Another great book by William Kent Krueger. Full of suspense and mystery. Keeps you guessing until the very end. Great family dynamics too. I love the closeness of Cork"s family.

William Kent Krueger splits the timeline in his 21st entry into his Cork O'Connor series. It works, and it sets the novel up as a stand-alone, a good move to readers arriving late in the series.

Cork revisits a case from 25 years ago based on new information. He was never comfortable with the case, never quite believed that the man who confessed was actually guilty. We are transported to a time when Cork was a new sheriff, still finding his feet as he deals with the brutal murder of a white woman and her Ojibwe husband who confesses. Cork has. many friends and connections on the reservation and seeks to understand why he has such reservations about Axel's confession. As with all these novels, Krueger explores Ojibwe culture and tradition as he approaches people he's known for years in his new role as sheriff. Krueger uses late fall in the Iron Range of Minnesota to build to the atmosphere of the story.

Apostle's Cove is a strong and emotional mystery that pays off in many ways. Twenty-one books into the series, Cork O'Connor continues to grow as a character and human being. That's what makes this novel so satisfying.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.


Told in duel timelines, APOSTLE’S COVE is an opportunity for readers to return to the time when Cork O’Connor was sheriff of Tamarack County. Part one of the story takes place 25 years ago, which just happens to coincide with the start of this remarkable series from author extraordinaire, William Kent Krueger. Readers are also in for a treat with his then wife, Jo, her sister Rose and daughters Annie and Jennie as youngsters. Jo plays a prominent role as a lawyer for the accused. Krueger is masterful with the intricate interplay between husband and wife as professionals and life partners.

Those who enjoy small town procedurals will be very happy with this story. A very colorful woman from town has been murdered. Prominent people are tangled up in confusing relationships. Family members have conflicting stories and racial issues plague at every turn.

A brief but motivating prologue in current day informed Cork that he had most likely sent the wrong man to prison for the death of the woman in the case he and Jo are trying to solve in part one. Readers move on to current day to find out what actually happened in part two. In this section, Cork returns to being a PI, his wife Rainy and grandson Waaboo join in along with daughter Annie, Sheriff Dross and Henry Meloux, the Mide healer - such an amazing cast of characters. If you enjoy character driven stories that feature unique and relatable individuals, this will be a pleasure.

I very much enjoyed having two large sections rather than bouncing back and forth every chapter or two. Character development is better, storytelling is tighter and the entire reading experience is more satisfying. Well, it might be that WKK is just a fine craftsman.

As always, Krueger delivers beautiful word pictures of Tamarack county and surrounding areas. Along the way, readers are blessed to be given tiny insights to the Ojibwe wisdom alongside the horrible racial issues plaguing
indigenous peoples. Books that entertain as well as enlighten are priceless📚

Read and reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks

Once again, William Kent Krueger hits a homerun. Over the years it has been fun following the trials and travails of the O'Connor family in Aurora, MN. In this latest instalment, we go back 20+ years to the first murder investigation of the new sheriff Cork O'Connor. It was fun to get this glimpse into the O'Connor family when the girls were young and before their son was born.

Cork feels compelled to reinvestigate this first murder because his son is convinced that the man put in jail for the crime is innocent. It is a classic, whodunit, and it gave great insights into the family that we have come to love and know over these 21 books.

The worst part of any books in the Cork O'Connor series is that once you start you can't put it down, and when finished you wished there was more! I look forward to the next installment, and am anxious to see the direction the series goes in.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an Advanced Copy of the book, for an unbiased review.

This is the 21st book in the series involving Cork O’Connor, now about to turn 60, the part-Irish, part-Anishinaabe Indian ex-sheriff of the small town of Aurora, Minnesota in Tamarack County. While no longer formally serving in law enforcement, Cork now occasionally works as a private investigator.

This installment begins as Cork receives a call from his son Stephen, who is doing nonprofit work for unjustly incarcerated inmates. Stephen has been asked to look into the case of an Ojibwe man, Axel Boshey, whom his father sent to prison 20 years earlier. At the time, Cork, working on his first murder investigation as sheriff of Tamarack County, didn’t totally believe Axel committed the brutal murder, but Axel confessed. Now Axel has recanted his confession, and Cork is determined to find out what really happened and who was responsible.

The book has two parts. The first takes place in the past, and in the second, present-day Cork revisits what he did back then. He is driven by guilt and regret that he may have sent the wrong person to prison.

The more Cork tries to uncover the secrets and lies from the past, the more danger he himself faces from those bent on hiding the truth.

Evaluation: Although this is part of a series, it is quite possible to read this installment without feeling lost. On the contrary, Krueger manages to pull you into the O’Connor family immediately. Krueger is a good writer, and I love how he integrates Native American culture and an appreciation for the landscape into his stories. In addition, the continuing unwarranted and irrational prejudice toward Native Americans is a recurring theme of Krueger’s, and lends passion to his stories.

Whether you come to his novels for the murder-mystery aspect, the depiction of a strong, loving family, or the insights into Native American culture, his books are a rewarding reading experience.

