Purgatory Ridge

A Cork O'Connor Mystery, Book 3

By: William Kent Krueger

Narrated by: David Chandler

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

William Kent Krueger is the award-winning author of the popular Cork O’Connor mysteries. In Purgatory Ridge, Krueger crafts a riveting tale that has ex-sheriff O’Connor on the case after a heated town debate turns deadly.

The local Anishinaabe Indian tribe is furious to discover that Karl Lindstrom’s lumber mill is after a grove of trees sacred to tribal lore. So when the mill gets bombed, killing a man, the tribe is blamed. But O’Connor has a different theory.

Solve another case with Cork O'Connor.

©2001 William Kent Krueger (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

If you like Longmire...

You will like this series. It is similar to Longmire in many ways, but has more family involvement. It definitely keeps your interest and you find yourself becoming more invested in getting to know the family and hoping for the best for all it's members.

I will eventually work my way through this series. I am glad that I took a chance.

Good listen

Solid story with twists. Good presentation. Keeps you wanting more. Diverse personalities. Will read more of the series.

My new favorite series!

I have exhausted all the Michael Connelly and James Patterson inventory and my brother recommended this series. I love it for the same reason I love Connelly and Patterson-it is entertaining, pulls you in and passes the time with familiar characters and great storytelling. Krueger's books have the added perk of learning tid bits about the Boundary Waters.

Trees, ships, families, and greed in Minnesota

PURGATORY RIDGE is the third installment of the Cork O'Conner mysteries. Though no longer the sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota, when the local lumber mill is bombed, resulting in the death of a local Native American tribesman, Cork is asked to help in the investigation. Many possibilities for suspects eventually evolve as environmentalists and the local tribes are protesting the lumbering of a sacred stand of old growth trees called the "Old Grandfathers". Then the lumber mill-owner's wife and son, along with Cork's wife and son , are kidnapped with a ransom demand for 2 million dollars.

Suspense builds with the addition of another suspect, the only survivor of a sunken ship from a number of years ago, who has been mourning the death of his brother during that sinking. He believes the mill owner's wife's family is responsible for the sinking by sabotaging the ship for the insurance money. With the building of suspects and clues developing into a serious case, the conclusion is a complete surprise.

Krueger's mysteries are enhanced by the cultural differences between the Native Americans and the whites, with Cork being mixed blood, and his wife as the lawyer for the tribe. There are also marital issues between Cork and his wife, as they have come together again, after both strayed with other partners. They have three children, two of whom now help Cork run their restaurant. These many and varied issues greatly add to the interest of Krueger's books. The atmosphere of the Minnesota surrounds is also a character in itself, building suspense with the wild weather, and many land formations. Excellent continuation of the Cork O'Conner series!

Would love to hear another reader

I really enjoy hearing about the Cork O'Connor world and its perspective on environmental, native American and law enforcement issues. However, the story often seems contrived and as another reviewer said, there are gaps in it. I keep wondering if I would enjoy this more with a different narrator. I find David Chandler's pacing and dry, uninflected voice pretty uninspiring, so my mind wanders into thinking about plot inconsistencies!

Another Great Mystery, #3, with Cork O'Connor

This mystery, the third in the series,stays true to the story line of ex-sheriff, Cork O'Connor standing up against evil and injustice on Iron Lake. The history of the native Indians is interwoven, and as in the first two books, his wife Jo, is an attorney who represents the Indians. The locals want Cork to run for sheriff again . . . which isn't decided in book three. The story takes twists and turns, which are unexpected and keeps you listening. My husband and I have listened to the first three in the series together while taking road trips to visit our kids. We will be moving on the Number Four!

Multiple agendas and conspirators weave tale!

With ecowarriors and the lumber mill, murder and kidnap, blackmail threats, plus family and local tensions Cork has his plate full. He is the consultant and extra muscle for the current sheriff, but he still has no official status. The crimes are solved and the hostages recovered safely, but several of the local tensions remain and will undoubtedly erupt in other episodes. This kept my attention throughout. The scenarios and human responses are believable.

The narrator has become the talented voice for this series.

I will move on to the next book.

It's a decent read

It's Cork O'Connor and the author is staying true to his characters. Nobody is all good or all bad or all heroic. Even the hero has flaws, which means his triumphs are those of a human being and not "given to him" like a superman. The other characters, including the location, have dimensions and depth. The setting in Aurora, Minnesota and its environs are very well "drawn" and I like the way the author draws us into the the lives of the inhabitants. I agree with the reviewer who said this series puts him in mind of the Longmire series, but assure you that it stands on its own. I am enjoying this series and will definitely move on to the next one.

Not a fan of the narrator.

I might like this book in written form but the reader displays all the expression of a seventh grader reading his book report to the class. And he can't do female voices worth a darn.

Purgatory Ridge

This is my third book I have really enjoyed all three. Plan to read them all.
I hate that I am forced to write more than I want. NO MORE REVIEWS

Blaring and dull

Not a mystery or thriller. Long and boring kidnapping plot with only one outcome. Waste of time and money.

A really satisfying thriller on many levels

A great story with intricate plots that weave together into a totally unexpected but believable climax. The characters developed as the setting in Northern Minnesota is brought to life as a worthy backdrop to this excellent book. The author's knowledge of the first American tribes brings them sensitively into the plot. The wide compass of this story makes it a compelling read.