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The River We Remember: A Novel Hardcover – September 5, 2023

by William Kent Krueger (Author)

4.6 12,111 ratings

Editors' pick Best Books of the Year 2023

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AN EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE

In 1958, a small Minnesota town is rocked by a shocking murder, pouring fresh fuel on old grievances in this dazzling novel, an instant New York Times bestseller and “a work of art” (The Denver Post).

On Memorial Day in Jewel, Minnesota, the body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. The investigation falls to Sheriff Brody Dern, a highly decorated war hero who still carries the physical and emotional scars from his military service. Even before Dern has the results of the autopsy, vicious rumors begin to circulate that the killer must be Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran who has recently returned to Jewel with a Japanese wife. As suspicions and accusations mount and the town teeters on the edge of more violence, Dern struggles not only to find the truth of Quinn’s murder but also put to rest the demons from his own past.

Caught up in the torrent of anger that sweeps through Jewel are a war widow and her adolescent son, the intrepid publisher of the local newspaper, an aging deputy, and a crusading female lawyer, all of whom struggle with their own tragic histories and harbor secrets that Quinn’s death threatens to expose.

Both a complex, spellbinding mystery and a masterful portrait of mid-century American life that is “a novel to cherish” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis), The River We Remember offers an unflinching look at the wounds left by the wars we fight abroad and at home, a moving exploration of the ways in which we seek to heal, and a testament to the enduring power of the stories we tell about the places we call home.

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OUR LIVES AND the lives of those we love merge to create a river whose current carries us forward from our beginning to our end. Because we are only one part of the whole, the river each of us remembers is different, and there are many versions of the stories we tell about the past. In all of them there is truth, and in all of them a good deal of innocent misremembering.
Highlighted by 854 Kindle readers
We all die, but some of us—those who are blessed or maybe just lucky—have the opportunity before that end to be redeemed. We can let go, forgive others, and also forgive ourselves for the worst of what we are or have been.
Highlighted by 815 Kindle readers
But war does something vile and irreparable to the human spirit, leaves thick scars on the soul.
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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

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“[Krueger] is a fine storyteller, but it is his understanding of his characters and his sense of the past that make The River We Remember more than just a story. As novels go, this one is a work of art.”—The Denver Post

“The River We Remember may be [Krueger's] magnum opus…deeply moving…intimate and epic in equal measure.” —Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

“William Kent Krueger’s page-turning, rewarding mystery The River We Remember is a superb exploration of the prejudices and complexities of post-World War II America.” —Bookpage (starred review)

“Absorbing. . . combines nostalgic settings with depictions of the lingering hardships and traumas of war and the home front . . . in the decade after WWII.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Tender, evocative.” —Shelf Awareness

“Krueger’s graceful prose coupled with his ability to delve deep into his characters’ inner lives makes The River We Remember a stand-out in a career of excellent novels…[The novel] ebbs and flows to a stunning ending that also is life affirming. This is a story not easily forgotten.” —Sun Sentinel

“Irresistible…Book clubs, here’s your next pick. Find The River We Remember, take it home and shut the door.” —Macro Eagle

“Historical fiction that resonates with our time makes for a great reading experience—especially when it’s done in the literary style of rich, careful language; realistic evocation of place; and deep exploration into character. William Kent Krueger has delivered just this combination in his latest standalone novel, The River We Remember.” —New York Journal of Books

About the Author

William Kent Krueger is the New York Times bestselling author of The River We Remember, This Tender Land, Ordinary Grace (winner of the Edgar Award for best novel), and the original audio novella The Levee, as well as nineteen acclaimed books in the Cork O’Connor mystery series, including Lightning Strike and Fox Creek. He lives in the Twin Cities with his family. Learn more at WilliamKentKrueger.com.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Prologue PROLOGUE
THE ALABASTER RIVER cuts diagonally across Black Earth County, Minnesota, a crooked course like a long crack in a china plate. Flowing out of Sioux Lake, it runs seventy miles before crossing the border into Iowa south of Jewel, the county seat. It’s a lovely river filled with water that’s only slightly silted, making it the color of weak tea. Most folks who’ve grown up in Black Earth County have swum in the river, fished its pools, picnicked on its banks. Except in spring, when it’s prone to flooding, they think of it as an old friend. On quiet nights when the moon is full or nearly so and the surface of the Alabaster is mirror-still and glows pure white in the dark bottomland, to stand on a hillside and look down at this river is to fall in love.

