*STARRED* REVIEW

Saddlestring, WY, game warden Joe Pickett (Trophy Hunt) takes a temporary assignment in upscale Jackson, when friend and coworker Will Jensen dies from an apparent suicide. Joe immediately finds himself embroiled in the community's political games as various factions-animal rights activists, environmental extremists, and old-time hunters-compete for his endorsement. After his pickup truck is set afire, Joe becomes convinced that Will's death was a homicide, probably at the hands of one of these groups. His refusal to sign off on a building permit earns him the community's enmity, but it's not until an unforgettably tense trip into the high country that he realizes just how many people want him dead. Though a subplot involving wife Joe's wife, Marybeth, stretches credibility, Box's depiction of family tensions rings true. This fifth in a series is a Western lover's mystery, relying heavily on guns and honor; clearly, Joe's the real sheriff in town. Changing venue opens up future plot possibilities for the likable hero. Recommended for libraries with other series titles and for Tony Hillerman and Michael McGarrity fans. Box lives near Cheyenne.-Teresa L. Jacobsen, Santa Monica P.L., CA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.