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- Title: Off the Grid
- Author: C. J. Box
- Narrator: David Chandler
- Length: 10:39:36
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 08/03/2016
- Publisher: Recorded Books
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Detective Stories
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something about the vast emptiness of the American West that makes for perfect thriller territory. As someone who’s spent countless hours driving through desert landscapes from Chile to Wyoming, I’ve learned how silence and open spaces can heighten tension like nothing else. C.J. Box’s “Off the Grid”, narrated with gritty perfection by David Chandler, captures this atmospheric tension brilliantly, making it one of the most immersive audiobook experiences I’ve had this year.
“”A Story That Unfolds Like a Desert Storm””
The sixteenth installment in the Joe Pickett series finds Nate Romanowski, that fascinating rogue we’ve come to love, trying to stay off the grid in Wyoming’s Red Desert. Box’s description of this landscape – where the horizon stretches forever and a man can disappear – reminded me of my own time in the Atacama. Just as that Chilean desert taught me how quickly isolation can turn from peaceful to perilous, Box masterfully shows how Nate’s attempt at solitude becomes anything but quiet.
When a team of special operators approaches Nate with an offer too good to refuse, the story kicks into high gear with all the subtlety of a rattlesnake strike. What follows is a twisting narrative that explores themes of trust, survival, and what it really means to be ‘off the grid’ in our modern surveillance state. The political undertones feel particularly relevant in today’s climate, though Box never lets message overwhelm story.
“”David Chandler’s Narration: Like Listening to a Seasoned Ranch Hand””
Chandler’s performance is nothing short of masterful. His voice has that perfect blend of gravel and gravitas that makes you feel like you’re sitting around a campfire listening to someone who’s lived every word. He captures Nate’s dangerous charisma and Joe Pickett’s steadfast decency with equal skill, giving each character distinct vocal textures that help navigate Box’s large cast.
There’s a particular moment in chapter seven where Chandler’s delivery of a simple “I know” carries such weight it actually made me pause my hike to listen again. It reminded me of those evenings in Oaxaca, where a storyteller’s pause could speak volumes. Chandler understands the power of silence as much as words, using pacing to build tension in a way that feels organic to Box’s writing.
“”The Good, The Bad, and The Gritty””
What works exceptionally well:
– The Wyoming setting becomes a character itself, with Box’s descriptions and Chandler’s delivery making you feel the dust in your teeth
– The moral complexity of Nate’s situation – neither fully criminal nor fully righteous
– The gradual escalation of stakes that sneaks up on you like twilight in the desert
What might give some listeners pause:
– This is very much a series book; while it stands alone decently, you’ll get more from it if you know the characters’ histories
– The political elements, while not heavy-handed, are more pronounced than in earlier series entries
– Some of the action sequences require suspension of disbelief (though Chandler’s narration helps sell them)
“”For Fans Of…””
If you enjoy Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire series (especially the audiobooks narrated by George Guidall) or the rugged moral landscapes of Elmore Leonard’s work, “Off the Grid” will feel like coming home. It sits comfortably between literary crime fiction and pure thriller, with Box’s signature attention to environmental detail setting it apart.
“”Final Verdict””
This is the perfect audiobook for a long drive through open country, or for when you want to feel transported to a place where the rules are different and the stakes are life-and-death. Box’s storytelling combined with Chandler’s narration creates that rare alchemy where the performance enhances rather than simply delivers the text. I found myself taking the long way home just to keep listening, and isn’t that the highest praise an audiobook can receive?
Until our next literary adventure, keep exploring – both the world and the stories it inspires.
Marcus Rivera
