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Book Review By Harriet Klausner
Blood Hollow by William Kent Kreuger



Atria, Feb 2004, 24.00, 344 pp.
ISBN: 0743445864

In Aurora, Minnesota, seventeen years old Charlotte Kane vanishes after being seen at a New Year's Eve Party. A search led by Sheriff Wally Shanno of the Northwoods in frozen January turns up nothing. Four thawing months later, the daughter of wealthy recluse Dr. Fletcher Kane is found dead. The locals have no confidence in Shanno and his staff solving the hideous homicide so many encourage former sheriff turned hamburger establishment owner Cork O'Connor to investigate the crime.

While Shanno leans towards Ojibwa Solemn Winter Moon, whom the victim romantically toyed with, Cork sees several possible other suspects with stronger motives and opportunities. He beings questioning Charlotte's father and Catholic Father Mal Thorne as the former law enforcement official tries to do what he perceives is the right thing, justice for the dead that no longer can obtain such on their own.

BLOOD HOLLOW is a strong private investigative tale with obvious police procedural elements involved due to the official inquiry and the hero's background. The story line brings home the unbearably cold and desolate landscape (keep the heat on) as few novels can so that the background makes the investigation seem even bleaker yet also shows the strength of character of some of the cast especially Cork. Though he makes progress in his family relationships, he sees a bit too ideally perfect unofficially wearing his old sheriff's hat, but fans will appreciate a moral outstanding citizen seeking resolution for someone who is beyond caring what happens.

Harriet Klausner


Plot & Themes
Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain? - Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 70%
Kind of investigator
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
descript. of violence and chases - 10 %
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10 %
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's
Ethnicity/Race

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Motive of antagonist - jealousy
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - West

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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