Joe Pickett Books Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Open Season | 2001 | Buy |
| Savage Run | 2002 | Buy |
| Winterkill | 2003 | Buy |
| Trophy Hunt | 2004 | Buy |
| Out of Range | 2005 | Buy |
| Three-Inch Teeth | 2024 | Buy |
C.J. Box is a New York Times bestselling author who has made the modern American West come alive through his authentic and compelling crime fiction. Born and raised in Wyoming, Box draws on his deep knowledge of the region to create stories that capture both the beauty and conflicts of contemporary Western life.
Box launched the Joe Pickett series in 2001 with “Open Season,” introducing readers to a Wyoming game warden who stumbles into major crimes while trying to protect wildlife. The novel’s success established Box as a major voice in crime fiction, blending traditional Western themes with modern mystery storytelling. Twenty-four books later, the series remains one of the most popular in the genre.
What sets Box apart is his authenticity. As a Wyoming native who lives on a ranch and spends time in the wilderness, he writes from experience rather than research. His novels tackle real issues facing the modern West—energy development, environmental conflicts, federal land disputes, and the clash between old and new ways of life. This grounding in reality gives his fiction unusual depth and resonance.
Beyond Joe Pickett, Box has written standalone thrillers and the Highway series featuring investigator Cody Hoyt and later his son. His work has earned the Edgar Award, multiple Anthony Awards, and other major honors while selling millions of copies worldwide. A Paramount+ television adaptation of Joe Pickett premiered in 2021, introducing the character to a new audience.