Helpful Score: 1
This is the sixth book in the Joe Pickett series and it was definitely up to par with the preceding 5 books. This is one of my favorite series taking place in Wyoming with Joe Pickett, a State Fish and Game warden as the protagonist. In this one, a very bad member of the Keeley family is out to get his revenge on Joe for what he perceived as Joe's implication in the death of his brother and daughter. These events took place in the previous novels Open Range and Winterkill, both excellent reads. In addition, the novel tells the story of the Scarlett family, a long-time founding family of the county, and how the two older brothers are fighting for control of the family ranch and fortune after the mother vanishes. Towards the end of the novel, Joe is reunited with Nate Romanowski, who had disappeared in the prior book, Out of Range, after being accused of some homicides. Nate is one of my favorite characters in this series so hope he will play a bigger role in future stories. Overall, this was another action-packed page-turner from Box and I would highly recommend it.
Having read "Blood Trail" from the local library and having read some starred reviews of C.J. Box, I picked up "In Plain Sight" and loved it. It's a western gothic tale that concerns the matriarch of a Wyoming family, Opal Scarlett, and her three feuding sons. While Joe Pickett's town is torn in half by loyalties to one of the two sons destined to inherit the ranch, Pickett himself (and his family) is targeted by a remorseless killer from his past, presumably from a book I haven't read.
Joe Pickett is not Jack Reacher or Dirk Pitt: he's not effortlessly cool under pressure. He says the wrong thing at times and annoys those closest to him. In other words, he's more human. He lives by a strong moral code and this often puts him at odds with the politicians who oversee him (like cowardly Randy Pope).
The book contains great sprawling scenes of Wyoming; the author loves to describe in detail the land and animals that live there. The whitewater rafting scene (a neat twist on a chase scene) is terrific. I've gotten a few more of Box's books from the library and plan on spending quite a few evenings at home, enjoying and savoring every page.
Joe Pickett is not Jack Reacher or Dirk Pitt: he's not effortlessly cool under pressure. He says the wrong thing at times and annoys those closest to him. In other words, he's more human. He lives by a strong moral code and this often puts him at odds with the politicians who oversee him (like cowardly Randy Pope).
The book contains great sprawling scenes of Wyoming; the author loves to describe in detail the land and animals that live there. The whitewater rafting scene (a neat twist on a chase scene) is terrific. I've gotten a few more of Box's books from the library and plan on spending quite a few evenings at home, enjoying and savoring every page.
Joe can really find himself in the middle of a mess and this time he isn't the winner. Such a good series and a different kind of hero.
Joe's family is threatened----again. This time Joe crosses the line in the shocking ending. Each book in this series is better than the last one.
Excellent series.
Like a fine wine, it just gets better with age! That is it in a nutshell with the Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box. I would suggest if you are a new fan to read them in order as things will fall into place much better. Our main charachter Joe Pickett is just like a fine wine as suggested who gets better with age, kind of let's say becomes more seasoned as the rodeo goes on. This book take off from previous events and encounters that took place in Saddlestring, WY with Joe Pickett being the game warden and handling his district. This one becomes personal as his life as he knows it, family, and job is challenged by so it seems everyone in the present and past. No different from past books in the series the pages turn like blistered lightning and gets you caught up till you can't release the book from your grasps! The main threat is from his past in the alias name of Bill Monroe hiding his real name for a cat and mouse game to be played later with Joe. The way C.J. Box depicts Monroe will send chills down your spine as you plunge into this headway. He will be like no other that has challenged game warden Joe Pickett in the past. With this book in the series finished, in my mind I can't wait to see whats up next in the ongoing saga. Not sure I can handle much more suspense though as this was notched to the hilt!!!
