| Title | : | The River We Remember |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 198217921X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781982179212 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 421 |
| Publication | : | First published September 5, 2023 |
On Memorial Day, as the people of Jewel, Minnesota gather to remember and honor the sacrifice of so many sons in the wars of the past, the half-clothed body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. Investigation of the murder falls to Sheriff Brody Dern, a highly decorated war hero who still carries the physical and emotional scars from his military service. Even before Dern has the results of the autopsy, vicious rumors begin to circulate that the killer must be Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran who has recently returned to Jewel with a Japanese wife. As suspicions and accusations mount and the town teeters on the edge of more violence, Dern struggles not only to find the truth of Quinn’s murder but also put to rest the demons from his own past.
Caught up in the torrent of anger that sweeps through Jewel are a war widow and her adolescent son, the intrepid publisher of the local newspaper, an aging deputy, and a crusading female lawyer, all of whom struggle with their own tragic histories and harbor secrets that Quinn’s death threatens to expose.
Both a complex, spellbinding mystery and a masterful portrait of midcentury American life, The River We Remember is an unflinching look at the wounds left by the wars we fight abroad and at home, a moving exploration of the ways in which we seek to heal, and a testament to the enduring power of the stories we tell about the places we call home.
The River We Remember Reviews
-
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***
This novel is a bit different than anything I’ve read by this talented author. This novel is a police procedural as well as a look into small town life in 1950’s Minnesota. As always Krueger’s characters are well described, unique yet highly relatable.
It’s Memorial Day 1958 in Jewel, Minnesota. As the town gets ready to celebrate it’s fallen heroes, wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found half clothed and floating in the Alabaster river, dead from a gunshot wound.
As is often the case lately the blurb tells almost too much of the story. I highly recommend going into this one blind, as I did, and let the characters speak to you.
Sheriff Brody Dern, a decorated war hero himself, is left to untangle the many lies and secrets behind Quinn’s death. Almost everyone in the town has a reason to want Quinn dead!
This novel describes in depth how the scars from WWll still affect the people of this small town. With little evidence, rumors start to paint Noah Bluestone, a Native American, as the likely killer. He is a WWII veteran but when he returned with a Japanese wife he is never truly accepted back into the community.
We will watch as a town is torn apart by anger and mistrust. There are many characters to discover, a local newspaper man who desperately wants to uncover the truth, an aging deputy and a female lawyer who all struggle with their own personal histories.
I always appreciate Krueger’s honest look at the beauty but also the hardship of life in these small farming communities in Minnesota. His characters ring true and their actions are believable considering the post-WWll trauma that still hung heavy in this town.
This is another winner from this powerful writer and I can recommend this book to everyone.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title. -
4.5⭐️
“Our lives and the lives of those we love merge to create a river whose current carries us forward from our beginning to our end. Because we are only one part of the whole, the river each of us remembers is different, and there are many versions of the stories we tell about the past. In all of them there is truth, and in all of them a good deal of innocent misremembering.”
The discovery of the body of one of its influential residents in the Alabaster River on Memorial Day 1958 leaves a community in Minnesota in shock. The victim, Jimmy Quinn, was not without enemies and though not too many people are mourning his death, tensions are high. Sheriff Brody Dern's team and his former colleague and mentor, now part-time deputy Connie Graff, are tasked with investigating the murder. The narrative follows Brody as he tries to unravel the mystery of Quinn’s murder, starting with trying to find out who might have had a grudge against him among his family, neighbors and employees. As the narrative progresses, we also get to know more about the community and the way of life in the small town of Jewel, Minnesota.
Though the war ended some years back, the scars and memories remain as do bias, intolerance and prejudices. Fueled more by prejudice and his family's history with the Quinns, Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran is deemed a suspect by the townspeople. Noah returned from the war with his Japanese wife Kyoko, who was until recently employed by the Quinns. Eventually, when Noah is taken into custody based on evidence found at his home, he refuses to cooperate with Charlotte “Charlie” Bauer, his lawyer, and maintains his silence. Tempers are rising and might soon manifest in a violent act of retribution and Brody and his associates must leave no stone unturned to ensure that the true culprit is brought to justice before anyone else gets hurt. It is not an easy task for a man haunted by his own past and struggling to navigate a complicated personal situation in a town that has more than a fair share of secrets.
