Two children making their way through the woods to go fishing stumble on something no one was meant to see. In a clearing, three men execute a fourth. The men realize there are witnesses, and the hunt is on.

So begins the exciting "Blue Heaven" (St. Martin's Minotaur, $24.95) by C.J. Box, best known for his excellent mystery series featuring game warden Joe Pickett.

In this stand-alone thriller, Box moves the action from Wyoming to chilly northern Idaho. He employs the same atmospheric writing style and gives us more well-drawn characters to either root for or despise. The action rarely lets up as Box leads readers to his explosive conclusion.

You can't help but love the kids. Resourceful 12-year-old Annie learns quickly whom to distrust or trust, and keeps her little brother, William, one step ahead of the bad guys.

As the story progresses, an L.A. investigator turns up to add to the tension, an aging horse rancher becomes a hero, men turn on each other with lightning quickness and the children's mother discovers she's stronger than she knew. It all combines to make a first-rate, edge-of-your seat read.

BY CAROL BICAK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER