Member Review
Review by
Michael B, Reviewer
What to do With the Truth
“Dad, I’m pretty sure you sent an innocent man to prison.”
In “Apostle's Cove,” the 21st novel in William Kent Krueger's Cork O'Connor series, the retired sheriff finds himself grappling with a past injustice. Two decades prior, Cork incarcerated Axel Boshey, an Ojibwe man, for murder, but doubts about the conviction's validity have resurfaced. Cork has always harbored reservations about Boshey's confession and is now troubled by the feeling that he fell short in ensuring justice. It appears likely that Boshey has been shielding someone all this time, and he seems to have found a sense of purpose within prison walls. Cork's attempts to reopen the investigation and rectify the past are complicated by the passage of time and Boshey's reluctance to cooperate.
The novel features significant Native American influences, as well as overtly racist characters. Cork, who is of mixed Ojibwe and Irish heritage, has consistently encountered a mixed reception on the nearby reservation, primarily due to his role in law enforcement rather than his heritage. He frequently seeks guidance and wisdom from the tribe's elders, Sam Winter Moon and Henry Meloux.
Cork’s seven-year-old grandson, Waaboo, possesses a mixed supernatural blessing: he senses the impending arrival of the Windigo, a mythical cannibalistic ogre. While this ability elevates the family's apprehension, its inclusion here feels somewhat unnecessary, serving more as a series staple than a crucial plot device, unlike its pivotal role in Krueger's earlier work, "Spirit Crossing." There is no need to plumb the depths for monsters: the evil here is of human origin.
Krueger demonstrates masterful storytelling in this robust series, maintaining a brisk plot pace with well-developed characters. The portrayal of the Ojibwe community feels authentic, largely avoiding cultural appropriation, although some critics raise concerns about non-native authors portraying “white man’s Indians.”
"Apostle's Cove" is an enjoyable read and a worthy addition to the series.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
“Dad, I’m pretty sure you sent an innocent man to prison.”
In “Apostle's Cove,” the 21st novel in William Kent Krueger's Cork O'Connor series, the retired sheriff finds himself grappling with a past injustice. Two decades prior, Cork incarcerated Axel Boshey, an Ojibwe man, for murder, but doubts about the conviction's validity have resurfaced. Cork has always harbored reservations about Boshey's confession and is now troubled by the feeling that he fell short in ensuring justice. It appears likely that Boshey has been shielding someone all this time, and he seems to have found a sense of purpose within prison walls. Cork's attempts to reopen the investigation and rectify the past are complicated by the passage of time and Boshey's reluctance to cooperate.
The novel features significant Native American influences, as well as overtly racist characters. Cork, who is of mixed Ojibwe and Irish heritage, has consistently encountered a mixed reception on the nearby reservation, primarily due to his role in law enforcement rather than his heritage. He frequently seeks guidance and wisdom from the tribe's elders, Sam Winter Moon and Henry Meloux.
Cork’s seven-year-old grandson, Waaboo, possesses a mixed supernatural blessing: he senses the impending arrival of the Windigo, a mythical cannibalistic ogre. While this ability elevates the family's apprehension, its inclusion here feels somewhat unnecessary, serving more as a series staple than a crucial plot device, unlike its pivotal role in Krueger's earlier work, "Spirit Crossing." There is no need to plumb the depths for monsters: the evil here is of human origin.
Krueger demonstrates masterful storytelling in this robust series, maintaining a brisk plot pace with well-developed characters. The portrayal of the Ojibwe community feels authentic, largely avoiding cultural appropriation, although some critics raise concerns about non-native authors portraying “white man’s Indians.”
"Apostle's Cove" is an enjoyable read and a worthy addition to the series.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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