The River We Remember.

 

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On Memorial Day, as the people of Jewel, Minnesota gather to remember and honor the sacrifice of so many sons in the wars of the past, the half-clothed body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. Investigation of the murder 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 midcentury American life, The River We Remember is 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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I first became aware of William Kent Kreuger in 2021; when I came across his novel, This Tender Land . I fell in love with his writing, characters, and plot. I was excited when I learned that he was releasing a new book, but my library had a long waiting list. The River We Remember is unlike other book I’ve read by him; it was so much more than I expected the story to be. From beginning to end, this story will keep you on the edge of your seat. I wanted to keep reading to find out more about Jimmy Quinn's death, but I had to put the book down due to other obligations. You'll find yourself thinking about the book even when you're not reading it. 

Jimmy Quinn's death was covered in mystery. I didn't like Jimmy from the start of Brody's investigation into Jimmy's death. He wasn't a good guy, according to what others said about him. I couldn't help but wonder what Jimmy had done this time that someone had had enough and killed him. I had a few suspects in mind while reading the book, but Noah Bluestone wasn't one of them. I understand why he was a suspect; he worked for Jimmy. However, the main reason that others assumed he killed Jimmy was because he was Native American, and I didn't like those accusations. I was curious as to why Noah gave in so easily, without even trying to fight it. I had the impression that he knew something about Jimmy's death that he didn't want others to know. 

I have read few historical fiction mysteries in the past, but unlike this one. The River We Remember provides a unique perspective on police procedures at the time. I had the impression that I had been transformed into the story and was investigating alongside Brody. This story felt very real to me and like something that could happen in a small town. It has been a while since I have read the book, I just haven’t had chance to write the review, and yet I can’t seem to get it out of my head. One of my favorite aspects of his books are the descriptions and images that come to mind as I read them. Wonderfully written. I'm excited to see what adventure awaits us next.