This was really about three and a half stars. Still love the series, but I didn't like this one as much as the last two.

To be honest, I’m surprised how much better each of these books get. W.k.k. does a fantastic job of growing characters slowly book by book. My favorite book of the series.

In this book Cork O'Connor get awarded his 'superman cape and tights' a sure sign that I cannot read anymore of this series for a while as I truly find him a very likable character, I enjoy the setting, the Native culture and the mystery. His wife continues to annoy me and this is probably another reason that I need a break for this series

The 3rd book is as exciting as the last book. The suspense and tension is high as Cork O"Conner races to find a kidnapper and to save the lives of those he loves.

Good twist at the end!

A good suspense/mystery book, in the "Cork O'Connor" series. Marked as spoilers for a reason!

This is the one where there's a guy (John LePerre, ahalf white half Indian guy) whose brother died when the ore boat they were both on sank. John was the only survivor. He gets mixed up with a dude who convinces him that the shipping co. planned it for the ins. money. In trying to prove this he runs out of money and the dude he is mixed up with talks him into kidnapping the local lumber mill owner's wife and son for ransom (because this woman is the daughter of the shipping co. owner). During the kidnapping, Jo O'Connor and son Stevie get taken also. Cork is then driven to find them.

At the same time (started before the kidnappings), there is tension between the local Indian tribe and the lumber mill, because the latter wants to cut down some sacred trees. There are some almost militant tree.huggers in the story too. (Red herrings mostly)

Turns out it was the lumber mill owner (Lindstrom? I can never remember the names even though I just read the book!) who kidnapped his own wife and her son because, way back when, she chose another guy over him. At some point he killed this guy and made it look like an accident on Lake Superior. Lindstrom wants revenge on her and wants her family's money. (They had a prenup but he would inherit if she died) so in addition to the kidnapping he always meant to have them end up dead.

LePerre ends up redeeming himself and helping the o'connors escape the kidnapping (even though he had been involved at first). The writing around LePerre's story and tragic life is excellent. His sense of place is and his ties to the earth (water) are strong and compelling.

This is set in the arrowhead of Minnesota, a place a part of my own soul. So of course I like that. Cork is great.

Love this series if not for the setting alone