Force of Nature

C. J. Box joins the ranks of top tier authors whose serial protagonist takes on a partner of sorts who is capable of much more violence and frequently does more than just bend the law a little. James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux has Clete Purcell (I'm sure he wasn't the first, but he was the first that I started paying attention to..), Robert Crais' Elvis Cole has Joe Pike. Some authors, such as William Kent Kreuger make use of a temporary ally, almost an antihero, like his Cork O'Connor's recent Noah Smalldog. Declan Hughes' Ed Loy has his childhood friend, Tommy Owens. Although, to be fair you'd have to pay close attention to tell who is the more violent or the bigger scofflaw.. Ed or Tommy! And I believe (at least through the third Ed show more Loy novel, where I am now) Tommy is here to stay.

Intellectually, I want to deplore these vigilante heroes. Morally, I worry about a nation of survivalist wannabes who can't keep their gun in their pants, having access to stories that reinforce that sense of "It's every man for himself" and "Every man his own Copper, Judge and Executioner"!

All of that said, it seems to be the very best writers who are populating this stark and dangerous landscape with their heroic gunslingers and nice guy protagonists whose buddy is even more brutal than the worst psychopaths.. and I grab them up as quick as they come out and head down behind the metaphorical barn, roll a corn silk cigarette, lean back against the sun warmed boards and read until I can't keep my eyes open any longer.

C. J. Box's new work "Force of Nature" is just such a book. His Joe Pickett and Joe's friend Nate Romanowski are just such heroes. When I began the book I quickly remembered that I had read the first two or three Joe Pickett stories and stopped because of some of the reasons stated above. By the time I was a quarter of the way into this book, I had Put Mr. Box back on my list of authors to read, subhead: down behind the barn.

Nate evidently, first appeared in the last Joe Pickett story "Cold Wind". A special forces trained operative who spends his days training Falcons and hunting with them, he finds himself on the outs with his old Black Ops unit, and is quickly on the run for his life in a story where the action never lets up for long and everyone is in jeopardy. His story immediately impacts his friend, Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett, featured in eleven previous novels. If you like non-stop action from start to finish.. a thriller written intelligently and professionally.. a background comprised of the most beautiful rural country that North America has to offer.. then you can't do any better than C. J. Box's "Force of Nature". And after reading that, then you can do as I'm doing.. going back and finding copies of the first eleven Joe Pickett stories. show less

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S FORCE OF NATURE ABOUT?
Nate Romanowski.

That's the short version anyway—but it's not a helpful answer.

Since we met Nate, we've known that he's living off the grid for more than philosophical reasons—he's not just a modern Thoreau, But we've never been given the story behind that. He's offered to tell Joe, but Joe's smart enough to know he shouldn't know (but he is curious).

Well now, those people he's been avoiding are getting close to finding him. They are approaching, questioning, kidnapping (if deemed necessary), and putting all other sorts of pressure on those who may know something about Nate or his whereabouts. This includes new characters as well as well-established show more characters—including all the Picketts, his friends on the reservation, his mysterious friends in Idaho, and others.

To protect those who are important to him, Nate has to stop hiding and go on the offense. Along the way, the reader gets answers to a lot of the questions about him that we've built up over the previous eleven novels.

We also get another lesson in watching out for your ears around Nate Romanowski, just in case Free Fire wasn't enough for you.

Yes, there are several other things going on, but they all tie back to Nate Romanowski—his past, his present, and if he has a future.

A GRIPE
This is semi-spoilery, but without this, I might have rated this higher, so I have to talk about it. I don't think reading this is going to ruin anything plot-wise. Still, feel free to skip down to the next heading.

Nate, Joe, and Marybeth all agree that the Picketts have to get out of town for their own safety. So Joe, Marybeth, April, and Lucy get to the airport so they can get out of the reach of those who might try to use them to get to Nate.

See the problem there? I said nothing about Sheridan. Sure, she's away at college, but we're talking about people who have gone to Idaho and Colorado to find people to get leverage on Nate. Does anyone really think they can't get to Laramie? Yes, Joe sends his FBI buddy to talk to her, but that's to get information, not to watch out for her.

