Lightning Strike: A Novel

This Tender Land is a prequel to the Cork OConnor series by William Kent Krueger, exploring fathers and sons, long-simmering conflicts, and the events that echo through youth and shape our lives forever. In 1963, twelve-year-old Cork OConnor discovers a man's body in an abandoned logging camp, causing him to question everything he thought he knew about his hometown and family. His father, Liam OConnor, is the sheriff investigating the death, and Cork begins to look for answers on his own. The novel explores the ultimate test of choosing between what our heads tell us is true and what our hearts know is right.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 14 October 2021
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Aurora, a small town nestled in the ancient forest alongside the shores of Minnesota's Iron Lake, holds a special place in the heart of twelve-year-old Cork OConnor during the summer of 1963. Its rhythms are as familiar as his own heartbeat, creating a world that feels like his own. However, everything changes when Cork stumbles upon the lifeless body of a man he deeply admired hanging from a tree in an abandoned logging camp. This tragic discovery sets in motion a series of events that challenge Cork's understanding of his hometown, his family, and himself.

Cork's father, Liam OConnor, is the sheriff of Aurora, tasked with confirming that the man's death was indeed a suicide, as the evidence suggests. However, in the shadow of his father's official investigation, Cork embarks on his own quest for answers. Together, father and son face the ultimate test of choosing between what their heads tell them is true and what their hearts know is right.

William Kent Krueger, the acclaimed author of the instant New York Times bestseller "This Tender Land," returns with a powerful prequel to his acclaimed Cork OConnor series. In this masterful story, Krueger delves into the complexities of fathers and sons, long-simmering conflicts in a small Minnesota town, and the events that echo through youth and shape our lives forever.

Aurora, a picturesque town nestled in the ancient forest, is a world unto itself for Cork. Its rhythms are as familiar as his own heartbeat, and he finds solace in its peaceful embrace. However, when he discovers the lifeless body of a man he revered, hanging from a tree in an abandoned logging camp, his world is turned upside down. This tragic event sets in motion a series of events that challenge Cork's understanding of his hometown, his family, and himself.

As Cork delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes that the man's death is not the only secret hidden in Aurora. The town is on the cusp of change, and tensions are running high. Cork's father, Liam, is caught in the middle of a conflict between the town's old guard and a group of newcomers who are eager to transform the town. Cork's search for answers takes him into the heart of this conflict, where he must confront his own beliefs and values.

Through his journey, Cork learns that some mysteries can be solved, while others surpass our understanding. He discovers the importance of empathy, compassion, and the power of forgiveness. He also learns that the choices we make in our youth can have a profound impact on our lives, shaping our futures and the world around us.

"Aurora" is a masterful story that explores the complexities of human relationships, the impact of trauma, and the search for truth. It is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the ability of literature to shed light on the human experience. William Kent Krueger's writing is elegant and evocative, drawing the reader into the world of Aurora and immersing them in its rich tapestry of characters and events.

In conclusion, "Aurora" is a must-read for anyone who loves literary fiction, historical fiction, or stories that explore the human condition. It is a powerful prequel to the Cork OConnor series that offers a deeper understanding of the characters and the town that shaped them. William Kent Krueger's writing is masterful, and the story is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 161 x 236 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781982128685