Cork O’Connor series: Krueger writes about Cork O’Connor who starts out as a sheriff in the northern Minnesota town of Aurora, but as the series progresses he becomes a private investigator. Cork is part Ojibwe and the Indian people are always part of every book. Each book has a murder/mystery that Cork solves. Living in St. Paul, Krueger started writing on yellow legal pads at a restaurant near Macalester College. He writes very well; characters are believable, plot develops solidly, and the added description of northern Minnesota make all his books enjoyable.

posted Sep 20, 2011 at 1:43PM

The first in the Cork O'Connor mystery series, Cork is the former sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota (part of Northern Minnesota), and separated from his wife. Part Irish, part Anishinaabe Indian, he has lost his job as sheriff because of a previous tragic incident. When a young Indian boy goes missing at the same time a local judge appears to take his own life, Cork finds himself right in the middle of an investigation. I enjoyed this book, particularly the Northern Mnnesota setting, being for the state myself and the references to the Anishinaabe culture. The mystery had a number of twists and turns and kept me interested until the end. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

posted Nov 9, 2011 at 2:46PM

Krueger is pretty consistently good. I liked this one. 7 of 10 for me.

posted Feb 17, 2012 at 1:47PM

For those who have heard of Cork O’Connor, but never ventured inside Krueger’s world of Aurora, MN, all I can say is: pick up Iron Lake! This first of many mysteries from the Minnesota author is fast-moving, complex, nail-bitingly tense, but surprisingly warm and human in its depiction of a small-town man and his strained family life. I contend this is still the best of the series, but once you meet Cork, you will look forward to coming back for more. This is a series that is worth all the hype.

posted Mar 27, 2013 at 10:07AM

 Add a Comment