Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Atria (2009), Edition: Reprint, 336 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. Private investigator Cork O'Connor finds himself caught in the middle of a racial gang war that's turning picturesque Tamarack County, Minnesota, into a battlefield. When the daughter of a powerful businessman dies as a result of her meth addiction, her father, strong-willed and brutal Buck Reinhardt, vows revenge. His target is the Red Boyz, a gang of Ojibwe youths accused of supplying the girl's fatal drug dose. When the head of the Red Boyz and his wife are murdered in a way that suggests execution, the Ojibwe gang mobilizes, and the citizens of Tamarack County brace themselves for war, white against red. Both sides look to Cork O'Connor, a man of mixed heritage, to uncover the truth behind the murders. A former sheriff, Cork has lived, fought, and nearly died to keep the small-town streets and his family safe from harm. He knows that violence is never a virtue, but he believes that it's sometimes a necessary response to the evil that men do. Racing to find answers before the bloodshed spreads, Cork himself becomes involved in the darkest of deeds. As the unspeakable unfolds in the remote and beautiful place he calls home, Cork is forced to confront the horrific truth: violence is a beast that cannot be contained. In Red Knife, Krueger gives his readers a vivid picture of racial conflict in small-town America, as well as a sensitive look at the secrets we keep from even those closest to us and the destructive nature of all that is left unsaid between fathers and sons, husbands and wives, friends and lovers.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member bfister
After a young woman addicted to meth dies from a fall, her bellicose father blames the Red Boyz, a gang that has formed on the rez. The charismatic young leader of the gang asks Cork O'Connor to set up a meeting with the father, saying he promises justice - but when he and his wife are shot
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execution style, the father falls under suspicion, though the DEA thinks there's a drug angle. Cork senses the native and white communities of Tamarack county are headed toward a tide of violence and works first with the Sheriff and then with tribal authorities to find out who killed the gang leader. I thought this was the far the best in this series since Blood Hollow. The framing device of a historical battle between Dakota and Ojibwa warriors and the present day tensions is thought-provoking. Show Less
LibraryThing member willowwaw
Another installment of the Cork O'Connor series involving local issues relating to gang violence, drug dealing and local tensions. This was by far my least favorite of the Cork O'Connor series, I only stuck with it simply because I had read all of the others and wanted to continue. I became bored
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with Krueger's writing, trying to make Cork seem like an every-man while doing such outlandish and excellent crime fighting. Simple references to Cork scratching himself after taking a run and the like were not necessary. The book was interesting to read about the tensions of local tribes and gang violence, but Cork just didn't do it for me. I'm not sure if I will continue with the series or not - I was slightly disappointed. Show Less
LibraryThing member jastbrown
William Kent Kreuger's mystery series featuring Cork O'Connor seemed, in my mind, to start out relatively slowly. I felt that it wasn't until his fourth or fifth book that he really hit his stride. I'm very thankful that I had bought up his complete series before beginning to read them (based on an
The novels are set in rural, northern Minnesota for the most part with the action shifting to The U.P. of Michigan in one story and to Wyoming in another. Mr. Kreuger gives Cork O'Connor a family life that is anything but 'storybook'. From one end to the other this is a loving, but modern family, with real life modern problems that they do manage to get resolved. Fairly early in the series, the stories begin increasingly encompassing Cork's and his family's Native American connection to good advantage!
This is a very good and satisfying series which I gobbled up faster and faster towards the end. Now I have to sit and eagerly await the next Cork O'Connor adventure. This is a series where the books could be read as stand alones, but for maximum enjoyment I would strongly recommend reading them in the order that they were written.
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enthusiastic review I read of a later book).. otherwise I might have given up on the series early on and missed some really great stories. And in hindsight even the early books have a great deal to offer. The novels are set in rural, northern Minnesota for the most part with the action shifting to The U.P. of Michigan in one story and to Wyoming in another. Mr. Kreuger gives Cork O'Connor a family life that is anything but 'storybook'. From one end to the other this is a loving, but modern family, with real life modern problems that they do manage to get resolved. Fairly early in the series, the stories begin increasingly encompassing Cork's and his family's Native American connection to good advantage!
