C.J. Box Books In Order – Complete List of Novels
Reading the C. J. Box books in order means catching up with 24 Joe Pickett stories, 6 Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell books, his 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 mystery fiction works.
Latest C. J. Box Books
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Joe Pickett Books in Order of Publication
- Open Season (#1), 2001
- Savage Run (#2), 2002
- Winterkill (#3), 2003
- Trophy Hunt (#4), 2004
- Dull Knife (#4.5), 2011
- Out of Range (#5), 2005
- In Plain Sight (#6), 2006
- Free Fire (#7), 2007
- Blood Trail (#8), 2008
- Below Zero (#9), 2009
- Nowhere to Run (#10), 2010
- Cold Wind (#11), 2011
- The Master Falconer (#11.5), 2011
- Force of Nature (#12), 2012
- Breaking Point (#13), 2013
- Stone Cold (#14), 2014
- Shots Fired: Stories from Joe Pickett Country ( #14.5), 2014
- Endangered (#15), 2015
- Off the Grid (#16), 2016
- Vicious Circle (#17), 2017
- Disappeared (#18), 2018
- Wolf Pack (#19), 2019
- Long Range (#20), 2020
- Dark Sky (#21), 2021
- Shadows Reel (#22), 2022
- Storm Watch (#23), 2023
- Three-Inch Teeth (#24), 2024
Joe Pickett Short Stories
- Dull Knife, 2011
- The Master Falconer, 2011
- Honor & …, 2018 (with Sandra Brown)
- Precious Cargo, 2022 (in Birds of Prey)
Joe Pickett Collections
Other Joe Pickett Books
Cody Hoyt / Cassie Dewell Series in Order of Publication
- Back of Beyond (#1), 2011
- The Highway (#2), 2013
- Badlands (#3), 2015
- Paradise Valley (#4), 2017
- The Bitterroots (#5), 2019
- Treasure State (#6), 2022
The Highway Quartet Books in Order of Publication
- Back of Beyond (#1), 2011
- The Highway (#2), 2013
- Badlands (#3), 2015
- Paradise Valley (#4), 2017
Standalone Novels in Order of Publication
- 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 and Short Stories
- Honor & …, 2018 (with Sandra Brown)
- Pronghorns of the Third Reich, 2012 (Bibliomysteries)
Anthologies and Short Story Collections in Order of Publication
- The Best American Mystery Stories 2006, 2006
- Once Upon a Crime: An Anthology of Murder, Mayhem and Suspense, 2009
- Hook, Line & Sinister, 2010
- Live Noir or Die Trying (Damn Near Dead #2), 2010
- Mysterious Writers: The Many Facets of Mystery Writing, 2010
- Inherit the Dead, 2013
- Death Sentences: Stories of Deathly Books, Murderous Booksellers and Lethal Literature, 2014
- The Highway Kind, 2016
- The Best American Mystery Stories 2017, 2017
- MatchUp, 2017
- Murder, They Wrote: Five Bibliomysteries by Edgar Award-Winning Authors, 2018
- Gather at the River, 2019
- The Best American Mystery Stories 2020, 2020
- Birds of Prey: The Harlan Coben Challenge, 2022
- Killin’ Time in San Diego: Bouchercon Anthology 2023, 2023
Non-Fiction Books in Order of Publication
- Travel Smart: Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, 1998 (with Paul Otteson)
Bibliomysteries Books in Publication Order
- The Book of Virtue (By: Ken Bruen), 2012
- Pronghorns of the Third Reich (By: C.J. Box), 2012
- The Book Thing (By: Laura Lippman), 2012
- The Book Case (By: Nelson DeMille), 2012
- An Acceptable Sacrifice (By: Jeffery Deaver), 2012
- Death Leaves a Bookmark (By: William Link), 2012
- The Final Testament (By: Peter Blauner), 2013
- Rides a Stranger (By: David Bell), 2013
- The Long Sonata of the Dead (By: Andrew Taylor), 2013
- The Book of Ghosts (By: Reed Farrel Coleman), 2013
- The Compendium of Srem (By: F. Paul Wilson), 2014
- What’s in a Name? (By: Thomas H. Cook), 2014
- Remaindered (By: Peter Lovesey), 2014
- The Sequel (By: R.L. Stine), 2014
- The Gospel of Sheba (By: Lyndsay Faye), 2014
- The Nature of My Inheritance (By: Bradford Morrow), 2014
- It’s in the Book (By: Mickey Spillane), 2014
- The Scroll (By: Anne Perry), 2014
- The Book of the Lion (By: Thomas Perry), 2015
- The Little Men (By: Megan Abbott), 2015
- Condor in the Stacks (By: James Grady), 2015
- Mystery, Inc. (By: Joyce Carol Oates), 2015
- Every Seven Years (By: Denise Mina), 2015
- From the Queen (By: Carolyn Hart), 2015
- The Travelling Companion (By: Ian Rankin), 2016
