16. "Boundary Waters" by William Kent Krueger

I'm always on the hunt for good mysteries set in fascinating and/or unusual locales, and my introduction to William Kent Krueger's work via Boundary Waters didn't disappoint. Set in northern Minnesota near the Anishinaabe reservation, the novel features former sheriff and current burger man Cork O'Connor. As winter descends on the eponymous boundary waters, O'Connor guides a troubled Anishinaabe ex-convict, his 10-year-old son, a worried father, and abrasive federal agents into the wilderness. Their quarry is Shiloh, a country singer who's holed up in a remote cabin for months but whose life is now threatened. Fifteen years earlier, she witnessed her mother's murder, and recent therapy may have brought back her memories of the killer. The two men suspected of the crime converge on O'Connor's hometown, but their motives may be more complex than they appear.

This is Krueger's second novel, and it lacks the polish of a more seasoned writer. But he captures the feel of the land extremely well, portrays the native characters with empathy and respect, and weaves a suspenseful mystery that had me flipping backward to look for clues I'd missed. I'm definitely planning to read more of his books!