The Crossroads

Joe Pickett #26

by C.J. Box

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.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Westerns, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Family

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

C. 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

Reviews

[Jeremy Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Logan Seng · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Valleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

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…….

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kellie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Stacey Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ashley Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our prayers are with you, Joe.

Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett is back in this 26th offering from author C.J. Box, although he does play a cameo role in this book after getting shot in the VERY beginning pages of the book. It's not much of a spoiler because that's what the whole book is about.

Joe's wife and three daughters are in the forefront of this book, especially the daughters trying to puzzle out and track down who shot Joe, focusing on the three ranches at the crossroads where Joe was shot.

I missed Joe's input in this book. It wasn't the same without him. I still enjoyed the story but it wasn't the same.

I received this Advanced Reading Copy from G.P. Putnam's Sons through Edelweiss and Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review. This is that review.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The Crossroads by C.J. Box tells the story of game warden Joe Picket, who is shot in the head while working and left at a junction (The Crossroads) that connects three ranches. His daughters come to town to investigate his shooting, each looking into the owners of one of three ranches. The owners of all three are suspects. I liked that the story is told in alternating chapters from the past (what Joe Picket was doing) to the present day (the current situation and his daughters' investigation). While the premise for the story is solid, I did not find the mystery engaging enough. Also, I found some of the plot to be implausible.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crossroads ( Joe Pickett, 26) by C.J. Box

Joe was shot in his truck, and in a medically induced coma. His three daughters are determined to.find out who attempted to kill their father and why.

The story moves at a fast pace with well developed characters, engaging dialogue and suspense. Just the right mix of suspense a bit if drama and plot that kept me guessing until the end.

Overall I found The Crossroads very enjoyable. This is a great series, good as a standalone or continuing series. A must read.

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Game Warden Joe Pickett has made his share of enemies in his time, so it is perhaps not altogether a surprise when one of them catches up with him and he is found badly injured, shot in the head.

What is perhaps more unexpected is the way that his trio of daughters steps up to investigate what has happened to their father. And as events unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that the apple truly does not fall far from the tree...

An absorbing and well written story, this is worth your time.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always a good day when a new Joe Picket book comes out! I didn’t even read the synopsis before I started this book, so I was surprised when the story started with Joe being shot. The story switches between present day and flashbacks of Joe, starting four weeks earlier and leading up to when he was shot.

During Joe’s flashbacks, we learn of his visits to each of the properties that lead from ‘the crossroads’ where he was shot - Bucholtz Cattle Company, McElwee Land and Cattle, and Double Diamond Ranch – places that readers will be familiar with. In the present, while Marybeth holds vigil, we watch Sheridan, April, and Lucy come together to investigate the three properties to find out who shot their dad. Unfortunately it looks like all the landowners have motive.

It was an interesting twist in that Joe’s daughters were the main focus of this book. So while I still got to enjoy Joe and all his quirks during the flashbacks, it was really his girls that got all the attention and I was OK with that.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Likestotravel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, furious, phenomenal! The Crossroads is an excellent Joe Pickett drama. This story features some of his work but focuses on his three daughters trying to solve the mystery which is a great twist on this entertaining series. Easy to read as a standalone since the history is explained in a cohesive way.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Paul Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Joe Pickett adventure! Love this series!

[Bunmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Dudley Do Right' Joe Pickett gets shot and is in a coma. So this time, it's up to his three daughters to figure out who shot him and why. An interesting departure from the regular Joe Pickett books, but it's great to see the characters of April, Sheridan and Lucy come into their own in this book. The ever loyal Marybeth and the formidable Nate also play their roles - I really enjoyed this book and will be interesting to see how the series develops in the future.

Strongly recommend for fans of the series.