I’ll warn you now, this review is likely to elicit a similar emotional response to the way a dedicated sports fan might feel after a new fan of the NBA (in complete sincerity) says “You know, those 1990s Chicago Bulls were pretty darn good”. You would think that as many thrillers that I’ve read in my life at some point a William Kent Krueger book would have made it into my TBR pile… and it should have. I have been missing out on something special and if Fox Creek is also your first entry into this amazing universe, you are in for a treat.
Fox Creek is a tumultuous tale of tracking, tenacity, and tradition. William Kent Krueger’s eloquent writing style and masterful pacing made this book an insanely fast read. I started this book early on a Monday morning and despite a mostly full day of meetings, managed to finish it before midnight. You literally had to pay me to put it down.
Henry Meloux, an Ojibwe healer of indeterminable age, has had a vision of his death. When Dolores Morriseau comes to his remote cabin in the Northwoods seeking his knowledge and wisdom, she unintentionally brings danger to Henry’s doorstep. Mercenaries are hunting for Dolores for information she may or may not have. Aware of their impending arrival, Henry ushers Dolores and his great niece, Cork O’Connor’s wife, into the Boundary Waters as they desperately try to out maneuver their pursuers and find their way to safety. Their only advantage is that Henry has spent his more than a hundred years of life in these woods and knows them better than any soul alive.
Back in Aurora, Cork attempts to discover the reason behind the disappearance of his wife and her two companions. As he sets off on their trail, his own tracking ability is called into question after a late season snow storm removes all evidence of their trail. Haunted by past pain and suffering his loved ones have endured, Cork pushes himself to the limits.
This last part pains me a bit to write, but I am mature enough to admit my faults and wrongdoings and I throw myself on the mercy of WKK’s fans. Another reviewer on the BTB team has been singing the praises of this series for as long as I know him (go check out his reviews of the previous books) and I would be remiss if I did not officially and in writing say “Yes, Steve… you were right”. It is a crime that I have not read a Cork book until now. Fear not though, I have not already taken steps to ensure I read the entirety of this series as quickly as possible. I shall aim to make up for my willful ignorance and fully immerse myself in all things O’Connor.
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