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.
Cold Wind by CJ Box
Narrator: David Chandler
Series: Joe Pickett #11
Published by Recorded Books on March 22, 2011
Genres: Mystery
Length: 11 hours, 13 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
When Earl Alden is found dead, dangling from a wind turbine, it's his wife, Missy, who is arrested. Unfortunately for Joe Pickett, Missy is his mother-in- law, a woman he dislikes heartily, and now he doesn't know what to do-especially when the early signs point to her being guilty as sin.
But then things happen to make Joe wonder: Is Earl's death what it appears to be? Is Missy being set up? He has the county DA and sheriff on one side, his wife on the other, his estranged friend Nate on a lethal mission of his own, and some powerful interests breathing down his neck. Whichever way this goes . . . it's not going to be good.
I thought maybe with Joe getting back to Saddlestring and doing the regular game warden work, he might catch a break. But that wouldn’t be a very interesting book. I am glad to see his family is together, other than April, and Sheridan off to college. April is spiteful and mean. Her life hasn’t been easy, and she is a teen, but she doesn’t seem grateful for anything.
Cold Wind is about the murder of Earl Alden out at his wind farm. Something is fishy with the sheriff sending people out before Joe called it in when he finds the body. Missy is disgusting as usual.
Nate is hiding out and more people are out to get him. I feel badly he is in such a position, although partially his choices have put him there. The corruption and politics are also responsible though.
Joe investigates the murder for Missy even though it is not his purview. He learns a lot about more corrupt people and schemes. The main witness is Bud Longbrake and I’m sad at his downward spiral since his divorce from Missy.
There are plenty of shocking events which happen. It’s hard not to spoil the books this far into the series. It ends with a tease of people after Nate at the end.
Force of Nature by CJ Box
Narrator: David Chandler
Series: Joe Pickett #12
Published by Recorded Books on March 20, 2012
Genres: Mystery
Length: 11 hours, 23 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
In 1995, Nate Romanowski was in a Special Forces unit abroad when his commander, John Nemecek, did something terrible. Now the high-ranking government official and cold-blooded sociopath is determined to eliminate anyone who knows about it—like Nate, who’s hidden himself away in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains. And he knows exactly how Nemecek will do it—by targeting Nate's friends to draw him out. That includes his friend, game warden Joe Pickett, and Pickett’s entire family. The only way to fight back is outside the law. Nate knows he can do it, but he isn't sure about his straight-arrow friend. And all their lives could depend on it.
Force of Nature was as suspenseful as I could imagine. The secret government team is after Nate. The leader, who trained Nate, and others is projecting all his misdeeds onto Nate so the team will go to take him down.
The team starts killing everyone who knew Nate in Saddlestring area after forcing them to tell anything they knew. Joe has a new trainee game warden who seems more attached to his cell phone than his job. Joe quickly finds the people who are disappearing are dead and probably related to Nate. Eventually, he sends his family away but he won’t desert Nate.
It’s impossible to say much without spoiling this life and death thriller. Joe strands another pickup! Both Joe and Nate always seem to need to face extremely difficult moral decisions. Law enforcement and government often seem not to protect ordinary citizens.
Breaking Point by CJ Box
Narrator: David Chandler
Series: Joe Pickett #13
Published by Recorded Books on March 12, 2013
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 10 hours, 37 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Joe Pickett always liked Butch Roberson—a hard-working local business owner whose daughter is friends with Joe’s girls. Little does he know that when Butch says he’s heading into the mountains to scout elk, he is actually going on the run.
Two EPA employees have been murdered and all signs point to Butch as the killer. Joe learns that the land Butch and his wife had bought to retire on was declared a protected wetland by the EPA, and the subsequent fines have torn the family apart. Finally, it seems, the man just cracked.
It’s an awful story, but is it the whole story? The more Joe investigates, the more he begins to wonder—and he soon finds himself in the middle of a war in which he must choose sides.
The title Breaking Point is appropriate. The government officials’ actions are infuriating and frankly, criminal. Joe, in his state position, with a new director, of course ends up right in the middle of things. His daughter is good friends with the fugitive’s daughter, Hannah. In fact, Hannah, is staying at his house.
I was pleased to see Reed as sheriff but of course the old sheriff can’t butt out. The EPA people are ridiculous. The governor isn’t totally a bad guy; at least he is positive about Joe. His new boss is all about the wildlife protection and is shocked by the law enforcement aspects.
Joe ends up in an unprepared trek around the mountains with the EPA folks who have no experience in the wilderness. I was proud of Joe for collecting evidence, working with Mary Beth to find the truths in the situation. He helped everyone he could to save lives and diffuse the situations. There are some things left open at the end so I am, ready to read Stone Cold as soon as I can.
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
- 🎧Toto by AJ Hackwith @ajhackwith @Andreonthemic @AceBooksPub @BerkleyPub @PRHAudio #LoveAudiobooks - November 12, 2024
- Sunday Post – 10 November 2024 @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - November 10, 2024
- Series on Saturday: Arizona Edition @JAJance @Allison_Brennan @KevinHearne @davidbaldacci @JennAllyson #ElizabethGunn#SeriesOnSaturday - November 9, 2024
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
Thrilled to see you making progress in this series, Anne💜 One day I’ll resume it.
It’s really good. The things some govt powers do are horrifying though.
I need to take a page out of your book and try to finish up series that has been neglected.
That’s the theory behind this Sunday series. I chose a long series to start off so I’m not having so much progress.
I’ve only read a few books in this series, but I did enjoy them. I just never found the time to finish the series or get caught up on the earlier books. Too many series…too little time. You know how it goes. ;D
yes I really want to read more series!
This series is on my wishlist. I am hoping to listen. They sound so good.
They are excellent but there are plenty of them. I’ve been working on this series all year and I’m about halfway.
You’re killing it! 😀
Thank you. It doesn’t feel like it when the series has twenty some books.