Battle Mountain brings us a story about Nate. If you’ve read the previous books in the series, you will know who Nate is. It was nice to get more Nate, Jim, and Geronimo. They certainly take us on one wild ride!
The story is tension filled with suspense mystery galore.
I have loved this series from the beginning….each installment keeps me engaged and intrigued as to where the authors is going to take us this time. I do encourage reading the series in order of release. There is so much back story to all the characters that is importance to know.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

As always with this series, CJ Box entertains! I love the characters in this series and am always excited to get back in their world. I would recommend you having read the previous books to thoroughly enjoy this one. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Battle Mountain is the 25th book in C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett, Game Warden series. Even though I haven’t personally read every book, although I’m slowly acquiring them all, the ones I have read are phenomenal. I was first introduced to Joe Pickett when Paramount+ aired 2 seasons of his show and I was instantly hooked and knew I had to read the series. Each book is filled with action and suspense and the authors superb writing makes you feel like you are right there in the thick of things. The stories all use the same main characters and each book keeps you updated on each character. Joes family members are always included but it’s his good friend, Nate Romanowski, a local falconer, and Joe that are the main attraction. In Battle Mountain, the story mainly centers around Nate Romanowski and Geronimo, who together go after Axel Soledad, a bad guy who played a big part in a previous book. Joe is included but his part is more of a sideline in this story. I was really impressed with Sheridan, Joes daughter, with the part she plays in this book. She’s really turned out to be a ballsy, kickass character now that she’s an adult. I just really love this series and can’t recommend it enough. Once I own every book, I will start from the beginning and read them all in order. I really feel I would appreciate them more that way although they can be read as standalones. I’d like to thank Penguin Group Putnam Books for accepting my request to be an early reader and NetGalley for the arc. I really enjoyed returning to Wyoming and being a part of Joe Pickett’s world and look forward to reading more of this series very soon. I’m giving this book a much deserved 5 star rating!

Battle Mountain: A Joe Pickett Novel by C. J. Box is the latest in this long running series. While Joe Pickett is certainly in it, this is more of a Nate Romanowski novel. For very good reason as Nate is still on the hunt and his quest for revenge though the trail has gone cold in more ways than one.

Nate is still looking for Axel Soledad. An evil man who has done many horrible things. Nate is going to get him, no matter what. Soledad killed Nate’s wife, Liv, and must die. He knows it won’t bring Liv back. But, every day Soledad breathes is another day that he has lived far too long.

The chase continues this early October as Nate is lowly getting closer and closer to a showdown with Soledad. In a surprising turn of events, Geronimo has found Nate high up in a mountain range as he contemplates what to do. Geronimo also wants Soledad dead for going after his wife and child. They survived. But, Geronimo thinks if he and Nate unite in the hunt, they have a better chance of ending the evil man finally before he spills more blood and hurts anyone else.

At the same time this is happening, Governo Rulon wants Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett’s help. His son in law, Mark Eisele, has gone missing as has the elk hunting guide, Joseph “Spike” Rankin. They were preparing for elk hunting season in the vicinity of Battle Mountain in Southern Wyoming. Spike was supposed to let the Governor know every day how his son in law was doing as the man is an outdoor novice with no experience at all. Not only is his daughter and wife starting to worry a little bit, Rulon does not want the local sheriff involved as he is one of those Sovereign Nation idiots, and does not want the media to get wind of anything. Rulon wants Pickett to go down there and find the two men and do it as quietly and discreetly as possible.

One can’t say no to the Governor. Not only is a force of nature, Pickett owes him several times over for past situations. Saying no was never an option.

The result is a fast paced read as various forces converge on Battle Mountain. While you now know the two primary storylines, much more is going on in the read that will culminate in a battle on the mountain. History tends to repeat itself.

As always, politics is present in this read, though in this case it works better for the story and is not so heavy handed as some of the recent reads in the series have been. More than anything, Battle Mountain: A Joe Pickett Novel by C. J. Box is an action adventure read with no character development as the primary characters were fleshed out long ago. The read also serves as a great escape from the world madness that infects our lives on a daily basis now.

Strongly recommended.