I literally kept talking back to the recording, "What about Sheridan?" Is it possible I missed the two sentences it would've taken for Box to justify this choice, but I don't think that's the case.

DAVID CHANDLER
This is book 12, David Chandler has this series down—I'm sure he's not on auto-pilot or anything, but at this point, it's got to be comfortable for him.

That said, he's on his game here, and really gets to stretch his wings a little—there's (obviously) more Nate than usual, and Nate has a greater emotional range than usual, too. Bang-up job by Chandler.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT FORCE OF NATURE?
This is the most action-packed, violent, and unpredictable Joe Pickett novel yet. I'm not sure it's even close—I'm not sure it's the best novel in the series, but I'm guessing it's quite the fan-favorite because of all the Nate material.

It's the C.J. Box-equivalent of Robert Crais' L.A. Requiem where we get all of Joe Pike's background* in the midst of a gripping thrill ride. There's a version of this post that contains several paragraphs comparing/contrasting these two novels that I'm sorely tempted to write, but I can't imagine anyone wanting to read it all. This will both serve to humanize Nate as well as build up his mystique. A nice trick to be sure.

I just got a very real lesson in careful typing by invoking Joe Pike in a discussion about a Joe Pickett novel.

Am I happy to have a lot of questions answered about Nate? Yes. Do I have a whole bunch of new questions about him? Yes. Do I sort of hope that he disappears for at least a book so we can refocus on Joe? Yes. Do I think that anyone with a mild interest in the Joe Pickett series will dig this novel? No doubt in my mind. show less

"No living man can, or possibly ever will, understand the instinct of preservation that we share with our raptorial servant. No man-made machine can, or ever will, synthesize that perfect coordination of eye, muscle, and pinion as he stoops to his kill."

- Aldo Leopold, quoted in Forces of Nature by C.J. Box

Ex-Special Forces soldier Nate Romanowski, omni-competent and ruthlessly effective, has made critical appearances throughout this Wyoming-based action mystery series featuring game warden Joe Pickett. Now he gets to take center stage. In this falconry-infused entry, Nate's hinted at past comes to light, and with it a whole lot of bad guys looking to take him down. As those who know Nate start to disappear or die, Joe Pickett has to show more figure out how to help his friend while still protecting his own family. Meanwhile, the stupidity of Pickett-hating Sheriff McLanahan manages to turn bad situations even worse, and those seeking Romanowski seem to have infiltrated everywhere. New characters join the already enjoyable cast, and as usual the author does a great job of building the excitement and keeping the pages zipping along. Joe, of course, remains the epitome of integrity. When a baddie accuses Joe of "trying to get the drop on" him, Joe responds, "I'm not that clever", and when the same baddie accuses him of lying, Joe says, "I don't lie. You know that." That's our guy! If you're looking for a fun, action-packed diversion, this series, including its latest, supplies it. show less

Last year about this time, I picked up the latest C.J. Box novel and reminded myself how much I enjoyed Box's Joe Pickett series. Cold Wind left me wanting to know more about the mysterious Nate Romanowski....

"The secondary storyline involving Joe's friend Nate Romanowski totally grabbed me. Nate is a master falconer and fugitive. He has gone off the grid and underground in the hills of Wyoming. There are those that want him dead. More Nate please! (Fans of Joe Pike and Jack Reacher would like this character)"

Well, I got my wish. Force of Nature picks up the story of Nate. Nate knows who's after him - Nemecek - his old commander and falconry mentor from his time in a clandestine special forces unit in '95. Nate has knowledge that show more Nemecek doesn't want revealed and he'll say and do anything he can to find and kill Nate. Nate goes underground again, but Nemecek has no compunction at 'questioning' those Nate cares about - including the Pickett clan.

Recurring characters return - the incompetent local sheriff, up for re election, the one deputy that Joe does trust, Joe's wife Marybeth, a strong character on her own, and Joe's daughters. I have to say though, I am getting tired of foster daughter April's attitude, despite her personal tragedy. Joe has his hands full with a Luke, a new trainee game warden, as well.

