Below Zero

Could have been in better shape, cover torn off.

I just recently discovered C.J. Box's books, sure glad I did, wonderful stories , lots of fun

This is one of his best. I loved how he tied the ending up so nicely, so many authors leave you hanging for the next book. If you like this author, you will love this book. And, thanks for the 9.99 Kindle price right off the bat.

Below Zero is a sequel to Box's third Joe Pickett novel Winterkill. Well it's a sequel to 7 others as well, but the ending of those ones isn't given away as Winterkill's plot is in Below Zero. So I'd highly recommend reading that one first, in fact, I'd suggest reading the whole series in order which starts with Open Season. Their order is at the bottom of this review. All can be read as standalone reads, but once you've read one, you'll want to read them all so you might as well read them in order and experience Pickett's family grow and his career, well not really grow but you'll experience it's ups and downs. In Below Zero, a school boy now living in the Pickett family's old home, trying to impress Joe's daughter, passes her mobile number onto a mysterious caller. That caller will shortly after text Sheridan claiming she is April, a foster sister who the family thought was dead. Meanwhile Joe posted to the outskirts of the state for his past actions (read the former novels) is out to apprehend after rescuing a victim, the Mad Archer, a particularly grade A environmental lowlife, who seems to enjoy shooting arrows into wildlife and leaving them to die. When Joe learns of the texts to his daughter, he immediately takes personal leave and rushes back, set to do whatever he can to find out if April is April, which doesn't seem likely. When he learns the girl claims she is travelling with two men who are doing bad things such as killing people (unbeknownst to Pickett killing in the name of reducing carbon footprints of those who substantially pollute with no regard for the planet), he is determined to rescue her this time round. 1. Open Season (2001) 2. Savage Run (2002) 3. Winterkill (2003) 4. Trophy Hunt (2004) 5. Out of Range (2005) 6. In Plain Sight (2006) 7. Free Fire (2007) 8. Blood Trail (2008) 9. Below Zero (2009) 10. Nowhere to Run (2010) If you've read all the Joe Pickett novels, I'd also suggest the author Ben Rehder. Buck Fever is book one in a series of adventures set in Blanco County Texas with a very similar character to Joe Pickett in game warden John Marlin who could practically be his twin separated at birth and sent to Texas.

C.J. Box's Joe Pickett reads are a great adventure. It's hard to put down. Bring more on!!!!

First Sentence: Marshall and Sylvia Hotle, who like to list their places of residence as Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Quartzsite, Arizona, and "the open road," were preparing dinner when they saw the dark SUV will Illinois plates drive by on the access road for the third time in less than an hour. Six years ago, the Pickett's foster daughter, April, was killed in the massacre of a survivalist group. Or was she? April is been texting the Pickett's oldest daughter, Sherry, and that "bad" things have been happening. A father a son are on the road leaving behind them a trail of violence and death. Joe Pickett and his family are come of my favorite characters. Through the series, they continue to grow and change. While some may be tired of them, I like that they have weathered their challenges and grown as individual characters and as a family. Joe and his wife have gone through difficult times, worked through them and come out the other side, having had to make compromises and adapt. I very much enjoyed Joe's incomprehensible of texting and internet technology, but I also liked the way Box educated us and Joe at the same time with information on cell phone location. And I love Nate. The girl was intriguing; a mystery in herself, she was smart, tough and resourceful--a great characters. The father and son may have been a bit over the top, but added the tension, suspense and action they story needed. Box presents a strong message about the changing environment and global warming but I didn't feel beat over the head with it. As ever, he gave a very strong sense of place which adds dimension to the story. All the elements worked together with an excellent twist at the end. Box, once again, has assured his place on my `must buy' list. BELOW ZERO (Lic. Inv-Joe Pickett-Wyoming-cont) - Ex Box, C.J. - 9th in series Putnam, 2009, US Hardcover - ISBN: 978-0399155758