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Joe Pickett #20
Long Range
#1 New York Times bestseller C.J. Box returns with a blazing new Joe Pickett novel, in which the Wyoming game warden must investigate a murder that happens on his turf--a murder committed from a confoundingly long distance.
The wife of a prominent local judge is shot and killed on Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett's turf. But as Joe investigates, all signs point to the shot having been taken from an impossibly long distance. Joe has seen a lot in his time as warden, but he's never seen a killing like this. How could the shooting have been arranged? And who else is in the cross hairs?
At the same time--just as he's adjusting to the arrival of a new baby, his first child--Joe's best friend Nate Romanowski is attempting to decipher a startling grizzly attack in the area.
Beset by threats both man-made and natural, the two men must go to great lengths to figure out how to keep their loved ones safe.
The wife of a prominent local judge is shot and killed on Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett's turf. But as Joe investigates, all signs point to the shot having been taken from an impossibly long distance. Joe has seen a lot in his time as warden, but he's never seen a killing like this. How could the shooting have been arranged? And who else is in the cross hairs?
At the same time--just as he's adjusting to the arrival of a new baby, his first child--Joe's best friend Nate Romanowski is attempting to decipher a startling grizzly attack in the area.
Beset by threats both man-made and natural, the two men must go to great lengths to figure out how to keep their loved ones safe.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2020
6414 people are currently reading
5691 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Box
111 books7,174 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 1,664 reviews
January 27, 2020
Joe Pickett is one of those characters you can't help liking. He still has his problems when it comes to government vehicles but this time it wasn't so bad. This is one of the best books i've read in a while and I'm glad that Nate got the opportunity to dish out some justice in his own way. It makes me really glad when an author creates characters and can keep new stories coming year after year. Sadly the books doesn't last very long. I have to thank #Edelweiss #GPPutnamssons and #PenguinPublishingGroup for letting me enjoy this one. by #CJBox
May 4, 2021
The whole storyline about the grizzly bears made no sense and added nothing to the story.
December 5, 2020
The 20th book in the Joe Pickett series opens with the description of a bullet in flight. From the moment it leaves the rifle until the moment it strikes. 3.5 seconds. Once it leaves the rifle it is too late to call it back. 3.5 seconds isn't long but something can change between the moment the trigger is pulled and the moment the bullet strikes. Something the shooter could not control.
The scene shifts to Joe on horseback. He is part of the newly formed Predator Attack Team, a heavily armed team created to respond to bear incidents. He has had to leave his Twelve Sleep home to respond to a grizzly attack in the Teton range. The survivor tells a bizarre story of how a grizzly attacked his elk-hunting guide. Joe and his team members suspect something is off but can't sure what it is. Just before Joe reaches the scene of the attack he gets a call. He has to return home immediately. Someone took a shot at a local judge in an apparent assassination attempt. The judge was not hit but his wife was and she is in critical condition.
It is all hands on deck for this one. Including a new sheriff that no one can figure out … or likes. Including his own deputies. He likes the power of the office but isn't willing to listen or take advice from others. There are some references to Barney Fife but I was reminded of a certain political figure. Quick to make a decision but not based on fact. The judge himself had plenty of enemies. Not just the criminals he sentenced to prison and who swore revenge. This judge managed to take it out on everyone … prosecution, defense, law enforcement. No one was spared and the suspect pool is lengthy.
One of the suspects is Nate Romanowski, Joe's best friend. Nate has gotten married, has a child, started a business, and generally trying to behave. Of course he is innocent but it is in Joe's hands to prove his innocence and identify and capture the real shooter. It won't be an easy task with the new sheriff in town.
I have read several of the earlier books in the series but skipped many when this book became available at my library. A lot has changed. Joe's daughters have grown and moved out, he and Marybeth have moved into a new and bigger (and emptier) house, and they are still adjusting. As mentioned Nate has gotten married, has a daughter of his own, and started a business. One thing that hasn't changed is Joe's mother-in-law. She still makes an appearance and you can be sure there is trouble included in her visits. I would say you could read this book as a stand-alone but you would get more out of the story if the previous books in the series are read first. I intend to read the earlier books in the series that I have not yet had a chance to read and then reread this one. It is a good story that deserves a reread.
The scene shifts to Joe on horseback. He is part of the newly formed Predator Attack Team, a heavily armed team created to respond to bear incidents. He has had to leave his Twelve Sleep home to respond to a grizzly attack in the Teton range. The survivor tells a bizarre story of how a grizzly attacked his elk-hunting guide. Joe and his team members suspect something is off but can't sure what it is. Just before Joe reaches the scene of the attack he gets a call. He has to return home immediately. Someone took a shot at a local judge in an apparent assassination attempt. The judge was not hit but his wife was and she is in critical condition.
It is all hands on deck for this one. Including a new sheriff that no one can figure out … or likes. Including his own deputies. He likes the power of the office but isn't willing to listen or take advice from others. There are some references to Barney Fife but I was reminded of a certain political figure. Quick to make a decision but not based on fact. The judge himself had plenty of enemies. Not just the criminals he sentenced to prison and who swore revenge. This judge managed to take it out on everyone … prosecution, defense, law enforcement. No one was spared and the suspect pool is lengthy.
