Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Narrator: David Chandler
Series: Cork O'Connor #8
Published by Recorded Books on October 11, 2019
Genres: Mystery, Suspense
Length: 10 hours, 23 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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When the daughter of a powerful businessman dies as a result of her meth addiction, her father, strong-willed and brutal Buck Reinhardt, vows revenge. His target is the Red Boyz, a gang of Ojibwe youths accused of supplying the girl's fatal drug dose. When the head of the Red Boyz and his wife are murdered in a way that suggests execution, the Ojibwe gang mobilizes, and the citizens of Tamarack County brace themselves for war, white against red.
Both sides look to Cork O'Connor, a man of mixed heritage, to uncover the truth behind the murders. A former sheriff, Cork has lived, fought, and nearly died to keep the small-town streets and his family safe from harm. He knows that violence is never a virtue, but he believes that it's sometimes a necessary response to the evil that men do. Racing to find answers before the bloodshed spreads, Cork himself becomes involved in the darkest of deeds. As the unspeakable unfolds in the remote and beautiful place he calls home, Cork is forced to confront the horrific truth: Violence is a beast that cannot be contained.
I am thrilled that just as I am working my way through the Cork O’Connor series, Recorded Books is rerecording the ones not originally by the primary narrator of the series, David Chandler. I love this series SO much. There is the Minnesota setting, the mystery / suspense aspects of police or private investigation, the moral views on various situations, the compassion Cork and his family have for others, and the development of the family and friends in Aurora, MN.
I feel you do need to read the series in order, to know the characters and what the current status is with Cork’s family. In Red Knife, Jenny is in college, and Annie is finishing high school. Cork is working as a private investigator but getting ready to open Sam’s for the summer.
The historical aspects of Native Americans and their current difficulties are a focus. Cork is asked to arrange a meeting, to try to avert racial tensions which never happens because of brutal murders. There are also serious issues between the young and older members of the Tribe. Everything is set to explode into more deaths.
Cork is in the middle of things with both the police force and the tribe wanting him to solve the murders and locate the likely suspect. I felt it was unfair of the police wanting him to do their job when he is no longer sheriff. But he certainly had the most chance of success. There are many disenfranchised youth and cultural tensions which erupt in Red Knife.
Narration:
I’m so happy the series will have all David Chandler narration. At least, I hope they will rerecord all of them with him. I love his handling of all the voices, both the male and female. The Minnesota locations and Indian words were pronounced as I expected. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Audiobooks
- 2019 Releases
- COYER Friends
This one sounds a really strong series – the setting with the Native American community sounds original and enjoyable, Anne.
It’s an incredible series. I enjoy the Minnesota setting, having lived there for many years. But the cultural stories are fascinating. The character development and world-building is exceptional. And I love mystery / thriller stories.
I really want to read this series, Anne. I’m so happy you love it. Wonderful review! I just read my first book by him, the recent standalone, and gosh, he is a special writer!
I’ve only read this series and I’m really enjoying it. Jonetta turned me on to it. I lived in Minnesota for over 30 years so I like the setting. I have This Tender Land from the library right now and I hope I can get to it. (not part of this series)