This is my first dabble into the Cork O'Conner series (book 20) and I enjoyed it! It gave me the same feels as shows like CSI or Law and Order. I loved the Minnesota setting and Native American touches, based on real facts.

This particular book focuses on two missing girls, one white, and one indigenous. I was clearly missing some background given I haven't read the first 19 books, but I liked that this didn't distract from the story.

William Kent Krueger touches on the theme of family, protecting each other, and the work to know what that really means. Book 20 in a series, the search for a politician's missing daughter reveals what appears to be a shallow graveyard of Ojibwe young girls. But no one seems to care . Krueger tells the story of Cork O'Connor and his family's involvement in revealing what is really happening here. With spellbinding prose, Krueger brings you into the Minnesota setting where you will get lost in the story of his people. You can read this without having read any of the other Cork O'Connor series, but you will find yourself hungry to read them all. I am up to 7 now. Thanks Krueger !

William Kent Krueger again puts retired sheriff and current private investigator Cork O’Connor on a case involving Ojibwe issues. Part-Irish, part-Ojibwe, O’Connor and his family members can’t stay out of the local happenings. As an oil pipeline is being constructed across sacred Ojibwe land in Minnesota, Cork’s community activist wife Rainy, son Stephen, and Stephen’s civil rights attorney fiancée are concerned about detrimental effects on the land and the Ojibwe health and way of life. While protestors attempt to fight the oil company, media outlets focus on a senator’s missing daughter, the entire white community concerned and desperate to find her.

When Cork takes young Waaboo (“Little Rabbit”), his adopted grandson, berry picking, the child’s visions lead him to the shallow grave of an Ojibwe girl. Few people care. Concerned about the senator’s daughter but not the indigenous girl who had gone missing and been murdered, the locals’ selective concern mirrors a national social problem: the majority of American society cares nothing about the widespread problem of missing indigenous (or non-white, for that matter) girls and women across the country.

Little Waaboo’s discovery puts him in danger, especially since his seer’s powers might lead him to the perpetrator or perpetrators. As Cork O’Connor and tribal police work to resolve the mystery of the Ojibwe girl, various subplots fill out the story, one of which involves Cork’s daughter Ann, recently returned from years working in Guatemala.
Number 20 in Krueger’s Cork O’Connor mystery series, Spirit Crossing may be best read after at least several of the earlier books but will easily hold the interest of readers coming to Cork O’Connor’s Tamarack County, Minnesota for the first time. Krueger always includes enough background to accommodate new readers’ needs.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance reader egalley of this important look at a long-ignored Indigenous American social issue.

It's hard to believe this series has hit the twenty book mark, and it's a marker of an excellent series that it still feels like there has been significant research, thought, and care taken with the writing of this one. It has the strong sense of place that I've always associated with the series, the inclusion of very contemporary issues with the mystery, and a bittersweet, heartache inducing end.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy for Review purposes.

William Kent Krueger continues to turn out great stories with his Cork O'Conner character. This is a great edition in the long line of Cork books (20 now). It can be read as a stand alone book, but it does a great job of tying together all of the characters from his previous books. This book has lots of twists and turns in a fast paced read.

The author does a great job of introducing and educating the reader on a major issue facing indigenous people and their struggles. This is a well-written book featuring many different themes (spiritualism, indigenous struggles, mystery, crime action, and a great storyline). I would definitely recommend this book to any reader who enjoys mystery, crime, action, or thrillers. If you have not read the previous books, they are must read also.

Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger is an enticing mystery featuring a retired cop, Cork O’Connor and various members of this family, both biological and by choice. It is a mixed race family as is Cork himself, part caucasian and part Ojibwe. Much of it is reality but there is some Ojibwe mysticism thrown in. Spirit Crossing is the twentieth in the series, sadly my first. It is primarily about missing native woman, who don’t get the attention missing white women get. That has been a trend for the past few years and it is a real problem. They were just picking blueberries, Cork, his son, his son-in-law, and his grandson, when Waaboo, little rabbit, sees a spirit in distress. All believe him immediately and are concerned for him because this gift can be difficult to manage. They call the police so the spot Waaboo had pointed out could be excavated. As it turns out there was indeed a body, a native woman, but there is much evil nearby. As Waaboo’s mother seeks to protect him, his father and grandfather need more. Too many women are missing: native and white.