One of the suspects is Nate Romanowski, Joe's best friend. Nate has gotten married, has a child, started a business, and generally trying to behave. Of course he is innocent but it is in Joe's hands to prove his innocence and identify and capture the real shooter. It won't be an easy task with the new sheriff in town.
I have read several of the earlier books in the series but skipped many when this book became available at my library. A lot has changed. Joe's daughters have grown and moved out, he and Marybeth have moved into a new and bigger (and emptier) house, and they are still adjusting. As mentioned Nate has gotten married, has a daughter of his own, and started a business. One thing that hasn't changed is Joe's mother-in-law. She still makes an appearance and you can be sure there is trouble included in her visits. I would say you could read this book as a stand-alone but you would get more out of the story if the previous books in the series are read first. I intend to read the earlier books in the series that I have not yet had a chance to read and then reread this one. It is a good story that deserves a reread.
July 7, 2020
Long Range is an excellent addition to C. J. Box's Joe Pickett series. It has a very clever plot, marvelous new characters, the "old reliable" but wonderfully crafted old characters and beautiful writing.
If you think you smell a "big but" coming, you're wrong. No such thing here.
Very briefly, a long range rifle shot kill opens the book. Numerous characters fly into action including the curmudgeonly local judge, the newly elected and supremely arrogant sheriff, the not too bright chief of police and the local prosecutor. Several other characters, including our hero, Joe Pickett, Wyoming Game and Fish Warden for the area, his wife Marybeth and his falcon-flying buddy, ex-CIA agent (we are led to believe but that is never really confirmed) Nate Romanowski, take a more measured approach.
There are twists and turns, as one would expect, along the way and eventually Justice prevails, more or less.
Just a great read that I can heartily recommend to anyone who enjoys a well-written thriller but, if you have not yet read a Joe Pickett book, you would be well served by starting earlier in the series, perhaps with the first.
The End
If you think you smell a "big but" coming, you're wrong. No such thing here.
Very briefly, a long range rifle shot kill opens the book. Numerous characters fly into action including the curmudgeonly local judge, the newly elected and supremely arrogant sheriff, the not too bright chief of police and the local prosecutor. Several other characters, including our hero, Joe Pickett, Wyoming Game and Fish Warden for the area, his wife Marybeth and his falcon-flying buddy, ex-CIA agent (we are led to believe but that is never really confirmed) Nate Romanowski, take a more measured approach.
There are twists and turns, as one would expect, along the way and eventually Justice prevails, more or less.
Just a great read that I can heartily recommend to anyone who enjoys a well-written thriller but, if you have not yet read a Joe Pickett book, you would be well served by starting earlier in the series, perhaps with the first.
The End
March 19, 2020
Another 5 stars exciting western style thriller. There are multiple mysteries in this one; the grizzly bear, the judge, and Nate -master falconer. Nate's story is a small follow up from the previous book. Amazing read!
March 4, 2020
Long Range is the twentieth instalment in the game warden and law enforcement officer Joe Pickett series, set in Twelve Sleep Country, Wyoming, United States. Each of the books can be read standalones without any issue but this is such a superb series it's difficult to see why you would choose to miss out on all of the other spectacular stories which were just as thrilling as this was. When Joe Pickett is asked to join the rescue efforts for the victim of a startling grizzly attack, he reluctantly leaves his district behind. One survivor of the grizzly's rampage tells a bizarre story, but just as Joe begins to suspect the attack is not what it seems, he is brought home by an emergency on his own turf. Someone has targeted a prominent local judge, shooting at him from a seemingly impossible distance. While the judge was not hit, his wife is severely wounded, and it is up to Joe to find answers--and the shooter.
The search for the would-be assassin becomes personal when Joe's best friend, Nate Romanowski just as he's adjusting to the arrival of his first child--falls under suspicion for the crime. It's a race against the clock as Joe tries to clear Nate's name and identify the real shooter, all while deciphering the grizzly encounter. Beset by threats both man-made and natural, the two men must go to great lengths to keep their loved ones safe. The scariest thing about all of this is he appears to have nothing left to lose meaning he is extremely dangerous and unpredictable.
The story opens with a satisfying bang and to my surprise barely let-up the entire way along making it a rollicking, stellar read and one with more twists and turns than spaghetti junction. The scenic, richly-rendered locations throughout the states of Wyoming and Montana were truly exquisite and were ever so vibrantly depicted; I could literally vividly transport myself there in my mind. I view Mr Box as really quite underrated in the UK and he absolutely shouldn't be if his ability to produce books with taut plots, superb characterisation and heart-pounding tension is anything to go by. It is a thoroughly riveting, highly entertaining, and fast and furious all-action adventure and with a satisfying denouement to boot. A cracking read and truly captivating stuff; roll-on number twenty-one. If you enjoy your crime fictionpace and frenrtic with plenty of excitement and a likeable hero, you cannot go wrong. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
The search for the would-be assassin becomes personal when Joe's best friend, Nate Romanowski just as he's adjusting to the arrival of his first child--falls under suspicion for the crime. It's a race against the clock as Joe tries to clear Nate's name and identify the real shooter, all while deciphering the grizzly encounter. Beset by threats both man-made and natural, the two men must go to great lengths to keep their loved ones safe. The scariest thing about all of this is he appears to have nothing left to lose meaning he is extremely dangerous and unpredictable.
