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Joe Pickett #26
The Crossroads
Game warden Joe Pickett fights for his life as his daughters try to uncover who shot him and left him for dead in this riveting new novel from #1 New York Times bestseller C. J. Box.
Marybeth Pickett gets the call she has always her husband Joe is in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head.
Joe was found in his pickup at Antler Creek Junction, a crossroads connecting three ranches. Each road leading to a dangerous family. Each family with a different bone to pick with the local game warden. Marybeth and the new sheriff assume that Joe was ambushed by one of the families, but they have no idea which one since Joe didn’t say where he was going or why.
With Joe unconscious and fighting for his life with Marybeth at his side, Sheridan, April, and Lucy split up and investigate each of families to uncover the truth of what happened to their father, before it’s too late.
Marybeth Pickett gets the call she has always her husband Joe is in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head.
Joe was found in his pickup at Antler Creek Junction, a crossroads connecting three ranches. Each road leading to a dangerous family. Each family with a different bone to pick with the local game warden. Marybeth and the new sheriff assume that Joe was ambushed by one of the families, but they have no idea which one since Joe didn’t say where he was going or why.
With Joe unconscious and fighting for his life with Marybeth at his side, Sheridan, April, and Lucy split up and investigate each of families to uncover the truth of what happened to their father, before it’s too late.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published February 24, 2026
124 people are currently reading
10691 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Box
122 books7,300 followersC. J. Box is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 24 novels including the Joe Pickett series. He won the Edgar Alan Poe Award for Best Novel (Blue Heaven, 2009) as well as the Anthony Award, Prix Calibre 38 (France), the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, two Barry Awards, and the 2010 Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Award for fiction. He was recently awarded the 2016 Western Heritage Award for Literature by the National Cowboy Museum as well as the Spur Award for Best Contemporary Novel by the Western Writers of America in 2017. The novels have been translated into 27 languages.
Box is a Wyoming native and has worked as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, a small town newspaper reporter and editor, and he co-owns an international tourism marketing firm with his wife Laurie. They have three daughters. An avid outdoorsman, Box has hunted, fished, hiked, ridden, and skied throughout Wyoming and the Mountain West. He served on the Board of Directors for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Box lives in Wyoming.
--from the author's website
Series:
* Joe Pickett
http://us.macmillan.com/author/cjbox
Box is a Wyoming native and has worked as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, a small town newspaper reporter and editor, and he co-owns an international tourism marketing firm with his wife Laurie. They have three daughters. An avid outdoorsman, Box has hunted, fished, hiked, ridden, and skied throughout Wyoming and the Mountain West. He served on the Board of Directors for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Box lives in Wyoming.
--from the author's website
Series:
* Joe Pickett
http://us.macmillan.com/author/cjbox
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
October 28, 2025
This was another home run by CJ Box and it’s amazing how he can ramp the tension up. This book is very different from his previous installments and while I normally am not a fan of making the “secondary” characters the main POVs this felt earned and continues the excellent world CJ has built with he Pickett family. When Joe is injured and with Marybeth attending him it’s up to Joe’s 3 adult daughters to uncover what happened, why and to apprehend the villain. This story reads as a “who did it” classic style but in the mountains. There are 3 suspects each with their own angle and of course all 3 have issues with Joe and his moral compass. We see a new sheriff taking on a role that many have made a joke or just corrupted the position and it seems like they finally have one that is trying to do the right thing. We do also get some of Joe’s POVs from before the injury and that helps lay some of the foundation of the mystery. I really enjoyed this book and my only “gripe” is it could have been a bit longer but it’s absolutely satisfying and I will be back when the next one is published.
Thank you to Putnam Books for this Advanced Reader Copy
Thank you to Putnam Books for this Advanced Reader Copy
December 10, 2025
This was an another great addition to the Joe Pickett series. The stakes are at an all time high as Joe is ambushed and in critical condition. His daughters work together to try to solve the mystery behind the shooting.
This was a really cool entry with the daughters being the main focus and it was awesome seeing them work together. It was an intense ride and the last few chapters took this already dramatic book to the next level. I highly recommend this one!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel for my honest review.
This was a really cool entry with the daughters being the main focus and it was awesome seeing them work together. It was an intense ride and the last few chapters took this already dramatic book to the next level. I highly recommend this one!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel for my honest review.
November 25, 2025
WOW!! The Crossroads nearly gave me a heart attack, and more than once! This book shifted focus to Joe Pickett's family, as he fought for his life after being shot and left for dead. Joe had been found in his pickup at Antler Creek Junction, a crossroads connecting three ranches. Each road led to a dangerous family, with each one having a different bone to pick with the local game warden.
I enjoyed reading about the three daughters, as they each have a different strong suit. Each girl decided to investigate one of the three neighbors, bound and determined to discover which one might have shot Joe, and WHY! If only Joe had told someone where he was going...
I've limited this review to details that are readily available, so that means this review is at its end. You'll have to read the book, my friends, to find out more!
HUGE Thanks to #GPPutnamsSons, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Crossroads has an expected publication date of February 24, 2026.
#CJBox #Crime #Mystery #Series #Thriller
I enjoyed reading about the three daughters, as they each have a different strong suit. Each girl decided to investigate one of the three neighbors, bound and determined to discover which one might have shot Joe, and WHY! If only Joe had told someone where he was going...
I've limited this review to details that are readily available, so that means this review is at its end. You'll have to read the book, my friends, to find out more!
HUGE Thanks to #GPPutnamsSons, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Crossroads has an expected publication date of February 24, 2026.
#CJBox #Crime #Mystery #Series #Thriller
January 29, 2026
The Crossroads by C.J. Box is another fantastic mystery thriller that involves the entire family in a thrilling whodunit. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and everyone in the novel seems guilty. The family dynamics are intriguing and enduring. I gained a new perspective on Joe’s life. The book captivated me from the very first chapter, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thanks, G.P. Putnam’s Sons via NetGalley.
Thanks, G.P. Putnam’s Sons via NetGalley.
January 15, 2026
Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℂ𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕣𝕠𝕒𝕕𝕤
𝐂𝐉 𝐁𝐨𝐱
Pub Date: February 24, 2026
Another fantastic Joe Pickett story, and he wasn’t involved in the investigation like usual. I wasn’t sure if I’d like that, but lo and behold, I did!
The mystery is on point as Joe’s family takes on the search for a criminal. I’ve enjoyed watching his girls grow up into amazing young women throughout this series. Having the focus on them was such a great spin from the typical Joe Pickett story.
The investigation centers on three specific families, all with odd occurrences happening that could’ve led to the incident that occurred near their land. Learning about all of them is fascinating, to say the least!
This story is fast-paced and full of intense detail as the mystery unfolds. I’ve read everything CJ Box has written, and this is one of my favorites.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me this ebook to read and review.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℂ𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕣𝕠𝕒𝕕𝕤
𝐂𝐉 𝐁𝐨𝐱
Pub Date: February 24, 2026
Another fantastic Joe Pickett story, and he wasn’t involved in the investigation like usual. I wasn’t sure if I’d like that, but lo and behold, I did!
