The Bitterroots
A Cassie Dewell Novel
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3.7 • 24 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A riveting new novel from New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author C. J. Box.
The ties that bind can burn you.
Former sheriff’s investigator Cassie Dewell is trying to start her life over as in private practice. She’s her own boss and answers to no one, and that’s just the way she likes it after the past few tumultuous years. All that certainty changes when an old friend calls in a favor: she wants Cassie to help exonerate a man accused of assaulting a young woman from an influential family.
Against her own better judgment, Cassie agrees. But out by the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana, twisted family loyalty runs as deep as the ties to the land, and there's always something more to the story. The Kleinsassers have ruled this part of Montana for decades, and the Iron Cross Ranch is their stronghold. They want to see Blake Kleinsasser, the black sheep of the family, put away forever for the assault. As Cassie attempts to uncover the truth, she must fight against a family whose roots are tangled and deadly—as well as the ghosts of her own past that threaten to bring her down.
With The Bitterroots, master storyteller C. J. Box delivers another searing novel of loyalty, lies, and lethal retribution.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
C. J. Box’s brutal Highway Quartet pitted Montana deputy sheriff Cassie Dewell against a terrifying serial killer prowling the truck stops of the Mountain West. Now, the resourceful heroine is back as a private investigator in a thrilling new series. In the first book, Cassie reluctantly agrees to assist in the defense of a wealthy logging family’s prodigal son, who stands accused of assaulting his underage niece. As he does in his Joe Pickett mystery series, Box makes rural Montana a fascinating setting. The Bitterroots unfolds against the dramatic backdrop of a raging, barely controlled forest fire, making this one of the beloved author’s most gripping and evocative mysteries yet.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this outstanding novel from Edgar winner Box, erstwhile police officer Cassie Dewell, last seen in 2017's Paradise Valley, has rebooted her career and become a PI in Montana. A single mother, Cassie sometimes has to take work where she finds it, but her alarm bells go off when attorney Rachel Mitchell offers her a dubious assignment: investigating the arrest of millionaire Blake Kleinsasser, who has been charged with raping his 15-year-old niece, Franny Porch . The black sheep of his wealthy ranching family, Blake admits he was too drunk that night to remember whether he attacked Franny. Thus, gathering evidence that could clear Blake will be a huge challenge. How huge Cassie only gradually learns, as she canvasses the law enforcement of Lochsa County as well as the Kleinsasser family members. Local resistance soon escalates into serious peril when Cassie is arrested and thrown in jail on a trumped-up charge. Vividly etched characters and a realistic plot lift this outing, and the well-done Montana setting is a plus. Box remains at the top of his game. 300,000-copy announced first printing; author tour.
