Another 5 stars for William Kent Krueger!

As soon as the richest man of a small Minnesota town washes up from the Alabaster River, the court of public opinion has tried and convicted Native American World War II veteran, Noah Bluestone. Sheriff Brady Dern has to get to the bottom of what happened and determine if Noah Bluestone is guilty, while dealing with his own ghosts before the pressure in the town explodes.

William Kent Krueger is a brilliant story teller. He tells the most beautiful stories. I loved the complexity of the characters and how each are dealing with their own issues and pasts beyond the main story. The female characters, especially Charlie Bauer, were my favorite. I enjoyed reading and learning about Sioux and Native American history laced throughout the novel. I also loved that the mystery or “whodunit” kept me guessing until the very end.

Historical fiction lovers who enjoy a good mystery you will love this book!

Beware of content warnings including: rape, sexual assault, incest, domestic violence.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

I am so glad to have been offered the opportunity to read this book. William Kent Krueger stand alone books like Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land have been some of my favorites. This is no exception. I enjoyed the setting, the Midwest right after World War II. The author did a wonderful job weaving the stories of some of the returning veteran’s into the narrative, and how the war impacted them and their families. There is a murder and we observe the investigation from the perspective of the police chief, caught up in many of his own personal struggles, and the community and the dead man’s family as well as two teenaged boys coming of age during this difficult time. Kent Krueger is gifted in storytelling characters that are likable with integrity who are also relatable. Everyone has their own hardscrabble backstory. Throughout the book the true story unfolds but slowly, allowing you to savor the characters, the surroundings. He paints the entire community and allows us to eavesdrop. I found myself rooting for these characters.

4.5

“Our lives and the lives of those we love merge to create a river whose current carries us forward from our beginning to our end. Because we are only one part of the whole, the river each of us remembers is different, and there are many versions of the stories we tell about the past. In all of them there is truth, and in all of them a good deal of innocent misremembering.”

There is something special when a small town police procedural is written by a masterful author. A simple case of murder becomes something altogether more complex, and in this case, the interwoven stories and character depth made all the difference.

William Kent Krueger writes detailed and nuanced characters, and the setting is almost a character in itself. Each character is carefully crafted within the story to feel realistically flawed and scarred and layered, and the diversity (and struggles that come with that) in his novels make sense to the time period. With these characters come very real issues, and some of the ones explored in this book include generational wealth or poverty, the ravages of war, gender roles, buried secrets, infidelity, systemic prejudice, land ownership, and the pitfalls of terrible people gaining more wealth and power. We see the best and worst of human nature through the insightful writing, and we are given time to ponder characters’ motives and the potential outcomes resulting from them.

While I figured out the “who” and “why” pretty early on, there was more than enough plot action and character development to keep me engaged throughout the book. I found myself wanting to race through the chapters, but also to slow down and savor the writing craft.

Thanks so much to Atria and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

** Please check the trigger warnings, as there are several.

Not much could be said about the murder of Jimmy Quinn except that there were a lot of people that weren’t too sad about it and many who could be suspects. It was the job of Brody Dern to puzzle it out. However, the events that transpire around this event unravel secrets and reveal shadows that leave the small town of Jewel Minnesota forever changed.
I enjoyed this book but not as much as Kruger’s other two stand alone novels. To me, it was a sort of cheap imitation of them that couldn’t quite hold up under scrutiny. There were too many characters, with too many secrets and skeletons that in the end didn’t matter to the rest of the story. It meanders along the River dragging everyone into the spoils with no good outcome in sight. It is missing the deep thought provoking narrative of Ordinary Grace and the riveting storytelling of This Tender Land. It was good story with a glimmer of the writing in other William Kent Krueger books, it just fell short in my opinion.



I received an Advanced Readers’ Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the descriptions of the setting. The plot was a bit cliche and predictable. The pacing was too slow to be really engaging. I just list interest about halfway through.