- Citadel (By: Stephen Hunter), 2016
- Reconciliation Day (By: Christopher Fowler), 2016
- Dead Dames Don’t Sing (By: John Harvey), 2016
- The Haze (By: James W. Hall), 2016
- Hoodoo Harry (By: Joe R. Lansdale), 2017
- The Pretty Little Box (By: Charles Todd), 2018
- Seven Years (By: Peter Robinson), 2018
- The Hemingway Valise (By: Robert Olen Butler), 2018
- The Last Honest Horse Thief (By: Michael Koryta), 2018
- The Caxton Private Lending Library & Book Depository (By: John Connolly), 2018
- The Dark Door (By: Lisa Unger), 2022
C.J. Box Biography – About the Author
C. J. Box, aka Charles James Box, is the New York Times bestselling 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 temporary game warden, an experience that inspired his game warden Joe Pickett’s 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 novels, 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 Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett novels featuring the Pickett family 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 CJ 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.
A popular Joe Pickett story, The Master Falconer, was named a chilling short story of death and retribution, as well as a dramatic story of justice both old and new.
Reading the Joe Pickett series in order helps us get involved in the world that C.J. Box has created. We can also follow the character development and complexity of their relationships. Each year a new novel in the Joe Pickett series is released, and the latest Joe Pickett novel is Three-Inch Teeth, published in 2024.
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.
Overview of the Joe Pickett Series
The series is about Joe Pickett, a game warden who lives in Twelve Sleep, a remote fictional town in rural west Wyoming. He is a dedicated family man, he considers himself a humble person who wants to do what’s right, and he takes his job seriously.
However, the game warden Joe Pickett’s cases are often dangerous, as he investigates crimes in the region. Some of the issues he comes across are related to the environment, corruption, and violence. For example, during his investigations, he works against environmental terrorists, rogue federal land managers, animal abusers, corrupt bureaucrats, crazy hitmen, domestic abusers, and crazy animal rights activists.
While at some point or another, the game warden had to do things he was not proud of, overall, he is an honest, dedicated man who respects the law, loves his family, and has a moral compass that he rigorously follows.
Overview of the Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell Series
The series revolves around the investigative work of Cody Hoyt, who is a troubled former cop, and Cassie Dewell, a recently divorced single mother who now works as a private investigator.
Cody is an ex-police investigator who is also Cassie’s former partner. Especially in the earlier books, he is the main protagonist of the series, while the later books focus only on Cassie.
When the two separate series merged together, it turned into one big series involving the two main characters, with the two protagonists’s names in the title.
The Cassie Dewel book series is also called the Highway Quartet series by C.J. Box, which focuses on investigating crimes happening on highways.
Cassie Dewell is a police investigator who has sharp investigative skills which she puts them to good use when working together with Cody Hyt. Initially, she is a single mother who is living in Montana. She is also Cody’s ex-partner.
Eventually, Cassie moves to North Dakota where she gets a job at the local sheriff’s department to hunt down criminals.
In the first book in the series, Back of Beyond, we meet Cody, who is struggling with alcoholism and is facing his personal demons, and Cassie, who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy businessman in Montana. The more they investigate, the closer they come to uncovering a major chain of deceit and corruption that leads them on a dangerous journey through the wilderness.
