Happy first Tuesday of June! Although summer doesn’t officially arrive for another two weeks, in my mind June 1 is always the beginning of summer. There’s nothing like curling up by a fireplace with a good book on a cold winter day, but summer also lends plenty of opportunities for reading. I have fond memories of lying in a hammock in my backyard on summer afternoons reading the latest paperback novel I’d purchased.
As I said last week, I’m going back to weekly reviews, and what better way to begin with another book by William Kent Krueger. (Yes, I am reading other authors as well!)
Blurb
When a charter plane carrying Cork OāConnorās wife, Jo, goes missing in a snowstorm over the Wyoming Rockies, Cork must accept the terrible truth that his wife is gone forever. But is she? In Heavenās Keep, celebrated author William Kent Krueger puts his intrepid hero through the most harrowing mission of his life. After many days filled with grief, two women show up at Corkās doorstep with evidence that the pilot of Joās plane was not the man he claimed to be. It may not be definitive proof, but itās a ray of light in the darkness surrounding Corkās loss. Agreeing to investigate, he travels to Wyoming where he battles the interference of forces determined to throw Cork off the trail permanently. At the center of all the danger and deception lies the possibility that Jo is not really dead and that, somewhere along the labyrinthine path of his search, Cork will find her alive and waiting for him. With deft plotting and writing that satisfies as much as it thrills, Heavenās Keep gives readers an adventure not soon forgotten.
My Review
Cork faces his greatest challengeā¦
After feeling a bit let down from the eighth novel of the Cork O’Connor series, Heavenās Keep more than made up for any disappointment.
When a charter plane carrying Jo OāConnor and several leaders from various Native American tribes goes down in Wyoming, Cork is faced with the fact his wife is likely dead. Six months later, he receives word the crash may not be what it seemed. Cork travels to Wyoming, seeking the truth.
I hate spoilers in reviews, so I wonāt say more about the plot. Suffice to say some readers will love this story, and others will hate it. Iām in the first category. In my opinion, this is one of the best books so far in the series.
Krueger, as usual, weaves an intriguing tale. Clues are placed carefully within the pagesābreadcrumbs that play an important role in the storyās outcome.
Family dynamics play an important part in each book, and this one is no exception. Stevie OāConnor, who now prefers to be called Stephen, is growing up into a fine young man. He shows remarkable maturity for someone his age.
Throughout the series, Cork has developed and transformed. From the authorās own words, he was āa fairly morose, often cynical, and nearly failed man.ā In this book, Krueger peels away another layer, and readers get to know more about him.
Heavenās Keep gets a resounding five stars from me.
27 Responses
Great review, Joan š Sounds like a good read.
It was, Denise.
Great review, Joan. Iām glad this one was a more engaging read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts šš
It was, Harmony. Thanks.
I’m glad to hear that this book didn’t disappoint like the Cork OāConnor book did. I love the “some readers will love it, some will hate it” hook in your review.
After I finished the book, I read some reviews. Many contained spoilers, so Iām glad I didnāt see the ahead of time. The author note in the back of the book said he knew some readers wouldnāt like the outcome. He tried writing it a different way, but the story demanded otherwise.
I’ve read books where I didn’t like the ending because it made me sad or upset–but the ending was true to the work. Then there are other books where I hated the ending because it came out of nowhere and didn’t make any sense.
I’ve had the same thing happen, Liz.
Yay for a five-star book. They make reading an awesome experience!
They do, Priscilla!
Sounds like a polarizing book, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your honest opinion.
Some endings arenāt āfeel good.ā I thought the author handled this one well.
This sounds like a fabulous read, Joan! I’m intrigued! Thanks for sharing!
One of my favorites of the series, Jan.
Super revie3, Joan. Glad you enjoyed the book.
As I continue the series, I keep thinking Iāve found a favorite. This book is one of them. Thanks, John.
Good to hear.
Just the set-up sounds interesting. This one must have been especially well-written. I’ll have to put it on my list, but I’m so far behind in my reading, it might be winter before I get to it. I’ll have something to look forward to!
I think this was one of his better books, Judi. What I like is how the author follows the lives of Cork and his family. I look forward to to the next one.
Hope it’s as good or better than this one! Happy reading.
Wonderful review, Joan. You’ve got my attention! I’ll be checking it out. š
Thanks so much, Gwen.
One of the best in the series is high praise, Joan. It sounds like an intriguing book and I appreciate the lack of spoilers. Do all of his books work as stand-alones or is it better to start at the beginning?
They can be stand-alone books since each story is unique. However, they do follow a chronological order, so I would recommend reading them in order. The exception is āLightning Strike,ā because it goes back to when Cork was a young boy.
I read the first book, āIron Lake,ā last year and got hooked.
I hate to read reviews that spoil the entire book, so beware if you read any for this one, Diana. Thankfully, I didnāt read them until I finished the book.
Thanks for the recommendation. And I rarely read reviews (other than from bloggers). I usually don’t even read the blurb if a book’s been recommended to me! Thanks.
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing, Joan!!
It’s one a really enjoyed. Thanks, Mar.