I initially intended to delve into the Fox Creek saga where I left off in book 3. However, I am always in catch-up mode and decided to jump into the series with this one. While I missed a bit of backstory with Cork's character development by skipping earlier books, I found Krueger's narrative to be accommodating for newcomers.

In this latest adventure, Cork O'Connor embarks on a gripping quest to unravel the mysteries in the rugged wilderness. The search for missing persons unveils a labyrinth of secrets and dangers, with plot twists and turns that mimic a treacherous river. Despite the myriad characters and their intertwining stories, the dynamic cast and pacing make the pages practically turn themselves, although I did struggle to keep pace with the events and characters.

William Kent Krueger excels in masterfully weaving together captivating storytelling with the rich tapestry of Native American culture, enriching the vivid backdrop of his settings and infusing his stories with depth and authenticity.

William Kent Krueger has crafted a realm of mystery, weaving together gripping suspense, authentic cultural insights, and unforgettable characters. With twists and turns that kept me on my toes, he delivers a truly satisfying read with a gripping payoff.

As a huge fan of Krueger’s stand-alone stories, I was originally hesitant to begin the Cork O’Connor series. This is now my third in the series and Krueger’s prose seems to elevate these stories from procedural mysteries to literary quality prose.

Why are these people trying to kill me and who are they? This Cork O'Connor mystery catches you from the start and keeps going. This modern-day mystery takes place in northern Minnesota and mixes in with Native American lore with those that live in this area. The story weaves in Native American philosophy and shows you how precious our land, water and other natural resources are to be appreciated. The mystery propels the characters and story that you won't want to put the book down. I have not followed all of the Cork O'Connor series, and this is a fine stand-alone book.

I didn’t realize this is number 19 in a series until I was halfway through it. It can stand on its own without too much confusion, but I’m sure I would’ve been much more connected to the characters if I’d read previous books in the series.
After reading This Tender Land, I’ll admit I expected more from Krueger. This felt pretty empty and without as much suspense as it was supposed to have. Because some of this is likely due to the fact that I haven’t read any prequels, I still gave it 3 stars.

If you haven't read a William Kent Krueger book, you must run and get one now. This one is not a disappointment.
Give it a try

Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC.

I know this is a popular series of books, but this is the first one I've ever read. I was able to enjoy this book and follow the story along easily without having any prior knowledge of the characters or events.

I liked the interwoven component of the Native American and First Nation information tied into a mystery. The descriptions of the scenery and customs were interesting as well.

While it wasn't the most twisty mystery, it was engaging read.

This excellent mystery is sometimes like a thriller, filled with suspense as we watch the good guys head deep into the forest to try to stay ahead of the bad guys who are tracking them. At others, it is more leisurely and contemplative, with lessons about slowing down, listening to the music the woods, and glimpses of Ojibwe culture. Cork must figure out why people are chasing his wife, tribal elder Henry Meloux, and out-of-towner Delores Morriseau, who had come to meet Henry and learn from him. A richly detailed and engrossing novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for a digital advance review copy.

Another fabulous novel by Edgar winner William Kent Krueger. Fox Creek is the nineteenth installment of the Cork O’Connor series and my twenty-first book by this talented writer. Do I enjoy his work… you bet as we sat here in Minnesota!

In Fox Creek, Cork races against time to save his wife Rainy, Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux, and a mysterious woman from violent mercenaries. Dolores Morriseau has come to Henry for guidance. When men fill the woods trying to capture her, Meloux leads them to safety deep in his beloved Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Well over 100 years old, he must do his best to outwit the mercenaries who follow them. Cork and Dolores’s brother-in-law, Anton, a tribal cop, become embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse as they investigate and shadow the killers.

Written in an alternating narrative, Krueger has crafted another suspenseful mystery.
One of Krueger’s greatest tools is his strong sense of place. I’m a lifelong Minnesotan, and I’ve canoed in the BWCA. His descriptions of the wilderness always make me feel like I’m paddling and portaging alongside him. He adds just enough backstory to move the plot along and uses both White and Native American perspective. If you prefer audiobooks, this one has a great narrator. 4.5 stars.

