WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER'S "CORK O'CONNOR" SERIES, recommended by Don Anderson

Author / Writer / Book Lover - which are you?

DA ~ Book Reader

Title of book & year published     Cork O’Connor Series

Author name          William Kent Krueger

Type of book          Mystery

What is it about this book that pulled you in?

DA ~ I was given the book “Lake of the Woods” to read while on vacation a year and a half ago. I couldn’t put it down. The story was gripping, and it took place in an area of the state I am very familiar with. I had stayed at the resort referred to in the book, as well as fishing around the countless islands of the lake.

Once the story led to Henry Meloux, I was hooked. Henry is a very old Native American of the Anishinabeg people, otherwise known as Ojibway. He is a Mide, sometimes referred to a medicine man, or healer. His real age is unknown. In the earlier books, he is described to be at least in his eighties. As the series goes on, he’s probably in his 90’s, maybe pushing 100. Most readers might agree that he is the heart and soul of the series.

Is there a relationship in the story that resonated with you?

DA ~ Cork has many intertwined relationships, including his wife, children, parents, inlaws, friends and co-workers.

The books in the series all contain many sub-plots, occurring at the same time between different characters in the stories.  Many of these relationships continue throughout the series.  I believe this is why I couldn't wait to get to the next one.....to discover what happens between the many characters.

The most compelling of these has to be between Cork and Henry Meloux.  Each story reveals more of what has happened between them and to them in the past.  Their time together has been a mix of fun, humor, adventure, spirituality, tragedy, pain and loss.  Many times, each of them has risked his life for the other.  Only with the help of Henry's uncanny intuition is Cork able to understand how to proceed in his investigation of each mystery.  The families of these two men are also dragged into sometimes tragic events as a result of Cork”s investigations.

Do you think that relationship was portrayed realistically?

DA ~ Personalities possessed by these two characters would be few and far between.  I doubt that one could find many relationships such as theirs in real life, but just the possibility is what I find most interesting. 

Anything else you want to tell us about the book without giving away too much of the plot?

DA ~ Each story begins with a tragic event that happens in or around Cork's home town of Aurora, Minnesota.  Cork becomes involved either through personal relationships, or through his job of County Sheriff, or later, as a private investigator.  The events include murder, kidnapping, gang activity and sexual exploitation.  Cork, his friends and family are often affected by these events, sometimes in tragic ways.                                                                                                                                                      

The process of solving the mystery involves many people, often including his family, and always with the aid of Henry Meloux.   

Indicated by some of the titles, the stories take place in and around Minnesota.  Many Minnesotans will be familiar with the towns, streets and businesses mentioned in the stories.

I devoured all the books in the series in a few short months.  For fans of well-written mystery, I heartily recommend all of Mr. Krueger's books!

JHA ~ Thanks so much, Don (my wonderful husband!), for recommending this amazing author! (I had the pleasure of meeting William Kent Krueger recently ~ photo below.)

Interested in being a contributor for this blog? Contact me via email link on my website home page (www.JillHannahAnderson.com) at jilla27@gmail.com. 

You will also find the list of upcoming contributors under the Fridayfictionfriend tab.  I'd love to hear from you if you have a great book to recommend.