This is another example of the well paced thrillers that CJ Box excels at. There are a lot of books in the series and I haven’t read many but if you’re looking for thrills this won’t disappoint.

Joe is sent to find the governors son in law, while Nate seeks revenge for his wife's death. Their separate journeys converge for a thrilling climax. Though this is the 25th book in the series there is no let up. Full of great characters and Montana scenery description make you feel you are there. Thanks to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this review ARC.

A Joe Pickett novel has been my guilty secret for at least ten years and I have enjoyed every book in the series so far, including this one.
These are not my normal genre, and I still cannot explain their attraction. Maybe the beautiful Montana landscape or the animal and environmental issues? I think it may be the characters because they care and they are not perfect.
In this adventure it is Nate who is looking for revenge and Joe is following a request from Governor Rulon to find his missing son in law. Their paths meet at a remote ranch with devastating consequences .
Another good read in the series which could be read as a stand alone.

I started reading the Joe Pickett series late, with many books already out, and I was also late to the blog tour because I had bronchitis. Despite this, "Battle Mountain" was very exciting.
The plot is gripping and full of surprises. Joe Pickett, the game warden, faces tough challenges and strong enemies. The story kept me on the edge of my seat.
C.J. Box does a great job of describing nature. The landscapes feel real, and you can almost see and feel them. The beauty and danger of the natural world add to the story.
Overall, "Battle Mountain" is a great addition to the series. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the books, you will enjoy the characters, plot, and scenery. C.J. Box continues to write thrilling adventures that make readers want more.
Highly recommended
Many thanks to Aries Fiction and Rachel's Random's Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

Battle Mountain by C.J. Box

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

The campaign of hate and vengeance that a pair of violent criminals wreaked on Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett and his friend, falconer Nate Romanowski, left both men in tatters, but it was Nate who came closest to losing everything.

Facing his lowest ebb, Nate decided the only option was to drop out of society. Taking only his birds, he went off-grid to rediscover his true self… and prepare for his own revenge.

When Joe is called on to help the governor, whose son-in-law is missing in the Sierra Madre mountains, the investigation takes a darker turn when Joe and Nate’s very different journeys unexpectedly converge.

All will come to a head at Battle Mountain, but in a struggle neither of them would ever have seen coming, can both Joe and Nate survive?

My Opinion

It has been a while since I read a book in the Joe Pickett series but it was nice to return to some familiar characters. This is the 25th book in the series and I would highly recommend reading the earlier books in the series before starting this one. Battle Mountain is such a page turner. I stumbled upon the Joe Pickett series a few years ago and it is such a great series.

Rating 4/5

I’ve loved every book in the Joe Pickett series, and Battle Mountain is no exception. C.J. Box has an incredible way of keeping the series fresh, developing the characters, and making each book just as exciting as the last.

This time, Joe is sent on a secret mission to find the governor’s missing son-in-law, while Nate Romanowski is hunting down the man responsible for his wife’s death. Their stories collide in a high-stakes, action-packed showdown that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Box’s writing is as strong as ever—thrilling, well-paced, and never boring. The Wyoming wilderness plays a big role, adding to the tension and atmosphere. Fans of the series won’t be disappointed, and if you haven’t started yet, I highly recommend jumping in!

Nate Romanowski is living off the grid and he is desperate for revenge after the murder of his wife by Axel Soledad.
He will let nothing stop him, even if he has to kill everyone in his way to get retribution.
At the same time his friend Joe Pickett is searching for the governor’s son-in-law, he has gone missing and the ever diligent game warden is on the hunt.
As both men chase down their respective quarries, they both end up on Battle Mountain, and little do they know their worlds are about to collide in the most devastating of outcomes.
C.J. Box has once again produced another outstanding book in this incredible series. I personally think the Joe Pickett books are as good as anything being written in this genre of fiction.
I’ve read every book C.J. Box has produced and I can’t get enough of them. This is a writer at the top of his game and one everyone should read.

Battle Mountain by CJ Box is book 25 in the Joe Pickett game warden series.
This will be the one story were Nate and Geronimo finally get their revenge when they meet up with arch enemy Axel Soledad, who was responsible for the death of Nate’s wife and destroying Geronimo’s family home.
Joe is on an errand for the governor and is also in the same area, Battle Mountain when an incident occurs, which could be responsible for the deaths of many government officials if successful.
Only the three men can stop a major incident occurring and bring some justice to those damaged by Soledad’s actions.
Highly recommended

I haven’t read any of the previous Joe Pickett books.
I think it would be a good idea to read them in order only because you get insight to some of the characters.
It was a slow build with a predictable ending. It was a little violent at times too.

Another cracking read from C. J. Box featuring Joe Pickett. I haven’t read many of this series, but they are gripping while sometimes being faintly ridiculous plot wise. Nate and Geronimo are particularly good supporting characters, along with the falcons. The landscapes are so well drawn I felt I was there. Interesting take on the political/military situation in the States.

Book number 25 in the Joe Pickett series and this was a real page turner.

Governor Rulon is back in charge and has one of his 'missions' for Joe - which has him searching for a missing man in the wild. Nate has been off the grid while plotting his revenge on the man who had his wife killed. And it's great to see how Sheridan has developed over time - she's running Nate's falconry business, while her mum Maryneth is looking after his little daughter.

All roads eventually lead to Battle Mountain - and a showdown with Alex Soledad - who has reeked havoc in the last few books.

An interesting take on the military industrial complex, the American anarchist movement and local law enforcement and the friction between all of them.

But a strongly recommended read.

The 25th instalment in a series I came to late and have absolutely flown through… set in the Wyoming Mountains and tracing the day to day work of Joe Pickett, local Game Warden and sometimes unwilling emissary of the local charismatic governor- the series offers superb plotting, well drawn landscapes, and a compelling police procedural layout. The side characters, inc Joe’s Family and his friend, Master Falconer Nate Romanowski are well drawn and add to what is already a rich mix. The concept of frontier is never far away :-) as the lack of cell phone coverage, and the inability for traditional modern vehicles to traverse tough terrain always add difficulty to the unravelling of mystery and the apprehension of wrongdoers. An element of ‘natural spirituality’ enters the series in this addition as Nate’s ability to commune directly with one of his birds of prey is offered for our consideration and doesn’t actually require a great deal of willing suspension of disbelief.
Another cracking episode in what is a wonderful series.

An exciting addition to the Joe Pickett series set in Montana. The search for the Governor’s son who has gone missing with a guide on an elk hunt is Joe’s mission but his old friend Nate is on a rather more serious quest to avenge the death of his wife. The two do not meet until the very end of the story so the build up involves separate hunts both cleverly intertwined. Nate has the assistance of an old comrade Geronimo both falconers and one of the birds provides a surprise help to Nate on his quest. Full of other interesting characters this is a super read.

This is a brilliant addition to the Joe Pickett series set in Montana. It is full of atmosphere and suspense, clever plotting and filled with beautiful descriptions of the landscape. The character development is really good, especially Sheridan and the writing never disappoints. I love Nate and his quest for justice, with his friend Geronimo joining him. This is one of the best thriller series around and I highly recommend it to fans of the genre. I would start with book one for full background information and just enjoy the ride. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

The latest novel featuring Joe Pickett and the best one yet. I was gripped by it, so had had to read it all quickly until I finished it. That kept me up late, but it was well worth it. Excellent story and well drawn characters.