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Lightning Strike

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Lightning Strike

September 2021

William Kent Krueger’s ORDINARY GRACE and THIS TENDER LAND are such favorite books of mine. They have details that are memorable, which is the sign of a gifted writer. So when I heard that Kent was writing a prequel to his Cork O’Connor series, which is set in Tamarack County, Minnesota, I was intrigued. LIGHTNING STRIKE takes readers back to the youth of a beloved character with a backstory that is pitch perfect. Readers will connect with the Cork they have come to know and love, and embrace the story of his youth.

As the book opens, Cork has found the body of an Indian hanging from a tree. Everything points to suicide, and while Cork’s father conducts an investigation as the town’s sheriff, Cork puts his own investigative energy to work. Something is not adding up for either of them, but each has his own challenges to discover the truth. Cork, whose background is mixed race, is listening to his grandmother, who sees life through the eyes of those on the reservation while also seeing the views of those who are white in town.

While the subject matter is heavy as justice needs to be served, there are terrific period details that will spark memories for many a reader. The ending will answer many questions for longtime Cork fans, while also being a story that will propel those just discovering Cork to want to delve into the other 17 books. It’s nice when a book that you are enjoying as a stand-alone has brilliant series titles that follow.

Lightning Strike
by William Kent Krueger