Trickster's Point by William Kent Krueger

A few weeks ago, well over Thanksgiving Break, I read Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger. He has a dozen or so mystery novels about Detective Corcoran O'Connor, known as Cork in Minnesota. From reading Boundary Waters, I was hooked. Trickster's Point was the second book that I've read about Cork from Minnesota. I checked out two other mysteries in the series. Trickster's Point is a riveting novel with flashbacks to Cork's youth and teenage years. Just like the other novel there is a weave of Native American tradition from that region with how those traditions can be applied today. The mystery is set in the wilderness of Minnesota where there is lush forest, winter storms, ice, mountains, raw beauty that is untouched my man. The novel is about the ties that bind us, the secrets, love, revenge, anger, and betrayal that bind us also. Cork is reunited with his friend from boyhood, Jubal Little. Cork first meets Jubal Little in a park. Cork, his friends Isiah Broom, and Willie and Winona Crane are in the park. Willie and Winona are twins. A bully, Donner Bigby and his cronies are harrassing Cork and his crew. Jubal shows up to put the bully in his place. It is love at first sight for Jubal and Winona. Everything Jubal touches turns to gold, he very successful his entire life. He plays high school football, where is star quarterback. He then goes to college where he is again a successful football player, recruited for professional football. He meets and marries Camilla Jaeger, where he is encouraged to become a politician. He is in Congress, making a run to be Governor of Minnesota, is almost elected until he goes on a hunt with Cork. Cork, Jubal, Isiah, and Winona were taught to hunt the "old way" by Henry Meloux, a Native American who taught them to stalk their prey. They hunt with a bow and arrow. Jubal is shot in the heart with an arrow and dies where he and Cork have long buried secrets. Cork is a suspect, but not Jubal's killer. He spends his time hunting down Jubal's killer. There are many twists and turns, surprises, secrets covered up, and secrets revealed in this novel. Excellent!