Helpful Score: 5
Annie (12) and William (10) are mighty upset with her mother letting her new boyfriend stay overnight when they take his fishing vest to go fishing. They didn't know what they were going to witness when they eavesdrop on some strangers in the woods, when all of them draw a weapon and shot a man, when all of them chase them because their presence wasn't unnoticed.
They find shelter in a barn on one of the oldest, still existing ranches, owned by now loner Jess Rawlins. The kids know, one of the killer is one of their mother's many boyfriends and he's waiting for them at their home right now.
With nowhere to go they don't have a choice and desperately lay their fate into Jess Rawlins hands.
Unsure what to believe and what to do, but clearly seeing the far in two children's eyes, Jess decides to snoop around in town, maybe try to figure out what's going on and why the sheriff put all the investigation work into the hands of four retired ex-police officers from the LAPD.
At the same time a retired cop enters town searching for clues in an old file, the only one he hasn't been able to solve. The one that's nagging at him for years. The Santa Anita Racetrack - file.
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Quite a fast paced, thoughtful thriller which I couldn't put down. The character of Jess Rawlins is such appealing and full of substance. I have to admit having trouble to imagine his real age with a son a little older than the kids mother. He's the kind of novel character everyone would wish the best and recognizes as a real hero in the book. One that sticks to you after closing the book.
I always welcome authors stepping out of series writing and this first stand alone novel by C. J. Box is something every mystery/thriller reader will enjoy.
They find shelter in a barn on one of the oldest, still existing ranches, owned by now loner Jess Rawlins. The kids know, one of the killer is one of their mother's many boyfriends and he's waiting for them at their home right now.
With nowhere to go they don't have a choice and desperately lay their fate into Jess Rawlins hands.
Unsure what to believe and what to do, but clearly seeing the far in two children's eyes, Jess decides to snoop around in town, maybe try to figure out what's going on and why the sheriff put all the investigation work into the hands of four retired ex-police officers from the LAPD.
At the same time a retired cop enters town searching for clues in an old file, the only one he hasn't been able to solve. The one that's nagging at him for years. The Santa Anita Racetrack - file.
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Quite a fast paced, thoughtful thriller which I couldn't put down. The character of Jess Rawlins is such appealing and full of substance. I have to admit having trouble to imagine his real age with a son a little older than the kids mother. He's the kind of novel character everyone would wish the best and recognizes as a real hero in the book. One that sticks to you after closing the book.
I always welcome authors stepping out of series writing and this first stand alone novel by C. J. Box is something every mystery/thriller reader will enjoy.
Helpful Score: 3
After being disapointed that their mother's boy friend did not pick them up to go fishing like he promised, 12 year old Annie decides she'll take her little brother, 10 year old William, herself even though neither knows anything about fishing. On their way to the creek, they witness a murder and are seen by the men. The children take off on the run and the story just gets better and better. I loved the characters and the story is fast pace. A great mystery!
Helpful Score: 1
This book is non-stop action from page one. There are enough twists and turns to keep you up at night. I could hardly put this book down.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the 8th Novel by C J Box. The first seven all chronichled the adventures of Joe Pickett, a Wyoming Forest Ranger whio seemed to goet into some new and exciting situation in every book. All three star offerings, with maybe one four (Winterkill). This book is a stand-alone work which takes place in northern Idaho, and has an entirely different cast of characters. The plot is ingenious and the action sequences are gripping. Like all Box's books, it is well written and entertaining. I actually enjoyed the book more than the last seven - maybe I was getting a little tired of Joe Pickett, whose attitudes and responses to situations had become a somewhat predictable. A very good read, and it was possible to get involved with the charachters, and care about what happened to them.
Helpful Score: 1
Solid narrative but occasionally a bit tedious. I was intrigued by the setting because I've spent some time skiing and boating in that corner of Idaho. Not quite riveting but well written.
Helpful Score: 1
great read. it gets your attention right away. suspenseful; intriguing, and a great ending.
Blue Heaven was a very good thriller. From start to finish it makes you want to keep turning the pages. I would highly recommend this book to all readers!
Real page turner. Another good C. J. Box.
Very good book! New author for me but would try him again.
Rawlins, an old-school rancher, is up against corrupt retired cops from LA in a
run in the Idaho woods to save two children who are witnesses to murder.
run in the Idaho woods to save two children who are witnesses to murder.
Good solid story, takes off from the first page and keeps you wanting more till the very end. That is a good book.
Lone wolf kinda guy sticks his neck out for the kids and never looks back.
