Bestselling author C. J. Box—an Anthony, Macavity, Gumshoe, and Barry Award winner—earned starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist for this exceptional mystery.
Taking advantage of a legal loophole, a lawyer kills four environmental activists in Yellowstone National Park and walks away a free man. His murders were committed in the “free-fire” zone, a tiny strip of land with overlapping jurisdictions. As the public outcry intensifies, the governor hires recently fired game warden Joe Pickett to conduct a private investigation. Digging through Yellowstone’s majestic yet dangerous landscape, Joe soon learns the park itself holds the secret to this terrible crime.
“Highly recommended” by Library Journal and “recommended for practically everybody” by Booklist, Free Fire is an immensely entertaining and expertly crafted entry in Box’s acclaimed Joe Pickett series.
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"As a reader of Nevada Barr's books, I was interested to read a book by C.J. Box and the Yellowstone National Park setting. This was a quick read and I enjoyed it. He did highlight the park well, especially the beauty and huge scale of the Mammoth Hotel and the Old Faithful Inn. It was fascinating learning about the geology of the area. I was taken aback by the ending of the book, it felt like it was cut short, but my interest has been sparked in learning more about bio-mining and microbes and coal seams." — Patti (4 out of 5 stars)
"As a reader of Nevada Barr's books, I was interested to read a book by C.J. Box and the Yellowstone National Park setting. This was a quick read and I enjoyed it. He did highlight the park well, especially the beauty and huge scale of the Mammoth Hotel and the Old Faithful Inn. It was fascinating learning about the geology of the area. I was taken aback by the ending of the book, it felt like it was cut short, but my interest has been sparked in learning more about bio-mining and microbes and coal seams."
“[C. J. Box] skillfully weaves ominous scientific phenomena and legal loopholes peculiar to Yellowstone into his story of corruption, greed, and deception. The author vividly evokes Yellowstone’s natural beauty, but the book’s real power emanates from Pickett’s (and Box’s) passion for preserving the wilderness and stopping those who would cynically destroy it.”
“Box knows how to turn on the nail-biting suspense and violence until the cliff-hanger of an ending…Highly recommended.”
“Box is a master at working New West issues into his stories…Once again, recommended for practically everybody.”
" My husband is a CJ Box fan so when we made plans to attend a wedding 7 hrs from home I decided we definetly needed an audiobook for the ride. The plot was very good and kept our interest the whole time. I’m now interested in this character and will try to find his earlier work to get a better idea of how he can possibly get into so much trouble without even trying! Ha! Sounds like one of my kids. Highly recommend! "
" Joe Picket gets into a mix of things with his assignment...but he pulls through and gets his man/men. "
" I really like Box and his character Joe Pickett. I especially liked this book because it is set in Yellowstone NP and I know many of the places he talked about. Box is great at creating suspense and developing his characters. "
" His best book so far. "
" Best one so far, I think. Loved it, and loved the subject of the crime. "
" A nice quick read with an interesting story line. "
" Listened to it on CD and the reader was good. I had not read any CJ Box books before so I came into the series cold. Still very readable and if they made the others in the series into audio books I probably would read them too. There was action and mystery (couldn't tell who was really bad to the end). "
" This is a book that gives you many things to think/ponder about. WOW!! "
" Audiobook: It was a good book. That is all I have to say :) "
" great as always. a thrill ride and another great plot! "
" Ex=game warden is given a second chance to redeem himself investigating the mysterious killing of moose, cattle and humans. To accomplish his aim he has to take on the FBI, his former supervisor, and the local law. "
" a new mystery series for me. Suspenseful with twists. A solid protagonist. set in Yellowstone Park. "
" These Joe Pickett books just keep getting better. I love the characters, and the pacing and tension in this novel is tight. Can't wait to start Blood Trail! "
" Really enjoyed this book. We listened to it on a long trip and both my husband and I thought it was very good. Does that loophole really exist? "
