Definitely not his best, downright boring. After reading all of Cork O Conner might be time to retire the series and start something new. Love his stand alone novels.
Thanks, to NetGalley for advance copy

At long last! I finally got my hands on William Kent Krueger’s most recent Cork O’Connor book, Fox Creek. Krueger is my most favorite storyteller, so thank you, NetGalley, Atria Books, and Kent Krueger for the opportunity to read the newest addition to this fabulous series as an ARC in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story is as much Henry Meloux’s story as it is Cork’s, perhaps more so. When a woman, Dolores Morriseau, comes to the aged Mide for help, he willingly obliges. Dolores speaks to him of marital problems, but deeper than that, she seeks to learn more about her Native identity. Along with his great niece, Rainy, who is Cork’s wife, and is herself a healer, Henry and Dolores flee as Henry senses danger.

Meanwhile, Cork, who is a retired sheriff and now a burger joint owner/private investigator, is approached by a man trying to locate Dolores. The plot thickens as a small band of men search for the three fugitives. And no one seems to know what has happened to her husband Louis. Krueger builds intrigue and suspense as he portrays the men as desperate to locate Dolores. They are willing to cause harm, even kill, to get what they want.

Henry is a hundred, maybe older, but he is still a vital, wise human being who knows the ways of Nature and of humanity. He leads the two women on a winding path, intent on misleading their prey. Deeper and deeper into the forest they go, headed to the Boundary Waters. The men have an experienced tracker as well, and the hunt becomes like a game of chess. Can the old Mide keep the pursuers at bay? Can the two women keep up? Cork and Anton Morriseau, brother of Louis, hunt the hunters. Chapters alternate back and forth so the reader sees how each group is faring. Also, Cork’s son Stephen, is anxious to help. He joins Morriseau’s sister Belle, and the pair drive to Louis and Dolores’ home in the Twin Cities to see what information they can find.

As always, Krueger spins a magnificent tale as only he can tell. There is beauty in the language, and appreciation for nature and Native culture. It is filled with the wisdom of the Ojibwe Mide’s experiences and spirituality. Cork, who has Irish and Native blood, struggles to love and live as his wife and her people do, but he’s a good man. Stephen, like Henry, has visions. And what about “THE” vision? The one that Stephen and Henry both have had, of Henry lying under the pines? Dead? You need to read this book to find out.

5 stars

4.5 STARS

Henry Meloux has walked this earth for over one hundred years and while he lives in the rough in the peace and quiet of forested Minnesota, the Ojibwe healer still gives of himself to those who come seeking wisdom, release, and a new path forward. Cork’s son, Stephen, has had visions of what seems to be the old man’s death as has he, so Henry has been preparing for that final journey for some time. When a woman named Dolores Morriseau seeks Henry’s help, she brings deadly trouble to his remote cabin.
Henry, his niece, Rainy, who is Cork’s wife, and Dolores must flee in to the vast area known as the Boundary Waters using all of Henry’s life skills, care, and judgement to avoid men who have nefarious purposes in mind not the least of which is kidnapping Dolores and leaving no witnesses. Despite Henry’s great age, he is able to lead the evil doers on an elusive chase even though one of them is a Native American tracker who pits his considerable skills against Henry’s lifetime of learning. While on this journey, the tracker, LaLoup, has his own spiritual awakening that might lead to a very different outcome than the one originally intended.

Back in his hometown of Aurora after Cork realizes what is going on, he coordinates with the local law enforcement and then Dolores’s brother-in-law to track down his family as well as those with evil intent. The huge expanse of the Boundary Waters requires all of Cork’s skills, many taught by Henry, to find his loved ones before it is too late. Cork is a man filled with a lot of angst, guilt, and self-doubt which hinders his efforts, but does not deter him from giving it all. Stephen also joins the hunt in a different place trying to find Dolores’s estranged husband who has disappeared and seems to be at the heart of all the trouble; he is involved in something far greater than a personal issue.

