Cork O’Connor gets a call from his son Stephen, who is a lawyer for a nonprofit group trying to free unjustly jailed inmates, telling him Axel Boshey was not responsible for killing his wife Chastity. Cork was sheriff at the time of the murder of Chastity Boshey and even though Cork didn’t fully believe Axel was responsible, Axel confessed and was sentenced to life in prison. The case stuck with Cork and has caused him tremendous guilt over the years. After his son calls him with news that Axel may be innocent after all, Cork decides to reinvestigate the case. The book is divided into two sections. The first section takes us back to the time of the killing and the investigation back then. The second half brings us back to the present and the investigation Cork takes on now. Helping him now is his daughter Jenny, a novelist. Opening old questions clearly doesn’t sit well with someone, as Cork is attacked. The story really drew me in, it is well written and the characters are very interesting. I give the book 4 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on September 2, 2025.

This is only the second Cork O’Connor books I’ve read, but like the one before, I didn’t feel like I was lost or confused as this book goes way back to when Cork was just starting out his career as sheriff.

I feel like Krueger’s books are more of a slow burn, especially in the beginning, but the story and his characters kept me engaged. And he does an excellent job of weaving a wonderful mystery among these characters. Someday, I will go back and start this series with book one! I look forward to the next book in the series.

Amazing, I absolutely loved Apostles Cove ! Thank you to NetGalley for the early preview.. William Kent Krueger has done it again with Cork and the Indian beliefs. Going back to before with his wife Jo and kids was so well written.. Righting the wrongs of poor Axel was a page turner for me.. I read it in one day! Marvelous read!

In Apostle’s Cove, Cork O’Connor revisits a case from his early days as Sheriff of Tamarack County. His son, Stephen, working for a nonprofit organization seeking freedom for prison inmates unjustly incarcerated, has called to tell him a man Cork was responsible for sending to prison is innocent. This begins a novel which relives a long ago crime and its conclusion bringing everything to the present day when Cork meets with Axel Boshey again to try to understand where the old investigation may have gone wrong. Twenty, twenty-five years have passed. Some people involved are gone now but many are still around. Some still with similar lives and attitudes as in years past.

I hesitate to give details of the initial offense and the plot; it was a murder, with Axel found guilty of viciously killing his wife Chastity. The investigation was difficult but ultimately Axel was convicted and sentenced. Now he is claiming innocence in a case that had always troubled Cork, so it’s time for another look at the evidence and people that bothered him at the beginning.

Initially, the story seemed to get off to a slow start, but that may have been my reading mood as much as the book itself. By the time I was perhaps 1/4 in I found myself fully engaged and looking forward to returning to reading. I especially enjoyed the search in the present day and all of the O’Connor family sessions as well as seeing Henry and Prophet again. This is a reliable series from a writer I’ve come to respect.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I have read every one of William Kent Krueger's books, and they have all been a delight, but this is easily his best one yet. The characters in this series continue to grow and share their life journeys in such a way that I wish I knew them in real life. They have wild adventures at times, experience a great deal of tragedy and sadness, but the author manages to guide them through these life events with grace, increasing wisdom, and a growing appreciation for joy. This novel is told across 2 timelines, and the protagonist, Cork, finds it is never too late to lay guilt aside and make peace with past regrets. This novel is fast-paced, intriguing, and a great mystery as well as very wise in its execution. It is #21 in this series, but it can be read as a stand alone novel. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes family stories, great mysteries, and fully developed characters who are a pleasure to visit once again in each book. My sincere thanks to the publisher, Atria Books, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC of this fabulous novel.

