Well, that's one way to make ground chuck! Seriously though, I really enjoyed this book. The character development was very well done. Our villains are deeply disturbing individuals with an evil plan. Charlie Tibbs ranks up there with my "Best Worse Villains Ever" and the last person I'd want to tick off. On the upside, I'm really becoming fond of Joe Pickett, who is once again the underdog. He's not the alpha male that is so popular in fiction today, just an average "Joe" who loves his family and has a deep sense of commitment to his job. You really can't help but like the guy, especially after this book. For Joe, right is right and wrong is wrong. Period. It doesn't matter if he's arresting the Governor for fishing without a license, or in this case, up against a crazed killer who is carrying out a politically motivated agenda. It was nice to get to know more about Marybeth, too. They are a great couple and it's obvious that they gain strength from each other. The last half of this book was incredibly fast paced. I'm a real sucker for underdogs and suspense, so I was glued to the pages and enjoying the dialogue! The descriptions of Wyoming and the wildlife pulled me right into each scene, like I was a ghostly observer. Love it when a book can do that. The plot wove together nicely, wrapping up enough of the loose strings to make me wonder about Joe's future. I recommend this to any Crime Thriller fan, but just beware that some of the violence is a bit graphic and cringe worthy. If you like the occasional goosebump and shudder in your reading, this is for you!
I want to love these books because they came with such high recommendation. However, they are good but not wonderful! The main character is a fish and game warden, is very moral, and a bit too naive. I really hate to say it (because I should appreciate a moral, trusting character) but he was almost too good to be true. Oh, that is so sad to say. He is the kind of man who trusts in a handshake and expects that everyone will abide by the rules. I truly hope there are people like that still in the world though in what I've seen in my business world, it seems they are few and far between.The story was interesting. A hired gun seems to be targeting environmentalists and Joe Pickett is chasing down the story. It begins with a famous tree hugger being blown up as he is walking through a cattle field (looking to do some eco-terrorism) and comes upon a cow strapped with C4. Joe gets called in to check out the scene and it becomes his quest to figure out what's going on in his neck of the woods. An interesting story, again, for some reason his simple nature actually rubs me a bit wrong - I just want him to be a bit tougher or less gullible - something I can't quite put my finger on.
What do You think about Savage Run (2003)?
The second of the charming game warden Joe Pickett series finds Joe again in Wyoming's Bighorn mountain range. A famous ecoterrorist, out peacefully spiking trees with his bride of three days, is killed by an exploding cow. Joe is drawn into this crime and must meet with the cow's owner, who seems complacent about the deaths on his ranch land. Joe wants to know why this bizarre circumstance of facts doesn't phase the jerk.Marybeth, Joe's wife, begins receiving phone calls from an old high school beau, who happens to be the guy blown up by said exploding cow. And then the suspense begins. Body count begins to grow, environmentalists are in danger; and Joe is now busy with good and bad guys, and trying to figure out which is which. His suprise, anger and humor as he stumbles his path in this book, are typical Joe Pickett stuff, and you won't want to miss it.The Wyoming landscape as described by C.J. Box will take your breath away, not to mention the twists and turns and ups and downs of Joe's life, sometimes you want to reach into the pages and help the poor guy.
—Sherri
The story begins with eco-terrorist Stewie Woods getting blown up by a cow, which would grab anyone's attention. Game Warden, Joe Pickett, is called to the scene along with the sheriff. Everyone is trying to make this and accident, but Joe suspects more especially when his wife starts receiving phone calls from Stewie. I gave the story 4 stars only because some of the storyline was predictable. CJ Box has the ability to show both sides of the ecological argument without being preachy. I am looking forward to reading the next installment of Joe Kickett
—Holly Morey
Joe continues to struggle with opposition on virtually every front as he tries to understand the most bizarre murder I don't think I've ever read about death by exploding cow before. With that kind of beginning, you know this is going to be a tongue-in-cheek look at murder in rural Wyoming. The environmentalists are extreme, and Joe is caught between them and the greedy and shadowy political monsters trying to plunder the West. Throughout the story, Joe seems a half-step behind, but he isn't as fumbling as first appears.
—Michael Arches
