William Kent Krueger is a highly acclaimed American novelist, best known for his crime fiction novels. He was born on November 16, 1950, in Torrington, Wyoming, and grew up in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. Krueger had a nomadic childhood, living in eleven different houses, eight different cities, and six different states before he graduated from high school. This early experience of frequent relocation has influenced his writing, particularly in his use of setting.
Krueger's work is deeply rooted in the culture and landscape of Minnesota, where he has lived for many years. He is well known for his Cork O'Connor series, which features a protagonist who is half-Irish and half-Ojibwe. The series is set in Minnesota, and the setting is of great importance to the stories. Krueger's own experiences in the state have informed his writing, and he has a deep appreciation for the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Before becoming a full-time author, Krueger worked a variety of jobs, including logging timber, working construction, freelance journalism, and researching child development at the University of Minnesota. He has been married for over 40 years to a retired attorney, and they make their home in St. Paul, a city that Krueger dearly loves.
Krueger's work has received numerous awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. His last five novels have been New York Times bestsellers. "Ordinary Grace," his stand-alone novel published in 2013, received the Edgar Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America in recognition for the best novel published in that year. "Manitou Canyon," number fifteen in his Cork O'Connor series, was released in September 2016.