Free Fire - Joe Pickett, Bk 7 Author:C. J. Box When local attorney Clay McCann walks away scot-free after murdering four campers because of a loophole in the law governing Yellowstone National Park, maverick Wyoming Governor Spencer Rulon decides he needs to institute his own investigation into the matter. Rulon approaches former Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett with a simple proposal: ... more »he will reinstate Joe as a game warden if he agrees to look into things at Yellowstone. Depressed since losing his job, Pickett readily agrees.
Pickett throws himself headlong into the investigation, persevering despite the lack of cooperation from park residents and local law enforcement. Digging into the details, Pickett comes to realize that the campers' death was meant to hide a conspiracy to exploit natural resources unique to Yellowstone; he also realizes that the desperate conspirators will not hesitate to add to their kill count in order to conceal their perfidy.« less
Another great book in the Joe Pickett series. Joe's been offered his old game warden job back if he'll go on a special assignment for the governor. This takes him to Yellowstone National Park. There's lots of interesting info about the park in this one. There's also some of Joe's past that's revealed.
I really look forward to these books and I'm always a little sad when I finish them.
This is one of the best novels in the Joe Pickett series. The story is very well crafted and the information learned about Yellowstone National Park is very interesting. Some of the plot line will be familiar: Pickett is a lone maverick who must fight the bad guys and a corrupt bureaucracy. But there seemed to be less of the "everyone against Joe" element than in previous novels and that is a big plus to me. There is plenty of Marybeth and the kids though they add little to story other than filler. I also think Box has done as much as he can with Nate and I would like to see the series move on beyond his character. But this book will keep you turning the pages and guessing the next plot twist. If you like mystery novels and the outdoors, I recommend "Free Fire".
Joe Pickett, recently fired from his job as a Wyoming game warden, is working on his father-in-law's ranch when he receives a visit from the governor. Governor Rulon â" a devious but down-home politico â" has a special request, one Joe knows he can't refuse. For weeks, the headlines have been abuzz with the story of Clay McCann, a lawyer who slaughtered four campers in a far-off corner of Yellowstone.
After the murders, McCann immediately turned himself in at the nearest ranger station. Seemed like a slam-dunk case for law enforcement â" except that the crimes were committed in a thin sliver of land with zero residents and overlapping jurisdiction, the so-called free-fire zone. McCann has taken advantage of an obscure loophole in the law: neither the state nor the federal government can try him for his crime. The worst mass murderer in Wyoming history walks out of jail a free man.
Governor Rulon, sensitive to the rising tide of public outrage, wants his own investigation into the murders and will reinstate Joe as a game warden if he'll go to Yellowstone âwithout portfolioâ to investigate. Joe, happy to get his badge back, even under these circumstances, agrees.
It quickly becomes clear to Joe that McCann is deeply involved with some illegal activity taking place in the park â" something tremendously lucrative and unusually dangerous. As Joe and his partner Nate Romanowski search for the key to the murders, they discover that it may be hidden in the rugged terrain of the park itself.
Riveting story as usual by this author. Trying to keep up with Joe Pickett and his next dilemma. This was a fast read a because you cannot put it down. The author shows a grasp of social issues.
Seventh in the Joe Pickett series and I've loved every one. Joe's on special assignment for the Governor to investigate 4 murders in the Zone of Death in Yellowstone Park. Of course, all mysteries are solved, BUT Joe's buddy, Nate, long-wanted by the FBI, is captured. Looking forward to #8!