With people, we fall in love too easily, it seems, and too easily fall out of love. But with the land it’s different. We abide much. We can pour our sweat and blood, our very hearts into a piece of earth and get nothing in return but fields of hail-crushed soybean plants or drought-withered cornstalks or fodder for a plague of locusts, and still we love this place enough to die for it. Or kill. In Black Earth County, people understand these things.

If you visit the Alabaster at sunrise or sunset, you’re likely to see the sudden small explosions of water where fish are feeding. Although there are many kinds of fish who make the Alabaster their home, the most aggressive are channel catfish. They’re mudsuckers, bottom feeders, river vultures, the worst kind of scavengers. Channel cats will eat anything.

This is the story of how they came to eat Jimmy Quinn.

Chapter One CHAPTER ONE
IN 1958, MEMORIAL Day fell on a Friday. This was long before the federal government made the celebration officially the final Monday of May. Back then it was still referred to as Decoration Day. Like many rural communities, Jewel took its holidays seriously. The people of Black Earth County were mostly farmers, sensible, hardworking folks. Their days were long, their labor backbreaking. But when they could legitimately give themselves permission to relax and enjoy life, they did a pretty fair job of it. Decoration Day was the first real celebration after the relentless work of spring. By then, the ground had been plowed, harrowed, planted. The honey wagons had spread manure across the seeded fields, and near the end of May, that aroma, which is a peculiar hallmark of farm country, had pretty much disappeared. In its place was a different scent, the fragrance of green shoots and leafed trees and early-blooming wildflowers and, in town, lawns freshly mowed. What had come by the end of May was the smell of promise.

Jewel had always called itself “The Gem of the Prairie.” The grand courthouse on the hill was built twenty years after the Civil War, constructed of granite quarried in the Minnesota River Valley seventy miles north. The shops that lined the main street were all family-owned, and proudly so. It was a small town by most standards. There were no stoplights and the only grocery store was Huber’s, in business since before the turn of the century. If you came from the city, you’d probably have thought of it as sleepy. But in 1958, it was bustling, with lots of life in it. And death, too, as it turned out.

The Decoration Day parade was a grand affair. The veterans dressed up in their uniforms. The oldest was Gunther Haas, who served with Colonel James W. Forsyth’s 7th Cavalry at the battle of Wounded Knee in 1890. The uniforms of the old vets were generally faded and ill-fitting, but a lot of the younger men, who’d fought in World War Two or the Korean War, still looked pretty snappy in their khaki and braid or their navy whites. The veterans were at the center of the parade, Gunther Haas among them, pushed along in his wheelchair, a frail wisp of a man with ill-fitting false teeth and barely enough strength to wave the little flag he held. Up front marched the Jewel High School Band in its final official performance of that school year. The fire department, as it did for every parade, rolled out its two engines and hit their sirens many times along the route, so that the spectators on the sidewalks screamed with delight. Jack Harris, the mayor, was there in a shiny red Edsel convertible that Wheeler’s Ford dealership was still trying to get rid of. Near the end came the Black Earth Trotters, a group of local show riders, on their mounts, the horses decked out in ribbons and high-stepping proudly. The parade moved down the entire length of Jewel’s business district—three blocks of shops and businesses—and turned at the corner of Main and Ash, where chairs had been set on a high platform so that Harris and a few others could speak, offering the kinds of platitudes expected on such a day. Afterward, in Veteran’s Park, there would be picnics and fireworks.

In those days, Jewel’s population hovered around four thousand. A lot of them turned out for the celebration, and a good many farm families came into town as well. Absent that year, as usual, was Brody Dern, sheriff of Black Earth County. Brody would have been among the most decorated of veterans had he chosen to march with the others, but Brody never did. He had duties to attend to, he would say as an excuse, and folks let it go at that.

