Savage Run

A Joe Pickett Novel

By: C. J. Box

Narrated by: David Chandler

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

An Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, Gumshoe, and Barry Award winner, C. J. Box delivers the second pulse-pounding installment in his critically acclaimed series. While investigating a string of bizarre murders, Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett is forced to flee across treacherous terrain with a deadly tracker on his trail.

He's game: solve another mystery with Joe Pickett.

©2002 C.J. Box (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Picturesque detailing, admirable prose, and agitating suspense demonstrate the appeal of this follow-up to Box’s Edgar nominated debut." ( Library Journal)

"Laconic Joe Pickett returns to his slightly offbeat duties in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains in C. J. Box's Savage Run. Joe is called to the scene when an exploding cow kills a famous ecoterrorist, Stewie Woods, and his bride of three days, who were peacefully spiking trees. A visit to the cow's pugnacious owner leaves Joe defensive, angry, and curious: Why doesn't the rancher ask any questions about the bizarre accident that happened on his land? Then Joe's wife, Marybeth, begins receiving phone calls from her high-school boyfriend - the peculiarly healthy-sounding Stewie Woods. Stewie may or may not be alive, but his old pal Hayden Powell and other environmental activists are all turning up deceased in strange circumstances. As the body count climbs, Joe tries to sort out the bad guys, the good guys, and the truly dead guys in this sometimes funny, sometimes angry [novel]. Box depicts the spare beauty and cussed individualism of the intermountain West with the sure hand of a seasoned writer." (Amazon.com review)

Real solid story

This starts the trend of a continuing story of the Pickett family and it’s really one of the best out there. You watch the family grow before your eyes. This book starts off with quite the “explosive” beginning and it’s a pretty solid story. Joe still feels pretty naive but that’s part of his growth throughout the series

Historical Native American legend shadows current tree hugger avenger

I would have liked someone to get indicted. Or suicided? Besides the extreme environmentalists. What happened to the elk head?

Much better than the first book

This book was written and performed so much better than the first one. Storyline was more engaging and the character development was more detailed and relatable.

We can always count on Joe!

STORY (Modern Detective) - In this book Joe Pickett, game warden extraordinaire, investigates the case of an exploding cow...and other mysterious deaths surrounding environmental activists. The story is exciting from beginning to end, but it's the vivid descriptions of Wyoming's breathtaking scenery and wildlife that sets this series apart from others in the genre and keeps this listener coming back for more.

PERFORMANCE - David Chandler is the perfect choice to perform Joe Pickett, and he does a great job varying his voice to differentiate between other characters as well. Bravo!

OVERALL - This book is a little more violent than others in the series, and I believe the F-word was uttered a couple times. Therefore, I would highly recommend it for all listeners except young children.

Surprising political commentary in a murder myster

Where does Savage Run rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I like this series. The characters are clean and simple as is the plot and yet the outcome is not obvious.

What other book might you compare Savage Run to and why?

This is a good next step when you have exhausted Craig Johnson and William Kent Krueger.

Any additional comments?

As an old man who was once an idealist and ardent EarthFirst! member, I am shocked that there is anyone out there who seriously remembers a time when environmental activism went beyond making signs and chanting slogans. While no longer politically relevant, the story was fun.

excelente. keeps attention

loved it like all the books in the series. ready for another one. very good

GREAT SERIES

What made the experience of listening to Savage Run the most enjoyable?

This series always keeps your interest always on every book. I look forward to each book to listen to. The reader is also very good. You never wonder who is performing as.

Lots of surprises!

If you could sum up Savage Run in three words, what would they be?

I'm a big fan of Joe Pickett. You end up liking the guy so much you want to scream when you see him stumbling into a trap. It's an interesting twist that the hero ends up liking a guy he thought he'd hate. CJ Box has created the perfect sociopathic antagonist. The ending is contrived in the extreme but the book won a bunch of awards so who am I to judge?

What did you like best about this story?

The villain is relentless and totally without mercy.

What does David Chandler bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Chandler is a master of voices, giving the right touch to all the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Joe Pickett starts liking Stuey, an old boyfriend of his wife.

Any additional comments?

One of the best of the series.

Another good read

I like Joe Pickett. This definitely shows his down to earth side in taking a middle ground between extreme factions. well written and narrated.

A refreshing, entertaining story that keeps you in suspense.

How refreshing. A store full of tension & intrigue without people jumping in & out of bed & no “bad language”.