Rating: 
Summary: Great Debut
Review: The murder?/suicide? of a corrupt judge in far northern Aurora Minnesota sets the momentum of this well written first novel. The mysteries pile up, a whiteout type blizzard sets in, the Windigo is afoot, and a crackerjack story ensues. The central character, Cork O'Conner is a straightforward man beset by complexities. He was fired from his post as sheriff and, wonder of wonders, deserved it. The usual mystery ploy is the hero was wrongfully used and was in fact a total hero, if only he had been understood. Cork is invested with real human frailties. His marriage is spiraling toward a divorce, and he can't get a handle on what to do about it. The sheriff who took his place, far from being an illiterate, crooked nincompoop, is actually a competent, honest man-much to Cork's discomfort. The story is well paced with excellent plotting and characterization. The interplay between the characters, both verbally and emotionally, is exceptionally strong. There is a whiff of the supernatural (see Windigo above) that the author lightly touches upon and leaves to the reader whether to accept or not. What is extremely encouraging that as strong a book as "Iron Lake" is, I feel his latest, "Boundary Waters" is even better. Mr. Krueger is an evolving author in the best sense. This highly enjoyable book is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Great Debut
Review: The murder?/suicide? of a corrupt judge in far northern Aurora Minnesota sets the momentum of this well written first novel. The mysteries pile up, a whiteout type blizzard sets in, the Windigo is afoot, and a crackerjack story ensues. The central character, Cork O'Conner is a straightforward man beset by complexities. He was fired from his post as sheriff and, wonder of wonders, deserved it. The usual mystery ploy is the hero was wrongfully used and was in fact a total hero, if only he had been understood. Cork is invested with real human frailties. His marriage is spiraling toward a divorce, and he can't get a handle on what to do about it. The sheriff who took his place, far from being an illiterate, crooked nincompoop, is actually a competent, honest man-much to Cork's discomfort. The story is well paced with excellent plotting and characterization. The interplay between the characters, both verbally and emotionally, is exceptionally strong. There is a whiff of the supernatural (see Windigo above) that the author lightly touches upon and leaves to the reader whether to accept or not. What is extremely encouraging that as strong a book as "Iron Lake" is, I feel his latest, "Boundary Waters" is even better. Mr. Krueger is an evolving author in the best sense. This highly enjoyable book is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent Mystery
Review: There is nothing worse than a writer who doesn't do the research. That is not the case here. Not only is this a great mystery, but the setting is wonderful, a small town in northern Minnesota abutted by an Ojibway reservation. As a resident of Minnesota, I can attest to the fact that the characters and setting are authentic in every detail. This is a highly entertaining mystery that will not insult your intelligence. Engaging as it can be!
Rating:
Summary: Combines a great plot with great characters
Review: This is one of the few mysteries that I have ever read which really drew me in emotionally. The plot is realistic and satifyingly complex, but the real strength of this book is its characters. Cork O'Connor is a likeable, but definitely flawed hero. Jo, his estranged wife, is also a fully developed character, although I think she comes across as a little less likeable than the author probably intended. Cork's girlfriend Molly is also a great character and probably the most likeable person in the book. The only character that is very one-dimensional is the primary bad guy, who is just a little over-the-top evil. There is a good bit of action, and the ending is so suspenseful that you won't put the book down for anything short of your house catching on fire. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Combines a great plot with great characters
Review: This is one of the few mysteries that I have ever read which really drew me in emotionally. The plot is realistic and satifyingly complex, but the real strength of this book is its characters. Cork O'Connor is a likeable, but definitely flawed hero. Jo, his estranged wife, is also a fully developed character, although I think she comes across as a little less likeable than the author probably intended. Cork's girlfriend Molly is also a great character and probably the most likeable person in the book. The only character that is very one-dimensional is the primary bad guy, who is just a little over-the-top evil. There is a good bit of action, and the ending is so suspenseful that you won't put the book down for anything short of your house catching on fire. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Iron Lake
Review: This was my first "Cork O'Connor" book and found the characters believable. An excellent read and hard to put down once you start.
Rating:
Summary: Iron Lake
Review: This was my first "Cork O'Connor" book and found the characters believable. An excellent read and hard to put down once you start.
Rating:
Summary: Iron Lake
Review: This was my first "Cork O'Connor" book and found the characters believable. An excellent read and hard to put down once you start.
Rating:
Summary: Kudoes for Krueger
Review: We need to welcome a new mystery writer to our midst. Krueger has it all: great characters, good plots, informative background settings and realistic human relationships. So glad I picked up Purgatory Ridge - then read Iron Lake and Boundary Waters. Hope Kruger keeps his heroes Cork O'Connor, his wife Jo, and the Windigo busily entertaining us for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Kudoes for Krueger
Review: We need to welcome a new mystery writer to our midst. Krueger has it all: great characters, good plots, informative background settings and realistic human relationships. So glad I picked up Purgatory Ridge - then read Iron Lake and Boundary Waters. Hope Kruger keeps his heroes Cork O'Connor, his wife Jo, and the Windigo busily entertaining us for years to come.
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