Cj Box Books In Order

I still remember the moment I stumbled upon Open Season, the very first Joe Pickett book by C.J. Box. It was like stepping into a crisp, windswept Wyoming morning: the air felt wide, the stakes felt real, and I just knew I was in deep for the long haul. Reading the series felt like camping with a friend, cozy, thrilling, and endless.

So I decided to plot out the road map I took through Box’s world, the one I swear by when guiding other book lovers along.

Order to read C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett series

Here’s the authentic, publication-order path I follow, no detours, no spoilers:

1. Open Season (2001)
2. Savage Run (2002)
3. Winterkill (2003)
4. Trophy Hunt (2004)
5. Dull Knife (short story – sometimes listed as 4.5) (2005)
6. Out of Range (2005)
7. In Plain Sight (2006)
8. Free Fire (2007)
9. Blood Trail (2008)
10. Below Zero (2009)
11. Nowhere to Run (2010)
12. Cold Wind (2011)
13. Force of Nature (2012)
14. Breaking Point (2013)
15. Stone Cold (2014)
16. Shots Fired: Stories from Joe Pickett Country (collection of short stories) (2014)
17. Endangered (2015)
18. Off the Grid (2016)
19. Vicious Circle (2017)
20. The Disappeared (2018)
21. Wolf Pack (2019)
22. Long Range (2020)
23. Dark Sky (2021)
24. Shadows Reel (2022)
25. Storm Watch (2023)
26. Three-Inch Teeth (2024)
27. Battle Mountain (2025)
28. The Crossroads (2026) , slated/forthcoming.

I’ve made sure this list is true to the publishing record, not my imagination. It’s the order I trust when I recommend to friends asking “Where do I begin?”

Into the Wild: What keeps me so hooked?

1. A Terrain You Can Feel

These books don’t just mention Wyoming, they breathe it. The wind through the pines, the hush before a storm, the rugged isolation… you feel it. If Box doesn’t make you ache for open spaces, are you even reading?

2. Joe Pickett, My Reluctant Hero

Joe’s not a superhero, just a man with a badge, bewildered son, and the weight of law and ethics like a backpack he can’t drop. His humility keeps me rooting for him, page after page.

3. Character Threads That Evolve

Reading in order, I track relationships, from Joe and his wife Mary to recurring folks like Nate. Those arcs matter. Jumps feel jarring otherwise.

4. Books, Shorts & Story Snacks

The short stories like Dull Knife or Shots Fired are like campfire tales, compact, atmospheric, perfect for filling the gaps between full-length novels.

And of course, keep an eye out for C.J. Box’s other worlds, the Hoyt & Dewell series, stand-alone thrillers, and more. But when it comes to Joe Pickett, this list is your trail map.

More About the Trailblazer (aka C.J. Box)

I once read that Box grew up in Wyoming and actually worked as a park ranger and fishing guide, talk about writing what you know. He holds a degree in mass communications, and he’s now a #1 New York Times bestselling author with more than thirty books under his belt. His vivid landscapes and authentic characters are no accident, they’re rooted in lived experience.

He’s also earned a shelf-full of awards: Edgar for Blue Heaven, Anthony, Macavity, Barry, Gumshoe, and others, proof that both readers and critics dig his style.

Lately, you might’ve seen a spike in interest, because his Joe Pickett novels are now a TV series on Spectrum (and later Paramount+) starring Michael Dorman. As of early 2022, they’d already renewed it for a second season.

Other Paths Worth Exploring

Cody Hoyt & Cassie Dewell Series

If you want something outside the preserve of Game Warden Joe, start with Back of Beyond, then The Highway, Badlands, Paradise Valley, The Bitterroots, and Treasure State.

Stand-alone Stories

Box’s stand-alones like Blue Heaven, Three Weeks to Say Goodbye, and Pronghorns of the Third Reich offer self-contained thrills outside his established universes. Very satisfying to sink into when you’re craving a quick reset from the series.

FAQ

Q: Are the Joe Pickett books connected? Can I jump in anywhere?
A: Technically, you can start with any book and still catch some mystery, but you’ll miss the emotional arcs and the evolving relationships. I recommend starting with Open Season and going in order for the full experience.

Q: Should I read the short stories like Dull Knife and Shots Fired in order, or wait until I’m deep into the series?
A: I like weaving them in around their release points, Dull Knife after Trophy Hunt, Shots Fired mid-series. They add flavor without derailing momentum.

Q: Do I need to read the Hoyt & Dewell books to understand the Joe Pickett series?
A: Nope! They’re separate story worlds with some thematic overlap, but you won’t get spoilers either way if you keep them distinct.

Verdict

If you want a reading experience that’s equal parts rugged environment, mystery, and character depth, stick with the Joe Pickett novels in the exact order above. It’s how I fell in love with C.J. Box’s storytelling, and it’s the path I gently nudge fellow readers toward. Whether you aim for just one book or plan to binge the whole range, your mind will feel the weight of Wyoming and your heart will carry Joe’s quiet integrity.

Happy reading, and may your next discovery feel just as invigorating.