THIS TENDER LAND by Wiliam Kent Krueger was an amazing read. With great excitement I picked up THE RIVER WE REMEMBER; I was sadly disappointed.

On a whole the book is well done and the writing wonderfully lyrical. But I felt as if the book just never hit it's mark, went in so many directions I lost my focus. Perhaps I will pick it up again when I am feeling like I have all the time in the world to enjoy the lovely words without needing a direction.

I would read just about anything written by William Kent Kruger. This book was impactful, immersive, and incredible. I had no clue about this time period and the plight of the Native Americans in the Midwest. The way WKK details racism and classism is masterful.

Thank you Netgalley, Atria Book and William Kent Krueger for free e-ARC of The River We Remember in return of my honest review.

"The River We Remember" is a masterpiece that completely captivated me from start to finish. It exceeded my expectations in every way and is easily one of the best books I've read in a long time.

The plot is both thrilling and thought-provoking, with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The pacing is perfect—fast enough to keep you engaged, but with enough room for the story to breathe and allow the characters and their motivations to truly shine. Every chapter felt purposeful, driving the narrative forward without ever feeling rushed or dragging.

What really stood out for me, though, were the characters. They felt so real, with complex emotions and deeply human struggles. The author did a brilliant job of making them multi-dimensional and relatable, and I found myself emotionally invested in their journeys. I rooted for them, laughed with them, and even cried alongside them at times. Their growth throughout the book was both powerful and moving.

The writing itself is beautifully crafted—elegant yet accessible, with vivid descriptions that painted pictures in my mind without overloading the senses. The dialogue was natural and often packed with subtext, adding layers to every conversation. The author’s attention to detail in creating the world of the story was remarkable, making it easy to get lost in the setting.

Overall, "The River We Remember" is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story with heart, depth, and a touch of magic. It’s a book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. I couldn’t recommend it more highly!

Good mystery with twists and turns that will keep readers engaged. Great writing. This book is a great mix of mystery, historical and literary fiction.

Krueger is a masterful storyteller. His stories are always compelling and draw the reader in. The characters are well developed. The story takes place in a small town in 1958 in Minnesota where prejudice runs deep against Native Americans. I throughly enjoyed this mystery. Tigger warnings for PTSD, rape, incest, abuse and prostitution.

Thank you #NetGalley, #AtriaBooks, #WilliamKentKrueger and #TheRiverWeRemember for the ebook for my honest review.

I will read anything that this man writes, and this one is no exception. He manages to create glorious imagery while still making the characters and the story accessible to readers. It's like art, but the kind that everyone can enjoy. Not pretentious, not fancy for no reason, just stories and people to connect with.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this advanced reader's edition. Unfortunately, I will not be able to give it the time required to write a thorough review and will be unable to read it for this purpose.

Enjoyed this one very much, another great suspense thriller from author William Kent Krueger. Never disappoints, highly recommend!

I love William Kent Krueger. I had the pleasure of hearing him speak at my local library and he is a gem. This story is a beautiful, slow burn mystery, We get a close look at a small community, the prejudice that exists there, relationships,and life in a small town. I always prefer character driven novels and this one is no exception.

William Kent Krueger creates characters that are engaging and well developed. This story begins with a sheriff removing fingerprints from a crime scene. The character development moves the story and finding the motive of the killing continues to impact each character in different ways. Overall a great mystery story told from different perspectives.

Thank you to Atria books and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for review.

My husband and I previously enjoyed This Tender Land by Krueger and were excited to read this newest one together as well.

I think overall it was enjoyable enough, and we read to the end. The setting was immersive, the pacing was good. We like the way Krueger writes.

But there were so very many characters in this mystery that it felt very hard to track with the story lines or get very invested in any of their lives. I think it was just a bit too much for a novel of this size to do well.
Not terrible but not one that is probably gonna stand out in my memory for very long.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this beautiful novel. William Kent Krueger's The River We Remember is a masterful blend of evocative storytelling and intricate character development. Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of 1950s Minnesota, the novel skillfully weaves a tale of mystery and emotional depth. Krueger's prose is both lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into a world where the river itself becomes a central character, reflecting the turbulent emotions and secrets of the people it touches.