The story opens with a satisfying bang and to my surprise barely let-up the entire way along making it a rollicking, stellar read and one with more twists and turns than spaghetti junction. The scenic, richly-rendered locations throughout the states of Wyoming and Montana were truly exquisite and were ever so vibrantly depicted; I could literally vividly transport myself there in my mind. I view Mr Box as really quite underrated in the UK and he absolutely shouldn't be if his ability to produce books with taut plots, superb characterisation and heart-pounding tension is anything to go by. It is a thoroughly riveting, highly entertaining, and fast and furious all-action adventure and with a satisfying denouement to boot. A cracking read and truly captivating stuff; roll-on number twenty-one. If you enjoy your crime fictionpace and frenrtic with plenty of excitement and a likeable hero, you cannot go wrong. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
June 3, 2020
I really enjoy these Joe Pickett novels but I need to start reading them in order but with the library closed, I can only read the ones I have. This one is the newest with a great plot that moves quickly. Box writes very intriguing characters and we get some of the reoccurring ones with a nice mix of new ones. Overall, a quick, good read that is a real attention keeper.
September 4, 2022
An easy five stars. This is the 20th Joe Pickett novel. I have read them all in order. I have said it before, and I need to say it again: I don't know how C.J. Box does it, but the Joe Pickett novels get better and better. I hope the series never ends.
June 15, 2023
Another solid book. Listened at 1.3X speed on audio.
May 10, 2024
I'm out of words to adequately describe home great the Joe Pickett series is! Long Range is another fantastic book in the series. I swear I held my breath through most of this one while praying C.J. Box wouldn't break my heart. Another high octane Joe Pickett book...highly recommended!
March 22, 2020
Outstanding!
June 6, 2020
Once again, Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett gets mixed up in a killing where the suspect is his old friend Nate Romanowski. Poor Nate can't catch a break. He just wants to be left alone to train his falcons and help his beloved wife, Liv, raise their baby, Kestrel. (Gotta love that name!) As if that weren’t bad enough, Joe’s haughty, scheming mother-in-law shows up unannounced and trailing troubles of her own. Mr. Box is a writer who always brings his settings to life for the reader and I love losing myself in this series. There was one part that left me scratching my head, however, hence the 4 stars instead of five. Still, I very much enjoyed Long Range and I am eager for #21 to be written!!
March 22, 2020
Wow, what a disappointment.
Caution - this review contains spoliers!
Shots are fired, both at our intrepid hero Joe Pickett and the local judge. Threats are made against Joe's friend and superman, Nate. The threat against Nate is conveyed by one of the victims from the cartel shoot-up in the last book (which was quite good!). Why does that guy, who is an complete asshole, warn Nate? No idea. Nate tells Joe, and so what do they do about it? Not much. They assume that the person who took a shot at the judge (but hitting his wife instead) was from the cartel. They find the site where the shooter took the shot. They tell the sheriff, who is even more of an idiot than most authorities in these books tend to be, so he of course takes it in the wrong direction, arresting Nate.
Why?
WELL - the REAL shooter plants the weapon in Nate's property and calls the sheriff's department anonymously. Okay .. maybe that makes sense, but why did he take the shot in the first place? He is the local doctor! He is a Bad Doctor! He was doing it to help the county prosecutor, who was in love with the judge's wife! He meant to kill the judge! But he made sure the wife didn't survive! He is a Bad Man! But why did he try to shoot the judge again? WHAT??? He is also a drug dealer, which gives this mess of a book a pretext for the arrival of the odious mother-in-law of Joe Pickett. I guess she has to appear in every book just to make us all glad we don't know anyone like her. But she is just way too much over the top.
In the meantime, the cartel hitman turns out to be a cartel kidnapper, and he for some reason contacts Nate's defense team to tell them he saw someone in a county vehicle plant the gun while Nate was away. Wait - what? Why would he do that? He even talks to them. Riiiiight. He is a cartel hitman, but also, really, a good citizen. He does kidnap Nate's wife and baby, but he is super nice about it. Then Nate breaks out of jail and tracks the bad guy down - amazing how lucky Nate is to have such contacts! Oh - and how does Nate know that something is amiss while he is languishing in jail? One of his birds flies from his ranch outside of town smack dab into the jailhouse door ... to ... wait for it ...
to WARN HIM! Yes! Supernatural magical telepathic birds!
In the mean meantime, the doctor somehow figures out that they might be coming for him, because Joe has gotten a regular Perry Mason summary confession from the county prosecutor. Why does the prosecutor admit all that? Oh you know - for NO REASON! But the doctor absconds, and Joe and his fellow game wardens track him down and manage to shoot him, even though he is a long range marksman. And Joe gets shot but he survives, but Nate has to go underground because he ripped off the sheriff's ear.
