The River We Remember - William Krnt Krueger

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this captivating eARC. I REALLY enjoyed this novel, and am grateful for Netgalley for reintroducing to such a great author.

This novel is set in 1958, in Minnesota. The story begins with the local Sheriff informing Jimmy Quinn's family members that he was killed by a shotgun blast , and that he was found in the Alabaster river, where he had gone to fish.

As soon as the Sheriff Brody Dern gives the family the news of Jimmy's death, they appear surprised, but not particularly grief-stricken. However, as the Sheriff attempts to uncover who killed Jimmy, it quickly becomes apparent that he will have to shake up far more than just the family tree before he finds the guilty party.

One minor criticism, I found the idea that this novel was set in 1958 slightly Implausible ll,, even though the movies and songs referenced were ones available then, unfortunately, the prejudice and judgement on 2023 here (at least here in rural Iowa) now has NOT CHANGED much in the previous 60 years, people still prefer to hide their differences (if at all possible) to protect themselves from their neighborss. The man rules his roost, and meaningless hatred continues to and thrive, it is almost bred and fed in families from childhood on, I am ashamed to say.

Perhaps the author set the novel in the 50's to show how little has changed since then, then, at least in the areas the where this story takes place (I am currently residing in rural Iowa). Regardless, setting a book in an earlier time is extremely challenging, and this author does a good job, but doesn't excel on that score..

Although I am a voracious reader, this is the first novel by this author that I finished; I think that this standalone is better than the Cork O'Connor series. In the past I have attempted to begin that series and I found myself setting the book aside shorty after I began reading it. I am unable to recall what didn't pique my interest at that particular time.

As a rule I am always happy to read a top - notch mystery / police procedural, and with the author's mastery of the written word (with at times lyrically beautiful prose), his rich character development, acoupled with a challengingly clever mystery, you can bet that the next book I will be revisiting is the 1st in the Cormac Reily series by William Kent Krueger.

Iif you have never read this author before, and you enjoy reading: CJ. Box, Louise Penny, or Michael Connelly, this is an excellent novel with which to start your new journey.

Until next time, be careful where you point your pistol!

The River We Remember
By William Kent Krueger
Pub Date September 5, 2023
Atria
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this novel.
Krueger us a phenomenal author who doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
This is a powerful, poetic tale set in 1958 with a striking resemblance of life today,
Pacing of the story is well done,
This book reminded me that there are always good people even in bad situations.
I highly recommend this novel and author.
5 stars

This is a story of love and loss and the fragility of the human condition. Kruger is a wrowho is so good and doesn’t get the recognition he deserves . He is a master at crafting flawed multi layered characters who live real lives and exhibit the human condition as it is in real life . I loved this one as well as his Cork O’Connor character .
Everyone who love’s excellent writing should read this book or any book by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the pleasure of reading this book

Few writers cover the human condition, its sadness and minor victories quite like Krueger. You start with one story that spawns ten different ones, wind around each other until we end at the beginning. This isn't an easy read; there is a lot of trauma on home and foreign soil. The scars of wars deep in the souls of the residents and they carry them around, often threatening to undo the placid calm that the folks have tried to maintain. This book is heavy and made me cry at various points; you're asked to hold a lot as a reader. And maybe bc I know there's more fact to these fictional accounts that makes it both a wonderful and horrible book. Morally grey characters, some with terrible circumstances not even of their own making, redemption and retribution. There aren't necessarily all happy endings here, but there is a grand amount of grace, perspective and beauty.

Powerful story of love and loss. Krueger, once again, gives the reader rich characters caught in difficult circumstances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity to read The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger. Mr Krueger is one of the best writers writing today. His stories are powerful, his words are pure and poetic. His characters are people you will remember. This is a hard, sad story told beautifully with great sensitivity.

What an amazing adventure! Absolutely did not want this book to end. The plot was exciting and filled with unique elements that kept me entertained until the very end. I was so invested in this story & these characters! I enjoyed the way the author's writing style which describes the setting with such vivid details.

