Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett investigates a mysterious death at a secret remote high-tech facility in this riveting new novel from #1 New York Times bestseller C.J. Box.
When a prominent University of Wyoming professor goes missing, authorities are stumped. That is, until Joe Pickett makes two surprising discoveries while hunting down a wounded elk on his district as an epic spring storm descends upon him. First, he finds the professor’s vehicle parked on a remote mountainside. Then Joe finds the professor’s frozen and mutilated body. When he attempts to learn more, his investigation is obstructed by federal agents, extremists, and Governor Colter Allen.
Nate Romanowski is rebuilding his falconry company—and financing this through crypto mining with the assistance of Geronimo Jones. He’s then approached by a shadowy group of local militant activists that is gaining in power and influence, and demanding that Wyoming join other western states and secede from the union—by force, if necessary. They ask Nate to throw in with them, but he’s wary. Should he trust them, or is he being set up?
As a storm of peril gathers around them, Joe and Nate confront it in different ways—and maybe, for the first time, on opposite sides.
The series
In the rugged expanses of Wyoming’s wilderness, where the land’s raw beauty and unforgiving nature are as much characters as the people who inhabit it, Joe Pickett patrols the borders of justice. The Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box follows the moral compass of this tenacious game warden, whose deep-rooted sense of right and wrong constantly tests him against the harsh realities of the world around him.
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What sets this series apart isn’t just the high-stakes adventures but the quiet tension that builds between the sweeping landscapes and the intimate, often dangerous conflicts Pickett faces. Each novel immerses readers in the untamed wilds of the American West, where crime, environmental battles, and deeply personal choices intertwine. Joe’s world is one of shifting allegiances, hidden secrets, and unpredictable challenges, making every turn in the plot feel as precarious as the mountain cliffs he scales.
The series introduces a captivating cast of characters, from the steadfast Joe himself to his equally complex allies like Nate Romanowski, a falconer with a shadowy past. These characters feel like living, breathing entities shaped by both the land and the challenges they face. Whether battling wildfires, confronting ruthless criminals, or uncovering political conspiracies, Joe Pickett remains an unwavering force—his journey is as much about internal struggles as the external ones.
C.J. Box’s writing style pulses with tension and authenticity, perfectly reflecting the unforgiving environment where the stakes are never just about survival but about the choices that define who we are. As Joe grapples with the consequences of his actions, readers are taken on a suspense-filled ride through a world where nothing is as simple as it seems, and the boundaries between good and evil are often blurred.
For those who crave more than just a detective story, Joe Pickett offers a visceral experience—a journey into the heart of a man who is constantly challenged by the world, his conscience, and the wilderness he’s sworn to protect.
#1 · 2001Open Season 
#2 · 2002Savage Run 
#3 · 2003Winterkill 
#4 · 2004Trophy Hunt 
#4.5 · 2005Dull Knife 
#5 · 2005Out of Range 
#6 · 2006In Plain Sight 
#6.5 · 2006The Master Falconer 
#7 · 2007Free Fire 
#8 · 2008Blood Trail 
#9 · 2009Below Zero 
#10 · 2010Nowhere to Run 
#11 · 2011Cold Wind 
#12 · 2012Force of Nature 
#13 · 2013Breaking Point 
#14 · 2014Stone Cold 
#14.5 · 2014Shots Fired 
#15 · 2015Endangered 
#16 · 2016Off the Grid 
#17 · 2017Vicious Circle 
#18 · 2018The Disappeared 
#19 · 2019Wolf Pack 
#20 · 2020Long Range 
#21 · 2021Dark Sky 
#22 · 2022Shadows Reel 
#23 · 2023Storm Watch 
#24 · 2024Three-Inch Teeth 
#25 · 2025Battle Mountain 
#26 · 2026The Crossroads 
#27 · 2027The Missing 
#28 · 2028Joe Pickett Book 28 Be the first reviewer
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