I've begun WKK's series of Cork O'Connor books, and I'm on his "Blood Hollow" right now. I'm really enjoying them. Anyone else reading them?

Have the whole series. Downloaded the latest book--will hopefully get to it soon.

T

Read all of the ones that were out at one point. Very good. The bw one being my favorite. He's published 2 since then that I need to get to.

Got a list of his work a while back and read from first to last. First ones were interesting due to the setting, but not particularly stellar writing. Interesting to see the maturity of his writing over the years. Glad I stuck with it.

I just finished his latest, Tamarack County. Quite good. Read it in one sitting.

yep, good stuff !!!

Over the past several years I’ve read a lot of the Cork O’Conner series, and was pleasantly surprised when I was on a recent 6 week medical leave (loading up on books from the library) to discover there were still several I hadn’t read (mostly the earlier books). His writing has definitely improved over the years, one of my favorite authors. Looking forward to his next one that comes out Sept. 6 MANITOU CANYON. Unfortunately I’m 6th on the waiting list at the library so won’t be able to read it right away.

quote 2K10: "...Looking forward to his next one that comes out Sept. 6 MANITOU CANYON. Unfortunately I’m 6th on the waiting list at the library so won’t be able to read it right away. "

I am No. 4 on our Viking Library waiting list and 4 copies have been received or at least ordered by member libraries in the regional system. Anxious? Sure. But there have been some WKK duds. Here's hoping this one shines.

Got my copy of Manitou Canyon from the library yesterday. First one to check it out. Trying to put it down once in a while to try to get some other things done. Sounds like a couple of rainy nights at the cabin on Sand Point Lake Friday and Saturday... could be well-suited for reading by the fire...

quote schweady: " Sounds like a couple of rainy nights at the cabin on Sand Point Lake Friday and Saturday... could be well-suited for reading by the fire...
"

Yes I am jealous of your cabin on Sand Point Lake! (Near Crane Lake?)

quote schweady: "Got my copy of Manitou Canyon from the library yesterday. First one to check it out. Trying to put it down once in a while to try to get some other things done. Sounds like a couple of rainy nights at the cabin on Sand Point Lake Friday and Saturday... could be well-suited for reading by the fire...
"

Sounds like a great way to spend the weekend, hope the book is good!

quote 2K10: "

quote schweady: "Got my copy of Manitou Canyon from the library yesterday. First one to check it out. Trying to put it down once in a while to try to get some other things done. Sounds like a couple of rainy nights at the cabin on Sand Point Lake Friday and Saturday... could be well-suited for reading by the fire...
"

Sounds like a great way to spend the weekend, hope the book is good!"

Well, the weekend weather turned out much better than expected, the northerns and smallmouth were very cooperative, but the book was a bit of a disappointment. Hey, 2 out of 3... I'd rate the book a 5, maybe 6, out of 10. An appealing story line, as much of it was in the BW and Q, along with some timely concerns, but not his absolute best work.

I just started Iron Lake last week. Very good so far.

On to Purgatory Ridge!

Totally in love with this series already and TOTALLY called it about 5 chapters in - in Boundary Waters.

quote MNLindsey80: "On to Purgatory Ridge!


Totally in love with this series already and TOTALLY called it about 5 chapters in - in Boundary Waters."

Me too!!!!

Currently on Heavens Keep.

Sulfur Springs comes out September 2017. I am 9th in line on the waiting list for the 3 copies on order so far in our library system.

Finished Heavens Keep - onto Vermilion Drift!

Just started reading his stuff recently and I really like it so far. Looking forward to the next one.

He is going to be doing a book signing here in about 6 weeks. Still debating on whether I will go or not. Might be kinda cool

I'm on to Tricksters Point.
- Where is the book signing?

quote BasecampMom: "I'm on to Tricksters Point.
- Where is the book signing?"

It is at a local bookstore in the suburbs of Chicago.

Anderson's Bookshop

Stephen King is coming a month later!

I'm up to Tamarack County.

Looks like he'll be in MN too!

On to Windigo Island!

Meeting him at one of his events this week. Quite excited. Cork and the gang have become my imaginary friends over this past year! ;-)

I'm finally moving up our local library's reserve list for his latest, Sulfur Springs. Come to find out, it's set in Arizona. WTH?

Really! I'm nearly done with Wingo Island, and already have Manitou on me...
I was going to just buy Sulfur Springs.

Wonder if it'll be like Heavens Keep when that was mostly set in WY.

Totally LOVING the series thus far.

I was so looking forward to Sulfur Springs (I was the first to check out our local library's copy). It was a dud. Perhaps Krueger's worst so far.

