A perfect entry into the Cork O’Connor series for fans of William Kent Krueger‘s standalone novels, Lightning Strike is an exquisitely written prequel with heart, violence and historical context. A solid detective story with twists and turns headed towards an uncertain conclusion, wrapped inside a coming of age story about early adolescent boys within the historical setting of early 1960’s Middle America, featuring conflict between abysmally-treated Native Americans and their white neighbors.
It’s the summer of 1963 in Aurora, Minnesota and 12-year old Cork O’Connor and his friend Jorge are hiking to a sacred site called Lightning Strike when they happen upon a grizzly scene –Big John Manydeeds, an esteemed member of the Ojibwe tribe and venerable wilderness guide, hanging from a tree of an apparent suicide. Enter Cork’s father and sheriff of Tamarack County, Liam O’Connor, to process the scene and start an investigation. As it becomes apparent that Big John’s death was under suspicious circumstances, tensions rise due to simmering mistrust by the Ojibwe with the Sheriff’s department and a history that more than suggests this revered Native American will not get the justice he deserves due to years of prejudicial treatment. Feeling the need to be helpful, young Cork O’Connor takes on his own investigation, sometimes against the direct orders of his father, with the goal to do right by Big John. Finding invaluable clues and evidence along the way, Cork is forced to grow up quickly in the face of a complicated world that he straddles as part Irish/part Native American, learning that doing the right thing can sometimes have dreadful consequences.
Despite the conflict, death and shining a light on the frustratingly awful treatment of Native Americans, Lightning Strike at its core is a beautiful story that makes you feel warm inside. It focuses on relationships that we can all relate to – father and son, mother and son, friendships between people of different races, the young and their elders, and childhood buddies. It explores the time in life where you start transitioning from being a kid to an adult via having your eyes opened to the world around you that was previously hidden through childhood innocence. It also dives into doing the right thing and being able to live with yourself, even if it’s hard and could cause difficulties along the way that would be easier to avoid. Finally, it highlights the beauty of diverse communities and friendships, and overcoming the horribly divisive nature of small-minded prejudicial thinking. These are all wonderful things that come together perfectly in this novel via the skillful pen of an American treasure, William Kent Krueger.
If you’re not reading WKK’s books, you’re missing out on a resplendent experience. And if you’ve read his standalones, but like me hadn’t yet been introduced to the Cork O’Connor series, then Lighting Strike is an absolute must read. You’ll be hooked and then be delighted to find out there are 17 more books in the series. Watch that TBR pile grow. Happy reading!
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