Cork Returns!

The work of William Kent Krueger is among my favorites in the mystery genre. He writes of Corcoran (Cork) O'Connor, a former sheriff who lives near the Iron Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota. Cork, part-Native American himself, often finds himself involved in various mysteries and murders, whether he is serving as the official law enforcement presence or not.

In this book entitled "Thunder Bay", Krueger goes back to a more Native-American dominated storyline. Henry Meloux, one of the recurring characters asks Cork, a newly-licensed private investigator, to find his son. Cork is stunned, and he agrees to do so. Meloux is a Midiwiwin, a Native-American tribal spiritual leader and visionary of sorts. He has to be in his late eighties or nineties. His appearances in the previous books only serve to heighten the interest in the story and his background. After Cork finds the reclusive son in Canada followed by an attempt on Meloux's life by the son's bodyguard, fully one-third of the book is narrated by Meloux in an exploration of his past. Krueger skillfully weaves the story together, and it is just a delight.

The previous book was not one that I liked or even finished. Many of Krueger's books have won Edgar and Anthony awards. I was so disappointed in "Copper River", but "Thunder Bay" is a full redemption.

Until next time, may your reading be both pleasurable and profitable.

"Cold Day is Paradise" Is Just Lukewarm

I just completed Steve Hamilton's "Cold Day in Paradise." This is another story with a lot of hype associated with it. Written back in 1998, this novel won the 1997 St. Martin's Press PWA Award for Best First Private Eye Novel. It also received the Edgar and the Seamus awards for Best First Novel. I was excited to read this book.

Alex McKnight is a former minor league baseball player and former Detroit police officer. When his partner is killed and he is wounded, McKnight leaves the force and is on disability. He moves to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Paradise, a small town where his father had built some cabins. McKnight begins to manage the cabins for the tourist trade. The book opens with McKnight as a newly-licensed private investigator in the employ of a local attorney.

McKnight becomes embroiled in a series of murders which soon becomes associated with the man who previously shot him and killed his partner. How can this be, since that man is in prison? Who is killing the bookmakers, and who is haunting and stalking Alex?

The storyline is good, and the setting also perfect for this series. I like Alex. I must say, however, that I found the relationships between Alex and others problematic. I just couldn't get the "passion" between Alex and Sylvia (his "best friend's" wife). Also, the chief of police just didn't work for me either. And although the plot is good, I figured this mystery out way before I should have.

Given that I am particularly drawn to this area of the country (see previous posts!), I knew I would like that aspect of the book. I would like to see Alex's character more developed as well as that of the "supporting cast." I couldn't relate to Alex the way I have been able to relate to another cold weather mystery-solver, William Kent Krueger's Cork O'Connor. Cork is a delight. He is complex, he is flawed, and he has this whole Native American thing going on. Also, being a family man makes for some additional and familiar characters.

Even though I'm just lukewarm after reading "Cold Day in Paradise," I may read another Alex McKnight novel. I did like the way the book ended. I would love to discuss it, but I would have to really spoil it for you!

Until next time, may your reading be pleasurable and profitable!