Red Knife: A Novel [Paperback]

I am a mystery junkie. And I think my list of favorite male mystery writers is topnotch: James Lee Burke, Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, and Lee Child. But included in that list is Minnesota's own William Kent Krueger. His Cork O'Connor novels _are Minnesota at her best and worst. Krueger's knowledge of the Ojibwe is deep and respectful and his beliefs about violence are thoughtful, if not naïve in some respects. But it is the story, the characters that reach out and grab you and compel you to keep turning the pages.

"It was not yet dawn and already he could smell death." The reader is thrust immediately into the story with Krueger's first sentence-and it's a wild ride to the conclusion.

Kristi Reinhardt died as a result of a meth overdose. Her father, Buck Reinhardt, wants revenge. He believes Lonnie Thunder is responsible for his daughter's death, and he's going after him and the Red Boyz, a gang of Ojibwe, whom he believes shares in the responsibility.

The head of the Red Boyz, Alexander Kingbird, requests that former sheriff, Cork O'Connor (who is part Ojibwe), arrange a meeting with Buck. He wants to give Buck justice. Before the meeting can be set up, Alexander and his wife, Rayette, are brutally murdered at their home. Their young daughter is left alive and found crying in her crib. But a message was left at the scene and the murder itself suggests the Kingbirds were executed.

When another murder occurs, tensions heat up further between the Native Americans and the white folks living in Tamarack County. It's up to Cork to mitigate the building tension and avoid the bloodshed that is bound to occur. The toll on Cork changes him forever.

Violence, secrets, alienation, fear, hopelessness, honor, redemption and justice are all a part of Red Knife. It's a thoughtful and compelling novel. You won't be able to close the covers of Red Knife without examining your own beliefs about violence.

Armchair Interviews says: A must read.

Cork O'Connor, in this latest chapter in the series, is torn between his Indian and White heritages amidst violence in the rural Minnesota landscape. What sets it off is the death of a drugged young girl, pitting various elements against each other with Cork in the middle.

At the heart of the problem are some young Indians known as the Red Boyz. When their leader and his wife are found murdered, Cork understands that a powder keg of racially inspired conflict is at hand. Cork, the ex-sheriff, is drawn into the investigation, placing him in jeopardy as well. The novel is said to be based on a real story, and portrays the racial conflicts and drug violence of the present day.

As usual, the author shows his deep knowledge of the North Country landscape and Indian history and culture. Written simply but forcefully, the novel continues to enthrall the reader as have the past entries in the series. Recommended.

Note: All my recent "reading" is done via audio book.

I spent a lot of summers up in the area of Minnesota where Krueger's books takes place. He's pegged the people characteristics of the area so well its amazing. I'd be laughing well listening....cause I knew that guy....no, that wasn't his name....but I was sure it was him just the same.

Pros: A good basic story line. It keeps you interested from beginning to end, and you can't easily see where its going.

Cons: The last part didn't have to happen. I thought the ending got too "Soap Opera"-ish. Had he stopped it short of the last "episode" I think it would have been 4 stars. I'm not sure what point Krueger was trying to make at the end. He also locked himself into some futures for his characters. Not a good idea I think.