Joe Pickett Series in Order: Complete CJ Box Reading Guide

Ever wanted to get into a crime series that was more than just murder and mystery? One that transports you to Wyoming’s wilderness and introduces you to a humble, honest game warden who faces crooked bureaucrats, dangerous criminals, and personal demons? Welcome to C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett series, a masterclass in slow-burning thrillers with emotional power.

Who is Joe Pickett?

Joe Pickett is no James Bond or Jack Reacher. He’s a game warden. A family man. A stubborn, law-abiding hero who’s constantly in over his head but never backs down from doing what’s right even when it puts his life in danger. Over 20+ books, Joe matures from a rookie into a battle-hardened, deeply introspective character.

About C.J. Box

C.J. Box, the mastermind behind Joe Pickett, is a bestselling American author and Edgar Award winner. A Wyoming native, Box brings authenticity to every page. His books are deeply rooted in environmental issues, small-town politics, and gripping suspense all served with a side of rugged wilderness.

You may also read: Left Behind Series Books in Order: Where to Begin

Why Read the Joe Pickett Series in Order?

Character Growth & Plot Progression

Reading the Joe Pickett series in order allows readers to fully experience the evolution of its characters, especially Joe himself as he grows from a naïve game warden into a seasoned investigator.

Relationships deepen, personal and political stakes intensify, and recurring characters develop rich backstories. Plot threads and consequences from earlier books carry forward, creating a layered, immersive narrative that rewards loyal readers with long-term emotional payoff.

Relationships & Subplots That Span Books

One of the biggest reasons to read the Joe Pickett series in order is the evolution of long-running relationships and subplots. From Joe’s complex bond with his family to his deepening rivalry with Nate Romanowski, each book adds emotional layers and consequences. Characters grow, alliances shift, and past events resurface making the journey richer and more rewarding when followed chronologically. Skipping around risks missing key developments.

You may also like: The Housemaid Series in Order: A Complete Reading Guide

Joe Pickett Series in Chronological Order

The Complete List of Joe Pickett Series in Order

Open Season (2001)

Open Season marks the powerful debut of C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett series, introducing the straight-arrow Wyoming game warden. When Joe discovers a dead local outfitter beside an elk he failed to tag, he uncovers layers of political corruption, environmental conflict, and personal danger. This gripping first entry sets the tone for the series’ signature suspense and wilderness justice.

Open Season - Joe Pickett Series

Savage Run (2002)

In Savage Run, the second book in the Joe Pickett series, game warden Joe investigates a deadly explosion that kills an environmental activist. Set against the rugged Wyoming wilderness, the story unravels a chilling conspiracy involving powerful enemies. C.J. Box masterfully blends suspense, political intrigue, and ecological themes, deepening Joe’s character and raising the series’ emotional stakes.

You may also like: 20 Satire Examples in Real-World Every Writer Should Know

Savage Run - Joe Pickett Series

Winterkill (2003)

In Winterkill, Joe Pickett faces one of his most intense investigations amid a deadly blizzard in the Bighorn Mountains. As he searches for answers surrounding a mysterious death and a fanatical group of survivalists, tensions escalate. This third installment deepens the emotional stakes, blending fast-paced action with moral dilemmas that test Joe’s values and resilience.

Winterkill - Joe Pickett Series

Trophy Hunt (2004)

Trophy Hunt (2004) marks a chilling turn in the Joe Pickett series as Wyoming game warden Joe stumbles upon mutilated animal carcasses and soon, human victims. In this fourth installment, C.J. Box blends environmental mystery with psychological suspense. Joe’s pursuit of a sadistic killer reveals deep corruption and tests his instincts like never before, escalating the stakes in this gripping rural thriller.

