Do I love the writings of CJ Box? Yes. Do I love the character Joe Pickett (in the book, not the show) and will I continue to read the series? Yes. Do I even love the supporting cast of characters: Nate, Marybeth, Sheridan, and even Geronimo? Of course. Do I think that Battle Mountain was up to par with the rest of the series? Not completely. The plot was rushed. How did Mark get free? Sheridan was just able to nab a sheriff with questionable morals and he just moves when set free? It felt like parts were missing and there were none of the tense parts that mark the readability and addictiveness of earlier Pickett books. Also, Marybeth's "voice" was different. Besides these holes and others, Battle Mountain was ok.

C.J. at his best! This book had everything I love in a Box story. Writing was engaging and the characters were sharp in my mind. Well done!

It is always a pleasure to receive an ARC of a Joe Pickett novel and I immediately dive in with anticipatory glee. I have never read one I didn’t like and this one does not disappoint. Filled with the beauty of the West and characters that meld so well together, I found myself wanting to belong to this band of friends and join their posse in the fight against evil and injustice.

Does this one have a dramatic ending? Add it to your reading list for next year and you will have your answer. Don’t miss it!