I have been reading this series for years. I listened to BOCD for most of the series and read on NetGalley the last three or so thanks to the their generosity. I enjoy literally reading the books and know how to pronounce all the words I only heard. This book does not disappoint. It covers a long ago case. I always enjoy the intertwining of the two cultures. This is a series worth starting and continuing,

Apostle's Cove by William Kent Krueger continues the ongoing life of Cork O'Connor and a case from his early days. When his son calls and tells him he may have sent the wrong man to prison years ago he is compelled to revisit the case and circumstances that made him reach that verdict. The juxtaposition of the early days of his career and now is well done and the mystery keeps ones interest throughout. This is a good aging Cork O'Connor story and I hope there are many more to come.

Apostle’s Cove begins as Cork receives a call from his son, Stephen, who is working for a nonprofit that's similar to the Innocence Project. Stephen believes that a Native American man his dad sent to prison 25 years ago, may have been innocent.

The book then steps back 25 years, to when the murder took place and Cork was a fairly new sheriff. Apostle’s Cove became richer as I learned more about Axel Boshey’s conviction.

Then the book steps forward, to the present and the news that Windigo, that mythic cannibal ogre, may show up - and it won't leave until it has sated its hunger for human blood. There wasn't a single part of Apostle's Cove that was boring! I love Jenny's son, Waaboo, so much. He's the perfect combination of wisdom, with some seven-year-old silliness mixed in!

My favorite line in the book: "Every falling leaf comes to rest where it was always meant to be." There's something very comforting about that.

Thank you, #AtriaBooks, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Apostle's Cove has an expected publication date of September 2, 2025.

#WilliamKentKrueger #NativeAmericans #Crime #Mystery #Family #Suspense

Let's start by saying this was not my cup of tea.

There's a murder mystery, and an investigation. 20 years later, it seems the wrong guy was convicted, and the murder has to be re-investigated. So far, so good, the beginning sucked me right in. There's a lot of writing on the indigenous people, their traditions, their relationships with the white, how the police treats them etc. The story has a good pacing - not too fast, not too slow. You'll say, so what's the problem?

Despite my best intentions, I didn't get interested, the story didn't make me want to find out what happened. It just laid out the investigation. I didn't laugh, cry, was outraged, inspired, or empathize with anyone. It felt as flat as iron.

I love the author, and his book This Tender Land is one of my all time favorite books. Will keep reading his work, this one was probably just a hiccup. Hope others enjoy it more.

This is maybe the 4th or 5th of the Cork O'Connor series I've read, and while it wasn't my favorite, it still is a solid, enjoyable read. The dual timeline idea didn't work so well for me -- it also got a little bit preachy on the political side, too. The author tells a good story, and Cork himself is an interesting character, as is his varied background.

As usual, a good, entertaining read in a Minnesota setting that is gripping.

Will I read more from the author? Absolutely.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC. Book 21 of the Cork O'Connor series from William Kent Krueger. Prologue - Stephen calls his dad to tell him he thinks he put an innocent man behind bars 25 years prior. Chapter 1 - Flash back to the start of Cork's career as sheriff and the pending arrest of Axel Boshley. Though I had thoughts on how the book would turn out, I really enjoyed getting a lot of Cork's backstory with this wife and little kids. Always a great read from Krueger and can't wait for the next one! #ApostlesCove #WilliamKentKrueger #AtriaBooks #Sept2025

This book completely left me shaken. It was fabulously written and the characters felt like friends. What a wonderful story!

Written by an author I already love, this book did not disappoint. Delving into small town culture, Cork’s Native American background, and family feuds and crimes, both old and new, there’s always something to keep your mind thinking about this book. The character development and storytelling are right on point and the writing style is pleasant to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

Another great addition (Book #21) to the Cork O’Connor series of novels by William Kent Krueger. In this installment, Cork finds himself re-looking at an old case in which the wrong man might have gone to prison. What I appreciated about this book is that while it was a look-back, there was a distinct Part One (old case) and Part Two (present day investigation). The back-and-forth chapters have been very over-done lately in historical fiction. Familiar characters from Cork’s past made an appearance in Part One and his family continued to have a supporting role in Part Two. A fantastic read and perfect for a fall mystery. Highly recommend Apostle’s Cove.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Atria Books via NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my own opinions.

