Friday, June 01, 2018
Jungle Red Writers: Christine Carbo: Mystery in the Majesty of Glacier...
Jungle Red Writers: Christine Carbo: Mystery in the Majesty of Glacier...: INGRID THOFT One of the many fantastic things about books is their ability to transport readers to unfamiliar and exotic places. Christin...
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Review: THE TEXAS LIBERATORS: VETERAN NARRATIVES O...
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Review: THE TEXAS LIBERATORS: VETERAN NARRATIVES O...: I reviewed The Texas Liberators: Veteran Narratives from World War II (Texas Tech University Press), edited by Aliza Wong, for Lone Star...
Do Some Damage: A Good Step at Bouchercon
Do Some Damage: A Good Step at Bouchercon: I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when Bouchercon announced an official Harassment Policy and Code of Conduct through their Twitter accou...
FFB Review: Shots Fired: Stories From Joe Pickett Country by C. J. Box
Having reviewed the latest in the series from CJ Box, The Disappeared: A Joe Picket Novel yesterday
here on the blog it seemed a good
time to run my review of a collection of his short stories that feature characters from the series. My review
of Shots Fired: Stories From Joe Pickett
Country first ran on this blog back in July 2014. It runs again today for
your reading pleasure. Make sure you head over to Patti’s blog to check out the full list of
reading suggestions this week. Stay hydrated and take care of yourselves. That sun
can kill.
When I was a kid growing up
in Northeast Dallas my parents always took us camping on the winter breaks as
well as during the summers. Not only did we do a bunch of parks and sites here
in Texas we spent weeks at a time up in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. My dad
was an avid hiker and he and I frequented many a trail. Little did I know then
that, as fate would have it, once I moved out at age twenty I would never make
it back to the mountains I had loved since a child. Author C. J. Box is one of
a handful of writers who really bring the beauty of the wilderness alive for
this reader. His latest book titled Shots Fired: Stories From Joe Pickett Country
does it again in spectacular fashion.
The short stories in this
anthology are ones that have appeared in various anthologies as well as three
brand new ones exclusive to this book. Four of the tales feature Game Warden Joe
Pickett and /or Nate Romanowski. One story is set overseas in Paris by way of
South Dakota and is a very dark tale. There is one based on a snippet of
history from before WW2 and the magnificent Hindenburg. The ten tales presented
are all good ones and readers get to them after a short introduction that
explains the background of each work.
The book opens with a Joe
Pickett story titled “One-Car Bridge.” Joe has to deliver some bad news to the
manager of the Crazy Z Bar Ranch one Saturday in September. The absentee ranch
owner, a very wealthy man by the name of Lamar Dietrich, is known for his harsh
ways and absolute refusal to accept anything less than total success by all of
his employees. He won't be happy that the Game and Fish Commission has formally
denied his plan to convert around two thousand of his sprawling ranch into an
exotic game hunting operation. Mad does not begin to cover what Joe and others
expect his reaction to be and the ranch manager and his family are in for it.
In the “Pirates Of
Yellowstone” Eddie and Vladdy have come a long way from their home in Prague to
work in the park. They were assured by Yellowstone Park representatives in
Prague that they had jobs to work for the official park concessionaire. Unfortunately,
now that they are here and very ready to work, their jobs do not exist. The
best the HR representative here can do is put them on a waiting list. They have
to make some money---one way or another.
From modern day, readers
journey back in time to September 1835 where the winter snows have come early
and heavy to the mountains known as the Wind River Range in “The End Of Jim and
Ezra.” Pushed hard by newcomers and a lack of beavers in their normal trapping
grounds, Jim had made the decision to go far higher into the mountains than
normal. Higher than any white trappers had ever gone before and it worked. It
had worked so well Jim hadn’t wanted to leave. Now the snows have come and they
can't get their beavers or themselves out. Hopefully the weather will break
before they do.
Nate Romanowski is the main
focus of “The Master Falconer” though Joe Pickett does make a brief appearance.
Visitors from overseas have landed in Saddlestring, Wyoming, and they plan on
conducting some business with Nate. Not that he has any interest in ever
dealing with them again even before they use what he cares most about against
him.
“Every Day Is A Good Day On The
River” is the title of the next story as well as statement of life for many
folks. In the tale, Randall “Call Me Duke” Connor has two clients in the flat-bottomed
Mckenszie boat drifting down the river. Jack and Tim are supposed to be on the North
Platte River for a day of relaxation and fishing. Jack is a bit nervous never
having done this before, but Tim seems very quiet and in a mood. Jack would be
quite a bit more nervous if he had any idea what is coming at them.
Based on a picture from 1936
and some very interesting history “The Pronghorns Of The Third Reich” comes next. A debt from
before WWII has come due and Clint means to collect it no matter what..