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger is a brilliantly penned novel. The author’s vividly described settings capture the time and place brilliantly. The realistic depiction of the inter-personal dynamics in a small town with its flawed characters each with personal struggles and secrets to keep ranging from post-war trauma, physical and emotional wounds, messy personal lives and darkness that lurks behind closed doors. The author is a master storyteller and at no point does the narrative feel weighed down with its large cast of characters and numerous subplots that are seamlessly woven into a consistently paced, immersive narrative that I could not put down.
Complex characters, a gripping narrative and sharp writing – William Kent Krueger does not disappoint!
Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“We all die, but some of us— those who are blessed or maybe just lucky— have the opportunity before that end to be redeemed. We can let go, forgive others, and also forgive ourselves for the worst of what we are or have been.”
Connect with me! ✏
Instagram ✏
My Blog ✏
The StoryGraph -
Beautifully written, insightful, gripping and hard to put down,
The River We Remember is another testament to the author's writing and skill. It provides food for thought while making observations about human nature as well as nature itself.
1958, Memorial Day
Jimmy Quinn, a wealthy and powerful landowner, has been found floating in the Alabaster River, dead after being shot. Sheriff Brody Dern, a decorated war veteran, is tasked with gathering evidence and solving the case. Before the body is examined, fingers begin being pointed at Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran who has returned to town with his Japanese wife.
Brody is struggling not only with solving the case, but he is also struggling with his physical and emotional scars from the war and choices he has made in his life. Like other men who have gone to war, he has returned home a changed man. As readers follow the investigation, we meet several characters including the former sheriff, a lawyer, a journalist, and a woman and her son.
Small towns have secrets as do the people who live there. Everyone has a past, some good, some bad, some tragic and some traumatic. As the investigation unfolds, many characters will not only have to cope with their pasts and how the past affects their present.
There are themes of racism, PTSD, family, longing, love, secrets, and moving on. William Kent Kruger has wowed me yet again. Not only with his beautiful writing but with his insights and depictions of both nature and human nature. His descriptions are vivid and transported me to Jewell, Minnesota.
Highly recommend!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at
www.openbookposts.com
*A traveling Friends read -
The son of a b*tch needed killing! While you can't justify murder with that defense, it is human nature to agree with the sentiment. Such is the case in the murder of Jimmy Quinn. In 1958, his body is found floating in the Alabaster River in Black Earth County, near Jewel, Minnesota. Jimmy Quinn "was a man of appetites. Land, money, power, sex." His death caused little mourning among his family, employees, and neighbors.
Sheriff Brody Dern wants the whole thing to go away, but soon, a local Dakota Sioux Indian is arrested for his murder. Noah Bluestone, along with his Japanese wife, had been recently fired by Jimmy Quinn. Noah refuses to plea nolo contendere (no contest) or to participate anyway in his defense. That leaves Sheriff Dern as well as Noah's court-appointed attorney on their own to figure out why. Along the way, many others in the small town are deeply affected by the prejudice surrounding the Bluestones.
William Kent Krueger slowly draws the reader into this story about justice, virtue, and redemption. This isn't an action-packed mystery but is still a very enjoyable read. There are some sexually related trigger warnings, including rape. 4.25 stars. -
Do you have your handy-dandy notebook ready? And your pens and pencils? Because you’re definitely going to need them to keep track of ALL the characters in this book. In fact, there were so many that I can’t even begin to write a brief summary of this long (and very boring) story. Oh, and one of the men’s characters had a girls name, and one of the woman’s characters had a boys name. Are you confused yet? Yeah, I was too. Like I said- get your handy-dandy notebook ready… 📔
This book starts off with the body of Jimmy Quinn floating in the Alabaster River. Sheriff Brody Dern is called to investigate this crime. Now mind you, this death of Jimmy Quinn is happening in the small town of Black Earth County in 1958, and Jimmy Quinn was not a well liked man. Through this death of Jimmy Quinn, we are introduced to his family members, and every individual living in Black Earth County. We also become very familiar with that of Noah Bluestone and his wife, Kyoko. Now, Noah Bluestone is Indian and his wife is Japanese (and if you can’t remember that, don’t worry because it will be repeated over 100 times throughout the book). The town of Black Earth County is very prejudiced due to the War and fighting over land, so Noah and his wife are not very welcomed in town.
