Customer Reviews

Blood Hollow

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cork Corcoran, ex-sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota is searching for answers as to the death of Charlotte Kane, a young woman who disappeared several months before and whose body has turned up after the snow has melted. Cork wants to find the killer in order to exonerate his friend, Solemn Winter Moon. Complex interrelationships among the locals complicate the investigation. However, nobody is prepared for Solemn's claim that he has seen Christ in a vision or the miracles that soon follow.
William Kent Krueger is one of perhaps a dozen American midlist authors who through his style of writing and creation of characters sets the standard for the rest of the genre. Kent is not capable of writing a bad book. Some may be better than others but the work will always have a high standard. This is of no exception. Well paced, compelling and a satisfying solution make this an all around highly recommended read.

In his novel, Krueger pays particular attention to the special bond between fathers and daughters, the anguished language of loss, the intricacies of human behavior and the personal flaws that hinder our spiritual growth. All of these issues come into play with the unexpected disappearance of Charlotte Kane, daughter of the wealthy Fletcher Kane in the small town of Aurora, Minnesota. Searching through a winter blizzard, it isn't until the spring thaw that Charlotte's body is recovered. With that discovery comes a slew of accusations, most directed at Solemn Winter Moon, a young Ojibwe Indian known for his eye for the ladies and, of late, for trouble. Retired ex-sheriff Cork O'Connor helps with the search, but later, when a new sheriff takes over, Cork is given the cold shoulder when making inquiries as to the disposition of the case.

For some reason, Sheriff Soderberg is purposefully rude to Cork, hostile even, a fact that dismays and frustrates a man who is only trying to help out interested parties, especially Solemn's mother, who is concerned about her son taking the brunt of Charlotte Kane's family vendetta, if and when an autopsy determines the cause of death. Solemn makes an easy target, an efficient way to put Charlotte's murder or suicide behind the town. Cork's wife, Jo, an attorney, takes on Solemn's case and discovers a few well-hidden secrets that point to the motives of other law-abiding citizens. Due to new evidence, Solemn is released and a number of clandestine relationships are revealed, casting the formerly staid community into supposition overdrive, especially when Solemn Winter Moon experiences a spiritual awakening and is credited with inexplicable miracles.

As a very convoluted plot unwinds, there is much consideration of faith, the perception of good vs. evil. One questioning soul after another confronts his belief in miracles, one man in particular acting out disturbing compulsions against nature's stark background, where everything seems clearer, removed from the conventional ambiguities of city life. The assumptions Cork makes lead him from one person to another, slowly picking through the strange motives of a tortured mind. What began as a young woman's disappearance becomes a trail of serial murders inspired by religious fanaticism, crimes committed in the name of God, the denouement of the guilty party illuminated by spiritual, if misdirected, intentions. Joining the mystery genre with Cork's quest for renewed spirituality overrides the logical plot of the novel, faith tested as well as reason, the physical mystery piggybacked with a more personal endeavor, the protagonist's return to a faith he had abandoned. Luan Gaines/2005.

More than the other books I've read by this fine author, "Blood Hollow" is deep, nuanced and bold. The author takes the death of a girl in the Boundary Waters country of Minnesota and weaves a compelling story of intrigue and suspense. The characters are well-drawn and the plot moves steadily forward without resorting to plot devices that strain credulity. Krueger treats the intermingling cultures of the Ojibwe and the western inhabitants of the area with skill and respect, and in this book, he handily employs the religions of the two groups. Religion plays an important role in this book. With this book I believe that Krueger places himself among the best mystery writers of the day, and I eagerly look forward to reading more of his Cork O'Connor books.

I am such a fan of Krueger's writing. His characters are well developed and interesting. His sense of place is excellent; when he describes a blizzard, you're reaching for a blanket even if it's 80 outside. And his plots have wonderful twists and turns along the way that I never see coming. I think this is a much under-recognized whose books, to me, rank right there with Connolly, Connelly, Lehane and Rankin. The series doesn't have to be read in order, but I'd recommend it. And don't forget his standalone.

William Kent Krueger is amazing. Each book gets better and better. You can really see the spiritual, cultural, and community issues come to a boiling point in this novel. I will spare you all the details, you can read them in other reviews, but give you the big picture of you will love this book if like any or all of the below: a) you like a great mystery b) appreciate the upper midwest c) like Native American issues/culture d) are a spiritual person.

