The River We Remember: A Novel

Written by William Kent Krueger

Narrated by CJ Wilson

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Sep 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9781797161006

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 The River We Remember

[Clay362 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this author's stories and the imperfect but beautiful people in them.

[nick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thought this book was going to be slow but it wasn't at all. The book was detailed but not too detailed, interesting and layered. VERY Well written learning about the character's backstory as the book progressed. Glad there was an epilogue I was wondering about Scott.

[Christina McGowan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The hidden secrets of the characters in this community made the town feel very intense.
I liked most of them very much. Especially Scott and Brody. The things that happened in their lives changed them forever.
I liked mulling over their thoughts with them as they faced hard decisions and enjoyed the little peace they had.
It’s a riveting story! One I won’t forget in a long time. Most of all I loved the way the community came together in the end.

[Kristi Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this one, definitely gives me Capote vibes.

[Peggy Stolf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Such a good story, would highly recommend reading it. Peg

[Lauralyn Johnson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was just okay. Kind of slow. Good guy dies.

[Rich Mead · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Like the character building and internal conflicts. Good read in my opinion.

[Thelma Cameron · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the best Kruger I have read/heard. Such a wonderful story. Thank you

[Margaret · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent story. Well written. Best I've heard in a very long time.

[Scott Jenkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Because I am about the same age as Mr. Krueger, I was able to relate with his words. I am set to start another of his books.

[Jynessa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Top of the line…. I love the main reader also

[Leah Barton Tew · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. I rarely give a book more than three stars, so four stars means I thought it was excellent. Five stars are reviewed for books that are truly literature and are destined to be classics, if they already aren’t.

This book has great plot and character development and doesn’t insult the reader with eye rollingly ridiculous “factual” liberties. And only very rarely is it “over written”, which is when the author writes in a way that mostly just shows off what a great writer they are, or how enlightened they are, etc - essentially, writing to appease their own ego. All writers do this, and some do it so much that I want to beat my head against the wall (it gets cheesy). I only noticed it once or twice in this book, which is incredibly rare.

[sandra eike · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great book with excellent character development and story-telling appeal

[Deena Sumner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely Adored it. Literally could not stop listening to it.

[suzywells · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really good book! Great character development & very interesting story line!!!!

[Hanna Efraimson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing listen. I have tears in my eyes. What a talented author!

[Karin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a beautiful heartfelt book full of compassion and tenderness.

[Alicia Daas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mr. Krueger writes about the land and its people so well. The novels that are set in Minnesota are my favorites.

[Tamara Walters · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing story!!! Really enjoyed listening!! Narration was wonderful!!! Very good!

[Amber Oliver · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent read!!! The author paints a beautiful picture with words to keep a picture in your mind long after you put the book down. 10/10!

[Joyce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The storyteller.
It’s been along time since I’ve read such a compelling book. One that I fought to put down when I needed to do errands, housekeeping, go to bed, etc.
Great read. Once again not disappointed .

[Gary W. Reeves · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 Drew me right in. The author of This Tender Land won me over again

[l ekelund · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

so many layers. scary, loving and just beautiful. a saga from just after the wars. And to top this off. It is read by an amazing narrator, CJ Wilson.
I hope you like and choose this book. It is a long read worth every minute and page turned.

[Amber Johnson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I want to give 4.5 stars…but that’s not an option. This tragic story was riveting; full of complex characters and descriptive imagery. I grew used to the narrator’s voice and style by the end, but I did find it difficult in the first half of the book to get past the intonation he gave many characters’s lines, making them sound unnecessarily argumentative, or unintelligent. This was particularly true of his interpretation of the female characters. It did improve as the story progressed—I’ll give him that. And I plan on looking for other books by this author, so overall I suppose I recommend the listen.

[Wendy Snead · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

such a nice surprise. i think i saw the title on bookbub and saved it for my next up after reading their little synopsis. i sure am glad i did. the narrator has a soothe as silk voice and the story is as full of twists and turns as the river in the title. give this one a shot. i think you will be glad you did.

[Deb Krsnich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read all of William Kent Krueger's books and there was only one I didn't think rose to the same level of quality. This was not that book. This book was richly descriptive, surrendering new evidence and information only once you assumed the current was pointing you in a different direction. Very well done.

[Wendy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful. A lyrical book, in both the flow of the story and the reading. I have read many of William Kent Kruger’s books, and I think this is his most powerful. The story itself kept me turning pages, and I felt immersed in the rural community and the lands and river. They are visually and aurally alive. Most of all though, I loved the characters. They embodied the cruelty and frailty and the courage, generosity and stoicism of so many ordinary/extraordinary lives. I did not want to say goodbye to any of them!

[Jonnie Furmanchik · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I chose this book because of previous books I’ve read from this talented writer. It was a great choice. I found the story started a bit slow but it did not disappoint. I enjoyed this immensely. Characters are rich, real and flawed.

[Janet Jonjack · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed “This Tender Land” it’s a five star book. This however is even better. My enjoyment and fulfillment with the story doubled. This is a ten star book.

I alternated between wanting to binge it and wanting to savor it. Jewel, Minnesota and the dozens of characters in this place captivated me beyond belief. It is one hell of a story!

[Yolan Shiffrin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful story. Kept me glued!! Loved this and loved the narrator.