The mystery is on point as Joe’s family takes on the search for a criminal. I’ve enjoyed watching his girls grow up into amazing young women throughout this series. Having the focus on them was such a great spin from the typical Joe Pickett story.
The investigation centers on three specific families, all with odd occurrences happening that could’ve led to the incident that occurred near their land. Learning about all of them is fascinating, to say the least!
This story is fast-paced and full of intense detail as the mystery unfolds. I’ve read everything CJ Box has written, and this is one of my favorites.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me this ebook to read and review.
October 18, 2025
This is one of those series that never gets old, and once again C. J. Box shows us why we adore Joe Pickett. I must admit, this one caused me to take a deep breath because even though Joe permeates the storyline, he actually finds himself in deep trouble.
But, have no fear. All your favorite characters are going to mesh together to solve this mystery led by three daughters who will stop at nothing to help their dad. You will be drawn into their investigation and champion their cause as the conclusion becomes inevitable.
Yes, Nate Romanowski puts in an appearance and the ending…….
But, have no fear. All your favorite characters are going to mesh together to solve this mystery led by three daughters who will stop at nothing to help their dad. You will be drawn into their investigation and champion their cause as the conclusion becomes inevitable.
Yes, Nate Romanowski puts in an appearance and the ending…….
November 1, 2025
Ladies Investigate!
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Written by C. J. Box and published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York in 2026, this is another in the series by the author about Joe Pickett, a Wyoming Game Warden. Unfortunately, however, this story is not so much about Joe as it is the ladies in his family: wife Marybeth and daughters Sheridan, April and Lucy. The oldest, Sheridan, works in a falconry along with her partner Nate Romanowski. Their business is bird abatement. April is the next oldest at twenty-five, and she works as a private investigator in Bozeman, Montana. At twenty-three, the youngest, Lucy, is a student at University of Wyoming in Laramie. Marybeth works as a librarian in the local library.
The story begins with the notification of the ladies that Joe has been ambushed and shot on a road outside of town when he travels to visit one of three adjoining ranches at the end of that road. All three of the ranch-owning families are suspicious in Joe’s eyes. One might be prospecting for rare metals. Another might be producing and distributing fentanyl in large quantities. The third wants to take over his neighbor’s land so that he can build a high-income housing development. Which ranch was Joe on his way to visit? Nobody knows because Joe has been ambushed in his pickup truck by two men with rifles, and he has been shot in the head. He is airlifted to a hospital in Billings, Montana, where he has been put into a medically induced coma and can’t speak. Marybeth travels to Billings in the helicopter with Joe and remains there while her husband is being treated.
All three daughters travel to the Pickett family home and game warden station in Twelve Sleep County and agree to work together to find the source of the attempt on their father’s life. Adding a little complexity to the story is the fact that a new sheriff named Steve Sondergard has arrived in the town of Saddlestring to fill the recently vacated position of chief law enforcement officer for the county of Twelve Sleep. He has also hired a new deputy sheriff, a man named Bowkley. The three daughters meet with the new sheriff, and they agree to work together to solve the attempted murder. Each of the daughters chooses one of the three suspect ranches to visit and try to gather information. To an extent, they are successful, with each of them learning things that none of the others, including the new sheriff, knew.
Unbeknownst to them, however, is the fact that the killers have not given up on trying to kill Joe. The two hit men drive to Billings and kill an innocent man in order to test a powered injection device filled with pure fentanyl that they intend to inject into Joe in his hospital bed. They are not successful, of course, but another man loses his life before they leave Billings and return to Wyoming. They believe that Joe is dead, so now their goal is to assassinate all three of the young women who are investigating them. Sheridan’s partner, Nate Romanowski, plays an important part in the story at this point, and the young ladies, of course, are not harmed. It's clear that the actual killers are “hired guns,” but who hired them? Was it one of the ranch families? If so, which one?
This is a relatively short, easy read. The pace is relatively fast, and I found very few logical errors. One editing error that I’m sure will be fixed is the author’s use of the letters “FOB” instead of the correct “FBO” to refer to a “Fixed Base Operator” at an airport. This is not the author’s best work. Still, it is an interesting and entertaining story, and I enjoyed reading it. I award three of the five stars available for this novel.
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Written by C. J. Box and published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York in 2026, this is another in the series by the author about Joe Pickett, a Wyoming Game Warden. Unfortunately, however, this story is not so much about Joe as it is the ladies in his family: wife Marybeth and daughters Sheridan, April and Lucy. The oldest, Sheridan, works in a falconry along with her partner Nate Romanowski. Their business is bird abatement. April is the next oldest at twenty-five, and she works as a private investigator in Bozeman, Montana. At twenty-three, the youngest, Lucy, is a student at University of Wyoming in Laramie. Marybeth works as a librarian in the local library.
The story begins with the notification of the ladies that Joe has been ambushed and shot on a road outside of town when he travels to visit one of three adjoining ranches at the end of that road. All three of the ranch-owning families are suspicious in Joe’s eyes. One might be prospecting for rare metals. Another might be producing and distributing fentanyl in large quantities. The third wants to take over his neighbor’s land so that he can build a high-income housing development. Which ranch was Joe on his way to visit? Nobody knows because Joe has been ambushed in his pickup truck by two men with rifles, and he has been shot in the head. He is airlifted to a hospital in Billings, Montana, where he has been put into a medically induced coma and can’t speak. Marybeth travels to Billings in the helicopter with Joe and remains there while her husband is being treated.
All three daughters travel to the Pickett family home and game warden station in Twelve Sleep County and agree to work together to find the source of the attempt on their father’s life. Adding a little complexity to the story is the fact that a new sheriff named Steve Sondergard has arrived in the town of Saddlestring to fill the recently vacated position of chief law enforcement officer for the county of Twelve Sleep. He has also hired a new deputy sheriff, a man named Bowkley. The three daughters meet with the new sheriff, and they agree to work together to solve the attempted murder. Each of the daughters chooses one of the three suspect ranches to visit and try to gather information. To an extent, they are successful, with each of them learning things that none of the others, including the new sheriff, knew.
Unbeknownst to them, however, is the fact that the killers have not given up on trying to kill Joe. The two hit men drive to Billings and kill an innocent man in order to test a powered injection device filled with pure fentanyl that they intend to inject into Joe in his hospital bed. They are not successful, of course, but another man loses his life before they leave Billings and return to Wyoming. They believe that Joe is dead, so now their goal is to assassinate all three of the young women who are investigating them. Sheridan’s partner, Nate Romanowski, plays an important part in the story at this point, and the young ladies, of course, are not harmed. It's clear that the actual killers are “hired guns,” but who hired them? Was it one of the ranch families? If so, which one?
