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sarahannkateri's review
2.5
I always enjoy Box's characters, setting, and plots, but we definitely aren't on the same political wavelength and it was hard to ignore in this book. I try to remind myself it's just fiction, but that can be hard when the author subtly hints at things like undercover feds being the real root cause of White Nationalist violence. I know the real-life FBI are no angels (just look at Ruby Ridge), but the idea that they are the main people inciting right-wing violence is not a great view to lend credence to right now. The wink-wink reveal that the "deep state" FBI was behind a "kidnapping plot of a high-ranking government official in Michigan," is, in my opinion, teetering on the precipice of irresponsibility, even in fiction.
If you want to read a true account of how the FBI infiltrates Far-right/White Nationalist groups, White Hot Hate: A True Story of Domestic Terrorism in America’s Heartland is definitely worth a read.
If you want to read a true account of how the FBI infiltrates Far-right/White Nationalist groups, White Hot Hate: A True Story of Domestic Terrorism in America’s Heartland is definitely worth a read.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review
4.0
Storm Watch by C.J. Box
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett investigates a mysterious death at a secret remote high-tech facility in this riveting new novel from #1 New York Times bestseller C.J. Box.
When a prominent University of Wyoming professor goes missing, authorities are stumped. That is, until Joe Pickett makes two surprising discoveries while hunting down a wounded elk on his district as an epic spring storm descends upon him.
First, Joe finds the professor's vehicle parked on a remote mountainside. Then he finds the professor's frozen and mutilated body. When he attempts to learn more, his investigation is obstructed by Federal agents, extreme environmentalists, and Governor Colter Allen.
Meanwhile, Joe's associate Nate Romanowski is rebuilding his falconry company, financing this through crypto mining. Nate is then approached by a shadowy group of local militant activists who are gaining in power and influence, and demanding that Wyoming join other western states and secede from the union – by force, if necessary. They ask Nate to throw in his lot with them, but he's wary. Should he trust them, or is he being set up?
My Opinion
It has been a while since I have read a book from the Joe Pickett series and with this one I am definitely reading the series out of order - but for me it was easy to follow. As with all the other books I have read by C.J. Box there is a lot going on in this book and Joe is definitely able to get himself in a lot of trouble whilst investigating shady goings on in his region.
I really enjoy this series and this was a great addition.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett investigates a mysterious death at a secret remote high-tech facility in this riveting new novel from #1 New York Times bestseller C.J. Box.
When a prominent University of Wyoming professor goes missing, authorities are stumped. That is, until Joe Pickett makes two surprising discoveries while hunting down a wounded elk on his district as an epic spring storm descends upon him.
First, Joe finds the professor's vehicle parked on a remote mountainside. Then he finds the professor's frozen and mutilated body. When he attempts to learn more, his investigation is obstructed by Federal agents, extreme environmentalists, and Governor Colter Allen.
Meanwhile, Joe's associate Nate Romanowski is rebuilding his falconry company, financing this through crypto mining. Nate is then approached by a shadowy group of local militant activists who are gaining in power and influence, and demanding that Wyoming join other western states and secede from the union – by force, if necessary. They ask Nate to throw in his lot with them, but he's wary. Should he trust them, or is he being set up?
My Opinion
It has been a while since I have read a book from the Joe Pickett series and with this one I am definitely reading the series out of order - but for me it was easy to follow. As with all the other books I have read by C.J. Box there is a lot going on in this book and Joe is definitely able to get himself in a lot of trouble whilst investigating shady goings on in his region.
I really enjoy this series and this was a great addition.
Rating 4/5
abibliofob's review
5.0
Storm Watch by C.J. Box will be the last book finished in 2022 and it sure is up among the best ones this year. It is always fun visiting Saddlestring Wyoming. Joe Pickett is one of the several game wardens I follow and I love the fact that there is a genre without the traditional police, private detective or military hero. I also love the side characters that are just as important as the "hero". I have followed this series since the beginning and have never been disappointed once and that is a great achievment for any writer. In this book we get bitcoin mining, poaching, murder, political power struggle and some kind of militant rebellion. Oh, and falconry of course. I love the new characters like Geronimo and the fact that Joes family is always taking a part in the story and actually is a big part of the solution. I also was surprised by the fact that Saddlestring has a new deputy that we all know from his blog and his new book Fields of Fire. I am really glad I got this copy and thank Edelweiss, G.P. Putnam's Sons and Penguin Random House for it as well as C.J. Box for keeping things western.
holl3640's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
karenzmn's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
danapr's review
4.0
In the midst of a spring storm, game warden, Joe Pickett stumbles onto a murder scene and is suspicious when the local sheriff’s department does not take him seriously. In addition to this situation, Joe is summoned to Cheyenne to meet with the governor and is ordered to “stand down”from any further curiosity about the murder. Meanwhile, Joe’s friend, Nate is being recruited to join a group of conspiracy theorists who are (no surprise) connected to both the murder and the governor’s directive.
Well, I was pleased to read this ARC to see that this book seems like a return to the formula that Mr. Box’s fans have always enjoyed - lots of serendipitous action with Joe and Nate getting the bad guys, now with help from Joe’s family and Nate’s new friend, Geronimo. I was also pleased to find “Antifa” and related politics absent although Mr. Box did manage to get at least one dig in against Colorado and another unnecessary rant about “the President” trying to stop the purchase of guns and ammunition - sure to please his right-wing followers. I will say that I didn’t quite get the conspiracy theorists and whether the message was that they were idiots or that the leftist bad guys just planned to make them appear stupid. Anyway, this formula works for this series and I’m sure fans of Joe and Nate will anxiously await the next installment. It did seem to me that this book was hastily written but I realize that ARCs can contain mistakes. I am definitely upgrading my review with the understanding that Mr. Box has a formula that works for his devoted readers although I did not enjoy the book and after 23 installments, I have grown weary of the storyline and will say goodbye to Joe and company.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Well, I was pleased to read this ARC to see that this book seems like a return to the formula that Mr. Box’s fans have always enjoyed - lots of serendipitous action with Joe and Nate getting the bad guys, now with help from Joe’s family and Nate’s new friend, Geronimo. I was also pleased to find “Antifa” and related politics absent although Mr. Box did manage to get at least one dig in against Colorado and another unnecessary rant about “the President” trying to stop the purchase of guns and ammunition - sure to please his right-wing followers. I will say that I didn’t quite get the conspiracy theorists and whether the message was that they were idiots or that the leftist bad guys just planned to make them appear stupid. Anyway, this formula works for this series and I’m sure fans of Joe and Nate will anxiously await the next installment. It did seem to me that this book was hastily written but I realize that ARCs can contain mistakes. I am definitely upgrading my review with the understanding that Mr. Box has a formula that works for his devoted readers although I did not enjoy the book and after 23 installments, I have grown weary of the storyline and will say goodbye to Joe and company.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the Advanced Reader Copy.
jhazen's review against another edition
5.0
I eagerly await every Joe Pickett novel. This new one doesn't disappoint. I love how this series and its characters have evolved. If you're a fan, don't skip this one. If you're not (yet), start at the beginning - it's worth it to see the evolution of the characters.
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
4 Stars. I love the Pickett books and this one was no exception. Other than being a little preachy politically, I guess. I get enough of that daily in this country on every news platform in existence.
Still, Joe and the gang were predictably enjoyable. The mystery was a good one and I can tell you it will be a quick little thriller to enjoy. Definitely ready for the next one.