The Crossroads

By C. J. Box

Release Date: 2026-02-24
Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 1,370 Ratings

Description

“Raining here, but I’ve got a cup of hot tea and a Joe Pickett novel, so who has it better than me?” —Stephen King

Game warden Joe Pickett fights for his life as his daughters try to uncover who shot him and left him for dead in this riveting new novel from #1 New York Times bestseller C. J. Box.

Marybeth Pickett gets the call she has always dreaded: her husband Joe is in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head.

Joe was found in his pickup at Antler Creek Junction, a crossroads connecting three ranches. Each road leading to a dangerous family. Each family with a different bone to pick with the local game warden. Marybeth and the new sheriff assume that Joe was ambushed by one of the families, but they have no idea which one since Joe didn’t say where he was going or why.

With Joe unconscious and fighting for his life with Marybeth at his side, Sheridan, April, and Lucy split up and investigate each of families to uncover the truth of what happened to their father, before it’s too late.

Reviews

C J Box delivered!

4
By JoeGuy03

C J Box didn’t disappoint….again! I’ve read almost all of his previous works and really enjoyed them all. I was in the mood for a “Box get away “ story and he delivered. Thanks C J! Joe in Jersey
Crossroads

5
By Ndfan12000

Wild read as usual
The best of the Pickett series

5
By CentralCALady

Focusing on the three daughters was brilliant. Their personalities and interactions are sharply portrayed and the plot is logical and well constructed. I enjoyed this book the most and I’ve read every one in the series.
Super Read

5
By FloridaSherry

Couldn’t put this book down. I’d read some negative reviews and thought about not spending the money on this book. But having read all the previous novels decided to take a chance. Am I glad I did! Engaging from the start to finish. Yes the wife and daughters are featured but Joe’s backstory is interwoven throughout the story. Five stars isn’t enough!
Last Book

3
By MTGal13

This will likely be my last C.J. Box novel, which is a shame, because I have always enjoyed Joe Pickett’s exploits. The writing in the past few novels seems to have become too simple and the stories too formulaic. This novel, while entertaining, is not representative of the quality of Box’s earlier work. Just my disappointed opinion.
Don’t believe the disses!

5
By Marcjensen

Before I purchased this I read some of the reviews from readers who claimed to be Joe Pickett fans and were disappointed this book featured Joe’s family. Well the real fans know his wife and girls are frequently part of the drama and this example was one of the best! Yes, Joe makes an appearance throughout the book and it all works together in an excellent manner! Don’t miss this read simply because some others don’t understand how it is all woven together!
The Crossroads

5
By Tizzy elvish

Another winner. Love Joe Pickett. Can’t wait for the next book!
The Crossroad

5
By EdBurr

The best Joe Pickett I have read …
Great Book

4
By thetnhorners

This was the best book Box has written, and I have read them all. It was nice Joe wasn’t the center of the story even though Joe was the center of the story. FYKYK. Great book.
Daddy’s Loyal Girls

5
By Retired Snake Eater

Compelling read. Girls inadvertently spring to it uncosciouly following in dad’s foot steps when daddy is down.
This book was a great read. One of C.J.’s better books.

5
By curlupandreadabook

.
Good read

4
By GloBros

Good read, but far too short. If I’m going to spend money on a book, I want it to be longer than 216 pages.
The Crossroads

5
By Wet again

Game Warden Joe Pickett is fighting for his life and being ambushed and seriously wounded. Non stop action, suspense and intrigue on every page !!! Enjoyed immensely !!
Review

2
By medhead1

I read every C.J.Box book and enjoyed them all except this one. Had to skim over words and even some pages to get to the end.
Crossroads

5
By Sad1436

Outstanding.
Crossroads

5
By Meechemill

Another great book by Box! Excellently
The crossroads

1
By Say-Say Jane

I bought this book because I thought it would be another book about Joe and/or Nate not one that was about his wife and three daughters. Disappointing and like some other authors who somehow believe they can transfer the loyalty of their fans to offspring of the main characters, we have learned It does not work that way Box is not the only one that’s tried it. Burke, Connelly and a few others have also tried it. It may work with some of their readers, but I suspect it’s less than a majority. When you find a great horse, you flog it until it can’t run anymore. Coben has made it work, sort of, but I cannot think of another.
Disappointing

3
By Savannah Gabbert

Ends abruptly with everything tied up in a few pages. The focus is not on Joe but his kids acting as detectives. It was somewhat unrealistic since they seemed to care less about their father and more about crime fighting. Plot development is weak.
Ok

4
By Rg110647

Just okay

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The Crossroads

By C. J. Box

Description

Reviews

C J Box delivered!

Crossroads

The best of the Pickett series

Super Read

Last Book

Don’t believe the disses!

The Crossroads

The Crossroad

Great Book

Daddy’s Loyal Girls

This book was a great read. One of C.J.’s better books.

Good read

The Crossroads

Review

Crossroads

Crossroads

The crossroads

Disappointing

Ok

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