A review by mojoshivers
Back of Beyond by C.J. Box
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.