Hey, everyone. I’m back to reading William Kent Kruger’s Cork O’Connor series. Not sure what I’ll do when I finish them all, as I have enjoyed most of the books immensely.
I delayed reading Windigo Island for a few weeks (you’ll see why in my review) but I’m glad I continued the series. If I haven’t said it before, I love the character Henry Meloux. We all could learn something from his wisdom. Somehow, I picture Henry looking like Chief Dan George who appeared in the Clint Eastwood movie The Outlaw Josey Wales, along with several other films.
Once I finished Windigo Island, I was eager to move on to the next in the series, Manitou Canyon. Both reviews follow.
My Review
Windigo Island is the fourteenth installment of the Cork O’Connor series. Tamarack County, the previous book, was such a disappointment I hesitated to start this one. However, I’m committed to finishing the series. And I was pleasantly surprised.
Krueger’s writing talent once again shows. The matter of sex trafficking is a difficult one—another reason I hesitated—but the author handled the subject well. No graphic details, yet he calls the reader’s attention to a problem many parts of our country face.
Cork and his oldest daughter, Jenny, travel to the Ojibwe reservation of Bad Bluff at the request of a missing girl’s family. The body of the friend whom she disappeared with washed up on Windigo Island in Lake Superior.
Cork and Jenny, along with Henry Meloux and a new character, Daniel English set out to find the missing girl and the perpetrators of a sex trafficking ring. What they encounter is evil comparable to the legendary Windigo.
The book was in three parts—first from Cork’s point of view, then Jenny’s, then back to Cork’s. Honestly, there were times I wanted to slap some sense into Jenny. But her character grew as she realizes not everyone’s life is picture perfect like the one she has in Aurora, Minnesota. Henry, as usual, shows his ageless wisdom. Cork also shows a side we don’t often see, but over the course of each book, his character has also grown.
The book wraps up with a satisfying conclusion and a hint of a future romance for Jenny. An easy four stars for this one.
My Review:
November has come to Northern Minnesota and Cork O’Connor has the blues. He lost his father, a good friend, and his wife in the month of November. Is it any wonder he dreads this time of year?
Even his oldest daughter’s upcoming wedding can’t pull him out of his gloom.
When two siblings approach him to continue the investigation into their grandfather’s disappearance in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, he agrees to take the case. He, along with the missing man’s granddaughter, goes into the wilderness area, hoping to find something missed by search and rescue. And Cork finds more than he bargained for.
As his family anxiously awaits his return, they begin to investigate. And when they do, they aren’t sure who to trust.
There are familiar characters, Jenny, Stephen, Rose, Rainy, and my favorite, Henry Meloux. O’Connor introduces us to a new character, Rainy’s Aunt Leah, who adds her own bit of mystery.
I found this book hard to put down. The suspense builds and wraps up in a satisfying ending. In my opinion, this is one of the better books in the Cork O’Connor series.
Needless to say, Krueger has become one of my favorite authors.
30 Responses
Isn’t it great to find a series or author that we know will be great every time?
Absolutely, Pete!
Sounds like sticking with it was the right idea.
I’m too far invested in them not to. As with any series, you win some, you lose some.
I understand that now.
Looks like some good reading! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Joan 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony I’ve enjoyed the majority of the series.
Great reviews, Joan. Thank you for sharing. I’ll be heading to Amazon soon. 😊
I do recommend reading the books in order, Gwen. The only exception is Book 18 (Lightning Strike). I read it earlier this year, but it goes back in time to when Cork was a young boy. You’ll get a lot of his backstory in it.
Thanks for sharing, Joan. Sounds like you’ve found a winning series!
I’ve enjoyed it. Only three more books to read, but I’m hoping he’ll write and publish another one next year.
Glad you stuck it out. Sounds like it was the right decision.
I’m glad I did as well.
They both sound good, but wow, Manitou Canyon sounds fantastic!
Thanks, Priscilla. It’s my favorite of the two books.
I enjoyed your reviews, Joan. Thaks for sharing them with us. 😊
You’re most welcome, John!
😁
Welp, you’ve convinced me, Joan. I need to check this guy out. I’ll start at the beginning, and work my way forward from there. Thanks for such helpful reviews, and I’m looking forward to the first book of the series. 😊
I’ve enjoyed them, Marcia. As with any series, some books are better than others.
By the way, Mae has convinced me to try the Pendergast series. I signed up for their newsletter, and I’m getting a free paperback.
Oooh, the Pendergast books are marvelous! I think you’ll really enjoy A.X.L. Pendergast himself, and will love the series. Happy reading! 😊❤️
I know you’re a big fan of this series, Joan. I’m so glad these latest two books were worthy of the characters and stories you enjoy. Two great reviews.
BTW, did you see the GR newsletter email? I thought of you when I got it. There’s a section on recommended reads celebrating Native Americans.
I did see it, Mae. I clicked on the link and saw a few that I think I’d like.
I can tell how much you enjoy Krueger’s work, Joan. Two more excellent reviews. Your review of Manitou Canyon in particular caught my attention. Thanks for the recommendations of this author and his books.
It was my favorite of the two, Diana. I have enjoyed this series.
I’m thinking this might be a fun author to introduce my husband to. He likes these long series with repeat characters. Perhaps for Christmas. 🙂
If he likes mystery/crime fiction, he’d probably like these. I also like the family dynamics and of course, the Native American aspect.
My husband is a little more into the thriller crime fiction (Lee Child fan), but I might get him one or two and see what happens.
I would recommend starting with the first, Iron Lake. Book 18, Lightning Strike, could be read out of order because it’s a sort of a prequel.
Thanks!