Ever since I watched the 2 seasons of Joe Pickett, Game Warden on Peacock TV I have been enthralled with this character. But for whatever reason it was cancelled so I have decided to read all the books instead. That’s fine, books are always better than television shows, they never leave anything out. I had previously read some other books by C.J. Box so I knew he was a phenomenal writer and I knew these stories would really hold my interest. In Three-Inch Teeth the author takes the reader back to Wyoming where Joe is dealing with hunting down a rogue grizzly bear that is on a rampage killing innocent victims. The killings are random and they are happening all over the state, not just in one localized area. This is baffling to Joe how a bear can travel such distances in such a short amount of time. At the same time an ex-prisoner, Dallas Cates has been released from prison. And he has a score to settle. There are 7 people that have done him wrong and Joe just happens to be on that list. It’s time for Dallas to seek revenge! With the help of Nate Romanowski, a local falconer and also one of my favorite characters, Joe needs to find Dallas Cates and put an end to these supposed bear attacks. This was a story that captured my full attention and at times had me feeling on edge. I loved reading about the wilderness and learning more about Joes family. I’d like to thank PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for accepting my request to read an early copy and NetGalley for the arc. This is definitely a book I would recommend and I personally look forward to getting all of the Joe Pickett novels to read, enjoy and add to my home library. I’m giving this a much deserved 5 star rating!

C J Box checks all the boxes with his latest Joe Pickett book. A grizzly bear attacks! Entitled environmentalists act up! The baddest bad guys from some prior novels show up to wreak havoc! Some good folks from past novels are endangered. Nate, Sheridan, Marybeth are all in the mix. These thrills keep up the action and will lead right into the next book. Can’t wait!
Highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this title.

Excellent! Believe it or not, this is my first Joe Pickett book and I loved it. I have to thank my husband for recommending this series; he's read them all. Because he's told me so much about the characters, I had no trouble jumping into the series so far along.

This one is quite violent so be aware, other first timers. Joe Pickett is a game warden in Wyoming and he's called to the scene of a horrifying death caused by a grisly bear. The hunt for the animal begins. But unbeknownst to Joe, a human killer has been released from prison, someone maybe even more dangerous than that bear!

I enjoyed these characterizations, thought the bad guys were absolutely psychotic, and felt horrible for those innocents caught in the evil-doers' schemes. Certain plot twists shocked and appalled me but boy, what a story! I'm definitely looking forward to what happens next.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new suspense thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

This one had some sad moments in it that made me want to cry but the overall story was very good. A rogue bear attacking and killing humans for no reason in the area that Ranger Joe Pickett patrols. While trying to track the bear a series of brutal bear attacks start happening across the state causing Joe and his wife Marybeth to wonder if it's the same bear or if something more sinister is happening.

I love the descriptions of the Wyoming country and its beauty and majesty, makes me feel like I'm right there. There is plenty of action and suspense in this book too and a mystery from Joe's past. Several characters from past books make an appearance and now I need to go back and read those books to get the full backstory of Nate Romanowski.

Another suspenseful book in the Joe Pickett series. I always enjoy returning to the Bighorn Mountains in the Wyoming wilderness and the familiar cast of characters. In this installment, a killer grizzly is on the prowl and at the heart of the mystery. A fast-paced read with gruesome killings as the tension escalates to a surprising ending.

ARC was provided by NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam in exchange for an honest review. Pub Date: 27 Feb 2024

Another Joe Pickett book by C. J. Box, every bit as inventive and fascinating as the books that preceded it.
This book brings game warden Pickett and his remarkable family and friends together as they encounter a man with many grudges and a host of strange companions.
At the core of this mystery is a marauding and murderous grizzly bear and as is always the case in a Box book, a bevy of twists and turns that leave the reader unsure of what they thought they understood and eager for everything the next page will bring to the story. I've read them all but this is Box's best novel yet.
Can't wait for the next book!

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

"Mature grizzlies tend to have two- to four-inch claws and up to three-inch teeth."

