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holl3640's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
slider9499's review
4.0
While I think Box is at his best with the Joe Pickett series, he creates a completely different and fascinating milieu for Dewell. This story starts a tad slow but picks up nicely, and turns into a fully engaging, highly suspenseful mystery. The strange, twisted family dynamics add both depth and interest. The book is good enough to get 5-stars except for one glaring problem: there is a “coincidence” so bizarrely, so outlandishly unlikely that it pretty much qualifies as a deus ex machina. When you get to the big reveal you’re left shaking your head in disbelief.
jbaustian1987's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
maggies_novel_approach's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
crowesnest's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kbranfield's review
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Bitterroots by C.J. Box is a gritty and suspenseful mystery starring Cassie Dewell.
Cassie and her fourteen year old son Ben now live in Bozeman, Montana. Wanting to spend more time with Ben and set her own hours, Cassie is now a private detective. With her latest case wrapped up, Cassie is about to fulfill a debt she owes to defense attorney Rachel Mitchell. Very uneasy about working for the defense, Cassie reluctantly agrees to go back over all of the evidence for Rachel's client, Blake Kleinsasser. The case is particularly distasteful since Blake has been accused of a particularly horrific crime. With a sworn statement from the victim and a seemingly airtight case, Cassie is certain of Blake's guilt. Heading to Lochsa County, she arranges to meet Sheriff Ben Wagy who is very reluctant to co-operate with her. Cassie then requests to talk to the Blake's older brother, John Wayne and his sister, Cheyenne. With her investigation being stonewalled, Cassie cannot help but wonder what everyone is trying to hide.
Cassie is an intelligent, stubborn and highly skilled investigator who refuses to allow anyone to push her around. Despite the obstacles she faces, she does not cut corners or skirt the law as she takes a close look at the evidence against Blake. She does not particularly like Sheriff Wagy but she is respectful even though he is dismissive and rude to her. But the deeper she digs into the case, Cassie becomes troubled by some inconsistencies she uncovers. She is also very disturbed by the Kleinsasser family's reactions to her presence in town. Cassie is determined to discover the truth but will she emerge from this case unscathed?
The Bitterroots is an absorbing mystery with a tautly woven plot and a vibrant setting. Cassie is an excellent investigator with plenty of experience but even she is stunned by depravity and corruption awaiting her in Lochsa County. With some wicked twists and shocking turns, C.J. Box brings this clever mystery to a realistic conclusion. Another brilliant mystery starring Cassie Dewell that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.
The Bitterroots by C.J. Box is a gritty and suspenseful mystery starring Cassie Dewell.
Cassie and her fourteen year old son Ben now live in Bozeman, Montana. Wanting to spend more time with Ben and set her own hours, Cassie is now a private detective. With her latest case wrapped up, Cassie is about to fulfill a debt she owes to defense attorney Rachel Mitchell. Very uneasy about working for the defense, Cassie reluctantly agrees to go back over all of the evidence for Rachel's client, Blake Kleinsasser. The case is particularly distasteful since Blake has been accused of a particularly horrific crime. With a sworn statement from the victim and a seemingly airtight case, Cassie is certain of Blake's guilt. Heading to Lochsa County, she arranges to meet Sheriff Ben Wagy who is very reluctant to co-operate with her. Cassie then requests to talk to the Blake's older brother, John Wayne and his sister, Cheyenne. With her investigation being stonewalled, Cassie cannot help but wonder what everyone is trying to hide.
Cassie is an intelligent, stubborn and highly skilled investigator who refuses to allow anyone to push her around. Despite the obstacles she faces, she does not cut corners or skirt the law as she takes a close look at the evidence against Blake. She does not particularly like Sheriff Wagy but she is respectful even though he is dismissive and rude to her. But the deeper she digs into the case, Cassie becomes troubled by some inconsistencies she uncovers. She is also very disturbed by the Kleinsasser family's reactions to her presence in town. Cassie is determined to discover the truth but will she emerge from this case unscathed?
The Bitterroots is an absorbing mystery with a tautly woven plot and a vibrant setting. Cassie is an excellent investigator with plenty of experience but even she is stunned by depravity and corruption awaiting her in Lochsa County. With some wicked twists and shocking turns, C.J. Box brings this clever mystery to a realistic conclusion. Another brilliant mystery starring Cassie Dewell that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.
daniel_mc_adam's review
5.0
Another fantastic book from a top class author.
A real page turner and Brilliant Characters involved in this fine thriller.
A real page turner and Brilliant Characters involved in this fine thriller.
tamaralgage1's review
3.0
The author spins a convoluted story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's just not something that I enjoyed for many reasons. I gave the book 3* because it is written very well with excellent characters and a mystery that carried you to the end. But, as I said, it's not a storyline that I enjoyed and not my cup of tea.
alsudik's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mojoshivers's review against another edition
4.0
It’s kind of delicious fun when the bad guys of the piece turn out to be not just a few individuals, but an entire family that’s rotten to the core. From great-grandpa to the great-grandchildren—the Kleinhaussers are one effed up family.
After all the books in the Cassie Dewell series being about her efforts to take down The Lizard King, it’s a nice change of pace to have her face off a conspiracy of the highest order, from the cops to the business owners, from Ben’s would-be girlfriend to even seemingly random truck drivers. But the final twist was a great development as all double-crosses are. However it’s even more of a sting when you’re betrayed by your own family... especially when the initial conspiracy involves framing yet another part of the family.
This was a great page-turner as it rivaled the old generational soap operas like Dynasty or Dallas. The drama was just crazy fun in all the right places.
After all the books in the Cassie Dewell series being about her efforts to take down The Lizard King, it’s a nice change of pace to have her face off a conspiracy of the highest order, from the cops to the business owners, from Ben’s would-be girlfriend to even seemingly random truck drivers. But the final twist was a great development as all double-crosses are. However it’s even more of a sting when you’re betrayed by your own family... especially when the initial conspiracy involves framing yet another part of the family.
This was a great page-turner as it rivaled the old generational soap operas like Dynasty or Dallas. The drama was just crazy fun in all the right places.