The Bitterroots: the series that inspired BIG SKY, now on Disney+

By C. J. Box

The latest installment in the crime series that inspired Big Sky.

The ties that bind can burn you.

Former investigator Cassie Dewell is trying to start over. But when an old friend calls in a favour, she can't refuse: a man has been accused of assaulting a young woman from an influential family, and he needs Cassie's help.

Against her better judgment, Cassie agrees. But out by the Bitterroot mountains of Montana, twisted family loyalty runs as deep as the ties to the land, and there's always something more to the story.

As Cassie attempts to uncover the truth, she must confront a family whose roots are tangled and deadly, and face the ghosts of her own past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Head of Zeus
• Release date: Aug 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781786693372

C. J. Box

C. J. BOX is the New York Times best-selling author of many novels including the Joe Pickett series. He has won the Edgar Alan Poe Award for Best Novel (Blue Heaven, 2009) as well as the Anthony Award, Prix Calibre 38 (France), the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, and the Barry Award. Over four million copies of his novels have been sold in the U.S. alone and they have been translated into twenty-seven languages. He lives in Wyoming.  

Reviews for The Bitterroots

[josephking6602 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Clever, good characters, a bit convoluted; fun book.

[Anthony Capomacchia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is a 5 star novel. Excellent in all regards as expected from CJ Box. Wonderful descriptions of of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho and the unique culture of the inhabitants from that region. Read it!

[labdaddy4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A very dark modern western thriller featuring the female detective Cassie Dewell. This one seems like a modern version of a Shakespearean tragedy and reminded me quite a bit of the TV series “Yellowstone” - or am I imagining this ??? Not very many of the characters have redeeming characteristics - the “bad guys” were very bad, even repulsive. Of course all the “good guys” were filled with positive traits - or streaks of them. Far too stereotypical - I like more nuance and mystery.

[buffalogr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Box wrote another good book with this one. The human characters are well-developed and relatable, if not all likable. There are great plot twists. As a former law enforcement officer, Cassie doesn’t want to work for a defense attorney.

[bblum_10 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cassie Dwell a young PI just trying to be her own boss gets wound up in a family feud where family members are trying to cheat one another and are willing to kill to keep secrets and the potential wealth from selling said ranch. Cassie nearly gets killed in this knuckle biter.

[gifford_macshane · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I'd heard so much about this author, I decided to buy one of his books. It will be the last one, I'm afraid.The plot is fairly elementary -- I figured out whodunit less than half-way through. The writing is also elementary (as in elementary school), and the author evidently never heard of "show don't tell". The main character, a PI, was "embarrassed" by every little thing. For a former cop, she was emotionally weak and certainly not quick on the uptake.I did enjoy the character of the MC's mother, perhaps because I identify as an "old hippie" myself.If you want a simple, straightforward mystery with little emotional risk, this might be the book for you. For me, it wasn't anything much.

[addunn3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting story, though it gets a little convoluted toward the end.

[desiree_reads · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Crime fiction isn't normally my thing, but the story here was decent, and the author's descriptions of the Bitterroot Mountains region of Montana are strongly compelling. I love a novel with a strong sense of place, and this was definitely fits that bill. A bit too "kick ass female" for my liking, but to each their own. Great novel for those crime-thriller lovers out there.

[dano35ie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another fantastic book from a top class author. A real page turner and Brilliant Characters involved in this fine thriller.

[cathyskye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Taking place during Montana's "Summer of Fire," C.J. Box's The Bitterroots is a story that has the sudden, ferocious power of a sledgehammer. When Cassie Dewell tells someone where she's going, she's told "You have no idea what kind of... snake pit you're going to fall into," and that's the honest truth. The smoke of countless forest fires may obscure the Kleinsassers' sinister grip on the county in which they reside, but the acrid stench of the smoke gives them away. Even the name of their property-- the Iron Cross Ranch-- has an ominous ring to it.Cassie Dewell faces one challenge of escalating intensity after another, but, folks, she's put down her Denise Mina novel, and she's determined to get to the bottom of things simply because the other side is overplaying their hand. These challenges are humiliating, shocking, infuriating... and I would have done exactly what she did. (Some folks don't react well to intimidation.) The only qualm I had was that, for the single mother of a teenage boy, Cassie went much farther out on a limb than she should have. The Kleinsassers are a family of vipers, and I wanted to see Cassie bring them down. One person remarks, "We seem to be witnessing the Olympics of family dysfunction right here in Montana." Some of the Kleinsasser revelations didn't surprise me one bit, and I cheered Cassie on to the very last page.As always, the setting has an important role in Box's novels. Readers will experience the Summer of Fire in the steep mountains and deep valleys of northwestern Montana close to the Idaho border, but they will also learn a bit of history. This is the land of the Big Hole Battlefield, where Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce fought for their freedom, and Box's story does justice to the landscape and history of the area.Now begins the wait for Cassie Dewell's next investigation.

