Trickster's Point: A Cork O'Connor Mystery, Book 12

Although I enjoyed this book in general, I believe that William Kent Krueger has committed a real author's no-no here. Regular fans of this series (and I am definitely one) will wonder why, if Cork O'Connor has been such a close friend of his Congressman for all these years, he didn't call on him to help when his wife Jo was missing - when he was so desperately looking for anyone who could exert influence in finding a missing airplane.
Why is such a prominent man who was evidently a big part of Cork's youth (and a continuing hunting buddy) a totally new character to us in the 12th book?

This glaring problem aside, "Trickster's Point" is a pretty solid entry in the series. It lacks the blazing action that has opened the last few O'Connor adventures, but the mystery here is an intriguing one. Although I believe most of us will have the who-done-it figured out before the reveal, it's still a riveting story. Cork's strong family values are still front and center, and he continues to present Ojibwe characters and culture in interesting ways. The narrator is terrific.

This is the 12th in the Cork O’Connor series. Cork goes hunting with a former friend of his four days before the election which might bring him the governorship of Minnesota, the first NativeAmerican governor. But while they are hunting on the most dangerous spot, Trickster’s Point, Cork comes upon his friend with an arrow shot to his heart. His friend asks him not to go for help but to stay with him, so he sits with his friend for three hours while he is dying. Because he didn’t try to go for help in that three-hour time, and because the arrow that was shot into his friend is made exactly the way he makes his own arrows, Cork is the prime suspect for the murder. So, in order to make sure he isn’t arrested for the crime, and because this man was a friend from his past, he begins his own investigation to find the murderer. These books just keep getting better. It will be one of my top mysteries of the year with many twists and turns and surprises, and a visit with his friend, Henry, the medicine man. Very good.

Really like David Chandler also. Perfect voice for this author. The problem...WKK just can't write them fast enough for me.

I have listened to the entire series and this is the best of the lot. I totally enjoyed it from start to finish.

I give this Cork O'Connor book my "best story in a series" award. It was worth the wait....and left me wanting to turn another page. The book stands alone (so if it is your first William Kent Krueger read, you won't be left wondering about references to earlier books.) But Krueger only provides O'Connor family background when background is essential (so if you have, like me, read all of the others in the series, you won't get bored by the repetition.) The Ojibwa mystic tradition is interestingly presented and makes me want to learn more; the beauty and wildness of northern Minnesota is drawn with a brilliant word palette reminding me of personal soul-searching times spent paddling the Boundary Waters and walking the shores of Lake Gichigami. "The opposite of love is not hate but fear."

I have nearly all of the books by William Kent Krueger that are offered by Audible and I love them! I was in a half-priced book store recently and started talking to a woman and her mother about this author and his books. They left the store anxious to get on line to find his books. The stories flow and the suspense is enough to leave you wanting more. I would (and have) recommended these books to anyone who likes suspense!!

No, the narrators voices ruined the book for me. I would not buy another book with this person narrating it.