In the rugged and often lawless wilderness of Twelve Sleep, Wyoming, game warden Joe Pickett finds himself entangled in a chilling mystery when he investigates gunshots fired months before hunting season. The source of the shots, a notorious local poacher, is released without consequence, much to the delight of the townspeople who view Joe with disdain. However, the situation takes a dark turn when the same poacher is discovered dead in Joe's own backyard. Charged with the first murder investigation of his career, Joe is immediately met with a perplexing scene: how did the body arrive there, what was in the empty cooler by his side, and why do his colleagues seem so eager to dismiss the case? As Joe delves deeper, he uncovers a web of corruption, local grudges, and dangerous out-of-town activists. Battling a hostile community and officials who want to bury the truth, Joe must unravel a conspiracy that not only threatens his livelihood but also the safety of his family and the very life he holds dear, all while exposing the dark underbelly of his picturesque, untamed territory.
Critical Reception
"C. J. Box's debut novel, "Open Season," was an instant critical darling, sweeping the Anthony, Gumshoe, Barry, and Macavity Awards for Best First Novel, establishing a formidable new voice in crime fiction."
Adaptations
The "Joe Pickett" series, starting with this novel, has been adapted into a television series.