by C. J. Box
Part of Joe Pickett, book 3
First published 2004
Game warden Joe Pickett tracks a dangerous killer across Wyoming's mountain wilderness. The chase becomes desperate when the murderer strikes back in the cruelest way possible. Joe's foster daughter disappears, taken by someone who knows exactly how to hurt him most. The investigation transforms from professional duty into something far more urgent. Joe must navigate treacherous terrain both physical and emotional as he races to save the child he loves. Every decision carries weight when family becomes the target. The Wyoming backcountry offers no mercy to those who stumble, and Joe faces his most personal case yet. This hunt will test everything he believes about justice and protection.
Genres: adventure, mystery, crime, thriller, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-drama, investigation
Setting: Wyoming
Period: Contemporary
352 pages · Mass Market Paperback · G.P. Putnam's Sons
Content warnings: violence