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Victoria's Reviews > Iron Lake
Iron Lake (Cork O'Connor, #1)
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What life gives us, good or bad, we seldom deserve.
I’m not usually a fan of the atmospheric, give me too much description and I’m wandering the aisles of my mind, but in this book it worked. The harsh Minnesota landscape, small town peculiarities and characters with dimension made for a welcome introduction to the world of Cork O’Connor.
With a questionable suicide, a missing boy, casino shenanigans and a wicked evil spirit lurking, the elements were all here for a page-turning read and it was all of that. But the plotting became a little flimsy the deeper we went and the explosive ending felt a bit expedient.
Always on the hunt for a straight-forward mystery, I felt I should give this long-running series a try. I loved both Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, and while this didn’t have the depth or lyricism of these standalones, this is only the first in a series with 17 books to its credit so I’m happy to see where we go from here.
I’m not usually a fan of the atmospheric, give me too much description and I’m wandering the aisles of my mind, but in this book it worked. The harsh Minnesota landscape, small town peculiarities and characters with dimension made for a welcome introduction to the world of Cork O’Connor.
With a questionable suicide, a missing boy, casino shenanigans and a wicked evil spirit lurking, the elements were all here for a page-turning read and it was all of that. But the plotting became a little flimsy the deeper we went and the explosive ending felt a bit expedient.
Always on the hunt for a straight-forward mystery, I felt I should give this long-running series a try. I loved both Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, and while this didn’t have the depth or lyricism of these standalones, this is only the first in a series with 17 books to its credit so I’m happy to see where we go from here.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
June, 2020
–
Finished Reading
June 15, 2020
– Shelved
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Meredith (Trying to catch up!)
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Jun 15, 2020 05:17PM
Fantastic review, Victoria! I hope this series develops more with later installments.
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Its funny how sometimes the descriptive details work. I have had the same experience with certain novels. Hoping the rest of the series pays off!! xo
I loved Ordinary Grace and have been curious about his O’Connor series. Good to know it was a good read. I hope the rest hold up!
Fab review Victoria! I tend to agree with you... I will often skim books that are too descriptive but I'm glad this worked for you. I loved The Tender Land (and have Ordinary Grace to read).. Some authors whose books are similar to his writing however I didn't like.. funny how that works. Glad this one worked for you! Great review.!
Grand review, Victoria :)) Haven't heard of this series, the premise sounds promising & let's hope next books will deliver :)
I live in Minneapolis, alway curious about books set in my state.
Meredith wrote: "Fantastic review, Victoria! I hope this series develops more with later installments."Thanks so much, Meredith. I feel as if it will since there have been 16 more since this one and he has legions of fans. Fingers crossed.
Holly wrote: "Its funny how sometimes the descriptive details work. I have had the same experience with certain novels. Hoping the rest of the series pays off!! xo"There's a certain alchemy between authors and readers. It's how it all comes together for each of us, isn't it? Thank you, sweetness!
Julie wrote: "Excellent review, Victoria!! 💖"
Thanks, Julie!
Beata wrote: "Grand review, Victoria :)) Haven't heard of this series, the premise sounds promising & let's hope next books will deliver :)"This series has been around for about 20 years, so it definitely has longevity. It's always interesting to me to find series that I'd missed. Thanks for stopping by, Beata. ❤️
Susanne wrote: "Fab review Victoria! I tend to agree with you... I will often skim books that are too descriptive but I'm glad this worked for you. I loved The Tender Land (and have Ordinary Grace to read).. Some ..."
It is funny, it's all about the day, time and place in our lives. Or at least it is for me. If you liked This Tender Land, then this has a little bit of that writing.
JanB wrote: "I loved Ordinary Grace and have been curious about his O’Connor series. Good to know it was a good read. I hope the rest hold up!"
I read it in a day, so propulsive it was, just kind of lost its sizzle for me. Fingers crossed for the rest!
Dita wrote: "I live in Minneapolis, alway curious about books set in my state."Oh, oh, oh! So many things...First, I'm sorry for everything you are experiencing. Two, I love your city, only visited once, but it was delightful Three, would love to get your take on this book/series. Four, Mary Tyler Moore...need I say more?
Oh, my friend, I am so happy to see you enjoyed this enough to consider continuing on in this series. I've thought about reading his 'other' books since I first read Ordinary grace years ago, but am already missing living inside the pages of This Tender Land and am glad you enjoyed this one!
Excellent review. I have been a fan of Krueger's for awhile. Hope you enjoy the series.
Kathleen wrote: "Excellent review. I have been a fan of Krueger's for awhile. Hope you enjoy the series."I saw that we had the same feeling about this one, but if you've remained a fan, then there's something here. Also all of those awards. 😉
Cheri wrote: "Oh, my friend, I am so happy to see you enjoyed this enough to consider continuing on in this series. I've thought about reading his 'other' books since I first read Ordinary grace years ago, but a..."
Thanks, Cheri! It wasn't as swoon-worthy as those others, but he is a fine writer and storyteller, so I'm in for the long haul.
My husband loved this series. While I could never really get interested, I did love Ordinary Grace so much that I plan to re-read it. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
Fabulous review Victoria! This series has been on my list for a long time!
Dana wrote: "My husband loved this series. While I could never really get interested, I did love Ordinary Grace so much that I plan to re-read it. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!"I don't see where this would be your kind of book, Dana, but thanks for letting me know he loved it. OG is on my list of re-reads too...some day.
Kaceey wrote: "Fabulous review Victoria! This series has been on my list for a long time!"
Oh I hope you enjoy it, Kaceey! Thanks so much!
Nice review Victoria ....... I enjoyed Ordinary Grace and have wondered about this series. Sounds like the first one didn’t totally click but series often get stronger, so fingers crossed.
Richard wrote: "Nice review Victoria ....... I enjoyed Ordinary Grace and have wondered about this series. Sounds like the first one didn’t totally click but series often get stronger, so fingers crossed."I agree and with 16 more books to this credit, I have to imagine they do or fans would not have kept clamoring for them. I've downloaded the next and we'll see how it goes.
Great review, Victoria! I hope you had a great weekend filled with many great reads :)
Deanna wrote: "Great review, Victoria! I hope you had a great weekend filled with many great reads :)"
Thanks, Deanna! You just made me realize I read the second in this series and forgot to review. 🤦🏻♀� I had a great weekend, hope you enjoyed yours too! 💕
Victoria wrote: "Deanna wrote: "Great review, Victoria! I hope you had a great weekend filled with many great reads :)"
Thanks, Deanna! You just made me realize I read the second in this series and forgot to rev..."
I've been finding a few books I've forgotten to rate and/or review lately too :)
I'm glad you had a great weekend! Mine was quiet but nice :)
Great review, Victoria...I'm thinking they will get better (if things keep up like this one, there will be no one left in the area) 😂
