The Crossroads is the 26th novel in C.J. Box's Joe Pickett series, released in February 2026, where the Wyoming game warden is ambushed and left for dead at a crossroads, prompting his three daughters to investigate the three powerful ranch families who all had motives to harm him. The book shifts focus to the daughters—Sheridan, April, and Lucy—as they take the lead in uncovering the truth while Joe fights for his life, exploring themes of family loyalty and treachery in the modern West.
Key aspects of the book:
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Plot:Joe Pickett is shot and left unconscious at a crossroads connecting three ranches. His daughters investigate the families, each with a motive, while flashbacks reveal the events leading up to the ambush.Characters:
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The story centers on the three daughters taking the lead in the investigation, with Joe and Marybeth largely on the sidelines.Structure:
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The narrative is built around the number three, featuring three daughters, three suspect ranches, and three roads at the literal crossroads.Genre:
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It's a thriller, mystery, and crime fiction novel set in the American West, dealing with energy empires, cartels, and powerful families.