As legend has it there is a vengeful
spirit named Michi Peshu, or Windigo. That terrible creature will
call your name before it satiates its hunger for human flesh by first
ripping your heart from your chest and then consuming it and the rest
of your body. It is said to dwell in Lake Superior and the
surrounding area, but to prefer Windigo Island over the surrounding
area. It is that small island where late one night the body of a
local Indian girl, Carrie Verga, arrives to terrorize three boys who
were on the island because of a middle of the night dare.
Carrie Verga was a young runaway are
many of the girls of the local tribes. She took off with a young girl
by the name of Mariah Arceneaux. She is distant family to Cork
O'Connor's friends Rainy and Henry Meloux. As is Daniel English who
has brought word of what happened and is requesting help. While the
girls vanished over a year ago, the discovery of Carrie's body has
spurred her mother who has significant health and other issues to
turn to Daniel Silva for help. They need Cork O'Connor's help in
locating Mariah and bringing her back home. He is reluctant as there
is so little to go on and after recent events he does not want to
start poking around in a new case. Jenny clearly wants to help and
because of that Cork agrees to check a few things out and see if
anything can be discovered.
What follows is a very complicated tale
full of spirituality and nuance featuring complicated characters and
a complex far reaching plot. Broken into three distinct sections, the
point of view shifts from Cork O'Connor to Jenny and then back to
Cork O'Connor. A distinct point of the middle section in the
consideration by Jenny of how her father has changed over the years
and when or even if the taking of a life is justified. One gets the
sense that the author might be considering a spin off type series
featuring Jenny. If so, such a series could prove very interesting as
there is much material to work with her back story as well as by way
of what happens in this novel.
Windigo Island: A Novel
is another good one from William Kent Krueger. Once again he pays
tribute to the land and its people while also delivering a mighty
good mystery.
Windigo Island: A Novel
William Kent Krueger
Atria Books (Simon and Schuster)
2014
ISBN# 978-1-4767-423-5
345 Pages
$24.99
Material supplied by the good folks of
the Plano Texas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple (c) 2014
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2 comments:
I haven't started this series yet but it's on my "to read" list as I have the strong feeling it's one of those best read in order. As usual, a well done review! The Wendigo caught my attention because long ago I read the Algernon Blackwood story of that title. I still shiver when I think of it.
Jeanne
Yes, one must read this series in order. And thank you for the compliment.
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