[streamsong_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A prominent ranch family is intent on maintaining their hold on both their ranch and the political dominance of the Montana county where they live. But when a son returns, old feuds and jealousies are renewed. Soon after returning from New York, he is charged with the rape of his niece. It seems water-tight until investigator Cassie Dewell is sent to look into the case.. I live in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley and this book was the choice of my book club. I enjoyed all the local flavor which not only included geography (although most of the story takes place in a fictional county), but also many local businesses.But the premise seemed not dissimilar to a currently popular TV show being filmed in Montana about a prominent but twisted ranch family. And something about investigator Cassie didn’t ring true for me. She could just as well have been a male investigator with a quick change of her name. It works as a stand-alone, but it’s actually the 4th of the series. I have not read any of the others. There were several good plot twists, but I won’t be continuing with this series.

[delta61 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent story. The author makes the characters just come alive.

[whybehave2002 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book without reading the first 3 in the series. There were probably a few references to the previous books but they were woven into the current book well enough not to notice. I read this book in two days! It had some nasty characters and some good twists in the plot. I most definitely will read more.

[jamespurcell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

To find a nastier family than the one Cassie faces; you would have to choose from some of the several in the "Game of Thrones" It is not often that the heroine has to face an 18 wheeler taking out her motel room following a night in the local jail. But Cassie does rise up and smote them down in an apt series of rapid-fire takedowns. Another gritty book from C J Box. One could wonder if there are any nice people in Montana.

[flourgirl49 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lots of nasty people in this story, and I wasn't too impressed with the main character, Cassie Dewell. Even though she's a former cop, she doesn't seem tough enough to be playing the role of private investigator - too much emotion and reactions that were kind of off-kilter at times. Apparently, this book is part of a series - I won't be reading the rest. I did like the descriptions of Montana, however - I really like that state.

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars.

The Bitterroots by C.J. Box is a gritty and suspenseful mystery starring Cassie Dewell.

Cassie and her fourteen year old son Ben now live in Bozeman, Montana. Wanting to spend more time with Ben and set her own hours, Cassie is now a private detective.  With her latest case wrapped up, Cassie is about to fulfill a debt she owes to defense attorney Rachel Mitchell.  Very uneasy about working for the defense, Cassie reluctantly agrees to go back over all of the evidence for Rachel's client, Blake Kleinsasser. The case is particularly distasteful since Blake has been accused of a particularly horrific crime. With a sworn statement from the victim and a seemingly airtight case, Cassie is certain of Blake's guilt. Heading to Lochsa County, she arranges to meet Sheriff Ben Wagy who is very reluctant  to co-operate with her. Cassie then requests to talk to the Blake's older brother, John Wayne and his sister, Cheyenne. With her investigation being  stonewalled, Cassie cannot help but wonder what everyone is trying to hide.

Cassie is an intelligent, stubborn and highly skilled investigator who refuses to allow anyone to push her around. Despite the obstacles she faces, she  does not cut corners or skirt the law as she takes a close look at the evidence against Blake. She does not particularly like Sheriff Wagy but she is respectful even though he is dismissive and rude to her. But the deeper she digs into the case, Cassie becomes troubled by some inconsistencies she uncovers.  She is also very disturbed by the Kleinsasser family's reactions to her presence in town. Cassie is determined to discover the truth but will she emerge from this case unscathed?

The Bitterroots is an absorbing mystery with a tautly woven plot and a vibrant setting. Cassie is an excellent investigator with plenty of experience but even she is stunned by depravity and corruption  awaiting her in Lochsa County. With some wicked twists and shocking turns, C.J. Box brings this clever mystery to a realistic conclusion. Another brilliant mystery starring Cassie Dewell that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.