Scan barcode
lcoverosey's review against another edition
4.0
What a turn of events…… and interesting the basis of the story on Govt control on land. I did not have this figured out.
stevem0214's review against another edition
5.0
The best in the series (except the first one maybe) so far!! Just excellent. Based on a true story,Joe tackles the Feds in a land grab situation that is much more. Suspense ending that I didn't figure out until the last dozen pages or so. I wish there were more than 5 stars!! I'm so glad I'm a few books behind in the series and I ration myself so I can enjoy longer.
bupdaddy's review against another edition
3.0
First CJ Box I've read. I understand his usual book is a good whodunit, solved by a likable game warden named Joe Pickett. And that it doesn't read like an Ayn Rand meets Clive Bundy.
The anti-federal paranoia is palpable, with mustache-twirling agents working for the EPA who are just out to screw the good people of Wyoming. I put that aside to enjoy a well-written book, reasoning that it's just a fictional book, and it's about some bad people that happen to be federal agents or state bureaucrats who don't like to get their hands dirty. But then after the last page, there was a chart of how much land is owned by the feds in the twelve states with the most federal ownership. I can only conclude that the anti-federal writing is intentional.
Well, it's easy to do when you make your characters up, isn't it? You can make stuff you don't like espoused by strawmen. You can then introduceHoward Roark Joe Pickett as the reasonable, brilliant stalwart we should all wish to be, and ignore the fact that none of us are him.
The book's a page-turner and entertaining, but that 'EPA people are stuuuuupid' vibe is really distracting.
The anti-federal paranoia is palpable, with mustache-twirling agents working for the EPA who are just out to screw the good people of Wyoming. I put that aside to enjoy a well-written book, reasoning that it's just a fictional book, and it's about some bad people that happen to be federal agents or state bureaucrats who don't like to get their hands dirty. But then after the last page, there was a chart of how much land is owned by the feds in the twelve states with the most federal ownership. I can only conclude that the anti-federal writing is intentional.
Well, it's easy to do when you make your characters up, isn't it? You can make stuff you don't like espoused by strawmen. You can then introduce
The book's a page-turner and entertaining, but that 'EPA people are stuuuuupid' vibe is really distracting.
littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
The Joe Pickett series is usually one of my favorites as Box typically does a good job balancing both sides of a political issue and combining it with a mystery. This time the story felt a bit one-sided and the bad guy was a bit over the top.
horthhill's review against another edition
3.0
"Breaking Point" by C.J. Box was a pretty good thriller and adventure story but not such a great mystery. Game Warden Joe Pickett is the sleuth but he doesn't really do much sleuthing. In the story, an aquitance of Pickett's is being hunted down by Pickett in the wilderness for a double murder. Bad things happen. Adventures are had. And the bad guy is captured. However the story is marred by a 'political' subplot I wasn't really attuned to as I'm not American. After the story had ended and the acknowledgments made, the author includes a table without comment listing the amount of federally owned land in various states. A point is being made in this table and in this story but I don't really get that point.
Oh, and that silly twist ending ... just so we know that the bad guy we thought was a bad guy wasn't really a bad guy...although it really complicates the plot for no reason. Good story though.
Oh, and that silly twist ending ... just so we know that the bad guy we thought was a bad guy wasn't really a bad guy...although it really complicates the plot for no reason. Good story though.
plusrich's review against another edition
4.0
The initial stages of Joe Pickett novels are like being in a pinball machine where the bumpers are people of terrible character. Such an array of deplorableness is built up that it becomes oppressive and almost makes me stop reading. I know there will be some addressing of this at the climax/epilogue but past volumes have demonstrated that it will rarely be a complete win. That's both good and bad. It's more realistic, but I could use a full-blown, satisfying, "everyone got theirs" ending.
liberrydude's review against another edition
5.0
Couldn't put it down. Lots of contemporary themes straight from the news are included. Joe Pickett goes up and down in his career and literally as well while on a mountain as he deals with overzealous Feds and yet another new boss. Joe ends up guiding a SWAT team of EPA guys into the mountains pursuing a local man who killed two of their agents and had been hounded by them. It's almost comical as these commandoes have never ridden a horse. We meet some guys from Joe's past too; to include the governor. There's great resolution and a sense of justice as well as some shocking revelations towards the end of the story. You would think this character would be played out after so many stories but Joe's life is about to take yet another detour or chapter. Can hardly wait to see what the next chapter of Joe's life has in store for him.
holl3640's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
bhunsberger's review against another edition
5.0
great mystery. I heard mr. box speak this fall and was completely entertained and impressed by him, so was happy to thoroughly enjoy his writing as well. looking forward to reading more.