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Lightning Strike: Cork O'Connor Mysteries, Book 18 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

William Kent Krueger (Author), David Chandler (Narrator), Recorded Books Inc. (Publisher)

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The author of the instant New York Times best seller 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 12-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.

Listening Length

11 hours and 37 minutes
Author

William Kent Krueger
Narrator

David Chandler
Audible release date

August 24, 2021
Language

English
Publisher

Recorded Books Inc.
ASIN

B091Q9Z5DF
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	11 hours and 37 minutes
Author	William Kent Krueger
Narrator	David Chandler
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	August 24, 2021
Publisher	Recorded Books Inc.
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B091Q9Z5DF
Best Sellers Rank	#4,062 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #82 in Police Procedural Mysteries #133 in Crime Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals) #442 in Suspense (Audible Books & Originals)

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5 star		76%
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3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Everything you want in a mystery and

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2021

Verified Purchase

so much more, “Lightning Strike” is an amazing combination of family relationships, social commentary and well crafted mystery.

I’ve been wanting to read this series for a long time and this was the place to start - book 17 is a prequel and a stand alone novel. It begins in 1989 with the protagonist, Cork, starting his first day as sheriff. Only 2.5 brief pages to set the stage and he’s reminiscing about how he got where he’s at and who it was that paved the way. We’re off to 1963…

Sheriff Liam O’Connor, Cork’s father, is tasked with solving an highly charged death that he has called a suicide but the victim’s family is certain something nefarious has happened. The family is Native American and they’re issues between the tribal leaders and the town’s elite. Cork, his Mother and Grandmother are First Peoples. Oh, and guess who found the body? Oh yeah, this is Cork’s first mystery to be solved.

W. K. Krueger’s writing is atmospheric when describing the setting. I could smell, taste, feel, hear everything. On the other hand, I struggled somewhat with the investigation because the racial issues were too woke for 1963. I applaud Krueger for his dedication to Native American issues and for the prologue with historical information but 2021 BLM fodder doesn’t belong in this story.

I waffled between 3-4 stars and opted for kindness because so much of this book really is exceptional. I’m going to give book 1 a fair read and hope this political mishap was an aberration. The back stories on Cork and Liam were really woven together wonderfully as were the relationships between Cork and his buddies.

This is a mystery that’s built in layers but it’s not a hard core procedural. Cork and his friends are young teenagers who make horrifying discoveries; some by accident others purposeful. He’s got that gladiator heart that is unique to boys of that age.

3.5 stars rounded up because it will make me much more grounded when starting the series📚

Fiction, Fiction, Fiction August 2021 #26

23 people found this helpful

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ZenReader

Way too familiar --- same old formula

Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2021

Verified Purchase

I've read the entire series to this point. Unfortunately for me this is the end of the road. Even though our hero is 12 years old he's still the same old character. Along comes the old wizen tribe elder who does his impression of the riddler and gives probably the worst advice he's ever given if you believe out hero is 12. Like why does anyone ever ask Henry anything is beyond belief. As Dad as he's known in this one -oh please, he's a one dimensional robo doll with a persecutions complex. His angst over the ever nutty tribes feelings for him is boring nonsense. Gee they don't like me cause the don't trust me? What, why? Its tiring. Its all so "well their Indians so...blah blah blah." This is probably too harsh since I'm really sad the series is obvously at an end with the author phoning in the thin rehashed plot lines and characters. I would not recommend this one to anyone. The first 16 books, hell yeah they were great. This "yawn". Or as Henry would say "Book is wood, look deeply in the grain to learn the truth, wood and paper are one grasshopper." No wait that was Kung Fu. Henry say "Check out the loose ends 12 year old. You go find out who murdered him". Has Kent ever met a real live 12 year old? Henry should of told Cort, "Stop eating your own snot kiddo and leave it up to your Dad, like he's the sheriff". What nonsense.

14 people found this helpful

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mbl

One of the Best

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2021

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I’ve read every book in this series and this was one of the best. I loved the insight on how Cork was raised and what is up-bringing was like. The details once again pulled me in and made me feel like I was there. I couldn’t wait to finish and now I am sad I have to wait for another book to come out.

13 people found this helpful

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Coffee Lover

An emotional trip through the mystery, prejudice, & compassion surrounding Native American & Caucasian culture

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

These very realistic & multi-faceted characters enthrall & captivate the reader as both native Americans & Caucasians navigate prejudice to solve multiple murders in a small town in Minnesota. The reader will learn much. about Native American culture in a place seldom though of as having a a presence. The characters both youthful, & adult must face their own prejudices & beliefs to navigate crime, coverup, & ultimately the truth. The conclusion of this novel is poignant & will stay with the reader for days after completing the novel. Krueger is a master novelist who is able to combine multiple cultures into an ultimate mystery novel for the 21st Century.

9 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

a reader

another great one by William Kent Krueger

Reviewed in Canada on September 10, 2021

Verified Purchase

Great story, loveable, believable characters and excellent description of landscape and life before we succumbed to development and urban/suburban degradation. Very skillful, sensitive and wise exploration of the ways racism becomes embedded in culture and the power of waking up to that.

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Lightning Strike: Cork O'Connor Mysteries, Book 18 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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Lightning Strike: Cork O'Connor Mysteries, Book 18 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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