Now, I went into this book expecting to love it. But this book was super long, and drawn-out. There was a ton of unnecessary character build up- in fact, it took so long that I lost interest by the time anything happened. This book is 421 pages, and I did not become interested in this story until page 370. So, as you can see for me this book was a waste of time. I did not enjoy this book, and moving forward I do not plan on reading anything more from this author. William Kent Krueger is obviously not for me, but I know many others love him- so please read their five star reviews.
This was a September 2023 Book of the Month pick, and I think after this one I will be taking a break for a while… -
Wash Me in the Water
It is 1958, southern Minnesota, and the enchanting Alabaster River not only reflects the dreams and memories of Jewel’s people, it also possesses the murdered body of that town’s wealthiest and most hated citizen, Jimmy Quinn. Sheriff Brody Dunn is anxious to see this buried as an accident or suicide, but clues are appearing and point to foul play.
Noah Bluestone, a Native American, had recently been fired by Quinn for allegedly stealing gasoline. He had always stood up to Quinn and there was noticeably no love lost between the two. With an outright hatred of Native Americans prevalent, many were ready to pass judgment on Noah. His wife, Kyoko, a Japanese survivor of Nagasaki, was also a sore spot in these post-WWII years. The couple was the perfect lightning rod for people’s suspicions and hatred.
So, did Noah murder Quinn? Of course, that is the major mystery here. But this is more than a whodunit. The characters here have a lot of secrets… a lot of pain. A number of the men suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder from the wars. Sheriff Dunn is haunted by his experience, and it cripples his self-esteem. He has also been betraying his own brother in what seems an unforgivable behavior. Now he is working on a new relationship with Angie, the proprietor of the town’s diner… but she has been harboring her own secret which seems about to destroy any chance for happiness.
While the question of guilt is front and center, the cry for healing sounds throughout. People here are struggling to help one another, even as they are reeling from their own pain. This is the first I have read of William Kent-Krueger and I must make time to read more of his work. This one was solid both in plot and character, a brilliant read.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. -
Like all William Kent Krueger books, this story is rich and complex. His love and devotion to his home state of Minnesota shines through in his descriptions of the people, the places, and the scenery. I loved his books "Ordinary Grace" and "This Tender Land" and I will be adding this book also to that list.
In 1958, in a small Minnesota town, a body of a wealthy landowner is discovered along the banks of the Alabaster River. This was a man who was generally disliked by almost everyone in town, including his family. However, after his death has been ruled a homicide and a suspect has been jailed, the county residents begin to take sides. Can Noah Bluestone, a Native American and WWII veteran who came home from the war with a Japanese wife, get a fair trial in a county full of prejudice against them?
It's the characterization of the people within this town that makes this story so compelling and so much more than just a simple mystery or police procedural. Many of the men in town, including the sheriff, still carry the ravages of war with them, long before it was labeled PTSD. These are men who returned home as heroes with medals from WWI, WWII, and the Korean War, but they were often missing parts of their bodies and their minds. The families of the community continue to struggle with grief and loss, and everyone is hiding secrets. In perfect WKK style, there is even the inclusion of a coming-of-age story of two prepubescent boys along with their struggles to fit in.
William Kent Krueger is a brilliant storyteller, and his fans are in for a treat when this book comes out on September 5th, 2023. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this amazing novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. -
4.5 Stars
This story begins in Jewel, Minnesota on May 30th, 1958 - Memorial Day. The people who live there, as in most small towns, gather in remembrance of those who fought in past wars, and to honour their memory, their service, and the sacrifices they made.