Set in 1958, in the picturesque town of Jewel, Minnesota, Krueger masterfully paints a canvas of complex characters, their intertwined lives, and the secrets they harbor. The murder of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn becomes the catalyst for a cascade of events that unearths old grievances and stirs up emotions long buried. Sheriff Brody Dern, himself a war hero battling inner demons, is tasked with solving the murder, but the investigation exposes not only the truth behind Quinn's death but also the raw wounds of a community scarred by the aftermath of war.

As always, Krueger's storytelling prowess shines through every page, as he crafts a narrative that pulls you in from the very beginning and refuses to let go. The vivid descriptions transport you to a bygone era, allowing you to feel the weight of the characters' experiences, whether it's the haunting memories of war, the quiet anguish of a widow, or the simmering tensions of a town grappling with change. But the characters in "The River We Remember" are its beating heart. Each one is exquisitely developed, their motivations and complexities adding layers of depth to the story. As they grapple with personal demons, relationships fray and intertwine, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives that mirror the intricacies of the Alabaster River itself.

This story was easily a 5/5 read and will linger with me for some time.

William Kent Krueger gives us a modern-day classic with The River We Remember. Set in the small town of Jewel, Minnesota in 1958, the town is celebrating Memorial Day; a day for remembering heroes and celebrating the honorable among us. When Jimmy Quinn, one of the town's most well-known (and most hated) residents, is found dead in the Alabaster River of a shot-gun blast, the tone of the day takes a decidedly different turn.

As Sheriff Brody Dern, 35, and his deputies investigate Quinn's death, no one is exempt from questioning. We discover a town full of people waging dark battles of long-held hatred and discontent, against others as well as themselves.

Krueger's prosaic writing is so special and so appreciated by this reader. His full, rich characters are steeped in believability and truth, and walk off of the pages and into your mind and/or heart. The musings of the characters as they come to terms with themselves, and with their flaws tell the story of many of us: few judge us more harshly than we judge ourselves.

I absolutely loved this book! As one who doesn't often award 5-star reviews, I admit I would rate it higher if I could. This is a book that should not be missed. So set aside some time, put your feet up, sink into your chair, and get to know the people of Jewel, Minnesota. You'll be very glad you did.

My thanks to Atria Books for permitting me to access a DRC from NetGalley. All opinions stated in this review are my own and are freely given. The book is scheduled for release 9/5/2023.

As always with this author, beautifully written. You can also count on characters who leap off the page with their humanity and all that entails. Flaws, wisdom, moments of sadness, moments of joy. There are some exceptional characters here. Sheriff Brody, and Charlie, an attorney. Kyoko and Noah. Scott and Del. Angie and her cooking which is like chicken soup for the soul. The inciting incident is the discovery of Jimmy Quinn’s catfish ravaged body in the Alabaster River. In this small town setting, Quinn is well-known and powerful but also commensurately despised. A lot of folks wouldn’t mind seeing him dead but immediately suspicion is cast upon Noah Bluestone, a Native man who is as equally despised because of his heritage and that he has a Japanese wife. This is set in 1958 and so both of those circumstances are negatives in the minds of the predominantly white locals. Yes, this is a mystery to determine if Noah actually killed Quinn but it is so much more. It has a beating heart and a searing soul. Highly recommended

I received an early review copy of The River We Remember from Netgalley in exchange for a review. In the past I loved reading both This Tender Land and Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger so this book was highly anticipated.

The River We Remember missed the mark for me. The first half of the book, maybe even up to 65% is slow. At the very beginning of the book a man is found murdered in the river. From there Krueger spends a ton of time setting the scene. Between the actual setting and introducing several characters and their backgrounds, I felt there was too much set up.

Once I made it to the 65% mark the action did pick up. The problem was that there were so many characters and backstories that I didn't feel connected to anyone in particular. There were a couple lovable characters but the reader doesn't spend a significant amount of time with any of them.

The last 10 percent of the book holds the most action and all of the final reveals. Another problem is that there is so much foreshadowing in this book that some of the well kept secrets weren't surprising to the reader. Was the build up worth it? Not to me.

I really had to force myself to finish this book but I can't say I enjoyed any part of the reading experience.

