Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Boundary Waters
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
William Kent Krueger
Class/Genre: Mystery Thriller Ethnic
Series: Cork O'Connor # 2
Pocket, May 1999, $23.00, 326 pp.
Country-western superstar Shiloh has purposely disappeared into the Boundary Waters of Minnesota in order to get away from things. However, her vanishing brings hordes of individuals and groups into the area trying to locate her. Not all the parties are benevolent as some folks want her dead apparently because she has recovered a lost memory of who killed her mother. Her idyllic escape turns ugly when her guide Wendell Two-Knives fails to return as expected. He was to bring her back to civilization.
Everyone seems to converge on retired sheriff Cork O'Connor. The FBI demands his help. Shiloh's father begs for his help. The son of the mobster who allegedly killed Shiloh's mother pleads for his help. Escorted into the wilderness by the young son of Wendell's nephew, Cork, Shiloh's father, and the FBI begin their hunt for the missing singer. However, the danger does not just come from the approaching wintry weather, but from people who have no compunctions about employing brutal murder to obtain their desires.
The return of Cork O'Connor (see IRON LAKE) should elate fans of Native American mysteries. The current tale, BOUNDARY WATERS, is a wonderful wilderness mystery that will remind readers of THE TREASURE OF SIERRA MADRE, except placed in the icy north. Avarice, violence, and survival rule the action-packed story line that requires gloves because the bitter cold can be felt emanating from the pages. Cork remains a fine character as he struggles with his feelings for his estranged spouse and the recurring support cast add local color and depth to the plot. The remaining players propel the tale forward to its climatic clash. Kent Krueger is quickly attaining star status with his O'Connor series.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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