Red Knife by William Kent Krueger

William Kent Krueger writes the best mystery novels that I’ve read in a long time. My Mother-in-Law loaned me Thunder Bay, which I loved and now Red Knife. Both novels are about former sheriff, now private investigator Cork O’Conner.

Cork lives in the remote Northern Minnesota community of Aurora. Aurora is located on Iron Lake and close to an Ojibwa reservation. A new gang called the Red Boyz has formed on the reservation and rumor is that they are running drugs. After a girl dies as a result of crystal meth, her father vows revenge. When the leader of the Red Boyz and his wife are found murdered, Cork has to use all of his power to prevent an all out war between the Ojibwa and the whites.

I really enjoyed this novel. It was action packed all of the way until the end. The multiple storylines and mysteries kept me guessing until the last page. The characters and great setting were my favorite parts of the novel. The characters were well rounded individuals that I could imagine meeting, especially in a small northern community. I lived for six years in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and now live in Northeast Wisconsin. Although I am not from Northern Minnesota, I loved the remote and beautiful setting. It reminded me a lot of my days in “da” U.P.

I have not read all of the Cork O’Conner novels, but I found it easy to pick up without having read the entire series. That being said, I still want to go back and read the ones I haven’t read yet!

I highly recommend this novel to all lovers of a good mystery, an action packed story, or live in a small Northern town.

Book Source: Borrowed from my Mother-in-Law