Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 11/9/2015 + 1181 more book reviews

I'm a big fan of Box's Joe Pickett series - I have read and enjoyed all 15 of the Pickett novels up to Endangered and I would consider these to be among the best crime series novels out there. Badlands is the first non-Pickett book I have read by Box and I was not disappointed. This is actually the second book featuring Cassie Dewell (the first was The Highway) and I hope Box continues with more. This book evidently continues where The Highway left off with Cassie traveling to North Carolina to confront the serial killer from Highway (I have this book and need to read it soon!). However, the law enforcement officials are unable to provide any clear evidence against the accused killer, so Cassie returns to Montana and then to a new job as chief investigator in Grimstad, North Dakota. Grimstad is in the midst of an oil boom through a fracking operation and along with the workers comes crime including drugs and prostitution. Cassie gets in the middle of a case where the Salvadoran gang, MS-13 is trying to take over the drug business in Grimstad. A young special needs boy finds a duffle bag full of drugs and money after a gang-member's car is forced off the road. Of course the drugs wind up in his mother's shady boyfriend's hands who wants to sell them but who is clueless about how ruthless the MS-13 gang is and what they will do to get the drugs back. And of course, blood will be spilt! This was a page-turner with lots of action that I would recommend. I will also be looking forward to reading the other non-Pickett books by Box...

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