Pointless sections abound. Many pages about a grizzly bear and yet another self-important jerk. A whole long chapter of Joe talking with some asshole movie producer. Long chapters of the doctor's girlfriend mulling things over. All the crap with Joe's mother-in-law.
So many assholes in these books. I don't think I know that many people who are both jerks and very stupid. Maybe I am just lucky.
Caution - this review contains spoliers!
Shots are fired, both at our intrepid hero Joe Pickett and the local judge. Threats are made against Joe's friend and superman, Nate. The threat against Nate is conveyed by one of the victims from the cartel shoot-up in the last book (which was quite good!). Why does that guy, who is an complete asshole, warn Nate? No idea. Nate tells Joe, and so what do they do about it? Not much. They assume that the person who took a shot at the judge (but hitting his wife instead) was from the cartel. They find the site where the shooter took the shot. They tell the sheriff, who is even more of an idiot than most authorities in these books tend to be, so he of course takes it in the wrong direction, arresting Nate.
Why?
WELL - the REAL shooter plants the weapon in Nate's property and calls the sheriff's department anonymously. Okay .. maybe that makes sense, but why did he take the shot in the first place? He is the local doctor! He is a Bad Doctor! He was doing it to help the county prosecutor, who was in love with the judge's wife! He meant to kill the judge! But he made sure the wife didn't survive! He is a Bad Man! But why did he try to shoot the judge again? WHAT??? He is also a drug dealer, which gives this mess of a book a pretext for the arrival of the odious mother-in-law of Joe Pickett. I guess she has to appear in every book just to make us all glad we don't know anyone like her. But she is just way too much over the top.
In the meantime, the cartel hitman turns out to be a cartel kidnapper, and he for some reason contacts Nate's defense team to tell them he saw someone in a county vehicle plant the gun while Nate was away. Wait - what? Why would he do that? He even talks to them. Riiiiight. He is a cartel hitman, but also, really, a good citizen. He does kidnap Nate's wife and baby, but he is super nice about it. Then Nate breaks out of jail and tracks the bad guy down - amazing how lucky Nate is to have such contacts! Oh - and how does Nate know that something is amiss while he is languishing in jail? One of his birds flies from his ranch outside of town smack dab into the jailhouse door ... to ... wait for it ...
to WARN HIM! Yes! Supernatural magical telepathic birds!
In the mean meantime, the doctor somehow figures out that they might be coming for him, because Joe has gotten a regular Perry Mason summary confession from the county prosecutor. Why does the prosecutor admit all that? Oh you know - for NO REASON! But the doctor absconds, and Joe and his fellow game wardens track him down and manage to shoot him, even though he is a long range marksman. And Joe gets shot but he survives, but Nate has to go underground because he ripped off the sheriff's ear.
Pointless sections abound. Many pages about a grizzly bear and yet another self-important jerk. A whole long chapter of Joe talking with some asshole movie producer. Long chapters of the doctor's girlfriend mulling things over. All the crap with Joe's mother-in-law.
So many assholes in these books. I don't think I know that many people who are both jerks and very stupid. Maybe I am just lucky.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2020
LONG RANGE by author C.J. Box is the 20th book in in “Joe Pickett” series, and finds Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett assisting on an investigation into the death of a hunting guide after being mauled by a bear, and the story that the client provides raises questions into his version that doesn’t exactly match up with evidence found at the scene of the attack.
While in the remote wilderness area on the investigation, Joe is contacted and instructed to immediately return at the behest of the notorious Judge Hewitt, and as ordered by the current state governor.
Joe learns that the judge’s wife Sue was struck by a bullet that came through the window as the couple were sitting down to dinner in their home, and he returns to begin the investigation but gets the cold shoulder from the new sheriff who won the recent election, and who is somewhat of an unknown commodity to Joe and the community; including members of his own department.
Meanwhile, Joe’s best friend Nate, a dangerous and feared man with a long career of special ops in the military (and later as a contractor for employers requiring his special skill set), learns that there is a reward out on him for a case that he and Joe had worked on in the recent past that resulted in the death of a legendary and beautiful female assassin for a drug cartel.
Nate finds himself in unfamiliar territory as a married man with a young daughter, and his concern for their safety ties his hands to deal with the situation using methods that have been successful in the past using his ability to stay off the grid, which is no longer possible after settling down to family life as a business owner.
Something that has never has happened before takes place; Nate asks Joe for help, as in past situations it has always been the reverse of this, and Joe agrees to help Nate any way he can.
Once again in this story, Joe’s arch enemy and mother-in-law Missy enters the story, and immediately serves notice that she is again going to go out of her way to make Joe’s life miserable.
Joe learns from Nate that he’s also in danger and included as a target of the cartel along with Nate, and Nate finds himself in trouble with the law as the result of a set-up which makes it even more difficult for Joe to protect his friend and his family.