This is a relatively short, easy read. The pace is relatively fast, and I found very few logical errors. One editing error that I’m sure will be fixed is the author’s use of the letters “FOB” instead of the correct “FBO” to refer to a “Fixed Base Operator” at an airport. This is not the author’s best work. Still, it is an interesting and entertaining story, and I enjoyed reading it. I award three of the five stars available for this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Every once in a while, IMHO, all long-running series need a creativity kick in the derriere. Even loyal fans (as I most certainly am of this series) get a little tired of the same place, same people chasing different bad guys and gals. In this one, the 26th, Three Sleep County, Wisconsin, game warden Joe Pickett doesn’t get much page time except in flashbacks, nor does his off-the-grid “outlaw” buddy and falconer, Nate Romanowski – it’s Joe’s three daughters – Sheridan, April and Lucy - who take center stage.
Joe, you see, is being held elsewhere – a hospital in nearby Billings, Montana – and his family, including his wife Marybeth, don’t know whether he’ll live or die (or what his life will be like if he does make it). At the moment, he’s in an induced coma as a result of being shot through the windshield of his truck at the Antler Creek Junction – a (ahem!) crossroads where three roads split off, each leading to a large ranch owned by wealthy, powerful and very secretive people. Which of the three ranches he was planning to visit is unknown, as is the reason for his visit.
Leading the investigation is the new kid in town – Sheriff Steve Sondergard, who hasn’t even had time to organize his office. Steve has met and seems intrigued by Sheridan, who is heading up the bird abatement company owned by Romanowski while he remains off the grid with his young daughter Kestral. April works in Bozeman, Montana, at a private investigation agency, while Lucy attends the University of Wisconsin. When they get the news, April and Lucy waste no time returning home to help in any way they can.
That turns out to be running their own full-on investigation, with agreement – though grudgingly – from the sheriff. It doesn’t take long before Joe’s long-time friend Nate makes his presence known as well, offering a few suggestions and tidbits of advice. With almost nothing to go on – Joe’s phone and daily journal are nowhere to be found – the girls begin by making plans to independently interview each of the ranch owners; not an easy task since none are friends of Joe or any other law enforcement officials. Along the way, a couple of other dead bodies turn up that seem to be related to Joe’s shooting. Overarching the entire story, of course, is Joe’s condition; all that’s known till the end is that he’s in very capable hands at the hospital.
Also of course, any other details from me will not be forthcoming (especially the ending) so as not to spoil things for other readers, but I certainly enjoyed it myself and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. But while this one was highly entertaining, I’m ready for Joe to stand front and center in the next one. Pretty please?
Joe, you see, is being held elsewhere – a hospital in nearby Billings, Montana – and his family, including his wife Marybeth, don’t know whether he’ll live or die (or what his life will be like if he does make it). At the moment, he’s in an induced coma as a result of being shot through the windshield of his truck at the Antler Creek Junction – a (ahem!) crossroads where three roads split off, each leading to a large ranch owned by wealthy, powerful and very secretive people. Which of the three ranches he was planning to visit is unknown, as is the reason for his visit.
Leading the investigation is the new kid in town – Sheriff Steve Sondergard, who hasn’t even had time to organize his office. Steve has met and seems intrigued by Sheridan, who is heading up the bird abatement company owned by Romanowski while he remains off the grid with his young daughter Kestral. April works in Bozeman, Montana, at a private investigation agency, while Lucy attends the University of Wisconsin. When they get the news, April and Lucy waste no time returning home to help in any way they can.
That turns out to be running their own full-on investigation, with agreement – though grudgingly – from the sheriff. It doesn’t take long before Joe’s long-time friend Nate makes his presence known as well, offering a few suggestions and tidbits of advice. With almost nothing to go on – Joe’s phone and daily journal are nowhere to be found – the girls begin by making plans to independently interview each of the ranch owners; not an easy task since none are friends of Joe or any other law enforcement officials. Along the way, a couple of other dead bodies turn up that seem to be related to Joe’s shooting. Overarching the entire story, of course, is Joe’s condition; all that’s known till the end is that he’s in very capable hands at the hospital.
Also of course, any other details from me will not be forthcoming (especially the ending) so as not to spoil things for other readers, but I certainly enjoyed it myself and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. But while this one was highly entertaining, I’m ready for Joe to stand front and center in the next one. Pretty please?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Crossroads by C. J. Box is a very highly recommended investigative mystery and the winning 26th addition to the long running series. This time Joe's daughters lead the investigation as Joe is incapacitated.
Marybeth Pickett gets the call she has always dreaded when her husband, Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett, is found in his pickup at Antler Creek Junction, shot in the head, unconscious and barely holding on to life. He is airlifted to the hospital in Billings, Montana, accompanied by Marybeth, where he remains in critical condition and in a medically induced coma while being treated. The couples three daughters, Sheridan, April, and Lucy, converge on the family home, determined to investigate who was responsible for what happened to their father.
The three determine that the owners of the three ranches that connect off of Antler Creek Junction may have something to do with Joe's ambush. They talk to the new sheriff for the county of Twelve Sleep, Steve Sondergard, and they all agree to share any information they uncover in their investigations. The identity of the hired assassins, Dorn Peddy and James Dale O’Bryan, are identified early on in some chapters from their perspective but the identity of who hired them is kept a secret. Also included are chapters from Joe's point-of-view dating back before the ambush which provide extra information for readers.
The pace is fast and the tension rises as the suspects are delved into in this well-written installment of the series. The owners of the three ranches all have a reason to be implicated in Joe's ambush and need to be carefully questioned. The new Sheriff Sondergard has barely had time to settle in when he is confronted with this case and informed by Sheridan that she and her sisters will be investigating it too, with or without his approval. It is entertaining to follow Joe's daughters while they investigate and they prove to be insightful and intuitive, but Joe will be missed by those following the series. Who knew Wyoming could continue to be such a dangerous place to live.
The Crossroads is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys investigative mysteries set in a rural area and, of course, for everyone following the Joe Pickett series. Thanks to Putnam for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
Marybeth Pickett gets the call she has always dreaded when her husband, Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett, is found in his pickup at Antler Creek Junction, shot in the head, unconscious and barely holding on to life. He is airlifted to the hospital in Billings, Montana, accompanied by Marybeth, where he remains in critical condition and in a medically induced coma while being treated. The couples three daughters, Sheridan, April, and Lucy, converge on the family home, determined to investigate who was responsible for what happened to their father.
The three determine that the owners of the three ranches that connect off of Antler Creek Junction may have something to do with Joe's ambush. They talk to the new sheriff for the county of Twelve Sleep, Steve Sondergard, and they all agree to share any information they uncover in their investigations. The identity of the hired assassins, Dorn Peddy and James Dale O’Bryan, are identified early on in some chapters from their perspective but the identity of who hired them is kept a secret. Also included are chapters from Joe's point-of-view dating back before the ambush which provide extra information for readers.