There is a lot going on in this book Cork’s daughter, Anne, has come home to die. With her is her lover, Maria, a native Guatemalan, as that is where Anne has been for years. She left home to become a nun but ended up working with nuns in this war-torn country. She is an excellent character, one of several. This whole story takes place in Minnesota, where Krueger’s books do and it opens one up to the beauty of the place as well as its rich history. It is a complicated mystery with a surprising outcome. It’s not always easy for the authorities to combine forensic anthropology with the visions of a child but Kruger managed to do it and do it well. This is a wonderful book and I am excited about reading the earlier books in the series.

I was invited to read Spirit Crossing by Atria Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #AtriaBooks #WillianKentKrueger #SpiritCrossing

Spirit Crossing is another Cork O'Connor mystery. I haven't read previous books in this series, but I love this author so I thought I would give it a try. Jumping into this series on book 20 didn't hinder my enjoyment of this story, however, I'm sure it would be a much more rich reading experience if you go into this book already familiar with the large cast of characters. William Kent Krueger's writing is immersive and I found it very easy to get swept away into this book's message and mystery. I might need to go back and read books 1-19!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

William Kent Krueger’s latest installment in the Cork O’Connor series, Spirit Crossing, is a masterful blend of mystery, suspense, and cultural depth. As the twentieth book in the series, it continues to showcase Krueger’s exceptional storytelling and deep understanding of the human condition.

The novel begins with the disappearance of a local politician’s teenage daughter, which sends shockwaves through the Minnesota community. Amidst the frantic search, Cork O’Connor’s grandson stumbles upon a shallow grave containing the body of a young Ojibwe woman. This discovery, ignored by the authorities, propels Cork and the newly formed Iron Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police into an investigation that uncovers a connection between the two cases.

Krueger excels in creating multi-dimensional characters. Cork O’Connor, the half-Irish, half-Ojibwe former sheriff, is portrayed with a rich blend of resilience and vulnerability. His grandson’s involvement adds a personal stake to the narrative, heightening the tension and emotional depth. 

Spirit Crossing delves into themes of justice, cultural identity, and the intergenerational impact of trauma. Krueger’s prose is lyrical and precise, capturing the stark beauty of the Minnesota landscape and the intricate dynamics of the Ojibwe community. 

The pacing of the novel is expertly managed, with a balance of action and introspection that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The suspense builds steadily, with well-timed revelations and twists that maintain a high level of intrigue. 

Spirit Crossing is a testament to William Kent Krueger’s prowess as a storyteller. It is a compelling addition to the Cork O’Connor series, offering a gripping mystery that is deeply rooted in cultural and emotional truths. Fans of the series will find much to appreciate, while new readers will be drawn in by the richly crafted narrative and complex characters. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thoughtful, well-written mystery with a strong sense of place and cultural details.

Spirit Crossing is the spellbinding new novel in the Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger. The book starts with two missing women, and an accidental discovery of a fresh grave. Readers faithful to the series will recognize the characters; there are enough of them, mostly related to one another, to provide depth and interest, without confusing the reader or making the plot too complex.

Lucky me, I read it free and early. My thanks go to NetGalley and Atria books for the invitation to read and review. This book is for sale now.

The story begins innocently enough, with the series protagonist, Cork, out berry picking with his son, son-in-law, and grandson, who is known by the Ojibwe nickname Waaboo. While searching for blueberries, they come across a fresh grave. Waaboo sees the victim standing before him, as if she is still alive, and he’s distraught because she is so unhappy. Waaboo is not the first one in his family to have this ability; nobody doubts that he sees what he says he sees. And so the men immediately wonder whether this is the grave of Olivia Hamilton, daughter of a wealthy Anglo, who’s been reported missing with massive headlines everywhere; or that of Crystal Two Knives, a missing Native girl whose name barely elicits more than a yawn from law enforcement.