A well-paced page-turner by Krueger. His well-developed characters and their relationships are certainly true-to-life. The tangential relationships that make the main characters who they are, the loss experienced, and the impact on the community...all make for a gripping murder mystery that is hard to put down.

William Kent Krueger (Kent) continues to add to the Cork O'Connor saga by going backwards in time, reopening a cold case from 25 years in the past when as a relatively new sheriff he was responsible for a member of the Ojibwe population is incarcerated for the brutal murder of his wife. As with all other entries in this series, there is a great deal of atmosphere provided by the late autumn setting, and the characters come to life thanks to his remarkable prose. He manages to infiltrate native tradition and lore into every page, enlightening while entertaining.

I don’t know why William Kent Krueger isn’t a household name by now. The Cork O’Connor series continues to deliver some of the most immersive, well-crafted mystery fiction out there, and Apostle’s Cove might be one of the best. If shows like Yellowstone and Longmire can make it to TV, there’s no reason this series shouldn’t follow. The setting, the themes, the characters - very cozy mystery with a bite.

What makes this Apostle's Cove so compelling is how Krueger juggles two timelines and keeps you fully locked into both. That’s hard to pull off, but he does it seamlessly. In the present day, Cork is wrestling with his own aging and regrets when his son Stephen calls with a bombshell: a decades-old conviction Cork was responsible for may have been wrong. The man in question, Axel Boshe, an Ojibwe enrolled person,is the key to unraveling what really happened.

As Cork reopens the investigation, the threats from years before surface again. Clearly there is someone in Tamarack County that would would like these secrets to stay buried. Krueger’s writing balances character-driven drama with a true sense of place and culture. The characters are complex, the connections electric and the story is always elevated above an average rural crime thriller.

If you haven’t picked up this series yet, now’s the time. And if Netflix is listening, it’s time to start casting!
#Atria #ApostlesCove #WilliamKentKrueger #CorkOConnorMysteries #WindigoVibes #WhyIsntThisAShowYet

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. I've read all of the Cork O'Connor series, and this installment is among the best.

Cork is feeling down as he faces another birthday, and soon he finds himself investigating a murder. The catch? It's one he handled as sheriff 25 years ago. Did he send an innocent man to prison?

In a different section of the novel, readers get to follow along with a younger Cork as he investigates the murder for the first time and see some characters who are gone in the present day. It's nice to revisit the dynamic between Cork and his late wife, Jo, and the similarities between how he worked with her and how he works on investigations in the present day with his adult daughter, Jenny.

This novel pulled me in fast, and I could have easily ignored everything to read it in one sitting. Alas, I forced myself to read only a little each day to make it last, and I still want more of Cork's story.

Many thanks to William Kent Krueger, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel. Krueger never disappoints, and this is another well-plotted, well-written and very satisfying entry in the Cork O’Connor series.

Apostle’s Cove by William Kent Krueger, his latest Cork O’Connor murder mystery, did not disappoint. The past meets the present when Cork’s son, Stephen, asks him to investigate a decades old murder in order to free a wrongly accused prisoner. Cork finds that he did indeed miss some key evidence. Bringing that to light begins a series of events ending in another gruesome murder by the real killer.. Halloween and Indian lore play a part as Cork brings justice to his town. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries involving indigenous peoples.

I read Apostle’s Cove as an ARC from NetGalley and was thoroughly impressed. This 21st installment in the Cork O’Connor series masterfully blends Cork’s early years as sheriff with his present-day life, breathing fresh energy into the series. Krueger’s writing is as evocative as ever, and the return to Cork’s roots adds emotional depth and renewed purpose. A compelling, heartfelt entry that feels both nostalgic and new—longtime fans will be especially rewarded.

An Absolute Masterpiece! Cork O'Connor Faces His Darkest Case Yet!

Wow. Just, wow. Apostle's Cove is hands down one of the most gripping, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant novels I've read in a long time. William Kent Krueger has once again proven why Cork O'Connor is one of the most compelling characters in crime fiction, and this installment is a tour de force that kept me utterly spellbound.

The premise alone is chilling: Cork, on the cusp of sixty, is forced to confront a ghost from his past when his son, Stephen, challenges a conviction Cork made two decades prior. The murder of Axel Boshey, an Ojibwe man Cork put behind bars, quickly becomes a raw wound for Cork to reopen. The added layer of Boshey's inexplicable refusal to cooperate only deepens the mystery and Cork's personal torment.

From the moment Cork dives back into the cold case, the tension is palpable. The narrative expertly weaves together the present-day investigation with the chilling implications of the past, making it clear that powerful forces in Tamarack County are determined to keep the truth buried – even if it means more murder. The suspense builds relentlessly, and I found myself holding my breath more than once as Cork dug deeper into the dangerous secrets.

But what truly elevates this novel to five-star status is the masterful integration of the supernatural and spiritual elements. Cork's seven-year-old grandson's chilling theory about the **Windigo**, the mythic cannibal ogre, isn't just a side plot; it's a terrifying, ever-present undercurrent that perfectly mirrors the human darkness Cork is uncovering. This blending of folklore with the gritty reality of a murder investigation is simply brilliant, adding layers of primal fear and a sense of ancient evil that truly sets this book apart.