The pace is fast and the tension rises as the suspects are delved into in this well-written installment of the series. The owners of the three ranches all have a reason to be implicated in Joe's ambush and need to be carefully questioned. The new Sheriff Sondergard has barely had time to settle in when he is confronted with this case and informed by Sheridan that she and her sisters will be investigating it too, with or without his approval. It is entertaining to follow Joe's daughters while they investigate and they prove to be insightful and intuitive, but Joe will be missed by those following the series. Who knew Wyoming could continue to be such a dangerous place to live.
The Crossroads is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys investigative mysteries set in a rural area and, of course, for everyone following the Joe Pickett series. Thanks to Putnam for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
C. J. Box delivers an exciting contemporary western crime thriller with
The Crossroads,
the 26th book in the Joe Pickett series. It’s a departure from his usual books who mainly feature Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett. In this one, Marybeth, his wife, gets a call. Joe was found shot in his pickup at Antler Creek Junction, a crossroads connecting three ranches. While Joe is unconscious and Marybeth is by his side in the hospital, their three daughters Sheridan, April, and Lucy, decide to investigate.
The characters are well defined. Readers get a good feel for Joe and Marybeth, even though they play smaller, but important, roles in this novel. The differences in their three daughters come through in the story brilliantly. Their characters have depth, and by this time in the series, all of them feel like well-known friends.
Box is an excellent storyteller who continues to bring suspense throughout his novels. Those who follow the series will enjoy learning more about Joe’s family. The writing is fluid and descriptive which helps readers envision the scenes without disrupting or slowing the flow. There was a strong sense of place causing me to feel as though I was living the events alongside the characters. This thriller has plenty of twists and turns with a fast-paced story that grips readers from beginning to end. What an action-packed ending!
Overall, this was a tense and exciting thriller with compelling characters that kept me engaged and demanded my attention throughout the book. It’s a must-read for those who enjoy mysteries and contemporary western crime thrillers. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I also hope that there will be a series featuring Sheridan or April at some time in the future.
Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and C.J. Box provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 24, 2026.
----------------------------------
My 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
The characters are well defined. Readers get a good feel for Joe and Marybeth, even though they play smaller, but important, roles in this novel. The differences in their three daughters come through in the story brilliantly. Their characters have depth, and by this time in the series, all of them feel like well-known friends.
Box is an excellent storyteller who continues to bring suspense throughout his novels. Those who follow the series will enjoy learning more about Joe’s family. The writing is fluid and descriptive which helps readers envision the scenes without disrupting or slowing the flow. There was a strong sense of place causing me to feel as though I was living the events alongside the characters. This thriller has plenty of twists and turns with a fast-paced story that grips readers from beginning to end. What an action-packed ending!
Overall, this was a tense and exciting thriller with compelling characters that kept me engaged and demanded my attention throughout the book. It’s a must-read for those who enjoy mysteries and contemporary western crime thrillers. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I also hope that there will be a series featuring Sheridan or April at some time in the future.
Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and C.J. Box provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 24, 2026.
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My 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have been a fan of C. J. Box’s series about Game Warden Joe Pickett from soon after the first one, Open Season, appeared in 2001. My interest has waned slightly in recent years, but I was keen to read The Crossroads in which Joe’s daughters take centre stage.
It opens with Marybeth Pickett getting the call she has always dreaded: her husband Joe is in a critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head. He was found in his pickup at Antler Creek Junction, a crossroads connecting three ranches. Each road leads to a dangerous family. Each family with a different bone to pick with the local game warden. Marybeth and the new sheriff assume that Joe was ambushed by one of the families, but they have no idea which one since Joe didn’t say where he was going or why.
With Joe unconscious and fighting for his life, with Marybeth at his side, his daughters, Sheridan, April, and Lucy, split up and investigate each of the families to uncover the truth of what happened to their father.
This is a good entry in the series, with plenty of false leads around which of the families were responsible for Joe’s shooting. The presence of a pair of killers determined to finish Joe off, and anyone helping him, adds some solid tension to the story, and the plot moves along at a decent pace to a well staged conclusion. Box seems to excel in his portrayal of the inhabitants of the sleepy part of Wisconsin in which the action occurs, with their prejudices and lack of concern for the environment, and his descriptions of the natural wilderness are vivid and moving.
The story is engaging, but the attitudes of the secondary characters and the casual corruption and acceptance of killing animals for no purpose, does not sit as well as it used to, given recent events.
Nevertheless, fans will undoubtedly happily devour this latest enjoyable entry.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley.
See full review at:https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/c...
It opens with Marybeth Pickett getting the call she has always dreaded: her husband Joe is in a critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head. He was found in his pickup at Antler Creek Junction, a crossroads connecting three ranches. Each road leads to a dangerous family. Each family with a different bone to pick with the local game warden. Marybeth and the new sheriff assume that Joe was ambushed by one of the families, but they have no idea which one since Joe didn’t say where he was going or why.
With Joe unconscious and fighting for his life, with Marybeth at his side, his daughters, Sheridan, April, and Lucy, split up and investigate each of the families to uncover the truth of what happened to their father.
This is a good entry in the series, with plenty of false leads around which of the families were responsible for Joe’s shooting. The presence of a pair of killers determined to finish Joe off, and anyone helping him, adds some solid tension to the story, and the plot moves along at a decent pace to a well staged conclusion. Box seems to excel in his portrayal of the inhabitants of the sleepy part of Wisconsin in which the action occurs, with their prejudices and lack of concern for the environment, and his descriptions of the natural wilderness are vivid and moving.
The story is engaging, but the attitudes of the secondary characters and the casual corruption and acceptance of killing animals for no purpose, does not sit as well as it used to, given recent events.
Nevertheless, fans will undoubtedly happily devour this latest enjoyable entry.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley.
See full review at:https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/c...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 stars for a departure in the Joe Pickett series. I have not read any of the books in the series, but this worked as a stand alone for me. The usual book plots have Joe getting involved in crimes that are beyond his game warden jurisdiction. This is book 26 in the series.
One quote: "As a law enforcement officer, and one who had been called a "shit magnet' for his propensity to attract trouble and controversy for doing his job by the book and without qualms, Joe had made enemies over the years."
The book opens with a sheriff's deputy calling Marybeth Pickett, Joe's wife, telling her that a game warden vehicle has been reported sitting in the middle of Antler Creek Road, with gunshot holes and a body inside of it.
The book goes on to let the reader know that two men were lying in wait for Joe, planning to kill him in a crossfire. Joe is shot in the head and left for dead. It is clear that they were hired by someone to kill Joe. Joe's three daughters decide to investigate who cloud be responsible for trying to kill their dad, who is still alive.
The three daughters:
April, who works at a private detective agency
Sheridan, vice president of a bird abatement firm
Lucy, the youngest at 24, had just returned from to Wyoming after a semester abroad in France.
The road that Joe's vehicle is found at, is the junction to three private roads, leading to ranches whose owners have secrets and possible motives for wanting Joe dead.
The three sisters do solve the mystery, initially upsetting the newly elected sheriff. I liked the way this book developed the plot, with each ranch owner having reasons to kill Joe. There is a possible romance that could be developed in the next book.
