Vicious Circle

By C.J. Box

Don’t miss the JOE PICKETT series—now streaming on Paramount+

The past comes back to haunt game warden Joe Pickett and his family with devastating effect in this thrilling novel from #1 New York Times–bestselling author C. J. Box.

The plane circled in the dark. Joe Pickett could just make out down below a figure in the snow and timber, and then three other figures closing in. There was nothing he could do about it. And Joe knew that he might be their next target.

The Cates family had always been a bad lot. Game warden Joe Pickett had been able to strike a fierce blow against them when the life of his daughter April had been endangered, but he’d always wondered if there’d be a day of reckoning. He’s not wondering any longer. Joe knows they’re coming after him and his family now. He has his friend Nate by his side, but will that be enough this time? All he can do is prepare...and wait for them to make the first move.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Release date: Mar 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9780698410077

C.J. Box

C. J. Box is the author of more than thirty books, including the Joe Pickett series and the Cassie Dewell series, and a story collection. His books have been translated into twenty-seven languages. He has won the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, Gumshoe, and Barry Awards, as well as the French Prix Calibre .38, and has been a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist. A Wyoming native, Box has also worked on a ranch and as a small-town newspaper reporter and editor. He’s an executive producer of ABC TV’s Big Sky, which is based on his Cody Hoyt/Cassie Dewell novels, as well as executive producer of the Joe Pickett television series for Spectrum Originals. He lives with his wife on their ranch in Wyoming.

Reviews for Vicious Circle

[buffalogr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this 17th book in the series, Joe is in the sights of former rodeo star Dallas Cates, who just got out of prison. Several folks get killed or injured. Missy shows up again, married to a flashy defense lawyer. New governor who wants more range rider stuff....maybe later. Nate is pardoned and openly helps in the end. Satisfying read/listen.

[bill_11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am a C.J. Box fan and Vicious Circle does not disappoint. Yes, Joe Pickett novels generally follow a set formula, but it works well and produces a satisfying read.

[lewilliams-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is not up to past Joe Picket stories. It has a weak plot. Would have like to have seen more of Nate being involved.

[cherylefisher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THE LATEST INSTALLMENT BY THIS AUTHOR OF WYOMING FISH AND GAME WARDEN, JOE PICKETT. THIS BOOK RELATES THE STORY OF A CONTINUING FEUD BY A FAMILY THAT BLAMES JOE FOR KILLING THE FATHER AND BROTHER.

[jamespurcell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An excellent entry in this very fine series. Jo's family is threatened by a former felon. Lots of action involving his great supporting cast Marybeth does the research and Joe is Joe. This time, it is their house that is destroyed. A cameo by Nate makes for a dramatic finish.

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars--Of the three Joe Pickett novels I found on the library sale shelf, I would say this one was the best of the three. I haven't read the book where Dallas Cates and April Pickett were featured (I assume there is one) but I've read about Dallas in one of the other novels so I was somewhat familiar with the incident. This novel reveals more about the Cates family than I knew previously and more about how their lives intersected with that of the Pickett family. I also got to meet Marybeth's mother for the first time. Readers also get to hear what's happened with Nate and Liv. The plot of the novel starts from the first chapter and keeps going (which is different than the other two novels in this series that I've read). I didn't put it all together until the author revealed how it was done. I have no idea if there is such a thing as a tongue controlled wheelchair. I'm guessing not since if there was, I would think that famous people would have had one rather than the sip-and-puff type. I found the fact that it contained an iPhone interesting, especially since it was related to what was supposed to be a cellphone free zone.

[anniemod · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Back to Wyoming to check on the Pickett family in the 17th installment of the series. Dallas Cates seems to be back - and really ready to make trouble for Joe and his family. Joe does everything he could to protect them - including sending them to Marybeth's mother (who reappears again) and chasing after Dallas in any way he can. The novel mostly ties up old stories - the background is there so it can be read as a standalone but it is an unusual book in more than one way. Everyone we know and like is around and gets to play their role (except for the old governor - now out of office and the new one does not seem to be as enamored with our game warden as the old one was) but the story veers into the straight thriller territory, leaving behind much of the western vibe that the series usually has. It is a good thriller and probably one of the better books in the series as a whole but I've grown to like the calmness in these books (often shattered by Joe doing something he just must do) and I missed it here. Still a good installment in a long running series - tying up some old threads, opening some new options and setting up the series for the future. Onto the next one.

[cburnett5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read and really enjoy a wide range of mystery series, and C. J. Box’s Joe Pickett series is at the very top of my list. Each installment is outstanding and unique, and The Vicious Circle (the 17th in the series) is no exception. I am not usually a fan of retribution stories so I was a little concerned that this book might not appeal to me as much as some of his others, but thankfully The Vicious Circle is fast-paced, a page-turner, and does not get bogged down in the retribution story line. I read it in a day and a half and loved how the story unfolded.Joe Pickett encountered the Cates family in his earlier book, Endangered, when Dallas Cates messed with Joe’s daughter April. The Cates family didn’t fare well in Endangered, and Dallas returns in The Vicious Circle to exact revenge on Joe and his family. The book opens with Pickett and two others in a small airplane searching for a missing hunter. Right after the group thinks they have found the hunter below on the ground, they witness his shocking murder, and the pace of the book never slows down. There are plenty of surprises and clever twists and turns, and the usual characters make appearances including Marybeth’s mother Missy who is always trying to create more trouble for Joe and Marybeth. There is also a small plot line about some stealthy poachers that C.J. Box wraps up very nicely. Box continues to create credible, entertaining tales that are so much fun to read, and this addition is no exception. Pickett is a highly likeable, realistic protagonist, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the progression of his own story as the books continue.I relished coming across a couple of shout-outs that Box threw in to his story including a reference to Diana Gabaldon and her Outlander series and a reference to the Broadway show Hamilton (his daughter Lucy is singing “My Shot”) which is an obsession in my own household.I highly recommend The Vicious Circle to anyone who likes a good mystery. Thanks to G. P. Putnam’s and Sons and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[dianekeenoy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've always enjoyed this Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box but had missed quite a few. So, I grabbed this book 17 and once again remembered why I love these books so much, especially in audio! Lots of action, memorable characters and always a love of Wyoming that shines through. I have already put a hold on the next book and look forward to the next adventure!

[labdaddy4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another book featuring Joe Pickett - Wyoming game warden. Fast paced - a lot of action - violent - little character development. Too heavy on the "wild west" mentality.