Awesome book!!.Number 21 of the series Cork O'Connor but is easily read as a standalone. It would greatly enhance your reading experience if you read the other books as you will come to know these characters from their beginning. Cork's children are now adults and helping him with a case. (Great narrator if you have the opportunity to listen to any of the books as an audio version.) There is a lot of Native American life,legends and history woven into all the books that is always Interesting. This one is no exception.
It is fast.paced and kept me turning pages until the very end. Lots of twists to get to the truth of what happened with Cork's first case. I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy and under.no obligation to write a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

25 years ago a young wife and mother was found slaughtered in her home. Despite having his doubts, Cork arrests Axel Boshey, the dead woman's husband, who confesses to the crime. Now Cork's son, Stephen says Axel denies killing his wife and ask Cork to reinvestigate. The story is told in two parts, the original investigation and the present day one. Recently this series had seemed to be getting tired, but with this entry, Krueger reminds us of why we fell in love with it in the first place.

I took a chance and jumped into this long-running series two or three books back because I am a great fan of William Kent Krueger's writing. This one could definitely be read as a standalone if you too want to give the series a try.

Cork O'Connor, former sheriff of Tamarack County in MN, is now retired and working as a PI. His son, Stephen, a law student who is interning with a nonprofit, tells him their INNOCENCE PROJECT believes a man Cork helped send to prison was innocent of the crime, even though they had his confession. What follows is a look back at that case, followed by what Cork can now uncover some 25-years later. Very suspenseful with some crazy characters and a touch of Native American spirituality.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
I always enjoy Krueger’s books and really love the Cork O’Connor series, so I was really excited for this new book in the series. Although this book starts off rather slow, Krueger knows how to draw the reader in and keep them engaged. The plot, the writing, the mystery, the characters, and the investigation itself drew me in and kept my attention, despite the pace.The story is told from past and present and is sprinkled throughout with some twists and secrets. Krueger weaves a bit of Native lore throughout which I really was intrigued by.This book is definitely character driven, and I really enjoyed each and every one of them. This book is sure to be a hit for readers who enjoy mystery, crime, and police procedural books.


𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
✦Police procedurals, crime, and mystery books
✦A character driven story with an amazing cast of characters
✦A slow burn, but one that keeps you engaged
✦Fabulous writing, an engaging plot, plenty of mystery and secrets, and fun characters


𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5

Apostle's Cove is another great entry in the Cork O’Connor series. Kreuger usually includes current topics and social issues into his plots and this book is no exception. Nonprofit groups like the Innocence Project have been in the news frequently and podcasters researching past crimes are popular on social media. In Kreuger’s most recent novel, private detective Cork O’Connor is asked by his son Stephen, who works for a group like the Innocence Project, to reinvestigate a homicide case Cork handled years ago when he was sheriff of Tamarack County that resulted in a life sentence for an Ojibwe man named Axel Boshey. Stephen and Boshey’s son are adamant that Axel is innocent, but Axel himself, has no desire to help Cork prove his innocence. As word spreads of his investigation, Cork realizes that perhaps he did send the wrong person to prison, and the real killer is still out there waiting to stop him. Kreuger is a great storyteller, and his books are filled with interesting characters and history of the Ojibwe people who live in the Northwoods country of Minnesota that he so aptly describes. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Atria Books, for an advanced reader's copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

It's always a treat to open a book knowing you're going to enjoy it - one of the hallmarks of an excellent series. For me, this is a perfect example. I've loved watching the main character, Cork O'Connor, as he's grown old enough to be married twice and have a grandson. And I love reading about his Native American roots and "meeting" characters who live and work on the reservation in Tamarack County, Minnesota.

This story begins as Cork's son, Stephen, calls his father. Stephen, who's in law school and helping prison inmates who believe they've been wrongly convicted, is working with an inmate named Axel Boshey. Cork gets the call for a simple reason: two decades ago, Cork was the county sheriff and the official most directly responsible for putting the man behind bars. Needless to say, Cork is crushed, so he vows to review the investigation that happened back then to see what, if anything, went wrong.

