Desolation Mountain

A small plane crashes on Desolation Mountain in Minnesota's Iron Lake Reservation, killing a US Senator and several others. Cork O'Connor and his son Stephen, both cursed with prophetic visions of tragedy, find themselves drawn into the investigation of the crash alongside federal agents. The aftermath brings an influx of strangers to the reservation, including mysterious private security forces that seem to have their own agenda. Cork and Stephen must navigate complex relationships between the Ojibwe community, law enforcement, and shadowy government entities while trying to uncover the truth. As father and son pursue answers, they encounter resistance from multiple directions and begin to question who they can trust. Their investigation leads them through remote wilderness areas and into confrontations with forces both natural and human. The story explores themes of indigenous spirituality, father-son bonds, and the tension between traditional ways and modern political machinery. It raises questions about the price of truth and the intersection of personal destiny with larger historical forces.

Readers found this Cork O'Connor mystery slower-paced than previous books in the series, with more emphasis on mysticism and Native American spirituality. Many appreciated Henry Meloux's expanded role and the deeper exploration of Stephen O'Connor's character development. Liked: - Tight integration of Ojibwe culture and traditions - Atmospheric northern Minnesota setting - Strong father-son relationship dynamics - Complex moral questions raised Disliked: - Slower first half compared to other books in series - Less mystery/suspense than usual - Too many coincidences in plot resolution - Some found supernatural elements overdone "The spiritual aspects sometimes overshadow the actual mystery," noted one Amazon reviewer. Another commented: "Missing the usual investigative tension of earlier books." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (5,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,100+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings)

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🌲 The book is part of the Cork O'Connor series (book #17), which follows a part-Irish, part-Ojibwe former sheriff in Minnesota's North Country. 🦅 The story was partially inspired by real-life aviation disasters and their investigations, though the author crafted an entirely fictional narrative around these elements. 🏔️ Desolation Mountain is a real geographical location in northeastern Minnesota, though the specific mountain in the book is fictional. 🔮 The novel incorporates elements of Ojibwe spirituality and mysticism, particularly through the character of Stephen O'Connor and his prophetic dreams. 📚 William Kent Krueger writes his first drafts longhand in spiral notebooks at a neighborhood coffee shop in St. Paul, Minnesota, including this book.