Badlands

A Cassie Dewell Novel

By: C.J. Box

Narrated by: January LaVoy

In C.J. Box's Badlands, the town of Grimstad used to be a place people came from but were never headed to. Now it’s the oil capital of North Dakota. With oil comes money, with money comes drugs, and with drugs come the dirtiest criminals Grimstad’s new deputy sheriff Cassie Dewell has ever encountered. . .

Twelve-year-old Kyle Westergaard dreams of getting out of Grimstad and leading a better life. Even though Kyle has been written off as a “slow” kid, he has dreams deeper than anyone can imagine. One day, while delivering newspapers, he witnesses a car accident and takes a mysterious bundle from the scene. Suddenly he’s in possession of a lot of money—and packets of white powder—and Kyle can’t help but wonder whether his luck has changed…for better or for worse.

“Suspenseful—you can’t put it down.’’—Library Journal

When the temperature drops to 30 below and a gang war heats up, it’s up to Cassie to help restore law and order. But is she in over her head? As she is propelled on a collision course with a murderous enemy, she finds that the key to it all might come in the most unlikely form: a boy on a bike named Kyle. He keeps showing up where he doesn’t belong. And he seems to know something that Cassie does not about what lies beneath the surface of this small and troubled town…

“The unrelenting cold makes this the perfect beach read.”—Kirkus Reviews

Critic reviews

“A violent, tension-packed, well-written thriller spiced with Box's vivid portrayal of the Western landscape that he loves…The Highway is the second new thriller this year from the prolific Box, who seems to get better with every book.” —Associated Press on The Highway

“If C.J. Box isn't already on your list, put him there.” —USA Weekend on The Highway

“A roller-coaster ride of unexpected twists and turns...one of the most suspenseful wilderness thrillers since Deliverance.” —Associated Press on Back of Beyond

“Well-developed suspense...A vigilante revenge story.” —People on Three Weeks to Say Goodbye

Heroes Do Not Cry and Can Be Invisible

I purchased this book due to narrator Ms LaVoy even though this author is not for me. I tried book 1, Joe Pickett series from the 1st in series sale, and took another chance on this author since I love Ms LaVoys spot on narration. Frankly, she saved this book from being just a gory graphic semi white supremacy minded story.
Since Ms LaVoy does such a great job on our little man, who MANS UP due to a weak, but loving self serving mother, this story will steal your heart.
This author can write well in the Earnest Hemingway style make no mistake! He has great descriptions that paint a vivid picture eg crouched like a feral cat. Believe me, I would never visit North Dakota in the winter based on the authors depiction of the terrain in this story.
I liked the characters in this story and see another book coming, but I do not like graphic descriptions eg author Karin Slaughter early books, Undone. I just do not trust where this author is going and how much gore he can tell, so I will have to pass on the next Captain Kyle adventure. The next book is not narratored by Ms LaVoy, a shame, but the sample was good even though authors fans did not like that new female narrator either. When authors like to branch out in there characterization their fans can keep them from expanding their writing style as I have seen from review comments.
This was a fast pace story, but I do use the 1.25x speed to match the author intent.
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Cj box stories

everything cj box writes is incredible. I've either now listened or read everything by him.

Awesome never disappoints

This was a great 3rd book the best so far. CJ Box is the best author.

Badlands

SPOILER ALERT! It’s was good. Not Joe Pickett but it was good. I miss Cody but it was a good story. January always does a great job! Looking forward to the next in the series.

CJ Box is on my top 10 list!

The Lizard King’, is horrifying! And killing the last bad guy with nature is the best kind of karma!