At a Glance
- New C J Box Book
- Joe Pickett Books In Publication Order
- Joe Pickett Short Story Collections
- Cody Hoyt / Cassie Dewell Series In Publication Order
- Standalone C. J. Box Novels in Publication Order
- C.J. Box Novellas
- Anthologies and Collections
- Series the Author Contributed To in Publication Order
- Overview of the Joe Pickett Series
- Should We Read the Joe Pickett Series in Order?
- Overview of the Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell Series
- C.J. Box Biography – About the Author
Last Updated on March 13, 2023 Reading the C. J. Box books in order means catching up with 23 Joe Pickett novels, 6 Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell series, 2 standalone novels, several short stories, and collections as well. Quite a lot of books, but well worth the read!
Here are the C. J. Box novels in order of publication and chronological order for all his series.
New C J Box Book
Storm Watch (Joe Pickett #23), 2023
Joe Pickett Books In Publication Order
- Open Season (Joe Pickett #1), 2001
- Savage Run (Joe Pickett #2), 2002
- Winterkill (Joe Pickett #3), 2003
- Trophy Hunt (Joe Pickett #4), 2004
- Dull Knife (Joe Pickett #4.5), 2011
- Out of Range (Joe Pickett #5), 2005
- In Plain Sight (Joe Pickett #6), 2006
- Free Fire (Joe Pickett #7), 2007
- Blood Trail (Joe Pickett #8), 2008
- Below Zero (Joe Pickett #9), 2009
- Nowhere to Run (Joe Pickett #10), 2010
- Cold Wind (Joe Pickett #11), 2011
- The Master Falconer (Joe Pickett #11.5), 2011
- Force of Nature (Joe Pickett #12), 2012
- Breaking Point (Joe Pickett #13), 2013
- Stone Cold (Joe Pickett #14), 2014
- Shots Fired: Stories from Joe Pickett Country (Joe Pickett #14.5), 2014
- Endangered (Joe Pickett #15), 2015
- Off the Grid (Joe Pickett #16), 2016
- Vicious Circle (Joe Pickett #17), 2017
- Disappeared (Joe Pickett #18), 2018
- Wolf Pack (Joe Pickett #19), 2019
- Long Range (Joe Pickett #20), 2020
- Dark Sky (Joe Pickett #21), 2021
- Shadows Reel (Joe Pickett #22), 2022
- Storm Watch (Joe Pickett #23), 2023
Joe Pickett Short Story Collections
- Shots Fired: Stories from Joe Pickett Country, 2014 (a Joe Pickett story)
Cody Hoyt / Cassie Dewell Series In Publication Order
- Back of Beyond (#1), 2011
- The Highway (#2), 2013
- Badlands (#3), 2015
- Paradise Valley (#4), 2017
- The Bitterroots (#5), 2019
- Treasure State (#6), 2022
Standalone C. J. Box Novels in Publication Order
- Blue Heaven, 2008
- Three Weeks to Say Goodbye, 2009
- Inherit the Dead, 2013 (with Lee Child, Mary Higgins Clark, John Connolly, Charlaine Harris, Jonathan Santlofer, and Lisa Unger)
C.J. Box Novellas
- Honor & …, 2018 (with Sandra Brown)
Anthologies and Collections
- Birds of Prey, 2022
Series the Author Contributed To in Publication Order
Bibliomysteries
- Pronghorns of the Third Reich, 2012 (short story)
- Murder, They Wrote (omnibus), 2018
Best American Mystery Stories
Overview of the Joe Pickett Series
The series follows the life of Joe Pickett, a game warden in Wyoming, as he navigates through his job and personal life in the rural west.
Joe is a dedicated family man who takes his job seriously, and he frequently finds himself caught up in dangerous situations as he investigates various crimes in the region. Throughout the series, he faces a range of challenges, including environmental concerns, corruption, and violence, while also grappling with personal issues and relationships with his wife and daughters.
One of the recurring themes in the series is the tension between modern life and traditional values, as Joe and other characters struggle to balance the demands of a changing world with their deep attachment to the land and way of life in the rural west.
The books are known for their strong sense of place and vivid descriptions of the western landscape, as well as their complex characters and intricate plotlines. As the series progresses, readers become increasingly invested in the lives of Joe Pickett and the other characters, making the books a compelling and addictive read for fans of crime fiction and western literature.
Should We Read the Joe Pickett Series in Order?
The Joe Pickett series is written with a strong narrative arc that develops over time, with recurring characters and storylines that build on each other. Each book builds on the previous one and adds new layers to the overarching story.
Reading the books out of order may confuse and spoil important plot points, which can detract from the overall reading experience. In addition, the character development of Joe Pickett, his family, and his colleagues evolves throughout the series, and reading the books in order allows readers to fully appreciate these changes and understand how they fit into the larger story.
Furthermore, the books often refer back to events from previous installments, so readers who start with a later book may miss important details that would enhance their understanding and enjoyment of the story.
Overall, reading the Joe Pickett series in order allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the world that C.J. Box has created, follow the growth of the characters, and fully appreciate the depth and complexity of the series as a whole.
Overview of the Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell Series
The series revolves around the investigative work of Cody Hoyt, a troubled former cop, and Cassie Dewell, a recently divorced single mother who works as a private investigator.
The first book in the series, Back of Beyond, introduces readers to Cody, who is struggling with alcoholism and personal demons, and Cassie, who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy businessman in Montana. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a web of deceit and corruption that leads them on a dangerous journey through the wilderness.
