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colleend's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? No
3.5
kiwikazz's review against another edition
Absolutely love this series. Wonderful characters, a beautiful setting and a great story that keeps you guessing.
telerit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
katelynprice's review
dark
mysterious
4.0
Above all I loved Cork’s reactions to racism and misogyny. I also love his integrity and that he believes Solemn. This book tackles his faith journey in a beautiful way as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Alcohol and Cursing
Minor: Gun violence, Suicide, Car accident, and Sexual assault
graceominer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
4.5
cjeanne99's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
If this was my first introduction to William Kent Krueger and Cork O'Connor - I'm not sure I would have kept reading. Two issues I had with Krueger and his editors. The story takes place in Minnesota - yet - when questioning someone about there whereabouts on New Year's Eve - the response was "must have been 11:30 because the big ball hadn't dropped yet in New York City" - No - in Minnesota - the Times Square NYE celebration happens at 11:00 pm - not midnight.
Then later in the book - he describes Sun Dogs as very rare - something Cork had never seen. Come 'on - sun dogs are NOT that rare.
The multiple descriptions of Jo’s sister Rose as “plump” and “not beautiful” were ridiculous and unnecessary. As was Cork’s astonishment at how much weight Rose has lost during her one month living at the rectory.
On to the book - the teenage daughter of a local plastic surgeon disappears from a New Year's Eve party she threw at her family's home. Cork is part of the search party - and gets involved in the ensuing investigation. The Sheriff, politically ambitious but not well-versed in law enforcement, focuses his attention on the ex-boyfriend of the girl after her body and snowmobile are found in the springtime. There's a side plot of the young man, Solomon Winter Moon, fasting at the encouragement of Henry Menlioux, and seeing Jesus during his fast - bringing some people seeking "faith healing" to Aurora.
Cork and Jo are convinced that Solomon is not guilty - since Jo is representing Solomon, they start their own investigation, uncovering information pointing in a multitude of directions - all away from Solomon. With all the red herrings, the final “reveal” was a tad contrived.
Then later in the book - he describes Sun Dogs as very rare - something Cork had never seen. Come 'on - sun dogs are NOT that rare.
The multiple descriptions of Jo’s sister Rose as “plump” and “not beautiful” were ridiculous and unnecessary. As was Cork’s astonishment at how much weight Rose has lost during her one month living at the rectory.
On to the book - the teenage daughter of a local plastic surgeon disappears from a New Year's Eve party she threw at her family's home. Cork is part of the search party - and gets involved in the ensuing investigation. The Sheriff, politically ambitious but not well-versed in law enforcement, focuses his attention on the ex-boyfriend of the girl after her body and snowmobile are found in the springtime. There's a side plot of the young man, Solomon Winter Moon, fasting at the encouragement of Henry Menlioux, and seeing Jesus during his fast - bringing some people seeking "faith healing" to Aurora.
Cork and Jo are convinced that Solomon is not guilty - since Jo is representing Solomon, they start their own investigation, uncovering information pointing in a multitude of directions - all away from Solomon. With all the red herrings, the final “reveal” was a tad contrived.
tetonthewonderdog's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: ★★★★1/2
Audiobook
(Review Not on Blog)
"When the corpse of a beautiful high school student is discovered on a hillside four months after her disappearance on New Year's Eve, all evidence points to her boyfriend, local bad boy Solemn Winter Moon. Despite Solemn's self-incriminating decision to go into hiding, Cork O'Connor, Aurora's former sheriff, isn't about to hang the crime on the kid, whom O'Connor is convinced is innocent. In an uphill battle to clear Solemn's name, Cork encounters no shortage of adversity. Some he knows all too well -- small-town bigotry and bureaucracy foremost among them. What Cork isn't prepared for is the emergence of a long-held resentment hailing from his own childhood. And when Solemn reappears, claiming to have seen a vision of Jesus Christ in Blood Hollow, the mystery becomes thornier than Cork could ever have anticipated. And that's when the miracles start happening.... " (From Publisher)
I rated the first novel three stars, and slowly have been going up half a star for each book ever. I thought I would stay at four stars for a few books, but wow this book was almost a five star. This book starts with a bang and almost like a race I kept wanting to read more and more. I was lucky that I was listening to this book when I had a day of chores. I listened to 75% of the book in one day. I liked that this book had more of the O'Connor family, and more of Rose. I am a HUGE fan of Rose. She is definitely the strength of the O'Connor family and also it's heart. Krueger and Cork describe Rose as smart and kind BUT also plain and overweight. I probably like Rose so much as I relate with her the most (other than Jenny for her love of poetry). I think Rose and Annie would be great detectives for a spin-off series - I like the quirkiness of Annie who compliments her aunt. The case in this book was also very fascinating as it uses big themes like religion, culture, love and secrets. Highly recommend this book and waiting patiently for May to read book five.
My Novelesque Life
Audiobook
(Review Not on Blog)
"When the corpse of a beautiful high school student is discovered on a hillside four months after her disappearance on New Year's Eve, all evidence points to her boyfriend, local bad boy Solemn Winter Moon. Despite Solemn's self-incriminating decision to go into hiding, Cork O'Connor, Aurora's former sheriff, isn't about to hang the crime on the kid, whom O'Connor is convinced is innocent. In an uphill battle to clear Solemn's name, Cork encounters no shortage of adversity. Some he knows all too well -- small-town bigotry and bureaucracy foremost among them. What Cork isn't prepared for is the emergence of a long-held resentment hailing from his own childhood. And when Solemn reappears, claiming to have seen a vision of Jesus Christ in Blood Hollow, the mystery becomes thornier than Cork could ever have anticipated. And that's when the miracles start happening.... " (From Publisher)
I rated the first novel three stars, and slowly have been going up half a star for each book ever. I thought I would stay at four stars for a few books, but wow this book was almost a five star. This book starts with a bang and almost like a race I kept wanting to read more and more. I was lucky that I was listening to this book when I had a day of chores. I listened to 75% of the book in one day. I liked that this book had more of the O'Connor family, and more of Rose. I am a HUGE fan of Rose. She is definitely the strength of the O'Connor family and also it's heart. Krueger and Cork describe Rose as smart and kind BUT also plain and overweight. I probably like Rose so much as I relate with her the most (other than Jenny for her love of poetry). I think Rose and Annie would be great detectives for a spin-off series - I like the quirkiness of Annie who compliments her aunt. The case in this book was also very fascinating as it uses big themes like religion, culture, love and secrets. Highly recommend this book and waiting patiently for May to read book five.
My Novelesque Life
chatty_cath's review against another edition
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? No
5.0