Joe Pickett is back in the next
tale titled “Dull Knife.” Checking the license status of a group of ice
fisherman on the surface of Dull Knife Reservoir in the Big Horn Mountains
should be a fairly routine event. Even with all the noise the ice is making at
twenty-two degrees below zero. Pickett's
license check once he gets across the noisy ice leads to far more interesting
things.
“Le Sauvage Noble (The Noble
Savage) comes next where those in Paris can't get enough of the idea of
American Indian's and Cowboys. So on the advice of his buddy Lyle, Jimmy Two
Bulls packs his recently purchased and allegedly authentic Indian garb and
leaves South Dakota behind for Disneyland Paris and the Wild West Show.
According to Lyle, if he plays the Indian role correctly good times will be had
with the way too sophisticated women of Paris.
“Blood Knot” comes next and
this very short story is all about family legacy and appreciation. Intense and
over quickly it can't really be described more without ruining the read.
The final story is “Shorts
Fired: A Requiem for Ander Esti.” Like the previous story, legacy and tradition
are key components of this tale. It is late September and Joe Pickett is sent
to investigate the shooting of a vehicle driven by Burton Hanks. He reported
being shot at and claims to know the identify the shooter. Burton expects
Pickett to dispense immediate justice by arresting Ander quickly and hauling
him to jail, but Pickett sticks to his usual method of trying to figure out all
the facts first.
This collection of short
stories is a good one and there is not a bad one in the bunch. Split fairly
evenly between the Pickett stories and others that feature interesting
characters and often difficult situations, Shots Fired: Stories from Joe Pickett Country
provides a lot of good reading. For those new to the Joe Pickett series of very
good books, this read explains why so many are fans including this reviewer.
Shots Fired: Stories From Joe
Pickett Country
C. J. Box
G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Group
USA)
August 5, 2014
ISBN# 978-0-399-15858-2
Hardback (also available in paperback,
audio, and eBook formats)
288 Pages
$26.95
This reviewer was selected
to receive an ARC of the book by LibraryThing in exchange for my objective
review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014, 2018
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Killing England, Woman in the Window, ...
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Killing England, Woman in the Window, ...: Reported by Kristin Nevermore reads widely, from archeology to mysteries to science fiction to wars, so one reader began this...
Review: The Disappeared: A Joe Pickett Novel by C. J. Box
Game Warden Joe Pickett has a new boss.
Above her is a new boss as well as Wyoming has a newly elected Governor. Governor
Colter Allen and Pickett recently got off on the wrong foot. Pickett isn’t
thrilled that he has been summoned to meet the Governor’s plane on landing in
Saddlestring. Governor Allen is all too typical
of many politicians these days in that he is all style and flash and of little substance and character. There are
questions regarding his actual net worth, business dealings, and other issues
that Pickett does not care about as those questions at this point are more
gossip than anything else. Governor Allen does share one aspect with the
previous Governor a man that Pickett did not like that much, but did respect. He
also expects Pickett to do the outside investigative work that Governor Rulon
had him do. Unfortunately from his perspective as the new Governor recently
learned, Pickett stays away from politics and political assignments and simply
won’t do them. A concept totally unclear to the new Governor who is minutes
away from landing in his state plane.
A January morning meant that Joe was
able to meet with the Governor as things are slow this time of year in the Game
Warden business. Once onboard with the Governor Pickett learns that he wants
him to get to Saratoga and conduct an investigation. The assigned game warden,
Steve Pollock, recently quit his job and has yet to be replaced. Pickett is to
go there and make it appear to all that he is a temporary Game Warden substituting
for Pollack while privately and quietly conducting an investigation regarding a
high profile missing person.
The missing person is a media celebrity
which is why Game Warden Joe Pickett knows next to nothing about the case. A
resident of the UK and a very powerful CEO, Kate Shelford-Longden, went missing
months ago. Back during the summer she had come to Wyoming to spend a week at
the most expensive ranch in Wyoming, the Silver Creek Ranch near Saratoga.
Between the time she left the ranch on her last day and the time she was
supposed to board her flight in Denver, she vanished as did her car. Despite
all the efforts by state and local law enforcement and other parties there has
not been any sign of her at all. A British Ambassador recently reached out
through the Governor’s wife to ask about the case and the Governor is
increasingly frustrated by state law enforcement and the lack of action.
In addition to destroying state
equipment in the course of his duties, and upsetting supervisors, Game Warden
Joe Pickett has a reputation of getting things done and closing cases. The Governor
wants answers and wants Picket to get them. He isn’t going to take no for an
answer as it is clear that this time he simply can’t refuse the assignment. Things are too precarious and stressful at
home as it is and losing his job right now would be a full scale disaster.
