Ordinary Grace

Wonderful Wonderful - In Every Way

This book is beautiful. Just brilliant. It's a mystery that takes place in Minnesota in 1961 with classic literature; very reminiscent of To Kill A Mockingbird. So much so that I found myself listening to this story in black and white.


A beautiful tale with a 'morals in an immoral world' theme. One of the main characters is a wonderful peaceful father who has to guide his children through the animalistic ways of mankind. The family in this book are that of the town's minister's which lends itself to discussions of religion.


Once started I was completely immersed in each member of this family and all the people that they come in contact with. I plowed through this for I could NOT put this down. Just when I thought I saw a direction this was going - I found myself surprised.


I have never read this author before. If you have, be very careful to read the synopsis carefully for this is a stand alone book. I would be thrilled if this would become a series book though.

Rich Orlow is such an enhancement to this story by giving every character an identity. He does the voice of the deaf, women, men, children, Indians, aristocrats to perfection. What a talent.


I will be looking for this author and narrator other works.

191 of 201 people found this review helpful

Different But Amazing

First of all, I loved how this story was told from the perspective of Frank, a 13-year-old boy. This gave a unique life to the story of the loss and suspense in New Bremen in the summer of 1961, as well as gave the reader a true picture of the freedom of childhood in small-town America during an era much unlike today. Young Frank was a bit of a "go getter;" rules meant little to him and all that eavesdropping he did gave us much greater insight into this events of a ill-fated summer. Underneath the tragic losses in this community is the ever-present essence of relationships, prejudice, God and family. Frank's father is a pastor, and the struggle of faith runs clearly through this story where grief changes everyone. And, ultimately, a child shall lead the way. Because of this novel, I will likely delve into some of Mr. Krueger's Cork O'Connor series ... but I do look forward to his writing another stand-alone novel with the depth of this one.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

best book to come along this year!!

After a series of great murder mysteries, staring Cork O'Conner, Kruger has come up with a genius of a stand alone coming of age, murder mystery, and trestles on the "awful grace of God".
Our of the best books that I've ever read.

Frank is telling his story some forty years after the actual events that took place during his thirteenth year. In 1961, small town Minnesota, the summer is hot, the people know everything about everyone, and life is good. But this all changes when a young boy is killed while playing on the train tracks. Frank , and his stuttering younger brother, speculate about this tragedy. Their father is the town's Methodist minister, and folks look to him to answer the preverbal question of "Why would God let this happen?".

But that was just the beginning of this momentous summer for Frank, his family, and this small town. There will be three more deaths. An itinerant man is found amongst the weeds, there is a suicide, and finally a murder. Everyone in the town is affected by these tragedies in some way---bringing out the best and the worst in people.

Kruger's writing is filled with wonderful descriptive phrases. His characters will touch your heart in ways that will be difficult to put away after you've finished this book. His specific and thoughtful discussions of God's grace as seen through Frank's eyes will keep you wondering about your own faith. Simply a five, no five times five star read. This book has something for every reader to enjoy!!

137 of 151 people found this review helpful

"was like...."

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I agree with the reviewer who criticized the amount of similes and metaphors. I know this sounds petty, but so much good solid writing yields to things like "the silence was like angels" and "night was like the dark of your soul" and "as hot as the pavement below our feet". The reason it merits criticism is that the amount of similes and metaphors is overwhelming, distracting --and finally, amusing. Every few sentences the narrator pauses and I laugh, saying the next words right along with him: "...it was just like a ..." and it's pulling me out of the story.

26 of 28 people found this review helpful

By the Grace of God

The coming of age can certainly make a boy of 13 grow up fast. Frank Drum was that boy. He definitely has a story to tell.

There are many participant's in this story and each of them have their own story to tell. These character's are very well developed. The reader will come to know each one as an individual. Listen closely because each one of them are important in contributing to the coming of age of Frank Drum.

I definitely encourage other's to purchase this book. The plot is very well developed. The characters are interesting people and the author, William Kent Krueger, wrote about them so that the listener will want to continue reading to the very last page. The narrator, Rich Orlow, is excellent. He makes the character's come alive. He makes listening to, Ordinary Grace, a pleasure and an easy listen.

The mystery of who committed the murders that summer in Breman, a small town where everyone knows everyone else, is difficult to understand. Why would anyone want to end the life of another?

Always remember that the dead are never far from us, just one single breath will take us to them.

38 of 45 people found this review helpful

Extrodinary Novel

This book works on many levels. It is a mystery story, you won't want to put it down. Most of all Ordinary Grace is an extraordinary work of fiction. It is a coming of age story with themes of family, sorrow, justice, resiliency, forgiveness, and perhaps most of all faith.