Oh my heart…I absolutely loved this book. I’ve loved everything by this author, but I think his latest is my favorite! The characters are so beautifully written and the story flows in a way you keep turning page after page until the end. Highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

3.75 ⭐️ This one started way slow for me. Until later in the book, I was a little bored with the Scott/Del subplot. I also had some issues with their choices as well as MC Brody’s. Last.y I was disappointed with the ending. I don’t want to say too much more. But the continued withholding of information was upsetting. I did enjoy other aspects of the story as it picked up and loved Charlie and Connie.

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger is fantastic! His masterful prose is lyrical and poetic; he is at the top of his game. I highly recommend this book; If you’re not already a fan, this book will turn you into one!

Stories are like those seeds we plant in the soil. - just a small quote from the works of William Kent Krueger.

This was an important story of Black Earth County and the people born to the land and those who stumble upon the beauty of what was said to be the Great American Desert early on by the explorer Stephen H. Long, and how wrong he was to underestimate the power of community.

Like the Cork series is the story of Brody Dern, Sheriff, and investigation of J.P. Quinn the greedy, evil land owner who is found dead in the Alabaster River, murder or suicide. It’s what WKK writes best and we are so fortunate to be part of the experience.

Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, Inc., and William Kent Krueger for sharing this Advanced Readers Copy for my fair review.

I rarely give five-star reviews, but this book is deserving. I’ve read Krueger’s other novels (Ordinary Grace, This Tender Land) and loved his writing style. This may be my favorite yet.

The story is set in Black Earth County Minnesota in 1958, an area defined by the Alabaster River which flows through the perimeter of the town, its local farming-focused inhabitants, as well as the ghosts of Native American nations who once made the land their home and priority. The River is almost like another character in the book – with its ebbs and flows and its impact on several of the characters both in death as well as a life-saving event. It’s a very rural community with little else offering the ability to survive beyond farming.

Early in the narrative, it is in this River that the dead body of one of the town’s most prominent – but not necessarily well-liked – citizens is found. He had been shot. Jimmy Quinn was a large man – in both stature and bully-like personality and a war hero. He is in his second marriage to Marta, whose parents sent her to help her relatives (Jimmy’s first wife – who died from ALS) in the U.S. when the difficulties began with Nazi Germany. Jimmy has a big appetite and inappropriate sexual behavior was a pattern with him.

The small-town setting, at a time prior to any type of civil rights reform was enacted, is also packed with the then prevailing feelings of racism, domestic violence and unchecked sexual exploitation. The women felt powerless, but not just the women.

Krueger intricately defines the complex characters in the book as if each one had faced multiple lifetimes of difficulty that affected their emotional or financial well-being: war scars, family life scars, growing up poor scars, and scars from long-standing racial prejudice. The emotional narrative was heart wrenching at times and elicited angry and frustrated thoughts about the senseless violence perpetrated by mostly ignorant and intolerant individuals.

At the center of the story is Brody Dern, the local Sheriff. Also a war veteran, Brody has his own demons related to his experience. It is up to Brody to figure out who killed Quinn and why. Native American Noah Bluestone – also a war hero – and his Japanese wife (he returned from the war with her as his bride) emerge as prominent suspects. They have every reason to hate him – but the case against them is tainted by the townspeople’s overt prejudice towards blame Noah just because of his race. As the townspeople escalate this troublesome theory, many fear their own secrets will become part of the narrative.

This is not just a story about the murder. It is about the importance of family, having someone or someplace that represents “home”, and the healing of old wounds.

The River We Remember is an atmospheric, beautifully written novel that takes place in Jewel, Minnesota. It all began on Decoration Day, May 30, 1958, when a body was found floating in the Alabaster River. The body was that of Jimmy Quinn, a man with a bad reputation and a mean streak. The sheriff, Brody Dern, is the lead investigator. He is a good, fair man who has demons of his own. The town rumor mill has decided that Noah Bluestone is the murderer, with no real facts or basis, and when Brody finds a bloody tarp on Noah’s property, he arrests him and hires him an attorney.

