Savage Run And Winterkill

I recently read both Savage Run and Winterkill, the second and third novels written by C.J. Box about Joe Pickett, a Wyoming game warden who gets into all kinds of exciting adventures. I had picked up a new edition of his first book, Open Season, to read a few weeks ago, and it had the first few chapters of the next book, Savage Run, in the back. I decided to read that story, and the next in the series, as well. When Box finally found a publisher for Open Season, after 5 years of trying, he was signed to a three-book deal, and I must say, all three are excellent reads, and I highly recommend them.

I have attended author signings by Box at the Tattered Cover Bookstore here in Denver a number of times, and enjoyed them very much. My sister Susan was hoping to attend the C.J. Box author event coming up at the Lone Tree, Colorado Arts Center this month, in conjunction with the publication of his newest Joe Pickett novel, Shadows Reel. Unfortunately, many author signings are not like they were in the good old days, when you went to the bookstore's event space, grabbed a chair, listened to the author speak, and then decided if you wanted to get in line for a signed copy. These days, more often than not, you have to buy tickets in advance, which include the book and an additional service charge as well. This is the case for the C.J. Box event this month. You have to buy a ticket for $39, which includes a copy of the book (which retails for $28), and if you want to attend with a family member, each one has to shell out the $39, even though you only need one copy. Is that progress or greed? You decide.