s Bed 4.5 stars! Fast paced and very well written; plot twists and excellent character development keeps the story moving along and keeps the reader engaged. I wish William Kent Krueger would continue a series with Bo Thorsen.

[Una Tiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is far from the Cork series that I enjoy. Too much violence marred the writing. The plot was disjointed.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stand alone novel written by Krueger in 2003 in an excellent thriller, extremely well written and engaging like all of his other novels.

[LemonLinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy a good mystery read, however, when you step it up as a political thriller, it is likely going to be a perfect fit for me. This one certainly did not disappoint. The twists and turns were coming at you fast and furious even until the very end.

I have read a couple of other books by the author and really enjoyed both of them, especially Ordinary Grace. This reminded me of a Jeffrey Archer political thriller and also of the recent political thriller, State of Terror by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny. If you enjoyed those, you will likely enjoy this as well.

This read peaked my interest in this author's Cork O'Conner series as I do love a great mystery series and have currently read all of the books in both the Armand Gamache and Maisie Dobbs series.

[Amy Hagberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very rarely read more than one novel by a particular author, but William Kent Krueger is an exception. He is a go-to author when I want something light to read. This book really kept my attention, in large part because it was set in the Twin Cities. The ending was predictable, but the journey was still fun.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this author has been writing for many years, his name was not familiar to me and I looked him up after reading about his latest book in an e-newsletter I get. His locales are in the Minnesota area and part of Canada, which I am semi-familiar with. I chose to begin with this stand-alone book from the library, and though it took a chapter or so to get into it, it held my attention all the way. I describe it as 'trying to remember to breathe' as it goes along. I enjoyed the thriller style and might relate his style to a couple of other books I have read and enjoyed in the past, like The Afghan by Frederick Forsyth http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/Fr.... or Capital Crimes, by Stuart Woods http://www.stuartwoods.com/?page_id=18#.

I will look for his series of books also.

WPL

[Sarah Koehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this had an option for half stars, this would get 4.5. Kreuger is a force to be reckoned with. His writing is fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable. The only thing I didn’t like about this was Kate’s position as First Lady. I think the story would have been equally as effective (or even more effective) had she been the wife of a senator, congressman, high powered attorney or Wall Street guy…. She needed a powerful spouse, but being married to the US PRESIDENT was too much. I don’t buy for more than a second that she would have ever been alone as much as she was — or unprotected in so many ways. Even her final scene in the rose garden with Bo seemed too isolated to be believable. That being said, all the other pieces of the story had me hooked. Moses was a heinous bad guy — though by the end, I pitied him more than hated him. It’s rare I sympathize with the villain, but in this case, parts of me felt badly for him and all the shitty cards that that life had dealt him.

Anyways, I already have all the Cork O’Connor books and I think I’m on #11 now. Plus I still have Ordinary Grace. I will read Krueger’s work until there are none left! Just brilliant.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the way Vince Flynn used to write before he ran out of ideas, then you should enjoy Devil’s bed. It picks up where Flynn should have headed. It’s well written and features a hero and nemesis, the government and a good plot. 8 of 10 stars.

[Ron Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. He should write a few more Bo Thorsen's.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm. This was just ok for me. More like 2.5 stars if I could. Not bad and many who like this kind of reading will probably enjoy it. I just couldn't let myself get fully swept into it because I just kept thinking...no way could that have happened. I mean the entire premise is not something that could ever happen. However, if you like action packed thrillers will a political spin and lots of bad guys and even some good guys with really messed up pasts...this is for you. Had some interesting characters and there was a lot of suspense. Lots of scenes felt awkward to me. However, I've read some 4 and 5 star books by this author so don't let me dissuade you!

[Kathy Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

i always enjoy books by william kent krueger. expecially since i live in minnesota and recognise many of the places in his books

[Jon Seals · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Krueger is really good. I doubt "political thriller" is his best genre, but it's still pretty good. This was one of his earlier works.

My wife really liked it.

This book wasn't as tense as recent reads from Greg Hurwitz ("Orphan X" series) or Barry Eisler ("John Rain" series), but it was still a good thriller.

Bo Thorsen is a Secret Service agent, assigned to protect the first lady on a visit to her family home near St. Paul, Minn., after her father is seriously injured in a tractor accident.

Thorsen ends up investigating the accident under the guise of protecting the first lady. I'm not sure if this kind of thing actually falls under normal SS jurisdiction, but Thorsen ends up uncovering two separate threats against the first family.

