Ordinary Grace

By: William Kent Krueger

Narrated by: Rich Orlow

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Award-winning author William Kent Krueger has gained an immense fan base for his Cork O’Connor series. In Ordinary Grace, Krueger looks back to 1961 to tell the story of Frank Drum, a boy on the cusp of manhood. A typical 13-year-old with a strong, loving family, Frank is devastated when a tragedy forces him to face the unthinkable - and to take on a maturity beyond his years.

©2013 William Kent Krueger (P)2013 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

“Krueger aims higher and hits harder with a stand-alone novel that shares much with his other work.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

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.

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.

A gem of a story, extremely well told

If you could sum up Ordinary Grace in three words, what would they be?

Engrossing, nostalgic, and well-written. But just three words don't really do this fine novel justice.

What other book might you compare Ordinary Grace to and why?

I chose Ordinary Grace because I thought it sounded a little like Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon, which is another absolutely wonderful novel. It is like that, at least on the surface – a story about a 13-year-old boy who lives in a small town in Minnesota, and how several deaths, including a murder, affect him and his family. But it’s a much larger story than that; it’s about family, love, life, God, and “God’s awful grace” (a quote from Aeschylus), plus ordinary grace as referred to in the title. It's not a story about religion, though.

What does Rich Orlow bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Rich Orlow was the perfect choice as narrator; his flat, Midwestern accent is perfect, and he gives each character – males, females, and a wide variety of ages – distinctive and very believable voices.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

It's possible that a movie could be made of this book, but I'm doubtful any film would be anywhere as good, so I'm content if no one makes one.

Any additional comments?

I absolutely loved this Audible title -- perhaps more than if I had simply read it -- and I will definitely listen to it again at some point.. Highly recommended.

The summer of '61!

This audiobook is a solid 4 1/2 star accomplishment--wonderful story, excellent narration. It takes place in Minnesota during the fateful summer of 1961 and is narrated by a 13 year old boy. You could call it a coming of age story but it is so much more. It is a family-oriented tale involving a minister, his wife (who has not come to terms with marrying a man who subsequently became a minister), and their teenage daughter and two younger sons, age 13 and 11. There is a great deal of townsfolk involvement in the family's life and in their story.

l am not a religious person. Although religion plays a strong role in this story, it is not shoved down your throat and seems to work very well with the plot. This story has alot of angst and sadness, but there is also a great deal of love shining through to make it seem like there is hope for recovery in the end. For me, this story is somewhat reminiscent of the Ivan Doig novels, which I have greatly enjoyed. There is a very informative interview with the author at the end of the audiobook.

This beautiful story is highly recommended! Don't miss it.

Amazing writer

I loved this book. The author is so descriptive and pulls you into the story with so much emotion and details.
The reader is amazing.

Thoughts About Perspective

I first read the story Ordinary Grace, and then recently listened to this story. What a delightful experience. The nuances I missed during my reading experience, I was able to glean by listening to the spoken words. This was a dynamic lesson on about not making rapid judgement and forgiveness and inner family relationships.
I think anyone choosing to read and listen to this story, will receive a wonderful blessing.

Solid Coming of Age Tale

What did you love best about Ordinary Grace?

For a book that has a thread of mystery that pulls you through the pages, the author didn't skimp on character development. It ticked all the boxes - gripping plot, solid character development, distinct voices, a tangible setting. I also enjoyed that it took place in a preacher's home - and the dimension that added to it.

Any additional comments?

This book reminded me of "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter" and "Chiefs" - not only because it was set in the recent past, but also because the mystery was supported by well developed characters.

Practically Perfect!

Loved every minute of this story!
The beautifully written story and narrator kept my attention throughout.

Excellent book

Reminiscent of "Stand by Me" this story about a family's tragedy and the lessons they learn will have you hanging on every word. Well written, well performed, and well worth the credit.

Best book I’ve read in a long time

This is a quality story with quality characters. It’s the best story I’ve listened to/read in quite a long time. Seems like years ago books were so much more well written and this one is of that caliber.