Blood Hollow (Cork O'Connor Mystery Series) (edição: 2005)

When the murdered body of a popular high school girl is found in the small Minnesota town where retired sheriff Cork O'Connor lives, he gets drawn in right away because the chief suspect is a kid who needs him and who Cork just knows didn't do it. Krueger has written several Cork O'Connor books and I could never get into the first one. But this one is excellent. Great characters, fabulous plot. Guess I'll have to go back now and give that first one a try! ( )

Phenomenal book! Excellent entry in the ongoing story of Cork O'Connor, occasional sheriff of his small Minnesota town. Devoted husband and father, and dogged investigator into the tragedy of a New Years Eve death of a teenage girl. Krueger's writing is beautifully evocative of the physical setting and sensitivity to the spiritual life of the story's main characters. Absorbing and touching. Highly recommended. ( )

Former sheriff Cork O'Connor is on a manhunt for a missing teen, Charlotte, who is presumed dead after having taken a snowmobile out late at a New Year's Eve party. Months later, her body is found and a troubled Ojibwe, Charlotte's former boyfriend, Solemn Winter Moon is accused of the crime; Cork doesn't believe the boy is guilty, and does some side investigating trying to clear his name.

This is the fourth in a long-running mystery series set in northern Minnesota with a great sense of place and interesting characters whose relationships grow and change as time rolls on. I enjoyed the twists and turns this story took, but occasionally felt like there was just a little too much dirt dug up during Cork's investigation to be quite believable - though they made for effective red herrings. While not my favorite of the series so far, I'm definitely looking forward to continuing. ( )

Charlotte Kane, daughter of the wealthy Fletcher Kane, disappears on New Year’s Eve in the small town of Aurora, Minnesota. Everyone, including former sheriff Cork O'Connor, is involved in the search for her. Despite the fascinating and somewhat paranormal incident Cork has while on his snowmobile, her body isn't found until the spring thaw. She disappeared after a fight with ex-lover, Solemn Winter Moon, a young Ojibwe Indian. He becomes the only “person of interest” in the investigation and Cork, believing him innocent, agrees to help him.

There are so many things going on in this book. Cork’s wife, Jo, accepts Solemn's case, uncovering a few well-hidden secrets that point to other law-abiding citizens. Solemn claims to have talked with Jesus in the woods (Jesus is wearing Minnetonka moccasins), leading him to become much more serious and pragmatic. Cork's family is front and center in this book, including Rose, Jo's sister, and her relationship with the Catholic Church. I admire the way the author writes his female characters in this series. Cork is surrounded by women: his wife, his sister-in-law, and his two teenage daughters and Krueger shows a lot of sensitivity in relating their feelings and emotions.

There is a very complex plot dealing with several themes, including murder, miracles, and spirituality in both Catholicism and native American religion. Cork, part Ojibwe and part Catholic, questions what he really believes in. Again, the author explores these themes in a non-proselytizing way that links all the story lines. I've recently started this series and absolutely love it. I can't believe I've owned the books for so long and am just now reading them. I think you can enjoy this book out of order, but there's a lot of back story that makes it more enjoyable if you've read the books in order, starting with [Iron Lake]. For anyone wanting to experience what a fantastic author William Kent Krueger is, I also highly recommend his standalone novel, [Ordinary Grace]. ( )

Good entry in this excellent series. Plot has many twists and turn but proceeds quite logically. Native American culture and issues colliding with small town prejudices and attitudes provide apt opportunities for continuing conflict resolution in the story line. ( )