August 2026

When I read one of William Kent Krueger's Cork O’Connor books, I journey back to Minnesota and Cork’s universe. His writing makes me dash aside the day-to-day of my life, and I drop into what is a brilliantly built world with a set of characters I want to revisit to see how they are, what they have been up to, and what their next life adventure will be. 

In GOD’S COUNTRY, we find Cork and the male members of his family on a canoe trip into the Boundary Waters. This place is spiritual to Cork, and as a reader who takes journeys with him into this space vicariously, its grandeur and beauty spill off the page. For those who are not familiar with this area, it's the over one million acres of forests, lakes and streams between Northern Minnesota and Ontario. In Kent's hands, you feel like you are there. I, who never see myself portaging a canoe or camping in a forest, love reading about this special part of the world.

Before leaving, both Cork and his grandson, Waaboo, have some dark premonitions of what is ahead. But they file these thoughts away and head out on what promises to be an epic family adventure. Fishing, setting up camp, wood fires and telling stories are what they have in mind. Shortly into their excursion, though, there is a sign that this trip may be filled with more trouble than they had expected. 

Cork sends his family back home and heads off on his own to track down what may be awry as he fears for a friend who started out on the water ahead of him. Readers will feel the tension ramping up. Greed, selfishness and a desire for power will rear their ugly selves and show how even a beautiful, spiritual-like place can be overtaken by darkness. 

The action is brisk, almost cinematic in nature. As I read Kent's books, they are so visual that I can see someone making a fabulous television series from them. There is great material here. Note that even if you pick up GOD’S COUNTRY and have not read the previous installments, Kent does a wonderful job of writing backstory so you do not find yourself lost. You will find yourself wanting to read the other books. This is #22, so newcomers will have a lot to enjoy.