Iron Lake

Cork O'Connor, Book 1

By: William Kent Krueger

Narrated by: David Chandler

Anthony Award-winning author William Kent Krueger crafts this riveting tale about a small Minnesota town’s ex-sheriff who is having trouble retiring his badge. Cork O’Connor loses his job after being blamed for a tragedy on the local Anishinaabe Indian reservation. But he must set aside his personal demons when a young boy goes missing on the same day a judge commits suicide—and no one but O’Connor suspects foul play.

Solve another case with Cork O'Connor.©1998 William Kent Krueger (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Krueger makes Cork a real person beneath his genre garments, mostly by showing him dealing with the needs of his two very different teenage daughters. And the author's deft eye for the details of everyday life brings the town and its peculiar problems to vivid life." ( Publishers Weekly)

Riveting Mystery

My husband and I listened to this on our way to New Orleans to visit our daughter and her family. Couldn't stop listening . . . listened to it in bed after we got there . . . listened to it on our little side trips . . . finally finished it in bed the second day we were there . . . this is a book for both men and women . . . and it will keep you guessing . . . I love the historical aspect of the Indian customs and superstitions . . . Cork the ex-sheriff is a normal guy, with an arrow straight moral compass . . . I like that about him . . . and what he uncovers will blow your mind . . . thought I had it figured out, then I didn't . . .

Who came first - Wm Krueger or CJ Box ???

I'm a HUGE CJ Box fan. As I listened to this narrator - David Chandler (also the voice of Box's Joe Pickett) I had to keep reminding myself this was Cork nor Joe. Cork and Joe are brothers from different mothers.

Finding Krueger and his large collection of Cork novels I feel like I've found long lost CJ Box stories. Both involve rural outdoors and a straight arrow hero with a family. Just enough differences in the two (Joe and Cork) to make all the books interesting.

Is this gonna be a good series, or what?

This was a surprisingly good book. I think I picked it up in a 3 for 2 credit sale because I am always looking for a new series in this genre. I think I may have found one. Krueger not only tells a good story, he creates and develops interesting characters that should be interesting to follow. Moreover, this is not a "they lived happily thereafter book". I get the feeling nobody, the main character not withstanding, is safe in Krueger's plots. I suppose time will tell if this theme continues as I go through the 13 available books.

From a more critical point of view, Krueger's plot in Iron Lake might have been a bit over extended. There were a lot of characters and sub-plots that didn't add much, if anything, to the story. Are some of them going to play roles in later books? I don't know. But, I'd like to give the author a little slack in the first book in his series and move on to the next one. In my experience, the good authors usually get better with experience (probably because they get better editors who polish the work). I hope that will be the case in later Cork O'Connor stories.

The narrator, David Chandler, did a great job. I almost did notice he was there and I could usually identify the character by the sound of his voice.

In any event, I will purchase the next book in the series right after I submit this review. I suppose that best expresses my feelings toward this one.

Too long, too many beatings, too many dead

If you get tired of hearing about the hero’s repeated beatings — he’s a VERY slow learner — and think a basically predictable plot may have a few too many twists and turns, this mystery novel may not be for you.

A pretty good narrator, though.

Entertaining and well written

Krueger writes a book with a very flawed protagonist and realistic people. I will enjoy his other works because I feel he is a very good writer with a very original presentation.

I'm hooked!

this was my first cork O'Connor book. I'm hooked and can't wait to start the next book! it is narrated by David Chandler, who did the Joe Pickett books. he just sucks you in!

Same Book Different Author

If this was the first time I had read this book it would have been more than just good. The problem is I have read the same book by the same author.

Almost quit

About the time I got to the third or fourth chapter I almost quit, thinking I knew the direction the story was going. I was wrong and am very glad I stuck with it and might try the next book in the series.

Totally enjoyable

Story was gripping. Characters believable and engaging. History and social commentary te Indians interesting. Performance fine.

Haunting Story, amateur narration.

It took me a little time to get into the story, I was getting a lackluster feel of the book. After a couple chapters, I realized the story was wonderful and well written, the problem was with the narration. The narrator did fine with overall story telling, but his characters were difficult to follow, as there was not a lot of distinction between individuals at times, even between genders.
The real problem was the acting choices. This narrator has a habit in books where I’ve heard him saying dialog in a snarky tone. There is a limited place for this at times, but he does it with every character so that no matter how well written the dialog, or no matter how likable or pleasant the character, I can tend to dislike that character because of the amateur theatre performance.
It’s really a shame that there is no direction for the narrator within the studio by a producer or director. No matter the profession and accomplishment of an individual, there is always room for growth and improvement. This same narrator is the voice for the C.J.Box novels, and he clearly has not grown as an actor.
In an audible book, the narrator has the power to make or break the hard work of an author. It’s a shame when an author’s work can be diminished this way.
I still recommend the book. The storyline, characters, locale, and haunting descriptors make for an enjoyable escape. I will search for more titles by the author, but may read instead of listen if its the same narrator.