This story is told from several points of view including Cork, Henry, Stephen, Rainy, and LaLoup, the tracker. At book #19 in this long running series, readers will know what to expect; this book in particular is a very intense ride from start to finish. Most of all, longtime fans will be quite captivated while yet afraid to find out if this is the end that was prophesied for the beloved Henry Meloux. Mr. Krueger is just about as cagey as old Henry himself when it comes to letting out facts and telling the tale.

FOX CREEK may be the 18th novel in the Cork O'Conner series, but it's as fierce and fresh and suspenseful as the first. William Kent Krueger once again showcases his mastery of so many elements--the land, the history, the people--and delivers a read which is captivating and enriching as any of the earlier novels. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Atria and to Netgalley for the pleasure of the early read.

mystery, thriller, Native American, tracking, snow, crime-fiction, Minnesota, cultural-heritage, family-dynamics, friendship, addictive-series, private-investigators, suspense, Ojibwe, mercenaries*****

It doesn't matter if you've read any of the other Cork O'Connor books or not, the story is so self-contained and riveting. The descriptions are so real I can smell the snow and the evergreens in an area I was once able to visit. The importance of the native heritage is unmistakable and the suspense is tight. The story is told in changing perspectives, and this actually cements the story together. The publisher's blurb is a nice hook, but the story is what grabbed me by the brain and held on.
Be sure to read the Author's Note at the end so that you might more fully appreciate the role that water plays both in the story and in our lives.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Atria Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

"Fox Creek", the 18th installment in the Cork O'Connor series by William Kent Krueger, is a beautifully descriptive and well told story. I read this as a stand alone and felt immediately pulled into the storyline and characters. As with "Ordinary Grace" Krueger knows how to give the perfect amount of description and detail to make the reader feel as if they are a party of the experience.. The smells of the forrest, shade of the tree canopy, sparse but coziness of a cabin in the woods. He also weaves in many details about First Nation culture and customs that are interesting and an integral part of the plot.

Many thanks to Netgally and Atria Books for this ARC. I look forward to reading more of the Cork O'Connor series.

As I have found in other series my interest seems to wan after numerous books are published. Not so with this series. I am always so gleeful when I hear a new Cork O’Connor story is on the horizon.

This one does not disappoint. The characters come alive for me, the location of the North Woods of Minnesota make me want to leave for the Boundary Waters immediately, the spirituality of the Ojibwe people gives me hope that maybe things will be ok. All wrapped up in an interesting mystery. Plus an introduction of a possible recurring new character.

This one is a must. Enjoy!

Another hit from Krueger. Cork O'Connor and family become involved in a life or death predicament. Cork hits the wilderness to find his wife, Rainy, and Henry who are fleeing with a woman whose life in danger. Soon Cork is being hunted as he hunts for the three. In this entry to the series, Krueger gives more developmental space to Stephen and his visions. Stephen and a young woman named Belle play a crucial part to the development of the story. Cork fights a blizzard as he attempts to save the three. However, there is so much more to the story of what is being saved. Another winner from the author.
Thanks to Net Galley for an arc of this novel.

The latest in the New York Times bestselling Cork O’Connor Mystery Series from the “master storyteller” (Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author) follows Cork in a race against time to save his wife, a mysterious stranger, and an Ojibwe healer from bloodthirsty mercenaries.
The ancient Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux has had a vision of his death. As he walks the Northwoods in solitude, he tries to prepare himself peacefully for the end of his long life. But peace is destined to elude him as hunters fill the woods seeking a woman named Dolores Morriseau, a stranger who had come to the healer for shelter and the gift of his wisdom.
Meloux guides this stranger and his great niece, Cork O’Connor’s wife, to safety deep into the Boundary Waters, his home for more than a century. On the last journey he may ever take into this beloved land, Meloux must do his best to outwit the deadly mercenaries who follow.
Meanwhile, in Aurora, Cork works feverishly to identify the hunters and the reason for their relentless pursuit, but he has little to go on. Desperate, Cork begins tracking the killers but his own skills as a hunter are severely tested by nightfall and a late season snowstorm. He knows only too well that with each passing hour time is running out. But his fiercest enemy in this deadly game of cat and mouse may well be his own deep self-doubt about his ability to save those he loves.
This is book 19 in the Cork O'Connor series. I have read all the other books and have loved them too. The characters feel so real and the plot is an excellent story to keep the pages turning until the very end. I am now looking forward to the next installment. I am thankful to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy for an honest review.

