This is book 26 in the Joe Pickett series by C. J. Box. I think I’ve read most of them and I own quite a few.

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I was really dismayed that C.J.  would have his main character sustain such a devastating injury. There are at least two police officers in our area who have recovered from such injuries and both have lifelong debilitating limitations from their injuries. I couldn’t fathom how Joe Pickett could recover from an injury such as this (unless Box is done with Joe) and continue to be the game warden we all know and love.

I wish I could say this was a really good book, but compared to many of the other Joe Pickett novels, I’d have to give this just ★★★, which means the book was definitely disappointing.

From Amazon:

Marybeth Pickett gets the call she has always dreaded: her husband Joe is in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head.

Joe was found in his pickup at Antler Creek Junction, a crossroads connecting three ranches. Each road leading to a dangerous family. Each family with a different bone to pick with the local game warden. Marybeth and the new sheriff assume that Joe was ambushed by one of the families, but they have no idea which one since Joe didn’t say where he was going or why.

With Joe unconscious and fighting for his life with Marybeth at his side, Sheridan, April, and Lucy split up and investigate each of the families to uncover the truth of what happened to their father, before it’s too late.