William Kent Krueger 2007-07-10

In this episode of the Poisoned Pen Podcast, host Barbara Peters welcomes acclaimed author William Kent Krueger, best known for his Cork O'Connor series set in northern Minnesota. Krueger reflects on the origins of his debut novel, Iron Lake, written at age 40 during a midlife crisis as a personal promise to himself. He discusses how reading Tony Hillerman and other literary masters inspired him to write a mystery, and how his deep connection to place—particularly the Anishinaabe culture and the harsh beauty of Minnesota’s wilderness—shapes his storytelling. The conversation explores the evolution of his protagonist Cork O'Connor, a half-Irish, quarter-Ojibwe sheriff navigating personal and cultural identity, and how Krueger uses landscape as a living, spiritual character in his novels. He shares insights into his writing process, including his disciplined morning routine at a local coffee shop and his transition from handwritten notes to digital editing. Krueger also reflects on the changing publishing landscape, the importance of editorial rigor, and his decision to occasionally step away from the Cork series to explore new creative territory. The episode closes with praise for his latest novel, Purgatory Ridge, lauded for its emotional depth, structural mastery, and the haunting presence of Lake Superior.