Meanwhile, a body is floating in the Alabaster River, which has yet to come to anyone’s attention. For a moment, the town is gathered in celebration, honouring the dead, but soon they will all know. The question remains, though, who pulled the trigger that left one of their most prominent citizens, Jimmy Quinn - a war hero, floating in the river.
An investigation follows, as well as an autopsy, but there are people in this town who have already decided who is responsible. Noah Bluestone, a WWII veteran, who is also a Native American, who recently returned to Jewel, with a new wife, a Japanese woman. While the investigation of the apparent murder of Jimmy Quinn is placed in the lap of Sheriff Brody Dern - also a war hero - most of the town has already made the decision of who killed Jimmy Quinn.
The stories circulate well before the autopsy results have been determined, but the truth is apparently irrelevant to a notable percentage of the town, and those who aren’t interested in the truth decide that it is undoubtedly Noah Bluestone. As the rumours spread, more violence follows. A significant number of the people in the town begin to believe these rumours, ones that are based only on a hatred of anyone who looks different from them. As the town gets caught up in this divisive rhetoric, some have their own stories they’d sooner forget, and hope their secrets won’t be revealed.
This is a story of family and the place we call home as well as the good and bad of both. The ways that a small town remembers everything and never lets you forget the things that you wish you could, but can also lift you up and heal you. The wounds created by family, but also the love and the bonds that are created. It is also a story of bigotry, discrimination, sexism, and intolerance. A story of life in a small town.
Pub Date: 05 Sept 2023
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Atria Books -
It's a few years after World War 2, and the town in Jewel, Minnesota is about to commemorate Memorial Day to honor those who were lost and fought in the wars. A body of a wealthy landowner, Jimmy Quinn, is found shot and assumed murdered by many. His body is found floating half naked in the Alabaster River. The investigation is thrown into the lap of Brody Dern, a returned honored veteran, the sheriff, who bears many internal and external scars from the war.
Suspicion falls on Noah Bluestone a Sioux Indian, who is also a veteran, but as prejudices run deep, he is the one where the fingers point to as he also is married to a Japanese woman, another unforgivable sin according to many.
Within this storm of hate, Mr Krueger unveils the things that war brings upon those who fought and those who stayed home. There are a lot of emotional and personal hardships suffered among the characters, a war widow, her son, a deputy who remembers many things, and a lawyer who triumphs the cases of the underdog.
This is a study of life after war and tragedy, how those very tragedies determine the path one often takes in the face of loss and adversity, and the ways in which some fight against those inner demons. As always, Mr Krueger presents us with vivid characters, those we really get to know, and those who we feel deserve a fate that they seem destined to have.
Thank you to William Kent Krueger, who always provides me with a fascinating story, Atria Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this outstanding story that will publish in September 2023. -
My Lord, The River We Remember is phenomenal. I had never read William Kent Kruger before and I have a lot of catching up to do! The River We Remember is a powerful, poetic tale set in 1958 with a striking resemblance to the environment of today. Racism, intolerance and ignorance ruled the day along with shear stupidity. Ever word Kruger writes is purposeful and vibrant. I felt as if I had been transported to Minnesota, 1958. The emotions Kruger is able to illicit are striking, but not unwelcome. The pacing of the story was quick--but not fast-- and featured plenty of 'holy crap' moments along with deep, rich characters. Kruger masterfully keeps the reader guessing who the good guys and the bad guys are until the bitter end. The River We Remember can be an emotional, tough read but is ultimately hopeful. It shows no matter how awful the world seems, there are always good people around even in crappiest of situations.
My sincere thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The River We Remember. -
4.5 stars
The River We Remember was a stellar read. A gripping novel I couldn't put down. It's like I was transported into this 1958 small Minnesota town and watching everything unfold as if I lived there. I've now read two books by this author and I'm appreciative his stories have substance and give readers the opportunity to learn about parts of this country's history that often has been swept under the rug.