Joe Pickett is a straight talking, stick to your principles, follow the high road kind of man. "But I really do believe there's nothing wrong with doing your best and doing the right thing." But in Force of Nature, Joe is walking a thin line between honouring friendship and respecting the law.

You might be saying how is a game warden involved in hunt for a killer? "We don't have a lot of law enforcement bodies around this county. When something major happens, everybody gets pressed into the effort. Highway patrol, local cops, brand inspectors. And game wardens."

Box writes what he knows - he lives in Wyoming and is an avid outdoorsman. His setting descriptions paint vivid pictures. He's a family man as well and his scenes with Joe, Marybeth and his family all ring true.

Force of Nature does have mystery elements that kept me guessing (who are the moles working with the killer?), but for the most part it is very much action based. I enjoyed getting Nate's back story. The only false note for me was Nate's feelings for Haley, although she was integral to the plot. I thought Box did a great job incorporating falconry and it's imagery into the story. I did find the final reveal of Nemecek's secret a bit anti-climatic, but this in no way detracted from a really good read.

Settling in with the latest C.J. Box novel is like sitting down with an old friend, who has a really great story to tell you. I can't wait for the next installment with the eminently likable Joe Pickett. show less

I have all the Joe Pickett novels having become a fan with the first book shortly after its release. I collect several other series in addition to the Pickett novels. Authors go through ups and downs in an extended series with some better than others. C.J. Box just seems to get stronger with each book in the Pickett novels and Force of Nature is perhaps his best yet. Joe's relationship with his wife, Marybeth, and daughters provides the thread that holds the series together, but it is his relationship with the mysterious Nate Romanowski that provides the tension that captures one's attention and keeps the series moving forward. Nate's complex attachment with Joe's wife adds depth to the story. In Force of Nature, we learn more about show more Nate and what drives his behavior. While Nate relates the story, it is Marybeth's discovery of the story on her own that makes it real and drives Joe to the story's conclusion. C.J. Box takes a big risk with this story and pulls it off in my opinion. It is a good read on its own, but for those who have followed this series, it is a tour de force. show less

First off let me say that I am not a real “dyed in the wool” C.J. Box fan. I know I am in the minority on this. Force of Nature is his latest thriller. His stories usually feature Joe Pickett, and while Pickett is present this story is about his enigmatic friend - Nate Romanowski.

Nate has been a presence in the Pickett household for years. But the questions abound - why does he live off the grid? Where is he from? What happened to produce the quiet, but lethal man he is? If you like complex moral stories with strong male protagonists, then Force of Nature is great. If you prefer clearer lines dividing right from wrong, give this book a pass.

The novel opens a few weeks after the previous novel closed. In a way it is the second part of "Cold Wind". Nate's story was the secondary story in the previous novel; he takes the leading role here. After losing Alisha and Big Merle, Nate now knows that his old commander is after him - the three local men who try to kill him kinda make it clearer than ever. So he goes on the run - trying to stay a step ahead of the elite team after him. As it turns out that becomes even more of a problem when the sheriff of Saddlestring also wants him - not that this ever stopped (Nate is a Federal fugitive after all) but 3 dead bodies make it a local matter as well.

Meanwhile Joe Pickett has a trainee and is really trying to teach the young man, Luke show more Brueggmann, how to be a game warden. Except that a triple murder means that all law enforcing agencies are helping the sheriff's office (regardless of the sheriff's desires).

We rarely see Joe in this novel - it is really a Nate novel and we finally get his backstory - including the reason why he left the army abruptly and why now everyone seems to want him dead. The explanation was a bit under-whelming - while I can see why it can mess with someone's head, it seems almost mild compared to what I expected based on some of the dropped clues and Nate's behavior. The novel is also tied to falconry and C. J. Box uses the birds and the hobby to enhance the story.

As the novel progresses, the two stories merge (as usual) and Joe manages to get in trouble (again). He never learns Nate's story (because he does not want to know it) and as with a lot of these novels, the solution does not come almost to the end.

It will be interesting to see where this series goes next. Nate is a fugitive again (or more than before anyway - he is wanted for a few murders in additional to the older charges) and Joe will probably end up being blamed for a lot of what happened with Luke - even if as usual he has nothing to do with it. show less