This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Ordinary Grace

   

   "Ordinary Grace" is a coming-of-age novel set in a small Minnesota town in the 1960s. The story follows Frank, a thirteen-year-old boy, as he navigates the complexities of family, friendship, and the harsh realities of life and death. When a series of tragic events befall the community, Frank is forced to confront the fragility of life and the power of forgiveness, ultimately learning valuable lessons about love, loss, and the importance of cherishing ordinary moments.

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2. 2. The River We Remember

   

   Set in a small Minnesota town in the aftermath of World War II, the story unfolds around the mysterious death of a prominent local figure, leading to a complex investigation that unearths long-buried secrets and tensions within the community. As the town's sheriff, a war veteran himself, navigates the intricacies of the case, themes of memory, trauma, and redemption are explored, revealing the interconnected lives of the townspeople and the impact of past events on their present. The narrative weaves together elements of mystery and historical fiction, capturing the essence of a community grappling with change and the enduring scars of war.

3. 3. This Tender Land

   

   Set during the Great Depression, the story follows four orphans—Odie, Albert, Mose, and Emmy—who escape from a harsh boarding school in Minnesota and embark on a life-changing journey down the Mississippi River. As they seek freedom and a place to call home, they encounter a variety of characters and challenges that test their resilience and shape their understanding of family, friendship, and faith. Through their adventures, the narrative explores themes of survival, redemption, and the search for belonging in a turbulent world.

4. 4. Fox Creek

   

   Set against the backdrop of the rugged Minnesota wilderness, this gripping mystery follows Cork O'Connor, a former sheriff turned private investigator, as he embarks on a perilous quest to protect a woman and her son from a relentless killer. As they navigate the treacherous terrain of Fox Creek, Cork must rely on his instincts and deep understanding of the land to outwit their pursuer. The story weaves together themes of survival, redemption, and the enduring power of nature, creating a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
5. 5. Desolation Mountain

   

   In a remote corner of Minnesota, a mysterious plane crash claims the life of a U.S. senator and her family, setting off a chain of events that draws Cork O'Connor, a former sheriff turned private investigator, into a web of conspiracy and danger. As Cork delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a tangled mix of political intrigue, corporate greed, and hidden agendas, all while grappling with his own personal demons and the haunting visions of his son, Stephen. With the help of his family and the local Ojibwe community, Cork must navigate a treacherous path to uncover the truth behind the tragedy and protect those he loves from the shadows lurking in the wilderness.

6. 6. Sulfur Springs

   

   Set against the sweltering backdrop of the Arizona desert, this gripping mystery follows Cork O'Connor as he embarks on a perilous journey to find his missing son-in-law, Peter. When a cryptic voicemail from Peter hints at danger, Cork and his wife, Rainy, are drawn into a web of secrets and deceit that stretches across the border into Mexico. As they delve deeper into the harsh realities of drug cartels and human trafficking, they must confront their own pasts and the lengths they will go to protect their family. The narrative weaves suspense with themes of redemption and the enduring power of love.

7. 7. Manitou Canyon

   

   In this gripping mystery set against the rugged backdrop of Minnesota's Boundary Waters, a seasoned private investigator embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind a man's mysterious disappearance. As he navigates the unforgiving wilderness, he is haunted by personal demons and the haunting beauty of the landscape. With time running out and danger lurking at every turn, he must rely on his instincts and resilience to unravel a web of secrets that threaten to consume him and those he holds dear.

8. 8. Windigo Island

   

   In this gripping mystery, a young Native American girl is found dead on the shores of Lake Superior, sparking a harrowing investigation led by private investigator Cork O'Connor. As he delves into the dark underbelly of human trafficking and exploitation, Cork uncovers a tangled web of secrets and lies that threaten the very fabric of the community. With the haunting legend of the Windigo—a malevolent spirit—looming over the case, Cork must navigate the treacherous waters of cultural tensions and personal demons to bring justice to the victim and protect those he loves.

