Open Season

A Joe Pickett Novel

By: C. J. Box

Narrated by: David Chandler

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Joe Pickett is the new game warden in Twelve Sleep, Wyoming, a town where nearly everyone hunts and the game warden—especially one like Joe who won't take bribes or look the other way—is far from popular. When he finds a local hunting outfitter dead, splayed out on the woodpile behind his state-owned home, he takes it personally. There had to be a reason that the outfitter, with whom he's had run-ins before, chose his backyard, his woodpile to die in. Even after the "outfitter murders," as they have been dubbed by the local press after the discovery of the two more bodies, are solved, Joe continues to investigate, uneasy with the easy explanation offered by the local police.

As Joe digs deeper into the murders, he soon discovers that the outfitter brought more than death to his backdoor: he brought Joe an endangered species, thought to be extinct, which is now living in his woodpile. But if word of the existence of this endangered species gets out, it will destroy any chance of InterWest, a multi-national natural gas company, building an oil pipeline that would bring the company billions of dollars across Wyoming, through the mountains and forests of Twelve Sleep. The closer Joe comes to the truth behind the outfitter murders, the endangered species and InterWest, the closer he comes to losing everything he holds dear.

©2001 C.J. Box (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Great Book

I enjoyed this first book of the series. I liked the flow of the mystery!

The Best OF THE BEST

You know you hit gold audible listener when the 1st novel by the writer is this good. And.. it’s not a one off. The Box/Chandler combo is by far the perfect blend. I now go to CJ Box’s website and have the next addition in the Joe Picket series on my calendar. It’s that good!

For those who love the outdoors

Any additional comments?

This is the beginning book in an impressive series about the life and times of a modern-day game warden. The story involves all the trappings of governmental bureaucracy, low pay for hard work, family dedication, and a good solid mystery. Joe Pickett is humble, honest, and a good thinker. If you like the rugged outdoors, you will enjoy this mystery.

love the story line.

I grew up in Wyoming. C J Box mysterys in that area always grabs me!

Open Season

As an 86 year old with failing eye sight, I was able to finish this novel in just four sittings. The narrator was spellbinding. Highly recommended by retired Deputy Sheriff of 31 years.

Fantastic Character Development

I accidentally started this series with book #20 - something I normally never do. I was so impressed with the character of Joe Pickett and with David Chandler as the narrator, I decided to start from the beginning.

The reviews criticizing Joe Pickett are shortsighted. This first book humanizes law enforcement. It uncovers real human fears and sometimes a lack of skill, yet reassures us with confidence and a strong ethical belief pertaining to right and wrong that prevail. I appreciate a character that is real, and Joe Pickett is real.

For reviews criticizing Marybeth, don’t let this book fool you. Her character develops, and she’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s smart, clever, and 100% loyal to Joe. They make a great team.

I am excited to have so many books in this series to look forward to. Thank you C.J. Box for creating such wonderful, real characters; and thank you David Chandler for bringing them to life. I am downloading book #2 right now.

Great lead character story

This is a modern western, walking the right rope of politics very well, while telling a good story. The lead character has traits we can all relate too, and traits we aspire to have. If you are a guy looking for a good road trip book, or got some boring work to do, put this on and it will keep you entertained. Looking forward to the next Joe Pickett book.

First in the series - EXCELLENT

Friends of ours recommended this book to us. We got the audio version to listen to as we travelled. It is excellent and kept us on the edge of our seats!!

I am hooked!

A hunter-friend of mine suggested I read this book and, because I typically read fantastical cryptid fiction like DA Roberts’ books, I wasn’t really sure what to think.

Man, oh man is the Texas girl now a HUGE C. J. Box fan!

Thank you for bringing the woods of our nation into our homes in your very well written and extremely engaging books! You make my one hour commute back and forth each day far more exciting than I could ever imagine!

One of the best recent books I’ve read.

Solid story and the book is slightly better than the show.
I was surprised at how accurate the show was compared to the book.
I look forward to the next book getting ready to start it now.