Review copy was received from Library, NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
God's Country by William Kent Krueger Narrator: David Chandler
Series: Cork O'Connor #22
Published by Atria Books, Recorded Books on August 18, 2026
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 256
Length: 8 hours, 52 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: Library, NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Cork O’Connor, preparing for a family trip into the Boundary Waters, is troubled by ominous visions about his future. Ignoring the warnings, he uncovers signs of violence while searching for his missing friend, Cordell Bishop. Soon, he is forced to negotiate with dangerous criminals, the Kennedy brothers, who are seeking their late father’s hidden stash.
Facing escalating danger and difficult choices, Cork grapples with his darkest instincts as he helps others escape and eventually takes justice into his own hands.
I was happy to get another book in the Cork O’Connor series. God’s County contrasts the beauty of the land against the corruption of greedy men. The accompanying storyline is the Native American legends and beliefs. There is the diversity of cultures, and even different tribes of Native Americans.
Cork and his family are going on a trip into the Boundary Waters. It’s a father and son journey with Cork and Steven, Daniel and Waboo, Mal and Luke. It’s the first trip for Mal and Luke. Cork finds out his old friend Cordell is leading a group out just ahead of them. They have a good first day, except for the litter. Cork is furious about this desecation of the wilderness. They reach the first campsite which needs cleaning up. But then they find a tree with marks and blood on it.
Cork ends up calling the sheriff with questions because it looks like someone was tortured but there’s no body. The sheriff finds out the names of the men on Cordell’s trip are all fake. So now they are wary, but the sat phone gets dropped in the fire so then they are on their own.
Cork sends them all back home the next day, and he goes on to try to help Cordell who may be in trouble. Well he finds more litter, a dead body, a bear, a wolf, and Cordell. He negotiates with the brothers to let Cordell go, and goes on to keep them from hurting anyone else. But he has dark thoughts and rage over their actions and quick moves to hurt and kill others. Cork beats himself up when he isn’t successful at saving others.
I am amazed at how Cork keeps up physically with the brutal pace as they put more camping work on him as well as the stress of trying to protect others who may come into their path. Its a long hard road, and at the end Cork has more to suffer.
Narration:
David Chandler is the voice of this series and the one I hear in my head. The Minnesota locations were pronounced as I expected. I enjoy his distinct voices for all the characters which I can recognize easily. I was able to listen at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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.
| Rating Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Plot |
|
| Writing |
|
| Characters |
|
| Narration (Audio) |
|
| Overall: | |
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.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- Thrifty Thursday:Crime on the Fens by Joy Ellis #ThriftyThursday #JoyEllis @joffebooks.bsky.social #KindleUnlimited - October 8, 2026
- 🎧 Victorious by VE Schwab #VESchwab #JeremyArthur @macmillanaudio.bsky.social @MacmillanAudio #LoveAudiobooks #SpeccyFicChal - October 6, 2026
- Sunday Post –4 October 2026 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @readingreality.bsky.social @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - October 4, 2026
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
- 26-COYER
Oh, how I love this series. I’m a few books behind but hope to catch up before the year is out. Great review, Anne💜
I love it so much.
This sounds intense, Anne. And now I want to read this series!
There’s a lot of books now but they are so worth it.
This sounds like a series I would really enjoy. Great review!
Thank you Sarah. I really love these. I lived in Minnesota for 35 years so it is dear to my heart.
I really need to listen to these. Glad you are enjoying them.
They are amazing. I can’t imagine you wouldn’t love them, so I hope you do.
Poor Cork!!!! So stressful.
yes but Cork is an action man, a protector. He’s getting older now though..