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Not only does William Kent Krueger (Kent) write exciting mystery novels set in scenic northern Minnesota, he writes them in a local coffee shop. His serious writing started in booth #4 at the St. Clair Broiler in St. Paul every day for an hour before work. In that booth he penned his short stories and novels in longhand in what he calls “cheap wire-bound notebooks.”
Krueger no longer writes at the St. Clair Broiler (he’s moved on to another unnamed coffee shop in the area) but he continues to fill his novels with the tales of a hometown hero, Cork O’Connor. O’Connor lives his life with integrity and decency. He rights wrongs and helps keep his community safe. That simple but powerful theme is what makes Krueger’s novels so inviting to readers. The stories keep his readers coming back for more.
Krueger’s growing popularity in the mystery genre is due to strong writing and intriguing plots. It doesn’t hurt that his books marry the beauty of northern Minnesota with the harshness of the lives of the Native Americans who struggle to live on a land that often deals harsh blows physically and emotionally.
Krueger continues to perfect his craft–and the result is numerous writing awards, including the Anthony, Barry, and Minnesota Book Award.
Heaven’s Keep is Krueger’s tenth Cork O’Connor novel and may be his best yet.
Heaven’s Keep opens in the aftermath of a marital disagreement between Cork and his wife, Jo. The two allowed the sun to set without settling their spat, and that decision haunts the reader throughout the book.
When the charter plane carrying Jo O’Connor crashes in a remote area of the Rocky Mountains during an early winter snowstorm, Cork does what most husbands would do. He joins the search for his wife in the rugged Wyoming land.
Cork meets up with a crooked law officer, Indians with secrets that must be kept hidden, and hit men who are determined to fulfill a contract. Through all of Cork’s trials, he lives with the hope that Jo is alive and that he will find her.
Heaven’s Keep is an examination of the pain felt by a man who fears that he may have lost his love. The twists and turns are ingenuous; the characters are multi-dimensional and real. And for locals who love Once Upon A Crime mystery bookstore, there is a cameo appearance by the former owner, Steve Stilwell.
Heaven’s Keep is a bit dark and is a “game changer” for the series and for Cork O’Connor. It’s is evident that Krueger has a plan and fans will have to wait until 2010 to see it unfold. It will no doubt be another winner.
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