Until recently, I didn’t read a lot of fiction, but last year, I discovered C. J. Box and have devoured several of his books, in the form of audiobooks that I listen to while driving. Box writes mystery thrillers set in the intermountain West, specifically Wyoming and Montana. His villains include corrupt politicians and bureaucrats and environmentalist wackos but also greedy ranchers and businessmen. Although his stories include a lot of violence, there are no sex scenes or nude scenes, and profanity is at a minimum. His series books do not have “cliffhanger” endings, and each can stand on its own without requiring the reader to read all the others in the series.
Box made an appearance in Laguna Hills, Calif. last week. The auditorium was filled to capacity, and I obtained a free copy of his latest book (New York: Putnam, 2024).
Box is an author who likely appeals to Red voters.
The last exceptionally good book I read was “Sufferings in Africa,” the memoir by James Riley.