Sheriff Brody Dern is investigating the death of Jimmy Quinn as it's not yet clear if it was murder or if the man took his own life. The rumor mill is churning in this small community and the popular opinion is Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran, murdered Quinn. The story alternates between various characters living in the area.
The mystery itself is pretty good and I believe most fans of the genre will find the book to be a satisfying read. However, I wouldn't say this is your typical mystery because there is so much else going on that bring added value to the story. The wounds of war, the immigrant experience coming from countries like Germany and Japan to a post-war America, substance abuse, grief, and the abhorrent treatment of American Indians are just a few of the subjects the author explores in this story.
A well-written book and one I don't hesitate to recommend.
Thank you to Book Club Favorites for sending me an advance copy! -
3.5 stars
As an avid reader who enjoys most books, I read, it's surprising that William Kent Krueger's new book, The River We Remember, missed the mark. I liked his previous work, This Tender Land, so I expected to feel the same about this one. However, it didn't explore its themes or characters as profoundly as This Tender Land did.
William Kent Krueger is known for shedding light on the terrible things that affect Native communities and then crafts a good, compelling mystery. While he does that here he gets a bit carried away with those terrible things, white people do with too many side stories and dramatic events that overshadow the main message. The pacing is uneven, starting slow and repetitive to the point I thought I had lost my place and was reading the same pages. Then the pace picks up with those terrible things that happen, turning the story darker than expected, and it feels more misplaced than the insight I expected to see.
The River We Remember has its strengths, especially in how Krueger portrays settings in a way that makes them feel like characters. He doesn't need to force drama to move the story forward because the connection between characters and their surroundings can do that naturally. That excessive drama detracts from its impact and falls short of what could have been a powerful story, making this a disappointing read for me. It doesn't happen often, and I can't believe it happened with William Kent Krueger's new book.
Overall this is just my two cents, and I am known for overthinking stories in ways no one else does. I read this with a few of my Traveling Friends, who all loved it.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. -
Exceptional!
The River We Remember gives us a closer look of the lives of the townspeople of Jewel, Minnesota. We have townspeople who have fought in wars and are dealing with PTSD and physical deformities. We have townspeople who are racist, judgmental, unfaithful, and dishonest. I loved the development of this story and the way Krueger was able to weave so many things together. The first half of the book was very procedural after finding a dead man in the Alabaster River. The sheriff and those involved were trying to get to the bottom of the death; was it accidental or a suicide or murder? The second half of the book surprised me because it turned into so much more. As the truth revealed itself, my heart was broken for all those involved. Krueger has a way of bringing these characters to life and make them so tangible. I will be gifting this one to everyone in my life this Christmas!
Triggers: This book touches on war trauma, sexual assault, rape, racism, alcoholism. -
If you love slow burn, character rich stories with elements of mystery and historical fiction and that are set in small Midwestern towns, William Kent Krueger is an author you need to try immediately. After falling in love with his writing in 𝙊𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚, I was excited to dive into this one.
Steeped in the most gorgeous prose, with nature and the land itself a character, the story explores heavy hitting topics, such as racism, post war trauma, and deeply held family secrets, while also setting out to unravel a mystery at it’s core.
This is a longer book and given the intense character focus, it is on the slower side. However, there is a lot to love here, including some really interesting twists, and the audiobook, narrated so brilliantly by CJ Wilson, is a great way to take it all in.
ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ғ ʏ ᴏ ᴜ ʟ ɪ ᴋ ᴇ :
🔥slow burn stories
📜historical fiction
🗝️mysteries
✍🏼complex characters
🏘️small town settings
Thank you Bookclub Favorites and Simon Audio for my gifted copies. -
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger. A good novel about a small down murder. Good police drama with action and mystery. Taken place in 1958 Jewell, Minnesota. Lots of well developed characters the reader can really get to know and bond with.
-
This is one of those rare books where I was swept away by the tale and the telling on the first page; in fact the second paragraph was where I knew that this was going to be special. In speaking of the Alabaster River which runs through Jewel in Black Earth County, Minnesota and the lives of all its residents, Krueger gives the area a meaning and ambiance that carries its history, traditions, and present day faults and promise.
