'Lightning Strike' novel is electric for readers

 SCAPPOOSE, Oregon - William Kent Krueger's Lightning Strike begins with the trappings of a murder mystery - which it is, in part.

   But before the first chapter is finished, it's clear the novel is also a coming-of-age story, commentary on intermarriage between Native Americans and non-natives, and a sharply tuned look at the interplay of the ultra-rich with the poor.

   On top of all that it's a page turner that's almost impossible to put down.

   The story is set in the early 1960s in the area around Minnesota's Iron Lake - a real place you can look up if you want to see it though a non-fiction lens. But Krueger has created a detailed fictional world that should make most readers feel as if they visited.

   Lightning Strike also is a short course in the culture of the Native American Ojibwe tribe, highlighted by the clash between non-Ojibwe law enforcement and the tribal members over two Native American deaths. The clash pieces point out the beliefs of the Ojibwe and how difficult it is for the non-Objiwe to relate.

   The story is told through the eyes of 12-year-old Cork O'Connor, who is also the main character in other Krueger works.

   The chapters are relatively short. Some end with cliffhanger episodes, many have a philosophical ending that has readers pondering.

   Besides a solid mystery yarn, Lightning Strike is also often a warm family tale. But, a warning. There's plenty of heartache lurking, too.

 If this latest William Kent Krueger novel strikes a chord with you, Krueger has a long list of other books that have garnered excellent reviews, too. Krueger is a NY Times best-selling author and lives in St. Paul Minnesota with his family.

  Lightning Strike was published by Atria Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster of NY. It's available on the new book shelf at the Scappoose Public Library in Scappoose, Oregon and bookstores.

(Review by Michael J. Fitzgerald)