Pickett is going to have to do what the
Governor asks and the pressure is clearly on. Good thing that Pickett has an
ace up his sleeve as his 23 year old daughter Sheridan just happens to work at
the Silver Creek Ranch. With her help as well as Nate’s through a secondary
storyline, Pickett might just find out what happened. He also may learn far
more than he wants to about a host of subjects.
The Disappeared: A Joe Pickett Novel is a solidly good read. While not the
best in this long running series, the book does provide a solidly good story.
One that is a bit predictable at times for readers that are well familiar with
this series and these characters. Family has always been a mainstay of the series
and that is present here as expected and in very familiar ways to long term
readers. Author C. J. Box is not going
to break new ground with these characters and thus hits the frequent themes of being
a parent of girls moving into adulthood and all that entails as well as the
familiar interfering mother in law among others.
A series that is best if read in order,
this latest continues the theme of family- good or bad- that has been a long
running hallmark of the series.
For another take on the book with a few
more details, read Kristin’s review at the Bookblog
of the Bristol Library.
The Disappeared: A
Joe Pickett Novel
C. J. Box
Random House Large
Print
March 2018
ISBN# 978-0-5255-8937-2
Soft Cover Large
Sized Paperback (Hardback, audio, and eBook formats also available)
560 Pages (542 of
story)
$29.00
Material supplied by the good folks of
the Dallas Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2018
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Once and Future Myths
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Once and Future Myths: By Jeanne Mythology has become a hot topic. There have been many books drawing from myth and legend over the years—books about ...
Only days left to win books from KRL
Only days left to win a copy of "Wedding Cake Crumble" by Jenn McKinlay, and while there check out a fun wedding related guest post by Jenn, and a fun cupcake recipe http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/wedding-cake-crumble-by-jenn-mckinlay/ And to win a copy of "A Magical Match" by Juliet Blackwell and while there check out a Behind the Book interview with Juliet http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/a-magical-match-by-juliet-blackwell/ Also to win a copy of "On the Hook" by Betty Hechtman http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/on-the-hook-by-betty-hechtman/ And to win a copies of -"Antiques Wanted": A Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mystery by Barbara Allan, "The Uninvited Corpse": A Food Blogger Mystery by Debra Sennefelder, and "The Bengal Identity": A Cat Groomer Mystery by Eileen Watkins http://kingsriverlife.com/05/26/kensington-mystery-catch-up-for-your-summer-reading/ Over on KRL News & Reviews, only days left to win a copy of "Lethal Literature" by Kym Roberts, along with an extra special giveaway from Kym http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/lethal-literature-by-kym-roberts.html And to win a copy of "Bitch Out of Hell" by Diana Deverell http://www.krlnews.com/2018/05/bitch-out-of-hell-by-diana-deverell.html Happy reading, Lorie
Bitter Tea and Mystery: 20 Books of Summer 2018
Bitter Tea and Mystery: 20 Books of Summer 2018: A few days ago I was wondering if the 20 Books of Summer challenge would return in 2018. Then I saw Jean's list at Howling Frog Books ,...
SleuthSayers: Are the Sensitivity Police Coming to Get You?
SleuthSayers: Are the Sensitivity Police Coming to Get You?: by Paul D. Marks , Jonathan Brown , Elaine Ash Contents: —Context and White Heat – Paul —Dude? Why so Sensitive? – Jonathan Brown —Th...
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Disappeared by C.J. Box
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Disappeared by C.J. Box: Reviewed by Kristin Joe Pickett is a Wyoming game warden, that is when he isn’t being fired, re-hired, or re-assigned by whichev...
Wanted: Dead (Bodie Kendrick—Bounty Hunter Book 5) by Wayne D. Dundee
About a half hour ago, Mr.
Avery was released from Iron Gate Territorial Prison in the Arizona Territory. A transport wagon driven by Rudy Haemmler
is being used to transport the just released convict to the nearest town of
Fordsburg. Mr. Avery has no idea why the four men on horseback on the narrow
trail ahead of them want him so badly they have blocked and stopped the
transport. While the heavily armed men claim to have been sent by friends of Mr.
Avery to escort him for his safety back home to Tonto City their appearance and
behavior indicate otherwise.
Things probably would have
violently escalated right then and there if not for the timely intercession of Bounty
Hunter Bodice Kendrick. Seven years for a manslaughter conviction there are
many folks that want Mr. Avery dead as soon as possible. In a twist from his
normal paying work as a bounty hunter, Bodie Kendrick has been hired to keep
Mr. Avery alive and get him to another town in the area where he has some
friends waiting for him.
Easier said than done. Blue Tom
Iverson and his men are not going to let that happen easily. And they may not
be the only folks in the harsh desert country looking to get Avery and anyone
with him one way or another.
