Out of Range

There’s a rule of thumb included in most how-to-write-a-book books to the effect that an author should never impose a plot on his or her characters, but should allow the plot to grow out of them. Mr. Box, who is one of my favorite authors, forgot to follow that rule in this one, and it suffers as a result.

Joe Picket, the protagonist in this and all other C. J. Box books to date, is a wonderful character, and the author has put us so inside the character in the other books that we KNOW what Joe is likely to think and do in almost any situation. But Mr. Box evidently felt the need to crank up the tension this time around, and for whatever reason introduces events that do increase the suspense but which violate the character of Joe Pickett that has been established. It’s a shame. Out of Range therefore falls outside the range (!) of the series, which otherwise gets at least four stars per book, and sometimes five.

Joe, the Wyoming Game Warden usually working and living in a mythical Twelve Sleep County, including the only slightly mythical town of Saddlestring, is sent to deal with the aftermath of another warden’s apparent suicide in the Jackson Hole area. Needless to say, the suicide is not what it at first appears to be, but Joe feels himself falling into the same mess that caused the other guy’s death, with the implication that Joe is headed for the same fate. We know of course that it will all turn out all right, otherwise the next dozen books wouldn’t exist (!), but the plot revolves around how he’s going to escape with his sanity and his life.

The main plot does grow out of the characters, thankfully. It’s a couple of contrived subplots that violate our picture of who Joe Pickett is. C.J. Box is a good enough writer that this episode in the series is worth reading in spite of the problems. I just wish it was as good as the others.

Again C. J. Box has done a masterful job, a superb mystery in a unique setting with a surprise ending! His characterisation of Smoke Van Horn ranks within the top five that I have ever read! That’s no small rank considering that I’ve been reading at least one book a week, an eclectic spread, since I was nine years old when I stumbled into my first library.
A couple of comments, I’ve sold life insurance. I did so for years, successfully. Suicide is NOT exempted on “most” insurance policies. It is not paid for if it occurs in the first two years of the policy being in effect, after that, no problem. Location 1720.
Also, in location 2735, an ethical hunter brings in a gut shot fawn, accidentally killed. It happens. But during rifle season, and even before, there would be no spots on this year’s fawn by then.
Great book, great read, recommend it to all ages who like the outdoors, hunting, action, mystery and/or romance novels. C.J. Box delivers.

Okay.. so my work, housekeeping, and sleep are suffering. My favorite Joe Pickett adventure so far! This is my 8th or 9th book in the series. I started with “Off the Grid”, became fascinated with Nate, picked out a couple of others out of order, the went back to Joe Pickett number one and am reading the rest in order. Love Mr. Box’s writing style which keeps me wanting to see what happens next, the wonderful characters, the background topics based in current events and of course the wonderful descriptions of the wilds and scenery of Wyoming. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the page-turning drama of the characters’ (who are as normal, well except for Nate, as my best friends) adventures. This is the first review I have ever written, and I give five stars to each I’ve read… so far!! Thank you, thank you, Mr. Box! Now I need to get some things accomplished around here before I get sucked in to the next Joe Pickett adventure!!

This was number 5 in a series that seems to be getting better and better. Joe is such a good man, and very, very human. He’s not a superman, but he pours himself into every responsibility and sometimes I just wince as trouble abounds because he refuses to “go along to get along.” But doing the easier thing by looking the other way is just not in his nature. The Wyoming we knew from the previous novels in the series is absent here as Joe is sent for a temporary stint in a more prosperous and populated area where serious and dangerous politics abound. His old enemies also find a way to make more trouble for him, too. The plot was well executed and I was holding my breath at times. For me, the best part was the good, solid ending; I love it so much when Joe is shown to be right and the bad guys lose! I was also very relieved when his marriage proved to be as solid as I hoped. I’m pleased to say I already downloaded #6 to my Kindle!

If you like the Joe Pickett series, Out of Range again delivers what fans have come to expect from author C. J. Box

Out of Range takes Pickett out of Saddlestring, WY and delivers him to the unfamiliar world of Jackson, where the pace is faster, the monied interests greater and the visibility higher in Wyoming’s scenic playground. Pickett must take a temporary posting for a fellow game warden who killed himself after his life took a series of wrong turns.

But as is the case in this series, there is more than meets the eye. Pickett must contend with wealthy and powerful developers, political power houses, independent minded hunting guides and a host of other characters as he investigates his colleague’s death. In his longest sojourn away from his wife and family, Pickett must also deal with the temptations of the road while Marybeth comes to rely upon a family friend who is the only male she can lean on while Joe is away.

Fast paced with interesting characters and the usual plot twists found in the series. A good read again, Mr. Box!

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