Three-Inch Teeth by C. J. Box has Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett facing a rampaging bear and enraged human. It is a very highly recommended procedural/mystery and 24th addition to the popular, long running series.

When a grizzly kills Clay Hutmacher Jr., Sheridan Pickett's boyfriend, while he was out fly-fishing, Clay Sr. finds his son's body and immediately calls game warden Joe Pickett. It is clear what happened to Clay Jr. so Joe summons the Predator Attack Team. Normally they are successful in tracking and eliminating large predators who have attacked a human, but this time one of the team is attacked. As attacks begin to happen across the area, Joe is concerned that this bear is eluding everyone looking for it.

What Joe doesn't know is that Dallas Cates, a man he helped lock up years ago, has been released from prison. Cates has a list of six people that he plans to eliminate. Both Joe and Nate Romanowski are on the list of people he blames for the death of his family and he wants revenge.

The writing is excellent, as expected, and the pages just flew by in this tension packed installment of the series. I was actually surprised at the page count because it went by so fast. Fans of the series will know all the characters and their backstories but those new to the series will still be able to appreciate the finely tuned, fast-paced plot while meeting the characters. Once you read this you will want to read more books in the series.

The narrative alternates between Joe and Cates, which helps build suspense and a sense of urgency. Readers will begin to put clues together long before Joe, and Marybeth, his wife, begin to have an inkling of what may be happening. Sheridan also makes a surprising discovery when out on a job. Three-Inch Teeth is un-put-downable and will keep you engrossed right to the surprising and shocking ending. I can't wait for the next Joe Pickett novel! Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, X, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Three-Inch-Teeth by C. J. Box is an excellent thriller. Joe Pickett is thrust into an unbelievable situation. Eagerly waiting for the next book!

I've read many of the books in the Joe Pickett series. Three-Inch Teeth, which tells the story of people being killed by a grizzly bear that appears to be roaming long distances in short time spans around Wyoming, is a worthy entry. The book is filled with more than enough suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Too many coincidences, a lack of real grief when the long-time friend of one of Joe's daughters is the first victim to be mauled to death, and an overabundance of blood and killings kept this from earning a 5-star rating from me. One of the pleasures of a long-running series is the character development that unfolds. Conversely, one of the negatives is that until the very last book in the series the reader knows which characters will appear in the next entry and thus spoiling some of the suspense. Nonetheless, this is a very good read. Box's many fans will want to read Three-Inch Teeth and new-comers to the series will be hooked. Recommended.

**Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the eARC of this title!**

This is actually the first book that I have read by C.J. Box and the first in the Joe Pickett series. I didn't feel totally lost reading this book without any background, but am definitely interested in going back to check out more in this series!

I found the pacing of this book to be amazing and it was one that was easy to fly through. I love the feeling of needing to know what comes next - and Box definitely delivered!

It is a beautiful Wyoming mid-October day as Three-Inch Teeth: A Joe Pickett Novel by C.J. Box by begins. It had been beautiful, until it was marred by tragedy. Clay Hutmacher JR., who had planned to ask Sheridan Pickett to marry him that night, was violently killed by a grizzly bear. It came after him in the river he was fishing in and attacked him without provocation. Not only was the attack savage, there are not supposed to be grizzly bears in this part of Wyoming. It will take 24 hours before his dad finds what is left of his body in the waters and bank of the Twelve Sleep River as it cuts through the Double Diamond Ranch.

In response to a devastated phone call from the dad, Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett comes to Clay Hutmacher out at the ranch and sees the same horrible scene. No father should ever have found his son the way he did. It is also clear to Joe that a grizzly is responsible. Even though there are not supposed to be any grizzlies in the Bighorn Mountains of North Central Wyoming.

Joe Pickett starts calling in folks and activating resources. That includes “The Predator Attack Team.” Even though Joe is an auxiliary member, he is onsite, so he will be fully involved. This is a designated team of game wardens that have specialized training to deal with large carnivore attacks. Their mission will be to hunt down the bear and kill it.