There is some brief graphic violence, but no sex scenes. There is a small amount of profanity.
I recommend this book to fans of this series and mystery fans.
Thank You Aria & Aries for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheCrossroads #NetGalley
Pub Date Mar 05 2026
One quote: "As a law enforcement officer, and one who had been called a "shit magnet' for his propensity to attract trouble and controversy for doing his job by the book and without qualms, Joe had made enemies over the years."
The book opens with a sheriff's deputy calling Marybeth Pickett, Joe's wife, telling her that a game warden vehicle has been reported sitting in the middle of Antler Creek Road, with gunshot holes and a body inside of it.
The book goes on to let the reader know that two men were lying in wait for Joe, planning to kill him in a crossfire. Joe is shot in the head and left for dead. It is clear that they were hired by someone to kill Joe. Joe's three daughters decide to investigate who cloud be responsible for trying to kill their dad, who is still alive.
The three daughters:
April, who works at a private detective agency
Sheridan, vice president of a bird abatement firm
Lucy, the youngest at 24, had just returned from to Wyoming after a semester abroad in France.
The road that Joe's vehicle is found at, is the junction to three private roads, leading to ranches whose owners have secrets and possible motives for wanting Joe dead.
The three sisters do solve the mystery, initially upsetting the newly elected sheriff. I liked the way this book developed the plot, with each ranch owner having reasons to kill Joe. There is a possible romance that could be developed in the next book.
There is some brief graphic violence, but no sex scenes. There is a small amount of profanity.
I recommend this book to fans of this series and mystery fans.
Thank You Aria & Aries for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheCrossroads #NetGalley
Pub Date Mar 05 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Joe Pickett shot. Can his daughters find the shooter?
A close-knit family drawing together during a crisis is the essence of the newest Joe Pickett novel. Marybeth Pickett receives the call that no law enforcement officer’s wife wants. Joe is found shot in his game warden truck on the side of a remote road in the Twelve Sleep County in Wyoming. While Marybeth rushes to Joe’s bedside, their three daughters have questions about who shot him and why. The sisters, Sheridan, April and Lucy, all return home to investigate. Joe was at a crossroads that led to 3 remote ranches. Who has something to hide? Who would want him dead?
I have been reading this series since the beginning, and I know these girls. It is wonderful to see them become competent, caring young women. C J Box has developed their characters well. Sheridan is the oldest and feels the weight of shepherding her younger sisters. April, the middle sister, is the brash, impulsive one, but has the most detective experience. Lucy is the youngest, a university student, and is most likely to empathize with others. They must work together to uncover the secrets hidden at the three ranches. The more they probe, the more dangerous it becomes. Someone doesn’t want the truth to come to light, and they are willing to kill to prevent it.
This is a terrific entry in the series! It has a different flavour because Joe’s daughters are front and centre in the investigation. There is plenty of intrigue and a multitude of suspects. Recurring characters such as Governor Rulon and Nate Romanowski appear, as well as a new sheriff. The Crossroads will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. Highly recommended. Readers who like Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak series and Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch will enjoy this book.
Thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for access to an advanced reader copy.
A close-knit family drawing together during a crisis is the essence of the newest Joe Pickett novel. Marybeth Pickett receives the call that no law enforcement officer’s wife wants. Joe is found shot in his game warden truck on the side of a remote road in the Twelve Sleep County in Wyoming. While Marybeth rushes to Joe’s bedside, their three daughters have questions about who shot him and why. The sisters, Sheridan, April and Lucy, all return home to investigate. Joe was at a crossroads that led to 3 remote ranches. Who has something to hide? Who would want him dead?
I have been reading this series since the beginning, and I know these girls. It is wonderful to see them become competent, caring young women. C J Box has developed their characters well. Sheridan is the oldest and feels the weight of shepherding her younger sisters. April, the middle sister, is the brash, impulsive one, but has the most detective experience. Lucy is the youngest, a university student, and is most likely to empathize with others. They must work together to uncover the secrets hidden at the three ranches. The more they probe, the more dangerous it becomes. Someone doesn’t want the truth to come to light, and they are willing to kill to prevent it.
This is a terrific entry in the series! It has a different flavour because Joe’s daughters are front and centre in the investigation. There is plenty of intrigue and a multitude of suspects. Recurring characters such as Governor Rulon and Nate Romanowski appear, as well as a new sheriff. The Crossroads will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. Highly recommended. Readers who like Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak series and Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch will enjoy this book.
Thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for access to an advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Crossroads by CJ Box is Joe Picket novel although he spent most of it in the hospital in an induced coma. The investigation was carried out by his three daughters: Sheridan, April and Lucy. Their mom, Marybeth, was at the hospital with Joe. His bullet-riddled, bloody truck was found at the end of a road which split into three long drives which lead to three separate ranches. None of these three ranchers was above-board and any could have been behind Joe’s shooting. The young women strategized and came up with a plan which they implemented the next day. Among the things they discovered were imprisonment of a man; drugs, cartel-involved distribution; the attempted theft of rare earth minerals; and numerous smaller crimes. They mostly stayed out of dangers but the hired killers got more and more dangerous, the more their plans didn’t work out.
As always, this story is engrossing and culminates in most of the bad guys punished. Nate Romanoski makes several appearances, taciturn as always, but right on the money. A new character that I think we’ll see again is newly-elected Sheriff Steve Sondergard, who seems like a good guy and willing to learn. Good news after a string of stupid and/or corrupt sheriffs in the area. This is the first time the readers have met Joe and Marybeth’s adult daughters in depth and it was revealing. I think we will se more of them, too. Works for me. The legacy of Joe Picket lives.
I was invited to read The Crossroads by Putnam. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Putnam #CJBox #TheCrossroads
As always, this story is engrossing and culminates in most of the bad guys punished. Nate Romanoski makes several appearances, taciturn as always, but right on the money. A new character that I think we’ll see again is newly-elected Sheriff Steve Sondergard, who seems like a good guy and willing to learn. Good news after a string of stupid and/or corrupt sheriffs in the area. This is the first time the readers have met Joe and Marybeth’s adult daughters in depth and it was revealing. I think we will se more of them, too. Works for me. The legacy of Joe Picket lives.
I was invited to read The Crossroads by Putnam. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Putnam #CJBox #TheCrossroads
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When Joe Pickett is found shot and left for dead on an isolated road that leads to 3 local ranch families, it’s up to his adult daughters to try and figure out which of the families is responsible for the assassination attempt on their father. Each of the 3 ranch families has a reputation for toeing the line of legal activity, giving each a reason to want Joe Pickett out of the picture. Book #26 in the Joe Pickett series literally starts with a bang and keeps up the suspense and pacing. It’s a standard who-done-it suspense novel, slowly revealing secrets as it bounces back and forth between Joe’s POV prior to the shooting, and the POV’s of his daughters in the present day.