The story begins on Memorial Day, 1958, as Sheriff Brody Dern learns of the fate of a major local landowner. Being eaten by the catfish in the Alabaster at this very minute! Nothing will be the same in Jewel again for a long time as everyone in town works out a theory on what happened to Jimmy Quinn. Old prejudices and newer hatreds influence feelings.
The characters in this historical fiction are very well drawn, with all primary characters having meaningful backstories revealed at varying intervals. They are also quite human, with strengths and flaws. We never meet Jimmy in life so can only judge him by what we learn after his death. We learn a lot…nothing good. There seems to be plenty of motive for many to want him dead and gone.
I very heartily recommend this book as an historical fiction, with a mystery and a picture of a place and time that offers insights valuable today.
Thank you to Atria Books, William Kent Krueger and NetGalley for an early copy of this book. The review is my own. -
In this book we meet the people of Jewel, Minnesota, a small town set in southern Minnesota called the “Gem of the Prairie.” The people here are best described by Angie Madison as "the cantankerous, the laconic, the bigoted, the gentle-hearted, the fearful, the horse’s asses, the sheltered, the accepting, the broken—especially the broken, who came to her every day.” She, along with her mother-in-law, are the owners and operators of the Wagon Wheel, the local diner. She is a transplanted resident from Louisiana who came to Jewel as the wife of a U.S. serviceman who was killed during World War II. “She loved this place she’d come to and the people in it. … Salvation had come to her unasked for and undeserved, and it had brought her to this beloved place.”
The story takes place in 1958 and there are several characters who are veterans of World War II and Korea that are wounded in body and spirit. My edition of this book contains an essay by Krueger where he asks “Why Should We Care”. He is asking why we should care about the fictional characters in this story. These characters had “gone away to war as kids and come back as men with deep emotional wounds from the horrors they’d witnessed and horrors they had been part of.” Thus this book explores the important issue of the effects of war on these characters, but also on the women who were left behind.
In the Epilogue of the story one of the characters who lives into her nineties describes the necessity for those who live long enough to have the opportunity to forgive others, and also forgive themselves. Some of these characters never found a way to forgive themselves for the horror they were a part of.
This is the third Krueger book I have read lately, and although I suffer the last-book-is-the-greatest syndrome, this book is one I will remember. I thought the story was well-constructed, the pace of the story was excellent, the characters well-developed, and the ending exciting. I would recommend making sure you have the time to read the last 50 pages in one sitting. It is fast-moving and suspenseful. -
This is how I like!
What a terrific historical fiction!
This author is simply an amazing writer and a fantastic storyteller!
The characters’ development and the development of the storyline are superb!
I couldn’t put it down.
I loved how alive (and how human) and real everyone felt.
There are some racism that I’m sure will displease some readers, but we can’t erase history.
The setting is 1958, in a small Minnesota town.
There is a bit of everything in here: mystery, suspense, action, police procedural and so on.
I was completely enthralled.
I’m too thrilled to say anything else.
I do recommend it.
Ebook (Kobo): 399 pages (default), 123k words -
4.5 stars
I loved William Kent Krueger’s previous stand- alone novel This Tender Land and since finishing that book, I’ve been highly anticipating his next one for some time. Though he did release 2 Cork O’Connor novels in between, I hadn’t started reading that series yet, so I didn’t read those 2 when they came out (I’m very particular when it comes to book series and prefer to start from the first book as much as possible). Of course, it should come as no surprise then, that when I heard his newest novel, The River We Remember, would be another standalone, I knew I had to read it as soon as possible. I’m happy to say that the wait was well worth it, as Krueger gives us another poignant, atmospheric, multi-layered story with complex, nuanced characters. In the Editor’s Letter at the beginning of the novel, Krueger’s editor Peter Borland introduces the book this way: “This is a spellbinding novel that asks big questions about justice, redemption, and the fragile ties that bind a community together. In this book more than any of his others, Kent shows us that heroes have flaws, villains have virtues, and our lives are made better when we can feel compassion instead of hatred for our enemies.<” Such a fitting description that perfectly encapsulates this brilliantly-written story!
