The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

William Kent Krueger has to be one of the best storytellers out there. Although I haven't gotten far in his Cork O'Connor series--something I am determined to fix--I love all of his standalone books. They are expertly crafted with prose that begs to be highlighted.

It's Memorial Day, 1958, in Jewel, Minnesota, a small town that is the seat of Black Earth County. Not much happens around there so when the body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found in the Alabaster River with a gunshot wound in his side, the town immediately begins to speculate: was it murder? An accident? Suicide? That's up to Sheriff Brody Dern to determine.

Tensions are high and gossipers are sure Noah Bluestone is involved. Noah is a decorated WWII veteran who is Native American and who brought home a Japanese bride after the war. Both his ethnicity and that of his wife don't sit well in Jewell. With all the righteousness of small-town bigots everywhere, Bluestone is tried in the court of public opinion and found guilty. It's up to Brody to protect Noah and his wife and still get to the bottom of what happened to Quinn.

This is an atmospheric, absorbing read that transports the reader to the years when The Great War, WWII, and the Korean conflict were still fresh in people's minds. There is a strong sense of place and time, rich with characters that make this a must-read book, especially in today's political climate when hatred of those considered different is once again on the rise. 5/5 stars.

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The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

I wasn't a fan of the fortune-telling part in the book The Cloisters so I was hesitant when I saw the main character in this book was also a fortune-teller. It turned out that the use of cards in The Square of Sevens was so deftly woven into the story that I looked forward to seeing what the cards would reveal.

Red was orphaned at an early age when her father, a Cornish "cunning man", died and left her in the care of a wealthy gentleman scholar, Robert Antrobus. Her legacy is her knowledge of fortune-telling using the Square of Sevens technique. Although she no longer casts fortunes for money, she is still in demand even in the sophisticated society of Bath. Secure in the Antrobus household, Red delves into her past, trying to find out who her mother was and what happened to her. What Red finds not only disrupts her life but those of the wealthy De Lacy and Seabrooke families. Could she be related to them and, if so, could she be a long-lost heir? Finding out could put her life in peril as well as those closest to her. 

This is a beautifully written book that is intricately plotted and whose characters come alive in eighteenth-century England. It is a complex mystery with twists that kept me engaged throughout. Red is a wonderful heroine and her life, though often trying, is one such that the reader hopes she comes out on the winning side. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is September 5, 2023.

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Somebody’s Fool by Richard Russo

One of my favorite authors returns to one of my favorite places in this third book about the residents of North Bath, New York. This book can be read as a standalone, but why miss out on the pleasure of reading Nobody's Fool and its sequel, Everybody's Fool before reading this "fool" book? All three are wonderful reads.

It has been ten years since Sully died and North Bath, which has been circling the drain towards extension, has finally been annexed by its more vibrant neighbor, Schuyler Springs. Some municipal jobs have been absorbed in the process, but many small businesses are facing bleak futures as are some of the residents. One such is Peter Sullivan, Sully's son. He is mulling a future outside of North Bath but is saddled with continuing renovations to his father's old house and keeping tabs on various residents at his father's request. When his estranged son Thomas shows up, his priorities suddenly change. 

Focus shifts among the residents and their trials: Charice Bond has been appointed the police chief when Doug Raymer decides against pursuing his law enforcement career. On top of her new responsibilities, her emotionally crippled brother Jerome shows up at the same time a body is found. Meanwhile, Janey is trying to keep her diner going and at the same time, try and repair her relationships with her mother and daughter. Quite the juggling act.

This witty and engrossing story about the residents of North Bath is as compelling as it is insightful. The characters are just as finely drawn as they were in the previous two books. Everyone is a little older, but are they any wiser? That's for the reader to decide. This is an entirely satisfying read, but it left me wanting more. Please, Mr. Russo, don't let this be the last we see of these characters!

For more information:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble   |  Knopf Doubleday