Quotes from C.J. Box

from Brooklyn,

God, how sometimes he hated the distances. Everything out here was just so far from the next.

more time away from the family and additional

When Cody looked out over the vista of green carpeted saddle slopes with tree-choked river valleys, massive red-veined geological upthrusts that bordered the eastern horizon until they gave up and became mountains, and the vast sprawling tableau of Yellowstone Lake miles ahead and below them, he said, "What big country.

the fight continued in the

he had preferred it to heaven because at that age Joe didn't think there could be trout streams in the clouds.

Her dad said, "Why didn't you wake me up and tell me?" Gracie looked over, her eyes dead. "I wasn't sure whose tent you were in." "Meow," Danielle whispered. Her dad turned red and looked quickly away. Gracie felt both good and ashamed at the same time. She expected a glare from Rachel, but the woman eyed her stoically. As if assessing her for later.

not actually shades of green. They had discussed the fact

Once, she'd dressed up as a French maid. Another time it was a candy striper. Both outfits had really revved him up.

Cumulus clouds became incendiary as the setting sun lit them. The quiet was extraordinary, the only sound the burble of a truck leaving Mammoth Village and descending the switchbacks toward Gardiner.

were all so sure it was Dallas. Maybe next time you'll listen

This is technical whitewater," Nate said, looking out at the foamy white rooster-tails that burst angrily on the surface. Downstream was a series of massive rollers.

Outside the tent, it was cold, still, clear, and breathtakingly beautiful. Bright white sun danced on the ripples of Yellowstone Lake and electrified the dew in the grass. A bald eagle cruised along the surface of the water, talons dropped, fishing. Far across the water was the smudge of an island in the lake. Boils of steam rose from vents and dissipated in the clear morning air. She smelled woodsmoke from the fire and heard subdued voices from the kitchen camp.

rotary-dial telephone

River Box. It had remained in place while

mom thought all differences melted away and that anyone could be pleasant company once they were on horseback.

local jury trial'—that's the vicinage.

years out on Bighorn Road or on the ranch, their

how long it took at this high altitude

You win this game. I can't guess that shit. I thought I could name that shit in three notes, maybe less. But I'm baffled. Boggled. Blown away.

Now that they got you little girls they won't have no use for me," she said, and a single tear snaked down her cheek.

We humans have such a high opinion of ourselves—especially my old brethren in the movement. We think we're gods on earth, that by merely changing our behavior or, more important, changing the behavior of the heathen industrialists and capitalists, that we can actually affect the outcome of the planet. We're so unbelievably arrogant and elite, so blind, so stupid. We think we can control the world. It's so tremendously silly I laugh when I think about it.

One must not put a loaded rifle on the stage if no one is thinking of firing it. —Anton Chekhov, Letter to Alexander Lazarev-Gruzinsky

was brown from being soaked. Joe thanked him as he passed by. "Murder/suicide, huh?