DigeeBooks

The author of the instant New York Times bestseller This Tender Land returns with a powerful prequel to his acclaimed Cork O’Connor series—a book about fathers and sons, long-simmering conflicts in a small Minnesota town, and the events that echo through youth and shape our lives forever.

Aurora is a small town nestled in the ancient forest alongside the shores of Minnesota’s Iron Lake. In the summer of 1963, it is the whole world to twelve-year-old Cork O’Connor, its rhythms as familiar as his own heartbeat. But when Cork stumbles upon the body of a man he revered hanging from a tree in an abandoned logging camp, it is the first in a series of events that will cause him to question everything he took for granted about his hometown, his family, and himself.

Cork’s father, Liam O’Connor, is Aurora’s sheriff and it is his job to confirm that the man’s death was the result of suicide, as all the evidence suggests. In the shadow of his father’s official investigation, Cork begins to look for answers on his own. Together, father and son face the ultimate test of choosing between what their heads tell them is true and what their hearts know is right.

In this masterful story of a young man and a town on the cusp of change, beloved novelist William Kent Krueger shows that some mysteries can be solved even as others surpass our understanding.

In the captivating novel "Lightning Strike" by William Kent Krueger, the beloved protagonist Cork O'Connor finds himself entangled in a deadly web of secrets and danger. As a former sheriff and now a private investigator, Cork is drawn into a chilling case that begins with the discovery of a body in the remote Iron Lake forest. The victim, a young woman named April Littlebird, is found with a mysterious symbol carved into her chest, leaving Cork and his loyal dog, Henry, to embark on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind her untimely demise.

As Cork delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a series of sinister events that have plagued the Iron Lake community for generations. Haunted by the history of violence and injustice that surrounds the Littlebird family, Cork must face his own demons while navigating a treacherous path filled with danger. With each step he takes, he finds himself closer to a dark and powerful secret that threatens to consume him and those he holds dear.

"Lightning Strike" is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that showcases William Kent Krueger's masterful storytelling. With his evocative prose and keen eye for detail, Krueger paints a vivid picture of the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the North Woods, where nature's beauty conceals a dark underbelly of secrets and betrayals. Readers will be drawn into the intricate plot as they follow Cork on his quest for justice, witnessing his unwavering determination and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

Throughout the novel, Krueger explores themes of family, loyalty, and the enduring legacy of trauma. Cork's personal struggles and his deep connection to the Littlebird family add emotional depth to the story, driving his relentless pursuit of the truth. As he uncovers the layers of deception and corruption that have plagued Iron Lake, Cork realizes that the only way to break the cycle of violence is to confront the past and bring those responsible to account.

"Lightning Strike" is a must-read for fans of mystery, suspense, and compelling storytelling. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and stunning setting, this novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. William Kent Krueger's ability to weave a tale that is both haunting and heartwarming is a testament to his skill as a writer, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Cork O'Connor Mystery Series.