Back of Beyond

A Cody Hoyt Novel

By: C. J. Box

Narrated by: Holter Graham

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The Edgar® Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author C. J. Box delivers a thriller in Back of Beyond about a troubled cop trying to save his son from a killer in Yellowstone.

Cody Hoyt, while a brilliant cop, is an alcoholic struggling with two months of sobriety when his mentor and AA sponsor Hank Winters is found burned to death in a remote mountain cabin. At first it looks like the suicide of a man who's fallen off the wagon, but Cody knows Hank better than that. Sober for fourteen years, Hank took pride in his hard-won sobriety and never hesitated to drop whatever he was doing to talk Cody off a ledge. When Cody takes a closer look at the scene of his friend's death, it becomes apparent that foul play is at hand. After years of bad behavior with his department, he's in no position to be investigating a homicide, but this man was a friend and Cody's determined to find his killer.

When clues found at the scene link the murderer to an outfitter leading tourists on a multi-day wilderness horseback trip into the remote corners of Yellowstone National Park—a pack trip that includes his son Justin—Cody is desperate to get on their trail and stop the killer before the group heads into the wild. Among the tourists is fourteen-year-old Gracie Sullivan, an awkward but intelligent loner who begins to suspect that someone in their party is dangerous.

In a fatal cat-and-mouse game, where it becomes apparent the murderer is somehow aware of Cody's every move, Cody treks into the wilderness to stop a killer hell bent on ruining the only thing in his life he cares about.

C. J. Box's Back of Beyond is a Kirkus Reviews Best of 2011 Mysteries title.

©2011 C.J. Box (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Box, a best-selling mystery writer and Wyoming native, crafts a taut tale, but it’s his details about the untamed flora and fauna—two-legged as well as four—that inhabit the wildness out West that hooks you.” (USA Today)

“Narrator Holter Graham’s renditions of the book’s characters are effective and distinct—and his portrayal of Bull Mitchell, the gruff but lovable retired trail guide, is particularly memorable…Graham’s crisp and steady narration makes for a fun ride.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Holter Graham’s crisp, clean narration reliably differentiates Cody’s cigarette-stained gruffness from the raised Canadian accents of the upper Midwest locals and admirably captures the regionalisms of other characters.” (Library Journal, starred review)

WHAT A TREAT!

Great mystery, loads of twists and turns, enjoyed every minute of story! I'm a fan of C.J. Box, but this is definitely one of my most favorite! The narration was stellar as well! Holter Graham does each voice so superbly that it made this audiobook a real treat!

Great Listen

CJ Box has another great listen, loved it. looking forward to another book with Cody Hoyt.

first audiobook from CJ

pretty good listening and performance. it a new listening for us but thought it was very good. kept you guessing throughout.

Could not stop listening

Great story! Lots of plot twists and turns with great characters. Felt like I was right there in Yellowstone. Can't wait to start the next book in the series. The reader is incredible!

Pomising Start to A new Series

Very interesting book and a very promising start to a new series by C.J. Box.

Enjoyed, but then again I like Box's stories

So, need a t least 15 words to get this review up- only reason I write is because it is the only means of reminding myself I have listened to it. Audible has limited options for managing a library, and I have over 800 titles....

Great alternative to Joe

While I admire Joe Pickett, Cody Hoyt is a much more human character, which illustrates that even flawed individuals can have their moments, too. Box is a fine author who knows his setting and characters well. I suspect I will eventually have his entire library of books.

Good Story

Not as good as Blue Heaven. But still very good and I enjoyed the ride of twists and turns in the plot Good character development Did not appreciate the narrators voice. Didn’t portray the main characters voice very well as he tried to vary some of the voices. OK there was very little variation and the young ness of the voice didn’t convey change of age and lifestyle that I appreciate in many narrators
I do recommend this book

Descriptive thriller, strong writing

B o B started as a predictive 'mystery'. Troubled cop, isolated area, odd murder. However, as Mr. Box expanded the story, the writing became more nuanced, the characters more interesting. While he killed off more than seemed plausible or even necessary for the story, the descriptive setting made the book enjoyable to the end.

Almost perfect

Excellent story, remarkable characters, great suspense and intrigue, good narration, but…too much needless profanity.