C. J. Box

Taking place a couple of years after, "Open Season", "Savage Run" is the second story about the too-honest-for-his-own-good man-of-few-words, devoted husband and father, Wyoming gamekeeper, Joe Pickett.

The book opens with a high profile eco-warrior falling prey to assassination by exploding cow. The blast takes place in a National Park Forest that is leased to cattle ranchers and Joe is called in to assist in the investigation before it is clear that either cattle or humans are involved.

What show more follows is a small range war in which two assassins target various prominent eco-campaigners. Despite the fact that these deaths are vicious, cold-blooded and designed to be humiliating, this remains a fairly low-key book. Perhaps this is a reflection of the character of Joe Pickett. He's a principled man who believes in doing his job honestly and competently and holding everyone equally to account, regardless of their wealth and influence but he is neither a campaigner nor an avenger. He just does what he needs to do.

What I liked most about this book was the irrepressible personality of the constantly-monologuing-but-still-dryly-amusing death-by-cow eco-warrior. His stamina stretched belief a little but his charisma compensated for that.

I also liked the way Joe's wife, Marybeth, who suffered such trauma in "Open Season" comes into her own and drives the plot along.

This series is turning into a slow-cook, gentle delight, with the plot being subordinate to an understanding of a way of life and the values that support it. show less

I don't read a detective book series for brilliant insights into our relationship with the larger cosmos. Joe Pickett would not have much patience with that, and the books are better for it.

Also, a cow is one thing, but you don't fuck with a man's dog. Or a woman's dog, Harvey. Just don't do it.

C.J. Box
OFF THE GRID: A Joe Pickett Novel
G.P. Putnam Sons, 2016
384 pages
Thriller / Suspense

So, it turns out C.J. Box has an entire Joe Pickett series. Some fourteen or fifteen Joe Pickett novels. And I, fortunately, just discovered him--or them--or him, the author--Pickett the character. I will admit, I am super excited. Thing is, OFF THE GRID is the latest. Now I must go back and read the other books in the series. (This I shall do gladly!)

Anywho. OFF THE GRID is a brisk thriller. This can show more be called a Nate Romanowski Novel as much, or as equally, as it can be called a Joe Pickett novel. Seems I missed a lot not having read the earlier books in the series, but I did not feel lost as a reader jumping in at the end. (Good thing!).

By court order, and law, and signed agreements and such, Joe and Nate are not allowed contact with each other. In fact, Nate is wanted by the law. Crimes committed, laws broken. Living off the grid, Nate and his girlfriend, Olivia Brannan are in hiding in Wyoming. They're making a living at not getting found. That is, until they are found.

When the Wolverines come calling, this super secret team of government employees across all branches of the government, Nate has no choice but to hear them out. They need his help. Because of his unique talents as a falconer he may be the only one who can infiltrate a terrorist cell somewhere in the Red Desert. In return, Nate is promised his record will be wiped clean. Erased.

However, if he fails, if he is caught, if anything goes wrong--the Wolverines will deny any involvement, and Nate will go to prison for previous criminal activity, and pay for whatever new charges tacked on.

Joe Pickett, a game warden, is called upon by the governor (once again, apparently) to help on a special assignment. He knows he can use the tracking of a rogue bear as a cover. The task will lead the game warden down a road similar to Nate's. The threat of terrorism is all around.

As if never separated, Joe and Nate work together, without knowing the other is even involved, gathering up evidence, and information with the hopes of shutting down, preventing, an act of terror before the terrorist act can be committed!

Box writes terse, taut scenes. His characters are well drafted, and authentic. He pulled me right into the story (which I didn't think would be easy because I knew I was on the latest book in the series, and not the first -- which is the kind of thing that bothers me as a reader). It didn't matter. OFF THE GRID worked as an independent tale, a stand alone novel. It isn't. But it worked as one. Loved the dialogue, and the action. And as I stated up top -- I will be reading the other books in the series!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of The Severed Empire Saga,
and the Vaccination Trilogy show less

It's been two-years since Cassie Dewell went up against a corrupt State Trooper and a serial killer known as The Lizard King. She's never given up her search for the killer, but she's ready for a change of scenery. She leaves Montana behind and takes a new position as a Chief Investigator in Bakken County, North Dakota, home to a booming oil town where drug crimes and prostitution are on the rise. A grisly murder soon points to police corruption and a missing shipment of drugs. Cassie's show more worries about The Lizard King are soon put on the back burner as she works to save a young special needs boy who has become tangled up in the danger.

Kyle stole the spotlight from Cassie (IMHO) and my heart broke for him several times. Born with fetal alcohol syndrome, he's a quiet kid and frequently underestimated by most of the adults in his life. After finding a large bag of drugs and cash, he wants to do the right thing by going to the police. Unfortunately, T-Lock (Kyle's mother's boyfriend) has other plans and manipulates the boy. T-Lock eventually takes the choice away from him completely, which places the small family in even more danger. Despite his circumstances, Kyle turned out to be a strong little guy, even when he just couldn't catch a break.

On a happier note, I like that Cassie's self-confidence is growing. She learned some painful lessons in the last book and it was good to see her develop a take charge attitude. She's a thinker and strives to make the best possible decision, even if that means getting creative with police procedure. I do miss Cody, though. I was just warming up to him! *sniffle*

This book was so engaging that I read it in one setting! It'll be a long wait for the next installment! show less