Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger

 

"The biggest word in the human vocabulary has only four letters and no definition that's ever been adequate. We love our dogs. We love our children. We love God and chocolate cake. We fall in love and fall out of love. We die for love and we kill for love. We can't spend it. We can't eat it when we're starving or drink it when we're dying of thirst. It's no good against the bitter cold of winter, and even a cheap electric fan will do more for you on a hot summer day. But ask most human beings what they value above all else in this life and, five'll get you ten, it's love."

           -Cork's thoughts, from the novel's Epilogue

Seven down and twelve to go! I am working my way through this series. Actually, it would be more accurate to say I am enjoying my way through. This one rates a 5 as have most others.

Cork O'Conner's long-time friend and spiritual advisor, Ojibwe medicine man Henry Meloux, is ailing and asks a favor of him. Henry has seen visions of a son he has never met, the product of a love affair in his youth, and he wants Cork, now a private detective, to find him. Henry is about 90 years old and he is determined to meet his son before he dies. Cork promises to help without realizing how much danger there will be in this mission. 

Cork finds out that the son is Henry Wellington, a wealthy recluse living in Thunder Bay, Canada. When he finally comes face to face with Wellington, Cork is sent away without much hope for his friend. When there is an attempt to kill Henry, the plot thickens.

Much of the novel involves Henry's story of his ill-fated love affair in the 1920's. This was very interesting since Henry has been an ever-present character in the series with little revealed about him except for his visions and wisdom. This is the part where the reader learns about the prejudice, jealousy and revenge that will lead to an exciting climax.

Book 8, Red Knife, is coming up next!