The Highway

A Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell Novel

By: C.J. Box

Narrated by: Holter Graham

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The inspiration for the new ABC series Big Sky. Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel, the New York Times best-selling author of Back of Beyond and Breaking Point and the creator of the Joe Pickett series is back.

"If CJ Box isn't already on your list, put him there." (USA Today)

When two sisters set out across a remote stretch of Montana road to visit their friend, little do they know it will be the last time anyone might ever hear from them again. The girls - and their car - simply vanish. Former police investigator Cody Hoyt has just lost his job and has fallen off the wagon after a long stretch of sobriety. Convinced by his son and his former rookie partner, Cassie Dewell, he begins the drive south to the girls' last known location.

As Cody makes his way to the lonely stretch of Montana highway where they went missing, Cassie discovers that Gracie and Danielle Sullivan aren't the first girls who have disappeared in this area. This majestic landscape is the hunting ground for a killer whose viciousness is outmatched only by his intelligence. And he might not be working alone.

Time is running out for Gracie and Danielle...Can Cassie overcome her doubts and lack of experience and use her innate skill? Can Cody Hoyt battle his own demons and find this killer before another victim vanishes on the highway?

©2013 C.J. Box (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Buckle Up!

I love CJ Box, and this one did not disappoint! Like the first Cody Hoyt book, this story finds Cody on his own in a situation that is far more sinister than it appears to others. I like the addition of Cassie Duel as Cody's partner. I hope she'll return in the series.

Great narrator, Holter Graham gets all the voices right! I really appreciate that his performance is so seamless between the characters.

As for the characters, you know the writing is good when one just gets on your last nerve!

My only regret is that I did not use this for a road trip...and now I'm afraid to take another one ever again!

Scary!

This was not the C J Box of Joe Pickett, a series I have followed faithfully. The story centers around sexual sadists and deviants, with images I cannot unsee. I could’ve done without the details. The story was a good one, but I didn’t like the it, if that makes sense. I was surprised that I finished it, but it was gripping.

Not my favorite C.J. Box story.

I've loved all of his books so far, but this one was too sad. Really didn't like the big surprise.

Couldn't stop listening!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat every minute. A classic serial killer thriller with just enough gore to keep it scary, but not so much to turn the stomach. There were some familiar CJ Box characters to help the reader to care a little more about their safety. Prior to listening, I read some reviews from other readers who mentioned the "dark" twist at the end which they didn't like. As a John Sandford fan, this only made it more appealing! I did not find it all that dark and that's all I'll say, to avoid a spoiler. I was thoroughly entertained by this book and the cool in dramatic style of the narrator. On to the next book in the series for sure!

Couldn't stop listening

I liked this better than the first book, although the first was great too. I just think The Highway had a more intriguing storyline with more things going on, which is what I like in a book. When it centers on one person I start to lose interest, and this certainly did not lose my interest at any point. Just the opposite, in fact. I listened to it every chance I got.

I really like Box's writing style. It is definitely more showing than telling. He really knows how to insert you directly into the story.

I also have to give props to Holter Graham. He did a tremendous job at narrating. I would listen to him again without hesitation. Honestly, I'm hesitant about getting the next in the series only because it isn't read by him. There are very few female narrators that I enjoy (even though I'm female myself) because, let's face it, it's not easy to pull of a masculine inflection. And more often than not, that what ruins it. And Graham did just fine voicing Cassie so I wish they would have continued with him. Especially since I've already attached her character to his voice. It just won't be the same.

Creepy!

This is, by far, the darkest tale I have ever heard from C. J. Box. Well thought out, well read, but definitely not a feel good ending. I will try out the next book in this series to see if it lightens up a little. This is darker than I typically prefer.

Let me down a little

I thought I was going to be listening to a series that followed Cody Hoyt. Not the case. My least favorite CJ box book yet. But still not bad.

A Little Too Gritty

I'm not sure. I'm going to hit the next one and see. the storyline is pretty dark and I'm not too certain I want dark right now.

Hooked on CJ Box

Can’t say enough about how easy this is to get hooked on these books. Great spring summer read.

Big Sky

Great series- watched TV series Big Sky that parallels the stories - excellent writing and narration on a his audio production
Big Sky was a show on ABC TV brings the story to life. Of course TV soft peddled the violence but I still get the idea