I received this book as an ARC to review from NetGalley. I had not read any of the other 25 Joe Pickett books in the series (I honestly didn’t realize it was part of series), but I didn’t feel lost or missing valuable information to be able to understand what is going on in this specific book. It was a quick read and held my attention. While I didn’t feel the stakes were super high in the suspense, I was very entertained in the daughters’ journey to discover who the guilty party was. I could tell I was missing some of the backstory of the previous books, but nothing left me totally confused on who was who. The conclusion did feel a smidge rushed to me once the reveal was made, but other than that, I felt this was a solid story.
I received this book as an ARC to review from NetGalley. I had not read any of the other 25 Joe Pickett books in the series (I honestly didn’t realize it was part of series), but I didn’t feel lost or missing valuable information to be able to understand what is going on in this specific book. It was a quick read and held my attention. While I didn’t feel the stakes were super high in the suspense, I was very entertained in the daughters’ journey to discover who the guilty party was. I could tell I was missing some of the backstory of the previous books, but nothing left me totally confused on who was who. The conclusion did feel a smidge rushed to me once the reveal was made, but other than that, I felt this was a solid story.
October 23, 2025
C.J. Box never disappoints. The story begins with Mary Beth, Joe's wife, as she hears the devastating news that Joe has been ambushed and may already be dead, and throughout the novel, her emotional journey is realistically and sensitively shown. But, Shadows Reel primarily highlights Joe Pickett's grown daughters as they work together to find out who ambushed their father and left him for dead. Chapters are told from each of the girls perspectives. Sheriden, the oldest is running a successful falconry bird abatement business, and starting a flirtation with the new sheriff. April is a private detective working with Cassie Dewell, an interesting woman brought over from Box's Highway series. Lucy is just returned from a semester studying in France. She seems to be the softest sister, but proves to be tenacious and decisive when she needs to be. Chapters following Joe's daughters are interspersed with chapters from Joe's viewpoint in the days immediately before the ambush. And, not to be left out, we also get chapters following the two bad guys hired to take Joe out. These are, surprisingly, the lightest part of the story, benefiting from Box's trademark dry humor. Nate Romanski appears in what is almost a cameo role. Shadow's Reel delivers quirky characters, suspense, and an interesting mystery.
November 7, 2025
The book opens to Joe Pickett being found in his truck shot. While Joe is in a coma facing multiple surgeries to hopefully save his life, his 3 girls come together to figure out who did this to their dad. As you can imagine, things start to get western real fast.
I will be honest I missed Joe of course, I love seeing him get out of scrapes. The novel is not completely without him as we are privileged to see some of his time leading up to the attack. I have always loved Sheridan, April, and Lucy. Joe & Marybeth (& probably Nate) have formed these girls into the strong women they've become. Seeing them follow in Joe’s footsteps to solve this one was an interesting and enjoyable experience. It was a different experience and I think that's okay.
I felt a lot of emotions when Marybeth took the call about Joe. Having read all 25 previous books, I feel like Joe is a family friend. Someone I know to count on to protect his family and community from any threat. It’s been 25 years and we’ve lost Daisy and Tube (I know dogs can't realistically live forever) and seen his daughters turn into independent young women. I hope this isn’t the last we hear of Joe (and Nate).
Thank you to GP Putnam’s Sons & Net Galley for the ARC. The Joe Pickett series is my absolute favorite and I am happy to have the opportunity to read this one early.
I will be honest I missed Joe of course, I love seeing him get out of scrapes. The novel is not completely without him as we are privileged to see some of his time leading up to the attack. I have always loved Sheridan, April, and Lucy. Joe & Marybeth (& probably Nate) have formed these girls into the strong women they've become. Seeing them follow in Joe’s footsteps to solve this one was an interesting and enjoyable experience. It was a different experience and I think that's okay.
I felt a lot of emotions when Marybeth took the call about Joe. Having read all 25 previous books, I feel like Joe is a family friend. Someone I know to count on to protect his family and community from any threat. It’s been 25 years and we’ve lost Daisy and Tube (I know dogs can't realistically live forever) and seen his daughters turn into independent young women. I hope this isn’t the last we hear of Joe (and Nate).
Thank you to GP Putnam’s Sons & Net Galley for the ARC. The Joe Pickett series is my absolute favorite and I am happy to have the opportunity to read this one early.
November 23, 2025
Joe Pickett books are auto order for me. All 26 in the Joe Pickett series have been excellent, some even more so. If you aren't familiar with C.J. Box's mythical modern West character, Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett, hero of both the long running novel series and the TV show, he is a family man who can't always shoot well but has a nose for trouble and an instinct for solving it. Through his career, he has been involved in a wide variety of game warden sort of cases but also murders, kidnappings and mysteries. In The Crossroads, he was bubbling around the edges of something he hadn't come to terms with so not yet entered into his boss's records as duty items. When he was found shot to h*** in his Jeep, almost out of blood but heart not yet ready to give up, no one knew why he was out there at the crossroads of three private roads. He's placed in an induced coma leaving it to his three adult children, wife, and inveterate falconer friend Nate to figure out who got the better of him and how to bring them to justice.
My only complaint about this book is that it moves a bit slowly. There were great points where Box could have ramped up the drama and he didn't. There’s a lot of action but not a lot accomplished. Still I couldn’t stop reading. If you're a fan of modern Westerns, noble heroes, family drama, and who-done-its, this is your book
My only complaint about this book is that it moves a bit slowly. There were great points where Box could have ramped up the drama and he didn't. There’s a lot of action but not a lot accomplished. Still I couldn’t stop reading. If you're a fan of modern Westerns, noble heroes, family drama, and who-done-its, this is your book
November 2, 2025
I’ve read every single Joe Pickett book, so of course I couldn’t wait to dive into Crossroads. In this new installment, Joe is ambushed and gravely injured, leaving his wife and daughters to pick up the pieces. Marybeth sits faithfully by his bedside while Sheridan, Lucy, and April take it upon themselves to investigate the surrounding ranches and find out who tried to kill their dad.
Box writes well—he always has. His character development and sense of suspense are strong as ever. However, this one felt different, and not necessarily in a good way. It’s less about Joe and more about his daughters, and that shift threw me off. Part of what makes this series so enjoyable is Joe himself—his steady, methodical way of unraveling a mystery—and we don’t get much of that here.
The mystery of who shot Joe falls a bit flat, and while the fentanyl angle adds a timely twist, it didn’t carry the same punch as Joe’s usual investigations.
I love the series and will absolutely continue reading, but Crossroads just didn’t hit the mark for me.
Thank You NetGalley and the Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Of course, all opinions are my own.
Box writes well—he always has. His character development and sense of suspense are strong as ever. However, this one felt different, and not necessarily in a good way. It’s less about Joe and more about his daughters, and that shift threw me off. Part of what makes this series so enjoyable is Joe himself—his steady, methodical way of unraveling a mystery—and we don’t get much of that here.
The mystery of who shot Joe falls a bit flat, and while the fentanyl angle adds a timely twist, it didn’t carry the same punch as Joe’s usual investigations.
