Three day weekend. Wouldn’t you think I would have a couple books backed up for the blog? Actually, I’ve been reading for Library Journal instead of for me, although I read two good books. You won’t see reviews until August and October, though, from that reading. So, right now, I’m sharing one of Sandie Herron’s reviews, the audiobook of William Kent Krueger’s Blood Hollow. Thank you, Sandie.
BLOOD HOLLOW
Cork O’Connor mystery #4
Written by William Kent Krueger
Narrated by David Chandler
Unabridged Audiobook
Recorded Books (8/29/2007) (originally published 2004)
Listening Length: 11
hours and 15 minutes
hours and 15 minutes
Anthony Award for Best Novel
It is January 2nd when Cork O’Connor, former
sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota, helps with search and rescue under the retiring
Sheriff Wally Shanno. On New Year’s Eve,
teenaged Charlotte Kane took off on a snowmobile on a trail that broke off into
dozens of others. An oncoming blizzard
cut the search and rescue short with no satisfaction.
sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota, helps with search and rescue under the retiring
Sheriff Wally Shanno. On New Year’s Eve,
teenaged Charlotte Kane took off on a snowmobile on a trail that broke off into
dozens of others. An oncoming blizzard
cut the search and rescue short with no satisfaction.
Spring came, and Charlotte’s body was found in a snow
bank. Despite his no longer being the
sheriff, Cork often found ways to accompany law enforcement. The new sheriff, Arne Soderberg, was more
interested in his political career than the duties of sheriff, and he ran Cork
off the scene, ignoring his advice.
Bigotry and bureaucracy raised their ugly heads.
bank. Despite his no longer being the
sheriff, Cork often found ways to accompany law enforcement. The new sheriff, Arne Soderberg, was more
interested in his political career than the duties of sheriff, and he ran Cork
off the scene, ignoring his advice.
Bigotry and bureaucracy raised their ugly heads.
These days Cork runs Sam’s Place, a burger stand in an old
Quonset hut on the shores of Iron Lake left to him by Sam Winter Moon. Sam’s sister Dot comes to see Cork along with
Cork’s wife Jo, explaining that Dot’s son Solemn has disappeared and that the
sheriff is looking for him. Known for
his temper and occasional disappearances, Dot isn’t worried about Solemn, but
the sheriff wasn’t going to be content and wait for Solemn to show up. Cork knows exactly where to find Solemn, a
place full of Sam’s spirit deep in the woods.
Shortly afterward, Cork and Jo, now Solemn’s attorney, accompany Solemn
to the sheriff’s station where he turns himself in. The evidence connecting Solemn to Charlotte’s
murder is overwhelming. The sheriff
seemed to think Solemn would confess, Perry Mason-style, but Solemn bolts and
runs.
Quonset hut on the shores of Iron Lake left to him by Sam Winter Moon. Sam’s sister Dot comes to see Cork along with
Cork’s wife Jo, explaining that Dot’s son Solemn has disappeared and that the
sheriff is looking for him. Known for
his temper and occasional disappearances, Dot isn’t worried about Solemn, but
the sheriff wasn’t going to be content and wait for Solemn to show up. Cork knows exactly where to find Solemn, a
place full of Sam’s spirit deep in the woods.
Shortly afterward, Cork and Jo, now Solemn’s attorney, accompany Solemn
to the sheriff’s station where he turns himself in. The evidence connecting Solemn to Charlotte’s
murder is overwhelming. The sheriff
seemed to think Solemn would confess, Perry Mason-style, but Solemn bolts and
runs.
Elder and Midewiwin Henry Meloux, member of the Grand
Medicine Society, lives on Iron Lake and helps Solemn complete giigwishimowin,
the ritual where a boy is sent into the woods to live off the land until a
vision comes to him which will guide the rest of his life. Not until Kitchimanidoo had granted him the
vision was the young man to return, changed from boy to man. Solemn’s quest took 16 days. Then he was ready to face up to the white man’s
laws and prove his innocence.
Medicine Society, lives on Iron Lake and helps Solemn complete giigwishimowin,
the ritual where a boy is sent into the woods to live off the land until a
vision comes to him which will guide the rest of his life. Not until Kitchimanidoo had granted him the
vision was the young man to return, changed from boy to man. Solemn’s quest took 16 days. Then he was ready to face up to the white man’s
laws and prove his innocence.
As I listened to the audio version of this book, I could
sense the cold, smell the cut grass, feel my breath stop with danger. Author Krueger, via narrator David Chandler,
has an easy flow to his words that are filled with spirituality and teachings
and miracles. Not only does he present a
mysterious problem to be solved, but also much more poignant dilemmas to be considered. I think mostly with patience that the
rightness of the world will win in the end.
Perhaps Cork O’Connor is beginning to find the peace he has been
seeking.
sense the cold, smell the cut grass, feel my breath stop with danger. Author Krueger, via narrator David Chandler,
has an easy flow to his words that are filled with spirituality and teachings
and miracles. Not only does he present a
mysterious problem to be solved, but also much more poignant dilemmas to be considered. I think mostly with patience that the
rightness of the world will win in the end.
Perhaps Cork O’Connor is beginning to find the peace he has been
seeking.
*****
Note: Just a reminder. If your public library is still closed, they might have a downloadable copy of Blood Hollow if they subscribe to RBdigital. If so, you might be able to listen to Blood Hollow through the copy your public library bought.