9. 9. Tamarack County

   

   In a small Minnesota town, a chilling mystery unfolds as a series of unsettling events disrupt the community's tranquility. A judge's wife goes missing, and as the search intensifies, long-buried secrets and old grudges resurface, threatening to unravel the fabric of the town. With a backdrop of harsh winter landscapes, the investigation delves into the complexities of human nature, exploring themes of justice, redemption, and the enduring impact of past actions. The narrative weaves together a tapestry of suspense and emotion, drawing readers into a world where every character harbors hidden depths and every clue leads to unexpected revelations.
10. 10. Trickster's Point

    

    In this gripping mystery set against the backdrop of Minnesota's rugged wilderness, a seasoned private investigator finds himself embroiled in a complex web of political intrigue and personal vendettas. As he grapples with the murder of a prominent politician, who was also a childhood friend, he must navigate a labyrinth of secrets and lies that threaten to unravel his own past. With the clock ticking and the stakes higher than ever, he races to uncover the truth, all while confronting the haunting memories of his youth and the dark forces that lurk in the shadows of his hometown.

11. 11. Northwest Angle

    

    In this gripping mystery set against the rugged backdrop of the Lake of the Woods, a remote area straddling the U.S.-Canada border, a family vacation takes a harrowing turn when a violent storm strands them on a desolate island. As they seek shelter, they stumble upon a brutal murder scene and a terrified infant, thrusting them into a dangerous web of secrets and survival. With the clock ticking and a relentless killer on their trail, they must unravel the truth behind the murder while navigating the treacherous wilderness, testing their resilience and the bonds of family.

12. 12. Vermilion Drift

    

    In this gripping mystery set against the backdrop of Minnesota's Iron Range, a private investigator is drawn into a complex web of secrets and danger when he is hired to find a missing woman. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a series of long-buried crimes linked to an abandoned mine, revealing a chilling connection to his own past. With atmospheric prose and a keen sense of place, the story explores themes of memory, guilt, and redemption, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.

13. 13. Heaven's Keep

    

    In this gripping mystery, a private investigator is thrust into a heart-wrenching journey when his wife disappears during a chartered flight over the Wyoming Rockies. As he delves into the investigation, he uncovers a tangled web of deceit, betrayal, and hidden agendas that challenge his resolve and test his limits. With the stakes escalating and time running out, he must navigate treacherous terrain and confront dangerous adversaries to uncover the truth, all while grappling with his own grief and the haunting possibility of never seeing his beloved again.

14. 14. Red Knife

    A Cork O'Connor Mystery

    

    In this gripping mystery set in the small town of Aurora, Minnesota, a brutal murder ignites racial tensions between the local Native American community and their white neighbors. As the town teeters on the brink of chaos, former sheriff Cork O'Connor is drawn into the investigation, uncovering a web of secrets and lies that threaten to destroy the fragile peace. With his deep understanding of both cultures, Cork must navigate a treacherous path to find the truth, all while confronting his own personal demons and the haunting memories of his past.
15. 15. Thunder Bay

    

    In this gripping mystery, a retired sheriff is drawn back into the world of crime-solving when a long-buried secret resurfaces, threatening to unravel the lives of those he holds dear. Set against the rugged backdrop of Minnesota's wilderness, the narrative weaves together themes of family loyalty, redemption, and the haunting echoes of past choices. As the protagonist delves deeper into the investigation, he must confront his own demons and navigate a web of deceit, ultimately leading to a dramatic and unexpected revelation that challenges his understanding of justice and truth.

16. 16. Copper River

    A Cork O'Connor Mystery

    

    In this gripping mystery, a former sheriff finds himself on the run, seeking refuge in a small town along the Copper River. As he attempts to lay low, he becomes entangled in a local murder investigation that threatens to expose his whereabouts. With a mix of suspense and intrigue, the story weaves through the complexities of human relationships, the shadows of past secrets, and the relentless pursuit of justice. As danger closes in, the protagonist must navigate a web of deceit and betrayal to uncover the truth and protect those he cares about.