You may also like: Fictional Characters: Definition & Most Iconic Fictional Characters

Trophy Hunt - Joe Pickett Series

Out of Range (2005)

In Out of Range, Joe Pickett faces a new challenge as he’s temporarily assigned to Jackson, Wyoming, after a fellow game warden’s mysterious suicide. The political pressure, urban corruption, and emotional strain test Joe’s limits like never before. C.J. Box weaves suspense with environmental intrigue, deepening the series’ focus on personal and professional conflict.

Out of Range - Joe Pickett Series

In Plain Sight (2006)

In In Plain Sight, Joe Pickett encounters rising tensions in Saddlestring after a prominent local ranch matriarch vanishes under strange circumstances. With allegiance divided and secrets revealed, Joe must navigate political corruption and personal risk. C.J. Box brilliantly explores Joe’s character while constructing a thrilling thriller based on Wyoming’s rough scenery and intricate family tensions.

You may also like: Michael Connelly Books in Order: Full List of Books by Series

In Plain Sight - Joe Pickett Series

Free Fire (2007)

In Free Fire, C.J. Box places Joe Pickett in the heart of Yellowstone National Park, where a strange legal loophole allows a murderer to go free. Joe is tasked with researching the crime zone and must traverse political corruption, environmental hazards, and moral quandaries in one of his most high-stakes cases ever. This novel represents a significant shift in the series’ tone and intensity.

Free Fire - Joe Pickett Series

Blood Trail (2008)

Blood Trail follows Joe Pickett as he investigates a frightening string of elk hunter deaths in the Wyoming Rockies. With a sneaky, perhaps deranged killer on the prowl, Joe must navigate the jungle while solving a deadly mystery linked to fanatical animal rights activity. This exciting eighth volume combines environmental themes, fast-paced suspense, and piercing moral complexity.

You may also like: Antithesis Meaning: Definition, Examples & Usage Explained

Blood Trail - Joe Pickett Series

Below Zero (2009)

Below Zero offers a watershed moment in the Joe Pickett series, combining emotional depth with suspense. When Joe’s foster daughter April, who was thought to be dead, approaches his family, he is lured into a disturbing mystery that crosses state boundaries. C.J. Box expertly weaves environmental themes with human stakes, resulting in a thrilling thriller that develops Joe’s character evolution.

Below Zero - Joe Pickett Series

Nowhere to Run (2010)

Nowhere to Run (2010) finds Joe Pickett at a crossroads literally and morally as he investigates disturbing reports from a remote mountain region. What starts as a simple check on missing campers quickly escalates into a chilling encounter with twin survivalists hiding dark secrets. This gripping installment deepens Joe’s internal conflicts while showcasing C.J. Box’s mastery of suspense and wilderness noir.

You may also like: Tone vs Mood Explained: What’s the Real Difference?

Nowhere to Run - Joe Pickett Series

Cold Wind (2011)

Cold Wind (2011) marks the eleventh entry in the Joe Pickett series, where Joe investigates the murder of his mother-in-law’s wealthy husband, found dead atop a wind turbine. As family tensions rise, Joe must balance loyalty with justice. Set against Wyoming’s harsh winter, the novel blends suspense, environmental politics, and moral complexity in true C.J. Box fashion.

Cold Wind - Joe Pickett Series

Force of Nature (2012)

In Force of Nature (2012), C.J. Box turns his attention to Nate Romanowski, Joe Pickett’s fascinating companion with a mysterious past. When assassins come after Nate, secrets are revealed and loyalties are strained. Set against Wyoming’s harsh setting, this fascinating entry combines emotional depth with explosive action, providing a spectacular diversion in the Joe Pickett series timeline.

Force of Nature - Joe Pickett Series

Breaking Point (2013)

In Breaking Point, Joe Pickett faces a moral and legal dilemma when a friend becomes a fugitive after a controversial EPA ruling. Set against Wyoming’s rugged wilderness, the novel explores themes of government overreach, personal justice, and environmental conflict. With gripping suspense and emotional depth, C.J. Box delivers one of the most politically charged entries in the series.

