Tuesday, October 3, 2017

book review: "Tamarack County"...

... another talking book, by that same author as the last one. William Kent Krueger, written in 2013. The blurb on the back of the boxed set of nine Cds reports the story is "full of riveting suspense, fascinating characters, and set in a gorgeous yet unforgiving landscape. Tamarack County is an outstanding addition to an award-winning series...". Just out of curiosity, I did a bit of research and Tamarack County really does exist, up in the Boundary Waters area of norther Minnesota. The town the family lived was not mentioned in the article I read, but since all the characters were invented, no reason the town could not be as well.

The lead character is once again, retired law officer, Cork O'Connor, who works as a private investigator. His family plays a number of roles in the story as it unfolds, starting with a mysterious disappearance who becomes a missing person, then a homicide victim, as the wife of a retired judge fails to return home when expected. This particular mystery occurs in December, when the weather in Minnesota is bone-chilling cold, with iced over lakes, and frequent snow storms. A good story to read during the hot sticky days of summer.

One of O'Connor's daughters, Anne, has been in a religious order for several years, but comes home needing time and space to sort out confusion and doubt in her mind and heart. Near the end of the story, after the murderous home-invader has been subdued. Cork is so angry he tries to make Anne leave the room, so he can shoot the killer, but Anne refuses to go, and demands of her dad that he not resort to more violence. Anne says: "...I think happiness is like that. If you spend your life looking for it, you'll probably be disappointed. It comes on it's own."

Can't disagree with that. Or the summation from the back cover of the box: riveting and fascinating.

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