I love the series and will absolutely continue reading, but Crossroads just didn’t hit the mark for me.
Thank You NetGalley and the Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Of course, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Marybeth Pickett gets a call to say her husband Joe has just been shot. She rushes to the scene and things don’t look good. Joe has been shot in the head and his life hangs in the balance.
On arrival at the hospital Marybeth calls her three daughters and gives them the devastating news.
The three girls leave their mum to care for their dad while they decide to investigate what happened and who is responsible.
It appears Joe was found at a crossroads that link to three ranches, all with notoriously powerful and dangerous families.
This is the most difficult time in the life of the Pickett family, and they will have to step carefully if they want to find the attackers and seek justice, because the people they are dealing with are deadly.
This is the 26th book in the Joe Pickett series and it is just as good as the previous 25.
Once started, it’s impossible to put down. This is one of those books that grabs you and doesn’t let go until its dramatic ending.
C.J. Box is an incredible storyteller, and The Crossroads is a perfect example of his incredible talent. One of the finest writers in the world today and I can’t wait for more.
On arrival at the hospital Marybeth calls her three daughters and gives them the devastating news.
The three girls leave their mum to care for their dad while they decide to investigate what happened and who is responsible.
It appears Joe was found at a crossroads that link to three ranches, all with notoriously powerful and dangerous families.
This is the most difficult time in the life of the Pickett family, and they will have to step carefully if they want to find the attackers and seek justice, because the people they are dealing with are deadly.
This is the 26th book in the Joe Pickett series and it is just as good as the previous 25.
Once started, it’s impossible to put down. This is one of those books that grabs you and doesn’t let go until its dramatic ending.
C.J. Box is an incredible storyteller, and The Crossroads is a perfect example of his incredible talent. One of the finest writers in the world today and I can’t wait for more.
February 24, 2026
This was a different Joe Pickett novel. The story starts with Joe already shot and close to death. While Marybeth sits vigil, his daughters decide to investigate, making a deal with the new sheriff to trade information since he hasn’t even unpacked yet and doesn’t know any of the people. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are told in occasional flashback chapters, offering up three possible villains whose farms branch off from the intersection where Joe was shot.
This is one of my favorite series, and I enjoyed this book. It covers current hot topics such as fentanyl, immigration, rare earth materials, social media branding, and the economic impact of wildlife conservation. Plus Wyoming in all its frozen, isolated glory. While the story wasn’t as emotionally gripping as some of the others in the series, it was fun to see the daughters continuing to mature and being distinct while being Picketts.
Not family fuse to profanity and the violence associated with this genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is one of my favorite series, and I enjoyed this book. It covers current hot topics such as fentanyl, immigration, rare earth materials, social media branding, and the economic impact of wildlife conservation. Plus Wyoming in all its frozen, isolated glory. While the story wasn’t as emotionally gripping as some of the others in the series, it was fun to see the daughters continuing to mature and being distinct while being Picketts.
Not family fuse to profanity and the violence associated with this genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 24, 2026
The Crossroads is the 26th book in the Joe Pickett series from CJ Box.
"Marybeth Pickett gets the call she's been dreading for years. Her husband, Joe, has been shot and critically injured. He was found at Antler Creek Junction, a crossroads that leads to three different ranches - each one a family that many would call dangerous.
Joe's daughters - Sheridan, April and Lucy - decide to find who shot their dad. It's more dangerous thatn they know."
Box keeps you guessing which family is responsible for almost the whole book, even though you know who the shooters are. Box shows them plotting to clean up so the tension stays high, especially when another killer enters the picture. There is a bit of a dual-timeline with Pickett trying to find out what's going on with some of the ranches.
Cassie Dewell makes an appearance (The Bitterroots, Treasure State) The sisters manage to talk to all of the families trying to put the pieces together. It all comes to a head when the killers come after them. Nate even has a cameo. The final scene is explosive. You're surprised at who ends it. And there's a little surprise with Joe Pickett's coma.
A great addition to the series.
"Marybeth Pickett gets the call she's been dreading for years. Her husband, Joe, has been shot and critically injured. He was found at Antler Creek Junction, a crossroads that leads to three different ranches - each one a family that many would call dangerous.
Joe's daughters - Sheridan, April and Lucy - decide to find who shot their dad. It's more dangerous thatn they know."
Box keeps you guessing which family is responsible for almost the whole book, even though you know who the shooters are. Box shows them plotting to clean up so the tension stays high, especially when another killer enters the picture. There is a bit of a dual-timeline with Pickett trying to find out what's going on with some of the ranches.
Cassie Dewell makes an appearance (The Bitterroots, Treasure State) The sisters manage to talk to all of the families trying to put the pieces together. It all comes to a head when the killers come after them. Nate even has a cameo. The final scene is explosive. You're surprised at who ends it. And there's a little surprise with Joe Pickett's coma.
A great addition to the series.
February 23, 2026
ARC Book Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5’s
Thank you to the author @cjboxnovels and @putnambooks for the #gifted e-book.
Back to the wide-open wilds of Wyoming with Joe Pickett series — and this time, the women take center stage.
The Crossroads (Book #26!) delivers everything I love about C. J. Box: rugged landscapes, layered mysteries, and that classic Western thriller tension. But what made this one stand out was the deeper look into the women of the Pickett family and their strength, resilience, and perspective.
This whodunit unfolds through multiple POVs, including secondary characters stepping into the spotlight, and the dual timelines keep the suspense building as the past and present collide. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Joe Pickett story without all the Wyoming goodness — mountains, wildlife, cowboys, and the wild beauty that makes this series feel like coming home.
If you’ve been following this series, this installment feels both familiar and refreshingly different — a character-driven mystery wrapped in the rugged heart of the West.
Thank you to the author @cjboxnovels and @putnambooks for the #gifted e-book.
Back to the wide-open wilds of Wyoming with Joe Pickett series — and this time, the women take center stage.
The Crossroads (Book #26!) delivers everything I love about C. J. Box: rugged landscapes, layered mysteries, and that classic Western thriller tension. But what made this one stand out was the deeper look into the women of the Pickett family and their strength, resilience, and perspective.
This whodunit unfolds through multiple POVs, including secondary characters stepping into the spotlight, and the dual timelines keep the suspense building as the past and present collide. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Joe Pickett story without all the Wyoming goodness — mountains, wildlife, cowboys, and the wild beauty that makes this series feel like coming home.
If you’ve been following this series, this installment feels both familiar and refreshingly different — a character-driven mystery wrapped in the rugged heart of the West.
November 3, 2025
The Crossroads is another strong chapter in C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett series. I loved being back in that familiar Wyoming landscape — Box always makes the setting come alive. The open country, the ranch families, the tension that comes from isolation — it all feels so vivid and real.
This one takes a bit of a different turn, though. With Joe sidelined for much of the story, the focus shifts more to Marybeth and the Pickett daughters. I’m still on the fence about that. On one hand, it’s great to see the family step up and get more depth; on the other, I missed following Joe’s steady, grounded presence through the mystery.
