Quotes from C.J. Box

Jed McCarthy liked the way the situation was shaping up. He considered himself a kind of master of managing group dynamics, and he had once again proved himself right. He tried not to act too smug or vainglorious about it, although it wasn't easy.

Sullivan sat with his head down and his arms hanging between his legs, as if he'd received a slip of paper in a game of charades that said Dejected.

She could see clerical staff trundling out to their cars in heavy coats, condensation puffs revealing their conversation.

Once he finally built those bookshelves, he could showcase an impressive collection. But he never got around to it.

old Carnegie library

The brothers were on us like ugly on an ape

uninspired architecture they were government buildings.

Joe said, "I think I know. Too bad you can't just coexist with them.

there's nothing worse on this earth than privileged bureaucratic assholes who work the system. they never get caught, and if they do, there are no real consequences.

THE AGENTS DROVE another hour north and crossed the border into Wyoming. Instantly, the car was buffeted by gusts of wind. "Where are the trees?" Baker asked. "They blew away," Singewald said.

He loved Teddy Roosevelt's words: 'For the benefit and enjoyment of the people. ' He used to say it all the time.

It was easier to stay away and keep a rigid ideology when not mugged by reality.

He ain't gettin' nowhere and he's losin' his share, He must have gone crazy out there.—Michael Burton, "Night Rider's Lament

Hide in plain sight, that was the way out here. He would learn something from that.

She'd heard there were

She lay brooding in the dark for hours. Occasionally, she could hear a whoop or laugh from the direction of the campfire. Danielle's breathing got deeper and she slept the sleep of the dead and Gracie wished she'd gotten that snake from Dakota. She'd never hated her father before.

Cody nodded as if Larry could see him. He could hear Larry shuffling papers.

Two-sport all-state athlete, honor roll, Future Farmers of America award winner.

Cody nodded, then said, "Hmmm," so Larry would know he was listening.

Even the worst scenes could be improved by a layer of white snow.

None of Lucy's circle used their phones to actually make a call.

the impression Tom had already talked Marty's ear off. "I'll take care of that pitcher," Tom said, fishing a wad of bills out of his pocket and slapping them on the

We used to have a pretty good country. At least I think we did. Then something happened. It's our fault 'cause we let it. We used to be a people who had a government," he said, looking up, his eyes fierce again. "Now it's the other way around.

Monica had never been blessed with a road map. Her own parents had not provided one, certainly not for a situation like this. She always envied those who seemed to have a map, a plan, a destination, something inside that provided a framework. In times of confusion and despair, she had little to fall back on and no one to call on for advice or support. Certainly not her mother. And who knew where her father was? It