The townsfolk need no proof of Noah’s guilt, most of them have already indicted him based solely on rumors and racist rhetoric. Brody faces numerous challenges and hardships in his close knit town. There are those who will obstruct his investigation and those who will help. The path to finding answers is riveting and compelling.

Krueger paints vivid images of both the characters and the landscape. He weaves a tale that settles right into your mind and stays there long after the book is done. This book is a reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion. There are undercurrents of racism, sexual abuse and violence.

I wholeheartedly recommend this five star book. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC. This is due to be published on September 5, 2023. Be sure to grab yourself a copy.

My Lord, The River We Remember is phenomenal. I had never read William Kent Kruger before and I have a lot of catching up to do! The River We Remember is a powerful, poetic tale set in 1958 with a striking resemblance to the environment of today. Racism, intolerance and ignorance ruled the day along with shear stupidity. Ever word Kruger writes is purposeful and vibrant. I felt as if I had been transported to Minnesota, 1958. The emotions Kruger is able to illicit are striking, but not unwelcome. The pacing of the story was quick--but not fast-- and featured plenty of 'holy crap' moments along with deep, rich characters. Kruger masterfully keeps the reader guessing who the good guys and the bad guys are until the bitter end. The River We Remember can be an emotional, tough read but is ultimately hopeful. It shows no matter how awful the world seems, there are always good people around even in crappiest of situations.

My sincere thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The River We Remember.

This was a strong follow-up effort to This Tender Land - all new characters and story, but just as gripping and fun to read. The character depth is very good, and the decisions they make throughout make sense when you get to the end of the story. I've never been to the region Krueger describes, but I can see it clear as day when I read his stories. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a whodunit where the characters and their relationships are more important than the whodunit itself. Looking forward to his next work. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my opinion.

Big thanks to both Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The River We Remember.

Expected publication September 5, 2023

On Memorial Day, in 1958, the people of Jewel, Minnesota gather to remember and honor the sacrifice of so many sons in the wars of the past. But then, the half-clothed body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. Investigation of the murder falls to Sheriff Brody Dern, himself broken from the war.

"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." Buddha

Mr. Krueger is quite the storyteller and The River We Remember is a fine example of what happens when he steps away from his hugely successful Cork O'Connor series. (Which I have LOVED! I hope there will be more Cork O'Connor books in the future.) I enjoyed the plot, the sense of place, and the characters in this portrait of midcentury American life, and I think you will, too!!

The River We Remember was a delightful story by William Kent Krueger. I loved all the characters and the small town feel. When the body of a local man is found in the river, can the town come together to figure out what happened and to support his family? Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I started reading The River We Remember thinking it would be similar in pace and structure to his Cork O’Connor series. It’s not. You might think you’re reading a typical “whodunnit” with the body of the most hated man in town pulled out of the river and everyone having a reason to want him dead. What this book is REALLY about is the choices people make and the chain reaction of events that happen because of those choices.
There ARE a lot of characters and points of view. The author continually reminded the reader who each character was so it wasn’t an issue for me.
There are two dogs in the novel which made me a little nervous since William Kent Krueger has killed off a lot of dogs throughout his other books. I’m here to let everyone know that neither dog dies in this book. The River We Remember is safe to read if that’s a trigger!

So. Many. Characters. I don’t know, this one should’ve intrigued me and interested me but it just didn’t. It seemed to take a long time getting going and then I lost interest. I’m definitely in the minority.

The River We Remember takes place in Jewel, located in southern Minnesota in the late 1950's. Brody Dern is the sheriff of Black Earth County and is a veteran of the recent wars, dealing with his own demons. Jewel is rocked by the death of longtime resident, Jimmy Quinn. Was it suicide? Murder? Accidental? Sheriff Dern does all that he can to squash the rumors that it was a murder, all the while fully investigating the death. This book is full of dynamic, well developed characters and we follow them on their own personal journeys. William Kent Krueger powerfully describes the setting of Jewel and the Alabaster River with great detail, as well as each of the characters. It is a gripping tale of the lack of human compassion people have for others. I was fully engaged in each of the lives of the characters, and didn't know where I was going to be taken next. WKK surely is a master of his craft!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!