Gripping literate thriller blending Native American culture with geopolitical concerns enlivens with fascinating characters. Cork O'Connor, the protagonist of this series, is an Irish/Native American ex- cop who owns a burger joint and accepts occasional P.I. cases when they appeal to him. His journey through the series is compelling but this can be read as a standalone and totally enjoyed.

In this book, he was asked by to find a man's wife only to discover after finding her that it wasn't her husband that hired him setting the stage for an intense chase through the woods. Highly recommended!

Can Krueger even go wrong with a Cork story? Compelling story and full of depth. These are always phenomenal reads for me. Suspense and wilderness, there’s something to appeal to every gender and age. The picture painted of Fox Creek was visually perfect and I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series.

Another Cork O'Connor mystery from William Kent Krueger, and it does not disappoint, You are kept guessing throughout the whole mystery as to why the men want Dolores. The descriptions of the North are really captivating and make me want to visit one day.

Cork’s latest adventure was astounding and I love to ride along with him on each page.
Many thanks to Atria and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

William Kent Krueger brings us another installment of Cork O'Connor and his family. This one was good, it help my attention and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. As always I appreciated the depth of the characters and the detailed setting of Iron Lake and the surrounding areas. I enjoyed the history and the information on the water rights of that area, an issue that is both timely and important. Oddly enough I enjoyed the paper used for this book, the pages were really nice and bright and easy to read.

All in all a good addition to the series!

Published by ‎ Atria Books on August 23, 2022

The theft of natural resources from Native people is the dominant theme of Fox Creek, but much of the story is a suspenseful wilderness adventure. The novel is the latest in the long-running Cork O’Connor series.

Cork is flipping burgers at his northern Minnesota restaurant, trying to live a peaceful life but still helping people with private investigations. A man who identifies himself as Louis Morriseau asks Cork to help him find his missing wife. Morriseau suspects that Dolores is fooling around with Henry Meloux. Morriseau clearly doesn’t understand that Henry is literally one hundred years old. And while he’s still energetic and might indeed have lead in his aging pencil, Henry is a medicine man and spiritual guide who is more interested in healing people than shagging them.

Cork’s wife Rainy is related to Henry. It doesn’t take Cork long to find Dolores, who has come to Henry is search of guidance. Nor does it take Cork long to learn that the man who contacted him is not Lou Morriseau. It is Lou (the real one) who has gone missing. Lou is a real estate lawyer who has been spending time in Canada for reasons that he hasn’t explained to Dolores.

Cork eventually makes it his mission to help Dolores. He’s joined in that effort by his son Stephen, Rainy, Henry, Lou’s brother Anton and his sister Belle, and various Natives who rally to the cause when needed.

Lou’s disappearance apparently has something to do with a hand-drawn map that bears the word KILLCATIE. Stephen and Belle are tasked with digging into that cryptic clue. The wilderness adventure begins when Henry and Rainy disappear with Dolores. Henry is an unparalleled woodsman, but he’s pursued by a Native tracker of nearly equal skill named LeLoup, who is accompanied by a couple of less skilled killers. As LeLoup tracks Henry’s group, Cork tracks LeLoup.

The story offers a satisfying resolution to the mystery of KILLCATIE, a mystery based on the credible premise that white people are again trying to enrich themselves by depriving Natives of resources. The wilderness adventure is enhanced by vivid descriptions of the Boundary Waters and the perils of staying alive in snowy woods, even when trackers aren’t pursuing with rifles.

The adventure turns into an interesting spiritual journey for some of its participants, although it affects them in different ways. That journey could have been hokey, but William Kent Krueger makes it seem authentic. Krueger is too respectful of Native people to leave the impression that he’s using Native beliefs as a prop. The story ends on a note of hope, in the sense that it suggests that it is never too late to set a life on its correct path. This is always an interesting series, and Fox Creek lives up to Krueger’s high standard.

RECOMMENDED

Another great book by William Kent Krueger. I always look forward to his next book in this series. He never disappoints!

Fox Creek is the next saga in the Cork O'Connor series. There isn't a better series out there. Krueger blends the genres of mystery, thriller, and adventure. I somewhat stumbled on Krueger during quarantine, and I loved how all of the books were mainly outdoors, and it is so fun to follow along the adventures. He is one of the most talented writers, that pulls you into each story and nails you with emotion. Love this newest book!

