Book Review: Shadows Reel by C.J. Box

Published in 2022. Thriller. Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett investigates the dead body of a moose, only to find out it isn’t a moose. It’s a man’s body. He was tortured, then murdered, and his body was tossed over a fence in a desolate area, left for the scavengers to take over. Joe calls in the local sheriff to investigate and is asked to leave. He aids the sheriff by identifying the man as Bert Kizer, a local fishing guide. But why would anyone want to kill him? Joe steps back from the investigation, but keeps alert for any clues.

Joe’s wife, Marybeth, the town librarian, is concerned bout a man she didn’t recognize hanging around the library. By the time she’s ready to leave for the day, she’s spooked and calls Joe. But by the time he arrives, the man’s gone and all Marybeth finds is a suspicious package on the doorstep of the library. She takes it inside and opens it, finding a photo album with pictures of Nazis from World War II. There’s no note to say who it was from or why it was sent. But she’s fascinated by it.

At the same time, the Pickett family is preparing for Thanksgiving. Their three daughters will be home soon, bringing a new dog, a new friend, and lots of laughter into the empty nest.

This was an entertaining read, but the author's done better.