If this were ever turned into a movie or TV series, the dueling antagonists would disappear. At the very least, one would lead to the other. These days, most books or movies only have one bad guy.

This book was a standalone political thriller. I could see someone writing a series of books about a Secret Service agent like Thorsen, but this isn't it. Like I said, I don't think this is Krueger's best genre.

I should probably give this a 3.5 – somewhere between "like" and "really like."

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Kent Krueger is an amazing story teller, that gives us believable deep rich characters that we can easily relate to. I guess I had no way of knowing, but I was saving one of his best for my final read that he had penned. Now to date I have read all of his amazing books and will have to wait patiently for each new one to be published. This book "The Devil's Bed" is one of two of his stand alone books, along with "Ordinary Grace", after reading both I wish he would do more of this. Still his series about Cork O'Connor/sheriff turned private investigator, I look forward to each in the series! It is like picking up an old friend, as I have grown to love all of the characters involved in the series! "The Devil's Bed" to be honest I saved for last thinking it would not be my cup of tea as it involved politics, the Secret Service, and the federal government. Well it turned out to be one of my favorites, guess I was actually saving one of his best for the last just not knowing it. The characters are well developed, the story well told, the suspense is intense causing the pages to flow with ease! Along with the story and the characters he always give us plenty of life's learnings along the way. At the end I always like to sit back and reflect and take it all in. Again with his immense talent I hope there are more stand alone books in the future for William Kent Krueger. My advice if your hooked on his Cork O'Connor series, don't let this one pass you by, as you will miss out on one of his best!!

[Gary Kirkland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I'd read this book before I'd read Krueger's "Desolation Mountain," which features the main character in this book that was originally written as a stand-alone. This is a thriller that reminded me of some of the books of David Baldacci I've enjoyed, primarily set in the north woods of Minnesota.

[Corey Woodcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really could’ve gone 4 or 5-I went with 4 because this is an early Krueger and I’ve read some of his later books, and I know he’s capable of even better books.

This book was many things in one-a mystery, political thriller, espionage, and many more things. It was the darkest thing I’ve read by this author, who doesn’t shy away from such things normally but definitely kicked it up a notch here. There are flavors of Minnesota and Cork O’Connor here, but with a twist of Silence of the Lambs and Robert Ludlum.

Bo Thorsen is an excellent and complex main character, and while I have heard he returns in one of the later O’Connor books, I feel like there was a missed opportunity with him. I want more novels with him as the main character! This could’ve been an excellent start to a series, but given that this book is 15 years old and O’Connor has become Krueger’s bread and butter, unfortunately I don’t have especially high hopes. But man, what a great character!

I thoroughly enjoyed this and cannot wait to go back to Minnesota with William Kent Krueger again. 4.4/5

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Secret Service suspense thriller.

How did this book find me? William Kent Krueger came to the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library on April 16. I wanted to read many of his books before he arrived.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK, but it was nowhere near the excellence of "Ordinary Grace" or "This Tender Land."

[Steven Ott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Maybe the storyline is a little predictable, but the character development was skillfully created and did not hinder the storyline. The storyline had many twists and turns, making the book fun to read. The interactions between the characters were well done. I was sorry when it ended. This is an excellent book to get lost in.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent stand alone from the creator of the wonderful “Cork O’Conner” series…A Secret Service agent, charged with protecting the 1st Lady, discovers another sun rosa government group with agendas that may or may not have our nation’s best interests at heart…Decent page-turner!

[Linda Branich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a stand-alone political conspiracy thriller and NOT part of Krueger's Cork O'Connor series.

The President of the United States, Clay Dixon, is running for a second term. Unlike SENATOR Dixon, his father, POTUS wants to run a clean campaign. The First Lady, Kate, is the daughter of a former Vice President, now in full retirement at his family residence and orchard. The only political arena he still dabbles in is hosting world leaders at his residence for productive and peaceful discussions.

When Kate's father ends up in the hospital after an accident in the orchard, a Secret Service agent on FLOTUS's detail feels the explanation of her father's "accident" does not ring true. He wants to investigate further, but he is shot down by "your detail is to protect FLOTUS, NOT her father".

Kate and Clay's marriage is privately crumbling, but publicly things appear as normal. Temptations cross both their paths. One of the President's closest advisor's turns up dead, and POTUS asks FLOTUS's agent to look into the death on the QT. Many of the characters have crossed paths in the past and Krueger's revealing these relationships is like skillfully peeling layers off an onion. He is a master at this. The bodies begin to pile up...

