I only discovered William Kent Krueger and the Cork O’Conner series in 2023 or 2024. I listened to one audiobook (book 8) and was hooked. He is such an eloquent writer, the characters are appealing and the setting and cultural challenges between the Ojibwe tribe and the local non-indigenous community is always engaging. I then started the series from scratch and am through book 4, listening to all of them in audio presented by a great narrator. But now, now Netgalley and Atria books gave me the opportunity to read the newest entry! I wondered whether having a talented narrator read Krueger to me made him “better.” It did not. He is amazing when read in print and Spirit Crossing is a testament to that.
Cork’s grandson, adopted by his daughter Jenny and her husband has a gift. When they go to a blueberry patch near a place once occupied by one of Cork’s clients (now deceased), Waboo finds a shallow grave with the body of an Ojibwe woman in it. He has an experience of communication with her that he shares. It suggests another woman is near by. In the town, all attention is on a different missing person case as the daughter of a powerful politician has been missing. Once law enforcement determines the body is not the missing white woman, they lose interest. The situation evolves and soon, little Waboo is in danger, apparently due to his gift. The family agrees Waboo and Jenny should stay with their close friend, Henry Maloux, an elder in the tribe who lives far out in a rural area. Henry can “see” when people are approaching long before they are visible. Henry has a former tribal police officer, Prophet, living near his cabin who can help serve as a body guard since Henry is ancient.
Meanwhile, Cork’s daughter Annie and her girlfriend have traveled from Guatemala to attend her younger brother Stephen’s wedding. Annie is not officially “out” to her family and she is overwhelmed by a personal issue that is not about being gay. She has not seen her family in years. She does not want to upset them before the wedding and is trying to decide whether, when and how to share her news. Annie and her girlfriend join Cork’s wife Rainy by getting involved in a protest against a planned pipeline through an area called Spirit Crossing. The land is sacred to the tribe. A blowhard security guard develops a grudge against Annie and this becomes another part of the evolving mystery involving the missing women.
Spirit Crossing, at Book 20, fully lives up to my love for the other novels I’ve read in the series. Krueger writes literary fiction, makes characters we love and loathe, even if they are minor characters, and plots like a genius. Everyone loves to call him a “Master Storyteller.” That about sums it up. I highly highly recommend this group. A word of caution: Don’t read this series out of order. While each book can be read as a stand alone, there is a family and community of people who evolve and change and have died by this book who were alive before. There were a lot of spoilers for me in this novel. Still, if I get a chance to read and review Book 21, I’m in!
They Called me Bookworm 