This is a very good and satisfying series which I gobbled up faster and faster towards the end. Now I have to sit and eagerly await the next Cork O'Connor adventure. This is a series where the books could be read as stand alones, but for maximum enjoyment I would strongly recommend reading them in the order that they were written.
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LibraryThing member CandyH
This is another in the series telling of the life of Cork O'Conner and those in his family and community. The story deals with many issues that face us in everyday life: drugs, gangs, tentions among the citizens and family relationships. Krueger has a way of drawing the reader into the story with
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the mysteries of the story and the lore of the Indian way of life. I did not think this was as good as his other books that I have read, but still it was well worth reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member sleahey
A murder mystery with lots more going on, this book deals with family, loyalty, violence, alienation, and race, all while being a page-turner.
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
Another good entry in an excellent series. As the man in the middle, Cork continues to resolve problems that involve "the People"
LibraryThing member HenryJOlsen
Deciding upon a rating for this book gave me pause. I did not enjoy the first 3/4 of this book, and had to force myself to slog through it -- a first for a WKK novel. On the other hand, the final few scenes were perhaps the most powerful WKK has written.
As he did with the last Cork O'Connor novel,
That said, I can't forgive this book for the snore-inducing events that led to the grand finale, especially given that the final scene is only loosely connected to story's primary thread.
As he did with the last Cork O'Connor novel,
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WKK again digs into his bag of literary tricks. At one point he switches from past tense -- the standard for Cork O'Connor novels -- to present tense. My initial reaction to this change was to shrug it off as a silly gimmick. As I continued to turn the pages, however, I recognized that WKK's choice in this regard truly served to leave a powerful impression with his readers -- this reader included. It was a memorable scene that I won't soon forget.That said, I can't forgive this book for the snore-inducing events that led to the grand finale, especially given that the final scene is only loosely connected to story's primary thread.
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LibraryThing member Sonya.Contreras
Difficult to get into the book, although it started with a lot of action. Had trouble following who was who. Many characters had several names for same person. Perseverance paid off as the setting helped plant the people in their character's role.
Good who-done-it, with many side plots and twists
Presented family values that tied into plot.
Krueger's chapter endings always left one to think.
Did great job at solving all loose ends and side problems without hurrying to complete it, but certainly not dragging it out.
Good who-done-it, with many side plots and twists
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that didn't give the obvious solution.Presented family values that tied into plot.
Krueger's chapter endings always left one to think.
Did great job at solving all loose ends and side problems without hurrying to complete it, but certainly not dragging it out.
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LibraryThing member dorie.craig
Although I enjoyed this book as I usually do Krueger's books, it didn't seem quite so good as some of his others. The murder plot seemed to be resolved without any suspense and little action, which confused me until the end scene of the book. I kind of wish the author had included this as a
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completely separate story idea more fully expanded in a separate book. Still, Krueger is one of my favorite crime fiction authors, and that won't be changing any time soon. Show Less
LibraryThing member almin
One of the best in the series. The character of the younger daughter Annie is revealed and she proves to be an amazing young woman. I liked the moral ambiguity of understanding that there are times when something bad has to be done for something good to happen.
LibraryThing member kimkimkim
The books by William Kent Krueger comprising the Cork O'Connor Series are full of beautiful descriptions of the land, informative history about the traditions, conditions and life of the Ojibwe/Anishinaabe Native Americans, recurrent characters and some criminality. As with most series some books
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resonate more loudly than others. Red Knife was a "wobble" for me. It contained all the things I enjoy about the series but the twists and turns were a bit off. The darkness truly descended with the denouement. Show Less
LibraryThing member waldhaus1
Shootings by crazy teenagers have become too much a part of the world that we inhabit. It may be a fact of life but it drags at me to see it show up in a story. It is told quite effectively.
Krueger’s books are at one level all about the complex dynamics of interpersonal relationships. He
Many of the usual cast of characters as well as some new participants show up.
The complex dynamic between Indian/native American remains central to the story and to my ear is carried off very well.
Krueger’s books are at one level all about the complex dynamics of interpersonal relationships. He
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expresses those conflicts clearly and engagingly. I a glad to have discovered his books and will keep at them. Many of the usual cast of characters as well as some new participants show up.
