Iron Lake
Ratings15
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings15
Average rating3.9
William Kent Krueger joined the ranks of today's best suspense novelists with this thrilling, universally acclaimed debut. Conjuring "a sense of place he's plainly honed firsthand in below-zero prairie" (Kirkus Reviews), Krueger brilliantly evokes northern Minnesota's lake country -- and reveals the dark side of its snow-covered landscape. Part Irish, part Anishinaabe Indian, Corcoran "Cork" O'Connor is the former sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota. Embittered by his "former" status, and the marital meltdown that has separated him from his children, Cork gets by on heavy doses of caffeine, nicotine, and guilt. Once a cop on Chicago's South Side, there's not much that can shock him. But when the town's judge is brutally murdered, and a young Eagle Scout is reported missing, Cork takes on a mind-jolting case of conspiracy, corruption, and scandal. As a lakeside blizzard buries Aurora, Cork must dig out the truth among town officials who seem dead-set on stopping his investigation in its tracks. But even Cork freezes up when faced with the harshest enemy of all: a small-town secret that hits painfully close to home.
Series
14 primary books15 released booksCork O'Connor is a 15-book series with 14 primary works first released in 1998 with contributions by William Kent Krueger.
Reviews with the most likes.
Think of Tony Hillerman except the Indians live in the frigid north of Minnesota rather than the deserts of the Southwest. Atmospheric and solidly written.
This book reminds me why I have always loved a good crime fiction novel. It is my first time reading Krueger, but it won't be my last. This book introduced me to Cork O'Conner, past sheriff of small town Aurora, Minnesota, and now I am excited to read more books about him.
The setting of Aurora, Minnesota and the Iron Range adds atmosphere to the story. It takes place in December, and the area is blanketed with snow and ice. The frosty scenery is both beautiful and threatening, and I love it. I enjoyed all the references to the Native American reservation and the people living on the land. The author injects a lot of Native American folklore and legend into the story, which creates a bit of magical realism that is mystifying. I love the references to the Windigo and the mystery they added to the plot.
The best part of the book is the characters. Cork is damaged and rough around the edges, but he is also a good father and a devoted friend. He does not back down in the face of adversity or danger, which makes for a great central character in a crime fiction book. The author provides just enough insight into his personality without overdoing it. The Native American characters are also well developed and interesting. I especially enjoyed how they are used to share the Native American lore. They are portrayed with a lot of compassion and understanding.
I am glad I found this book and this series. I plan to read more of this series and more by this author.
