William Kent Krueger at a Glance

Full Name: William Kent Krueger

Pronunciation: WIL-yum kent KROO-gur

Born: November 16, 1950

Nationality: United States

Genres:

• Mystery and crime fiction

Biography & Background

William Kent Krueger Biography

William Kent Krueger is an American writer of crime fiction. Although Krueger knew he wanted to be a writer from a young age, his path getting there was not straightforward. Born in Wyoming, he attended Stanford University in California but lost his scholarship after protesting the university’s ties to the Vietnam War. He went on to work a variety of jobs, including logging and freelance journalism, and moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he found time to pursue his creative writing in the early morning hours. He published his debut novel, Iron Lake, in 1998.

That novel was also the first in Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series. Set in Minnesota, the series follows a detective of Irish and Anishinaabe heritage and touches on Indigenous history and experience, drawing on Krueger’s longstanding interest in cultural anthropology. He has since published 19 additional books in the series, many of which became New York Times bestsellers (Valeri, John B. “The Dynamism of Growth: William Kent Krueger on Milestones and Making the Familiar Fresh Again.” Crime Reads, 21 Aug. 2024). Krueger has also published several standalone novels, including 2013’s Ordinary Grace and its companion novel, 2019’s This Tender Land. In addition to drawing inspiration from the landscape and peoples of Minnesota, Krueger has cited writers such as Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck as influences.

Fun Facts About William Kent Krueger

• Krueger still practices the same routine he developed in his early years as a writer: rising early, going to a café, and writing in a spiral notebook (“About.” williamkentkrueger.com).
• To ensure both accuracy and sensitivity, Krueger asks one or more of his friends in the Anishinaabe community to read all of his Cork O’Connor drafts.
• Krueger’s favorite fictional villain is Professor Moriarty of the Sherlock Holmes stories; his favorite hero is Gus McCrae of Lonesome Dove (“Interview with William Kent Krueger.” Goodreads, 14 Nov. 2009).

William Kent Krueger’s Awards & Honors

• 2002 — Minnesota Book Award (Purgatory Ridge)
• 2005 — Anthony Award for Best Novel (Blood Hollow)
• 2006 — Anthony Award for Best Novel (Mercy Falls)
• 2007 — Minnesota Book Award (Copper River)
• 2008 — Dilys Award (Thunder Bay)
• 2008 — Minnesota Book Award (Thunder Bay)

Interviews & Podcasts

Hear from William Kent Krueger in his own words.

Interviews with William Kent Krueger

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The Dynamism of Growth: William Kent Krueger on Milestones and Making the Familiar Fresh Again (August 21, 2024)

In this revealing interview for fans of both series and standalone fiction, Krueger reflects on sustaining creativity across his long-running Cork O’Connor series and his standalone novels. He shares how he keeps his storytelling fresh while honoring recurring themes like family, justice, and community.

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Minnesota Writer William Kent Krueger on the Importance of Place (June 2, 2023)

In this interview, Krueger discusses how Minnesota’s landscapes and communities have shaped his novels, particularly the Cork O’Connor series. Readers will gain insight into how setting becomes a character in his work.

Podcasts with William Kent Krueger

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William Kent Krueger: The River We Remember (October 20, 2023)

Krueger talks about his latest novel, The River We Remember, and its exploration of small-town dynamics, moral complexity, and the shadow of war. He also shares his reflections on writing historical fiction rooted in empathy.

_{HISTORY THROUGH FICTION}

William Kent Krueger (October 1, 2020)

This episode focuses on Krueger’s writing process, his relationship with historical research, and how he integrates Indigenous history and culture into his storytelling.

William Kent Krueger Quotes

We breathe love in and we breathe love out. It’s the essence of our existence, the very air of our souls.

— This Tender Land (2019)

He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain, which cannot forget, falls drop by drop upon the heart, until in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful graces of God.

— Ordinary Grace (2013)

Our former selves are never dead. We speak to them, arguing against decisions we know will bring only unhappiness, offering consolation and hope, even though they cannot hear.

— This Tender Land (2019)

I used to ask for an easy life, now I ask to be strong.

— Iron Lake (1998)

I wanted to talk about racism. I wanted to talk about war, the way we characterize it, and the myth that we continue to feed our sons, particularly. But I didn’t want to write a polemic. Nobody’s going to read that, so if you wrap the ideas that you want to get across to a reader in a really good, compelling story, you get the point across so much more effectively.

— interview with BookPage (William Kent Krueger Dives into the Darkness of 1950s America, 2023)

Notable Books by William Kent Krueger

Iron Lake (1998)

Krueger’s debut novel introduces Cork O’Connor, a former sheriff of mixed Irish and Anishinaabe descent, drawn into a murder investigation in rural Minnesota. The book launches the Cork O’Connor series, blending mystery with Indigenous history, wilderness survival, and themes of justice.

Awards:

• 1999 — Minnesota Book Award (Iron Lake)
• 1999 — Anthony Award for Best First Novel (Iron Lake)
• 1999 — Barry Award for Best First Novel (Iron Lake)

Discover more with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Ordinary Grace (2013)

Winner of the Edgar Award, this standalone novel follows a boy coming of age in 1960s Minnesota amid a series of tragic events. Through lyrical prose and moral reflection, Krueger explores grief, family, and faith.

Awards:

• 2014 — Edgar Award for Best Novel

Ready to dig in? Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

This Tender Land (2019)

Set during the Great Depression, this novel follows four orphans who embark on a life-changing journey down the Mississippi River. Combining adventure with a deep examination of friendship, hope, and survival, Krueger’s storytelling draws comparisons to The Odyssey and Huckleberry Finn.

Explore the full breakdown with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Authors Like William Kent Krueger

Louise Penny

Recommended Read: Still Life (2005)

This first installment in Penny’s Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series introduces readers to the small town of Three Pines, where a suspicious death exposes hidden tensions. Like Krueger, Penny pairs mystery with introspection and a strong sense of place.

Explore the full breakdown with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Craig Johnson

Recommended Read: The Cold Dish (2004)

Johnson’s debut novel follows Sheriff Walt Longmire as he investigates a murder rooted in an older crime involving Indigenous American teenagers. Fans of Krueger will appreciate Johnson’s blend of Western landscapes, moral complexity, and procedural suspense.

Uncover more about this book with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Louise Erdrich

Recommended Read: The Round House (2012)

Erdrich’s novel tells the story of a young Ojibwe boy seeking justice after a violent crime upends his community. Like Krueger, Erdrich writes with empathy about Indigenous identity, family bonds, and the pursuit of justice.

Uncover more with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Follow William Kent Krueger

Connect with William Kent Krueger on the following platforms:

• Website: williamkentkrueger.com
• Facebook: William Kent Krueger
• Instagram: @williamkentkrueger
• X: @WmKentKrueger
• YouTube: William Kent Krueger
• Pinterest: @wkkrueger