Can Joe prove Nate’s innocence while also learning the truth regarding the shooting and identity of the shooter in the face of everything standing in his way, and will he be able to keep himself and Nate safe; as well as every family member of both his and Nate’s families?
Typical of the action and perils present in all of the previous novels in this series, it is interesting in that it focuses on Joe and his wife experiencing the empty nest syndrome, and Nate maturing into a family man while still maintaining his potential for violence.
I’d recommend this book to all familiar with any previous books written by the author in this series, as well as the fine books C.J. Box has written in his “Highway Quartet” series.
4 stars.
While in the remote wilderness area on the investigation, Joe is contacted and instructed to immediately return at the behest of the notorious Judge Hewitt, and as ordered by the current state governor.
Joe learns that the judge’s wife Sue was struck by a bullet that came through the window as the couple were sitting down to dinner in their home, and he returns to begin the investigation but gets the cold shoulder from the new sheriff who won the recent election, and who is somewhat of an unknown commodity to Joe and the community; including members of his own department.
Meanwhile, Joe’s best friend Nate, a dangerous and feared man with a long career of special ops in the military (and later as a contractor for employers requiring his special skill set), learns that there is a reward out on him for a case that he and Joe had worked on in the recent past that resulted in the death of a legendary and beautiful female assassin for a drug cartel.
Nate finds himself in unfamiliar territory as a married man with a young daughter, and his concern for their safety ties his hands to deal with the situation using methods that have been successful in the past using his ability to stay off the grid, which is no longer possible after settling down to family life as a business owner.
Something that has never has happened before takes place; Nate asks Joe for help, as in past situations it has always been the reverse of this, and Joe agrees to help Nate any way he can.
Once again in this story, Joe’s arch enemy and mother-in-law Missy enters the story, and immediately serves notice that she is again going to go out of her way to make Joe’s life miserable.
Joe learns from Nate that he’s also in danger and included as a target of the cartel along with Nate, and Nate finds himself in trouble with the law as the result of a set-up which makes it even more difficult for Joe to protect his friend and his family.
Can Joe prove Nate’s innocence while also learning the truth regarding the shooting and identity of the shooter in the face of everything standing in his way, and will he be able to keep himself and Nate safe; as well as every family member of both his and Nate’s families?
Typical of the action and perils present in all of the previous novels in this series, it is interesting in that it focuses on Joe and his wife experiencing the empty nest syndrome, and Nate maturing into a family man while still maintaining his potential for violence.
I’d recommend this book to all familiar with any previous books written by the author in this series, as well as the fine books C.J. Box has written in his “Highway Quartet” series.
4 stars.
March 10, 2020
I was first on the reserve list for this book and I got my Joe Pickett fix today. I am one happy reader! I love 5 star reads!
Three concurrent story lines in this one, 1) An elk hunting guide is attacked by a grizzly. So the book begins with Joe in the saddle assisting another game warden to retrieve the body. 2) A judge's wife is shot and Joe gets called back to his district. Good for the investigation since Joe is so much smarter than the new sheriff. 3) Falconer Nate and his family are in danger as someone is out for revenge.
20 books and this series is just as wonderful and exciting as it was in the beginning! I cannot say that about several of the series I read. I always love how the outdoors are depicted in Joe's job as a game warden. I also love Joe, his family, and friends. They feel like my family. Another exciting ending that makes me wonder about a whole new beginning.
Three concurrent story lines in this one, 1) An elk hunting guide is attacked by a grizzly. So the book begins with Joe in the saddle assisting another game warden to retrieve the body. 2) A judge's wife is shot and Joe gets called back to his district. Good for the investigation since Joe is so much smarter than the new sheriff. 3) Falconer Nate and his family are in danger as someone is out for revenge.
20 books and this series is just as wonderful and exciting as it was in the beginning! I cannot say that about several of the series I read. I always love how the outdoors are depicted in Joe's job as a game warden. I also love Joe, his family, and friends. They feel like my family. Another exciting ending that makes me wonder about a whole new beginning.
April 14, 2020
I used to absolutely hate TV shows that ended with, "To be continued"...And, if anything feels incomplete, its the end of this novel...But, be that as it may, anything C.J. Box/Joe Pickett is almost automatically always 5-stars with me and this novel is no change...Although, I find this story at little derivative of some of the recent Craig Johnson's recent Longmire's when Walt must confront Mexican cartel murderers...Even the dust cover art is a little Longmire-ish...So, in this 20th episode in Joe Pickett's life, we have, besides the catching up with the lives within the Pickett universe, we have a long-range shooter targeting the local judge and accidently shooting the wife and, of course, Nate becomes a major suspect...More Please!!!
March 16, 2020
I was sorry when this was over as I wanted more! Now I have to wait for the next one. Read it to take your mind off everything if you can get a copy. Our libraries are now all closed which sure surprised me. I didn't expect them to close.
March 21, 2020
If I could give this ten stars I would! Excellent series!
April 22, 2020
I wish they'd make a TV series out of this book series!
February 8, 2022
Love this series even though I’m once again, reading out of order. However, each can be read as a stand-alone as far as I’ve come along in this series in the modern Wild West.
