A new William Kent Krueger novel? Yes, please! Fox Creek (#1,069) is the latest addition to his Cork O'Connor mystery series. It managed to grab my attention even through the brain fog of COVID.
A man drops by Cork's burger joint, wanting him to track down his missing wife. Cork agrees to look into the matter, but he doesn't get good vibes from the man. When Dolores Morriseau turns up in the company of Cork's wife Rainey and the ancient Native American medicine man, Henry Meloux, things get complicated. Cork had taken a photo of the man who had visited him, but Dolores claims he is not her husband; in fact, she hasn't been able to get in touch with her husband for days. She's afraid there is something wrong with her marriage and has sought out Henry for spiritual help. Dolores also asks Cork for his help, but before he can respond with answers, the trio has vanished into the Great North Woods, pursued by trackers with deadly intent. For what purpose is unclear, but it's obvious that they will let nothing stand in their way of finding Dolores Morriseau. Soon Cork and Dolores' brother-in-law are in pursuit, with a late season snowstorm on the way. If anyone can keep Rainey and Dolores safe, it's Henry, but is he too old?
The novel changes points of view throughout the plot, dovetailing the progress of the chase. Dolores claims to have no idea why anyone is after her, and the reader doesn't learn the reason until the very end of the book. It's nail-biting, to say the least. There's action, but the most interesting part of the book is the characters Krueger has created, and the glimpses into Ojibwa life and culture.
If you love Tony and Anne Hillerman's novels set in the Navaho Nation, give the Cork O'Connor series a try. Highly recommended.
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