The Crossroads

by C J Box

Hardcover

Expected publication March 25, 2026

Reviews

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Picket a game warden is in hospital after being shot while on duty and he is critical ill.
His three daughters decide to find out who shot their father and why.
There are quite a few suspects and it is not going to be easy to find the culprit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚The Crossroads
✍🏻C.J. Box
Blurb:
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 dreaded: her husband Joe is in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head.
My Thoughts:
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. 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. 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, 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.
Thanks NetGalley,G.P. Putnam's Sons and Author C.J. Box for the advanced copy of "The Crossroads" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#C.JBox
#G.P.Putman'sSons
#TheCrossroads
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Carol Deegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

C J Box just keeps writing SUCH good books for the Joe Pickett series and it never gets old. In fact I’d probably miss this if the author ceases to write more books for the series. In the first pages of this book Joe gets hurt and comes close to dying. His daughters set out to determine why he was at the crossroads and where he was headed when he was ambushed. The new sheriff in Saddlestring takes an interest in the case as well as an interest in Sheridan, one of Joe’s daughters. The girls and their fact-finding missions and attention to detail as well as the lying and deceit will keep you wondering how this will all end and who might end up dead. Even Nate Romanoski puts in a couple of appearances. I received a copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[LibraryNinja_Beritk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've said for years that game warden Joe Prickett is an amazing, out of the past character who gives as good as he gets. When Joe is laid up, we see the strong women in his life- his three daughters and wife, take care of business and get to the bottom of what's going on. Turns out that Joe ain't the only Prickett that can hold his own. With suspenseful writing, a cast of bad characters and Nate the falconer on the loose, things in Montana are coming to The Crossroads.

I can't thank GP Putnam enough for giving me the chance to read this ARC on NetGalley and provide an honest review.
#TheCrossroads #JoePickett #GPPutnam #NetGalley #libraryninja📚

[Shruti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy books by C. J. Box, and Crossroads was another solid, suspenseful read for me. The story pulled me in right away with its moody setting and slow-burn tension. Once things really picked up, I had a hard time putting it down.

I loved the atmosphere and the emotional weight behind the characters’ choices. A few parts felt a bit predictable to me, which is the only reason this didn’t quite hit five stars—but overall, it was still very enjoyable.

If you’re a fan of gritty, character-driven thrillers, this one is definitely worth the read

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher!

[Jo Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this C.J. Box Joe Pickett novel is quite different from those that preceded it, it is no less compelling. This book is different because it begins with Joe being grievously wounded in an ambush. That circumstance brought his wife and daughters together to work with law enforcement to investigate his shooting. The evidence points toward several likely families, each of whom might benefit from Joe's death. These facts differentiate this book from other Joe Pickett novels and reminds us of the capabilities and determination of his remarkable family. Highly recommend!


I received an ARC from NetGalley and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

[Phil Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this ARC from Netgalley.. The Crossroads is tense, atmospheric and expertly paced, with C. J. Box delivering another compelling story that pulls you in from the opening chapters. The characters feel authentic and the plot unfolds in a way that keeps you turning pages. A strong, confident novel that will please existing fans and is accessible enough for new readers too. Highly recommended

[Leslie Basney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super addition to the series even though Joe and Marybeth are minor characters and their daughters come into their own.