The River We Remember

A Novel

By: William Kent Krueger

Narrated by: CJ Wilson

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1958, a small Minnesota town is rocked by a shocking murder, pouring fresh fuel on old grievances in this dazzling novel, an instant New York Times bestseller and “a work of art” (The Denver Post).

On Memorial Day in Jewel, Minnesota, the body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. The investigation falls to Sheriff Brody Dern, a highly decorated war hero who still carries the physical and emotional scars from his military service. Even before Dern has the results of the autopsy, vicious rumors begin to circulate that the killer must be Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran who has recently returned to Jewel with a Japanese wife. As suspicions and accusations mount and the town teeters on the edge of more violence, Dern struggles not only to find the truth of Quinn’s murder but also put to rest the demons from his own past.

Caught up in the torrent of anger that sweeps through Jewel are a war widow and her adolescent son, the intrepid publisher of the local newspaper, an aging deputy, and a crusading female lawyer, all of whom struggle with their own tragic histories and harbor secrets that Quinn’s death threatens to expose.

Both a complex, spellbinding mystery and a masterful portrait of mid-century American life that is “a novel to cherish” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis), The River We Remember offers an unflinching look at the wounds left by the wars we fight abroad and at home, a moving exploration of the ways in which we seek to heal, and a testament to the enduring power of the stories we tell about the places we call home.

©2023 William Kent Krueger (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

In the Top Three Kent Kruger books

Tender is the Land, Ordinary Grace the The River We Remember are Kent Kruegers three top books. He really displays his writing talent with these. The Cork O'Connor series is prolific yet gripping. You can tell by the end of chapter one that Kent Krueger spent some time on this book. It is a combination of the coming of age in Tender is the Land and the mystery of Cork O'Connor. The River We Remember is well worth reading, but an Audio version would be best. The narrator/actor did an excellent job.

Should be headed for the Pulitzer Prize!

A small town in Minnesota, along the banks of the Alabaster River, is the setting for a prominent, but despised, citizen’s murder. Prejudice runs rampant, and a local Native American resident, is accused of the murder. Historical fiction) Krueger is an exceptional writer who, in my opinion, should be given the Pulitzer Prize for this absolutely beautifully rendered story.

Very good overall

I liked the story and the style of WK Krueger. The narrator was a little “one note”, and not very engaging however

A Good Read

This book was good though not on the level of Ordinary Grace. It had good characters and a good storyline.

Excellent

Great story and narration. The epilogue was so powerful. I listened to it several times.

All I can say is Wow!

Loved this book! Hard to put down. Great performance too. Must Read!!! Will be recommending.

Characters

Liked the story and characters. Kruger builds characters so well and keep you totally engrossed.

Character development

Awesome! Didn’t want it to end! Believable. Made you feel a part of the story.

Not the best

Too long. Needed editing.
1958. Vets; indigenous man married to Japanese woman is accused of murder of nasty/abusive/child molester landowner for whom he worked. The man’s wife killed him so he couldn’t molest their youngest and the I removed his corpse from the house thus his DNA was on the dead guy

Kindness

The characters in this story are genuine. They learn to trust one another and care even though their history may not be clean.