Here are characters that show all of the flaws of being human. Seemingly good individuals harbor prejudices against whole groups of people but the author balances it with others who are compassionate, loving and forgiving. A theme of right vs wrong plays out in nearly every character. These are people that are easy to relate to and you want good things to happen to them. I loved the beautiful descriptions of the river and countryside surrounding the town.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Simon and Schuster for the ARC to read and review.

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
Publishing date - 09/05/23
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this eARC. I loved This Tender Land ; so I was so excited to read this one. I love this author’s writings.

Story starts post WWII , Jimmy Quinn has been found dead in the river. An arrest is made and it’s Noah Bluestone, a local Native American man. As the sheriff , Brody Dern begins to investigate the case and question locals , secrets and past events are revealed.

Couldn’t put this one down! Definitely a top 2023 read for me. Highly recommend this one when it publishes on September 5th.

This story grabbed my attention from the very beginning when sheriff Brody and Felix look at the body of Jimmy Quinn with the catfish eating at his entrails.

Set in 1958 in Jewel, Minnesota this story is as much about the people and the place as it's about the mystery of who killed Jimmy Quinn and why. Finding the truth isn't easy as Jimmy Quinn was not a nice man and lots of people had reason to want to see him dead.

There are so many wonderful characters in this story, all with things from their past that they'd rather forget, but those things weigh on their minds and hearts. The way they find peace and redemption is poignant and heartwarming. Yet that isn't easy, either. There are ugly moments of bigotry, revenge, and one man who may be beyond redem9tion.

The story weaves around the lives of all of these people much like the Alabaster River that plays such an integral part in the narrative. Krueger has a wonder way with descriptions that place the reader solidly in the scene, and he creates characters that we can all relate to.

This is an enjoyable read, and I was so invested in the story that I put everything on hold one afternoon so I could finish it.

Set in the late 1950’s in Southern Minnesota, a prominent citizen is found dead half eaten by catfish in the river. Was it a suicide or murder? Sheriff Brody Dern must find the answers by sifting through what is truth and what is rumor.

The backdrop of the late 1950’s adds an interesting element to this novel. The racism against Native Americans is prevalent which becomes a pillar to the story. Secrets were kept much closer back then which also provided lots of intrigue and mystery to the story.

There is a lot going on in this novel. There are numerous characters who have their stories fleshed out by Mr. Kreuger. Instead of having one main protagonist, it is the combination of all of these characters that forms the story. There was a number of turns in the story that kept you guessing as to what was the real reason behind the death. I found this aspect made the book more enjoyable and entertaining as I was still trying to determine the cause of the death up until the end.

On the negative side, I did find this book a little on the dark side. I also felt that some parts of the characters stories kind of acted as a filler and didn’t fully blend into the story as well as it normally does during Mr. Krueger’s novels.

Overall the good heftily outweighs the bad and this was a very satisfying read. Thank you to NetGalley, William Kent Krueger, and Atria Books for a free advanced copy for an honest review.

Krueger's most recent novel THE RIVER WE REMEMBER is about the 1958 death of Jimmy Quinn. It was mesmerizing in its writing, and Krueger made the small town setting next to the Alabaster River come alive. There are some police officer characters, but I wouldn't call it a police procedural. It has very little urgency, which is what you do find in police procedurals. In this novel, you are introduced to many characters from the town, including Jimmy Quinn's family members, his employees (Noah Bluestone and his wife Kyoko), along with the police and other peripheral characters. Noah is Indigenous, and he is charged with the crime fairly early on. Again, not much urgency in this novel.

All in all, Krueger does a very good job - honestly, approaching excellent job - with characters. Because there are 10-12 characters with the impetus to figure out whether Jimmy Quinn committed suicide or was murdered (and by whom), it's hard to do all the characters justice in an average length novel. The reader does get enough exposure to their strengths and weaknesses to have favorites, and I think that while Noah and Kyoko are more likely to tug at the heartstrings, there are several other characters that are multi-dimensional as well.

The river analogy is very smart, and I wish it came up more along the way instead of just at the end. There were a lot of references to the Alabaster River in the book, but I think the end really is a wonderful message and I would have appreciated that more spelled out along the way. Maybe it was, and I missed those messages.