You may also like: Tone Examples in Literature: 15 Must-Know Types With Examples

Breaking Point - Joe Pickett Series

Stone Cold (2014)

In Stone Cold (2014), Joe Pickett faces a chilling new adversary, a mysterious, wealthy man who may be behind a string of contract killings in Wyoming. Sent undercover by Governor Rulon, Joe discovers a chilling world of vigilante justice. This gripping installment deepens the moral complexity of the series and challenges Joe’s unwavering sense of right and wrong.

Stone Cold - Joe Pickett Series

Endangered (2015)

Endangered (2015) depicts Joe Pickett’s investigation into the savage assault of a little girl who turns out to be his foster daughter, April. The stakes are extremely personal, propelling Joe on an unending quest for justice. Set in rural Wyoming, this 15th book in the Joe Pickett series combines emotional intensity with compelling suspense, highlighting C.J. Box’s trademark narrative and moral complexity.

You may also like: Shatter Me Series in Order: Don’t Read Them Out of Turn!

Endangered - Joe Pickett Series

Off the Grid (2016)

In Off the Grid (2016), Joe Pickett partners with his unpredictable friend Nate Romanowski to track a domestic terror threat linked to Wyoming’s remote Red Desert. As they confront rogue federal agents and extremists, the novel blends outdoor adventure with national security intrigue. C.J. Box masterfully raises the stakes, intertwining personal loyalty with high-stakes espionage, making it a standout entry in the Joe Pickett series’ evolving narrative arc.

Off the Grid - Joe Pickett Series

Vicious Circle (2017)

Vicious Circle (2017) continues Joe Pickett’s journey as he confronts a deadly vendetta from the past. Dallas Cates, recently released from prison, is out for revenge against Joe and his family, reigniting a dangerous feud. Set against the backdrop of Wyoming’s rugged wilderness, this fast-paced thriller blends personal stakes with high suspense. C.J. Box deepens Joe’s moral struggles, making Vicious Circle a gripping chapter in the series’ ongoing evolution.

You may also read: Realistic Fiction: Definition, Key Elements and Examples

Vicious Circle - Joe Pickett Series

The Disappeared (2018)

In The Disappeared, Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett is tasked with investigating the inexplicable disappearance of a well-known British woman last seen at a luxury guest ranch. As Joe delves deeper, he discovers terrible facts that influential individuals want hidden. Meanwhile, Nate Romanowski, a long-time ally, confronts his own dangers. This 18th installment combines political intrigue and wilderness suspense, keeping the Joe Pickett series riveting and contemporary.

The Disappeared - Joe Pickett Series

Wolf Pack (2019)

In Wolf Pack, C.J. Box thrusts Joe Pickett into a harrowing investigation involving a rogue drone, a brutal cartel, and four mysterious killers known as the Wolf Pack. Set against the rugged Wyoming backdrop, the novel explores themes of surveillance, lawlessness, and justice in the digital age. As Joe partners with the FBI and local law enforcement, the tension escalates, blending fast-paced action with Box’s signature wilderness authenticity.

Wolf Pack - Joe Pickett Series

Long Range (2020)

In Long Range, C.J. Box delivers a gripping blend of courtroom drama and wilderness survival. Joe Pickett is pulled into a high-profile sniper case involving a judge, while Nate Romanowski faces a personal vendetta. The stakes escalate as secrets unravel in Wyoming’s rugged terrain, testing loyalty, justice, and Joe’s relentless pursuit of truth.

You may also like: 150 Useful Tone Words to Describe Tone | Explanation with Examples

Long Range - Joe Pickett Series

Dark Sky (2021)

In Dark Sky (2021), game warden Joe Pickett is assigned to escort a tech mogul on an elk hunting trip deep into the Wyoming wilderness. What begins as a routine assignment turns deadly when they’re hunted by a ruthless survivalist. The novel expertly blends high-stakes suspense with environmental themes, showcasing C.J. Box’s signature mix of outdoor adventure and modern-day conflict. This gripping installment pushes Joe’s survival instincts to their limit.