Krueger's writing is as rich and evocative as ever, bringing the stark beauty and hidden dangers of the New Mexico badlands to vivid life. The characters are deeply human, flawed, and utterly believable. The emotional stakes are incredibly high, both for the victims and for Cork himself, whose integrity and family are constantly on the line.

**Apostle's Cove is more than just a crime novel; it's a powerful exploration of justice, redemption, sacrifice, and the enduring presence of dark forces, both human and mythical. It's a gripping, heart-pounding journey that I couldn't put down. Highly, highly recommend!

Pulled me in as always. Kruger is a master at spinning a yarn. Ending whodunnit was a little convoluted. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

Can never turn down a cork book. This was the first one that I actually read rather than listen to, and I thought it was just as good if you’re into audiobooks, the person who reads them is really great, but so is the print version.

Review from Fantastic Fiction:
few nights before Halloween, as Cork O’Connor gloomily ruminates on his upcoming birthday, he receives a call from his son, Stephen, who is working for a nonprofit dedicated to securing freedom for unjustly incarcerated inmates. Stephen tells his father that decades ago, as the newly elected sheriff of Tamarack County, Cork was responsible for sending an Ojibwe man named Axel Boshey to prison for a brutal murder that Stephen is certain he did not commit.

Cork feels compelled to reinvestigate the crime, but that is easier said than done. Not only is it a closed case but Axel Boshey is, inexplicably, refusing to help. The deeper Cork digs, the clearer it becomes that there are those in Tamarack County who are willing once again to commit murder to keep him from finding the truth.

At the same time, Cork’s seven-year-old grandson has his own theory about the investigation: the Windigo, that mythic cannibal ogre, has come to Tamarack County'''and it won’t leave until it has sated its hunger for human blood.
This is book 21 in the Cork O’Conner series, which I have followed and enjoyed.

Apostle’s Creed is Kent Krueger at the top of his game. He is truly one of the greatest writers of this generation.

25 years ago, as a new sheriff, Cork O’Connor arrested an Ojibwe man, Axel Boshey, for a brutal murder. Although Cork had serious doubts about the case, Axel pled guilty and was sentenced to prison.

Now, Cork’s son Stephen is convinced Axel is innocent, and asks his father to reopen the case. Cork’s decision will open a Pandora’s box of lies, secrets, treachery, and murder.

This reader devoured this novel in one sitting, and cannot recommend it highly enough. William Kent Krueger is a national treasure! “Apostle’s Cove #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthorSeries

A phone call from former Sheriff Cork O'Connor's son Stephen, a lawyer with the Innocence Project takes him back to his first murder case as the newly elected sheriff of Tamarisk County. The first half of the book is Cork returning to the murder of Chastity Boshy, ostensibly by her husband Axel. Cork always had doubts even after Axel confessed. Now 25 years later Axel's son Sunny is convinced his father is innocent and wants Stephen and Cork to prove his innocence. Axel still isn't sure what happened that night. As Cork revisits the case all these years later, much is shaken loose as we learn what really happened.
Mr. Krueger never fails to entertain. His books are an absolute delight to read. He weaves a tight tale all while incorporating bits and pieces of Anishinaabe culture and lore into the story. He creates a community and setting that is a rich character in and of itself, in addition to an intriguingly moral yet fallible main character as well as a rich and fully developed supporting cast. I am not just entertained while reading the Cork O'Connor books, I learn something as well.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide my honest review of this book.

It was nice to jump into another book starring Cork O'Connor and his family. This story takes Cork back twenty five years when he arrested a man for murder who was sentenced to life without parole and Cork was never comfortable with it being just. Now, his son Stephen asks him to look back at this case as he believes the man is innocent. The man, serving life in prison has recanted his confession. This sets off Cork's re-investigation with help from Jenny and others.

I was caught up in this story right from the beginning and could not put the book aside. It was great to go back to when Jo was alive and then also to the present day when Rainey was Cork's wife and family lived with him. There are those who do not want this investigation to continue.

Another great book by William Kent Krueger. Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for this ARC.

3.75 stars, and I rounded to 4 stars.
I came into the book with no expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised.
I enjoyed it.
Cork O'Connor is investigating a case from his past life as a sheriff. He has always been bothered, almost haunted, regarding a verdict on a case that sent a man to prison. His son asks him to take a look into the case, and Cork and his daughter, Jenny, end up going down a crazy road with danger around every corner.
This was my first book with Cork O'Connor, and I did fine having not read any of the previous books. In fact, the character development was done so well that I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything and was able to connect with the characters as well as I would have had this been a standalone book.
The structure of the writing was very well done. I was shocked by how well the dual timelines are written. I always say that I think that is one of the hardest things to pull off as a writer, but Krueger executed it so perfectly.
I also enjoyed the pace of the book; it kept me engaged, and I really didn't want to stop reading.
If this isn't a mini-series, I could absolutely see this being something made for TV.
I am now tempted to go and read more of Cork's adventures and get more of his story!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Kent Krueger for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Happy Reading!