William Kent Krueger is one of those authors who writes a book like a Thanksgiving meal. In one way, you want to fill your plate and consume all the delicious food in one sitting. But, in another way, you really want leftovers because you know you won't get this food again until next year. Anyway, that's Krueger's writing for me. I want to read it all and I want to savor it.

First Sentence: It’s after the lunch rush, and the man at the window orders a Sam’s Special, large fries, and a chocolate shake, a pretty standard request.

Henry Meloux, an ancient Ojibway healer, has had visions of his own death. Dolores Morriseau has come to Henry for solace and advice. Cork O’Connor’s wife, and Henry’s niece, Rainy, agrees to assist Henry. All is well until three men, one of whom tricked Cork into leading them to Henry’s, show up intent on killing Dolores. The only choice Henry has is to lead the two women into the woods and head for the Boundary Waters to keep the three of them safe. Anton Morriseau, Dolores’ brother-in-law, hunter, and cop with the Leech Lake Tribal Police, arrives and proves to Cork the man claiming to be related to Dolores is an imposter. He and Cork head off to find Henry, Dolores, and Rainy, not knowing the danger they will all be in.

There is a prologue, but it works, providing the perspective of one of the principal characters. The story is told in present tense from three points of view with the transitions indicated by the chapter heading. This prevents any confusion on the part of the reader.

Krueger has created an excellent ensemble of characters in Cork, Rainy, and Henry. Cork’s son, Stephen, and Rainy’s nephew, Daniel, also play a significant role. However, none of them are perfect and Cork’s realization of a failure is one that can be felt and understood.

One can’t help but admire Henry’s philosophy toward death—“He understands his death is an experience neither to fear nor to welcome. It is simply a place toward which he has been walking since the moment of his birth.” I also was taken by Henry always referring to the Native Indians as “The People,” which conveys dignity and rightfulness. There are no weak characters here, all the supporting characters are significant to the story and well defined.

What is particularly interesting with this book is the character LaLoup, the tracker hired by the villain, and the change he undergoes. This is a character one hopes may return in future books.

It also has a mysterious message saying “Kill Catie” adds to the complexity of the plot. It’s not unusual to have a story focused on the hunted, and the hunters. Krueger takes it one step further by adding another layer, and then the weather on top of it all, making it particularly exciting. Kruger’s writing is visual due to his strong sense of place, and ability to convey emotions. Any time both the protagonists and the villains are up against a deadline the tension and suspense are heightened. In this case, each side knows they will experience serious consequences if they fail.

Krueger is a wonderful writer and reading the Author Notes is strongly recommended. Although this book can be read as a standalone, reading the entire series is a special treat.

FOX CREEK is an excellent and exciting read. This is not a book one will put down and come back to later. The theme is timely and important. The characters are excellent. In a review by John Purcell, he noted—"Cork is the center, but Henry is the heart.” I couldn’t have put it better. The ending is reassuring, but only if we pay attention. There are some good lessons to be learned.

FOX CREEK
PI- Cork O’Connor-Boundary Waters, MN-Contemp
by William Kent Krueger
19th Cork O’Connor – 400 pp.
Atria Books, Aug 2022
RATING: Ex / A+

I enjoyed this addition to to Cork O’Connor series. We are told there have been visions of Henry Meloux’s death and then he is in a situation to save another woman. The action was good and kept the book engaging. I did wish for a bit more character development, Especially with Henry and Rainy. I am curious about their inner world. I was happy to see Steven, Corks son, get a bit more time in this book.

This was my first Cork O'Connor book, although my husband has read (and raved about) all of the books in this series. I loved this author's other books, not in this series, and thoroughly enjoyed the same homey setting again in this story. Even though this is a mystery, you get a good visual of the setting and well-rounded characters, putting you right in the story, as if you were right there in Northern Minnesota traveling through the Boundary Waters with the characters. (I happen to live not far south of where this story takes place.)
Even though I hadn't read the earlier Cork O'Connor books, this is written in a way that's a stand-alone story. However, I imagine it's even more enjoyable if you already know and love several of the characters.
The mystery kept me guessing why the men were after Dolores and her husband, and who exactly was on the "good" side and "bad" side.
It's another well-woven tale of mystery, heart, home, and humanity by this must-read author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this great book!