Customer Reviews

Trophy Hunt: A Joe Pickett Novel

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Jo Pickett Mysteries by C. J. Box were recommended to me through Amazon.com, being a gungo-freak for Randy Wayne White and James W. Hall mysteries. After reading "Open Season", I bought and finished the next three novels over a period of three weeks. Needless to say I was "hooked". I enjoyed Trophy Hunt less than I did the other three. The story line was to say the least a bit macabre with all sorts of bizarre happenings. There were all sorts of loose ends that were not resolved. Why did Maxine's hair turn white? What was the significance of Nate and Sheridan's dreams? What caused Nate's falcons to "freak out"? Where did that grizzly bear come from (Savage Run, perhaps?) There was a bit too much of the "woo-woo" stuff (using Jow Pickett's apt descriptive words. I do like the continuity that follows from one novel to the next; so I really recommend starting to read the Joe Pickett novels with the initial "Open Season." You get to see the development of the major characters in the storyline.

I agree with one of the reviewer's comments that it is time that Joe becomes a real lawman. Hey C. J.! Let him run for sheriff and earn enough money to take care of his family. Let's crank out a sequel and explain where that bear came from. I still get queasy when I smell slab bacon.

After months of waiting, I anxiously dove into the latest Joe Pickett adventure -- Trophy Hunt. CJ Box did not disappoint this reader with his fourth story about this modern-day sleuth. Once again, Pickett takes on the bureaucracy, knows he is right and plunges ahead. With a number of well timed twists and turns, Box exposes Pickett for who he is -- an everyday guy trying to do his job against tough odds. Draped with the Wyoming Rockies as a background, Trophy Hunt weaves myth and fact together in great tale. Box has once again captured the essence of a great story and a character with whom everyone can identify. From shady dealers to mysteriously mutilated livestock, with a couple of murders thrown in, Trophy Hunt is another trophy on BoxÕs shelf! Long live Joe Pickett!

This is the third Joe Pickett novel I have read and it is not up there quality wise with his first two Open Season and Savage Run. There are a lot less surreal Carl Hiaasen style characters and Box seems to be moving more in the direction of far fetched fantasy land solutions then stuff that could occur to anyone in every day life. It's not a bad read and fans of the Joe Pickett and his family characters may well get something out of it but hopefully C.J. Box will return to the real world for his next novel.

Cattle and other animals are being found mutilated with surgical precision around Saddlestring, Wyoming. The lazy cops are quick to blame a grizzly bear who has ventured from his national park. Joe Picket of course knows that a bear could not leave the corpses like they are being found and when human corpses start to join the list he has a wall to overcome in convincing the task force assigned that the bear, birds or any other wildlife aren't the killers. Meanwhile Cleve Garrett heavily funded by secret backers has been following the mutilations all over the country and is trying to convince Joe that aliens are responsible.

After Box's first three excellent books, I found this a bit lacking. It felt very slow at times and had a number of things left unexplained. I don't mind the element of mysticism but it didn't feel complete. Joe, his family and friends are great characters, the story definitely had me turning the pages and completing it in a day but it wasn't quite as strong as his previous books. Don't misunderstand; this is still a very good read and a series I shall continue to follow, but I hope the next entry will have a bit more suspense to it.

CJ Box's fourth book in the "Joe Pickett" series is an exciting and suspenseful work, perhaps the best of the series so far. Throughout the book, the suspense builds slowly but steadily around two mysterious murders and several strange cattle mutilations(so much so that I, as a reader, was feeling on edge and felt like I was there in the small town of Saddlestring, Wyoming, experiencing what was happening and wondering what would occur next) and then comes together in a complex yet fascinating way. This book is excellently crafted and offers a great continuation in the Joe Pickett series to those who have read Box's other books. If you are new to this series, I have no doubt that this book will get you hooked. I am hopeful that there are many more installments to come in this great series.

Slightly different approach than his other stories, but it kept things interesting. As the editorial says, Box touches on issues that affect the region, but he does it in a subtle way that adds to the storyline without hitting you across the head with a message of social justice that too many other authors seem to include in their writing.

I started the Picket novels on recommendation from Amazon after buying the Alex McNight series by Steve Hamilton. Both book series are easy reads that will draw you in before you know it. Not as complex as someone like Ludlum, but very enjoyable for a tired mind after a busy week of work. A good escape from the day to day routine.

I was extremely disappointed by the last Pickett novel and hoped this one would return to the quality of the first two. The book opens with an intriguing mystery-the inexplicable mutilation of wild animals-followed by two horrific murders. Joe Pickett has found his moral compass again. The portraits of Joe and his family are superb. The first half of the book is a page turner. Then, the resolution.... The villains were ridiculous, the solution of the murders was extraordinarily contrived. High hopes for this outing--not fullfilled. I'll pass on Pickett five.

Ok, I'm from Wyoming. But I would love them no matter where I hung my hat. They are wonderful stories, full of the mountains, and sage and low oxygen air. Joe Pickett is a great character; a very likable, human personality who seems to end up in the thick of things about once a year or so. Anyone who likes mysteries would enjoy these books. I highly recommend all four. The only problem with them is that you get to the end, you wonder what you're going to do 'til summer 2005 when the next one comes out. (Hey, no pressure to the author! :) )

Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett comes upon a dead moose that's been horribly mutilated. Meanwhile cattle have been found dead with the same mutilations. When the killing spreads to humans, everyone gets involved in the case: the sheriff, the FBI, the county attorney, and Joe too.

Speculation is rife in the community. People blame government experiments, cults, and aliens by turns.

The plot is complex. There's quite an eventful mix of criminal behavior, insanity, and possibly paranormal goings-on. Joe isn't comfortable with things that can't be explained, and in this case I tend to share his skepticism. But apparently in real life there's been a history of these mysterious cow mutations, and C.J. Box sticks pretty closely to the details of what happened. He makes the story his own by adding extra layers of intrigue and presenting us with some fascinating characters.

Trophy Hunt struck me as being a bit out of character with Joe's character, so it isn't my favorite in the series. But I can see other readers feeling differently. And since I'm reading the books in order, I'm glad I read this one for continuity. I really like the wild west setting of these novels.

A Conservation Officer may have to deal with, say, a Sasquatch sighting, but crop circles and animal mutilations?

In Trophy Hunt, Joe Pickett loses more friends than he makes. Mysterious mutilations of moose and cattle, and then humans, lead him to be part of a task force to solve these crimes. The popular ticket is either aliens, birds, or bears.

Joe thinks the answer is deeper and darker.

CJ Box puts together another exciting and engrossing tale in Trophy Hunt. I thought I had the mystery all worked out by the third chapter. Wow, was I wrong! And I loved Joe's compassion for the "Not Ike" character.

Although this is a stand-alone novel, I encourage new readers to read this series in chronological order. You'll grow with Joe.

Enjoy.