Sulfur Springs

Written by William Kent Krueger

Narrated by David Chandler

In William Kent Krueger's latest pulse-pounding thriller, Cork O'Connor's search for a missing man in the Arizona desert puts him at the center of a violent power struggle along the Mexican border, a struggle that might cost Cork everything and everyone he holds most dear. On the Fourth of July, just as fireworks are about to go off in Aurora, Minnesota, Cork O'Connor and his new bride Rainy Bisonette listen to a desperate voicemail left by Rainy's son, Peter. The message is garbled and full of static, but they hear Peter confess to the murder of someone named Rodriguez. When they try to contact him, they discover that his phone has gone dead. The following morning, Cork and Rainy fly to Coronado County in southern Arizona, where Peter has been working as a counselor in a well-known drug rehab center. When they arrive, they learn that Peter was fired six months earlier and hasn't been heard from since. So they head to the little desert town of Sulfur Springs where Peter has been receiving his mail. But no one in Sulfur Springs seems to know him. They do, however, recognize the name Rodriguez. Carlos Rodriguez is the head of a cartel that controls everything illegal crossing the border from Mexico into Coronado County. As they gather scraps of information about Peter, Cork and Rainy are warned that there is a war going on along the border. "Trust no one in Coronado County," is a refrain they hear again and again. And to Cork, Arizona is alien country. The relentless heat and absence of water, tall trees, and cool forests feel nightmarish to him, as does his growing sense that Rainy might know more about what's going on than she's willing to admit. And if he can't trust Rainy, who can he trust? Featuring Krueger's signature talent of "creating strong characters, building drama and conflict, braiding in Indian legend and spirituality, and spinning a good yarn" (Minneapolis Star Tribune), Sulfur Springs is a fresh, exhilarating, and white-knuckle mystery starring one of the greatest heroes of fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781501965562

William Kent Krueger

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.

Reviews for Sulfur Springs

[drapple_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this installment Cork travels to the desert southwest because his wife, Rainy, has gotten a call that her son is in trouble. They encounter warring cartels, drugs, coyotes bringing in illegal immigrants, and townspeople who are owned by one of these groups. I did not like this as well as the books set in Cork's homeland.

[linusnc-990618 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Good story but sadly this seems to be the case with book series that continue through 2017 publication. They begin to lean on politics instead of telling stories which is why we read them In the first place. Would be 4 stars if the story was told without the politics. When you go into story telling with a agenda your story suffers. The Garrison Keillor praise did not hold up well.

[Colleen Hart · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this series! The stories, characters and the scenic descriptions are absolutely engaging. Thank you!

[waldhaus1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A garbled phone call from Rainey’s son Peter sends buth Rainey and Cork to a remote Arizona location where they face searing heat, monsoon rains and drug cartels and they have no way to tell who to trust.

[andy_dimartino · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Read this last week but nobody had uploaded it here yet. Another good Cork yarn that takes us to Arizona for a change of scenery.

[jepeters333 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

On the Fourth of July, just as fireworks are about to go off in Aurora, Minnesota, Cork O’Connor and his new bride Rainy Bisonette listen to a desperate voicemail left by Rainy's son, Peter. The message is garbled and full of static, but they hear Peter confess to the murder of someone named Rodriguez. When they try to contact him, they discover that his phone has gone dead.The following morning, Cork and Rainy fly to Coronado County in southern Arizona, where Peter has been working as a counselor in a well-known drug rehab center. When they arrive, they learn that Peter was fired six months earlier and hasn’t been heard from since. So they head to the little desert town of Sulfur Springs where Peter has been receiving his mail. But no one in Sulfur Springs seems to know him. They do, however, recognize the name Rodriguez. Carlos Rodriguez is the head of a cartel that controls everything illegal crossing the border from Mexico into Coronado County.As they gather scraps of information about Peter, Cork and Rainy are warned that there is a war going on along the border. “Trust no one in Coronado County,” is a refrain they hear again and again. And to Cork, Arizona is alien country. The relentless heat and absence of water, tall trees, and cool forests feel nightmarish to him, as does his growing sense that Rainy might know more about what's going on than she's willing to admit. And if he can't trust Rainy, who can he trust?

[zmagic69 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A quick summer read. I have not read any other books in this series,but the book was written well enough that it didn’t matter. There isn’t really a mystery this is more of a “thriller” and figuring out who the mole in the organization was pretty easy.The author is a little too preachy about the plight of illegals coming into this country but since is is a liberal from Minnesota, that was to be expected, as far as what side of the debate he would agree with.That being said this author can write well crafted books that keeps your attention throughout.