December 17, 2024
5 Stars for Long Range: Joe Pickett, Book 20 (audiobook) by C. J. Box read by David Chandler.
The judge’s wife has been shot and everyone in law enforcement is on the case. It looks like it was a really long shot but with today’s new rifles and optics just about anybody could make the shot. So just about everyone is a suspect. And Nate Romanowski’s wife just had a baby named Kestrel. Nate’s going to have to great lengths to keep his new family safe from his past.
The judge’s wife has been shot and everyone in law enforcement is on the case. It looks like it was a really long shot but with today’s new rifles and optics just about anybody could make the shot. So just about everyone is a suspect. And Nate Romanowski’s wife just had a baby named Kestrel. Nate’s going to have to great lengths to keep his new family safe from his past.
January 19, 2021
Another exciting ride with CJ - his books never disappoint!! Read several of his earlier books, but I haven't read any of his recent books - not sure why - but this refreshed my memory of how much really I enjoy them! So many books - so little time..... I have to go back and catch-up!!
March 20, 2020
Oh my goodness. I simply adore Joe Pickett and all his family and friends. This book has the usual wide range of information about elements of life in the modern west. This series is astonishing!!
September 29, 2020
First Sentence: The sleek golden projectile exploded into the thin mountain air at three thousand feet per second.
A grizzly attack causes game warden Joe Picket to leave his district and join members of the Predator Attack Team. Joe has suspicions about the attack but is called away before being able to investigate further. A shooter targets a local judge, seriously wounding the judge's wife. The shot came from an extremely long-range, and Joe's best friend Nate Romanowski is suspected. This leaves Joe to find the killer, clear his friend, and uncover the answer to the bear attack.
Talk about a hook! Box sets the scene well, contrasting the beauty of the location with the cold, hard terror of a lethal element coming from through the air so that one experiences the horror of when the two elements combine. The suspense continues once we join Joe.
Reading Box is both exciting, and an education in everything from grizzly bears, the technology that enables a cell phone to be tracked even in a no-service area, an air force of predator birds, and long-range rifles. Box explains each of these in a way that is fascinating even to urban dwellers, and each has an important role to play in the plot. There is a nice piece of information regarding the role of a Wyoming game warden which helps explain Joe's involvement in the shooting investigation.
The characters are alive. Some are those series readers have met before. Some carry over from a previous book, but in a way that their backstory is apparent and their incorporation into the present story handled seamlessly. There are good guys; bad guys, and those about whom we are uncertain, which adds to the suspense.
Joe is compelling, refreshing for his imperfections—not the best on horseback, not the finest shot, has a penchant for destroying his county vehicle--and his phobias, particularly his fear of flying. Marybeth, his wife, is a true partner both in their marriage and due to her position as director of the county library, which can aid in Joe's investigation. The personal side of Joe and his wife's struggle being empty nesters personalizes and humanizes them.
One of the characters who has developed and changed most in the series is Nate Romanowski. The suspense and excitement always escalate whenever Nate appears. The friendship between Nate and Joe is admirable. When you combine the two men in a scene, non-stop action ensues.
It is not all action, however. While not overtly political, the story does connect to present events—" It was a new political world, Joe had learned. Politicians who were snared in scandal didn't fight back or resign in shame, because there was no personal shame."
One may identify one of the villains quite early, others are less obvious, and one whose appearance may cause series readers to roll their eyes in dismay. Box's wry humor is always a pleasure and "Pickett's charge" a definite high point.
"Long Range" has an exciting, dramatic climax followed by a wonderful ending making one feel it was over all too soon.
LONG RANGE (GameWard-Joe Pickett/Mate Romanowzki-Wyoming-Cont) - G+
Box, C.J. -20th in series
G.P. Putnam's Sons - Mar 2020
A grizzly attack causes game warden Joe Picket to leave his district and join members of the Predator Attack Team. Joe has suspicions about the attack but is called away before being able to investigate further. A shooter targets a local judge, seriously wounding the judge's wife. The shot came from an extremely long-range, and Joe's best friend Nate Romanowski is suspected. This leaves Joe to find the killer, clear his friend, and uncover the answer to the bear attack.
Talk about a hook! Box sets the scene well, contrasting the beauty of the location with the cold, hard terror of a lethal element coming from through the air so that one experiences the horror of when the two elements combine. The suspense continues once we join Joe.
Reading Box is both exciting, and an education in everything from grizzly bears, the technology that enables a cell phone to be tracked even in a no-service area, an air force of predator birds, and long-range rifles. Box explains each of these in a way that is fascinating even to urban dwellers, and each has an important role to play in the plot. There is a nice piece of information regarding the role of a Wyoming game warden which helps explain Joe's involvement in the shooting investigation.
The characters are alive. Some are those series readers have met before. Some carry over from a previous book, but in a way that their backstory is apparent and their incorporation into the present story handled seamlessly. There are good guys; bad guys, and those about whom we are uncertain, which adds to the suspense.