My digital ARC came by way of the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, through NetGalley.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2025

Battle Mountain is the latest entry in C J Box's long-standing series. Set in Wyoming, and featuring falconer Nate Romanowski, Battle Mountain is much more focused on action than it is on the series' beloved characters. Asked by the Governor to find his son-in-law and the guide with whom he was training in the rough terrain of the state's mountains, Joe Pickett sets off to a part of the state with which is not familiar, joined by his female counterpart. The action converges around Alex Soledad, who was responsible for killing Nate's wife Liz (in a previous book) as well as burning down the home of Nate's new companion Geronimo Smith, who are in pursuit of Soledad and takes place around at the annual gathering of the oligarchs and military leaders of the military-industrial state at a high-end ranch. In its way, Battle Mountain is more formulaic than the previous books in the series and it held much less interest for me. But, devotees of the series will welcome it eagerly. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

In this 25th Joe Pickett novel, Joe is showing his age but nonetheless is carrying the day (with a little help from Nate Romanowski). Battle Mountain, a fictional landmark in Wyoming, is home to two resorts, one old and abandoned and the other very much thriving. In BATTLE MOUNTAIN, the latter resort is hosting a meeting of top-level government officials while the former is being used as a staging zone by Joe and Nate's arch enemy, Alex Soledad. The book begins with a scouting trip gone wrong that involves a hunting guide and his assistant, the son-in-law of the sitting governor of Wyoming. Joe is called in by the governor to find his son-in-law, and the resulting mayhem provides the reader with a fast-paced, impossible to put down, thriller.

As always in this series, Box does an outstanding job of further developing the ongoing series characters while at the same time not shortchanging the reader's understanding of plot-specific characters. He also writes evocatively of the Wyoming landscape. Readers may find it difficult to pull themselves away from the remote wilderness, even though it is often filled with danger. The plot is complex, highly-engaging, and well-resolved.

The book can be read as a standalone, but it refers back to events from previous books, knowledge of which helps inform the reader about why both Joe and Nate would like to see Soledad disappear. The series is strong throughout, and I recommend starting way back at book #1, OPEN SEASON, if you are unfamiiar with Joe Pickett and the series. Box has done a tremendous job of building characters and relationships throughout the full set of 25 books, something that stymies many series authors.

As always, as I closed the pages of this book, I found myself hoping Box writes quickly so that I can re-enter Pickett's Wyoming in book #26.

When the Governor's son-in-law goes missing, Joe gets called in to find him. Nate is still out trying to find the man who killed his wife. All things converge at Battle Mountain in southern Wyoming. Wonderful story telling, great characters and plenty of suspense to keep you reading! Box has done it again with a great book!

Autumn in the wilds of Wyoming. The air is brisk, the elk are plentiful, there’s snow on the peaks, and…fully armed paramilitaries sneaking through the woods? This contemporary Western thriller follows game warden Joe Pickett and a varied cast of characters in a case that touches on current issues and events, including recent international military engagements. Can Joe and his compadres prevent a staggering act of domestic terrorism in rural Wyoming? Can they finally stop a seemingly indestructible criminal in his tracks? And how does falconry play a role in catching the bad guys?
This is only the second C.J. Box novel I have ever read, and the first was early in the series. It’s great to know that the same quality of plotting, characterization, and lyrical descriptions of the Western landscape—not to mention the page-turning suspense—are maintained throughout the long-running series. Recommended! Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this review copy of the book.

Battle Mountain is the new addition to the Joe Pickett novels. A new twist is that there is a little less Joe, and a lot of the powerful character, Nate Romanowski. Nate is out for revenge and it’s aimed at arch enemy Axel Soledad. Nate joins up with his friend Geronimo Jones, and together they set off on deadly, no holds barred mission to track down Soledad. This duo will stop at nothing to get even with Soledad, but first they have to find him. Meanwhile by orders from the Governor, Joe sets out to find the Governor’s missing son-in-law who has gone off the scope while on an Elk hunting guide trip to Battle Mountain. They are all headed in the same direction, unbeknownst to each other. This leads up to one of the best action filled endings that C.J. Box has written to date. WOW, you do not want to miss this very exciting installment to an already great series.
Thank You to NetGalley, The Author CJ.Box and Publisher PENGUIN GROUP PUTNAM/G.P. Putnam’s Sons for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Battle Mountain by C. J. Box is a riveting, very highly recommended intense thriller and the 25th novel featuring Joe Pickett. This one directly continues the story in Three-Inch Teeth, which I would recommend reading before enjoying Battle Mountain. They are both 5 star reads so this is a win/win suggestion.

