C.J. Box Round-Up

Barnes and Noble recently featured C.J. Box's BELOW ZERO on its Spotlight page, saying that this latest Joe Pickett novel "could be the best one yet." They call it "beautifully written and constructed, with an art that underplays its excitement and emotional strength."

The Billings-Gazette chimes in with its own effuse praise:

Wyoming author C.J. Box had me hooked with the opening lines of "Open Season," the first of his mysteries featuring game warden Joe Pickett.

The author's skill at plotting, suspense and character were evident quickly in that first novel and have been honed over the years, with more Pickett books and the standalone novels "Three Weeks To Say Goodbye" and "Blue Heaven."

And Box's writing is razor-sharp in his ninth Pickett mystery, "Below Zero."

Unpredictable and thought-provoking, this is the best Pickett novel yet and displays the rich fusion of message and entertaining mystery found in "Free Fire," which was set in Yellowstone National Park.

"Below Zero" rivals "Blue Heaven," which just won the coveted Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel from the Mystery Writers of America.

Readers new to the Pickett series will best appreciate "Below Zero" if they first read "Winterkill" or, better yet, read the entire series in order. The characters grow throughout the series, and some of the humor and irony tie to earlier works.

But, just on its own, "Below Zero" is a standout mystery showing why Box has built a national and international fan base.

If you're interested in learning more about the author and his latest book, C.J. Box talks about his use of Wyoming as a setting in the Austin American-Statesmen. There's another discussion of the importance of place in his latest novel in the Chicago Tribune. The Lexington Herald-Ledger also examines the way Box addresses important environmental issues in his work.

Below Zero Is Number Two!

C.J. Box's BELOW ZERO has hit #2 on the Denver Post's bestseller list!

We Think Joe Could Take Jack In A Fight

Critics continue to rave about Below Zero, C.J. Box's latest Joe Pickett novel. The Associated Press says, "The book is tightly written, with well-drawn characters and sharp dialogue. Box keeps the reader of balance with a series of plot twists as startling as anything on TV's '24.' You never see them coming, yet they never feel contrived."

Better watch out, Jack Bauer!

UPDATE: The author informed us that our earlier statement was a little inaccurate and "Jack would totally pound Joe into jelly," but perhaps Mr. Box missed the last episode of 24, which ended with Jack in a coma. Surely Joe would have no problem winning a fight now!

Early Praise For Daughter of Kura

Daughter of Kura, a novel by Debra Austin set in Africa 500,000 years ago, will be published in August, and we're thrilled that its first review is so positive.

Publishers Weekly says, "Austin, a former doctor with a serious passion for paleoanthropology, brings exhaustive research and strong writing to her debut" and "accomplishes an extremely difficult task--to get readers to understand a community that resembles both human and animal societies...." They call the novel "a remarkable first effort" and say that the characters "will easily engage readers."

Kathleen George On "The Odds"

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently interviewed Kathleen George about her new novel, THE ODDS. Click here to learn George's thoughts on what the Tribune-Review calls "arguably her best work."

Odds Are Good That She Passed

Ford Madox Ford once said, "Open the book to page ninety-nine and read, and the quality of the whole will be revealed to you."

Kathleen George applies this test to her own book over at a blog aptly named The Page 99 Test and comments on the results.

For even more Kathleen George, click here for a Q&A with the author.

Kathleen George Is On A Hot Streak!

Entertainment Weekly just declared, "If anyone's writing better police thrillers than George, I don't know who it is."

Start A Love Affair Of Your Own!

To celebrate the recent opening of their Modern Wing, the Art Institute of Chicago has chosen My Love Affair with Modern Art, the memoir of Katharine Kuh, their first curator of modern art, as their current book club selection.

Art lovers can find more information, including a discussion guide, here.

Better Than Even Money

THE ODDS by Kathleen George goes on sale next week!

Library Journal says, "George's fourth crime novel is a truly original tale featuring four amazing youngsters: they are resilient, resourceful, and responsible. This very modern police procedural will not be easily forgotten."

We're not big gamblers, but we'd say that odds are this one's going to be a hit!