There IS a bad guy on the loose. Who is he? WHO is he after? What is his motive? Oh wait, is he the ONLY bad guy?

Krueger weaves an excellent tale again, and in his magical way with words he draws the reader right into the story, so that you feel as if you were right there in the midst of the action. I found this a very enjoyable read.

[Whitley Birks · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was simplistic and passive, the story was really two stories with a lagging section in the middle that barely connected it, and the more interesting half (the second half) got barely enough page time to count. They spent more time blathering on about Moses and his oh-so-dark-and-twisted life than they did about the actual political intrigue that I was interested in to begin with. Yeah, I'm sure all that was terrible for him, but...I'm a reader, and I've seen it all before. Give me something with a god damn puzzle, not just a bunch of scenes meant to shock me in the same way I've been "shocked" by every other medium out there.

[Joe Valenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

WKK continues to get better and better. I really enjoy the Cork O'Connor series, but have seriously enjoyed the stand-alone novels. Ordinary Grace was on my list of top ten books of 2013 and Devil's bed will surely be on my top ten list for this year. As the first half of the book came to a close, I thought to myself, "this is terrible - totally predictable." But the second half opened a can of worms that I did not see coming. The main character, Bo Thorson, was excellent and the plot line was one of the best that I have ever read - ever.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by William Kent Krueger. This book is a stand-alone, not connected with the Cork O'Connor series, altho it is partly set in Minnesota, mainly the St. Paul area, and also in D.C. It's a political thriller and the main character is a secret service agent. It has some interesting and different psychological insights, showing characters that had terrible childhoods and how they dealt with it. All in all a very good read, and I'm wondering if this is the start of another series.

[Jill Manske · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a lot of William Kent Krueger's books and liked them very much, which made reading this one a bit of a disappointment. Guess I expected more. The plot was convoluted and muddy. And the characters, with the exception of Bo, were a bit one-dimensional. It was an interesting story, but one that really stretched credibility. Suspect those inclined to see conspiracy theories everywhere will disagree. I still gave it 3 stars because Krueger is an excellent writer. But this book falls short in so many ways.

[Steve Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had skipped this stand-alone book for several years, even though I love the Cork O'Connor series. My friend recently gave me a copy and I decided it would be a good vacation read. I really enjoyed this book and will forgive it the holes and contrived situations. It was fast paced and I enjoyed the characters. I wonder why there was only one Bo Thorsen book?

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 2003 stand-alone novel by author William Kent Kreuger is a tour de force. Likeable protagonist Secret Service agent Bo Thorsen is charged with the security of ex-VP Tom Jorgenson's estate when their are visiting dignitaries. After a serious tractor accident, Jorgenson is visited by his daughter Kate, the wife if President Clay Dixon. The accident was engineered by an escaped mental patient who wants to kill both Tom and Kate. There is the basis for a thriller but there is also some over the top scheming by the President's Senator father and a secret government agency. Page turning writing overcomes weaknesses of the plot.

President Clay Dixon, campaigning for reelection, is falling behind in the polls. Worse, the popular first lady, Kate Jorgenson Dixon, disappointed by Clay's lost idealism, resolves to abandon their marriage-a disaster for his faltering campaign, not to mention his emotional stability. Kate flies back to her native rural Minnesota when she hears that her father, ex-VP Tom Jorgenson, has suffered a farming accident that has nearly killed him. The police declare it an unfortunate mishap, but it isn't-an escaped mental patient David Moses has initiated a long-planned vendetta that includes not only Tom but Kate as well. Secret Service agent Bo Thorsen, who protects the first lady, contends with Moses as well as with backstabbing colleagues, scheming Washington politicians and minions of a sinister, secret government agency.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early stand alone from the author of the Cork O'Connor series...darker than night and full of political intrigue and plot twists. Kate Dixon, the First Lady, travels to see her father after an "accident" and Bo Thorsen is the secret service agent designated to protect her. A plot and trap to kill the First Lady and her father has been mastermined by an escaped mental patient, David Solomon Moses. Thorsen investigates Moses and uncovers much more than he bargained for.

[Connie Donnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bo Thorsen is a Secret Service agent stationed in Minnesota. When the First Lady, Kate Dixon's, father is injured in an accident she returns home to be with him.
Bo assigned to protect the First Lady's family, believes the injury was no accident and fears Kate's life is in jeopardy.
Kruefer writes a fast paced novel sure to keep you engaged to the last page.