Joe is compelling, refreshing for his imperfections—not the best on horseback, not the finest shot, has a penchant for destroying his county vehicle--and his phobias, particularly his fear of flying. Marybeth, his wife, is a true partner both in their marriage and due to her position as director of the county library, which can aid in Joe's investigation. The personal side of Joe and his wife's struggle being empty nesters personalizes and humanizes them.
One of the characters who has developed and changed most in the series is Nate Romanowski. The suspense and excitement always escalate whenever Nate appears. The friendship between Nate and Joe is admirable. When you combine the two men in a scene, non-stop action ensues.
It is not all action, however. While not overtly political, the story does connect to present events—" It was a new political world, Joe had learned. Politicians who were snared in scandal didn't fight back or resign in shame, because there was no personal shame."
One may identify one of the villains quite early, others are less obvious, and one whose appearance may cause series readers to roll their eyes in dismay. Box's wry humor is always a pleasure and "Pickett's charge" a definite high point.
"Long Range" has an exciting, dramatic climax followed by a wonderful ending making one feel it was over all too soon.
LONG RANGE (GameWard-Joe Pickett/Mate Romanowzki-Wyoming-Cont) - G+
Box, C.J. -20th in series
G.P. Putnam's Sons - Mar 2020
May 17, 2020
Number 20 in the Joe Pickett series, and what a fabulous journey it has been with Joe and family and his friend, Nate. I just love Joe, a man of few words. In fact his favorite word is “Yup”. When he does have more to say it’s always well thought out and important.
All three daughters have left home and away at college. So being empty nesters, Joe and Marybeth, have adjusted very well to being just the two of them, again.
Nate, the master falconer, is happily married with a baby girl. In fact, there is nothing he would not do to keep his family safe. He loves his family and his legitimate business, but he does have his moments where he struggles being on the grid. His wife, Liv, has worked hard with him to keep his temper in check.
This book is filled with non stop action. The wife of an obstinate judge is shot and struggling for her life. Can Joe, with the help of Marybeth and Nate, solve this mysterious shooting? And how will Nate react to the new threats in his own life? For answers to these questions you’ll have to read this book.
C. J. please hurry with the next installment of this fabulous series.
All three daughters have left home and away at college. So being empty nesters, Joe and Marybeth, have adjusted very well to being just the two of them, again.
Nate, the master falconer, is happily married with a baby girl. In fact, there is nothing he would not do to keep his family safe. He loves his family and his legitimate business, but he does have his moments where he struggles being on the grid. His wife, Liv, has worked hard with him to keep his temper in check.
This book is filled with non stop action. The wife of an obstinate judge is shot and struggling for her life. Can Joe, with the help of Marybeth and Nate, solve this mysterious shooting? And how will Nate react to the new threats in his own life? For answers to these questions you’ll have to read this book.
C. J. please hurry with the next installment of this fabulous series.
January 30, 2021
Two high-energy, fast paced, guns blazing storylines kept me plowing through this edition of the Joe Pickett series. Number 20 and I can't get enough! Although this one was an oversight. I just now read it despite it being out for nearly a year. I buy Kindle editions of all my Joe Pickett books because I turned my husband on to them too. He got to it first. He is a much slower reader and without a physical copy sitting on my nightstand to remind me, somehow it slipped my mind until I started getting all excited about the next book coming out in March. Anyhow, even after 20 books in this series I am waiting with bated breath until I can spend my evenings and every spare moment with Joe Pickett.
The book starts off with Joe, Wyoming Fish and Game officer, tracking a deadly grizzly and suddenly being whisked away to meet with Judge Hewitt and the rest of Saddlestring law enforcement because someone shot at the Judge and hit his wife instead. There are no shortage of people who wouldn't mind seeing the Judge dead. The investigation begins into the possible suspects with Joe covering the fish, fur, and feathers crowd. Meanwhile Nate, Joe's closest friend, falconer, and all around badass, finds out that there is a Mexican cartel that wants him dead for killing one of their own (previous book). Like I said no shortage of action.
This one could stand alone, but the entire series is fantastic so do yourself a favor and start at the beginning.
The book starts off with Joe, Wyoming Fish and Game officer, tracking a deadly grizzly and suddenly being whisked away to meet with Judge Hewitt and the rest of Saddlestring law enforcement because someone shot at the Judge and hit his wife instead. There are no shortage of people who wouldn't mind seeing the Judge dead. The investigation begins into the possible suspects with Joe covering the fish, fur, and feathers crowd. Meanwhile Nate, Joe's closest friend, falconer, and all around badass, finds out that there is a Mexican cartel that wants him dead for killing one of their own (previous book). Like I said no shortage of action.
This one could stand alone, but the entire series is fantastic so do yourself a favor and start at the beginning.
March 3, 2020
The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun. - P.G. Wodehouse
Author C.J. Box is back with #20 of one of my very favorite series - Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett. As always, Box writes a consistently exciting thriller. You would think that after this many books that the series might be getting stale but not so with this one.
Joe and his wife have moved into bigger company housing just as all their daughters are now in college. So they are having to get used to each other again in their "empty nest."