First it has to be found. That proves to me far harder than it would be in a normal situation.

What follows is a complicated and fast-moving tale as a succession of what seems to be random bear attacks occur locally as well as across the region. Is it really a grizzly bear? Or, is it something else and far worse? Could it be both?

That is up to readers to discover in Three-Inch Teeth: A Joe Pickett Novel by C. J. Box. Not only is the latest installment of the series a good one, politics are minimized in this read. Unlike the last novel, Storm Watch, the read here returns to the roots that made this series so good from the first book. The focus in Three-Inch Teeth: A Joe Pickett Novel is on apex predators and staying alive in a read that only partially ties everything up. It is a good one and well worth your time.


My reading copy came from the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin Putnam Group), through NetGalley with no expectation of a review.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2024

Three-Inch Teeth by C.J. Box

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In the rugged Wyoming wilderness, where the Bighorn Mountains cast their imposing shadows, a predator stalks its prey. But this isn't just any predator—it's a grizzly bear with a taste for vengeance. C.J. Box's latest thriller, Three-Inch Teeth, takes readers on a heart-pounding journey through the untamed landscape, where danger lurks behind every pine tree and rocky outcrop.

Clay Hutmacher, manager of the Double Diamond Ranch, has suffered a devastating loss—his son, Clay Jr., fell victim to a brutal grizzly attack. But Clay Jr.'s fate is only the beginning. The bear responsible seems to be targeting specific individuals across a wide geographical area. Marshal Marvin Bertignolli, Sgt. Ryan Winner, and former prosecutor Dulcie Schalk all meet gruesome ends. And the list keeps growing.

Enter Joe Pickett, the tenacious game warden who finds himself roped into an expedition to hunt down the elusive grizzly. But this isn't your typical bear hunt. The predator attack team faces not only the ferocious beast but also a pair of Mama Bears—animal rights activists who demand due process for the presumed killer they've affectionately named Tisiphone.

As the tension escalates, Box weaves a complex web of intrigue as we follow Dallas Cates, Joe's old adversary, fresh out of prison and on a revenge spree with a few specific targets in his sites.

"Three-Inch Teeth" is a rollercoaster ride of suspense, blending the raw beauty of Wyoming's wilderness with heart-stopping action. Box's prose is as sharp as the novel 's title, pulling you into a world where survival hangs by a thread. The characters—both human and bear—are vividly drawn, each with their own motivations and secrets.

The novel delves into Joe Pickett's complicated family dynamics, adding depth to his character. The high-country landscapes come alive, transporting readers to the rugged heart of the Rockies. And, of course, there's a corrupt law enforcer thrown into the mix—a staple in Box's novels.

Although this book's premise can stretch believability, Box's storytelling prowess makes it easy to suspend disbelief. The pacing is relentless, urging you on, as you keep turning those pages.

Just when you think you've figured it out, Box catches you on the jaw with a jab of misdirection.

"Three-Inch Teeth" is a gripping thriller that combines wilderness adventure, family drama, and pulse-pounding suspense. Whether you're a longtime fan of Joe Pickett or a newcomer to C.J. Box's world, this book will sink its claws into you and refuse to let go.

Absolutely fun and thrilling ride with Mr Joe Pickett. Intriguing story and fascinating characters. CJ keeps delivering with his game warden Wyoming series. You can picture yourself in Wyoming surrounded by the wild and the wind. This one leaves you open wanting for more. What comes next!?

For sure, this is one of the most violent and dark of the books in this series that I've read - this is the 24th, and I'm pretty sure I haven't missed any of them. But it all comes together to make this one hard to put down as well as introduces possibilities for new and exciting directions to come.

