Hey, readers. Welcome to my last book review of 2022. I have something different planned for next Tuesday, and then I’m taking a blogging break the last week of December.
I’m getting near the end of the Cork O’Connor books. Sulfur Springs is the sixteenth of the series.
My Review
In this sixteenth Cork O’Connor novel, Cork’s new bride Rainy Bisonette receives a voicemail from her son Peter indicating he’s in trouble. When numerous attempts to return his call go unanswered Cork and Rainy travel to Arizona attempting to learn his fate.
They discover that Peter had been hiding things from his mother, including the fact he was no longer employed at the rehabilitation facility where he once went for help with his drug addiction. Some speculate Peter was using again, while others maintained he was clean.
Cork and Rainy soon learn “to trust no one in Coronado County.” There are drug cartels, border patrol, and DEA agents, illegal immigrants, crooked law enforcement officers, as well as human interest and vigilante groups.
This is the first book of the series written in first person from Cork’s point of view. We also learn more about Rainy’s past and that she’s kept secrets from Cork.
The desert of Arizona is a much different setting from Minnesota. Krueger introduces us to new characters, some likable, others not. I missed the usual cast from Arora—there’s only a short scene with Henry Meloux who, as usual, offers them sage advice. Cork’s children are briefly mentioned.
The plot is well-paced and will keep readers guessing until near the end. There is one thing that kept me from giving this five stars. The author felt the need to interject his political views. I read fiction to escape the madness and I don’t need reminders of how our country is divided. However, this will not keep me from reading the next three books of the series as some reviewers have vowed not to do.
18 Responses
Not sure this series is for me but thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, Sheri.
If an author imposes his political views in a way that is not intrinsic to the characters or the plot, I’m not a happy reader.
Me neither, Liz. I thought this was uncalled for.
The politics of world building don’t bother me, and neither does historic politics inserted in a story. But I’m with you, I’d rather escape the current news stories when I read a novel. Good review, Joan!
Yep, we get enough of current events on the news, the Internet, and social media!
Thanks for your review, Joan. When an author drops political views in a story, I am totally turned off. I have the same reaction to preaching on TV shows. Thanks for your honest opinion.
Totally agree, John. It’s one thing to name a political figure (which he didn’t) and another to subtlely (or not so subtlely) for a writer to interject their views.
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Thank you for sharing your review, Joan. I don’t think this is one for me, and you’ve helped me decide that. I dislike political pressure, even if I agree with the point of view.
This book didn’t mention a political figure, but what he did write left no doubt as to whom he referred to or his feelings. Krueger is perfectly entitled to his opinions, and I respect that. But putting it into fiction is a big turn-off for me.
I’m so far behind in this series, I don’t think I’ll ever catch up. It’s interesting that Krueger decided to write in first person this far into the series. That can give a book an entirely different feel.
It was different in that we got more of Cork’s feelings. I’m still partial to third-person POV.
“like”
Interesting review, Joan. I agree with you about authors interjecting their political opinions in fiction. I steer clear of that. Thank you for sharing!
Me too, Jan. I have written historical “politics” so to speak with mentions of JFK and Bobby. However, it was for the historical context, not if a reader liked or disliked the men.
I enjoyed your review, Joan. I agree about politics in fiction, I’m reading to escape current issues.
Same with me Denise. I enjoyed this book otherwise.