Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger

LIGHTNING STRIKE by William Kent Krueger (This Tender Land) is a new prequel to the best-selling and award-winning Cork O’Connor mystery series. In Kreuger’s latest work, Cork is just twelve years old (it is 1963) when he and his friend, Jorge, discover the body of an Ojibwe named Big John Manydeeds.  At first, Cork’s father, Sherriff Liam O’Connor, thinks that the death is clearly suicide, fueled in part by alcohol. Gradually, though his perspective shifts and murder increasingly seems likely. Tension arises as to whether the perpetuator is from the reservation or perhaps is the rich, white mine owner. Connor and his young friends are encouraged to “follow the crumbs” as they, too, try to solve the mystery and help Manydeeds’ soul to rest. The boys’ actions moved the story along, but I thought it was a bit unrealistic at times that they were privy to (and freely sharing) sensitive police investigation information.  Overall, this is a complex, entertaining mystery set in a peaceful, natural area of Minnesota – a wonderful introduction to Cork or suspenseful background for fans of the series. LIGHTNING STRIKE received a starred review from Library Journal (“perceptive coming-of-age novel”).