Joe heads out to bring his expertise to a guide that was killed by a grizzly. While he's gone someone tries to kill a judge with a very long-range shot in the Saddlestring District and shoots the judge's wife by mistake.
Nate Romanowski, falconer extraordinaire, has started a legitimate bird abatement business using his hunting birds, running it with is wife. He now has a new baby and is trying to put his outlaw life behind him.
This book has more than one storyline and all of them are exciting. I love Joe, Nate, and I love Wyoming. I heartily recommend this book and the entire series.
I received this book from Putnam Books through Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Author C.J. Box is back with #20 of one of my very favorite series - Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett. As always, Box writes a consistently exciting thriller. You would think that after this many books that the series might be getting stale but not so with this one.
Joe and his wife have moved into bigger company housing just as all their daughters are now in college. So they are having to get used to each other again in their "empty nest."
Joe heads out to bring his expertise to a guide that was killed by a grizzly. While he's gone someone tries to kill a judge with a very long-range shot in the Saddlestring District and shoots the judge's wife by mistake.
Nate Romanowski, falconer extraordinaire, has started a legitimate bird abatement business using his hunting birds, running it with is wife. He now has a new baby and is trying to put his outlaw life behind him.
This book has more than one storyline and all of them are exciting. I love Joe, Nate, and I love Wyoming. I heartily recommend this book and the entire series.
I received this book from Putnam Books through Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
May 13, 2020
Sometimes I forget that at it's heart a Joe Pickett novel is a murder mystery.
And as usual, C.J. Box does a good job with this character, his job, the setting, and the secondary characters.
So I'm not sure why this one fell flat for me.
Overall I can heartily recommend the series.
Note: Some language and suggestions of adult scenes.
And as usual, C.J. Box does a good job with this character, his job, the setting, and the secondary characters.
So I'm not sure why this one fell flat for me.
Overall I can heartily recommend the series.
Note: Some language and suggestions of adult scenes.
December 5, 2021
I loved reading about the exploits of Joe Pickett! What a read!!
April 22, 2024
The Mask They Wear
Once again Joe Pickett has his hands full with more trouble than he knows what to do with. Joe has been named second in command on the new Game Commission Predator Attack Team, a group of four skilled men sent to deal with a grizzly or other dangerous animal after a human has been attacked and find to the human and determine if they’re still alive. One of the four was in a helicopter searching from above, and they had an extra witness with them whose story about the grizzly attack seemed suspect.
Before Joe made it all the way to the body of the victim, Joe was called back by Judge Hewitt asking for an emergency gathering of all law enforcement personnel in the Twelve Sleep area. Joe was forced to leave his truck and travel by helicopter back to town to find that Judge Hewitt’s wife had been murdered, probably accidentally in place of the Judge himself.
Unfortunately the old sheriff that Joe knew and had been friends with had been murdered not long ago in a mass murder at the court house and the new sheriff made Joe uncomfortable. Apparently he made his own people uncomfortable and wasn’t good at communicating. Judge Hewitt demanded everyone work together to find out who shot his wife and it was obvious that the sheriff was going to make that difficult.
Meanwhile Nate and Liv have a new baby and their business is booming. He had a visitor and it was the one surviving FBI agent from the mass shooting at the court house who was still as arrogant and threatening as he was before being crippled by bullets. He was happy to stop by Nate’s with a deadly warning for Nate and his family and he delivered it with glee.
I would also like to add that the title of my review wasn’t pulled out of the air.
The Joe Pickett books are books with men’s men, and women who don’t suffer fools lightly. Okay, there was one, but it was a bit part. ::wink:: Five big stars.
Once again Joe Pickett has his hands full with more trouble than he knows what to do with. Joe has been named second in command on the new Game Commission Predator Attack Team, a group of four skilled men sent to deal with a grizzly or other dangerous animal after a human has been attacked and find to the human and determine if they’re still alive. One of the four was in a helicopter searching from above, and they had an extra witness with them whose story about the grizzly attack seemed suspect.
Before Joe made it all the way to the body of the victim, Joe was called back by Judge Hewitt asking for an emergency gathering of all law enforcement personnel in the Twelve Sleep area. Joe was forced to leave his truck and travel by helicopter back to town to find that Judge Hewitt’s wife had been murdered, probably accidentally in place of the Judge himself.
Unfortunately the old sheriff that Joe knew and had been friends with had been murdered not long ago in a mass murder at the court house and the new sheriff made Joe uncomfortable. Apparently he made his own people uncomfortable and wasn’t good at communicating. Judge Hewitt demanded everyone work together to find out who shot his wife and it was obvious that the sheriff was going to make that difficult.
Meanwhile Nate and Liv have a new baby and their business is booming. He had a visitor and it was the one surviving FBI agent from the mass shooting at the court house who was still as arrogant and threatening as he was before being crippled by bullets. He was happy to stop by Nate’s with a deadly warning for Nate and his family and he delivered it with glee.
I would also like to add that the title of my review wasn’t pulled out of the air.
The Joe Pickett books are books with men’s men, and women who don’t suffer fools lightly. Okay, there was one, but it was a bit part. ::wink:: Five big stars.
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