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.

CJ Box is running out of things to write about? It was so like several of his books, and so predictable, I had a hard time picking it up to read. Very little about Joe, and his girls, a good part with Sheridan and his wife, but short lived. I hated when they went back to the bad guys and the stupid against the government stuff, so boring. I gave this 3 stars only because, it was CJ Box, and I expect more of him. I recommend this series, but if you skip this one, you won't be missing much. Sorry I can't say more nice things, still liked Joe. Step it up CJ!

It's amazing that we're on the twenty-fifth book in the Joe Pickett series, it had that element that I was looking for and had that element that I was hoping for. The characters were everything that I was looking for and was glad they continued to feel like they were supposed to in the world. C.J. Box always does a fantastic job in writing this and left me wanting more.

Good read.
Joe Pickett is back with his usual entourage in a fast paced dual story line
that merges and makes for an interesting read.
Joe is asked by the Gov to search for his missing son-in-law who went on an Elk Hunt trek
with a famed local guide.
Nate and Geronimo, Joe's good friends who are both wanted by the FBI, are on
the trail of Axel Soledad, a murderer who tried to kill them both.
The hunts overlap on Battle Mountain and the action picks up.
Another good Joe Pickett story with the humane side of law enforcement, in the midst of chaos and killings, once more in open view.

Box's Joe Pickett series is one of my favorites, so I was happy to read Battle Mountain early. In this installment, Joe is pushed by Governor Rulon into searching for his missing son-in-law and the hunting guide that he was with on the title mountain while in a parallel track Nate and Geronimo continue their search for the elusive Axel, who has been responsible for the heartache in each of their lives. The story takes place over a short period of time with a slow burn that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but then seems to wrap up neatly in a short time leaving you a little shell-shocked while also wanting a bit more resolution. I liked the new warden, Susan, though I don't know how she'll figure in in the future since she's in a different county. All in all a solid entry into the series that I will be recommending to patrons looking for adventure and mystery. Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the early read in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett is back in this riveting new thriller! Battle Mountain is a story of murder and vengeance - and one of war between the good guys and the bad. The destruction that Axel Soledad and Dallas Cates wreaked on Nate Romanowski and Joe Pickett left both men in tatters in Three Inch Teeth. However ... the war is far from over!

It's my opinion that Battle Mountain doesn't work as a stand-alone. I highly recommend that you read, at the very least, Three Inch Teeth before this one. On the other hand, it's such a great series, start at #1!!

I've been reading the Joe Pickett series since 2001, when Sheridan was a wee girl trying to save a weasel in the Pickett's wood pile. The 2025 Sheridan is a force to be reckoned with. I love her! I also thoroughly enjoyed Nate's friend, Geronimo Jones, and I hope he shows up again.

Battle Mountain is such a page turner! I hated it when real life got in the way and I had to stop reading!! Seriously.

HUGE thanks to #GPPutnamsSons for providing this book for review consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This book is #25 in the series, and it has an expected publication date of Feb 25, 2025.

#CJBox #Thriller #Vengeance #GameWarden #Friendship

Joe Picket is back and right on time. Battle Mountain is the 26th installment of CJ Boxes legendary series. Things are never easy for Game Warden Joe Pickett and if I am being honest, that's why I love this series.

Battle Mountain’s plot is a little simpler than prior installments but that doesn’t take away from the charm of what loyal readers have grown to love. All the regular faces are in play and I was sad when it ended.

Joe also seems to avoid hospitals and car wrecks for the first time in, well, forever.

If you love this series, you will love this book. A solid four out of five stars.

Battle Mountain, book 25 in the Joe Pickett series, is a true sequel to [book:Three-Inch Teeth|165937983]. While there is enough information in Battle Mountain to give you an idea of what has happened in previous novels, you won't get the full impact of what's happening here if you haven't read the others, especially Three-Inch Teeth.

