The River We Remember

A Novel

By: William Kent Krueger

Narrated by: CJ Wilson

AN EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE

In 1958, a small Minnesota town is rocked by a shocking murder, pouring fresh fuel on old grievances in this dazzling novel, an instant New York Times bestseller and “a work of art” (The Denver Post).

On Memorial Day in Jewel, Minnesota, the body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. The investigation falls to Sheriff Brody Dern, a highly decorated war hero who still carries the physical and emotional scars from his military service. Even before Dern has the results of the autopsy, vicious rumors begin to circulate that the killer must be Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran who has recently returned to Jewel with a Japanese wife. As suspicions and accusations mount and the town teeters on the edge of more violence, Dern struggles not only to find the truth of Quinn’s murder but also put to rest the demons from his own past.

Caught up in the torrent of anger that sweeps through Jewel are a war widow and her adolescent son, the intrepid publisher of the local newspaper, an aging deputy, and a crusading female lawyer, all of whom struggle with their own tragic histories and harbor secrets that Quinn’s death threatens to expose.

Both a complex, spellbinding mystery and a masterful portrait of mid-century American life that is “a novel to cherish” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis), The River We Remember offers an unflinching look at the wounds left by the wars we fight abroad and at home, a moving exploration of the ways in which we seek to heal, and a testament to the enduring power of the stories we tell about the places we call home.

©2023 William Kent Krueger (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Incredible writing!

The River We Remember I found to be another masterpiece of insightful, sensitive, worthwhile, superlative writing by William Kent Krueger. His is an excellent, sensitive observation of the human condition and I always marvel at his skill and thoughtful execution. It says a lot that after over 13 hours I'd have liked the hours to have continued! However, this author knows how to craft, to pace, how and when to end.

I thought CJ Wilson did a just-right job of the narration for this book: nothing fancy nor contrived, just good reading with some logical easy personification as the various characters. His reading wasn't about acting, but about relating an excellent story and this is what Wilson did: told us the story that WK Krueger wrote and wanted shared in this way.

This author knows and uses good grammar, as well -- something that I notice and appreciate -- and that many authors either don't necessarily know, or choose to treat with sloppiness and next to no care. I suspect that, most often it's a combination of ignorance, laziness and succumbing to the common trends of today; not necessarily an attractive trait, but... common.

I highly recommend The River We Remember -- and have, to several of my family and friends, as well as online in my social media comments.

Best book of the year

I loved this book. It was so well written. I could picture it all in detail

Possibly WKK’s best

This is an absolutely outstanding book. The setting is so rich you can smell the alfalfa, hear the cows and watch the moon glow on the river. The story is vibrant and many layered, with characters who live and breathe. The narrator is perfect. I’d give it 50 stars if I could.

Super contrast of scene v people

Gorgeous setting. So well described. Seems an unlikely location for all the mayhem that happens. Perfect buildup to climax and conclusion. Leaves one contemplating life

Outstanding as always

Another wonderful book
I am from that part of Minn.
It reminds me of the story’s I heard growing up

Excellent

Although this seemed more like the Cork O’Connor genre, it was still excellent.


Great narration which helped to move the story along v

Mystery & prejudice

This story took awhile to get into, but once I did, I could not put the book down. So much sadness due to prejudices. I became more aware of the impact prejudices are to a community!

very unique characters and lives

I liked the 2nd half of the book the best once I really got to know the characters. I can see why so many people recommended the book

Another hit by WKK

This book hits all the right notes as per usual for this author: good story, sensibly sensitive, likeable, relatable characters, setting, etc. Recommended. Not his best (Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land) but still right up there. Brody made me think a bit about Cork O'Conner.

Character development

Another great read by WKK. Characters had so many layers. While elements of mystery were present, mostly a love story.