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- Title: Shadows Reel
- Author: C. J. Box
- Narrator: David Chandler
- Length: 09:04:40
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 08/03/2022
- Publisher: Recorded Books
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Detective Stories
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something about listening to a C.J. Box novel while driving through wide-open spaces that makes the experience feel complete. I remember the first time this happened to me – I was crossing the Wind River Range in Wyoming, the very landscape where Joe Pickett’s adventures unfold, when I popped in a Box audiobook. The sagebrush outside my window mirrored the descriptions in my ears, creating that magical alchemy where story and place become inseparable. That’s the same immersive quality I found in “Shadows Reel”, narrated with perfect pitch by David Chandler.
This latest installment in the Joe Pickett series finds our principled game warden facing one of his most complex cases yet – a brutal murder connected to a mysterious Nazi photo album that surfaces in his wife Marybeth’s library. Box masterfully weaves together two timelines: the present-day Wyoming wilderness and the shadowy history of World War II. As someone who’s spent years documenting hidden histories in my travels, I particularly appreciated how Box uses the landscape itself as a character – the harsh beauty of Wyoming becomes both sanctuary and threat.
David Chandler’s narration is like sitting around a campfire with the most skilled storyteller you’ve ever met. He captures Joe’s quiet determination and moral compass with a gravelly warmth that reminded me of those Oaxacan evenings listening to abuela’s stories. Chandler’s ability to distinguish between characters – from the rough-edged Nate Romanowski to Marybeth’s intelligent pragmatism – creates a rich audio tapestry. There’s one particular scene where Joe is tracking through snow that Chandler delivers with such crisp detail, I actually shivered despite listening in my sunny California kitchen.
What makes this audiobook special is how Box balances the personal with the perilous. The Thanksgiving timing adds layers of domestic tension to the high-stakes thriller elements. As the father of three daughters myself, the scenes where Joe worries about his girls coming home hit particularly close to home. Box understands that the greatest threats aren’t just physical – they’re the vulnerabilities of loving people in a dangerous world.
The parallel storyline involving Nate Romanowski’s quest to recover his stolen falcons provides a satisfying counterpoint to Joe’s investigation. Chandler’s narration of these sections has a different rhythm – faster, more urgent – that perfectly matches Nate’s character. It reminded me of listening to adventure stories while driving through Chile’s Atacama, where the landscape seems to demand a certain pace and tone from the narrative.
If I had one critique, it’s that some of the historical connections feel slightly contrived, though Chandler’s earnest delivery helps smooth over these moments. The resolution, while satisfying, comes together perhaps a touch too neatly for a story that initially promises more moral ambiguity. Still, these are minor quibbles in what’s otherwise a thoroughly engaging listening experience.
For fans of Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire series or Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon novels, “Shadows Reel” offers that same perfect blend of rugged setting and complex character development. But Box’s particular gift is making the ethical dilemmas feel as immediate as the physical danger, and Chandler’s narration amplifies this beautifully. There’s a scene where Joe must choose between protocol and protection that had me parked in my driveway, unable to stop listening until the tension resolved.
The production quality from Recorded Books is excellent throughout – no distracting background noises or uneven volume levels that sometimes plague audiobooks. At just under 9 hours, it’s the perfect length for a cross-country drive or a week of commutes. Though fair warning: you might find yourself taking the long way home to squeeze in just one more chapter.
Happy trails and happy listening, Marcus
Marcus Rivera