In subsequent books, including The Highway and Badlands, Cody and Cassie continue to investigate complex cases involving violent crime, corruption, and political intrigue. Along the way, they must navigate personal relationships and confront their demons, making the series as much about the characters’ personal journeys as it is about the crimes they investigate.
The series is known for its fast-paced action, complex characters, and vivid descriptions of the western landscape. As the series progresses, readers become increasingly invested in the lives of Cody and Cassie, making the books a compelling and addictive read for fans of crime fiction and western literature.
C.J. Box Biography – About the Author
C. J. Box, aka Charles James Box, is the popular American author of the Joe Pickett mystery series.
The author is a native of Wyoming. Born in 1958 in Casper, WY, where he grew up. He is the older of three siblings. he graduated with a degree in Mass Communications from the University of Denver.
C.J. Box worked a variety of jobs after college, including as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, and newspaper reporter. He also worked for a time as a Wyoming game warden, an experience that inspired his Joe Pickett series of novels. At some point, he owned an international tourism marketing firm with his wife, Laurie.
He was and is involved in various aspects of tourism, earning the “BIG WYO” Award from the state tourism industry. He was on the Board of Directors of Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo and serves on the Wyoming Office of Tourism Board these days.
C J Box is currently living outside of Cheyenne with his family.
The C J Box novels have been translated into over 30 languages, and overall, the books have sold both in the US and abroad missions of copies.
At some point, I owned all the Joe Pickett books, but I’ve in the meantime given many to the local charity bookshop for those who cannot afford to buy books. I still have one more, a trade paperback called Free Fire, bought several years ago.
Of course I continue to buy the latest Joe Pickett novels as soon as they come out, however, these days I rather buy them as Kindle downloads due to lack of space in my home. For me, reading the C J Box books in order is one of the biggest joys when I know the latest novel has been just released and I can get ahold of it right away.
The most popular C.J. Box series is Joe Pickett. He is a Wyoming game warden in the small town of Twelve Sleep. This is a town of hunters, so it’s understandable that game wardens are not viewed with the utmost respect by the natives.
Joe is especially hated because he doesn’t take bribes and he takes his job seriously. Most people there love their rifles and love their drinks as well, not a healthy combination, especially when Joe has to give tickets to armed drunks who are caught in the act.
In The Disappeared, Joe works two cases at the same time. First, there is the disappearance of three British women who were visiting a local ranch, and second, he and his friend, Nate Romanowski, are called to investigate the killings of some eagles, which is a Federal offense. The problem is that someone wants Joe to stop investigating, but so far it’s not sure which case is someone trying to stall.
In addition to his writing, Box is a frequent public speaker and commentator on outdoor and wildlife issues. He has served on the board of directors for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo and the Wyoming Humanities Council. He currently lives with his family in Wyoming.
C.J. Box Awards
Several of the books written by C J Box received awards, including the Anthony Award, Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, the Barry Awards, Prix Calibre 38 (France), and the Maltese Falcon Award (Japan). His first standalone novel, Blue Season, received the Edgar Award for Best Mystery Novel of 2008. He was also awarded the 2016 Western Heritage Award for Literature by the National Cowboy Museum, as well as and the Spur Award from Western Writers of America for Best Contemporary Novel.
- Anthony Award Best First Novel winner in 2002 for Open Season
- Edgar Award Best Novel winner in 2009 for Blue Heaven
- Barry Award Best Novel winner in 2016 for Badlands
Love them all, even have the travel books you did before Joe Picket, Montana Wyoming & Idaho both editions. The 4 limited edition,Le Sauvage Noble, The Master Falconer, Dull Knife, The River God. Pronghorns of the Third Reich Compact Disc, Power Wagon in The Highway Kind, Pirates of Yellowstone in Meeting Across thje River, Fire & Ice in Inherit the Dead, The Encampment: The Hotter, Younger Sister in Gather the River. Mystery Stories C. J. Box Editor, Wolf Pack and The Disappeared in Readers Digest, Every Day is A Good Day On The River in Hook, Line & Sinister.
I don’t know what it is about these novels but they have a tremendously calming effect on me. It’s not like there is no violence… I think there is just such a lack of good, honest people/men in our society that loves their wife and family, makes mistakes and works to correct them. I, for one, wish Joe Pickett was a real person!
Wish all the Joe Pickett books were on audible —— absolutely love everyone I have listened to —– thank you for writing such wonderful stories.
Stopped watching the ‘Big Sky’ series before the first season ended. Why would they take a very good book , have it rewritten and turn it into a inclusion-woke tv series?
Why did out of range lead in to free fire….skipping in plain sight?
Not sure what you mean? In Plain Sight is listed right between Out of Range and Free Fire.
CJBox is a talented writer… I love the way he captures your attention from the beginning…his books are wonderful from beginning to end……I love Joe Pickett and his family…..and his friendship with Nate…..I have read all of the Joe Pickett Series…..I am ready to start the standalones………
Omg…I have read all the comments and I don’t think I can add anything different.
I love all the ones I have read so far. I am reading them in order and I’m just ready to start “Breaking Point”
Keep on writing CJ Box….I hope you can keep this series going for quite awhile.
A minor error I noted in the above article on the Joe Pickett novels. Joe is from Saddle String. Ten Sleep is the river in the area, running through town. These books are great! I can’t wait until the next one. I listened to all of them in order. More please!
Having read every single CJ Box book, they are singularly immersive. And all great. If you were perusing these comments looking for an absolute favorite. 1. Nowhere to Run is my favorite book of all time.
2. Wolf Pack is my second favorite Joe Pickett Book.
3. Of the non Joe Pickett, Back of Beyond is a great place to start and Blue Heaven is great too.