The story starts on Memorial Day 1958, in a small town called Jewel, located in Black Earth County, Minnesota, where the Alabaster River “runs seventy miles before crossing the border into Iowa.” When the body of Jimmy Quinn, the richest man in the county who also owns most of the land in the area, is found in said river, it sets off a series of events that profoundly changes this small rural community. The gruesome death triggers an investigation by the town’s local sheriff Brody Dern (who is also the story’s main protagonist). As we follow the investigation that forms the “mystery” at the heart of the story, we soon come to understand that the narrative is actually much more complicated than what we initially thought. In essence, this story is an exploration of life in a small, tight-knit community where things are never as simple as they seem and one event can cause underlying tensions to rise to the surface. Krueger covers a lot of ground here in terms of bringing to light many of the issues in society — such as the deep-seated prejudices resulting from the lingering effects of war, the country’s history of mistreatment toward Native Americans and indigenous population, the divide between rich and poor, family conflict and dysfunction, abuse and trauma and grief, etc.
There is a large cast of characters, all of whom are realistically portrayed in that they are flawed and morally ambiguous, with things in their pasts that they have to constantly contend with while dealing with present struggles that they try to overcome. Also, as with most of Krueger’s stories, the setting here — in the form of both time and place — plays a hugely important role in the narrative arc. Even though it has been over a decade since the end of WWII, the wounds from the war still run deep in Black Earth County, which has the effect of shaping the attitudes and behaviors of its residents. I mentioned the Alabaster River earlier, which has such an outsized role in the story that it can essentially be considered a character itself. One of the things that always stands out to me in Krueger’s works is his ability to incorporate the local landscape to great effect and also write about it in a way that makes us (the readers) care about it as much as the characters do. I’m not much of a “nature” reader in the sense that I typically get bored with too much description of physical settings (i.e.: natural habitats and surrounding areas), but the way Krueger does it, I always find myself being drawn in — no doubt this is a testament to Krueger’s powerful writing and storytelling.
Needless to say, I recommend picking this one up, though be forewarned that the book deals with some difficult topics, so trigger warnings abound. Krueger fans definitely won’t be disappointed with the masterful storytelling and the unforgettable characters presented here.
Received ARC from Atria Books via NetGalley. -
It's 1958 and Brody, a decorated WWII veteran, is the sheriff in Jewel, MN. Everyone is shocked when Jimmy Quinn, a wealthy town bully, is found dead. Was it murder? When Noah, another veteran and an Indian married to a Japanese woman, is arrested, the town's prejudice comes to the surface. Everyone in town has secrets, but Noah won't say anything about the murder, so Brody suspects he knows what really happened. Krueger is a wonderful writer--this novel is very intense. Trigger warnings: sexual abuse, rape, incest, and beatings. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
-
**Happy Publication Day**
*4.5 stars rounded up: William Kent Krueger is a storyteller par excellence! Here he weaves an intricate story around the murder of the richest man and landowner in small-town Jewel, Minnesota in 1958. The victim, Jimmy Quinn, is almost universally disliked so most people won't shed a tear over his demise. But who hated him enough to want to kill him? Public opinion zeroes in on one man, a Native American man named Noah Bluestone who was recently fired by Jimmy--and all the circumstantial evidence points his way.
Sheriff Brody Dern reluctantly arrests Noah and arranges for protection for his Japanese wife, Kyoko. Bad memories from WWII are still too fresh for most of the locals to treat the woman with any kind of warmth or compassion; in fact, her life just might be in danger now that she's been left alone.
The characters of the novel are richly drawn and all too human in their flaws and prejudices and secrets. My favorite character happens to be a fourteen-year-old boy named Scott Madison who never knew this father--he was killed in the war before Scott was born. In this story, Scott is trying to figure out right from wrong as he plunges headlong towards manhood and all of its mysteries. One day he is the brave hero, the obedient son; the next, his best friend has guided him to sneak a peek at a naked lady; and later, his loyalty to that friend might just lead him to disaster.
