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. But I’ve become totally comfortable with the narrator’s Joe Pickett voices.
Off the Grid by CJ Box Narrator: David Chandler
Series: Joe Pickett #16
Published by Recorded Books on March 8, 2016
Genres: Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 38 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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There's no hiding off the grid.
Joe Pickett's old friend Nate Romanowski is off the grid, lying low while the FBI search for him. But they're not the only ones looking. Nate finds himself confronted by agents who need his help assessing a potential terror threat in Wyoming's Red Desert – in return they'll make Nate's criminal record disappear. Nate knows they can't be trusted – but with his liberty at stake, he has to comply... for now.
Meanwhile, Joe's heading south, under orders from State Governor Rulon to investigate a rash of crimes and an uptick in secretive federal activity along Interstate 80...
As they pursue their quarries, both men will be drawn deep into the Red Desert, 9,000 square miles of bleak, punishing terrain, home to a secret that could take them both down.
Every book seems to have more and more dire stakes and is more unbelievable as far as the situations where Nate and / or Joe survive. No wonder it’s a tv show. The books are easy listening and plenty of action and moral conflicts to ponder. Stories like this make me want to be Off the Grid.
Nate has a quasi government agency come after him to see what is going on with a foreign born son of royalty from the Middle East. If he does it, they say they will clear his and Liz’s records completely so they don’t have to be off the grid. They want him because he’s a Master Falconer and so are the foreigners.
Joe is sent by the governor to see what is going on on the pretext of following a killer grizzly. He finds the group pretty quickly but they find him and try out their EMP device on him, killing yet another pickup truck. He starts walking in the desert and at least has some water and his guns. He is surprised to find Nate is in the area and shocked to find Sheridan.
The original guy and his purpose aren’t all bad, but he gets overruled by jihadists who want to cause more damage and death. Nate and Joe struggle to alert the good guys and keep themselves alive. I really enjoyed Off the Grid but I can’t stand how beat up they get. It looks like things might be better at the end. The governor is at the end of his term but he is going to be a partner at a law firm and plans to keep his hand in with Joe’s special adventures.
Vicious Circle by CJ Box Narrator: David Chandler
Series: Joe Pickett #17
Published by Recorded Books on March 21, 2017
Genres: Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 20 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
The plane circled in the dark. Joe Pickett could just make out down below a figure in the snow and timber, and then three other figures closing in. There was nothing he could do about it. And Joe knew that he might be their next target.
The Cates family had always been a bad lot. Game warden Joe Pickett had been able to strike a fierce blow against them when the life of his daughter April had been endangered, but he’d always wondered if there’d be a day of reckoning. He’s not wondering any longer. Joe knows they’re coming after him and his family now. He has his friend Nate by his side, but will that be enough this time? All he can do is prepare . . . and wait for them to make the first move.
In Vicious Circle, Dallas Cates gets out of prison and, along with some fellow parolees, he takes to enacting revenge against Joe Pickett and his family. Joe already has some poachers and a new governor to handle. The twisty and vicious is at top speed here.
Only through luck, intelligence and determined procedures do Joe and Mary Beth manage to keep the family safe. Nate surprisingly is needed very little as smart outweighs brutal force. I love how Joe’s intuition backed by his wife’s research exposes the truth.
I enjoyed this and will miss some of the characters who didn’t make it through. For those who may have triggers, a dog dies in one of the attacks. I love Joe’s compassion and firm grip on the rule of law even when things are most frustrating. I also appreciate Nate’s competence and fierce protection of Joe and his family. As usual, I can’t imagine what will happen going forward.
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 normally listen at 1.50x speed instead I went to 1.75x speed which worked well.
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:
- 25-Audio
- 25-COYER
This is a series I want to read at some point after watching the show with my husband- plus I love the Wyoming wilderness setting. Glad even late in the game you are loving these.
They are a bit over the top on some of the events but definitely entertaining. They also highlight some real issues.
I have read all of the series so far and am anxiously waiting for Battle Mountain. It comes out in February 2025. Love the books.
Thank you Debra. I hope to catch up soon. I am really enjoying them. They are definitely thrillers. I like the view of morality contrasted from Joe and Nate’s viewpoints. The government corruption is mindboggling.
How fun!!!!
They are thrillers
Seems like you’re enjoying this series and in audio! Great review!
Thank you. I’m getting closer to catching up to current. They are very easy to read. I’m worried sick for the main characters but they are main characters and seem to escape the worst.