I have enjoyed many William Kent Krueger books, some from this Cork O’Connor series and all of his stand alone books. This book was not exceptional. It was told in two parts as it kicks off with Cork’s adults on, Stephen, who is working for an Innocence Project, is reviewing a case where an indigenous man, Axel Boshey, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, that he admitted to but Cork was always skeptical whether he actually did it. The alleged murderer’s adult child wants the case reviewed.

This first half of the book tells the story of the murder. There seems to be plenty of holes in the theories of who done it but there is also grounds to accept Axel’s confession. The second half of the book is Cork’s new investigation, albeit he is retired from policing and his adult daughter, an author, tags along for inspiration - which I found odd but also, this series is often a community affair. I often think “It takes a village” when I read about Cork O’Connor’s shenanigans. It seems there are motives abound of people wanting to keep history buried as Cork is battered and followed. Nonetheless he continues on using his resources and community uncovering interesting connections.

I felt the story wrapped so fast I wasn’t sure I caught everything I wanted to. In spite of that, enjoyed the fairly typical Cork mystery including all of the references to the indigenous culture.

For fans of the Cork O’Connor series, you are in for a real treat. This book goes back in time to before the first book in the series to re-investigate a murder. Stephen is convinced that his Dad (a new sheriff at the time) put the wrong man in prison 20 years ago and has convinced Cork to re-investigate as a PI. You get to revisit so many old friends. When Rose walked into the kitchen, my heart melted a bit; but she isn't the only blast from the past, Jo and Sam Moon are part of the story as well. For those new to this series, it is a chance to meet both old and new characters and be a part of a murder investigation decades old.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for supplying me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Simon & Schuster, Publisher William Kent Krueger, author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this wonderful ARC of Apostle’s Cove.

WKK never disappoints his stories of Cork and his days of lawman, husband, dad and granddad always educate and inspire. Henry too! This was great to read because it expanded over a 25 year period of his life. Including his days as sheriff and of Jo as a community lawyer. And current day of Rainy. I’ll go back and read earlier books again, to enjoy more of these peaceful writings of life and consequence.

Buy it, borrow it but read and enjoy.

This was an easy to read and easy to follow. It is part of a long standing series but I was able to jump right in. Told a bit in the present, as a former cop decides to pursue a possible wrongful conviction, someone he put in jail years before, 25 yrs and was uncertain about it. His son asks him to reinvestigate. This was a short segment, followed by the bulk of the book back in the past, leading up to the murder and conviction. Then jumps back to present as the case continues.

Apostle’s Cove, the newest installment in William Kent Krueger’s long-running Cork O’Connor series, was my first foray into Krueger’s work — and it’s a gripping, thoughtful mystery from start to finish.

The novel finds former sheriff Cork O’Connor facing a haunting case from his past. Days before Halloween and his sixtieth birthday, Cork receives a call from his son, Stephen, who now works with a nonprofit advocating for the wrongly incarcerated. Stephen believes that Axel Boshey, an Ojibwe man Cork helped convict for murder two decades ago, may have been innocent. Reluctantly, Cork begins to reexamine the case, only to discover that not everyone in Tamarack County wants the truth brought to light — and some may kill to keep it buried.

While this is my first O’Connor book, Krueger makes it easy to jump into the series. He smoothly provides enough backstory to orient new readers without slowing the plot. That said, the book does juggle a large cast of characters and multiple timelines, which can occasionally be hard to track — a challenge perhaps amplified by my lack of familiarity with previous books. The pacing also fluctuates; some chapters pulse with tension, while others linger in quieter, less urgent scenes.