The entire book was told in first person, O'Conner telling the entire story from his point of view. I'm sure it was something the author has wanted to experiment with for some time, but it had the unfortunate effect of forcing the story to unfold in totally linear fashion; if Cork wasn't there to relay it, it didn't happen. Wound up being chapter upon chapter of "and then this happened.. and then I went there... and then I met this person... and then this happened..."

The entire story is set in AZ, with just a few wistful longings for Northern MN. And even then, it's the same repetitive thoughts about tall trees and cool waters...

I found myself continuing to read it only because I had read all of Krueger's other books in the series and felt the need to do it. Hopefully,his next books will be better.

Does it follow the fact that his son is/was there?

I'm still on Manitou Canyon.

My favorite so far I think has been Northwest Angle. Least favorite was Heavens Keep.

quote BasecampMom: "Does it follow the fact that his son is/was there?"

Oops. I made a simple reply, but then wondered if it was something that would spoil it for those who haven't read the series to this point, so edited... You'll find out soon enough.

Can't wait. I haven't read in two weeks. Total fail, but eventually I'll pick it back up.

Next up (#17) in Krueger's Cork O'Connor series (August 2018):
Desolation Mountain
Just announced this afternoon on the author's FB page. Not even listed yet in my library system.

I do hope that this one is better than his latest few books, but, "...the crash of a private plane...which kills a United States senator and most of her family..." ? Really?

Kent (yes, that's the name he prefers) was in Perham a few nights ago. Entertaining storyteller. He talked about almost everything... except his books. But then, of course the Q&A session focused on the O'Conner series. Great evening and I recommend to anyone to look up the next available opportunity to hear him.

A fun moment: when answering questions about Ordinary Grace, he admitted that the town setting was -- not too surprisingly -- actually New Ulm (and that it is -- to some surprise -- based on his own family experiences). So, I asked why he would divulge that but never dare speak the name 'Ely' as Cork's actual home. He laughed and said, "I'll say this much... whenever Cork leaves to go somewhere, the place he leaves in right where Ely is." :-)

There is a legit Aurora MN, but that doesn't butt up to the BWCA. I always picture the burger hut on Fall Lake, or Moose.

Honestly, I wish a TV station would pick this up for a series. They'd have season after season of material with this. I always picture Cork to be Jeffrey Dean Morgan... he looks a nice cross of Irish and native?

Graham Greene as Henry Maloux, and Julia Jones as Rainy.

Obv. I've thought too much about this.

Ya, I've read this whole series and really enjoyed. In the waitlist for the new one at the library. Hoping against hope that I can get it for my BW trip next week!

I've just finished 2 of the Cork O'Connor books, Boundary Waters and then Vermillion Drift. I don't normally read books written in a series and not many whodunnits. But the connection to BWCA appealed to me. I got both books from the library so I've already returned Boundary Waters, but I think it was published at least 25 years ago based on references to Sony Walkman, bag phones, Chevy Lumina and looking at Vermillion Drift it was published in 2010. Either Mr Krueger improved as a writer over that time or he found a better editor. I enjoyed both, but Vermillion Drift I thought was much better wrought.
Also, I have a new appreciation for the complexity of mining in the North Country. I don't live there so easy for me to 'Just Say No'. (And I always will be on the Just Say No side). But, I was totally taken aback by Max Cavanaugh's comment along the lines of 'could we have won World War II without those mines'? I don't want to start a debate, I just want to say that this is why I love reading - it makes me think and opens my mind to different views.

He has a new book coming out aug 2024. You’ve got some time to get caught up with the series so you’re ready for this one.

I've read a few and have a couple more I haven't gotten to. Problem is, I feel like I sort of should read them in order, more or less. But unlike the John McDonald Travis McGee books where each book had all the titles to date in order, the list of all the titles in order appears elusive.

HowardSprague: "I've read a few and have a couple more I haven't gotten to. Problem is, I feel like I sort of should read them in order, more or less. But unlike the John McDonald Travis McGee books where each book had all the titles to date in order, the list of all the titles in order appears elusive.
"

Here ya go, HowardSprague. Krueger books in order

I read them in order as my covid reading and was glad I did.

From, Barney Fife. :)

Thanks, Barn! :)

Excellent - there are even more than I thought, which is great. I could read 4-5 of his in between Carl Hiaasen books (which I always eagerly await).

I enjoy the Cork series by Krueger. Henry is my favorite character.

Something about his depiction of the Boundary Waters seems right on but somehow different, like his his Boundary Waters an amalgam of several different wilderneeses.