Best-seller C.J. Box’s series about Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett is known for showing how environmental issues not only affect ecology, but also people, jobs and lifestyles.

In “Off the Grid,” Box goes a bit off the grid himself by tackling the hot-button issue of terrorists and government interference, delivering an even-handed look that illustrates the perception of a situation isn't always reality.

“Off the Grid” isn't so much Joe’s story as it is his friend's Nate Romanowski, a war veteran, a falconer, a loner who does live off the grid. Nate’s extreme skills with a weapon and his ability to survive in just about any circumstances make him the person you want in a bad situation. Nate seldom shows his feelings to the world, but he cares deeply about Joe and the game warden's family and Olivia Brannan, his long-time girlfriend.

Nate has been living off the grid because of some trumped up federal charges. Despite this, Nate is offered a deal by two shadowy federal agents who say they are members of a covert government group called The Wolverines: Spy on Muhammad “Ibby” Ibraaheem, the son of an ambassador, and the charges against Nate and Olivia will disappear. Ibby, a once promising journalist, has been living off the grid, too, in Wyoming, and the feds suspect he is organizing a terrorist cell.

Something certainly is going on when Nate shows up at Ibby’s encampment in Wyoming's Red Desert. But he has another surprise when he finds Sheridan Pickett, Joe’s oldest daughter, also is there. (TNS)

“Off the Grid”

By C.J. Box

Putnam (384 pages, $27)