Helpful Score: 1
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.
I really look forward to these books and I'm always a little sad when I finish them.
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.
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.
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".
Don't miss this one--better to read them in order to keep up with the family issues but if you don't you can catch up quick. Great characters!
Finally, Box writes about my favorite national park: Yellowstone. This book centers on the murders of four Yellowstone employees by a lawyer, Clay McCann, who gets off scot-free due to a legal loophole. Pickett is sent by the governor of Wyoming to investigate and teams up with Judy Demming, a park ranger, to try and figure out what's going on. Box's descriptions of Yellowstone's wild beauty are terrific, seconded only by his understanding of the legalities of Yellowstone and Wyoming and who has jurisdiction over what. The conclusion is brilliant but more violent than in other books. This is a great mystery and the Joe Pickett series should be read by anyone who loves good storytelling.
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!
Free Fire comes at you gripping you so hard by the throat that you can't catch your breath till you turn the last page. First of all down on his luck main character Joe Pickett who has become one of my personal favorites series, is asked a favor by Wyomings Governor. By doing so he has everything to lose, but also everything to gain, which is mainly getting his life back including his job as a game warden that he so loved. Sometimes you have to take that chance/bait as there is no other way even though the cost can be greater than the reward! When 4 people are murdered by lawyer Clay McCann in Yellowstone National Park, who found a loophole in the law, was ultimately found innocent and walked free. Enraged by this event Governor Spencer Rulon calls on former Game Warden Joe Pickett for his help-the reward for nailing McCann, his old job with a raise. Joe knowing once the cards are laid out on the table it is going to get ugly, so he calls in his friend Nate Romanowski who is indepted to him for help. Nate who we have come to know in previous outings is a force to be reckoned with to say the least. As with any C.J. Box novel the suspense will haunt you till you yourself are in so deep you can't relent, until like Joe Pickett you find the answers. Along the way the secrets are unleashed and in its path we are let in on a web of ruthless individuals whom are involved and the reason why. This book is special in every way shape and form, I simply couldn't put it down, and I warn you as you turn the first page you better be ready for a thrill ride beyond normal proportions that coupled with some sleepless nights. After this I need to catch my breath as the next in the series I am sure will be more of the same.
Excellent book series
One of the best series being written!
This is probably the best in the Joe Pickett series so far. Number 7 in the series finds Joe being sent to Yellowstone National Park by the Wyoming governor to investigate the murders of four Park contract employees by a local attorney. The murders took place in an area called the Zone of Death where the murderer could not be prosecuted because of the local jurisdictions. Joe, who was fired from his game warden job in the last book, is promised to be reinstated by the governor if he takes on the assignment to try to find a motive for the murders. Pickett agrees and heads to Yellowstone with the assistance of Nate Romanowski. Along the way, Joe discovers that there is a conspiracy involving some park and state officials and Joe's life is at stake. Could the governor also be involved? At the end Nate is arrested by the FBI and Joe vows to get him released. Could this be the plot of the next book? Anyway, this was one of Box's best...especially enjoyed the descriptions of Yellowstone including the wildlife, geysers, and especially the descriptions of the Old Faithful Inn. I have visited Yellowstone many times and this book really put you there. Looking forward to the next in the series!
Joe Pickett's been hired to investigate one of the most cold-blooded mass killings in Wyoming history. Attorney Clay McCann admitted to slaughtering four campers in a back-country corner of Yellowstone National Park--a "free-fire" zone with no residents or jurisdiction. In this remote fifty-square-mile stretch a man can literally get away with murder. Now McCann's a free man, and Pickett's about to discover his motive--one buried in Yellowstone's rugged terrain, and as dangerous as the man who wants to keep it hidden.
Seventh in the series with Joe Pickett, Wyoming game warden. At the start, Joe is working on his father-in-law's ranch after being fired by his supervisor, who hated him from the beginning. But the governor of Wyoming remembers Joe when a sticky situation comes up in Yellowstone. A man has murdered four people in the backcountry, confessed, and walked away free all because of a quirk in the laws governing the National Park. But that's not the only reason Joe's there...one of the victims previously wrote the governor hinting at vast conspiracies. Joe will be given his job back if he goes out and investigates, but without any official backing. With secret weapon Nate Romanowski guarding his back, he does. I loved the Yellowstone setting and the bio-mining storyline - Box is always good with the Wyoming scenery and this time Yellowstone and the Mammoth Hotel are almost characters in their own right. I liked the supporting characters, especially the surprise for Joe (although I felt Box leaves it as something of a loose end). It's got the usual breakneck paced ending and leaves Joe in an interesting position.
Another fine Joe Pickett adventure. This series continues to entertain.