The complex dynamic between Indian/native American remains central to the story and to my ear is carried off very well.
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LibraryThing member DrApple
I really enjoyed this installment. Racial tensions between the reservation and the town are growing, and Cork is caught in between. A school shooting impacts Annie, and the community.
LibraryThing member Al-G
I like this character, Cork O'Connor. A former law officerr, he now runs a hamburger joint and works part time as a private investigator. As he struggles to balance home life with a wife and children, he also struggles with being part white and part Ojibwe and at times finds himself conflicted by
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this twin cultural heritage. It makes for interesting plot interactions. In this edition he is investigating the death of two prominent reservation leaders and trying to stave off a conflict between white and Native Americans. All the while trying to help his daughter through crisis and discover who is behind multiple murders that all seem to be tied together. The plot is well done with several side plots that help keep the story moving. Krueger always has great characters and this one is no exception. This has been a great series to this point and the books continue to keep me coming back for more. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Digital audiobook performed by David Chandler
3.5***
From the book jacket: When the drug-related death of a powerful businessman’s daughter is followed by the execution-style murder of the head of an Ojibwe gang known as the Red Boyz, the citizens of Tamarack County brace themselves for war.
My reactions:
This is book # 8 in the Cork O’Connor series, though I’m reading it out of order.
Cork is a marvelous central character. He’s a family man and the heavy influx of drugs is hitting close to home for him. His seventeen-year-old daughter, Annie, is just a year younger than the dead girl. Annie will help Cork understand some of the dynamics of teen life in Tamarack County.
I also really like Sheriff Dross – a woman Cork hired some years back when HE was sheriff. She’s determined, dedicated and a keen observer.
The plot deals with vigilantism, gun control, disaffected teens, drug cartels and family dynamics. Krueger writes a fast-paced, intricate mystery with plenty of suspects, and enough twists and turns to keep even the most diligent reader guessing.
3.5***
From the book jacket: When the drug-related death of a powerful businessman’s daughter is followed by the execution-style murder of the head of an Ojibwe gang known as the Red Boyz, the citizens of Tamarack County brace themselves for war.
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Former sheriff Cork O’Connor, a man of mixed heritage, tries to mediate the feud. … Cork must confront a horrific truth: violence is a beast that cannot be contained. My reactions:
This is book # 8 in the Cork O’Connor series, though I’m reading it out of order.
Cork is a marvelous central character. He’s a family man and the heavy influx of drugs is hitting close to home for him. His seventeen-year-old daughter, Annie, is just a year younger than the dead girl. Annie will help Cork understand some of the dynamics of teen life in Tamarack County.
I also really like Sheriff Dross – a woman Cork hired some years back when HE was sheriff. She’s determined, dedicated and a keen observer.
The plot deals with vigilantism, gun control, disaffected teens, drug cartels and family dynamics. Krueger writes a fast-paced, intricate mystery with plenty of suspects, and enough twists and turns to keep even the most diligent reader guessing.
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LibraryThing member Romonko
This is a little different Cork O'Connor that the other books so far in the series. There are a number of storylines that are like threads in the book, but in this case, the threads don't really converge. What holds the threads together is a young Mexican-Ojibwe boy by the name of Ulysses who loses
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his older brother and his wife in a violent manner. This act sets off a powder keg of violence in Cork O'Connor's County that touches everybody in the community, including Cork's own family. The powder keg fuse is lit by the drugs that have infiltrated the town and the nearby Res, and no one is immune from the conflagration. Cork finds himself on the wrong side of the law off and on throughout the book when his heritage calls him to act. The repercussions on human life and on Cork's family create lasting scars and forever shapes Cork and all of his family's lives. The book almost seemed to end as curtain on Cork's story, but i know there are further books in this series to read, so I cannot wait to see what will happen in the next ones. Show Less
LibraryThing member carolfoisset
Geez, the action never stops in this book. Cork's family is in the middle of the drama once again. Good read, but I'm emotionally drained right now (just finished it!)
Awards
Anthony Award (Nominee — Novel — 2009)
Barry Award (Nominee — Novel — 2009)
Minnesota Book Awards (Finalist — Genre Fiction — 2009)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
336 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
1416556753 / 9781416556756