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marbelousreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was an unexpected surprise. It was deeply reflective and had a nuanced main characters who were flawed and complicated. I am so glad I read it and I look forward to moderating a conversation with the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, War, Rape, Murder, Racism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Suicide, and Pedophilia
mboard's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A slow burn about a small town murder full of complex characters each facing their own unique demons.
The story starts with Jimmy Quinn, lucrative farmer in a small town Minnesota with lots of enemies, found dead in the Alabaster river. As the hunt for the cause of death and the possibility of a murder, we’re introduced to various characters that live in town such as the owner of the town’s most popular restaurant, the Creasy hoard of miscreants, the small police force, and Quinn’s family.
I loved all of the characters and felt each one had a unique history with the town as well as a not so easy past. Although Brody Dern, the town sherif, is seen as our main character, I felt the strongest part of the novel was how well woven the stories and actions of all 10-15 characters we get an intimate look at. I also loved the discussion of racism specifically towards Japanese or Native Americans and how those sentiments can be shaped by shared events such as WWII or say a local murder. The mystery itself was a bit lackluster and slow paced to the point where I didn’t care so much about what happened to Jimmy Quinn as much as what was happening in town.
Krueger’s writing was beautiful and every character felt distinct and irreplaceable in Jewel, MN. I would recommend picking this up if you want to get wrapped up in town full of people trying to overcome their own demons and downfalls.
The story starts with Jimmy Quinn, lucrative farmer in a small town Minnesota with lots of enemies, found dead in the Alabaster river. As the hunt for the cause of death and the possibility of a murder, we’re introduced to various characters that live in town such as the owner of the town’s most popular restaurant, the Creasy hoard of miscreants, the small police force, and Quinn’s family.
I loved all of the characters and felt each one had a unique history with the town as well as a not so easy past. Although Brody Dern, the town sherif, is seen as our main character, I felt the strongest part of the novel was how well woven the stories and actions of all 10-15 characters we get an intimate look at. I also loved the discussion of racism specifically towards Japanese or Native Americans and how those sentiments can be shaped by shared events such as WWII or say a local murder. The mystery itself was a bit lackluster and slow paced to the point where I didn’t care so much about what happened to Jimmy Quinn as much as what was happening in town.
Krueger’s writing was beautiful and every character felt distinct and irreplaceable in Jewel, MN. I would recommend picking this up if you want to get wrapped up in town full of people trying to overcome their own demons and downfalls.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs and War
serendipitysbooks's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The River We Remember is a literary historical mystery, which opens on Decoration Day (the former name of Memorial Day) in 1958 when the body of Jimmy Quinn, a wealthy landowner, is discovered in the Alabaster River.
The book features so many elements which I have come to expect from William Kent Krueger.
The natural environment of Minnesota features strongly and is lovingly depicted.
There is an indigenous character, indigenous beliefs and knowledge are valued and given space, and the wrongs done to indigenous communities recognised and acknowledged. Some characters do exhibit racial prejudice and hate but the protagonist and other characters push back against it.
The male protagonist has a strong moral centre and hews close to traditional values. He may have his flaws and regrets and be battling demons but he tries hard to be loyal and fair, to be upstanding and to do the right thing.
Krueger’s writing is too-notch as always. He can do quiet contemplative scenes as well as faster paced, action-packed ones. He drops in plenty of foreshadowing to keep the reader turning pages to find out exactly what is going to happen. He excels at nuance and compassion, particularly when it comes to his characters. In this book war-related PTSD features prominently.
Small town community vibes are captured perfectly. There are lots of decent caring people in Jewel but the town also a darker side, and that isn’t neglected. There are definite trigger warnings and Storygraph is a great place to check them out before reading.
It seems William Kent Krueger can do no wrong in my eyes. I’ve loved everything I’ve read from him so far and this book was no exception.
The book features so many elements which I have come to expect from William Kent Krueger.
The natural environment of Minnesota features strongly and is lovingly depicted.
There is an indigenous character, indigenous beliefs and knowledge are valued and given space, and the wrongs done to indigenous communities recognised and acknowledged. Some characters do exhibit racial prejudice and hate but the protagonist and other characters push back against it.
The male protagonist has a strong moral centre and hews close to traditional values. He may have his flaws and regrets and be battling demons but he tries hard to be loyal and fair, to be upstanding and to do the right thing.
Krueger’s writing is too-notch as always. He can do quiet contemplative scenes as well as faster paced, action-packed ones. He drops in plenty of foreshadowing to keep the reader turning pages to find out exactly what is going to happen. He excels at nuance and compassion, particularly when it comes to his characters. In this book war-related PTSD features prominently.
Small town community vibes are captured perfectly. There are lots of decent caring people in Jewel but the town also a darker side, and that isn’t neglected. There are definite trigger warnings and Storygraph is a great place to check them out before reading.
It seems William Kent Krueger can do no wrong in my eyes. I’ve loved everything I’ve read from him so far and this book was no exception.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Racism, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Child abuse and Rape
Minor: Chronic illness
kari_f's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Our lives and the lives of those we love merge to create a river whose current carries us forward from our beginning to our end. Because we are only one part of the whole, the river each of us remembers is different, and there are many versions of the stories we tell about the past. In all of them there is truth, and in all of them a good deal of innocent misremembering.”
There is something special when a small town police procedural is written by a masterful author. A simple case of murder becomes something altogether more complex, and in this case, the interwoven stories and character depth made all the difference.
William Kent Krueger writes detailed and nuanced characters, and the setting is almost a character in itself. Each character is carefully crafted within the story to feel realistically flawed and scarred and layered, and the diversity (and struggles that come with that) in his novels make sense to the time period. With these characters come very real issues, and some of the ones explored in this book include generational wealth or poverty, the ravages of war, gender roles, buried secrets, infidelity, systemic prejudice, land ownership, and the pitfalls of terrible people gaining more wealth and power. We see the best and worst of human nature through the insightful writing, and we are given time to ponder characters’ motives and the potential outcomes resulting from them.
While I figured out the “who” and “why” pretty early on, there was more than enough plot action and character development to keep me engaged throughout the book. I found myself wanting to race through the chapters, but also to slow down and savor the writing craft.
Thanks so much to Atria and Netgalley for the advanced copy!
** Please check the trigger warnings, as there are several.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual assault, Rape, and War
platypus1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Another excellent yet difficult read by Krueger
The racial slurs although true to the times where difficult to read
The racial slurs although true to the times where difficult to read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Murder, Gun violence, Rape, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
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