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  • Cold Wind

  • A Joe Pickett Novel
  • By: C. J. Box
  • Narrated by: David Chandler
  • Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (3,796 ratings)

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Cold Wind

By: C. J. Box
Narrated by: David Chandler
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Editorial reviews

C. J. Box's newest best seller, Cold Wind, marks his 11th visit to the popular Joe Pickett series. When we are first introduced to the world of Cold Wind it seems to be this wide expanse of big Wyoming emptiness. The events and characters look to be products of small town thinking and petty local politics. Yet you quickly learn that there's much more going on here. Wind turbines are coming to dominate the landscape and the economy. Unlikely new players are amassing huge fortunes and influence. Where you have money and power in play, you've got just the elements you need for conflict, mystery, and murder. It's against this backdrop that Joe Pickett works as a ranger. Ostensibly his job involves counting wildlife and keeping an eye on the local hunters, yet his role also allows him unique leeway to act both as the law as well as outside the law.

David Chandler has now narrated 10 of the Joe Pickett books, so he's very familiar with the New West tone and feel for the series. He has a bit of challenge with the number of characters here, but Joe’s friend Nate stands out. Nate plays counterpoint to Joe they're two sides of the same coin. Where Joe is the thoughtful family man, Nate is the badass wild card unfettered by society and living by his own moral code. You see this particularly in Chandler's voicing of the characters. Where Joe is the everyman voice of reason, Nate is the low menacing whisper of raw emotion and animal drives.

In many ways Cold Wind is reminiscent of an old established genre of storytelling that's populated Western literature for generations. It used to be the promise of the gold rush, then conflicts over cattle, then it was the oil boom; now the next big thing shaping the Western provinces is wind power. With Cold Wind, C. J. Box helps continue this proud American tradition of individualism and justice. Cleo Creech

Publisher's summary

When Earl Alden is found dead, dangling from a wind turbine, it's his wife, Missy, who is arrested. Unfortunately for game warden Joe Pickett, Missy is his mother-in- law, a woman he dislikes heartily, and now he doesn't know what to do - especially when the early signs point to her being guilty as sin.

But then things happen to make Joe wonder: Is Earl's death what it appears to be? Is Missy being set up? He has the county DA and sheriff on one side, his wife on the other, his estranged friend Nate on a lethal mission of his own, and some powerful interests breathing down his neck. Whichever way this goes... it's not going to be good.

He's game: solve another mystery with Joe Pickett.
©2011 C.J. Box (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

What listeners say about Cold Wind

Average customer ratings
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One of my favorites -

Have to admit I didn't see the twist at the end. A favorite Joe Pickett for me?

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent story with lots of unexpected twists and

turns. I had trouble putting this book down. Another amazing journey with Joe Picket and family.

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Such a fun Joe Pickett book!

I've enjoyed despising Missy for the entirety of this series, so it is fun to see her in the hot seat as the major suspect in her husband's murder. The end is so satisfying and made me VERY excited to read the next installment, because it looks like Nate will have a large plot line coming up really soon. Missy's part of the story is great but Nate is one of the best parts of the series.

My husband and I have been working through this series together since the first book, which is a lot of fun for us both. David Chandler's narration is top-notch, especially the personality he gives Nate Romanowski's character.

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Joe Picket all the way.

Twists and turns, suspense and daily life. Real characters that everyday people can relate to (except for Joe's knack for getting into the thick of things, whether he wants to or not). A real page turner, did not let me down.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Cossacks Ride Again

This series is absolutely fantastic, you feel like you ride with Joe and Nate, Awesome.

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Love the series

This is one of the better Joe Pickett books. Less predictable. Really like the characters.

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Great plot!

Liked the story splits.
Like how it keeps you guessing.
Excited to see what’s going to happen in the next book! Yup!

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Exciting and fast paced- lots of twists.

One of CJ Box’s best! Felt the upheaval of modern day Wyoming interspersed with a good murder mystery. Joe Pickett as an average guy who just works harder to solve mysteries is always enjoyable.

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Exciting

I love the stories. The author has me right in Wyoming with his stories and the way he tells the story.

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Now this is the Joe Pickett I love!!

Excellent story - no spoilers though -
Have to say Nate Romanowski is as always my favorite character - even moreso than Joe.
This is a must listen if you love stories of the west and mysteries.

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