C.J. Box Books in Order

Below is the complete list of C.J. Box books in publication order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.

Joe Pickett Books in Order

1. Open Season (2001)
   by C.J. Box
   Open Season was published in 2001 and is listed as book #1 in the Joe Pickett series.
2. Savage Run (2002)
   by C.J. Box
   Published in 2002, Savage Run is listed as book #2 in the Joe Pickett series.
3. Winterkill (2003)
   by C.J. Box
   Winterkill is a 2003 release and appears as book #3 in the Joe Pickett series.
4. Trophy Hunt (2004)
   by C.J. Box
   In the Joe Pickett series, Trophy Hunt is book #4 and was published in 2004.
5. Out of Range (2005)
   by C.J. Box
   Out of Range was first published in 2005; within the Joe Pickett series, it is listed as book #5.
6. In Plain Sight (2006)
   by C.J. Box
   In Plain Sight was published in 2006 and is listed as book #6 in the Joe Pickett series.
7. Free Fire (2007)
   by C.J. Box
   Published in 2007, Free Fire is listed as book #7 in the Joe Pickett series.
8. Blood Trail (2008)
   by C.J. Box
   Blood Trail is a 2008 release and appears as book #8 in the Joe Pickett series.
9. Below Zero (2009)
   by C.J. Box
   In the Joe Pickett series, Below Zero is book #9 and was published in 2009.
10. Nowhere to Run (2010)
    by C.J. Box
    Nowhere to Run was first published in 2010; within the Joe Pickett series, it is listed as book #10.
11. Cold Wind (2011)
    by C.J. Box
    Cold Wind was published in 2011 and is listed as book #11 in the Joe Pickett series.
12. Force of Nature (2012)
    by C.J. Box
    Published in 2012, Force of Nature is listed as book #12 in the Joe Pickett series.
13. Breaking Point (2013)
    by C.J. Box
    Breaking Point is a 2013 release and appears as book #13 in the Joe Pickett series.
14. Stone Cold (2014)
    by C.J. Box
    In the Joe Pickett series, Stone Cold is book #14 and was published in 2014.
15. Endangered (2015)
    by C.J. Box
    Endangered was first published in 2015; within the Joe Pickett series, it is listed as book #15.
16. Off the Grid (2016)
    by C.J. Box
    Off the Grid was published in 2016 and is listed as book #16 in the Joe Pickett series.
17. Vicious Circle (2017)
    by C.J. Box
    Published in 2017, Vicious Circle is listed as book #17 in the Joe Pickett series.
18. The Disappeared (2018)
    by C.J. Box
    The Disappeared is a 2018 release and appears as book #18 in the Joe Pickett series.
19. Wolf Pack (2019)
    by C.J. Box
    In the Joe Pickett series, Wolf Pack is book #19 and was published in 2019.
20. Long Range (2020)
    by C.J. Box
    Long Range was first published in 2020; within the Joe Pickett series, it is listed as book #20.
21. Dark Sky (2021)
    by C.J. Box
    Dark Sky was published in 2021 and is listed as book #21 in the Joe Pickett series.
22. Shadows Reel (2022)
    by C.J. Box
    Published in 2022, Shadows Reel is listed as book #22 in the Joe Pickett series.
23. Storm Watch (2023)
    by C.J. Box
    Storm Watch is a 2023 release and appears as book #23 in the Joe Pickett series.
24. Three-Inch Teeth (2024)
    by C.J. Box
    In the Joe Pickett series, Three-Inch Teeth is book #24 and was published in 2024.
25. Battle Mountain (2025)
    by C.J. Box
    Battle Mountain was first published in 2025; within the Joe Pickett series, it is listed as book #25.
26. The Crossroads (2026)
    by C.J. Box
    The Crossroads was published in 2026 and is listed as book #26 in the Joe Pickett series.

Joe Pickett Short Stories/Novellas Books in Order

1. Dull Knife (2005)
   by C.J. Box
   Dull Knife was published in 2005 and is listed as book #1 in the Joe Pickett Short Stories/Novellas series.
2. The Master Falconer (2011)
   by C.J. Box
   Published in 2011, The Master Falconer is listed as book #2 in the Joe Pickett Short Stories/Novellas series.
3. One-Car Bridge (2015)
   by C.J. Box
   One-Car Bridge is a 2015 release and appears as book #3 in the Joe Pickett Short Stories/Novellas series.
4. Pirates of Yellowstone (2015)
   by C.J. Box
   In the Joe Pickett Short Stories/Novellas series, Pirates of Yellowstone is book #4 and was published in 2015.
5. Honor & … (2017)
   (With Sandra Brown)
   by C.J. Box
   Honor & … was first published in 2017; within the Joe Pickett Short Stories/Novellas series, it is listed as book #5.
6. Precious Cargo (2022)
   by C.J. Box
   Precious Cargo was published in 2022 and is listed as book #6 in the Joe Pickett Short Stories/Novellas series.

Joe Pickett Collections Books in Order

1. Shots Fired: Stories from Joe Pickett Country (2014)
   by C.J. Box
   Shots Fired: Stories from Joe Pickett Country was published in 2014 and is listed as book #1 in the Joe Pickett Collections series.

The Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell Books in Order

1. Back of Beyond (2011)
   by C.J. Box
   Back of Beyond was published in 2011 and is listed as book #1 in the The Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell series.
2. The Highway (2013)
   by C.J. Box
   Published in 2013, The Highway is listed as book #2 in the The Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell series.
3. Badlands (2015)
   by C.J. Box
   Badlands is a 2015 release and appears as book #3 in the The Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell series.
4. Paradise Valley (2017)
   by C.J. Box
   In the The Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell series, Paradise Valley is book #4 and was published in 2017.
5. The Bitterroots (2019)
   by C.J. Box
   The Bitterroots was first published in 2019; within the The Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell series, it is listed as book #5.
6. Treasure State (2022)
   by C.J. Box
   Treasure State was published in 2022 and is listed as book #6 in the The Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell series.

Standalone Novels Books in Order

1. Blue Heaven (2007)
   by C.J. Box
   Blue Heaven was published in 2007 and is listed as book #1 in the Standalone Novels series.
2. Three Weeks to Say Goodbye (2008)
   by C.J. Box
   Published in 2008, Three Weeks to Say Goodbye is listed as book #2 in the Standalone Novels series.
3. Pronghorns of the Third Reich (2012)
   by C.J. Box
   Pronghorns of the Third Reich is a 2012 release and appears as book #3 in the Standalone Novels series.

Short Stories/Novellas Books in Order

1. The End of Jim and Ezra (2015)
   by C.J. Box
   The End of Jim and Ezra was published in 2015 and is listed as book #1 in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
2. Everyday is a Good Day on the River (2016)
   by C.J. Box
   Published in 2016, Everyday is a Good Day on the River is listed as book #2 in the Short Stories/Novellas series.

Non-Fiction Books in Order

1. Travel Smart: Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho (1998)
   (With Paul Otteson)
   by C.J. Box
   Travel Smart: Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho was published in 1998 and is listed as book #1 in the Non-Fiction series.

Bibliomysteries Books in Order

1. Pronghorns of the Third Reich (2012)
   by C.J. Box
   Pronghorns of the Third Reich was published in 2012 and is listed as book #1 in the Bibliomysteries series.

The MatchUp Collection Books in Order

1. Honor & … (2017)
   (With Sandra Brown)
   by C.J. Box
   Honor & … was published in 2017 and is listed as book #1 in the The MatchUp Collection series.

Mysterious Profiles Books in Order

1. Joe Pickett (2024)
   by C.J. Box
   Joe Pickett was published in 2024 and is listed as book #1 in the Mysterious Profiles series.

About C. J. Box

C. J. Box is an American crime novelist best known for creating Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett, the central figure in one of the most enduring contemporary Western crime series. Born in 1958 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Box grew up immersed in the landscapes that would later define his fiction. His deep familiarity with the American West—its wilderness, politics, and rural communities—gives his novels a distinctive sense of place that sets them apart within the crime genre.

Before becoming a full-time author, Box worked in ranching, small business, and public relations. These varied experiences, combined with a lifelong interest in conservation and outdoor life, shaped both the authenticity of his settings and the moral framework of his protagonists. His debut novel, Open Season (2001), introduced Joe Pickett, a principled but sometimes beleaguered game warden navigating wildlife law enforcement in rural Wyoming. The book won the Anthony Award for Best First Novel and launched a long-running series.

Reading C. J. Box’s books in publication order is particularly valuable because Joe Pickett ages and evolves over time. Unlike many crime series where protagonists remain static, Joe’s personal and professional life changes across installments. His marriage to Marybeth, the growth of his daughters, and shifts within the Wyoming Game and Fish Department all unfold gradually from book to book.

Early novels such as Savage Run, Winterkill, and Trophy Hunt establish Joe’s character: ethical, stubborn, and deeply connected to the land he protects. The series blends traditional crime investigation with environmental and political themes, often examining tensions between conservation, development, and federal authority. Publication order preserves the escalating conflicts between Joe and powerful interests that reappear in later books.

Over time, Box expanded the narrative scope of the Joe Pickett series to include darker threats and more complex antagonists. The introduction of Nate Romanowski, a falconer and former special operations soldier, adds a more volatile counterpoint to Joe’s steady temperament. Nate’s recurring presence becomes increasingly important in later novels, making chronological reading helpful for understanding the depth of their partnership.

In addition to the Joe Pickett series, Box has written standalone thrillers and the Cassie Dewell series, beginning with The Highway (2013). Cassie, a private investigator, operates in a similarly rugged Western setting, and her stories later intersect with characters connected to Joe Pickett’s world. Reading chronologically helps track these subtle crossovers and the expansion of Box’s fictional universe.

Box’s writing is defined by:

• Strong sense of geographic authenticity
• Exploration of Western identity and land stewardship
• Character-driven procedural storytelling
• Realistic depictions of rural law enforcement

His novels often highlight the isolation and beauty of Wyoming’s landscape while addressing contemporary issues such as political extremism, environmental exploitation, and federal land disputes. The natural environment is not merely a backdrop but a driving force in both plot and theme.

Across more than two decades of publication, C. J. Box has received numerous awards, including the Edgar Award and the Barry Award. His Joe Pickett novels have been adapted into a television series, further expanding the character’s reach.

Viewed in publication order, Box’s bibliography traces the steady maturation of Joe Pickett from a somewhat uncertain warden into a seasoned investigator confronting increasingly complex threats. The chronological progression underscores both the growth of recurring characters and the expanding moral landscape of the American West that defines his fiction.