And so right away, we are looking at not only the characters, but the longtime issue of missing Native girls and women, and the way that law enforcement neglects their cases for those whose families have money and connections.

One of the things I admire most about Krueger’s writing is the way that he incorporates urgent issues that especially impact the place where he lives—northern Minnesota—into the plot, blending them in so seamlessly that the reader isn’t distracted, because the issues are part and parcel of the mystery to be solved. He does the same thing with pipeline protests similar to the Dakota pipeline that lit up the headlines in recent years. Other aspects of the story include Ojibwe (Chippewa) culture and history, which is part of every book in the series, since most of the family is Ojibwe, and in this case, a character with a brain tumor. When significant events occur and the woman with cancer is the only one to witness them, did they really happen, or is it the brain tumor talking? This adds a layer of psychological tension not present in most of Krueger’s book; I’m not a fan of that subgenre, and am pleased to see that this doesn’t take over the plotline. It’s dealt with tastefully and without sensationalism.

Those that read my reviews know that I have an interest in seeing how authors develop child characters, particularly in a story such as this one, in which the child plays a major role. It makes me crazy when an otherwise competent author searches for shortcuts, such as a child that’s precocious or gifted, to explain away their own failure to craft the child’s character in a way that is honest developmentally. This is one more reason I enjoy this series. Yes, Waaboo has unusual powers, but he is still a small boy. The notion of going home without blueberries is a major blow. Tears threaten. I love the way Krueger develops this kid, and I can’t wait to see more of him in the future.

My one criticism involves a specific passage between the 88th and 90th percentiles, just as we rise toward the climax. Without going into spoilerish details, I will say that one character does something that everyone in the family agrees they must not do, and without any explanation, everyone in the family is fine with them doing it this time. This, of course, puts the character in danger, which anyone that’s paying attention can predict the very moment the action commences. It’s clumsy in a way that is atypical of this author, and I have no idea why he makes the choice he does, but it affects my enjoyment of the book, because suddenly I am not thinking as much about the characters as I am about the author. Having this occur a split second before the climax is especially grating.

On the other hand, I am picky. Very picky. I suspect that this passage will annoy only a small percentage of readers.

I do recommend this book, and this series, to those that love a good mystery. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, those with the time and inclination might enjoy going back a few titles, or even to the beginning of the series.

The promotion for William Kent Krueger's latest Cork O'Connor novel would have you believe that Cork is the main character of the novel. Not so. Rather Cork's family take top billing here, from little Waaboo, Cork's grandson, to Cork's daughters, wife and various other relatives. This "mystery" is not the typical Cork O'Connor mystery novel either -- rather this one is vaguely a procedural with Cork following clues to find missing teenage girls. I found it had little in common with the earlier Cork O'Connor mysteries which were more traditional crime stories.
Cork is retired from the police in this 20th book of the series; living with his large extended family in northern Minnesota. He is married to an Ojibwe woman and much of this book delves into the magical realism of special powers related to the Ojibwe people. As Krueger has continued this series it has become more and more about the social issues of native people and less about crimes -- though there is someone shooting at Cork's family and several dead bodies do turn up.
This outing concerns the issue of the many indigenous women who go missing and/or murdered. A white girl who is also missing receives a great deal of press and police attention while the native teen receives very little. Cork and his family try to address that unjust treatment and danger for the whole family is the result. Be sure to read the afterword which gives more detail about these sad statistics and about the inspiration for this story.
I did find the writing more disjointed than usual for Krueger. And I was disappointed at the reaction of Cork to extremely bad news about a family member's health. In many ways Krueger just danced around the emotions of the big themes in the book instead of letting us into the character's thoughts. This book is simply sad all the way through. And Kruger's characters seem somewhat disassociated from those problems. I still found myself very impacted by the book, but I think this is due to the fact that I have read all 20 books in the series! I know these characters and care about them. Thus, I was touched by their pain. Perhaps more so than the author allowed the characters to be.

This ARC title was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review.