Early on, trouble shows its ugly face in the form of a gigantic grizzly bear - an animal not common to the Wyoming territory served by game warden Joe Pickett. The bear has its deadly way with the son of a local landowner, instilling fear in the community and sparking efforts to find the critter before it finds another victim. Concurrently, readers learn that Joe's old nemesis, former champion rodeo rider Dallas Cates, has been released from prison. Apparently, he's gathered some followers who share his mindset and formulated a plan to get even with all the folks who've wronged him over the years, with Joe and his good friend Nate Romanowski at the top of the list. Nate is, shall we say, a rugged individualist and falconer who now owns a professional bird abatement company that employs Joe's daughter Sheridan, a master falconer in her own right.

The motive of Dallas's gang may be clear, but their method is nothing short of unorthodox - not to mention confusing, given the flurry of grizzly bear activity of late. Meantime, Nate sends Sheridan to handle a big bird problem at a client's farm, where she gets an unexpected revelation that will give Joe and his wife, local library director Marybeth, reason for even more concern.

Chapters flip back and forth among the various scenarios - Joe and his crew trying to find the errant grizzly before it strikes again, Dallas and his buddies working their way down his list of victims and Sheridan's experiences on the bird rout. It's all fast-paced, right up to the end - when it gets downright frantic (not to mention sad). In fact, it was so abrupt that it felt sort of like somebody smacked me in the brain and ran away before I could catch my breath and ask the questions that immediately came to mind.

Oh well, as I said before, I expect to get some answers with the next book - which hopefully will come sooner rather than later. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity once again to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

Three-Inch Teeth by C.J. Fox is another great installment featuring Game Warden Joe Pickett. The first chapter starts off with a jaw dropping event involving a Grizzly Bear who attacks a young fisherman. This story brings back old familiar characters who lend to one of the most exciting books I’ve read in a long time. There’s an ex-con (who you might remember), who has been released from prison. He has a list of people he wants to exact revenge upon, whom he feels had a hand in putting him there years ago. I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but I will say once you start reading, you are going to fly through this book. I have read all of C.J. Box’s novels and I have to say that this one took me away and wouldn’t let go. When I finished I was stunned, and was just wishing I had the next book in this series within my reach. WOW, Please write faster! Thank You to NetGalley, the Author C.J. Box and the Publisher Penguin Group Putnam for allowing me to read this very exciting story for my honest review.

This last entry into th Joe Pickett series is certain to keep Box's legion of fans happy.

A rogue grizzly bear has gone on a rampage—killing, among others, the potential fiancé of Joe’s daughter. At the same time, Dallas Cates, who Joe helped lock up years ago, is released from prison with a special list tattooed on his skin. He wants revenge on the people who sent him away: the six people he blames for the deaths of his entire family and the loss of his reputation and property.

Although i loved the concept and the storytelling, this reader couldn't help wondering why no one questioned the lack saliva in some of the attacks. A rogue grizzly bear has gone on a rampage—killing, among others, the potential fiancé of Joe’s daughter. At the same time, Dallas Cates, who Joe helped lock up years ago, is released from prison with a special list tattooed on his skin. He wants revenge on the people who sent him away: the six people he blames for the deaths of his entire family and the loss of his reputation and property.

Although I loved the plot and storytelling, this reader kept wondering why no one questioned the lack of saliva in some of the attacks. Recommended. #Three-InchTeeth #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthorSeries

I loved being back in the Joe Pickett universe. Every new installment makes me smile. In Three-Inch Teeth, Pickett takes on some returning villains in one of his most bizarre cases. The plot is far-fetched, but I'm ok with that in this series. Pass on this series if you need your mysteries grounded in realistic scenarios. And don't start the series here - begin at the beginning because the back stories need to be read in order. If you are a Joe Pickett fan, grab this one when it is released at the end of February - and plan a vacation day to read it.

CJ Box sets up future stories based on loose ends from this one - be prepared for a shocker near the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.

This is the latest book in the Joe Pickett series. In this story, a series of bear attacks gets stranger and stranger. Will Joe and surrounding law enforcement be able to catch the bear and figure this one out? This was full of tense moments and horrifying killings.

