‘Battle Mountain’ by C. J. Box

Published by Head of Zeus,
6^th March 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-03591633-7 (HB)

Joe Pickett, Wyoming Game Warden and his close friend Nate Romenouski are determined on seeking out Axel Soledad and killing him. They hold Axel responsible for the death of Liv, Nate’s wife and also wreaking havoc for Joe and his family. However, as yet have no idea of his whereabouts.

In the meantime, Joe is contacted by Governor Spencer Rulon. He is concerned, his son-in-law has gone missing, out learning falconry with expert “Spike” Rankin. Their last known whereabouts were on Battle Mountain. He wants Joe to go and search for them.

We then learn of a plot by Axel Soledad to destroy important members of the government and army. Every year there is a secret large gathering of top people in Warm Springs in Battle Mountain country. They call themselves the Centurions and meet in the B-Lazy-U Ranch. An ideal time for him to carry out his diabolical plot.

Joe enlists the help of local game warden Susanne Kany to find Mark Eisle, the Governor’s son-in-law and his companion “Spike”. This leads them to the area of the Ranch, where they were last seen. At the same time Nate has traced Axel to the same region, they meet up and join forces.

It becomes obvious to them as they observe the activities at the ranch, that something big is about to go down, but they have no idea what. Nothing can really prepare them for what they are about to discover.

Together will they manage to prevent Soledad carrying out his dire plot? Plus, what about the governor’s son-in-law, can he be found? Is he even still alive?

A terrific story all set in the beauty and majestic wilderness of the mountains, wonderfully brought to life by the author. Very highly recommended.
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Reviewer:  Tricia Chappell

C J Box is a Wyoming native and has worked as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, a small-town newspaper reporter and editor, and he owned an international tourism marketing firm with his wife Laurie. In 2008, Box was awarded the "BIG WYO" Award from the state tourism industry. In 2009 he won the Edgar Alan Poe Award for Best Novel (Blue Heaven, 2009) as well as the Anthony Award, Prix Calibre 38 (France), the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, the Barry Award, and the 2010 Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Award for fiction. An avid outdoorsman, Box has hunted, fished, hiked, ridden, and skied throughout Wyoming and the Mountain West. He served on the Board of Directors for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. They have three daughters. He lives in Wyoming

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.