" Well paced.Much info concerning the geology of Yellowstone park,but not obtrusive to the pace and thread of the story. "
" Just another Joe Pickett book. Boy, his luck is terrible. "
" Great boom with a great twist. Joe Pickett is like a thinking mans Jack Reacher! love it can't wait to read the next one! "
" One of the best in an outstanding series. "
" Interesting descriptions of Old Faithful Inn and Yellowstone. Enjoyable mystery, quick read. "
" First I've read of this series. I like the game warden main character and his family, as well as the settings between mountains and reservation. Does this guy know Longmire? It is a thriller, with Nate the government trained killer, falconry, and shoot me up. "
" I enjoy the Joe Pickett novels because of the location and Joe's job. One of the reasons I like to read is to find out about lifestyles and places I don't know about or would like to know more about. "
" Awesome book, had everything I like, starting from the scenery, Yellowstone Park, action, adventure, mystery, murder, law, good guys and bad guys. "
" The first of the Joe Pickett novels that I have read. I liked this story a lot, there are some odd story lines but overall a great procedural set in Yellowstone. "
" This was great but the lawyer guy was really annoying. "
" Again, C.J.Box manages to mix a detective story with an interest in nature and the environment. Good story, even if we kind of guess before the end. But we like Joe Pickett because he is not perfect and always destroys the car he is driving. ,. "
" I can't wait to visit Yellow Stone Park and tour some of the places mentioned in this book. As always, C>J>Box leads you down a path at a steady clop clop until you are running so fast after Joe you simply loose your breath. Great read. "
" Interesting plot with a few good twists. "
" I'm reading through C.J Box Joe Pickett series in order and so far this is the best. An interesting storyline set in a fascinating area of the world. The story has a number if twisting turns and you want to keep reading to find out who did what and why. "
" I was a little hesitant to pick this up after my disappointment with Dull Knife. However, it may have been the best Joe Pickett story that I've read yet. The raven shooting by Nate I could have done without though!! "
" The best of the series; made me want to revisit Yellowstone in the fall. "
" Probably my favorite Joe Pickett so far. I like the whole cast of characters: his family, his unorthodox friend Nate, his rugged good sense, and the Wyoming setting. Great package! "
" I need to start more at the beginning of the series, howeer, this book was great! It kept me interested, guessing and I liked the Yellowstone setting. Great plot and great characters! "
" I like Joe Pickett.. and his sidekick Nate Romanowski. "
" Good story. Wrap-up took a little too long. "
" This one centered in Yellowstone - not my favorite - but have learned each book has to be read in sequence - or you lose the whole story line! "
" This book was loaned to me by a male coworker, based on the fact that I liked John Maxim. It was manly, but still a really good story and well written. "
" An interesting book with some strange twists and turns. It was a little confusing at first, but got easier to follow as I read it. "
" Great setting in Yellowstone, exploiting the real life "Zone of Death." Enjoyed it all, excepting the weak, half-hearted jabs at "foolish, hypocritical, environmentalists"--underscores a comon rift as Box clearly loves the land--and this is what makes the book such a good read. "
" I especially enjoyed the setting, Yellowstone Park. Lots of interesting details. "
C. J. Box is the New York Times bestselling author of the Joe Pickett series, six stand-alone novels, the Cody Hoyt series, the Cassie Dewell series, and a story collection. He has won the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, Gumshoe, and Barry Awards, as well as the French Prix Calibre .38, and the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Award for fiction. He has also been a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His novels have been translated into twenty-seven languages. A Wyoming native, he has worked on a ranch and as a small-town newspaper reporter and editor. He is an executive producer of ABC TV’s Big Sky, which is based on his Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell novels, as well as executive producer of the upcoming Joe Pickett television series for Paramount TV.
David Chandler is an Earphones Award–winning narrator who has read numerous titles for New York Times bestselling authors William Kent Krueger and C. J. Box, among others.
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