I'm taking away a star for the languishing plot/lack of urgency. Maybe it's my Type A, 2020s self that has unrealistic expectations for a death mystery in the summer of 1958. Again, it's beautiful writing with darn good characters. I just needed a little more forward momentum.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Krueger continues his winning streak of slow burn family/community dramas set in Minnesota. The River We Remember begins with a dead body, floating in the river. A carousel of important folk begin pointing fingers which turns in racial profiling, upending all of the town's close knit relationships. A bit slow at times, River unfolds like a good police procedural. It oes not hurry, and takes its time reaching its conclusion. A good read for fans of historical and literary fiction!

Another great book, from other wonderful author of our time. I only discovered William Kent Krueger over Covid, I started with one book and I now have read almost all his other books, including his Strike books.
This was another one of his home towns stories and I do love the small towns, the secrets, the mystery and the life’s that are led. And who left and who returned, some not the same person that left.
It starts with the murder of Jimmy Quinn the not so nice, bully of the town, found by the Alabaster River. Brody Dern, the war hero, who is now the sheriff. Kyoko, a Korean War bride, married to Bluestone an Indian, who said that Quinn stole some of his land. And many many more characters that you need to know the story of. I know a lot of people don’t like to read books where they are a lot of characters, but you need to have that many to keep this story going.
Mr Krueger writing is so descriptive that you can see exactly the town and all of the surrounding. I only wish that Hollywood would make some of the books into movies. I love the way he wraps up his books and you know what happened to everyone.This was definitely another great book. I’m sure it will be another best seller.

4.75 🌟

Disclaimer: I love William Kent Krueger - he is so different from what I normally read and yet every time I pick up one of his books, I fall more in love with his writing.

If you are looking for a mystery that has you on the edge of your seat, this isn't it. This story draws you in slowly, revealing pieces of the characters that allow you to get to know them intimately. This book deals with some tough subjects (trigger warning for r@pe, domestic violence and racism) and yet is a story of redemption and forgiveness. A story of people getting what they "deserve".

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Thank you to @netgalley and @atriaBooks for this ARC. Jimmy Quinn is found dead in the Alabaster River. Though no one will miss him, Sheriff Brody Dern needs to investigate whether it was suicide or murder. He had plenty of enemies but also plenty of demons. I like his Cork O'Connor series better but Krueger always writes good stories! #TheRiverWeRemember #WilliamKentKrueger #Sept2023

The River We Remember drew me in from page one and kept my attention throughout. While primarily a police procedural about figuring out who killed Jimmy Quinn, it’s also an in-depth look at the multitude of characters who make up this small farming community and their interpersonal relationships. The characters all ring true and are believably portrayed.

William Kent Krueger is an amazing storyteller and I eagerly await each of his novels. I highly recommend him in general and this novel in particular!

I have to admit some bias from the jump. Ordinary Grace is one of my favorite books. So I went into The River We Remember with high expectations, and it did not disappoint.

While this is definitely a mystery, it also reads like a slice of life as it is set in small-town Minnesota in the 1950s - which is an interesting, and winning, combination.

Sheriff Brody Dern must investigate when a prominent (but disliked) member of this rural community is found floating in the river. A Native American man - Noah Bluestone - becomes the prime suspect. And while some in the community are more than willing to believe this is a simple case, small towns are always complex. And some of the residents have secrets. As a result, you'll really get to know many of the interesting (and some not-so-nice) characters in this small town.

And while the mystery keeps the pace moving and is compelling all on its own, it is the themes that run through the book which I loved the most - and the exploration of what it means to have a place where you feel safe and at home.

Note that there are some disturbing topics (alcoholism, racism, and domestic violence,) but this wasn't exploitative and was used to forward the plot.

One thing to know about William Kent Krueger - his writing is exquisite. His descriptions allow you to see everything in your mind's eyes and feel like you've stepped foot in another time and place. That truly sets his work apart in this genre. His books stay with you. This one was no exception.

I am very grateful to have received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.