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A KEVIN R. TIPPLE BOOK REVIEW: In Plain Sight by C. J. Box In mysteries, I like novels that you set out in the countryside. Mysteries by Nevada Barr for example with most set in the National Parks are a favorite. So too is this series by C. J. Box. In this sixth novel of the series featuring Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett and his family, author C. J. Box decides to tie up several loose storyline threads which have flowed through the series of late.
In Plain Sight By C. J. Box G. P. Putnam’s Sons 2006 Hardback 305 Pages
“When ranch owner Opal Scarlett vanished, no one mourned except her three grown sons. Arlen, Hank, and Wyatt, who expressed their loss by getting into a fight with shovels.” (Page 3)
Opal Scarlett is gone without a trace and despite the fact that the local police have a suspect which happens to be a local guide, Tommy Wayman, known for clashes with her, Warden Pickett isn’t impressed. The local police just aren’t very good and as the brothers fight, physically and financially, the local citizenry of Saddlestring, Wyoming is soon forced to choose sides. Most often it comes down to politics and money as to who gets the support and what is lost in the battle as the days turn into weeks is the fact that Opal is missing.
While Joe is convinced that one of the three brothers did it to gain control over the powerful Thunderhead Ranch, he has mo real proof and no one seems to listen. Certainly the local police won’t listen and clearly, it really isn’t a matter for his jurisdiction despite his interest in the case. What seems to be at the forefront of most minds however is that they would like to discuss his past, especially in regards to his history of destroying trucks.
It certainly is the focus of Randy Pope, Joe’s new boss at the state headquarters in Cheyenne. While Joe is responsible for 1500 square miles of Wyoming countryside, Randy Pope seems determined to bury Joe in paperwork and to micromanage every single decision or action Joe takes. Joe’s frustration is growing as is his angst over the fact that his wife Marybeth’s accounting business is now taking off and allowing the Pickett’s to do things that they never could have done on his salary.
Not only can he not seem to financially support the family at a level that he would be comfortable with as the man in the family, he can’t protect them from danger. It has happened before and it cost them the life of their adopted daughter. A series of events begins to occur and it appears that someone is using intimate details of that tragedy to terrorize the family now. Is it connected to the Opal Scarlett situation where Joe keeps working on the case or is it something else from his past?
The result is a fast paced 305 page read that tends to an inevitable violent confrontation on the land of the Thunderhead Ranch. While author C. J. Box does little to add to the characters that readers of this series know so well, he manages to tie off a number of story threads while creating an intense new mystery. Readers unfamiliar with the author’s work should begin with “Open Season” as each novel builds steadily on the past book. Those who know this series well will thoroughly enjoy this latest installment from this multi award winning author.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2006 |