I highly recommend this book from one of my favorite American novelists. I received an arc from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. -
The River We Remember is a mystery set in the fifties. The blurb fascinated me, and therefore I eagerly started to read the story.
William Kent Kreuger’s captivating writing took me to a small village in Minnesota in the fifties and gave me a vivid insight into the small-town life of that period. The pacing is sometimes a bit slow, maybe because of the slower life back then? On the other hand there are many side characters with all kinds of secrets that no one likes to reveal and therefore the story doesn’t get boring. William Kent Krueger investigates themes such as racism, love, abuse, loss, and especially PTSD. This book pictures people who got mentally hurt in the past (most of all the war), in different forms, from Felix, who constantly talks about the war and gets drunk whenever he can, to Brody, who holds his tongue about all the horrible ways there are for people to die. I really liked how the author handled PTSD in the story, and I loved the end and the epilogue.
I received an ARC from Atria Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Follow me on
Instagram -
Master Storyteller William Kent Krueger gives us another unputdownable stand alone novel.
On Memorial Day in 1958 a small Minnesota town is shocked by the murder of one of it's most powerful citizens. Vicious rumors begin to spread that the killer must be a Native American WWII veteran who has recently returned to town with a Japanese wife.
As violence escalates it is up to Sheriff Brody Dern to investigate this vicious crime while trying to put to rest the demons of his own past.
An amazing cast of characters you feel as if you know and a picturesque setting that makes you feel as if you are there.
Highly Recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review. -
4.5 stars rounded up. So thankful to Netgalley and Atria books for my electronic advanced reader copy since I loved This tender land and Ordinary Grace by this author.
I went into the story blind and truly would recommend that.
The river we remember is a different story about the murder in a small town in Minnesota in 1950. Covers many things going on during the time period and things that happen in a small town. I truly enjoyed the characters and they are so deeply written. The last chapter and epilogue had me in tears and just wrapped up the story.
All opinions are my own. -
Big thanks to both Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The River We Remember.
On Memorial Day, in 1958, the people of Jewel, Minnesota gather to remember and honor the sacrifice of so many sons in the wars of the past. But then, the half-clothed body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. Investigation of the murder falls to Sheriff Brody Dern, who is himself broken from the war.
"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." Buddha
Mr. Krueger is quite the storyteller and The River We Remember is a fine example of what happens when he steps away from his hugely successful Cork O'Connor series. (Which I have LOVED! I hope there will be more Cork O'Connor books in the future.) I enjoyed the plot, the sense of place, and the characters in this portrait of midcentury American life, and I think you will, too!! -
Can I give more than 5 stars? I have attempted since finishing this book to read five different books. None have appealed to me. I have been a long time fan of WKK. I started with his Cork O'Connor series and like those a bunch. His stand alones, however, are on a different plain. And this one was the completely perfect book. I can't imagine a better set of characters or plot or description. It just simply is perfect.
-
My first WKK book. I thought it was great. While reading it I felt like I could see the people and the landscapes like a painting. It felt beautiful in my head.
This was a well told story of the people living in Jewel, Minnesota in 1958 where the murder of a wealthy land owner exposes many secrets of the people living within the town. When one of the most mysterious townspeople is accused and arrested for the crime, more questions arise and slowly we learn the horrible dark secrets that have been buried long before the murder occurred. -
Outstanding!!!!
Review to come -
I just won a Goodreads giveaway for The River We Remember! It feels like my birthday and it will feel like my birthday again when I receive it because I will have forgotten all about it.
-
When I learned that William Kent Kruger had written another book, I immediately requested an ARC. I am not a big fan of murder mysteries but knowing this author’s talent and style of writing, I knew I would not be disappointed. And, I was not! Each chapter left me wanting to continue on.
This story is so much more than a murder mystery. It explores the good and the bad in human relationships. The characters are true to life. I did not want to say goodbye to any of them. I appreciated how the Epilogue brings closure and an explanation of what happens to these characters in the future. Kruger once again has created a five star book.
