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Saturday, February 25, 2017

Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger and Only the Innocent by Rachel Abbott

Iron Lake by William Kent Kreuger was a Kindle Unlimited offer.  Three-dimensional characters and a plot that involves former sheriff Cork Corcoran coming to terms (sometimes belatedly and frequently dragging his feet) with the dissolution of his marriage, his ambiguous relationship with his heritage, and the realization that underneath the surface of the small town he loves--there are sinister secrets lurking.

A reliable fourteen-year-old boy goes missing, a powerful man commits suicide, problems at the Indian casino, heartbreaking revelations about Cork's wife, an ambitious politician, and a far-right anti-government survivalist group all intertwine in this suspense novel.  

 Although I had a few quibbles with this one, the writing was excellent, the characters were compelling, and I'm eager to read the next in the series.
Barry Award for Best First Novel (1999)Anthony Award for Best First Novel (1999)Dilys Award Nominee (1999)Minnesota Book Award for Mystery (1999)
Atria Books

Mystery/Suspense.  1998.  Print version: 464 pages.

Only the Innocent (also on Kindle Unlimited) is the first in a series by Rachel Abbott.  DCI Tom Douglas is called to a murder scene that has trouble written all over it. The victim is a billionaire philanthropist and the murder has all the elements of a sex crime.  

The prologue deals with the actual murder, but of course, it is impossible to identify the woman who ties the willing Sir Hugo Fletcher to the bed.  He expects a sexual experience, but what he gets is...dead.  

The first chapter has DCI Tom Douglas on the scene and the obvious conclusion is that a woman is responsible. Sir Hugo's charity involves helping young women escape prostitution so that is one avenue to follow, but another prime suspect is always the spouse.

The more Douglas digs into Sir Hugo's life, the more unpleasant secrets surface.  Laura Fletcher was out of the country at the time of the murder, but she is keeping secrets, too.  And what about the inconvenient arrival of her sister-in-law as Douglas is informing Laura of her husband's death?  The more Douglas learns of the controlling and manipulative Sir Hugo, the more complicated the case becomes.

I found it difficult to sympathize with Laura.  I know that some men are capable of controlling every detail in a spouse or partner, but through the letters that were written and never sent, I have to question Laura's willingness to submit to Sir Hugo's dictates.  The letters reveal that she has a handle on what is going on, but she cuts off her family anyway.

The writing was fine, but certain elements were repetitive and did not advance the plot.  There were several characters--the ex-wife, the creepy nanny, and the callous PA--who were at least partially aware of Hugo's proclivities, but kind of stood back and grinned.  Coupled with Laura's willingness to surrender her personality, that makes too many women who are complicit in Hugo's crimes.

This was Abbot's debut novel, and I definitely see some promise with this series, even if it did not entirely work for me.  I may give the next one a try since it is also a Kindle Unlimited.

Mystery/Suspense.  2013.  Print version:  470 pages.

12 comments:

  1. I've read IRON LAKE, but it's been many years ago. I think I might have read the second and third as well. My husband, on the other hand, is completely caught up on the series. He really likes it and keeps asking me when the next book will come out. Ha!

    I have ONLY THE INNOCENT, but have not read it yet. I might have it on audio and not on my Kindle. Anyway, I have heard really good things about this author's books. It's a series that intend to start soon.

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    1. I am eager to follow up with Kreuger's series, and I will also with Rachel Abbott because I know several people who think highly of her books.

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  2. It was still a free download at Amazon so I got it.

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    1. I hope you like it! Flawed, but interesting characters. :)

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  3. I was really impressed with the William Kent Krueger book I read a couple of years ago. It was part of this series but I can't recall how far in. At first I didn't think I would like it but I thought his writing of nature and the scenery really made me feel a sense of place.

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    1. Yes, Kreuger's sense of place is impressive. I'm eager to read more!

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  4. Kreuger's a good author; I liked both of the books that I read by him. I don't know why I haven't read more...well, actually I do. Other books and other authors keep getting in the way. :)

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    1. Other books, other authors--always so much to choose from. My list is long, and I just keep adding to it! :o

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  5. Iron Lake sounds intriguing. A lot going on in it! I hope to give William Kent Kreuger a try in the next few months. I'm not familiar with the second author you mention or her series. I've got so many books waiting to be read . . . It may be one I come to at some point, but not one I'll rush to read.

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    1. I was glad to find Iron Lake as a Kindle Unlimited book. Sneaky way to catch a reader and hook him on a new series!

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  6. I'm the odd one out; I've not heard of William's books and based on so many raves I think I've to check out his series.

    As for the second book I think I'll probably give it a miss.

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    1. I'm hoping to read more from both of them. While Iron Lake is the only Kindle Unlimited of Kreuger's books, a bunch of Rachel Abbot's are Kindle Unlimited, and I am all about free books. :)

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