Reading the Joe Pickett books in order is a delight for fans of Western mystery thrillers. This series by C.J. Box unfolds across the beautiful state of Wyoming, which is contrasted by the grisly murders Joe Pickett must solve. That dichotomy of beauty and murder has also recently been adapted into a TV show.
Joe Pickett’s character endears both readers and viewers alike. He is a determined man with a resolute moral code. He’ll do what is right no matter the personal cost, which is equal parts aggravating and captivating.
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Joe Pickett Books in Order
C.J. Box’s most popular series is about Joe Pickett. This is also Box’s longest-running series and his debut.
The series introduces Joe Pickett as the unpopular new game warden in the small town of Twelve Sleep, Wyoming. Joe is a resolute character who won’t accept bribes from the local townsfolk. So, when he finds a local hunting outfitter dead on the woodpile outside his home, he takes it personally.
As the case increases with more bodies and grows increasingly murkier, Joe continues to investigate, unwilling to accept the explanation from the local police. This determination and grit continues throughout the series with Joe being steadfast in his pursuit of justice.
- Open Season (2001)
- Savage Run (2002)
- Winterkill (2003)
- Trophy Hunt (2004)
Dull Knife (2005, Short Story in Shots Fired) - Out of Range (2005)
- In Plain Sight (2006)
- Free Fire (2007)
- Blood Trail (2008)
- Below Zero (2009)
- Nowhere to Run (2010)
The Master Falconer (2011, Short Story in Shots Fired) - Cold Wind (2011)
- Force of Nature (2012)
- Breaking Point (2013)
- Stone Cold (2013)
Shots Fired (2014, Short story collection) - Endangered (2015)
- Off The Grid (2016)
- Vicious Circle (2017)
Honor & … (2017) – Features Sandra Brown’s Lee Coburn from her novel Lethal. - The Disappeared (2018)
- Wolf Pack (2019)
- Long Range (2020)
- Dark Sky (2021)
- Shadows Reel (2022)
- Storm Watch (2023)
- Three-Inch Teeth (2024)
- Battle Mountain (2025)
- The Crossroads (2026)
In What Order Should You Read the Joe Pickett Books?
It is not necessary to read the Joe Pickett books in order; however, it is recommended. That is because in reading the books in order of publication you will follow the progression and development of Joe Pickett and his family.
While each book’s mystery will be solved by its conclusion, those experiences shape Joe and that development is apparent as the series progresses. There are also recurring themes and characters throughout the series. It will make the most sense if you follow the chronological evolution of the plot and Joe’s world by following the publication order of the series.
Finally, if you choose to read the Joe Pickett books out of order, you may encounter spoilers for previous books. So, when you get around to reading those earlier books, the anticipation and intrigue will be lessened by already knowing about the mystery which took place.
Joe Pickett Book to Screen Adaptations
Does the Joe Pickett TV Series Follow the Books?
In December 2021, a Joe Pickett adaptation finally premiered. Fans of the books will be relieved to know that the author C.J. Box is an executive producer on the TV show.
That’s because Box has already pulled the plug on one adaptation when he was not happy with the direction of the show. So, rest assured that with Box’s presence, the Joe Pickett show stays relatively true to the source material.
It is produced by Spectrum Originals and Paramount TV. It stars Michael Dorman as Joe, Julianna Guill as his wife Marybeth, and Mustafa Speaks as Nate Romanowski.
The first season premiered as Spectrum’s most watched series ever, which led to a very quick renewal for another season. That second season premiered in June 2023. It has not been renewed for a third season yet, but there is still the possibility of a renewal with a late 2024 or early 2025 release.
Which book is Season 2 of Joe Pickett based on?
The first season of Joe Pickett was an adaptation that merged two books: Open Season and Winterkill. Those are the first and third books within the series.
Then, the second season focused on just one C.J. Box book, which was Blood Trail. This is a big jump in the publication order to the eighth book in the series.
This means the show is not adapting the books in order of publication or chronology. Instead, the focus seems to be on the books which delve deepest into Pickett’s character. This makes sense for a TV show, in which the primary goal is usually to introduce and endear the audience to the characters as quickly as possible.
It is not known what book the creative team is hoping to adapt next.
Who is C.J. Box?
C.J. Box is the bestselling author of more than 30 books, and most well-known for the Joe Pickett series. If you would like to learn more about his entire bibliography you can read this article about all the C.J. Box books in order.
Box has won numerous awards including the Edgar award, the Anthony, the Macavity, two Barry Awards, and more. He has also won the Western Heritage Award for Literature by the National Cowboy Museum in 2016 and the Spur Award from Western Writers of America for Best Contemporary Novel.
Collectively, his novels have been translated into 27 languages with more than ten million copies sold internationally. There have also been two adaptations of his books, ABC’s Big Sky and Spectrum Original’s Joe Pickett, with Box working as an executive producer on both.
All of C.J. Box’s books take place in the western US and feature the picturesque landscape of those states. Box pulls from his own lived experience in depicting this scenery as a Wyoming native.
Before he became an author, Box worked as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, journalist, and more. Those skills and attributes are apparent in many of his characters.
Box currently lives on a ranch in Wyoming with his wife Laurie. They have three daughters and two grandchildren.
Looking for similar books in order?
If you want more thriller authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Thriller Books in Order index.
3 thoughts on “Joe Pickett Books in Order: Ultimate Guide”
I will have to start from the beginning of the Joe Pickett series. I know I’ve read most of them but reading through in chronological order I think will be so worth it. I read my first Joe Pickett novel (also my first of any CJ Box book) when traveling alone to the beach. I grabbed the paperback in the airport gift shop and started reading on the plane. This started my foray into the life of Joe Pickett and family. I love CJ Box’s books!
That’s so cool! I love discovering new authors and series.
The casting of Nate was way
off…Everyone that I have talked to and who have read every one of the series, some multiple
times, were not happy with the choice of actor that played the part. Not tall enough, not broad
enough, hair too short and the wrong nationality was the real upset. I have no desire to watch anymore with the same cast.
I have read all of your books and loved everyone!
MJN