It is a darn good read, can't wait for the next!

In this, the 4th of the Cork O'Connor series, the story opens in the deep freeze of a Minnesota winter with a search for the missing daughter of a wealthy resident of Aurora, where former sheriff Cork O'Connor lives with his family and runs a burger joint. Months later, the spring thaws reveal a body: the missing girl, along with some questionable evidence found nearby. At the request of a friend, and in spite of disapproval from the newly elected sheriff, Cork gets involved in the investigation, anxious to protect the rights of the only suspect, Solemn Winter Moon, a troubled young half Indian who was romantically involved with the dead girl. As Cork discovers, secrets and lies abound, complicating his efforts to know the truth about the crime, the victim, her family, the suspect, the law in Aurora, and even threats to his own family. Raised Catholic, Cork has long struggled with a crisis of faith, and in this novel, he comes full face on with what it means to believe. Or not.

One of Krueger's great gifts in writing this series is his ability to portray the landscape and atmosphere of Cork O'Connor's Minnesota. Place becomes another character in these novels....but not so much in Blood Hollow. Even the wine colored stream that provides the title seems meagerly evoked and unimportant, a throwaway description. While the murderer was apparent, at least to me, early on, much of the mystery is confusing and incomprehensible. One character's disappearance years earlier is never solved, and the motive, though explained, seems more than a little incredible. Some of the characters, too, are merely outlines, without enough depth to make us care about them or even believe in them.

Blood Hollow does not equal Krueger's earlier O'Connor entries, in my opinion. However, the man can write, so I look forward to moving on to Mercy Falls, next in the lineup.

It is so nice to visit lovable, if flawed Cork O'coonor again. The changes in his character add realism to him. This book captures the qualities of a small town and the people who live there. Cork, again, strives to stay true to his ideals, although not always in the most conventional ways.

Krueger haas done it again!

Excellent story, well written and totally entertaining. Many, many twists and turns.

A young girl is found murdered and all evidence and suspicion points to her former boyfriend with a criminal past. Cork is not convinced that he is the murderer and delves deep into the investigation uncovering lots of hidden secrets and hidden identities. WIll keep you guessing from first page to last. A must read. Next to Boundary Waters, Krueger's best yet!!

In Aurora, Minnesota, seventeen years old Charlotte Kane vanishes after being seen at a New Year's Eve Party. A search led by Sheriff Wally Shanno of the Northwoods in frozen January turns up nothing. Four thawing months later, the daughter of wealthy recluse Dr. Fletcher Kane is found dead. The locals have no confidence in Shanno and his staff solving the hideous homicide so many encourage former sheriff turned hamburger establishment owner Cork O'Connor to investigate the crime.

While Shanno leans towards Ojibwa Solemn Winter Moon, whom the victim romantically toyed with, Cork sees several possible other suspects with stronger motives and opportunities. He beings questioning Charlotte's father and Catholic Father Mal Thorne as the former law enforcement official tries to do what he perceives is the right thing, justice for the dead that no longer can obtain such on their own.

BLOOD HOLLOW is a strong private investigative tale with obvious police procedural elements involved due to the official inquiry and the hero's background. The story line brings home the unbearably cold and desolate landscape (keep the heat on) as few novels can so that the background makes the investigation seem even bleaker yet also shows the strength of character of some of the cast especially Cork. Though he makes progress in his family relationships, he sees a bit too ideally perfect unofficially wearing his old sheriff's hat, but fans will appreciate a moral outstanding citizen seeking resolution for someone who is beyond caring what happens.

Harriet Klausner

Krueger is a wonderful writer. The first two chapters paint a vivid, intense picture, and really got me excited about my first reading of this author. And the writing holds up throughout. I can't say the same of the mystery, and certainly not of the suspense. The mystery is captivating when it gets started, and maybe it is enough to carry the book, but if so, the story needed more suspense to make me care more. Like another reviewer here, I was left dissatisfied by the resolution.

I think you will interpret the overt spirituality in the novel in light of your personal thoughts--I didn't care for it, mainly because its importance to the story is negligible, and I felt too much like it was an author offering his views. I suspect some readers will enjoy that aspect more than I did.

In the end I'm giving the novel four stars, mostly because he is a strong writer. I don't see this novel being an award winner, but I think the writer is certainly capable of writing award winning novels. I will read another of his novels soon, hoping to find a better mystery.