mrklhn's review against another edition
3.0
An adult book written for kids. Despite the clunky prose, the story was quite compelling
jbaustian1987's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
larl_girl81's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
denaiir's review against another edition
3.0
I would rate this as 2.5, with an avaerage narration (also 2.5-star) by Holter Graham.
This is the first of the Highway Quartet Series and I had just recently read the 3rd book narrated by January LaVoy, who had done an excellent job, so I was looking forward to that one. Now that I've read 2, I think C.J. Box might just not be for me. Book 3's plot was really nothing special but was saved by narration and by the detective. I thought maybe with a different plot I would enjoy it more. However, it seems that Box has a tendency to use crazy coincidences all over the place, the plots focus on drug cartels (which I personally don't care for) and the detective in this one didn't really agree with me.
Based on many reviews I think maybe I should check the Joe Pickett series, but I'm not sure I would be more involved, especially if Box continues to use those crazy coincidences to make his plots work.
Descriptions of life in the wilderness of Yellowstone appealed to me greatly and I should have been amazed, but unfortunately the plot ruined the atmosphere.
Overall an ok read that could have be great if the plot had been less of a spaghetti western.
This is the first of the Highway Quartet Series and I had just recently read the 3rd book narrated by January LaVoy, who had done an excellent job, so I was looking forward to that one. Now that I've read 2, I think C.J. Box might just not be for me. Book 3's plot was really nothing special but was saved by narration and by the detective. I thought maybe with a different plot I would enjoy it more. However, it seems that Box has a tendency to use crazy coincidences all over the place, the plots focus on drug cartels (which I personally don't care for) and the detective in this one didn't really agree with me.
Based on many reviews I think maybe I should check the Joe Pickett series, but I'm not sure I would be more involved, especially if Box continues to use those crazy coincidences to make his plots work.
Descriptions of life in the wilderness of Yellowstone appealed to me greatly and I should have been amazed, but unfortunately the plot ruined the atmosphere.
Overall an ok read that could have be great if the plot had been less of a spaghetti western.
avillard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wombat_88's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mojoshivers's review against another edition
5.0
I remember reading the first book of the Pickett series and only being mildly impressed. This book, however, I was completely drawn into. Not only was Cody a terrific flawed hero but a lot of the supporting characters were great as well.
The whole party going out into Yellowstone was a great set-up for a mystery/thriller. In a lot of ways it reminded me of City Slickers, with a lot of city-types being put through their paces by more rugged cowboy-types, except in this scenario the group gets picked off one-by-one. That part reminded me of Ten Little Indians.
I also applaud the use of the double blind bad guys. It always makes for a fun wrap-up when you realize there are two groups at cross-purposes with each other that are responsible for all the dead bodies, homes burned, and questionable behavior. The reader’s mind is always biased to believe all clues and incidents originate from the same place. It’s refreshing to see when it’s actually been two different crews of antagonists making all the mess.
All in all, a good start to the Highway Quartet.
The whole party going out into Yellowstone was a great set-up for a mystery/thriller. In a lot of ways it reminded me of City Slickers, with a lot of city-types being put through their paces by more rugged cowboy-types, except in this scenario the group gets picked off one-by-one. That part reminded me of Ten Little Indians.
I also applaud the use of the double blind bad guys. It always makes for a fun wrap-up when you realize there are two groups at cross-purposes with each other that are responsible for all the dead bodies, homes burned, and questionable behavior. The reader’s mind is always biased to believe all clues and incidents originate from the same place. It’s refreshing to see when it’s actually been two different crews of antagonists making all the mess.
All in all, a good start to the Highway Quartet.
writer595's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
book4merk's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25