Still, Apostle’s Cove shines in its emotional depth and its nuanced portrayal of a man torn between duty, guilt, and justice. Krueger’s deep care for his characters and setting is evident throughout. Cork, part Irish and part Ojibwe, is a compelling guide through the complexities of a community shaped by both culture and conflict. His ties to the reservation and the broader Tamarack County give the novel a rich sense of place and purpose.

Despite a few pacing issues, Apostle’s Cove is a strong, reflective mystery — one that balances crime-solving with conscience. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer like me, it’s well worth your time.

I want to start off by saying a big Thank you to Atria Books, William Kent Kruger, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Having read Ordinary Grace as my first WKK book recently, I knew this was an author I needed to read more of. I immediately read the rest of his stand alone novels and loved them all. When I saw Apostle's Cove come up I immediately requested it and was shocked to have been selected. Little did I know at the time that this was book #21 in the Cork O'Connner Series....... After this amazing story, that works well as a stand alone, since I have not read any of the other books in this series, I feel I need to get them all.

Great story. Great characters. Great writing.

William Kent Krueger has now been added to the instant buy list.

I've only read a few of the novels in the Cork O'Connor series, but they truly stand alone so well that I didn't feel as though I missed much jumping right in. Detective Cork O'Connor reopens a case from early in his career; he believes a man was wrongfully imprisoned for murder. It's a slow burn and dissects complex family dynamics, reservation life (and the horrifying treatment of the indigenous population by the justice system), and impossible choices.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

For readers who are unfamiliar with the Cork O' Connor series, this book, #21 is the perfect entry point because it reopens one of Cork's first murder cases as sheriff of Tamarack County, Minnesota. It is told in dual timelines with part one being 25 years ago which happens to be the start of the series.
The prologue opens in current day and Cork believes he sent the wrong person to prison for the murder of Chasity Boshey. Her husband, Axel Boshey was sent to prison for life without parole because all of the evidence lead to him. Now, new evidence is presented that the wrong man was sent to prison, and Cork has the case reopened. I loved the host of characters from part one. We get to know Cork and his family and the people he surrounds himself with. In part two, the crime is relived and we discover who actually killed Chasity. We also get to see these characters and how they've grown in present day.
As always, I enjoyed William Kent Krueger's style of writing. He paints a vivid picture of the small town and the deep culture of the Ojibwe people.
I loved that it is told in two parts and the timelines do not bounce back and forth every few chapters.

Investigating an old case puts Cork and his daughter in danger. No one is as they seem and the recounting of the murder of a young pregnant woman brings more questions to mind. Good resolution and furthers the reader’s impression that Cork O’Connor is destined for more installments in this series.

I've been a big fan of this series from the start, primary for the characters Cork and Henry. I'm not sure why this I didn't like this book but I didn't/don't. Despite multiple attempts to finish it I couldn't even get to 50%, which is unusual for me. Perhaps the storylines seemed too familiar or perhaps repetitive -- blame the drunk guy? Regardless, I appreciate the publisher granting me a chance to review one of my favorite authors and I regret this one was a rare DNF.

Apostle's Cove is book #21 in the Cork O'Connor series. I have only read a handful of books by William Kent Krueger. I didn't feel lost by missing most of the books in the Cork O'Connor series and jumping into book #21.

The first part of the book rehashes a prior case from decades earlier by Cork O'Connor, it looks likely that someone went to prison when they never quite got the right person. (I kept wondering when I read if there was a prior book in the series ... or not. But since it wasn't familiar to me, it didn't really matter. If there had been a prior book and I had read it, I wonder how I would have felt. I have a book by William Kent Krueger that was given to me by a friend. I keep starting it, but it seems so familiar. I think I read it, but didn't indicate it on GoodReads. And I can't quite get myself to re-read this other book ... as I'm rarely in the mood for a re-read.)

The second part of the book picks up in the present day when Cork begins reinvestigating the case.

Some interesting characters. I liked the young boy in the second half of the book. I'll probably look for more books in the series because I like the little guy (and especially his excitement over Halloween).

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Publishers for approving my request to read the advance review copy of Apostle's Cove in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is Sept 2, 2025; approx 336 pages.