Shots Fired: Stories from Joe Pickett Country
Box isn’t known for short stories—he’s so busy writing full-length novels that it’s hard to imagine he has time to do anything else—but he has, over the years, published some, not all of them easy to find. This collection includes 10 in all, 3 of them new. The surprise for some readers may be that only 4 of these tie in to the Joe Pickett series. And, while those are a pleasure, it’s the others that are most interesting, demonstrating the author’s versatility with a diverse array of ideas. “The End of Jim and Ezra,” a story about two snowed-in trappers in 1835, displays both a keen eye for mundane historical detail and a wicked sense of humor. “Pirates of Yellowstone” is a quirky, surprising crime story about some unusual fish in the national park’s waters. And, if your curiosity is piqued by the title “Pronghorns of the Third Reich,” read it; you’ll be rewarded by a rare and surprising tale. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait long for more short stuff from Box. --Keir Graff