He hits his first major snag, though, with Axel himself; the man, who was shall we say impaired back when he was arrested and really didn't remember whether he killed his wife or not, still isn't totally sure he didn't. More to the point, he's now carved out a niche in prison helping other inmates and, after all these years, isn't much interested in being sprung. Compounding that is the fact that just about everyone Cork tries to speak with who were around at the time are downright adament about not speaking again - and some are openly hostile. So how on earth can he find out what really happened?]

A big chunk of the book revisits Cork's initial investigation, when his first wife, Jo, was the attorney representing Axel. Then it returns to the present, focusing on his attempts to make things right with the help of his lovable grandson Aaron, better known as Waaboo, and Ojibwe Mide healer Henry Meloux.

More details, though, I'll just have to leave for others to read about, but suffice it to say it's another winner in my book. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to once again catch up with some of my favorite book characters (and, of course, a favorite author).

This isn't my favorite in the series but there's never a bad William Kent Krueger book. Interesting for me here is that he didn't mine the obvious trauma of the first murder victim; she seemed secondary and almost like characters felt she deserved it. Which .. is not usual for his story writing. But seeing the early version of Cork and how he has evolved was a nice break in the series.

Book: Apostle’s Cove
Series: Cork O’Connor #21
Author: William Kent Kruger
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pub Date: September 2 2025
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pages: 336

I was drawn to this story as William Kent Kruger never disappoints.
I have read several of the Cork O’Connor stories and always enjoyed them!

A fun thing about Mr. Kruger’s stories is that he educates me on the Anishinaabe culture. In this story- MN beer. He mentioned sitting at home in front of his computer with a cold Leinenkigrel while looking for numbers he had entered.
(My daughter and son-in- law live near Duluth, I am anxious to tell them of my beer discovery!

This story is in two timelines ~ Present Day and twenty-five years ago.
Story starts present day a few days before Halloween, as Cork is thinking about his upcoming birthday, he receives a call from his son, Stephen, who is working for the Tribal Law and Policy Institute - a nonprofit dedicated to securing freedom for unjustly incarcerated inmates.

Twenty-five years ago Cork was sheriff when a woman was brutally killed. Her husband Axel Bosley, a Native American with a history of violence and alcohol abuse confesses to the murder and was sent to prison.
Stephen asks his father if he would take a look at the cold case. Axel's stepson, Sundown Boshey has always believed his dad was innocent. However Axel Boshey has always said he was guilty and refused any help.

Cork remembers this as it was his very first murder case when he first became sheriff of Tamarack County. Stephen says “Dad I’m pretty sure you sent an innocent man to prison.”
Although Axel Bosley confesses - it seems he might be protecting someone.
Now twenty-five year later Axel states he didn’t do it but he likes being in prison. He has been there long enough that he is highly respected by the inmates,
He also states that when he first got to prison he wanted to die. A wise man told him ~ ‘<i>”Your life does not belong only to you. It also belongs to those who love you.. We all have a responsibility to them. If I sacrifice myself because of my own weakness, I am being selfish for hurting others. I have a responsibility and must not steal something from those who love me – I need to value me life.” </i>
I personally love this!

As the story continues and goes back in time we get to know the couple much better.
There is a lot going on in this story, as well as a lot of characters. . We get to know the O’Connor clan ~Rainy, Jenny, Daniel, Stephen, Bakke and grandson Aaron who goes by Weeboo.
At the end there is so much going with a lot of characters that I found myself reading faster and faster and finally said s l o w down as I was surely I was going to have to reread.

As I mentioned author William Kent Kruger does not disappoint.

Want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for granted me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 2, 2025.

I love anything William Kent Krueger writes and I found this latest work to be exceptionally accessible in terms of the storyline. It kept me guessing and familiarity with the characters and the dual timeline gave it a lot of depth. And there is justice to be served!
Cork O'Connor might be getting older but he certainly isn't done yet and we can hope to see him again soon.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I often recommend this author to others. He's great!