A series of brutal bear attacks have a community on edge…but could the truth be even more terrifying?

Clay Hutmacher Jr is considered quite a catch in the community of Saddlestring, Wyoming, a star athlete in his high school days, a good looking military veteran with a bright future. He is on the verge of asking Sheridan Pickett to be his wife….he even has the engagement ring in his pocket as he does a little fly fishing one afternoon. That changes in an instant, when he finds himself standing between a grizzly bear and the mule deer it is pursuing, and he becomes the bear’s prey instead. Joe Pickett, the game warden for this part of Wyoming and Sheridan’s father, receives the call from Clay Sr who has found his son’s body. It is clear what killed Clay Jr and Joe summons a Predator Attack Team, a group of armed wardens like Joe who assemble from different parts of the state when there is a large carnivore attack. They are the experts in hunting down and killing animal predators like grizzlies who have attacked humans, but this time they are not immediately successful. In fact, one of the team is himself attacked and almost killed by what appears to be the same bear and who is able to elude the pursuers. The people of Saddlestring are more than a little concerned, especially with elk season having just opened….tourists are cancelling trips, which is costing local businesses much needed revenue, and the locals themselves are extremely worried for their own safety. What Joe doesn’t know yet is that a prisoner who has a grudge against Joe and several of his friends has just been released from the Wyoming State Penitentiary. Dallas Cates lost more than just his freedom thanks to Joe and his friends, and is in the market for retribution. He has been contacted by someone else who has Joe in his sights, and together they are implementing a plan to get it More apparent bear attacks continue to occur, several of them people Joe knows. How is it possible that so many people across sizable distances are being killed by one bear? What Is Cates planning? And can Joe figure out the answer to both before he finds himself a victim of one of these deadly predators?
In this, the 24th outing of Joe Pickett, the reader learns quite a bit about death by grizzly. The title, three inch teeth, isn’t kidding….that’s how large a grizzly’s teeth can be, which I find to be sufficient reason to stay away from the wilderness of Wyoming and other places the grizzly calls home. The story is well-paced, with alternating narration between Joe and Cates. The parallels between an apex predator like the grizzly and a stone-cold killer like Cates are clear, as are the differences….grizzlies aren’t likely to have a kill list, for example. Joe feels the pressure of solving the problem that is very much a part of his job….finding and stopping a bear that has added humans to its list of prey….while also handling the people affected by the bear’s attacks, including his friend Clay Sr who is mad with grief and Joe’s own daughter, the almost-fiancée of the first victim who feels guilt because she wasn’t planning on saying yes to the proposal she knew was coming her way. Enemies from the past are now threatening not just Joe and his friends, but also those they love. All in all, a solid installment in the series, which fans of the previous books will enjoy (though it is not necessary to have read them in order to appreciate this one). Readers of authors like John Sandford, Nevada Barr and Stephen Hunter will also enjoy this series featuring a protagonist who believes in the law and in doing his job, who protects his family and those he calls friend, and who is part of a less typical piece of the law enforcement community. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for granting me access to an advanced copy of the book

Three Inch Teeth is my first read by C.J. Box. This reviewer can hardly believe it has taken so long for me to discover his books. His long-running Joe Pickett series, set in Wyoming, features a game warden who confronts the sometimes-dangerous world of predators in the wild, both animal and human, and finds ways to face the threats without losing his humanity. Joe’s loving relationship with his wife, Marybeth, and their children, says as much about his character as his willingness to risk his life to protect his community and their wildlife environment.

The Joe Pickett television series by C.J. Box is currently available for two seasons on a streaming service. I’ve read the producers are looking for another service to pick up additional seasons and I dearly hope they do. Joe Pickett is a fabulous series and the reason I discovered the C.J. Box books. Three Inch Teeth is the latest release in the mystery series and a compelling read. The writing is stellar, the plotting highly original, and the characters are practically three-dimensional. I look forward to reading more books by C.J. Box about game warden Joe Pickett. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for providing an advance copy of this book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*