Reviews for Open Season by C.J. Box highlight its gripping plot and vivid portrayal of Wyoming wilderness. Readers praise the character development of Joe Pickett, though some find the pacing uneven. Noted for blending mystery with environmental themes, the novel's climax receives mixed reactions. Overall, it's a compelling debut that promises an engaging series.

Fans of thrilling, nature-infused mysteries will appreciate Open Season by C.J. Box. Ideal for readers who enjoy complex characters and suspenseful plots set against rugged landscapes, it appeals to those who liked Craig Johnson's Longmire series or Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon novels.

In Open Season by C.J. Box, a newly appointed game warden in Wyoming, Joe Pickett, uncovers environmental corruption and a web of deceit. As he navigates the dangers that come with challenging powerful interests, Joe fights to protect both the wildlife and his community.

- Open Season is the debut novel in the Joe Pickett series authored by C.J. Box, published in 2001, and won the Gumshoe Award for Best First Novel.
- C.J. Box sets Open Season in Wyoming, a setting he frequently draws upon, as it reflects his own background and experiences growing up in the region.
- The Joe Pickett series, beginning with Open Season, has frequently appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list, cementing C.J. Box's reputation as a celebrated author in the crime and mystery genres.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Gritty / Adventurous / Contemplative

**Joe Pickett**  
Wyoming Game Warden and protagonist, characterized by his strong morality and dedication to the codes and regulations of his role, striving to protect the Wyoming landscape.

**Vern Dunnegan**  
The former game warden and Joe's mentor, respected by the townsfolk and known for his carefully crafted amicable persona, with a desire for power and wealth.

**Wacey Hedeman**  
A fellow game warden and foil to Joe, known for his cowboy aura and moral grayness, aiming for personal ambition and closely linked to the story’s conflicts.

**Sheridan Pickett**  
Joe and Marybeth's seven-year-old daughter, characterized by her emotional and solitary nature, and bears the weight of her father's responsibilities.

**Marybeth Pickett**  
Joe’s supportive wife, once studying to be a lawyer, now focused on being a mother and homemaker, balancing family worries with steadfast support for Joe’s dreams.

**Ote Keeley**  
A hunter known for illegal activities, with a demeanor reminiscent of old-time pioneers, whose death triggers key events in the plot.

**Jeannie Keeley**  
Ote’s pregnant widow, symbolizing the struggles Joe fears for his own family, living in a precarious financial and familial situation.

**Clyde Lidgard**  
An eccentric, loner photographer whose photographs provide key insights and evidence that drive the story forward.

**Deputy John McLanahan**  
A young, over-enthusiastic deputy eager for action, providing comic relief through his inexperience and overzealous nature.

C. J. Box

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