Spirit Crossing was my first and probably last William Kent Krueger book. This was a book in a series, however I felt it worked as a standalone. I was excited when I read the description of this book saying it was located in the Iron Range of Minnesota which is where I live. This book didn't portray the beautiful area at all. It was so inaccurate with the towns and distance. While mention of Aurora and the Hibbing police department, the rest of the book mentioned Duluth, Cloquet and Aitkin, all definitely not in the Iron Range. The book to me focused so much on the pipeline and that is not even going through the Iron Range. It seemed to have an alternate agenda.

The pacing in this book was so slow. The mystery really to me wasn't one at all. They zeroed in on who they thought committed the murders and of course that is who did it. I just can't believe that they would find a murdered woman and not search the cabin she was found outside of. There were so many characters and really you don't get to know any of them.

I did like that this brought attention to missing Indigenous women, it definitely is an issue that you don't hear of often.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of Spirit Crossing for an honest review.

I fell in love William Kent Krueger books when our book club chose This Tender Land to read. The folklore is so interesting, and the setting is so beautiful,I get lost in the story, feeling like I am a part of the family. Cork is busy trying to find two missing girls, while keeping his grandson, WaaBoo, and daughter, Annie, safe from people who would like to see them dead. On top of everything, Annie has a secret she needs to share. You will love this book.

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and William Kent Krueger for allowing me to read this ARC.

This was my first book by this author. It felt a little intimidating starting at book #20, but this one can be read as a stand-alone and I was able to get into it quickly. The book centers heavily on the Ojibwe territory in Minnesota and when the story opens, there are two women talking in the woods. One wants to share a secret that’s deeply personal with her family but afraid to do so. Then the story jumps scenes to a boy and his grandfather on a mission to pick berries. The boy has a vision of a body there. I won’t divulge too much but there is a large murder mystery, which leads to other discoveries, protests, and multiple storylines that weave together. The author has a deep love and care for sharing the stories of indigenous people, and the hurdles, barriers, and struggles they face. Very moving and somber story. The book reminded me much of a movie I watched called Wind River. Highly recommend if you haven’t seen it. This may have been my first William Kent Krueger book but it won’t be the last. 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spirit Crossing
by: William Kent Krueger
Atria Books
General Fiction (Adult), Mystery and Thrillers

The twentieth book in the Cork O'Connor Series will not disappoint fans of the series. I have enjoyed some of Krueger's other novels, but this was my first in the series. His writing is always well done and intriguing.

Thank you to Atria Books and Net Galley for an advance reader's copy. I also won a paperback copy of the book through a Goodreads Giveaway, so thanks to Goodreads. My review is my own.

“Spirit Crossing,” by William Kent Krueger, Atria Books, 336 pages, Aug. 20, 2024.

Cork O’Connor, his son Stephen, son-in-law Daniel English and grandson, Waaboo, are picking wild blueberries in Taramack County, Minnesota when seven-year-old Waaboo stumbles across a shallow grave. He is able to hear the spirit of the deceased woman.

Cork calls Sheriff Marsha Dross. Two weeks earlier, Olivia Hamilton, whose father is a state senator, ran off from a youth camp. Her disappearance is major news in Minnesota. Nobody seems that interested in the Ojibwe woman. Nobody, except Cork and the newly formed Iron Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police. Daniel is an officer with the tribal police.

The body isn’t Olivia nor is it Crystal Two Knives, a young Ojibwe woman who has been missing for six months. As Cork and the tribal officers dig into the circumstances of this grim discovery, they uncover a connection to the missing teenager. And soon, it’s clear that Cork’s grandson is in danger of being the killer’s next victim. Elder Henry Meloux helps keep Waboo and others safe.

At the same time, the O’Connors are also preparing for Stephen’s wedding to Belle Morriseau, which is six weeks away. Cork’s daughter, Annie, has arrived earlier than expected. She is keeping secrets. Her friend, Maria Lopez, is with her. Maria and Cork’s wife, Rainy, are both nurses.

The plot is engaging and the characters are wonderful. The ending is sad. I enjoy the insights into Native American culture. This is the 20th in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone. William Kent Krueger is a storyteller in the classic sense of the word.

