Helpful Score: 2
These get better and better. Be prepared to read this one right through
Helpful Score: 2
Another good Joe Pickett story. The only flaws in Box's character is his rotten mother-in-law that everyone becomes heartily SICK of and doesn't want to read any further from earlier books. The second flaw is Joe Pickett's lack of skill with firearms. When is Joe going to wise up and learn to use his weapons and stop relying on the highly exaggerated abilities of Nate to save him over and over. Even the most dimwitted of characters must realize how dangerous his incompetence is. If Nate can teach Shannon about falconry, I think he could teach Joe how to shoot. Or would that be too logical, C.J.? Hmmmm?
Another good entry in the Joe Pickett novels by Box. In this one, Pickett is called to temporarily replace the game warden, Will Jensen, in Jackson, Wyoming, after he apparently committed suicide. Pickett travels to Jackson and is embroiled in the midst of a dispute between a developer who wants to use open range to raise animals for slaughter, the former game warden, a group of animal rights activists, and many others in the community including a blustery outfitter named Smoke Van Horn. It seems as if Pickett gets on the bad side of everyone involved including local law enforcement. He also gets involved with the wife of the developer who was having an affair with Jensen as he delves into why Jensen would have killed himself. Meanwhile, back home in Saddlestring, his wife, Marybeth is struggling to hold the family together and trying to keep out of the former sheriff's way. Nate Romanowki, the falconer and former government agent, also plays a key role back home and at the end of the novel, it appears that Nate has left town permanently. I hope this is not the case. Nate is one of the most interesting characters in the Pickett novels. Overall a strong recommendation and I will be looking forward to the next in the series.
Excellent crime novel - multilayered, with authentic regional atmosphere (Wyoming) and complex series characters. I did not see the ending coming, which of course makes it all the more satisfying. The plot lines mostly got resolved, leaving some tensions that undoubtedly will get picked up in a future book in this superb and compelling series.
I love this series. Joe Pickett rocks!!!
This is the first C. J. Box book I've read, but it won't be the last! Think Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon, but lots more macho---That's the game warden Joe Pickett, and he just seems to be a trouble magnet. In the first chapter, a wounded grizzly bear faces Pickett down, and things get even hairier from then on out!
From back cover: A good friend and fellow game warden has killed himself, and Joe Pickett's been chosen to temporarily run his district. But Jackson, Wyoming, is a far cry from Joe's hometown of Saddlestring -- and it doesn't help that now Joe feels compelled to investigate the circumstances surrounding his friend's suicide. But as he comes closer to the truth, the more his own life spirals out of control -- and he realizes that if he isn't careful, he may be Jackson's next victim...
From back cover: A good friend and fellow game warden has killed himself, and Joe Pickett's been chosen to temporarily run his district. But Jackson, Wyoming, is a far cry from Joe's hometown of Saddlestring -- and it doesn't help that now Joe feels compelled to investigate the circumstances surrounding his friend's suicide. But as he comes closer to the truth, the more his own life spirals out of control -- and he realizes that if he isn't careful, he may be Jackson's next victim...
Each book in this series is better than the last one.
This is an action packed thriller with Joe Pickett, the game warden as he tries to discover the circumstances of his friends and fellow game wardens death. Is it suicide or murder?
Joe Pickett is out of his element in this outing, which finds him temporarily transferred to Jackson, Wyoming, after fellow warden and friend Will Jensen commits suicide. Meanwhile, back in Saddlestring, Pickett's loving wife Marybeth struggles to keep her family together while running her business. Joe finds that some of the circumstances leading to Jensen's death don't add up and he begins investigating his friend's death with the help of a married woman, Stella Ennis, whose husband is attempting to build Beargrass Village near Jackson: a large development where animals will be hunted at the whims of the homeowners. There are a lot of subplots in this story, including the attempted capture of a grizzly by Joe and Trey Crumb; Joe's attraction to the married Stella as well as Marybeth's asking Nate Romanowski for help; an extremist environmentalist group's involvement (led by the oddly named Pi Stevenson) with Beargrass Village and, of course, Joe's butting heads with the local politicians.
Box writes wonderfully: you can visualize Jackson and the Tetons by his descriptions alone. Only in America is there a mountain range called the Grand Tetons which, translated in French, is 'large breasts.' His male characters show depth, especially Joe. Randy Pope is more a one-note bureaucrat. Marybeth is somewhat layered but his other female characters are gold-digging shrews (Joe's mother in law, Missy, whom I hope gets eaten by a bear in his next book) or flirty (Stella Ennis) or abrasive (Pi Stevenson). Like the other reviewers, Box's novels don't get enough love and this surprises me. I'm recommending this series to all my mystery-loving friends.
Box writes wonderfully: you can visualize Jackson and the Tetons by his descriptions alone. Only in America is there a mountain range called the Grand Tetons which, translated in French, is 'large breasts.' His male characters show depth, especially Joe. Randy Pope is more a one-note bureaucrat. Marybeth is somewhat layered but his other female characters are gold-digging shrews (Joe's mother in law, Missy, whom I hope gets eaten by a bear in his next book) or flirty (Stella Ennis) or abrasive (Pi Stevenson). Like the other reviewers, Box's novels don't get enough love and this surprises me. I'm recommending this series to all my mystery-loving friends.
