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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Open Season by C.J. Box

13. - 476.) Open Season by C.J. Box – Rookie Wyoming game warden, Joe Pickett, is off to a tough start. Not recognizing the new governor he ticketed him for fishing illegally. In a confrontation with outfitter Ote Keeley over taking over his limit of antelope his preoccupation with a summons lets Ote take his revolver. While Ote promises not to tell word spreads across the state. Just trying to deal with the challenges of the fall hunting season his 7 year old daughter, Sheridan, sees a monster cross their rural backyard. It turns out to be Ote who dies on the family woodpile. Two more are dead in the mountains. Joe is dissastisfied with the perfunctory investigation. As he pushes where no one wants him looking the possibility of an endangered species in the area starts floating around. The story delves into the problems for local people of the finding of an endangered species. Joe is that American rarity – an American mystery hero with a happy marriage and 2 young children. The story is crisply told and the characters are credible. The opening description of the sound a high powered bullet makes when it hits sent a little shiver up the spine.There are now two fine mystery series set in Wyoming. Box speaks knowledgeably of the state and hunting. I look forward to the next in the series. Hardcover or paperback. (Mar. 30/09)
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4 comments:

  1. Maxine ClarkeMay 10, 2012 at 4:01 AM

    I'm very glad you liked this book, Bill. I think it is an addictive little series! Apologies if I missed it, but what is the other fine mystery series set in Wyoming?

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  2. AnonymousMay 10, 2012 at 5:27 AM

    Bill - Oh, I'm so happy you liked this! I think Box does a terrific job with the Joe Pickett series. As the series goes on, too, Box lets the characters grow and develop. He does an excellent job, too, of conveying the setting I think.

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  3. Bill SelnesMay 10, 2012 at 11:17 PM

    Maxine: Thanks for the comment. The other series is the Walt Longmire series by Craig Johnson.

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  4. Bill SelnesMay 10, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    Margot: Thanks for the comment. It is one of the series I only started reading when several books have been written. At this point I think new books are being written faster than I am reading the series. I do like Box creating a real family who will grow together.

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