Outlaw falconer Nate Romanowski left his daughter in the care of Marybeth and Joe Pickett and is living off grid while following the trail of Axel Soledad the man who murdered Nate's wife. He eliminated three of his followers, but Axel was not there. Later Geronimo Jones finds Nate and the two men set off to track Axel down and make sure he is taken out.

At the same time Governor Rulon asks Joe for a personal favor. His son-in-law Mark Eisele and elk hunting guide Spike Rankin have both gone missing. He wants Joe to go down and find him. The two different searches are heading to converge at Battle Mountain.

This is an extremely well-written, un-put-downable, compelling character-driven thriller. The complex, tension-packed, fast-paced narrative follows multiple storylines until everything eventually merges toward the end. The two different searches are equally interesting. The final confrontation is larger than expected and becomes a real showdown.

All the characters are fully realized, complex individuals. At this point, readers know their strengths and weaknesses and the moral dilemmas they have encountered. It certainly helps that I've read several books in the series now and know all the characters, their abilities, the background, and the setting.

Each new Joe Pickett novel I read makes me an even greater fan of C. J. Box. Thanks to Penguin/Putnam 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, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This may be Book 25 In the Joe Pickett series, but it reads as fresh and exciting as Book 1. While falconer Nate Romanowski takes a major role in the plot, Joe Pickett’s mission to find two hunting guides-,one of them the Governor’s son-in-law— also provides suspense and excitement. The ruthless target of Nate’s revenge, Alex Soledad, illuminates raw fanaticism and evil. HIS mission-thwarted by Nate and Joe- is especially chilling. Another 5-star adventure, Battle Mountain was a great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy. Battle Mountain is the 25th book in the Joe Pickett series. It continues after the events of the previous book. The story is focused on Nate Romanoswki and his revenge on Axel Soledad. We see Nate and Geronimo Jones follow the path to Axel Soledad. Meanwhile Joe Pickett is sent to find a missing hunting guide and his apprentice by the Governor. This task is not as simple as it seems. I enjoyed the story. I do feel like there were too many character perspectives. I found that as I was getting into one storyline it would change to a different character and their story. I also wish the book focused more on Joe. It was very Nate heavy.

In "Battle Mountain," the 25th book in CJ Box's beloved series, Game Warden Joe Pickett returns for another gripping adventure. As always, Joe's life is anything but smooth, which adds to the series' appeal. This installment features a somewhat simpler plot compared to its predecessors, but it retains the charm and excitement that fans have come to love. The familiar characters are back, making the story feel like a reunion with old friends. The book is so engrossing that I was genuinely disappointed when it ended. One noteworthy aspect of "Battle Mountain" is that Joe manages to avoid hospitals and car wrecks for once, which is a rare and refreshing change for him. This shift in the narrative adds a unique twist to Joe's usual string of misfortunes. CJ Box's writing continues to shine, capturing the essence of the rugged wilderness and the challenges faced by a dedicated game warden. If you're a fan of the series, you'll thoroughly enjoy this installment. It’s a solid continuation that keeps the spirit of Joe Pickett's adventures alive. A strong four out of five stars.

This was a great book. A continuing story that made me smile. Not often the right looks good in novels these days. I thought this story had a good mix of my favorite characters. I am impressed that CJ Box can come up with another way to involve them all. I enjoyed and looked forward to reading this until I was finished. Keep them coming, Joe Picket is my favorite character. Nate is a close second. Sheridan is showing her likeness to her dad which was fun. I would recommed this book to my friends, no problem.

Gripping new installment in the Game Warden Joe Pickett series with Joe ordered by the governor to find his missing son-in-law and stumbling into a major domestic terror plot, all with the beautiful mountain backdrop of rural Wyoming. Truly a page-turner with deep undercurrents to make you think.

I love all C. J. Box books. Join Nate as he comes out of seclusion after his wife's death to avenge her against his old enemy

I get so excited when I see that a new C.J. Box novel is being published and of course Joe Pickett is one of my favorite characters. My only problem with this book is that I got so engrossed in it, that I lost time and next thing I knew, I had finished it.

This story continues from the last, where evil Alex Soledad killed Nate's wife and Nate took off to find him, leaving his daughter with Joe and Mary Beth. Joe is asked by the Governor to head out to the Sierra Madre Mountains to find his son-in-law who he pressured to go out with a hunting guide and both have seemingly disappeared. It must be kept quiet.

Joe meets up with a Game Warden in the area and they start a search. In the meantime. an FBI agent is looking for Joe and Nate. Nate has met up with Geronimo and are moving towards the same area as Joe.

