A Librarian’s Dream Fueled by a Patron's Excitement Over Books

It is so much fun to see a patron excited over a book. The other day, a patron came into the asking about more books from a particular author. She had enjoyed all the ones at this library and was looking to reserve more from other libraries. Her excitement just bubbled out of her. Having patrons like that is a librarian’s dream!

The author she was so excited about was William Kent Krueger - and she isn't alone. It has been said that William Kent Krueger just can’t write a bad book and he is no stranger to the New York Times Bestseller List. Booklist described his book as “part adventure, part mystery, all knockout thriller."

The very first book of his series, Iron Lake, introduces us to the character of Corcoran “Cork” O’Connor, a part-Irish, part-Native American former sheriff in a small Minnesota community. The lakes and forests of the North Woods play a role as well in setting the tone of his books. Krueger lives in Minnesota now and although he was not born there, obviously has taken to both the people and the landscape. He says he writes about the Native Americans, the “First People” because he admires the richness of their culture, their history and their tenacity.

In Iron Lake, Cork is a husband (but the marriage is dissolving), a father (of two very different teenage girls, plus a younger son) and an ex-cop who becomes deeply involved with the small town’s darker side. A judge has died of an apparent suicide at the same time as a young Eagle Scout is reported as missing. As the town of Aurora is buried in a blizzard, Cork must face the hardest enemy of all – small town secrets.

There are lots of great books in the library and a lot of great readers who visit the library. It is a librarian’s dream when the two meet up!