the setup…
Joe Pickett is the new game warden in Twelve Sleep, Wyoming. He and his pregnant wife Mary Beth and two young daughters, Sheridan and Lucy, live in a small, state-owned home. Joe assumed his new role after his predecessor, a legend, decided to retire. But Joe apparently runs things very differently, by the book, and it hasn’t made him very popular. To make matters worse, an embarrassing encounter with one of the local hunting outfitters has undermined his reputation. When that outfitter later turns up dead in a woodpile behind his home, Joe soon learns that his murder and that of two other men have far broader implications beyond the obvious. Things soon become dangerous for him and his family as he continues to investigate the murders after everyone else has decided the case is closed.
the heart of the story…
Joe is the true heart of the story. He really believes in doing the right thing and loves being a game warden, a job he’s dreamed of since he was a child. He seemed to be in a serious minority as he soon comes to learn following the outfitter murders. The story takes a sinister turn when his 8-year old daughter Sheridan finds some odd little creatures in that woodpile and secretly decides to adopt them as her pets. She becomes a target of someone who is unidentified but obviously within Joe’s circle and of the two parallel stories, hers had my heart racing for most of the book. It was scary stuff and Joe’s situation wasn’t much better.
the narration…
I’m a big fan of David Chandler who also narrates the Cork O’Connor series and he’s ideal for this one. He was outstanding at every level, his storytelling capturing the essence of the characters, setting and mystery.
the bottom line…
I couldn’t help but root for Joe, even when he was so deeply an underdog amongst a nest of thieves. The tension remained high for most of the story and the strong sense of place contributed to that greatly. The danger involving Sheridan kept my heart racing and inhaling the book. While it didn’t take long for me to figure out the identity of the mystery man terrifying her, that didn’t matter as much as Joe figuring it out. This was also an educational experience as I not only learned about the role of game wardens but the impact of the protection of endangered species on a territory, not always positive. I’m definitely continuing this series as there’s lot to like about Joe, his family and this complicated town. I also plan to watch the TV series, now streaming.
Book Info
- Release Date: February 14, 2011 (originally 2001)
- Series: Joe Pickett #1
- Narrator: David Chandler
- Audio Length: 7 hours, 50 minutes
- Publisher: Recorded Books
Listen to a Sample!
Blue Mood Café 
Fab review Jo glad you enjoyed it!
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Thanks, Nicki💜
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Oh I read this one and only this one so far. I think I read this one after trying the audio because while I love David Chandler he is Cork O’Connor for me. I might try the second one on audio just to make sure, but I loved the story. Excellent review! I better get reading these because I don’t want to read your reviews and wish I had kept up.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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Anne, I hadn’t noticed that David Chandler was the narrator until I started and it gave me pause. He’s Cork O’Connor for me, too, but he gives Joe different voice. You can almost “hear” his naïveté, which isn’t the case for Connor. I lost that connection early on but his other skills at storytelling came through. Plus, the writing isn’t as eloquent as Krueger’s so there’s that. Right now, there are 23 full length books in the series and a bunch of Goodreads friends are going to read the series. Just what I needed….
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But how often are they reading? One book a month or more frequent?
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One a month. I’m not sure I can keep up.
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I can see why you enjoyed this book! Wonderful review Jonetta!
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Thank you, Jodie💜
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Wonderful review, Jo. Glad you have found another series to read through. This one has always intrigued me.
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Thanks, Carla💜 I’ve seen this for years and finally read it when the author was selected in one of my groups. I’m hooked!
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I love stories set in Wyoming and similar areas of the US. It such a different world than I’m used to. Sounds like a wonderful book and series! Excellent review!
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Thank you, Tessa💜 You would like how the setting is such a major element of the story.
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I love that he’s a game warden in Wyoming, but yikes the part with his kid would have me flipping pages to see how that would turn out.
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Sophia, you defined my state of mind perfectly! I was listening to the story and it couldn’t move fast enough. I was tempted to buy the eBook to skip to the end😏
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This sounds really good. I’ve never read anything by C. J. Box, but my husband is a big fan.
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It’s a series currently streaming, getting rave reviews so I thought I’d try out the first book. You’d enjoy it but I also understand the appeal to your hubby.
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So glad this is the start of what promises to be a wonderful series.
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 I’m sure of it.
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I love the sound of the game warden angle! I guess that’s another one for my wishlist… Fab review! xx
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Thanks, Yvo💜 His job role is very much a big element of the story and series. It’s off to a great start.
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That’s great to hear! I recently read another thriller with a game warden as a main character (Hollow Beasts by Alisa Lynn Valdes), and I really liked what it added to the story. I’m planning on picking up Open Season ASAP now!
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