The order of appearance of Cody and Cassie in the Highway Quartet books:
- Back And Beyond features Cody .
- The Highway features both Cody and Cassie.
- Badlands, Paradise Valley, The Bitterroots, and Treasure State feature only Cassie.
C.J. Box Books Adaptations
The Joe Pickett stories have been adapted into a two-season TV series running between 2021 and 2023. After two seasons, the series was canceled. It featured Michael Dorman as Joe Pickett and Julianna Guill as Marybeth Pickett.
C.J. Box Awards
Several of the books written by C J Box received awards, including the Anthony Award, the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, the Barry Awards, the 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
i have loved all your books – thought i had read them in order but find i missed dull knife. Am reading Three Weeks to Say Goodbye. Please don’t stop writing about Joe Pickett. I just like your style of writing. Keep it up.
Love your books, I’ve lived in Livingston, Bozeman, Bigfork, and Alberton for around 40 years; I know the country you tell about around the Yellowstone. You descriptions of people, events, way’s of living in that interesting part of the world are spot on. Parts of your stories cause me to laugh out loud as you depict the types of folks one can encounter there. I love your sense of justice too. Just started the Cassie Dewell series, because of the TV show. I stopped watching the tv and went straight to the source of the inspiration for it and am so glad I did.
I worked for a Paso Fino ranch outside of Livingston for about 2.5 years. It was at the top of Coke Dale Rd. something like 6000 +/- acres. The owner was a nut, a well known nut. She’d been adopted by a wealthy Shell Oil daughter.. They were actually lovers, but in order for my boss to receive a substantial inheritance from her lover when she passed, they had to become mother and daughter. Both of them were a bit off, well more that a bit, and the huge amount of money caused them to become seriously eccentric. Anyway, it’s just interesting the types of people who are in the world.
I now live in MO. It fits my budget and lifestyle. Thank you so much for your super fun books and for your honesty in portraying the kinds of folks and adventures you’ve encountered in the north west part of this country.
I had the pleasure of visiting Yellowstone in Winter (a New York Times trip) this past January and absolutely loved every minute. Born and raised in Sweden I spent my summers on an island with no running water, electricity or indoor plumbing. The Joe Pickett series was introduced to me and I have almost finished the whole series. I LOVE these books. C.J. Box has an uncanny ability to describe the nature and having spent time watching for wildlife in freezing cold temperatures I can feel the winters and storms he describes. Thank You! Love the mysterious mr N.
just wondering when your next book will be out, enjoy all your books ,but Joe Pickett is the best, I have read all of your books and collect them. I also lived in wyo. most of my life ( rock river ) but have retired in vernal ut.
have a merry xmass
I can’t wait for the next book i have been having a great time and sometimes read.one in one day ?
Lost that speech.. Enjoy your books .
Just Read the book .. stop Whining about spelling …Great books …. Audio books don’t have
Spelling ,punctuation problems.. only thing is you loose your place when you fall asleep
And you wake up to find out were you were at. Humm chapter 4 or 6 LOL
People whine about everything . Spelling .who’s doing What .President s , writer’s
And how the person is driving the car next to you .
Bless all you perfect people .why not try the other people’s job next time.
Sure glad most of my posts, remarks gets lost in space to the Internet LOL
Just finished the newest Joe Picket book “Disappeared”. Another great story with
the usual twists, turns and surprises. Left a lot of unanswered questions and
story lines. Can’t wait for the next book in the series. Any idea when it will be
coming out?
Le Sauvage Noble is available within “Shots Fired: Stories from Joe Pickett Country” (a collection which is widely available through public libraries).
That’s good to know, I couldn’t find it anywhere.
I’ve read them all, have them all, and will read them again in a few years!
I love the Joe Pickett series! I have read them all and looking forward to the next one. Would like to know when that will be?
Please keep them coming. Like Nate very much too.
Would like to see April a little more congenial. She would be much happier. Lol.
Thank you for these wonderful books that all family members can enjoy.
So how come April dies in Winterkill but is going out with Dallas Cates in Endangered?