On the Decoration Day when this story begins, Brody was, in fact, occupied overseeing the one prisoner the county jail held, Felix Klein. Felix wasn’t the kind of man who needed much oversight. When he was sober, he was every bit as decent and peace-loving as the next citizen of Jewel. But Felix had demons inside him, or so he claimed when he’d been hitting the Wild Turkey, and these demons sometimes made him do things he regretted. He tried to set fire to the water tower once. When he sobered up and Brody demanded an explanation, Felix was stumped. And late on the previous New Year’s Eve, Brody had found him wandering Jewel in his long johns, his feet bare. Brody had taken him to the emergency room of the little hospital, where, because of frostbite, they’d had to amputate a couple of toes on both feet. When Brody questioned him, Felix said he couldn’t stand to be in his house any longer, not with Hannah there, crying like that. Hannah was Felix’s wife. By then, she’d been dead a dozen years.

But get him off the bottle and Felix was a man who could carry his own in an intelligent conversation, and he was one hell of a chess player.

That’s precisely what he and Brody were doing that afternoon when the Decoration Day parade was taking place on Main Street. Brody could hear the high school band and the cheers and the applause of those who’d gathered to watch, and now and again he heard the fire engine sirens. Later, when everything had moved to Veteran’s Park, he planned to join his brother’s family and his mother for some cold fried chicken. But at that moment, he was content to be right where he was.

Hector, Brody’s golden retriever, lay on the floor not far from the men. Brody had named him for the noble hero of Troy, and when you looked into that beautiful dog’s soulful brown eyes you knew why.

The sheriff was thirty-five years old, tall and lean. His hair was the color of acorns. He wasn’t handsome, not in the way of Hollywood. In fact, the Amish of the neighboring county would probably have called him very plain and meant it as a high compliment.

With his queen, Brody had just checked Felix’s king and had lifted his coffee mug for a sip when the door to the jailhouse burst open and Herman Ostberg rushed in, breathless.

Brody and Felix looked up from the chessboard, and Hector sprang to his feet. Ostberg was a small, excitable man. For several moments, he just stood there panting, his eyes opened impossibly wide.

“Brody,” the little man managed when he finally caught his breath. “You’ll never guess.”

“No,” Brody replied. “I don’t suppose I will.”

“Jimmy Quinn,” Ostberg gasped.

“What about Quinn?”

“The catfish,” Ostberg said. Then said again, “The catfish.”

Brody was a man who’d seen things in war that had inured him to the shock of normal emergencies in a place like Jewel. No one knew the details of his war experiences but they knew of the medals. To settle the little man, Brody said, “Take a deep breath, Herman, then tell me about Quinn and the catfish.”

Ostberg stared at the two men, one on either side of the chessboard, tried to calm himself, and finally, as if he couldn’t quite believe his own words, said, “They ate him, Brody. They ate him right down to the bone.”

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria Books; Special Signed ED edition (September 5, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 198217921X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982179212
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.44 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6 in Psychic Mysteries
- #10 in Native American Literature (Books)
- #289 in Literary Fiction (Books)

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4.6 12,111 ratings

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William Kent Krueger

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Raised in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, William Kent Krueger briefly attended Stanford University—before being kicked out for radical activities. After that, he logged timber, worked construction, tried his hand at freelance journalism, and eventually ended up researching child development at the University of Minnesota. He currently makes his living as a full-time author. He’s been married for over 40 years to a marvelous woman who is a retired attorney. He makes his home in St. Paul, a city he dearly loves.

Krueger writes a mystery series set in the north woods of Minnesota. His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage—part Irish and part Ojibwe. His work has received a number of awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. His last five novels were all New York Times bestsellers.

"Ordinary Grace," his stand-alone novel published in 2013, received the Edgar Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America in recognition for the best novel published in that year. "Manitou Canyon," number fifteen in his Cork O’Connor series, was released in September 2016. Visit his website at www.williamkentkrueger.com.

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James Walker

Blew Me Away

Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024

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I have read almost every one of William Kent Krueger’s novels and this one blew me away. I cannot recommend this book enough. Writing with such humanity, compassion and a deep understanding of human nature, Krueger weaves an incredibly moving tale of struggle, devastation, friendship, strength and hope. This beautiful story, the remarkable characters, and the many lessons it offers will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.. Thank you Mr. Krueger!

5 people found this helpful

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Laurie Quilligan

Wonderful description of small town life

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024

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I love this author. His characters are so beloved yet flawed. His grasp of small town life and its good and bad are so well depicted. I also loved This Tender Land.

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Trailsboop

A sad, intriguing story

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024

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It took me quite a while to get into the story but about a third of the way through it finally grabbed me. I read it for my book club or I wouldn’t have chosen it. Well written, complicated, lots of different characters that, at times, were difficult to keep track of. Very sad.

