"...unforgettable mystery..."

*STARRED REVIEW* When Wyoming's governor appoints Randy Pope to be the new director of the Game and Fish Department, warden Joe Pickett finds it almost impossible to do his job. Pope is a micromanager who hates Joe, ordering him to stay out of the investigation of a missing rancher. Meanwhile, Opal Scarlett's two sons are battling for control of her ranch, and Joe becomes involved when heis badly beaten by the new foreman hired by Hank Scarlett. This is followed by a series of threatening messages. Meanwhile John Wayne Keeley,
ex-convict, murderer, and father of Joe's foster daughter who died in a
fire, is seeking revenge against the Pickett family, but Joe is so distracted by his work frustrations and his anger at his boss that he misses the warning signs. Box (Open Season) writes edge-of-the-chair suspense; his prose sings with energy and heart-stopping action. There is some pretty
strong stuff here (e.g., killing of helpless animals and gruesome murder
scenes), but don't let that stop you from reading this unforgettable
mystery. Highly recommended for all collections. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ
1/06.]