Joe Pickett Books in Order: Read the Series Like a True Western Thriller Fan

I’m the kind of reader who likes to wander, but there’s a comforting rhythm to sticking with a series in its natural flow, especially one as quietly gripping as the Joe Pickett novels. Imagine joining a Wyoming game warden on his daily grind, protecting wildlife, soothing his kids, and chasing down peril in the forest, all the while staying rooted in honesty and a fierce sense of right.

That’s C.J. Box’s magic with Joe Pickett.Below, I’ve laid out the reading order exactly as the books were released (and how I experienced them), so you’ll follow Joe’s journey just as C.J. Box intended.

Order to Read the Joe Pickett Books

Here’s the series in publication order, which also aligns with the internal chronology, no confusion, just a steady, faithful ride through Joe’s world:

1. Open Season (2001)
2. Savage Run (2002)
3. Winterkill (2003)
4. Trophy Hunt (2004)
5. Out of Range (2005)
6. In Plain Sight (2006)
7. Free Fire (2007)
8. Blood Trail (2008)
9. Below Zero (2009)
10. Nowhere to Run (2010)
11. Cold Wind (2011)
12. Force of Nature (2012)
13. Breaking Point (2013)
14. Stone Cold (2014)
15. Endangered (2015)
16. Off the Grid (2016)
17. Vicious Circle (2017)
18. The Disappeared (2018)
19. Wolf Pack (2019)
20. Long Range (2020)
21. Dark Sky (2021)
22. Shadows Reel (2022)
23. Storm Watch (2023)
24. Three-Inch Teeth (2024)
25. Battle Mountain (2025)

There are also a few novellas and short stories scattered in between (like Dull Knife or The Master Falconer), but this list covers the main novels in order.

A Little About the Writer (and Why He Gets It Right)

C.J. Box, Charles James Box Jr., born in Casper, Wyoming in 1958, is the mind behind Joe Pickett. A Wyoming native himself, Box grew up surrounded by the rugged landscapes and outdoor lifestyles that shape his stories. He studied mass communications, but his deep love for the land shines through in every book.

He’s published more than thirty novels and countless awards followed his debut, Open Season. That very book snagged a handful of honors like the Anthony, Macavity, Gumshoe, and Barry Awards in the Best First Novel category.

Why This Series Feels Like Home (Even If You’re Not in Wyoming)

1. A Relatable, Unflashy Hero

Joe Pickett isn’t a swaggering action hero, he’s an earnest, overworked game warden, a dad juggling wildlife emergencies and family life, often fumbling his way through. It’s this grounded humanity that makes him stick with you.

2. Wyoming as a Character

The landscape, harsh, beautiful, and often unforgiving, is woven into the plot. You don’t just imagine the snow or the pine forests, you feel them.

3. Themes That Resonate

Environmental concerns, family bonds, moral complexity… Box threads these themes throughout, without feeling preachy. Joe’s world is full of real dangers, both human and wild.

4. Consistency and Growth

Box delivers almost one installment each year, from 2001 all the way to 2025, giving readers a steady arc of Joe’s growth and evolving challenges.

FAQ

Q1: Are the Joe Pickett books connected? Can I jump in anywhere?
Totally connected. Each novel builds on Joe’s life, his relationships, his past, his growing threats. You can read standalone plots, yes, but for the emotional and narrative payoff, start at the beginning.

Q2: What about the short stories like Dull Knife or The Master Falconer : do I need to read them in the main sequence?
They’re fun bonus stops. These novellas slot in between certain novels (Dull Knife around book 4.5, Master Falconer later). You can explore them after you hit the main arcs, they provide extra insight, not essential plot.

Q3: Is the TV series a good place to start?
The Joe Pickett TV show (2021–2023) offers a cool neo-Western drama vibe, but it adapts only select early books like Open Season and Winterkill, and it diverges in places. If you love the books, go there for a new experience, but don’t skip the novels.

Verdict

If you want a reading journey that feels familiar and unfolds at a steady, natural pace, this little Wyoming adventure is gold. Start with Open Season, meet Joe, fall in love with the mountains and cold winds and moral tangles, and settle in. It’s not about explosions or over-the-top thrills; it’s about a guy who tries to do the right thing, again and again, even when it costs him. And that, honestly, is the kind of dependable storytelling I can’t resist.

Happy reading (and wandering in winter forests with Joe)!