Another solid, suspenseful entry in the Cork O'Connor series, a man tries to hire Cork to find his wife, Dolores Morriseau, who he believes is having an affair with a Native man. When he tells Cork that the man's name is Henry Meloux, Cork's friend and a man over a century old, Cork decides to talk to Henry before speaking any further with the husband. When Cork discovers that the man has lied about being Dolores's husband, a chain of events is set in motion that finds Henry, Dolores, and Cork's wife, Rainy being pursued through the Boundary Waters wilderness.

Krueger weaves an adventure story -- the flight through the wilderness -- with a government corruption story in which no one is telling the entire truth. Told from varying characters' points-of-view, Krueger keeps the action moving with his usual spare but compelling narrative style. I actually liked this way of telling the story better in some ways as it allowed for the complex pieces of the ultimate answer to the puzzle to be knit together in a different way from previous books. I also appreciate the research that the author puts into both his depiction of Native people and his grounding the mystery in real life issues.

Highly recommended for those who appreciate stories set in rural locales, suspenseful mysteries built around true-to-life crimes, and well-drawn characters who are like visiting old friends.

Krueger returns to his 'roots' with another (19th!) Cork O'Connor mystery . . . sort of.

As you may recall, O'Connor is half Ojibwe from the lands surrounding Lake Superior. He did a stint as a Chicago cop and returned to northern Minnesota to become sheriff. He's retired now and fills his time as a cook for a local burger/dog joint for tourists and locals alike as well as starting up a private investigation practice. He's a grandfather, has remarried to Rainy, is still very close to his mentor/healer Henry Meloux, and watches over his brood and those important to him.

Stranger comes into town. Stops in the burger stand. Asking around about his wife, Delores. He said they've been having some 'issues' and that she was heading up this way to meet up with an Ojibwe healer goes by the name of Henry Meloux. Cork says he'll check around, but doesn't see a 'case' here.

But he still makes the trek out to see Henry, now at around 100 yrs old, but still sharp as a tack, still living alone in his cabin, still out walking the Boundary Waters area almost daily. Yes, Delores has been to see Henry. In fact, she's taking a sweat right then with Cork's wife. When questioned, Cork learns that the man asking is an imposter and she's no idea why anyone would be looking for her. When he returns to town, he learns that more than one man is asking about Delores.

So, who's Delores? She lives in the Minneapolis area. Married to an Ojibwe (who has sort of rejected his heritage) who practices mostly commercial/real estate law. Does a lot of work in Canada. Yes, they've been having problems. Yes, she sought out Henry to help her find her way. She was prompted to find Henry when her husband went to Canada on business and hasn't returned.

Lots of reasons why that might've happened. But a few more questions and an altercation convince Cork that this is way more than a domestic squabble. It might even be deadly. With that in mind, Henry takes Delores and Cork's wife into the Boundary Waters wilderness to put some distance between them and those trying to find Delores.

All that happens in the first quarter of the book. From here on, the story focuses on Henry, Delores, and Rainy's path through the wilderness as they attempt to elude those after Delores. Thing is that the guys looking for Delores have their own Native who's sole purpose for this job is to track Henry's wandering in the woods. So we have Henry in the lead, 'The Wolf' and several creeps tracking them with Cork tracking The Wolf et al. Weather impacts the local authorities from participating via off road vehicles or through the air.

One of the things I really liked about this book was the 'deep dive' into the Ojibwe culture. Much more than what Krueger's done in the past. This book really is about Henry. And it's flat out terrific. One of the things I learned while reading this is that Anne, the daughter of the late great Tony Hillerman (who based his stories in the 4-corners area of the southwest and featured a couple Navajo tribal policemen) appears to have her father's storytelling gift and is continuing his story lines. Since she started in 2014, she's published 7 or 8 books that I'll soon be diving into. How did I miss her entry into writing?

