Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett encounters bad behavior on his own turf–only to have the FBI and the DOJ ask him to stand down–in the thrilling new novel from #1 New York Times-bestselling author C.J. Box.The good news is that Joe Pickett has his job back, after his last adventure in The Disappeared. The bad news is that he’s come to learn that a drone is killing wildlife–and the drone belongs … that a drone is killing wildlife–and the drone belongs to a mysterious and wealthy man whose son is dating Joe’s own daughter, Lucy.
When Joe tries to lay down the rules for the drone operator, he’s asked by the FBI and the DOJ to stand down, which only makes him more suspicious. Meanwhile, bodies are piling up in and around Joe’s district in shocking numbers. He begins to fear that a pack of four vicious killers working on behalf of the Sinaloa cartel known as the Wolf Pack has arrived. Their target seems to be the mystery man and everyone–including Joe, Nate, and others–who is associated with him.
Teaming up with a female game warden (based on a real person, one of the few female game wardens at work in Wyoming today) to confront these assassins, Joe finds himself in the most violent and dangerous predicament he’s ever faced.
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“…the wolf, which hunts in a pack, has a greater chance of survival than the lion, which hunts alone. – Christian Lous Lange
I love this series and I love this author. I’ve read almost everything written by him, including all of this lengthy series, and he never disappoints (and I’m working on catching up on the couple of books I’ve missed after I finish this review). Wyoming happens to be one of my favorite states too so that adds a lot of appeal.
This is book #19 in the Joe Pickett series about Game Warden Joe Pickett of the Wyoming Fish and Game Department. Joe has his job back (after losing it temporarily in book #18) with the help of former Wyoming Governor Rulon acting as his attorney. And actually he gained some great benefits during the process.
In this tale, Joe ends up working with a female game warden from the next District over trying to track down an illegal drone operator who is harming wildlife. They get help from his falconer best friend Nate Romanowski.
Added into the mix are the FBI, the DOJ and some dangerous out-of-towners.
If you’ve enjoyed Box’s other books, you’ll surely love this one. Box is a consistently fine author and I highly recommend this latest book.
I’m off now to read SHOTS FIRED, a collection of ten short stories based in Joe Pickett’s world, that I somehow missed before this.
I really like the Joe Pickett, WY Game Warden, mystery series. Wolf Pack is more violent than some of the other books in this series, but I skipped over a torture scene and just enjoyed the way the main characters worked towards the huge climax. The Wolf Pack is a group of soulless assassins from the Southwest, and nothing will stop them from completing their assignment. I already have the next in this series on reserve at the library. 😉
Always love C J Box’s Joe Pickett novels. This edition had a sad ending for some the peripheral characters, but Joe always prevails. I listen to the audio version and enjoy the narrator’s style.
I like all of CJ Box’s books, some are better than others but this was better than most. A lot of edge to it and having watched his family age it was very reqarding to see them in this updated setting.
Love Joe and Nate.
Joe has his job back. He has a new home, and a new pickup (wonder how long this one will last?).
Someone is running mule deer and elk with a drone and some of the weakened animals are dying. A nearby game warden, Katelyn Hamm, contacts Joe about the drone. As they start to work the case, FBI agents show up and threaten both of them. Then, people start to die.
Another winner in the Joe Pickett series.
I think C.J. Box is at his best when Joe Pickett’s daughters are threatened and the action revolves around his home base of Saddlestring, as is the case in Wolf Pack. I loved the female game warden and the very timely inclusion of drone harassment of wildlife into the plot line.
All of CJ Box’s books are a satisfying read. The pace of his writing is spot on. A number of writers beat the English language to death, for what reason I have no clue. Perhaps to just fill pages. I can find myself thinking “Get on with it already!” and lose my interest in the characters and book. Box doesn’t do that. Once I’m in the book I don’t drift or fall out. Engaged to the end!
Characters are well developed and the book keep you reading page after page with continued action.
The new wild west. A game warden, wolves, a falconer, and a nasty gang intent on mayhem. A good read.
All of CJ Box books are great page turners.
Great book
I loved this book because of the family story, outdoor and adventurous setting, and finely drawn characters. I have recommended this author several times and people are never disappointed.
I always enjoy reading a C. J. Box book.
I love all the Joe Pickett books.
I love the way Box writes.
I love this whole series of books, and I can’t wait to read the next one.
As usual, it was a great story from C. J.!
Great series!
great book! love the pickett series!
Gritty and entertaining Joe Picket is one of my favorite heroes.