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Amazon Customer

Fabulous and touching story

Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2024

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I read a lot and enjoy them all, many by this author, but this was a fabulous and epic story. The characters all touch you deeply. The story moves along at a very fast pace and when your done you want to cry but don’t. Just saver this epic story, the wonderful people of this fictional town. Yes there is darkness in the story also but William Kent Kruger is a gifted story teller and I’m sure you’ll come away, as I did, with a need for more beautiful stories like this one. Thank you Mr. Krueger.

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Larry L. Robbins

The River we Remember

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2024

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Compelling. Could not put the book down. I love the way this author paints a picture with his words. I can see the landscapes and the characters so vividly.

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Mark Sanborn

This is a Phenomenal Book

Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024

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One of my friends who is a voracious reader recommended this book to me and I owe her. The fact that I grew up in a rural area near the era in which the plot is set enriched it for me, that frame of reference isn't necessary. The books starts a bit slowly and builds momentum in a wonderful way. When you first start reading it you don't expect a page turner, but that is exactly what it is. There are many characters but I had no problem tracking them all and understanding the intersection of their stories. The character development makes you care for even the flawed character--and you'll be reminded that none of us is perfect when you find out the backstory about each. I loved the ending, and if I am ever disappointed in a novel, a bad ending is often the case. You can read to be entertained but you will also have the chance to think about human nature, mistakes and redemption. For me this is one of the best novels I've ever read.

8 people found this helpful

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Alan and Emily

Dark Times in a 1950’s Small Town

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2023

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3.5 stars rounded up for The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

In The River We Remember, William Kent Krueger successfully creates memorable characters and a vivid portrait of life in the late 1950’s in a small Minnesota town. I didn’t love the story, though, because the main character is too flawed to be any sort of hero, and there is an overwhelming amount of sadness and darkness. It’s a stark contrast to the Happy Days image of the 50’s that I grew up with, and though the lingering psychological and physical effects from WWII and the Korean War are believable, it still seems improbable that everyone among the vast list of characters would have traumatic backstories. And if the novel itself isn’t sad enough to depress you, the epilogue will definitely do the trick.

Some readers will love Krueger’s picturesque writing and storytelling, but this one’s just not for me.

12 people found this helpful

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Patrick Miskella

A river worth remembering

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2024

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The River We Remember is a phenomenal mystery novel. Krueger creates a myriad of dynamic characters whose interactions are fascinating if not entirely desirable. The reader celebrates and mourns with them and admires the complexity of the author's story.

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takako

prejudice, courage, deep affection

Reviewed in Japan on April 11, 2024

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アメリカのミネソタ州、Black Earth County の小さな田舎町。Alabaster River 沿いに広がる豊かな農地に暮らす人々。1958年、橋の下で1人の男の死体が無残な形で発見される。Jimmy Quinn、広大な農地を所有し、その傲慢なふるまいで町の人々に恐れられ、嫌われている男。だれからも心の中で殺されて当然だと思われている男だ。しかし、雇い人の1人、Noah Bluestone が容疑者として逮捕される。

保安官の Brody Darn、副官、リタイアしていて一時的に復帰したベテランらが捜査にあたる。町の新聞記者、女性弁護士、カフェを切り盛りする女性とその息子、Brody の兄とその家族、様々な人々が関わる。それぞれが大戦の暗い体験がもたらした心身ともに深い傷をかかえているが、互いに信頼しあい温かな関係が築かれている。

Jimmy Quinn には最初の妻との間に２人の子ども、２度目の妻との間に３人の子どもがいる。その家族関係は度し難い歪みを内包している。
そして Noah はアメリカ原住民で米軍の沖縄からの帰還兵で、日本人の妻 Kyoko がいる。大戦からまだ10年あまり、町の人々のインディアンと日本人の夫婦に対する感情はいわれのない偏見と敵意が根強い。故に Noah Bluestone が犯人と決めつけられてしまうのだ。Kyoko の心情が痛ましい。

真実はいったい何なのか。それが明かされる過程は、Brody をはじめ、関わる人々の思惑が繊細に描かれていて、味わい深い。多くのエピソードが織り込まれ、しみじみとした情感が漂う。また Alabaster River と町の佇まい、自然の移りゆきの描写も美しく、秀逸。

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