17. 17. Mercy Falls

    

    In this gripping mystery, a small-town sheriff finds himself embroiled in a complex web of secrets and danger when a local judge is shot and left for dead. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a series of interconnected crimes that threaten to unravel the very fabric of the community he has sworn to protect. With the stakes rising and the pressure mounting, he must navigate personal and professional challenges, all while confronting his own demons, to bring justice to those who have been wronged. The story is a masterful blend of suspense, character depth, and atmospheric tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

18. 18. Blood Hollow

    

    In a small Minnesota town, the discovery of a young woman's body in the snow sets off a chain of events that challenges the community's faith and justice. As former sheriff Cork O'Connor delves into the investigation, he finds himself entangled in a web of secrets, lies, and spiritual beliefs that blur the lines between guilt and innocence. With the town divided and tensions rising, Cork must navigate through personal and communal turmoil to uncover the truth, all while confronting his own inner demons and the haunting specters of the past.

19. 19. Purgatory Ridge

    

    In this gripping mystery, the serene town of Aurora, Minnesota, is disrupted by a deadly explosion at a local lumber mill, igniting tensions between the Native American community and the mill's owners. Cork O'Connor, the town's former sheriff, is drawn into the investigation, uncovering a tangled web of secrets, betrayals, and environmental activism. As Cork delves deeper, he must navigate the complex relationships and simmering resentments that threaten to tear the community apart, all while confronting his own personal demons and the haunting legacy of his past.
20. 20. Boundary Waters

    

    In this gripping mystery set against the backdrop of Minnesota's pristine wilderness, a private investigator is drawn into a perilous search for a missing singer whose disappearance is shrouded in secrets and danger. As he navigates the treacherous waters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, he encounters a web of deceit, betrayal, and hidden motives that challenge his resolve and test his survival skills. With the threat of a looming storm and dangerous adversaries closing in, the investigator must unravel the truth before time runs out, revealing the dark undercurrents that lie beneath the surface of this seemingly tranquil landscape.

21. 21. Lightning Strike

    

    Set in the summer of 1963 in the small town of Aurora, Minnesota, the story follows a young boy named Cork O'Connor as he grapples with the complexities of life and death. When Cork stumbles upon the body of a man hanging from a tree, the incident sets off a chain of events that uncovers deep-seated secrets and tensions within the community. As Cork's father, the town sheriff, investigates the case, Cork embarks on his own journey of discovery, navigating the challenges of growing up amidst the backdrop of racial and social divides. The narrative weaves together themes of family, justice, and the loss of innocence, painting a vivid picture of a community on the brink of change.

22. 22. Iron Lake

    

    Set in the small town of Aurora, Minnesota, this gripping mystery follows former sheriff Cork O'Connor as he grapples with personal demons while investigating the suspicious death of a local judge and the disappearance of a young boy. As Cork delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets and corruption that threatens to unravel the fabric of the tight-knit community. With a backdrop of harsh winter landscapes and Native American lore, the story weaves together themes of redemption, justice, and the complexities of human nature.

23. 23. The Levee

    

    Set against the backdrop of the Mississippi River, this gripping tale follows a group of disparate individuals who find themselves trapped on a levee during a catastrophic flood. As the waters rise, tensions mount and secrets unravel, revealing the true nature of each character. With the relentless force of nature threatening their survival, they must confront their pasts and forge unlikely alliances to navigate the perilous journey ahead. This evocative narrative explores themes of resilience, redemption, and the indomitable human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.

24. 24. The Devil's Bed

    

    Set against the backdrop of the political landscape of Minnesota, this gripping thriller intertwines the lives of a Secret Service agent and a Native American woman as they unravel a conspiracy that threatens the life of the President of the United States. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a web of deceit and betrayal that stretches from the corridors of power to the sacred lands of the Ojibwe tribe. With time running out, they must navigate a treacherous path filled with danger and intrigue to prevent a national catastrophe.
25. 25. Apostle's Cove

    

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