This was my first introduction to the character of Joe Pickett. He genuinely cares about the wildlife he is trying to protect and is an excellent detective when figuring out who did the crime. After reading this I was hooked and have been slowly working my way through the rest of the series.

C. J. Box's first novel about his character Joe Pickett, a game warden in Twelve Sleep, Wyoming introduces readers to a hero who is still learning his job, but has a strong moral compass and fierce loyalty. The story made me very uncomfortable by putting a child in danger, but I am willing to give the series another chance due to the strength of Joe as a protagonist.

Joe Pickett is an engaging game warden who always seems to find himself in the dilemma of doing the right thing or going with the flow. No good deed goes unpunished it seems, and Joe is determined to up hold the law. Wonderful descriptions of Wyoming, and true to life characters. Some graphic violence, which I expected after reading his Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell series first. Marvelous western series, if you like Longmire books, you're probably going to like CJ Box books.

This was a great book! I was born in Wyoming and the author's depiction of the characters and some of politics were so Wyomingite. The story was a page turner. The hero was just a average Joe like most of us, who was just trying to do his best job in a occupation he loved and not getting any breaks. Been their! Can't wait to read more of this author!

A robust read that is first in a series!

Great story!

his 1st book. Key characters:

Ote and jeannie Keeley - Ote is an outfitter who stole Joe's gun previously
Vern - Joe's mentor - a greedy man now working for an oil co
Wacey - Joe's former colleague/partner, looking to become sheriff (in cohoots with Vern)

An endangered species (Miller's weasel) is found by some outfitters that Ote was freinds with. Ote brings evidence to Joe, hoping this will stop Joe from having Ote punished for stealing Joe's gun. Ote - and his outfitter friends - were shot by Wacey (ote died arriving at Joe's house with evidence of the endangered species - 3 still alive)

Vern was behind all this - an oil pipeline project was in the planning for the area, but would be stopped if an endangered species was discovered

The weasels barricaded themselves in the Picketts woodpile, where Sheridan found them - her new, secret pets. She fed them, keeping them a secret from everyone

Wacey watching Joe's house figured the weasels were in the woodpile, protected by Sheridan. He terrorized her (I'll kill your parents and your sister and you...)

Joe figured this out (Vern and Wacey behind it). Shot both - jail. No pipeline in the area. Joe and Sheridan kept the secret of the weasels between them - they'll take them to a new home later.

Ote and Jeannie had 2 kids (April was the elder) and anothr on the way. After Ote died, Jennie gave birth, left with the newborn. The existing son died of illness. Joe and marybeth adopted April

CJ Box definitely got better writing as he got more experience - some VERY long paras

Great story.

Joe Pickett - a depressed wimp? Crazy talk. In Joe Pickett and his family, C.J. Box has created men and women of character and integrity in the wild lands Wyoming. Joe is a Game Warden whose strong moral code is born out in his work and his devotion to his family. No superheroes here, just real people in situations that will educate and entertain. This is the first book in the Joe Pickett series - read and enjoy!

Joe Pickett is the new, by-the-books game warden in Twelve Sleep, Wyoming.