Wanted: Dead is the latest in a rich and highly
entertaining western series that began with Hard
Trail to Socorro. Wayne D. Dundee has created a complex western
series where each tales has elements of a mystery at work that also serves to push
the tale forward. This read, like the others, features complex characters doing
what they must to survive while at the same time plenty of action keeps things
moving at a rapid rate. Wanted: Dead, like the rest of the
series that is best when read in order, is a mighty good read and strongly
recommended.
Wanted:
Dead (Bodie Kendrick—Bounty Hunter Book 5)
Wayne
D. Dundee
Bil-Em-Ri
Media
August
2017
ASIN:
B074V231T9
E-Book
199
Pages
$2.99
A
word file was supplied by the author several months ago with absolutely no
expectation of a review.
Kevin
R. Tipple ©2018
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Mystery Fanfare: Janet Dawson's Jeri Howard Anthology Free May 29-3...
Mystery Fanfare: Janet Dawson's Jeri Howard Anthology Free May 29-3...: Janet Dawson announced the publication of an e-anthology featuring the fi rst nine books in the Jeri Howard serie s . The ebook will be ...
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 39 No-Fee Calls for Submissions in June 2018 - Pay...
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 39 No-Fee Calls for Submissions in June 2018 - Pay...: Pixhere There are more than three dozen calls for submissions in June. As usual, anything you can think of is wanted - flash fiction, sp...
Review: Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon by Angela Crider Neary
Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective
Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon is the second book in this fun
mystery series. It follows The
Case of the Parrots Desaparecidos that came out in 2015.
While the new book is a sequel, one does not really need to
have read the first book in the series as those references are few.
It is late January and the Chinese New Year and
the start of the Year of The Dragon is almost upon the world. That includes the
animals, domestic and otherwise, in San Francisco. That also includes a certain
ancient cat living in Chinatown. He has the ability to summon a creature from
the zoo to assist him as he has great plans for the future. Plans that require
servants to answer his call and serve their master. It begins with this one
from the zoo, but there will be more if things go to plan.
Meanwhile, Li’l Tom and his assistant, Lola, continue their
work in the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau located in the basement of the Malloch
building on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. Lola, a stunningly attractive
Calico cat, handles reception as well as the initial intake process on all
clients. They have taken on a new employee, Lenny, who recently has fallen on
hard times and is turning his life around with their help. He does paperwork, cleans
the offices, makes the snack runs as Tender Vittles just don’t magically appear
on their own, or whatever needs doing. Business is good, but Li’l Tom still has
time to start the day by reading the printed newspaper.
There is troubling news in the morning paper. In
recent days, there has been a rash of animal deaths mainly among the pet
companions to humans in the area. It could be bad luck or it could be foul play
through nobody has come in to talk about the cases. Not much of the deceased is
left except collars after an attack. There have been also some art thefts of
small statues and jewels from various small and upscale galleries in the area
around Union Square. As in the animal deaths, according to Lil Tom’s source,
the police have no evidence or suspects.
The discussion between Lola and Li’l Tom of the
two situations is interrupted by the arrival of a potential new client. Oreo is
her name and she happens to be the resident cat at an art gallery near to Union
Square. Normally, as it is people problem she would stay out of it, but since
the people authorities have no clues and she was there when the gallery was
robbed, she is upset and wants something done. She was asleep when one of the
windows shattered and rained glass shards down on her.
She hid as whatever it was ransacked a nearby
collection of small African tribal at statuettes. She stayed hidden until
things had gone quiet and she thought it was all over. Oreo then raised her had
to look out of her hiding place and came face to face with something that had a
foul breath and evil red eyes. It opened its jaws to bite her before the sirens
signaling the coming of the police scared whatever it was off. It was a terrifying
experience and she is still scared.
After a bit of back and forth with the he with the
prospective client as Li’l Tom attempts to get a better sense of what she saw
and what happened, he is very intrigued and takes the case. A case that will
ultimately put himself and Lola in considerable danger from fellow feline and
foe alike.
The latest in the series, Li’l
Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon is another fun mystery romp through the animal world.
Numerous characters from the first book make another appearance as does the
milk bar and other hangouts from the first book. Then there are the new
characters all working their own agendas. Plenty of mystery adventure is
present told from the perspective of various animal characters. Also present is
the occasional nod to human landmarks and stories as well as a laugh or two. Li’l
Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year Dragon is flat out fun, entertaining, and very much worth your
time.
Li’l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the New Year
Dragon
Angela Crider Neary
Tornado Alley Publications (imprint of
Prairie Rose Publications)
March 2018
ISBN
# 978-1986039765
Print
(eBook available)
222
Pages
$11.99
PDF
review copy was supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin
R. Tipple ©2018
Monday, May 28, 2018
Mystery Fanfare: BARBECUE MYSTERIES
Mystery Fanfare: BARBECUE MYSTERIES: Hope you're having a good Memorial Day Weekend. Did you know that 53% of Americans will be barbecuing this weekend ? Will you? I ...
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