Atria Books turned me on to Krueger some time ago. While I've not read all the Cork O'Connor books, I've read a bunch. When I'm in read of a quality mystery, I head to the library for an O'Connor book. Krueger also writes standalone novels. One of which, Ordinary Grace (reviewed by us), is one of the very best novels I've ever read. And it won the 2014 Edgar Award for Best Novel (think of that as fiction's version of Best Picture). Not many better at telling a compelling story than Krueger. Don't just focus on the mainstream titles in the grocery story rack. Pick up any book by Krueger. You can't go wrong and won't regret it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy. Due to be released August 23. 2022.

The Cork O'Connor series by William Kent Krueger has been rewarding since the first book in 1998. Fox Creek is no exception. It is classic Krueger. His strength has always been the portrayals of the people who populate his books. O'Connor is great, but the heart of this series for me has always been Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux. A threat to both Meloux and Cork's wife propels the narrative in this riveting read. This book is broken into several parts which allows Krueger to deftly switch between the views from several of the major players. This is a tale of faith, hope, love, and redemption. As always, it is well plotted and perfectly paced. You'll be grateful to spend time with this cast of characters again. Thank you to Atria Books for providing this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fox Creek
by William Kent Krueger
Pub Date: August 23, 2022
Atria
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
.The latest in the New York Times bestselling Cork O’Connor Mystery Series from the “master storyteller” (Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author) follows Cork in a race against time to save his wife, a mysterious stranger, and an Ojibwe healer from bloodthirsty mercenaries.
After 19 books Krueger still has fascinating books that keep me interested. I really enjoyed OrdinaryGrace written by this author and This Tender Land.
Great book!
4 stars

I will read any Cork O’Connor book I can find. Krueger has found a location, a people, and style that works. I absolutely love the confluence of the Native American philosophy along with violent men with bad motives. Henry Meloux is such a perfect character. I look forward to his chapters.

In this book, hunters come to the Boundary Waters looking for a woman who had come to seek the council of Henry. Things develop from there as these paramilitary hunters chase Henry, the woman, and Cork’s wife Rainy through the dense forest.

Most of this book is a chase, and while that could get boring, it doesn’t at all. It builds upon itself and becomes very tense. I couldn’t put it down. This one is filled with unforgettable characters and beautifully described scenery that I can still picture.

Krueger does a great job of flipping POVs from main characters, and he also tells the story from the point of view of “The Wolf” (who is the bad guy) and you still don’t know his motives until the end. Masterfully done.

Bring on the next Cork book!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

I think this might be my favorite Cork O'Connor book yet.

I've been on a nature-adventure theme in my books lately, so this one was the perfect read for that. Being from Minnesota, this series will always be special to me. With that being said, I feel that Krueger accurately tied in many themes: the reality of the vast nature in the Boundary Waters, the opression Indigenous people face daily, and the wisdom that can come from our elders. It had action, adventure, some sweet moments, and a great political twist at the end. I appreciate how much research and time went into the creation of this novel.

Thank you to Atria Publishing, William Kent Krueger, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is the 18th book in the series involving Cork O’Connor, the part-Irish, part-Anishinaabe Indian ex-sheriff of the small town of Aurora, Minnesota. While no longer formally serving in law enforcement, Cork is now a private investigator.

At the outset of this story, Cork is approached by a man claiming (falsely, it soon is revealed) to be Lou Morriseau, the husband of Dolores, who is missing. He tells Cork she said she went off a week ago to find Henry Meloux, and he wants Cork’s help to find her. Henry, ancient (“a hundred and five years old. At least.”) and revered, is an Anishinaabe *Mide*, or spiritual guide. Cork has been married to Henry’s niece Rainy Bisonette for two years, and recently Rainy has been out at Crow Point helping Henry while his usual helper is visiting family.

