On Tuesday (Aug 21st), William Kent Krueger celebrated the release of TRICKSTER’S POINT, at ONCE UPON A CRIME, with a crowd that went out the door and down the block.
Cork O’Connor’s best friend from boyhood, a man named Jubal Little, is poised to become the first governor of Minnesota with Native blood. A few days before the election, he and Cork go bow hunting together. Jubal ends up with an arrow in his heart—and it’s Cork’s arrow. It looks like murder and, of course, Cork is the prime suspect. In scenes that take us back to important moments in his life, Cork recalls his tumultuous relationship with Jubal, and tries to understand who wanted Jubal dead and who wouldn’t mind at all seeing Cork sent to prison for the murder.
TP is Kent’s twelfth book to feature Cork O’Connor and his thirteenth overall. The series has earned him numerous awards, including the Anthony (3 times), Barry, Dilly and Minnesota Book award (4 times).
Just days on the shelf, TRICKSTER’S POINT is scoring postive reviews. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune calls it a “rewarding read” while Publisher’s Weekly declares it a “gem of a mystery.”
The audience at OUAC numbered at about 150 as folks patiently waited to meet Kent. Despite the size of the crowd, Kent never rushed and always took time for a few words and a picture.
I discovered Kent’s books in 2000 and have been a fan ever since. Unlike many series, Cork and company age and evolve with each book. Time does not stand still and we share in the triumphs and tragedies of Cork. We watch his children grow up and, in some cases, move away. That constant change makes these novels all the more compelling.
After this book, Kent will be taking a break from Cork and will release ORDINARY GRACE in the spring of 2013. OG is labor of love for Kent and has been waiting patiently to be released. While I have not read it, Gary of ONCE UPON A CRIME was wowed by it.
As for Kent, the guy is a prince. One of the sweetest, most genuine fellows you could hope to meet. If any of the signings listed below are near you, I suggest stopping by. There is nothing better than discovering an author that is as good a person as they are a writer. And here is a little extra incentive to stop by and see Kent: At each signing, there will be a drawing for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of ORDINARY GRACE. Outside of critics and those within the book industry, few will be able to read it before the release next spring.
August 25
Bookin’ It
Little Falls, MN
12:30PM
August 25
Cherry Street Books
Alexandria, MN
3PM
August 26
Beagle Books/Y Steakhouse Sunday Classic Series
Park Rapids, MN
3 PM (Bookstore) & 4:30 PM (Y Steakhouse)
August 27
Uncle Edgar’s Mystery Bookstore
Minneapolis, MN
5 PM
August 28
Excelsior Bay Books
w/Café 319
Excelsior, MN
7 PM
August 30
Murder By the Book
Houston, TX
6:30 PM

September 4
Barnes & Noble, Galleria
Edina, MN
7 PM
September 5
BOND (Branching Out In New Directions)
Brandeis Women
Eden Prairie, MN
Time: TBA (AM – Noon)
September 5
Totally Criminal Cocktail Hour
(with Valley Booksellers)
Stillwater, MN
4:30 PM
September 6
Common Good Books
Saint Paul, MN
6 PM
September 7
Lake Country Books
White Bear Lake, MN
9:30 AM
September 11
Books & Co.
The Greene Shopping Center
Dayton, OH
7 PM
September 12
Wood County District Public Library
Bowling Green, OH
Noon
September 12
Joseph Beth Booksellers
Cincinnati, OH
7 PM
September 13
Foul Play Mystery Bookstore
Westerville, OH
Noon
September 13
“Meet the Author” Event
Cuyahoga County Public Library – Berea Branch
Berea, OH
7 PM
September 15
Poisoned Pen
Scottsdale, AZ
2 PM
September 17
Inaugural Author Series/Friends of the Duluth Public Library
August Fitger Room – Fitger’s Complex
Duluth, MN
5 PM
Ticketed Event – Order Form (PDF)
September 18
Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall
Duluth, MN
3 PM
September 18
The Bookstore at Fitger’s
Duluth, MN
6 PM
September 20
Mysterious Galaxy
San Diego, CA
7 PM
September 21
Book’Em Mystery Bookstore
South Pasadena, CA
5 PM
September 22
Book Carnival
Orange, CA
2 PM
September 24
Murder By the Book
Portland, OR
7 PM
September 25
Seattle Mystery Bookshop
Seattle, WA
Noon
September 26
Sub Text Bookstore
Saint Paul, MN
7 PM
September 27
Chapter Two Books
Hudson, WI
6-8 PM
September 29
Rainy Day Books
Kansas City, MO
2 PM
September 29
The Raven
Lawrence, KS
7 PM
September 30
The Bookworm
Omaha, NE
1 PM
October 2
Centuries and Sleuths
Oak Park, IL
7 PM
October 3
Aunt Agatha’s Mystery Bookstore
Ann Arbor, MI
5 PM
October 4-5
Heartland Fall Forum
Minneapolis, MN
October 9
Thyme Worn Treasures
Rice Lake, WI
7 PM
October 11
Long Prairie Public Library
Long Prairie, MN
7 PM
October 12-13
Legends of the Fall
Madison, WI
(with Booked For Murder Bookstore)
Check Bookstore for times
October 27
Great Valley Book Festival
Manteca, CA
November 3
Apostle Island Booksellers
Bayfield, WI
2 PM