Need to read the books in between…………
April dies but no body was ever found? Hmm…
My husband and I have read All the Joe Picket books thus far and have preordered the newest one…we love these books. Besides enjoying CJ Box’s style of writing and his characters, we especially enjoy the terrain and locations he writes about. We lived in several cities in Wyoming over 12 years and can’t get over how many places he mentions that we experienced…we laugh and say “we didn’t realize there were so many murders in our little towns.”
We will be sad after we have finished all the different series. These books have made for many interesting conversations!
A few typos in the titles here. Winterkill. In Plain Sight. I really love this site, I am sad to see title typos here and there.
Jennifer you can’t say there’s a typo in a name, as the author has created the story title meaning that they know what it’s called an if it’s right. That’s is the right way to spell WinterKill, unless you mean that he was suppose to put a space, which he wasn’t as he created the book title. In Plain Sight is correct as Plane is a thing that flies in the sky. Sight and In is spelt correct. So you’re in the wrong as for typos, not the author
spelt….? I thought spelt was a grain. Perhaps spelled is the correct word to use?
Both forms are correct. It depends on where you live. Americans prefer the spelled form, while Europeans (especially Brits) rather use the spelt form.
Will we see the end of the Lizard King?
Have read Badlands. Loved it. My first C. J.Box book. It needs a sequel. Hope to find out what happens with the Lizard King.
Where does Pronghorns of the Third Reich fit?
It’s not vital to read them in order – but I think you’ll enjoy them more if you do. The back story never swamps the plot, but there’s wry humour in the adventures of Marybeth’s mother, and watching Sheridan grow up, and develop from a child into a key player. And Joe himself has a back story that gently comes out over the span of these great novels.
Dear Mr. Box
Have just finished your book “Off The Grid” and while I liked it as much as I have
enjoyed reading all of your Joe Pickett and Nate series.
However I have one serious complaint with how Daisy was abused.
In portraying Joe’s Trek across the desert it was explained that Joe’s
feet were burning right through his work boots. With that description in mind
Daisy’s paws would have been raw, blistered and bleeding.
Also when he returned to his vehicle in the desert Daisy remained inside the
Vehicle with her head cocked, expectantly. It was sent on fire and burned. See page #276.
No where do you have her getting out. Nor do you say that she jumps down and follows
Joe and the girl, taking cover behind rocks. Next mention of Daisy is when she went
with Sheridan and others to the rock formations.
My input is that Joe knew he was going to be in the desert and should have left Daisy home.
Gasped when I thought Daisy was stilled in the vehicle. Fortunately I didn’t think you
would kill her. She is very special to me.
Keep the series going.
Audrey Doherty
i have just started reading the joe pickett series again. to get the best out of the series start with number one and read in order. this way you get the feel off the characters and understand when you lose them in the series. the growing up of his daughters and foster daughter is compelling. the joe pickett series tells of family life and his job and his help for nate .
i reccomend this series to every one who likes good books
le Sauvage Noble, 2007 (short story – and long price! sadly it’s only available as used book)
This is included in Shots Fired: Stories from Joe Pickett Country published in 2014.
I definitely read series in order. If I read the first 2 books and like them staying in order is the best experience for me. I like to follow the characters as they age. I love CJ Box books?
Would be good to have a stand alone Nate R series telling how he became the man he is
Can’t wait for cjs next book.
i would suggest reading the joe pickett series in publication order . this fits all characters into the series
I have read them all in order & that is most certainly the way to read them. I can’t wait till the next Joe Pickett!
Love the Joe Pickett books. I was really shocked by Cody Hoyts death. Didn’t see that coming. Great characters. Very enjoyable. Can’t wait for the next book. Keep up the good work.
I felt the same way. I was so sure he would be found alive; perhaps c j box has a surprise in stor!
Thanks, haven’t read those yet!!! Probably won’t now!
Ignore the spoilers! They are really good reads and good characters anyway!
I love your books.
What is the name of the book where Nate meets
Joe & his family? How did they meet & become such
good friends?
Winterkill, just finished it yesterday.