Free Fire

There is a photograph of the author on the back of this title. He is shown with a black lab. As a lover of black labs, how could I not pick up this book.

C.J. Box's latest entry into the "Joe Pickett" saga is great. Everything happens in Yellowstone Park. Just about the only things I know about Yellowstone is that it is a national park, it has bears and wolves among other animals and that it is located in the state of Wyoming. In addition to enjoying this fast-moving mystery, I learned a thing or two. That's always a good thing.

The story opens with a killer admitting that he has killed four people in the "Zone of Death" in Yellowstone which (by the way) is a real location. Oh, you might think that this story ends in the first chapter. But no, you see there is a twist in regard to the ability of the authorities to incarcerate the perpetrator.

Along comes Joe Pickett who has been assigned by the Governor of Wyoming to look into the deaths and their connection with the perp. We also get to see Joe's friend Nate in action again. A long-lost relative enters the scene as well. All of this is combined with some additional deaths and close calls.

Bio-mining and possible liquified fuel sources in the park add to the intrigue of this novel, which may be intimidating to those of us who are not scientifically minded, but do not let this stop you from reading a really good book. Also, be sure you read the afterword.

As for me, I am going backwards to re-read other Joe Pickett books and looking forward to reading more about Joe Pickett in future titles.

Ladybookbug!