Reviews

Book number four in the Joe Picket mystery series opens with Wyoming Game Warden Joe taking his daughters on a fishing trip. They discover the carcass of a moose, and Joe is disturbed to notice signs of mutilation. It’s only the beginning of the nightmare.

I like this series, mostly because I really like Joe Picket (and his wife, Marybeth). He is the quintessential “good guy,” fighting to preserve the environment and a peaceful setting for his family and the residents of Twelve Sleep County. Box gives us plenty of action – in addition to the moose there are cattle mutilations, a horse is attacked, and two men killed. His daughter’s playmates seem bent on leading her into trouble, and I about screamed in fright along with the kids when …. Well, I won’t spoil the action for you.

But I was dissatisfied with the ending. Too much “aliens” mumbo-jumbo, and a too-convenient demise made me feel as if Box had run out of ideas and turned to 1950s sci-fi films for inspiration. Still, it’s a good story and a fast read; I haven’t given up on the series, but I’m in no hurry to read the next one.

angrysnwmnky's review against another edition

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mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

dad_bro_39's review

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mysterious 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

4.0

mrtaylor23's review against another edition

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3.0

As stated, Joe hates “woo-woo.” I can’t say I blame him after the horrors and supernatural things that took place is this story line. While the events that took place were mysterious, and seemed predictable, there is a wild twist in the traits of a certain character at the end that definitely took my by surprise. I love that just when you think you’ve got the mystery solved, Box throws a wrench into it all and reveals something from a different angle. While this has been my least favorite book in the series so far, (too far out in right field for me) I look forward to continuing to series and returning to more feasible mysteries.

kirstenvt's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

emd14223's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-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? No

4.25

Really enjoy this series, not usually my typical thriller but it's well written and this one had a nice twist. Will continue with the series

gaylebn's review against another edition

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5.0

#4 in the Joe Picket series. I enjoy the characters and the murder mysteries.

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