Lots of great back stories that work their way through the story.
Lone wolf kinda guy sticks his neck out for the kids and never looks back.
Lots of great back stories that work their way through the story.
my second time reading this -- C.J.Box can bring the scenes to life and you feel like you're sitting in a movie watching. Liked the Rawlins character he has true grit.
Really enjoyable, action-packed read. Takes place in Idaho and you can just picture the scenes in your imagination. Plan to read more of his books.
A great plot with good subplots. Does not get bogged down with all thats happening in the story, as some books can.
This is one of those novels that are unputdownable! Full of action, tension, and suspense, I read this one basically in two sittings over two days. I'm a big fan of C.J. Box and have read all of his novels including the Joe Pickett series and the Highway Quartet. I would put Blue Heaven near the top of the heap.
Two young children, 12-year old Annie, and her younger brother William set out on an unannounced fishing trip after school mainly because Annie is upset with her mother. While in the woods, they witness a murder by three men, one of which sees Annie. The men pursue the children through the woods but luckily the kids are able to elude the men...at least temporarily. Turns out the men are ex-policemen who were involved in a multi-million dollar heist several years earlier and had come to Northern Idaho to use the money to live a life of luxury. The men are able to persuade the local sheriff to let them lead the search for the missing children. But a local rancher named Rawlins gets involved when he finds the kids hiding in his barn. The ex-cops play a game of cat and mouse with the town, especially the local sheriff, as they try to find the children and put an end to what they may tell the authorities. Can Rawlins ensure that justice is done?
Two young children, 12-year old Annie, and her younger brother William set out on an unannounced fishing trip after school mainly because Annie is upset with her mother. While in the woods, they witness a murder by three men, one of which sees Annie. The men pursue the children through the woods but luckily the kids are able to elude the men...at least temporarily. Turns out the men are ex-policemen who were involved in a multi-million dollar heist several years earlier and had come to Northern Idaho to use the money to live a life of luxury. The men are able to persuade the local sheriff to let them lead the search for the missing children. But a local rancher named Rawlins gets involved when he finds the kids hiding in his barn. The ex-cops play a game of cat and mouse with the town, especially the local sheriff, as they try to find the children and put an end to what they may tell the authorities. Can Rawlins ensure that justice is done?
Excellent thriller involving a bright young girl who has to protect her single mother and young brother from a town of Thugs. As witness' to a brutal murder these youngsters become prey to a team of retired law enforcers who have corrupted an entire town.
Exciting from the beginning and tense until they find help from a scary stranger
Exciting from the beginning and tense until they find help from a scary stranger
CJ Box has quickly become one of my favorite go to authors for a exciting but recreational read that will hold my attention and give me a mind vacation from my own world and troublesome health issues. If you enjoy a book that grabs hold and takes you into the very body of it then Blue Heaven is a good choice for you.
Excellent twist on the "Lone Hero" coming to the aid of those that are in trouble. Jess (Lone Hero) is an older rancher facing problems of his own but when he comes into contact with the two kids running scared from killers his protective "Grandfather" gene kicks in. Sheltering the kids on his ranch Jess must decide who can be trusted to ensure the safety of the kids. The plot has plenty of action and starts off from page one.
The start of this book took a while for the setup of the main characters. I am used to reading all of the CJ Box books with Joe Pickett, family, and friends. So this being a stand alone book it took me a while to get used to the characters. The main character Jess Rawlins as you would expect is solid, he is an older cowboy/rancher in Idaho living on his land passed down by his grandfather. His life is about to take a huge turn as if he didn't already have problems, the main one being him trying to hold onto his land. Soon enter some transplants and dirty cops that retired in Idaho from LA. I won't give the story line away, but it envolves him protecting two kids that live locally and saw something they shouldn't have. Midway through the book it becomes typical of a CJ Box book, you simply can't put it down, and the suspense ratchets up with lots of twists and turns. A nice change of pace from his Joe Pickett series, but if you like that series, it's almost a guarantee you will love this one too!!
This was an excellent book. It was a bit slow at first, but the plot, storyline and characters were great. No wonder it received an Edgar award!
So glad to see C.J. Box get away from his normal series and write a stand alone novel. "Blue Heaven" is a fast-paced thriller that may not be "literary" but certainly entertaining. It was for me a pleasant diversion from the Joe Pickett series which is good but somewhat repetitive. My only criticism would be that the ending hit a sour note; not sure what Box was going for but he was off the mark.
A great CJ Box book (stand alone).
