The Crossroads

by C.J. Box

Genres: Mystery

Hardcover

Published March 25, 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

[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.

[Gail Radka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good and definitely standard Joe Pickett and family. The reason for 4 stars not 5 is not down to the story or characters it’s just i felt shortchanged. You wait a year or so for your favourite authors or series and then here it is……just too short felt like half the normal box size.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Finally a book that I really wanted to spend all my free time with! I am now sad that I am done. I hope another Joe Pickett adventure will come soon! This book would make a great movie!!!

[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
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kay Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost gave up on this story. At times I was insulted at the absurdity of the story and at other times I felt like Box just didn’t give this edition much effort or creativity. A crooked cop within the Sheriff’s Department. Been there done that and frankly I hate it how fiction is so cavalier about having dirty cops in their stories. It’s a slap in the face to the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us. It gives the general public the belief that there are a plethora of bad cops, which is far from true.

Maybe I missed it but the story also never explains why Romanowski attacks the crooked cop as he sits outside the Picket residence. How did he know he wasn’t there to protect them from the two hired thugs. And why was there so little effort to find these thugs after they followed the sisters and were identified by the hunter. There’s just a lot that doesn’t make sense. Picket gets a call that a man is being held captive and he waits until the next day to go by himself to check it out. What’s his jurisdiction in the matter. It should have been followed up on immediately by the Sheriff. And why would John Buckholtz use this as a way to lure Picket to his property. Why not make the call about a wildlife issue. The sisters all plan to simultaneously interview the three land owners so they don’t tip each other off. They hate each other. Why would they tip each other off. Their independent investigation seems ridiculous. And when the oldest daughter reports to the Sheriff about Uncle Hank being held captive there doesn’t seem to be any urgency to go “save” him. The whole story is just kind of preposterous. Oh and killing the wrong guy at the hospital was so telegraphed and predictable. You can do better CJ.

[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

[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

[Sharon Sample · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay Amazon, you are wrong, this book has been published as it is available on Libby via my local library. It was released Feb 23, 2026. CJ Box is expanding the Pickett series by making his daughters the main characters in solving the mystery. This technique brings a newness that this long series needed. Sheridan, April, and Lucy with their different personalities illustrate the strength and determination of young women. Audiobook

[KerryO · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great plot! Another winner from C J Box! While Joe is recuperating in the hospital with Marybeth by his side, his three daughters set out to find out who attempted to kill their father. I loved having the girls get so involved in Joe’s professional life. Please keep the great stories coming!!! I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The CJ Box, Joe Pickett series, is a gem. In this thriller/mystery Joe’s family and his buddy Nate shine. The book starts with your tragedy, but End says you would expect with the bad guys pretty well stopped in the heroes moving forward and maybe Sheridan even gets a romantic involvement. Have fun reading or listening to this novel because as you can see from my rating, I sure did.

[Bob Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different Joe Pickett book- Joe gets shot,and his three daughters get together to find out who did it- sharing info with new sheriff it comes down to 3 ranches,all with motive-all ranchers are sleazy and all were on Joes radar- ends up ranchers with possible lucrative mineral deposits on their ranch were the guilty party- they didn’t want Joe to mess up their dream of billions of $$.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

C.J.Box is a great story teller. But his use of faul language has turned off. I didn’t read his previous two books because of the language. I thought I would would give him another chance. This book is even worse. I know it is the way the world talks today but you don’t have to conform to the world. I chose to have this be the last C.J.Box book I read.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from page one, and I only put it down when forced to do so by life's demands. I loved the involvement of the Pickett daughters, using the younger generation to investigate the shooting of Joe Pickett.

[Art Lasko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't finish the last Joe Picket. Tried this one because it was about his three daughters who I've read about since they've been little. This was a little fun but not a great book. Time for another series!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Wonder if a new series is going to start with one of the daughters. Joe is nearing retirement! I loved reading about the daughters as adults. I have followed them since the first book about Joe Pickett and his family.

[Elkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 wonderful stars! CJ Box is back on track with this book! I'm a huge fan of the series, but I didn't like the previous book, well, the last two books, honestly.
But now, I'm looking forward to more Joe Pickett novels. YAY!

[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.

[Alicia Daughtrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by C. J. Box!!! Can’t wait until his next release!

[Renee Hons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I didn’t like the start. With the girls in action, it was more like a Nancy Drew mystery, I missed Joe, but it got better. I missed Nate, but it got lots better.

[Madelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not his best effort. Very predictable story.

[Vicki Bruening · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment in the Joe Pickett series. I just adore Joe and his family. Fun to go on an adventure and solve the mystery with his girls. A must read series!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads has this book not being published for a couple weeks still, It is definitely available in stores and on Libby lol

[Patsy Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

His books are great!

[Jay McGuinness · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. It was a quick read. Pretty good plot. Didn’t love it!

[Phyllis M. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! JUST WOW!

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Joe with more action from the family!