Joe Pickett is one of the great characters in this genre, and we just don't see enough of him here. Most of the story focuses on Nate getting revenge for what happened in Three-Inch Teeth, and the rest of the story is also divided between a guy Joe has been sent to find and happenings back home with Joe's wife and daughter. These are well-developed characters with strong, meaningful relationships, and the interaction between all of them is like a warm blanket.

If you aren't reading this series, you should be. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it for readers of modern westerns, crime novels, and good books.

Not family friendly due to violence and smattering of profanity.

I can only say it was a super great read! All the characters were strong, fast moving story. Nate searching for the person who murdered his wife and Joe hired by the Governor to find his missing son in law leads on a quest to Battle Mountain…loved it.. thanks to the publisher, C.J. Box , who I can’t wait to read the next book, and NetGalley.!

Great characters, lots of suspense, great storyline, all you would expect from this author. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

C.J. Box has done it again with Battle Mountain, a gripping, character-driven thriller that showcases his mastery of suspense and setting. For those who love Joe Pickett, this latest novel feels like a fresh breath of mountain air, filled with his signature blend of atmospheric tension and raw human conflict. It’s a perfect read for fans who have followed Joe’s journey over the years and new readers looking for an adrenaline-fueled ride.

In Battle Mountain, Box pulls us deeper into the rugged Wyoming wilderness, a backdrop that has become nearly as much of a character as Joe himself. As always, Joe’s moral compass is tested against the unforgiving natural world and the complex individuals he encounters. What stands out here is how still fresh Joe feels—his integrity, vulnerability, and determination continue to resonate. Even after all these books, it’s clear that Joe’s struggle between personal life and his duty as a game warden is a well that still provides rich material for Box’s storytelling.

The plot itself is tightly woven, with a pacing that doesn’t let up. Joe is pulled into a case that involves high stakes, both personally and professionally, involving a mysterious death in a remote area. As with many of Box’s novels, the suspense builds slowly, but when it hits, it’s relentless. The plot twists feel earned, and the emotional payoff is just as rewarding as the plot’s resolution.

What’s even more impressive about Battle Mountain is how Box continues to evolve his characters. Joe’s family—his wife, Marybeth, and his daughters—remain at the heart of the narrative, with Joe’s sense of responsibility to them grounding his decisions. But Box also gives us new faces who leave their marks in surprising ways, expanding the emotional and thematic scope of the book.

As always, Box’s writing is impeccable, making the landscape come alive, with sweeping vistas, treacherous mountain paths, and the ever-present threat of nature’s power. But it’s his attention to character and the intricate moral dilemmas that really make Battle Mountain stand out. Box writes in a way that reminds readers of the fine line between right and wrong, often showing that the answer is anything but simple.

Fans of Joe Pickett will find plenty to love here. Battle Mountain is a thrilling reminder of why Joe’s journey continues to captivate readers—and why C.J. Box’s storytelling is as sharp as ever. If you’ve been following this series, you won’t want to miss this latest entry. It’s another home run that will have you turning the pages faster than you thought possible.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys gritty, suspense-filled thrillers with deeply human characters and a vivid sense of place. Joe Pickett fans will not be disappointed!

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

That was such a good book. I couldn’t put it down. Once again.J. Box has done a wonderful job writing the next book in this series. It was a book full of suspense. I loved it and all of his characters. I highly recommend it. Thanks for letting me review this book.

Battle Mountain by C. J. Box-This book is a sort of continuation of the last few Joe Pickett books where Joe and Nate along with Geronimo Jones tangle with Axel Soledad, ruthless antigovernmental activist. Joe is tasked by the Governor to track down the Governor’s son-in-law, who has disappeared on Battle Mountain. Meanwhile Nate and Geronimo are searching for Soledad, to put stop to him once and for all, and their intel tells them to go to Battle Mountain. On top of this there’s a big meeting of Washington big wigs and arms dealers at a resort on the base of Battle Mountain. The scene is set and the fireworks aren’t far behind. Lots of blood, innocent or otherwise, will be shed before it’s over. I recommend this book and thank NetGalley for this ARC.