C. J. Box writes mystery and suspense novels set in the American West. Best known for the popular Joe Pickett series, which features a Wyoming game warden investigating rural crime.
If you enjoy reading books by C. J. Box then you might also like the following authors:
Craig Johnson writes mysteries set in the rugged landscapes of Wyoming, featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire. If you love the vivid rural settings and strong, believable characters of C. J. Box, you'll likely enjoy Johnson's blend of crime and Old West atmosphere.
Try starting with The Cold Dish, the first book in the Longmire series.
Tony Hillerman is famous for mysteries set on Native American reservations in the American Southwest. His novels provide fascinating insights into Navajo culture, nature, and traditions, combined with compelling crime plots.
Fans of Box's focus on outdoor environments and tight-knit communities should check out Dance Hall of the Dead, one of Hillerman's best-known works featuring Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn.
William Kent Krueger's novels often explore the landscapes and traditions of northern Minnesota. His character Cork O'Connor, a former sheriff turned private investigator, deals with murder and mysteries in towns filled with secrets and tensions.
Like Box, Krueger captures the atmosphere of wilderness regions and small-town life wonderfully. Try his award-winning novel Ordinary Grace for an excellent example of his storytelling skill.
Anne Hillerman continues the legacy of her father, Tony Hillerman, by expanding the popular Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito mystery series. She preserves the sense of place and cultural sensitivity with memorable characters and immersive Southwestern settings.
Readers enjoying the detailed atmosphere and strong character-driven mysteries of C. J. Box might like her novel Spider Woman’s Daughter.
Paul Doiron brings readers into the rugged terrain of Maine through the eyes of game warden Mike Bowditch. Fans of C. J. Box's Joe Pickett series will appreciate Doiron's similar themes of crime set within wilderness adventures and complex personal dramas.
Start with his gripping debut, The Poacher’s Son, which perfectly blends mystery, suspense, and wilderness survival.
Michael McGarrity writes crime fiction set in New Mexico with vivid characters and a realistic view of police procedures.
His novel Tularosa features detective Kevin Kerney, whose tough professionalism and dogged determination would appeal strongly to fans of C. J. Box's outdoor-minded heroes.
Nevada Barr sets her mysteries in the stunning landscapes of America's National Parks. Readers are drawn to her capable, tough-minded ranger protagonist, Anna Pigeon, who investigates crimes in rugged wilderness settings.
Track of the Cat is a solid example of Barr's focus on outdoor mystery, gripping suspense, and tightly constructed plots that resonate with C. J. Box fans.
Dana Stabenow creates vivid and lifelike mysteries set in Alaska, with rugged characters confronting the harsh realities of remote northern life.
Her book A Cold Day for Murder introduces Kate Shugak, an investigator whose strength, resilience, and strong moral compass align well with characters readers enjoy in C. J. Box's novels.
James D. Doss blends detective work and Native American cultural elements in his mysteries, all set in the American Southwest.
The Shaman Sings includes memorable characters and intricate yet clear narratives, making it a great fit for fans of Box's clear storytelling and vivid rural settings.
Margaret Coel's mysteries feature the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, combining crime-solving, Native American culture, and thoughtful storytelling.
Her novel The Eagle Catcher offers authentic details and keen characterization, qualities readers appreciate in C. J. Box's engaging mysteries.
If you enjoy the vivid outdoors and gripping crime plots by C. J. Box, Kirk Russell's mysteries might be a great discovery. His character-driven stories often center around game wardens dealing with wildlife protection and environmental crime.
In Shell Games, readers follow Lieutenant John Marquez as he investigates illegal abalone trafficking along the California coast, blending environmental awareness with suspenseful crime-solving.
Sandi Ault offers intriguing mysteries set against stunning natural landscapes, something fans of C. J. Box will appreciate. Her novels feature Jamaica Wild, a resource protection agent navigating cultural tension and hidden secrets in the American Southwest.
In Wild Indigo, Ault weaves an engaging story that immerses readers in Pueblo traditions and the mysterious death Jamaica is driven to investigate.
For readers drawn to C. J. Box's authentic portrayals of rugged wilderness and western landscapes, A. B. Guthrie Jr. provides a perfect match.
His classic novel, The Big Sky, explores the frontier life in an unforgettable story packed with memorable characters and raw natural beauty. Guthrie's attention to historical detail and focus on the West will resonate deeply with Box's fans.
Steven F. Havill crafts small-town mysteries filled with relatable characters and careful attention to local detail, qualities that will appeal to anyone who likes C. J. Box.
His Posadas County mystery series, including the standout novel Heartshot, combines engaging puzzles with believable portrayals of rural law enforcement in New Mexico. It's a great series for those who love a mixture of crime-solving and down-to-earth storytelling.
Peter Bowen writes entertaining and engaging mysteries steeped in the life and culture of Montana, similar to C. J. Box's Wyoming-based thrillers. His Gabriel Du Pré novels blend humor, local charm, and intriguing cases.
Coyote Wind, the first book in the series, introduces readers to Du Pré—a tough, witty investigator whose love for his land and people comes through clearly as he untangles local murders.