William Kent Krueger Books In Order

William Kent Krueger is a suspense and mystery author who writes beautiful and hauntingly lyrical stories. Perhaps his most famous work is the Cork O’Connor series, which has won him many readers who are hooked by its intricate plots, multilevel personalities, and gripping descriptions of the vast Minnesota wilderness.

Whether one is new to this author’s work or wants to read all the William Kent Krueger books in order, this guide will, of course, help in navigating his bibliography, beginning with his most famous series and then moving on to standalone novels.

William Kent Krueger books In order

Have a look:

Iron Lake (1998) – Cork O’Connor Series

Iron Lake is the first in the Cork O’Connor series and introduces the reader to the ex-sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota: Cork O’Connor. Full of mystery and suspense, it is a novel also rich in cultural insight, particularly into the community of the Ojibwe.

Cork investigates the disappearance of a local judge and the murder of a young boy, which puts him on a trail of secrets that could very nearly destroy the small town.

Boundary Waters (1999) – Cork O’Connor Series

In the series’ second novel, Boundary Waters, Cork O’Connor is hired to find a missing singer last seen in the vast wilderness of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Deep in the woods, while searching for the singer, Cork encounters several deadly adversaries and uncovers the most heinous forms of lying betrayal, and murder.

Purgatory Ridge, 2001- Cork O’Connor Series

The third in the series is Purgatory Ridge, where Cork becomes embroiled in the conflicts of a logging company against the local Ojibwe tribe.

A fatal explosion hits the town, and now Cork has to paddle his way through a complex investigation that weaves environmental activists, corporate interests, and old grudges.

Blood Hollow – 2004 (Cork O’Connor Series)

In Blood Hollow, Cork investigates the murder of a young girl; this case pulls Cork down into those very dark insecurities about faith and belief.

It explores re-born justice and redemption, set amidst a wintery Minnesota backdrop.

Mercy Falls (2005) – Cork O’Connor Series

Mercy Falls is the next instalment in Cork’s journey as he battles a deadly foe who has arrived in Aurora with a vengeance on his mind.

This novel is an edge-of-the-seat action thriller that leaves you gasping up to the shocking cliffhanger.

Copper River 2006 – Cork O’Connor Series

Following the events of Mercy Falls, Copper River finds Cork on the run, hiding in a small Michigan Upper Peninsula town.

While he tries to keep ahead of the people chasing him, Cork becomes embroiled in a local mystery involving a missing young girl and a dangerous criminal organisation.

Thunder Bay (2007) – Cork O’Connor Series

In Thunder Bay, Cork is caught up in a murder case thirty years old, as far back as his old friend. The quest for the truth will send him across the Canadian wilderness, where he will have to survive both the merciless climate and a deadly foe who will stop at nothing to protect his secrets.

Red Knife (2008) – Cork O’Connor Series

Red Knife deals with themes of racism, violence, and justice as Cork probes several murders that can lead to a full-blown war between the rival communities. It’s a potent examination of prejudice’s aftereffects and what people do to save their kind.

Heaven’s Keep – 2009 (Cork O’Connor Series)

In Heaven’s Keep, Cork faces a personal challenge when his wife, Jo, goes missing after a plane crash. While searching for her, Cork will uncover a conspiracy that will take him to the farthest depths of the Rocky Mountains.

Vermilion Drift, 2010, Cork O’Connor Series

Vermilion Drift finds Cork back in his element as a detective when he gets entangled in a disappearance case related to an old iron mine. The novel goes deep into Cork’s past and uncovers secrets long buried.

Northwest Angle, 2011, Cork O’Connor Series

In Northwest Angle, the family vacation becomes a nightmare when a violent storm leaves Cork and his family stranded on a remote island in the Lake of the Woods. Added to their struggle for survival is the finding there of a murder victim and a young boy whose past seems mysterious.

Trickster’s Point, 2012, Cork O’Connor Series

Trickster’s Point opens with Cork out hunting with a friend, who an unknown assailant has shot. In trying to solve the murder, Cork learns about connections to his own past and a crime from decades before.

Standalone Novels

Aside from the Cork O’Connor series, William Kent Krueger has also written a few standalone novels crediting his mind for plots and the art of storytelling:

Ordinary Grace, 2013

This coming-of-age novel, set in the 1960s, is redolent with stories of family, faith, and the loss of innocence. It won the Edgar Award for Best Novel.

This Tender Land, 2019

This tender land, set during the Great Depression, tells about four orphans who embark on a journey down the Mississippi River. The novel develops into an emotional discussion about hope, friendship, and survival.

Conclusion

William Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series and standalone novels weave an intricate tapestry of mystery, suspense, and human drama.

The progress he infuses into his characters and the depth in his storytelling will be perfected if you read William Kent Krueger books In Order.

Some Questions

What are the William Kent Krueger books in order?

While one can indulge in almost all the works of William Kent Krueger in any order one desires, for the Cork O’Connor series, start with Iron Lake, 1998, and go in chronological order.

His other stand-alone novels, such as Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, may be read at any time since they are unrelated to his series.

Who is Cork O’Connor?

Cork O’Connor is one of the protagonists in William Kent Krueger’s mystery series. He is of Irish mixed blood with Ojibwe heritage and was formerly the sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota.

As the series progresses, Cork earns a reputation as a sharp-witted investigator, a man of moral integrity, and a deep attachment to his community.

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