I needed to figure out a way to start reading series where I am not current or the series is finished but haven’t read them yet. So it’s a way to commit myself to read my backlist, particularly series.
I have been wanting to read the Joe Pickett series for awhile after reading the first one. The initial books I read in ebook format because the narrator David Chandler was in my head for another series. There is a similarity in the two author’s work with a law enforcement main character in a gorgeous natural area.
Below Zero by CJ Box Narrator: David Chandler
Series: Joe Pickett #9
Published by Recorded Books on June 23, 2009
Genres: Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 22 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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Six years ago, Joe Pickett's foster daughter, April, was murdered. Now, someone is leaving phone messages claiming to be the dead girl. As his family struggles with the disturbing event, he discovers that the calls have been placed from locations where serious environmental crimes have occurred. And as the phone calls grow closer, so does the danger...
Joe is not like my urban fantasy series stars; he does not build a group of misfit allies. He just has Nate who has law enforcement after him. After 6 years, someone is texting his daughter claiming to be April. He and MaryBeth are skeptical but the texter sure does know a lot. Deciding they believe or need to find out the truth, Joe asks the governor for a leave of absence to go find her. He takes Sheridan since her phone is the contact.
He also tries to get the FBI to track the phone. Nate is also around for backup. Pretty quickly the texts make it clear she is in the company of two killers. Now the FBI is interested but Joe is afraid they will go in shooting like the last time April was in danger and she will be caught in the crossfire.
Below Zero is shocking and emotionally heartbreaking. Joe’s girls want April to be okay, and back with them. They all hardly believe she is still alive. And if she is, why hasn’t she contacted them before? The brutal deaths keep piling up. The FBI is hot on the trail now.
I know these characters and care about them. There are definitely all shades of gray and even black here. The greed and politics are clear and horrifying. A fast paced and exciting read I really enjoyed.
Nowhere to Run by CJ Box Narrator: David Chandler
Series: Joe Pickett #10
Published by Recorded Books on May 21, 2010
Genres: Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 13 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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It's Joe Pickett's last week as a temporary game warden in the mountain town of Baggs, Wyoming, but his conscience won't let him leave without checking out the strange reports coming from the wilderness: camps looted, tents slashed, elk butchered. What awaits him is like something out of an old campfire tale, except this story is all too real—and all too deadly.
Finally, Joe is free of Pope and Portenson, and getting back his Saddlestring district as game warden. He decides to finish up his work in the wilderness running down a report of elk poaching. He finds the poachers, brothers living off the land and he barely escapes with his life. Others aren’t so lucky. A strange woman patches him up and then he escapes after being shot again.
Joe has no plans to go back and other law enforcement don’t believe him. But a couple who lost their daughter up there ask him to go look for her. Joe believes she is the woman and with Nate’s help he heads up again. It’s the most frightening thing he has ever faced. He is not a hunter or great marksman.
But they aren’t the only ones trying to find the brothers, a mercenary team is there also. It’s an ironic look at the law versus justice. It poses a moral dilemma for Nate, and the brothers. Joe sticks to doing his job but is it worth his life?
Nowhere to Run is another thrilling story with plenty of issues of conscience and developing family dynamics, as well as the bureaucracy and politics of the government.
Narration:
David Chandler is a favorite narrator. He is totally the voice for the Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger. I wasn’t sure I could listen to these because the voice is so much the other series to me. Now I am comfortable with him for these characters in this world. I seem to be able to enjoy him in multiple series without getting him stuck in my head as just one character. I was able to listen comfortably at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip HERE
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
I love books that have excellent stories and characters but also hit me emotionally. I need to try this series!
I’m enjoying it, the combination. But sometimes I wish I could know more about the job or personal things than are written. The cases are action-packed and I can’t believe Joe is still alive sometimes. He won’t be able to handle this level of physical abuse forever, then what?
So glad the quality of this series is maintained throughout, and that you’re continuously enjoying the books! 🙂 The characters sound great, and I do love stories with good family dynamic development.
Thank you. yes I like having more than one thread of story and the emotional aspects of both.
So many great series, so little time…*sigh*
You know it! A list of 10 and I haven’t finished off one on the list yet. Sign. And there are so many more waiting to be on the list!
These sound so good.
I’m really enjoying them between the settings in the parks and forests and mountains with wildlife and native issues, preppers along with the steady growth of Joe and his family.