Long Range by C.J. Box

Reviewed by Kevin Tipple

Welcome back guest reviewer Kevin Tipple! His blog, Kevin's Corner, is an award-winning source of reviews and news.  Here is his latest review for us:

Humans and there ever advancing technology have always had an impact on the West. Often in unintended ways with major consequences. One of those who has noted those changes have been Author C. J. Box. He has done so in a variety of series, especially those that feature Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett. The same is true in his 21^st book in this long running and evolving series, Long Range: A Joe Pickett Novel.

As the book begins, Pickett is astride a borrowed horse and in the Teton Wilderness instead of his beloved Saddlestring District. One of three game wardens that make up the newly formed “Predator Attack Team” they are on the hunt for a grizzly bear that has killed a local hunting guide. That is if one can believe the out of state hunter, Julius Talbot. The story he tells is bizarre and does not describe typical bear behavior. Going with the client and sole witness back to the site of the attack, will allow the Game Wardens to recover what is left of the body and verify the story.

That is the plan until the Director of The Wyoming Game and Fish Department calls on a satellite phone and orders Joe Pickett to board the arriving helicopter and get back to his district immediately. The legendary and notorious Judge Hewitt is enraged and calling in markers and favors. Someone took a shot at him, missed, and hit his wife, Sue Hewitt. She is now in the local hospital in critical condition. Judge Hewitt has demanded that all local law enforcement assemble for a meeting in his chambers. He is enraged, justifiably so, and wants to get all local law enforcement working the case his way.

At the same time, Nate Romanowski is also about to be an enraged husband as well. He has been trying to live on the grid and follow all the rules after finally having numerous federal charges dropped. That past of his, working in and out of the shadows, is something that will again he used against him in the here and now.

The latest in the long running series, Long Range: A Joe Pickett Novel picks up a few months after Wolf Pack. The events of that book play a significant role in this read. As has always been the case in this series, people age, relationships change, and for the Picketts, family is the center of everything. The marital dynamic between Joe and his wife, Marybeth, remains the heart and sole of this series that should be read in order. 

Simply put, Long Range: A Joe Picket Novel by C. J. Box is very good and well worth your time. 

My hardback large print reading copy came from the Kleberg-Rylie Branch of the Dallas Public Library System by way of the “Library to Go” curbside delivery at the Lochwood Library. Appreciate your libraries and librarians as they are all that stands between us and the twin demons of ignorance and hate.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2020

Nevermore: Beekeeper, 1421, Longevity Paradox, Salamander, All We Ever Wanted, Story Sisters, Testaments

Reported by Kristin

Nevermore began with favorable comments on The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. Set against a backdrop of beauty and war, the story introduces readers to beekeeper Nuri and his artist wife Afra. Their simple life is destroyed as the Syrian war rages, causing them to begin a dangerous journey through Turkey and Greece as they search for stability as refugees in Britain. Proclaimed as touching and well-written, this novel is highly recommended.

 

Moving round the globe, the same reader picked up 1421: The Year China Discovered America by Gavin Menzies. The emperor sent out fleets in order to “proceed all the way to the ends of the earth to collect tribute from the barbarians beyond the seas.” Some ships were able to circumnavigate the globe, but when they returned home in 1423, political upheaval put an end to sea exploration. Our reader found this a fascinating history really worth reading.

Another book club member touted The Longevity Paradox by Steven R. Gundry, MD, as a book that has changed his life. Dr. Gundry is a cardiothoracic surgeon with over 400 published papers, but has written this healthy living volume in language easily accessible to the layperson. Examining microbial bacteria that lives inside each and every one of us, this doctor has a plan to prevent and reverse disease.

Returning to fiction, another reader picked up an older novel with a delightful intricacy of plot: The Salamander by Morris West. Wealthy industrialist Bruno Manzini (“The Salamander”) plays a powerful role in post-World War II Italian politics and he plays it well. Our reader was impressed with the author’s skilled use of language, and the many factors in play which are drawn together in a thrilling climax.

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin presents Nina Browning, a woman who seems to have a very comfortable life with her wealthy husband and her Princeton-bound son. When something goes extremely wrong, her husband thinks he can fix everything, but some things broken cannot be repaired. Our reader found this to be a compelling novel which kept her turning pages to the end.

Alice Hoffman has made many appearances at Nevermore, and this week The Story Sisters was brought to the table. Three sisters, Elv, Claire, and Meg, are very close, but are on paths which may take them in different directions. When one experiences a very traumatic event, family relationships evolve. Our reader said that there were very sad moments, but it was definitely worth reading to the end.

Finally, The Testaments by Margaret Atwood was discussed as several book club members have enjoyed it. A continuation of Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, the story is set more than fifteen years later as the Republic of Gilead has begun to decay. The deeply religious, patriarchal society is still entrenched, but the subversive rebellions are coming closer to the surface, and coming from some surprising characters. Our reader read it quickly, found it very interesting, and could envision a modern world in which the story could happen in real life.

That Old Scoundrel Death: A Dan Rhodes Mystery by Bill Crider

Reviewed by Jeanne

When Sheriff Dan Rhodes sees two cars pulled off at the side of a dirt road, his assumption is that a driver was in trouble and some Good Samaritan stopped to help.  He soon learns his error when he stops to check on them and finds himself facing a man with a gun.  True, he isn’t much of a man—scrawny and none too bright—and it isn’t much of a gun, but it is pointed at him and he’s pretty sure the guy is high. Or as Dan puts it, “Meth, breakfast of champions.”

As it turns out, the gunman is trying to teach highway etiquette to the fellow who (according to him) cut him off.  It doesn’t take Dan long to subdue ol’ Kenny and earn the gratitude of Cal Stinson who had just been out to look at the old schoolhouse his grandmother had attended back in the day.

The next day, Cal Stinson is on Dan’s radar again but not for traffic violations.  He’s been found dead at the schoolhouse. 

And his name wasn’t Cal Stinson.

This was my first Dan Rhodes mystery and, honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. Several reviewers whose opinions I respect had said good things about the books but somehow I just never picked one up until now.  I’m glad I gave into the impulse when this new book came across the desk.

First of all, it’s a good mystery. 

Secondly, it’s very funny but it’s not slapstick humor.  Well, except maybe from C.P. “Seepy” Benton who fancies himself a private detective and Dan’s right hand man, but Dan pretty much keeps Seepy in line. Time and again, there were lines I’d read over two or three times, just enjoying the humor and passing references to books and films that evoke fond memories.

Thirdly, Dan Rhodes is a great character.  Laid back and calm, I could see actor Sam Elliott in the role.  Dan is a long time sheriff who loves his wife Ivy even though she had decided he should eat healthy so now meals seem to involve kale which always tastes like kale no matter how Ivy tries to disguise it.  Ivy herself is a wonderful character, a good match to Dan.  She’s as quick witted as he is and as down to earth.  They share a mutual respect as well as love.

Finally, Crider does an excellent job of evoking place.  It’s not just the heat and dust of Texas, but the ramshackle homes of the down and out or the dark wood paneled dens of the movers and shakers.

My only regret is that it took me this long to meet Dan.  I am definitely going to pay another visit some time soon.

And if this book sounds familiar, it's because Kevin Tipple reviewed it for us earlier here. In fact, I think it was this review that spurred me (pun intended) into reading it and I liked it so much that I wanted to write my own review.