Still, the story moves quickly, the suspense is strong, and the themes of family and justice run deep. The Crossroads might not reinvent the series, but it adds a fresh angle while keeping that rugged, Western heart that makes these books so enjoyable.
Thank you to C.J. Box, Putnam, and NetGalley for the ARC.
This one takes a bit of a different turn, though. With Joe sidelined for much of the story, the focus shifts more to Marybeth and the Pickett daughters. I’m still on the fence about that. On one hand, it’s great to see the family step up and get more depth; on the other, I missed following Joe’s steady, grounded presence through the mystery.
Still, the story moves quickly, the suspense is strong, and the themes of family and justice run deep. The Crossroads might not reinvent the series, but it adds a fresh angle while keeping that rugged, Western heart that makes these books so enjoyable.
Thank you to C.J. Box, Putnam, and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 6, 2025
This is the 26th Joe Pickett novel and it does not disappoint. Joe is ambushed, shot in the head and left to die in his truck. The shooters thought he was dead, but he was barely hanging on. While Marybeth spends her time with him at the hospital, where he has been put into a coma, the three girls converge upon the house and are determined to find out who did this to their father.
The crossroad where Joe was found leads to three ranches. Where was Joe going and why? The bad guys may not give up and there is a new sheriff in town who is about to be tested.
This story was great. All the family got involved (including Nate) and it was wonderful to see the sisters again with their very distinct personalities all working together. Like many really good books, I could not put this down and I read it way too fast. It was a good read!
I would like to thank G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for allowing me this ARC. I so appreciate it.
The crossroad where Joe was found leads to three ranches. Where was Joe going and why? The bad guys may not give up and there is a new sheriff in town who is about to be tested.
This story was great. All the family got involved (including Nate) and it was wonderful to see the sisters again with their very distinct personalities all working together. Like many really good books, I could not put this down and I read it way too fast. It was a good read!
I would like to thank G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for allowing me this ARC. I so appreciate it.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
When I started reading The Crossroads by C.J. Box I was shocked and it took me a few chapters to realise that it wasn't the end. Phew! As my heart settled down I was able to concentrate on this great story and the plot. I have been a fan of Joe Pickett for a long time now and even though Nate is my favorite character I still have a great time reading these books. I even managed to persuade my mother to try them and this year she read all but the last one back to back, she has saved the last one to enjoy when she knows that there is a new one coming. Just like me she was hooked by the setting, characters and the fact that there is room for humor. It is actually a good setting because you can place most kind of problems in Twelve Sleep county. If you by some strange reason haven't yet started this series I must say, you have to try it. I must thank Edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Sons/ Penguin Random House for the advance copy. The book should be available on the 24th of February 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The latest CJ Box mystery, The Crossroads, is one of his best. In fact, it may be my most favorite. The opening pages got my heart pounding as I felt every bit of the call Marybeth Pickett receives. It felt like I was getting the call. Bravo CJ Box. I loved the way this book focused on the women in Joe's life. I've been reading his books from the beginning, and I must say that some of his early books' characterization of female characters was lacking. I almost abandoned him. But I have enjoyed seeing his writing evolve over the years (I think his wife and raising three daughters helped). Seeing his daughters work together to solve the current crime was loads of fun.
If you are a CJ Box fan, then you will LOVE his newest book. If you are new to CJ Box, get started, and know this volume is waiting for you. Thank you, CJ, for another winner.
Thanks to NetGalley for gifting me an ebook version of the novel in exchange for a review.
If you are a CJ Box fan, then you will LOVE his newest book. If you are new to CJ Box, get started, and know this volume is waiting for you. Thank you, CJ, for another winner.
Thanks to NetGalley for gifting me an ebook version of the novel in exchange for a review.
February 8, 2026
The Crossroads is the 26th book in the Joe Pickett series… yes, 26 😅 and somehow it works perfectly as a standalone.
This was my first time reading C. J. Box, and I’m officially obsessed. I love an out-west, national park mystery, so I had no choice but to pick this up, and I’m so glad I did. The writing is sharp, the chapter structure is addictive, and the story flows so smoothly it feels cinematic.
I’m especially partial to sister dynamics, and following Joe Pickett’s three daughters as they try to uncover who shot their father was such a strong emotional hook. Their determination, fear, and loyalty really pulled me in.
This honestly felt like reading an episode of Yellowstone, rugged setting, family loyalty, danger lurking everywhere. I absolutely want to go back and start at Joe Pickett #1 and read the whole series now. A fantastic standalone and a great introduction to this world.
This was my first time reading C. J. Box, and I’m officially obsessed. I love an out-west, national park mystery, so I had no choice but to pick this up, and I’m so glad I did. The writing is sharp, the chapter structure is addictive, and the story flows so smoothly it feels cinematic.
I’m especially partial to sister dynamics, and following Joe Pickett’s three daughters as they try to uncover who shot their father was such a strong emotional hook. Their determination, fear, and loyalty really pulled me in.
This honestly felt like reading an episode of Yellowstone, rugged setting, family loyalty, danger lurking everywhere. I absolutely want to go back and start at Joe Pickett #1 and read the whole series now. A fantastic standalone and a great introduction to this world.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This latest in the long running series sees Joe Pickett ambushed one morning for reasons that will not be immediately clear. His daughters Sheridan, April, and Lucy band together to solve the crime, with each drawing on their talents, while his wife Mary Beth sits by his side in the hospital. This moves back and forth in time between several days before the ambush and the aftermath. There are three ranches Joe could have been going to, depending on which branch of the crossroads he took. Each one has a nasty secret but which one organized the ambush? Fans might think, as I did, that this is a less sophisticated entry than usual as there's alet's put on a show quality about the young women's efforts but it's a good read. It's also always nice to spend time with this family as well as with Nate, who always turns up when you need him. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. It's a page turner.
December 24, 2025
The Crossroads by C J Box is book 26 in the Joe Pickett game warden series. Joe has been shot whilst out working and fortunately was found and placed in an induced coma.
This storyline is about the people who love and care for Joe and who want to find out what happened to him and why. In some ways it is a coming of age story for his three daughters who came together and work together to find who is responsible for his near death. Mary Beth stays by Joe’s side at the hospital and remains in contact with her daughters. Nate and the new sheriff also play their part in bringing a conclusion to the whole episode.
I really enjoyed reading this book and seeing his three daughters working together and making sure that those responsible for their father’s injuries will be dealt with.
Highly recommended
This storyline is about the people who love and care for Joe and who want to find out what happened to him and why. In some ways it is a coming of age story for his three daughters who came together and work together to find who is responsible for his near death. Mary Beth stays by Joe’s side at the hospital and remains in contact with her daughters. Nate and the new sheriff also play their part in bringing a conclusion to the whole episode.
I really enjoyed reading this book and seeing his three daughters working together and making sure that those responsible for their father’s injuries will be dealt with.
Highly recommended
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