Mystery Readers Book Club April 2016
Back
of Beyond by C.J. Box
“I know you were a hot shot detective in Colorado
and I also know your rep as a drunk and a screw up. I’ve heard about some of
the things you used to do when you grew up here, and your crazy homicidal
white-trash family. I’ve personally arrested two of your uncles and I sent one
to Deer Lodge Prison.” Larry Olsen to Cody Hoyt
Author C.J. Box is a Wyoming native and his
experience in the outdoors, ranching and the tourism industry adds realistic
touches to the story. Readers agreed that this was a great story and first
class mystery that kept them guessing until the very end. Although some of the
characters were likeable, readers did say that they felt there were too many
secondary characters to identify with. Gracie, the youngest was by far their
favorite.
Readers cut a lot of slack for Cody Hoyt, detective
and Justin’s father. They made allowances for his relapses and police
procedural short cuts. Bull Mitchell, retired wilderness horseback trail riding
outfitter was another favorite. His gruff exterior was counter balanced by
tenderness for his ailing wife and his storytelling prowess in the children’s
room of the local library. The Original Adventures
of Hank the Cowdog told the terrible news, “There’s been a murder on the
ranch.”
Some said the beginning of the book was slow and
were glad when the trail ride began and the plot picked up speed. There was
plenty of murder and mayhem and the details graphic but short enough to satisfy
experienced mystery readers. Previous book club selections were compared to this
one and all of them were judged excellent.
Have you read Back of Beyond? What did you think? Please share your
thoughts in the comments.
