Question E

[Jonetta]

Religion plays a large role in this story. Cork seems to have moved away from his Indian mysticism and Catholicism. Did you get a sense as to why he's reluctant to fully embrace one or both?

[Angela]

I feel at times Cork is torn between the two. As sheriff he's followed a career as part of the government enforcing laws of the land so to speak. Sometimes it seems he feels let down by Catholicism in that it hasn't helped him when he's been down a dark path, after the death of Sam Winter Moon. He reaches out to Indian mysticism, though and Krueger to date adds a bit of mysticism to each novel we've read. I wonder if it's something that will always be a conflict for Cork as he struggles with his identity.

[Jonetta]

Well stated, Angela. I think that shooting that lost him his job left him rudderless in so many ways. He lost his mentor, his job (which was his identity) and his faith. He respects both to a point, maybe embracing his Indian heritage more as it seems to fit his nature. But something has affected his Catholic side more negatively and we've yet to be told why.

[Angela]

Agreed Jonetta. Losing Sam Winter Moon, his job and faith all at once would have been a devastating blow for Cork. He's still recovering.