Ordinary Grace

by William Kent Krueger

Book Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE 2014 EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL
WINNER OF THE 2014 DILYS AWARD
A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF 2013

From New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger, a brilliant new novel about a young man, a small town, and murder in the summer of 1961.

"That was it. That was all of it. A grace so ordinary there was no reason at all to remember it. Yet I have never across the forty years since it was spoken forgotten a single word."

New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. The Twins were playing their debut season, ice-cold root beers were selling out at the soda counter of Halderson's Drugstore, and Hot Stuff comic books were a mainstay on every barbershop magazine rack. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a grim summer in which death visited frequently and assumed many forms. Accident. Nature. Suicide. Murder.

Frank begins the season preoccupied with the concerns of any teenage boy, but when tragedy unexpectedly strikes his family--which includes his Methodist minister father; his passionate, artistic mother; Juilliard-bound older sister; and wise-beyond-his-years kid brother--he finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal, suddenly called upon to demonstrate a maturity and gumption beyond his years.

Told from Frank's perspective forty years after that fateful summer, Ordinary Grace is a brilliantly moving account of a boy standing at the door of his young manhood, trying to understand a world that seems to be falling apart around him. It is an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1451645856
• ISBN13: 9781451645859
• Release Date: March 2014
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A well written fascinating story

This book was assigned by my book club, I would not have chosen it on my own. I am so glad I read it. The writing was wonderful, the story kept me guessing, I recommend it.

Wonderful story

A beautiful story by an excellent storyteller. Compelling throughout. This was my favorite read in the last year. Great characters.

Just a WONDERFUL story

Wonderful ending too.

Ordinary Grace was a very well written and engaging story. A page turner. 👍👍

A family’s story of small town life that has a basket full of mystery, tragedy and twists. It was a page turner.

Loved loved loved!!!

This was one of the best books I have ever read!! Loved the way it was told through the eyes of a young boy. I didn't want to put the book down!!