I am a fan of William Kent Krueger’s novels, including his Cork O’Connor detective series. His prior books titled This Tender Land and Ordinary Grace were excellent 5 star reads from me. I did enjoy reading Apostle’s Cove. It is always nice to reconnect with Cork O’Connor, his family, and the Native American community he lives in. And of course, there was a murder mystery to be solved.
This story may not have been as impactful as his two previous novels, but I am happy to have been allowed to read and review the book prior to publication. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Atria, for allowing me an advanced reader copy of the book. This opinion is strictly my own.

Having read several of the now 21 books in the Cork O'Connor series, I was looking forward to reading Apostle's Cove and was not disappointed. Readers are taken back 25 years to a case O'Connor had been involved in and now individuals think may have been unjustly closed. Even though part of a series, the book is easily read as a stand-alone story. The book is well written, with a bit of Native American mysticism and lore woven throughout, kept my interest. Readers who enjoy private investigator led crime thrillers will not want to miss Apostle's Cove. I read a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

4 ⭐️ This is my second book in the Cork O’Connor series and although it’s book # 21, it is easily a stand alone read. I plan on going back and reading them all.

I was thoroughly engrossed in this fast paced story that took place in dual timelines, present day and 25 years prior, in search of truth, justice and the hunt for a killer!

Cork’s son Stephen, an attorney for The Innocence Project, opens a case of what he believes is a wrongful conviction 25 years prior. When Cork was sheriff, he was responsible for sending Axel Boshey, a Native man, to prison for the brutal murder of his wife Chastity. He always had doubts of Axel’s guilt, though there was a confession.

A tense thriller that kept me guessing til the end. The story was very easy to follow with the first half taking place in the past and second half in the present. Set in and around an Ojibwa reservation in MN. Many suspects were introduced, the outrageous mother of the victim, Aphrodite, Axel’s girlfriend Bernadette, and Chastity’s mystery lover. Cork, now retired enlisted the help of his daughter Jenny and connections in the sherrif’s office to solve the case that had haunted him for decades.

Thanks to NetGalley, William Kent Krueger and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first novel by this author, and although there's lots of backstory here, it works great as a standalone.

Plot summary: PI Cork O'Connor revisits his first case from 25 years ago after he finds out that the person he put in jail might be innocent. The first part is what happened then, and the second part is the investigation today into what they missed.

The mystery is compelling, with many twists and turns. The pacing is solid, although there is a slow feel to the story; it isn't the fast-paced police procedural, and it includes many thought-provoking moments driven by a strong Native American presence.

Cork and his first wife, Jo, are great characters, and it's fun to watch them on different sides of the case as Cork investigates Axel, whose wife Chastity is killed, and Jo defends him. They spar over the case and then say "See you at dinner" :)

There's a strong emphasis on the mistreatment of the Native Americans as well as on their wisdom and community. Most of the rest of the characters are quite unsavory.

A good read if you like police procedurals.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and William Kent Krueger for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

In Apostle’s Cove, Cork O’Connor is drawn back into a decades-old murder case when his son insists the Ojibwe man Cork once arrested is innocent. As he searches for the truth against resistance from dangerous forces in Tamarack County, eerie whispers of the Windigo add a chilling layer to the investigation.

I previously read This Tender Land by this very same author and absolutely loved it, awarding it five stars — something I reserve only for books that truly move me. So when I saw this title available to request on NetGalley, I was genuinely excited, and the plot synopsis completely pulled me in. Unfortunately, that initial excitement was where my engagement ended. The story felt flat for me, with characters that never quite sparked my interest and a narrative that often read more like a list of events than an immersive experience.

That said, I do appreciate the creative threads woven in, particularly the representation of Native American culture and the nuanced portrayal of tensions between the Ojibwe people and the white community. I have no doubt that longtime fans of the Cork O’Connor mysteries will continue to enjoy this installment, but for me, this one simply didn’t land.

Thank to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this e-book and exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It started right from the beginning and kept my attention throughout the book. It is definitely I must read.