[jwrudn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Sulfur Springs is the latest installment in the Cork O’Connor series. Part Ojibwe, Cork is a former sheriff, now PI. He is ogichidaa, one who stands between evil and his people. This book is a departure from previous ones. It takes place in Arizona, far from Northern Minnesota, has little of the Ojibwe lore, and features none of Cork’s family or characters from previous books, other than his new wife Rainy Bisonette.When Rainy receives a desperate, garbled call from her son Peter, Cork and Rainy travel to a border town in Arizona to learn that he has disappeared. When their car is blown up, they find themselves drawn into a complex web of drug smugglers, vigilantes, corrupt policemen, and Friends of the Desert who help refugees cross the border to safety. Cork learns that there is much about Rainy’s past that she has kept from him and begins to doubt whether he can even trust her.I did not think this was one of the stronger books in the series. Perhaps I missed the familiar setting and characters of previous books. And I guessed early on one of the betrayers who is revealed at the end of the book. I definitely would not recommend it as a book to start the series with. Still, Krueger can write: sweat does not just roll down the body, it trickles down “like the crawl of flies.” And sympathy for the refugees and recognition that a border barrier will do little to keep out desperate people, both good and bad, may be a comment on current politics. Although not my favorite, it is still a good read.

[jamespurcell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cork and Rainy travel to Arizona to rescue her son Peter, from her previous marriage who has been aiding terrified women and children stranded in this appalling and incredibly dangerous place. Coronado County is the locus for drug smuggling with its attendant Mexican crime cartels and their reign of terror over immigrant families seeking sanctuary in the US. Corruption within local law enforcement makes it very difficult for them to find trustworthy allies.Danger is everywhere and bodies pile up rapidly as Cork is exposed to elements of Rainy's past that challenge their relationship and commitment to each other. Their personal values, beliefs and mores are seriously challenged as they work their way out of this bloody quagmire.Fast paced as Cork needs to surmount hostile and dangerous terrain very different from the lakes and woods of his usual Minnesota environs. Different arena but his skills, knowledge and practices are equal to the task.

[diana.hauser · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

SULFER SPRINGS by William Kent Krueger is the latest title in the Cork O’Connor mystery series.“Cork O’Connor’s search for a missing man in the Arizona desert puts him at the center of a violent power struggle along the Mexican border.”The missing man is his stepson, Peter. Cork’s wife, Rainy Bisonette, receives a troubling, garbled phone call from Peter which sends both Rainy and Cork to southern Arizona to check on Peter’s lifestyle and whereabouts.This is a bit of a venue change from our usual northern Minnesota Tamarack County terrain. I missed it a bit - the Boundary Waters, the forest, the Anishinaabe (Ojibway) presence.The background issues are very timely, also - maybe more so than in previous titles. Immigration, Border politics and conflicts, drug cartels, nasty, vengeful violence, drug use and rehabilitation. I did like Mr. Krueger’s thoughts and attempts to show a realistic portrayal of this area and its very emotional issues.Mr. Krueger develops very detailed, strong characters; a sense of place; drama; suspense; conflict; and fascinating Indian legend and spirituality. William Kent Krueger is a very thoughtful writer and his signature character, Cork O’Connor, is a very thoughtful, reflective, insightful one.

[beamis12 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Number 16 in the Cork O'Connor series, have been reading these for a long time, and am still excited when I see a new one being published. Cork's family, so familiar to me, like a visit to catch up on old friends. Cork himself, his role of defending the good against evil, which he has done many times. The very old Henri, the midi, a man of uncommon wisdom and peace. Wonder how it would feel to always see the clear path through life. In this one he only makes a brief appearance, but his words are quoted throughout, in times of great need.Cork and Rainy find themselves in Arizona after an alarming call from Rainys grown son. They arrive in Coronado County where they find the selves in danger, not knowing who to trust. Close to the border there are many elements at play, drug cartels, crooked police, border patrols, a dangerous group again the illegal immigrants coming over the border, the coyotes who take advantage of the same, and those committed to helping them. There are gun fights, showdowns, some good supporting characters and best of all we learn a little more about Rainy.There is also much of the author and his views in this one, he makes clear which side of the immigrant debate he stands on. This bothered me a little but then I thought if I could write, I probably would take the opportunity to use my writing as a platform. P!us, this is fiction, and it does all fit nicely in the story. Although we are asked not to quote from advance copies, I found these relatively simple words so powerful I decided to end my review with them, "In news reports, we watched the wall along the Mexican border expand, the folly of a belief that what we had to fear came from the outside."ARC from publisher.Publishes August 22nd from Atria.