If you like any one book of any one of the following authors I think you will like this book: John Irving, Kent Haruf, Leif Enger, Marilynne Robinson, David James Duncan.

Also, I really appreciate when audible adds the author interview after the reading, this one was interesting.

46 of 55 people found this review helpful

A mystery that is no mystery.

What did you like best about Ordinary Grace? What did you like least?

Mr. Krueger can write, and the narrator can read. I have enjoyed Krueger's work for a long time, particularly the series that features Cork O'Connor. However, this book is a stand-alone, and it is disappointing. You can name Ariel's killer very quickly after she is killed, and you can also see the straw man immediately.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have changed quite a bit about the family. Not to be anti-religious, as religion is one of the strongest aspects of the people in this town. But the father, Nathan, is a preacher, and IMHO too much preaching pads the book. Nonetheless, the characters of the two boys are engaging, and the narrator is strong and convincing.

What aspect of Rich Orlow’s performance would you have changed?

Not much. The material he is given is not Mr. Krueger's best, and Mr. Orlow does the best he can with it.

Could you see Ordinary Grace being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I don't like this book enough to do that particular exercise.

Any additional comments?

Try reading one of the books in the Cork O'Connor series. He is a very well-drawn character, and the plots of the books, while sometimes light on the mystery front, are well-written, and one comes to feel that O'Connor might be someone you know.

12 of 14 people found this review helpful

Charming, Bittersweet, Pure Pleasure

“It was a summer in which death, in visitation, assumed many forms. Accident. Nature. Suicide. Murder. I still spend a lot of time thinking about the events of that summer. About the terrible price of wisdom. The awful grace of God.”

Frank Drum begins his story, looking back over forty years to this fateful summer in 1961 when he was 13 yrs. old. The story is immediately familiar and the nostalgia consuming. Krueger writes poetically, creating an idyllic summer so vividly the years tick backwards. For many it will recall that well-known coming of age through tragedy, Stephen King's The Body (movie: Stand By Me). There are similarities, but Krueger's story is a murder mystery tucked into a gentle and sweet tale, focused on family, small town secrets, and spiritual struggles, more than the physical threats of big brothers, dead bodies, and junk-yard dogs.

In addition to being a New York Times Bestseller, Ordinary Grace recently won the 2014 Edgar Award For Best Novel, the 2014 Dilys Award, and has been selected as a *School Library Journal Best Book Of 2013. I'm not familiar with the author's Cork O'Connor series and can't speak to any comparison, but I found this book completely charming and captivating. Krueger's ability to create a soothing kindness through his choice of words, even in the midst of violence, death, and some (mild) sexual encounters, is remarkable. The novel deals with a multitude of *delicate* issues with frankness and compassion instead of sensationalism. Moments like the Reverend's sermon after a death (I won't spoil it by divulging the victim) are healing balms, so beautifully written they are all the *church* you could hope for.

There are some stereotypes and clichés, some sentimentality, but it all seems fresh and original, they are so well used, and so much a part of the period. You may see the ending coming, may figure out the murderer, may even question little brother Jake's keen insight, but any concerns are lost in the overall beauty and grace of this novel. It may not be the block buster everyone is talking about, but for me it was a pure pleasure reading this novel; one of my favorites of 2014.

**The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. They have this book listed as an "Adult Books 4 Teens." I would say use your own discretion.

50 of 61 people found this review helpful

Thoughtful coming of age in the midwest story

Wm Krueger has written an emotionally charged story of, primarily, the coming of age of two young boys in 1961 rural Minnesota. The sons of a local preacher and mother who gave up a career to marry their older sister is the family star. When a series of misfortunes hit the town this family is torn apart as are other characters.

Speaking of characters, Krueger has developed each person in his novel with grace and thoroughness, telling not only about their summer of ;'61 but their pasts. I enjoyed Gus very much and felt he added a lot to the boys growth.

The conclusion surprised me a lot and In mysteries I find that a welcome part of a story arc.

I feel fortunate to have listened to two 5 star novels in a row thru Audible. These both were books I would never have purchased were it not for Audibles Return policy for members..I am encouraged to try authors I've never heard of before.

Thanks Audible.

20 of 24 people found this review helpful

Very enjoyable!

I cannot find the words to express the contemplative quiet this novel invoked in me. As an atheist I usually do not care for themes of faith and especially preaching. This book discusses life's questions against the backdrop of a young man and his family dynamics. However, the story is nicely woven and stands on its own regardless of the deeper thoughts.

51 of 65 people found this review helpful