First Joe Pickett novel I have read and it provides lots of excitement and mystery. I like the character and his family but I did figure out what was happening to Joe right away. Good read.
This is a complex mystery, good descriptions of the west and the bureaucracy of the forest service...the twists and turns continue to the end.
Another excellent Joe Pickett adventure! This time a fellow game warden has killed himself and Joe is sent to run his district in Jackson, Wyoming. A great read and good description of Jackson!
This is the latest of Box's books about the game warden in northern Wyoming. I have enjoyed them a lot, although I haven't read some of the earlier ones in the series. I grew up in SE Montana so am familiar with the area, and my father worked with the Fish and Wildlife Service, so he and I were all over that area when I was a teen----brings back memories. They are good stories, too.
This was the first of the Joe Pickett series I read and already am hooked. I have another one on its way from paperbackswap.com. Out of Range picks up in the middle of the series about Joe Pickett a game warden in Wyoming as he deals with nature, animals and humans (mostly the greedy type wanting to develop the state) A quick read but very enjoyable.
Terrific series
I was so engulfed in this book that I simply couldn't stop reading. It was like a boulder rolling down a hill gainining speed and not knowing where its going to stop! I must say C.J. Box has gained my full admiration as an author. For me there are few authors that can obtain your full attention while reading a book, the ones that you get lost in from cover to back! His main character game warden Joe Pickett he has painted well in previous books of the series, and as any hero is not without flaws. Each book his characters have come to life for me, some new and some old. I love his family wife Marybeth, daughters Sheridan and Lucy, and his loyal friend Nate Romanoski. With each new adventure they grow with us, and as each book unfolds C.J. Box gives us some new characters to admire, hate, or root for!! This one was no different, but I rate it at the top of the list so far as there were so many twists and turns, and also the scenery he paints along the way makes us feel as if we were there. This page turner as one of the character's in the book says goes western. In some ways remind's me of some of the old westerns I have read by Elmer Kelton or Louis L'amour, but this one taking place in a modern setting. Joe Pickett is called to leave his family and take on a new district temporarily near the Grand Tetons and Jackson, WY due to the apparent suicide of their local game warden and Joe's friend. As usual Joe Pickett finds himself in over his head as there is a melting pot of problems that unfold once he arrives. It is like you find a swarm of bee's and then trying to sort through them, all one at a time till you find the queen bee in the center of it all. Mysteries like this are hard to find with the story and characters to uphold the tale. Bravo C.J. Box you have had already established yourself as one of my favorites, but now sit atop tied for first with another of my favorites, which I will keep to myself. The fire has grown with each adventure of Joe Picket, now it is so roaring, I can't wait to read the next installment!!
oe Pickett is attempting to enjoy-all right, survive-his mother-in-law's wedding to a local big-shot rancher when he receives some disturbing news: Will Jensen,a fellow Wyoming game warden and a good friend, has killed himself. And Joe's been picked to temporarily run Jensen's Teton district.
Jackson, Wyoming, is a far cry from Joe's hometown of Saddlestring-it's the epicenter for many environmental extremists and an elite playground for the rich and powerful-and Joe quickly finds himself in over his head.
The closer Joe comes to the truth about Will's death, the more his own life spirals out of control-and he realizes that if he's not careful, he may end up as Jackson's next victim.
Jackson, Wyoming, is a far cry from Joe's hometown of Saddlestring-it's the epicenter for many environmental extremists and an elite playground for the rich and powerful-and Joe quickly finds himself in over his head.
The closer Joe comes to the truth about Will's death, the more his own life spirals out of control-and he realizes that if he's not careful, he may end up as Jackson's next victim.
Another Great Joe Picket Novel. Love this author and his suspenseful stories.
Fifth in the Joe Pickett series. From the cover: "A good friend and fellow game warden has killed himself, and Joe Pickett's been chosen to temporarily run his district. But Jackson, Wyoming, is a far cry from Joe's hometown of Saddlestring -- and it doesn't help that now Joe feels compelled to investigate the circumstances surrounding his friend's suicide. But as he comes closer to the truth, the more his own life spirals out of control -- and he realizes that if he isn' t careful, he may be Jackson's next victim ..." Another fast-paced book from Box, with Joe fighting against evil developers who will stop at nothing to get their way. Box as usual shows both sides of the hunting story, with both good and bad aspects shown. It's a little bit over-the-top, with the drunk homicidal hunting guide and...oops, no spoilers. What I didn't care for here was the developer's wife, who had been having an affair with the previous warden and was all set to start over with Joe. And Joe's wife, who is now getting a little hot and bothered by Nate Romanowski. C'mon, one of the best things in these books is the strong family commitment. I guess there has to be some discord to make it more interesting.
Anyway...still a good book, not that necessary to have read any of the previous.
Anyway...still a good book, not that necessary to have read any of the previous.