I rate it four out of five stars.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Spirit Crossing is the most recent in a series of excellent mysteries featuring a former sheriff in northern Minnesota, Cork O’Connor. Those that have read earlier books in this series will recognize all the familiar characters, including Cork’s daughter, Annie, making a visit from Central America.

It’s always great to find comfort in familiar characters, while encountering new ones as well and Krueger masterfully weaves his tales so that repeat readers as well as new ones will find joy in his stories. And joy is exactly what I felt as I was devouring this book. I’ve come to expect excellence in Krueger’s work and I my expectations were met by Spirit Crossing. I look forward to more Cork O’Connor tales to come, and I’m thinking of rereading the entire series from start to finish this winter. There isn’t another series that I would say that about—this one is just that amazing!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. I was pleased when I was chosen for the honor of only to read the book a tad early as I still purchased a copy myself to have forever.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger is an excellent and exciting read. This is not a book one will put down and come back to later.
I always look forward to his next book in this series. He never disappoints!
William Kent Krueger has crafted a realm of mystery, weaving together gripping suspense, authentic cultural insights, and unforgettable characters.
I didn’t want the story to end, and the characters are still very much alive in my mind.
These are always phenomenal reads for me. Suspense and wilderness, there’s something to appeal to every gender and age.

Thank You NetGalley and Atria Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

The standalone novel ‘This Tender Land’ was my first introduction to William Kent Krueger’s work. It was evident then, as it is today, that anything with his name on it is beautifully written with moving dialogue and memorable characters. The details contained in his stories flow as naturally as the vivid landscapes he describes and the difficult subject matter he tackles.

‘Spirit Crossing’ is the 20th novel in a series featuring the character of Cork O’Connor and his family. You do not have to read all the earlier books to follow the storyline, although it may take some time to understand the family’s lineage.

Short summary. Two missing women. One is the daughter of a prominent white politician, and the second is a young Indigenous woman. During a family outing to a blueberry patch, Cork’s grandson Waaboo (Little Rabbit), who has the gift of spiritual sighting, locates the grave of an Ojibwa woman. While police are searching widely for the politician’s daughter, they have little interest in Waaboo’s discovery or what it could mean to the larger community.

When a second body is discovered through the boy’s abilities, Cork’s entire family is caught in the dangerous crossfires of a killer. Cork and the new Iron Lake Tribal Police force work together to investigate whether the cases are connected and to seek justice.

‘Spirit Crossing’ tackles many tough, current-day issues, including missing and murdered women, human trafficking, pipeline construction for profit, and the impact on Mother Earth, as well as many Indigenous spiritual beliefs concerning death and healing. This book is not for those seeking escapism from world events but is the perfect read if you consider these important topics something we should all take a vested interest in learning more about. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel compared to other reads on these topics, given Kent Kruger’s talent for storytelling and the evident respect and care he gives to Indigenous people. My takeaway was a deeper understanding of the differences between our cultures and the similarities that bond us as brothers and sisters through our mutual love of family and the fear of them being taken from us too soon.

Thank you to #williamkentKruger #netgalley #atriabooks for an advance copy of this book. I highly recommend this book. #SpiritCrossing

Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger is a recommended mystery/procedural and the 20th novel in the Cork O'Connor series.

A Minnesota Senator's teenage daughter is missing which is major news. At the same time Cork O'Connor teams up with the Iron Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police to identify the native women in a shallow grave. O'Connor's grandson found her when her spirit spoke to him. His son and and fiancée are involved with protesting the pipeline coming through the area. His daughter comes home with her girlfriend and some big news.

The writing is a bit choppy and some of the transitions are rough although the pace is fast. As the 20th book in the series, this novel is probably best read by those following the series since there appeared to be many reoccurring characters. It also requires you to believe a 7 year-old can have conversations with the dead. I could not accept this premise which made the novel less enjoyable.

The sad truth is that there are many native women and girls who go missing every year. I'm not sure this novel is the way to tackle the problem as it simplifies it. It will also find more appeal with readers who appreciate a one-sided personal political/social agenda deeply woven throughout the plot. Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.