That is about all I can say except that things are way worse than anyone can imagine. Yikes! This was quite the thriller and I so love these characters. I won't say what she did, but Sheridan is a bad ass and the sheriff is a girly man. Love it!

A big shout out thank you to Penguin Group Putnam Publishing and NetGalley for giving me this ARC. You made my day!

For many authors and series, they end up running out of new material and later books in a series become forgettable and it's better for the series to conclude.

CJ Box is not one of those authors and the Joe Pickett series is not one of those series. I'm always impressed that CJ can, after 25 books, still come up with fresh stories and continue to develop these characters that have been in our lives for so many years.

Battle Mountain is a little less Joe Pickett, much more Nate Romanowski, which I'm all for! He's always been my favorite character and I love the relationship between him and Geronimo Jones. The Pickett family takes a back seat in this story, and still manage to have a pivotal role in their own way.

If you love this series half as much as I do, Battle Mountain is yet another great story and you will love it!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

BATTLE MOUNTAIN is the 25th book in Author C.J. Box's epic Joe Pickett series featuring Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett. Each book in the series is a gripping, suspenseful masterpiece in characterizations, intertwined plot lines, and explosive action standing alone for the reading pleasure of new readers. However, I highly recommend readers begin with book one and settle in to enjoy a complex, captivating, highly atmospheric ride through the outstanding series with characters you'll either love or hate.

Game Warden Joe Pickett and friend Nate Romanowski, a falconer, are still reeling from a previous vicious attack on their families by a madman that left Nate utterly devastated yet determined to hunt down and wield some old timey western justice to Axel Soledad. Leaving his young daughter with Joe's wife, he disappears off the grid, a ghost in the wind, a villain's worse nightmare in the dark, to team up with Geronimo, another man suffering losses brought about by the same evil man. Joe hasn't heard from Nate in months when, once again, he's tagged to carry out a special mission by reelected Governor Rubon - this time to conduct a discreet search for his missing son-in-law and his hunting guide who've gone dark and are apparently lost somewhere in the Sierra Madre mountain range. Torn between his professional and personal duties, Joe packs his gear into his truck and heads out to touch base with the newcomer game warden in the district including Battle Mountain before heading up the treacherous mountain to begin his search. Always diligent, Joe realizes the journey is perilous; however, he has no idea of the deadly storm brewing overhead and on the ground. Nor does he know that Nate and Geronimo's search for Soledad has led them to infiltrate the same area. Joe's search quickly morphs from tracking down a lost hunter to something more sinister to all concerned. One thing's clear, there's more at stake than two lost men and when the forces of nature and good vs. evil clash, things quickly turn deadly. Will anyone survive Battle Mountain?

BATTLE MOUNTAIN is an explosive, highly atmospheric masterpiece of tautly woven plot lines, insane pacing, and relentless suspense. As always, Box captures the essence of the region with its breathtaking, serene beauty and camouflaged dangers. His descriptive prose transports readers into the towering mountains with panoramic views, deep valleys, and crystal-clear rivers to experience the power of mother nature and bear witness to the fact that she can turn on a dime according to the season and weather. Joe's constant battle to maintain his integrity and follow his high moral compass are at the heart of the story, driving agonizing decisions he's forced to make each time he's faced with stepping over that gray line for a friend. Character development is huge in each book, but greater still in the series overall. The cast is rounded out with an outstanding group of supporting characters who often find themselves trapped in deadly plots of their own. Fans of the series will devour BATTLE MOUNTAIN as I did. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy action-packed, intense suspense thrillers.

Thank you, CJ Box, for brightening my weekend with the 25th Joe Pickett novel. Battle Mountain is a direct follow-on to his last book, Three-Inch Teeth, and I found it excellent - better, IMO, than Three-Inch Teeth.

If you are a CJ Box fan, preorder this volume right now or get on your library's waitlist. I barrelled right through and enjoyed reconnecting with his cast of characters every second. I love the new ranger he works with and hope she shows up in future books. Geronimo Jones is also a newer favorite. One of the things I particularly like about this series is that, even though this is the 25th book, they haven't become overly formulaic, nor have they stopped developing the characters. I read CJ Box as much for the backstories as the mysteries.

If you are new to the Joe Picket series, start at number one and work your way through.
Now, I am sad because I'll have to wait for the next book.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an ebook version of the novel in exchange for a review.