The plot is riveting, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Krueger’s talent for crafting suspenseful narratives is on full display, but it is his profound exploration of themes like memory, loss, and redemption that truly sets this novel apart. The characters are richly developed and deeply relatable, each carrying their own burdens and histories that resonate with authenticity.

Overall, The River We Remember is a compelling read that captures the essence of human experience with both heart and grace. It’s a testament to Krueger’s skill as a storyteller and his ability to create a memorable, immersive experience. Highly recommended for fans of literary fiction and those who appreciate a well-crafted, emotional journey.

William Kent Krueger can create stories and relatable characters like no other! This book was filled with a little bit of everything--mystery, suspense, war veterans, small town/rural 1950s setting, romance, law enforcement, tragedy, and much more. I couldn't put it down! It was filled with so much tragedy and the ending left me wanting a bit more, personally I felt it was too abrupt, but I still enjoyed the book and have recommended it to others!

No one can write stories that capture the essence of boys on the cusp of manhood, men living out lives shaped by trauma, war, and prejudice, and women who nurture and love them like William Kent Krueger. Along with his finely crafted characterizations, Kent Krueger always makes some aspect of nature an essential element to both plot and theme. In THE RIVER WE REMEMBER, a body is found in the Alabaster River of small town Jewell, Minnesota on Declaration Day 1958. When the body is identified as Jimmy Quinn, Sheriff Brody Dern knows that despite Quinn being despised by most of the town, it will be Noah Bluestone, the World War II Native American veteran who recently was fired as Quinn's hired hand who will be everyone's first suspect. While on the surface, the book is about identifying who really shot Quinn full in the face and left him for the fishes to feast on, it is much more the tale of a town and its inhabitants. First there is Brody, who knows he is not the upright, heroic hometown hero that everyone thinks he is. Then there is Bluestone and his Japanese wife. Why, when his family lost their land generations ago to the Quinns did he return to Jewell after his military career? And the Quinns, themselves. What dark secrets lie there? And how will the actions of two teen boys, one with a weak heart condition and another with a violent, drunken step father, change everything? I consider William Kent Krueger one of the best storytellers of today and can't wait until I read another tale by him.

People have been recommending William Kent Krueger. It's taken me a while to read one of his books and now I wish I hadn't waited so long. This plot of this historical mystery, set in the post-World War II era, is good but even better are the characters and the setting. Fun to read as I had just been in Minnesota, so could picture the area where the story takes place. Krueger's layered writing made this a mystery to savor.

I expected to LOVE this book as much as I LOVED This Tender Land and Ordinary Grace, but I was disappointed. The book started out strong, and I quickly grew to care about the characters especially Sheriff Brody Dern, Noah and Kyoto Bluestone, and even Jimmy Quinn. By the 25% mark, I was overwhelmed with the number of characters including a male with a traditionally female name (Connie) and a female with a traditionally male name (Charlie), and it was difficult to keep everyone straight let alone care about them and their plight. I didn't appreciate the superfluous details and meandering plot detours from 25% through 70% of the way through the book. Then at the 70% mark, the action came in quick succession, but it was too much and not realistic. It's almost as if three different people wrote this book. The first 25% feels like Krueger - I'm not sure what happened with the rest. I'm sad to say that I won't be recommending this for book club, and I'm not sure I'll read another of Krueger's books again unless it gets really great reviews.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #AtriaBooks for a free copy of #TheRiverWeRemember by William Kent Krueger. All opinions are my own.

This book is .great. I really enjoyed the characters and murder mystery. Even though I enjoyed the ARC, I also purchased the hardback copy when I got to meet the author at a book signing after a fascinating presentation on this book. I highly recommend the author and this book.

I really enjoyed this book. The historical fiction murder mystery deals with tough issues such as incest, rape, abuse, PTSD, and prostitution but not in a way that makes the read heavy or exhausting. The characters were developed really well.

William Kent Krueger is a master storyteller. Another richly told tale with beautiful characters. It is rare when I read a book that I am truly sad to finish. This one will stay with me a long time. Gorgeous.