When Cork goes to Henry’s cabin, he finds Henry, Rainy, and Dolores, and also discovers that the man who came to see him is an imposter. Cork leaves to find out who is actually looking for Dolores and why. But when he returns to the cabin, everyone is gone, and it is clear some men have come looking for them. The question is, did Henry and the women escape first, or were they taken, and either way, where are they and are they safe or in mortal danger?

Cork has accepted that he is *ogichidaa* - the Ojibwe word for someone who stands between evil and the people he loves. He knows he must find all of them and protect them. He is also concerned because recently, his son Stephen had a vision of Henry lying dead beneath pine trees. Henry told Stephen he had the same vision.

Cork is joined in his search through the Northwoods by Anton Morriseau, Lou’s brother. Stephen heads up to see what he can find out from Lou’s family, which includes Lou’s attractive sister Belle, with whom Stephen immediately connects.

In alternate chapters, we learn what is happening with Henry, Rainy, and Dolores as well as with Cork, with Stephen, and with the men chasing after all of them. As the tension increases, the mystery of *why* the men are chasing them is also gradually unraveled. An Author’s Note at the end of the book further elucidates developments in real life that inspired Krueger’s story.

Evaluation: Although this is part of a series, it is quite possible to read this one without feeling lost. On the contrary, Krueger manages to pull you into the O’Connor family immediately. Krueger is a good writer, and I love how he integrates Native American culture and an appreciation for the landscape into his stories. He is especially good at finding ways to advocate for the Native American respect for the land, although at times his portrayal of Native Americans borders on worshipful rather than just admiring.

This particular entry in the Cork O’Connor books is probably best described as a political thriller. Although the story is tied up at the end, there are nevertheless hints of changes to the O'Connor family that ensure fans will want to continue the series.

I'd enjoyed my first foray with Krueger's writing in "This Tender Land", so was looking forward to reading more from him. "Fox Creek" is the 19th book in his Cork O'Connor series, and while I still enjoyed going through this adventure, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to those who haven't read any previous books in this series.

"Fox Creek" opens rapidly with a group of characters - Cork O'Connor is approached by a man claiming to be the husband to Dolores Morriseau, voicing concerns with her interactions with ancient Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux. When Cork discovers the instigator is not, in fact, who he claims to be, what follows is a multi-layered mystery to figure out what is actually underfoot. Dolores, Henry, and Cork's wife Rainy are forced to flee for their lives, and Cork attempts to track the killers and unravel the truth behind it all.

I commend Kreuger for the amount of attention and research he's put into this novel, as it's clear he has the utmost respect for Native American heritage and culture. I found the pacing to be just right for a novel in the mystery genre, and I loved his descriptions of the wilderness and environment in Colorado. Unfortunately, as a brand new reader to this series, there were a host of characters and backstories that I felt as though I didn't have grasp of, which made it difficult to understand some of the conversations and events, and to get fully invested in the storyline.

I requested this based solely on the author. I’ve read his stand-alones and know the high quality of his writing. I was, at first, disappointed to discover that this was #19 in a series. Having thoroughly enjoyed this book, I’m now excited to work my way through the series, from the beginning.

I believe that I have read everything written by William Kent Krueger and loved them all, so it’s no surprise that his latest installment of the Cork O’Connor mystery series does not disappoint. It’s all of the characters that we come to love over the years, from little Waboo to ancient Mide Henry Meloux. And, of course, there is a mystery to solve, danger, and lots of action. All the characters have changed over the years, but they’re basic goodness is always the same. Krueger’s writing always paints a picture that pulls me in, and I am so invested in the story, that I just can’t put the book down until I get to the end. Cork is part Anishinaabeg, and their stories and lore are a also part of every book. This is definitely a five-star read. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in return for my honest review.

William Kent Krueger's FOX CREEK is an unfortunately weak entry in his long-running series. While the premise and setting (a life-or-death chase through the Boundary Waters) ought to provide Krueger to do what he does best, instead, the book quickly becomes a morass. Shifting points of view repeat the same information, and the chunks of dialogue recur again and again--it almost feels as though no one read this book before it was published. While the ending is suspenseful, it is resolved too easily (and some threats turn out not to have been threats at all).