Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Heaven's Keep by William Kent Krueger Narrator: David Chandler
Series: Cork O'Connor #9
Published by Recorded Books on November 14, 2019
Genres: Mystery, Suspense
Length: 11 hours, 44 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
When a charter plane carrying Cork O’Connor’s wife, Jo, goes missing in a snowstorm over the Wyoming Rockies, Cork must accept the terrible truth that his wife is gone forever. But is she? In Heaven’s Keep, celebrated author William Kent Krueger puts his intrepid hero through the most harrowing mission of his life. After many days filled with grief, two women show up at Cork’s doorstep with evidence that the pilot of Jo’s plane was not the man he claimed to be. It may not be definitive proof, but it’s a ray of light in the darkness surrounding Cork’s loss. Agreeing to investigate, he travels to Wyoming where he battles the interference of forces determined to throw Cork off the trail permanently. At the center of all the danger and deception lies the possibility that Jo is not really dead and that, somewhere along the labyrinthine path of his search, Cork will find her alive and waiting for him. With deft plotting and writing that satisfies as much as it thrills, Heaven’s Keep gives readers an adventure not soon forgotten.
I sort of want to read this Cork O’Connor series, and ignore everything else in my life. Recorded Books is rerecording the ones not originally by the primary narrator of the series, David Chandler, which is working out fantastically for me. It’s a great series with layers of interesting plots in the mystery / suspense, beautiful Minnesota lake and woods descriptions, the continued development of characters as they grow and learn, and the cultural aspects of the many characters.
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 Heaven’s Keep, Jenny and Annie are in college, so Steven is the only one at home. He is going through teenage growing pains of sorts, finding himself. Cork is working as a private investigator but getting ready to open Sam’s for the summer this year.
The primary issues are that Jo (Cork’s wife) has gone on a work trip and her plane is missing, and Cork is fighting a major development at the lakefront which might spoil the natural beauty. Cork has a difficult emotional journey with his family as they search for Jo. He manages to be thoughtful and compassionate with others in spite of the very difficult circumstances.
I won’t spoil the story but it is a long, arduous path to find Jo. Cork is fortunate to have both law enforcement / search and rescue experience, great contacts within the Indian community, and some amazing friends so he can track down what happened.
Narration:
I’m so happy the series will have more with David Chandler narration. The Minnesota locations and Indian words were pronounced as I expected. I appreciate his handling of all the voices of both genders, with the primary character being Cork. I was able to listen comfortably at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About William Kent Krueger
Raised in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, William Kent Krueger briefly attended Stanford University—before being kicked out for radical activities. After that, he logged timber, worked construction, tried his hand at freelance journalism, and eventually ended up researching child development at the University of Minnesota. He currently makes his living as a full-time author. He’s been married for over 40 years to a marvelous woman who is an attorney. He makes his home in St. Paul, a city he dearly loves.
Krueger writes a mystery series set in the north woods of Minnesota. His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage—part Irish and part Ojibwe. His work has received a number of awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. His last five novels were all New York Times bestsellers.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Audiobooks
- 2019 Releases
- COYER Friends
Oh, this brings back memories. Such an emotional story, which you’ve captured beautifully, Anne? You’re so lucky to have listened to Chandler tell this one. Wish I’d had the same experience.
Thank you! I LOVE this series and now I have to decide. Do I read or listen to the wrong narrator or wait until 2022 and 2023 for the next 2 audiobooks with David Chandler? Obviously I have plenty to read but I’d like to listen to the next 10 books next WEEK. Of course, I can’t. I know I am extremely lucky to have these 3 – Thunder Bay, Red Knife and Heaven’s Keep just rerecorded this year, exactly as I got to them in listening. What do you suggest, Jonetta?
No way would I wait!!! My review for the next book mentions that I was getting used to Buck. And the following book was breathtakingly scary and Buck narrated it extremely well. I even rated that one 5 ⭐️s.
I love, love, love David Chandler’s narration but I love listening to the series too much to not listen to what was available at the time. Buck does a fine job and if Chandler hadn’t set the standard, I would have been happy with him.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the advice. I needed it.
You’re welcome ?
It’s great to see you had such a good time with a book 9
It’s an amazing series.