Dark Sky - Joe Pickett Series

Shadows Reel (2022)

Game Warden Joe and his wife Marybeth spend Thanksgiving with their daughters in Wyoming in this twenty-second Joe Pickett book. While Marybeth discovers a bizarre Nazi-era photo album that was anonymously donated to her library, Joe investigates what looks to be a burnt moose and instead finds the tortured body of a local guide. Nate Romanowski sets out on a cross-country quest to retrieve his stolen falcons as both mysteries converge, culminating in an exciting and ominously atmospheric confrontation.

You may also read: HEA Meaning in Books, Texts, and Pop Culture Explained

Shadow Reel - Joe Pickett Series

Storm Watch (2023)

In this twenty‑third installment, Game Warden Joe Pickett races against time amidst a ferocious spring storm after discovering a missing University of Wyoming professor’s vehicle and frozen, mutilated body shielding a remote high‑tech facility. As Joe’s investigation collides with crypto‑mining ventures, militia groups, and political extremism led by the state governor, tensions mount. With layered characters and a jaw‑dropping twist, Storm Watch underscores C.J. Box’s mastery of suspenseful, timely thrillers

Storm Watch - Joe Pickett Series

Three-Inch Teeth (2024)

Three-Inch Teeth (2024) continues Joe Pickett’s relentless pursuit of justice in one of C.J. Box’s most chilling mysteries yet. In this 2024 installment, Pickett faces a terrifying predator killing indiscriminately across Wyoming, both animals and people. With chilling suspense and political undertones, the novel explores themes of environmental extremism and survival. As Joe follows the deadly trail, old enemies resurface, making this one of the most intense books in the series.

You may also like: 10 Arundhati Roy Books You’ll Regret Missing in 2025

Three-Inch Teeth - Joe Pickett Series

Hard Promises (Expected 2025)

Hard Promises, the anticipated 2025 installment in the Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box, is expected to deepen the emotional and political complexities surrounding Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett. While plot details remain under wraps, early buzz hints at a high-stakes conflict tied to federal land use and personal betrayal. As always, Box’s gripping storytelling promises suspenseful twists set against the rugged beauty of the American West.

From 2001 to 2025, Box has consistently released a Pickett novel almost every year making it one of the most consistent thriller series today.

Must-Read Joe Pickett Series Novels and Short Stories

“Dull Knife” and Other Stories

“Dull Knife” and Other Stories provide fascinating glimpses into Joe Pickett’s life outside of the main series. This short tale from Shots Fired portrays Pickett’s unyielding sense of justice as he investigates an apparently ignored Native American homicide. C.J. Box’s storytelling shines through precise pace and detailed Wyoming settings, making it a must-read for readers looking for more background and emotional depth in the Joe Pickett universe.

The Cassie Dewell Crossover

The Cassie Dewell Crossover is a thrilling highlight for C.J. Box fans, as it features two of his most recognisable characters Joe Pickett and Cassie Dewell in the same literary universe. While they rarely cross scenes, novels such as The Highway and Back of Beyond gently thread their timelines together, enriching both series. This crossover broadens the span of Box’s Wyoming-Montana world, providing readers with a more immersive, interwoven narrative experience.

Where to Start if You’re New to the Series

If you’re brand new, start with Open Season. But if you’re curious about recent action, Dark Sky or Storm Watch are fast-paced and relatively self-contained.

You may also read: 200 Terrifying Demon Names You’ve Never Heard Of!

Conclusion

The Joe Pickett series is a must-read for anyone who craves suspense with heart, nature with danger, and a hero who isn’t flashy but always real. C.J. Box delivers consistent, compelling storytelling that gets better with every book. Whether you’re new or returning, reading Joe Pickett in order is like unlocking a deeper, richer adventure with every page.