Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons on February 27, 2024

When C.J. Box isn’t pandering to readers who are outraged about windmills and their deep state fantasies, he’s capable of writing entertaining stories. Three-Inch Teeth stays away from politics, apart from adding local color with phrases like “libtard” and “Hollywood elites.” It wouldn’t be authentic to depict Wyoming without portraying the extremism that infects a large share of the state’s residents. The only real-world political issue in the story’s background is an ongoing gripe by private landowners that people who cross from public land to public land by stepping from one adjacent corner to another are “trespassing” on their private land when their elbows invade private airspace. A momentary incursion by elbows is harmful why? I guess you need to live in Wyoming to understand.

A political issue that only exists in the context of the novel involves a race for sheriff between two candidates who, like most sheriffs, have not impressed series protagonist Joe Pickett. One of the candidates will play a surprising role in the story.

Joe is a game warden who spends most of his time dealing with violent criminals rather than unlicensed hunters. Dallas Cates will be familiar to readers who have followed the series. Cates is a rodeo cowboy who is famed in Wyoming for winning a bunch of rodeo trophies. He’s also famed for committing crimes and being caught by Joe and his buddy Nate Romanowski, as was chronicled in a couple of earlier novels in this series. He has a grudge against Joe and Nate, as well as the prosecutor and judge who sent him to prison. His release makes it possible to seek vengeance.

Cates is joined by another villain from novels past. Three-Inch Teeth is a bad guy’s reunion.

The book starts with a grizzly bear attack on a young man who plans to propose to Joe’s daughter. Series readers will be familiar with the young man and Pickett’s daughter Sheridan, who is too good for the young man, at least from Joe’s perspective (and probably from Sheridan’s).

The plot follows Cates as he engages in a far-fetched murder spree using simulated bear attacks to kill his victims. The means he uses to commit the crime seem too complex to be workable but hey, by modern thriller standards, the murders are almost credible.

Box’s stories are often infused with violence but this one is bloodier than most. A supporting cast of characters that has developed over the years is significantly reduced by the end of the book. A surviving bad guy sets up more mayhem in the future.

Box keeps the story moving, creates a reasonable amount of tension, and is true to his characters. Joe continues to plod along until he gets the job done, displaying no discernible personality as he does so, while Nate is a psychopath who does the dirty work while Joe looks the other way. The story is entertaining and, while I would be tempted to recommend it just to applaud Box for avoiding silly references to culture war issues, the novel earned a recommendation on its merits.

RECOMMENDED

This installment of the Joe Pickett series starts out with pulse pounding action and just gets better and more intense throughout the story. Fast paced with an intriguing plot, page turner that can be read as a stand alone if you're new to the series.

The plot was outlandish and far-fetched, yet I was riveted from the beginning. The writing was tense and kept me invested. I couldn’t put this one down!

Three-Inch Teeth (Joe Pickett #24) by C. J. Box
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Published: February 27, 2024

Three-Inch Teeth is the 24th book in the Joe Pickett series by C. J. Box. This book can be read as a standalone mystery or as part of the series. I have not read the previous books yet….but I definitely will be!!!

Wow! Wow! WoW!!! I absolutely loved this book!!! There was so much depth and I found it fascinating. I loved getting to visit Wyoming. I thought the characters were brilliantly written and I can’t wait to get to know them better.

I can’t wait to read the other books it the series! (Also, I found out that Paramount+ had turned this book into a television series!) I definitely recommend reading Three-Inch Teeth!!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As do most of C.J. Box' Joe Pickett books, this book starts with a bang. Sheridan (Joe's daughter) Pickett's soon-to-be fiancé is fly-fishing, contemplating the happy moment when he presents Sheridan with a ring later that day, when a bear runs into the river and attacks. The scene is finely set, with the shock of the attack resonating through the moment as well as throughout the state. Joe and what seems like all of Wyoming law enforcement cannot find the bear that, after the first attack, appears to transport itself over impossible mileage to make similar kills from one end of the state to another.

On the same day, Dallas Cates, is released from prison with revenge on his mind. His list of those who have wronged him and must pay is topped by Joe Pickett and Nate Romanowski, Joe's friend and ally. The book moves back and forth between the two events, following Joe's search for the bear and Dallas' search for Joe. How these two stories inter-relate is made clear to the reader, although not to Joe. For most of the book, the reader desperately wants Joe to figure out what is actually happening, even though it seems nearly impossible that he will be able to do so. The combination of Joe's wife, Marybeth's, work researching behind the scenes, Nate's very unconventional thought processes, and Joe's diligence do, in the end, bring clarity to the situation.

However, and I believe this is one of the shortcomings of the book, there are many loose ends left for the next book, with Joe even saying something along the lines of, “and that is a story to be continued.” Box often leaves a plotline here and there to be picked up in a later book in the series, but not usually so blatantly. This time around, the 24th book in the series, the author seems intent on leaving a cliffhanger to entice us to read the next book. For a writer as strong as Box, this felt unnecessary and over-the-top. Those of us who follow the series will be waiting for the next without such a device, and I would have been happier to have more of a resolution at the end of THREE-INCH TEETH.

Box' writing about the landscape of Wyoming is transportative, especially when he takes us deep into the forest and describes the remote isolation that still exists in the state. The characterization is consistent with what those readers who have been following the series would expect, but it is not deeply developed between the covers of this book. Readers who enjoy plot- and action-based mysteries and are new to the series will be able to jump right into this book. However, for those who like a good dose of character-based content in their mysteries, I would suggest starting with an earlier book in the series.

With or without the loose ends that Box left for us in this book, I am very much looking forward to the continuation of Joe Pickett's story in the next book of the series.

OMG the beginning of this book was fantastic! It begins with a horrific grizzly attack and the action rockets through the book to the ending which was great! I highly recommend this book. Readers who like Nevada Barr and Craig Johnson will love this author.

I've been reading the Joe Pickett books since the beginning. They were amazing at first, and then there were a few weak ones. But this book proves Box's writing is still strong and exciting.
I enjoyed being back with the family, including his friend Nate, who's so close I think of him as found family. This book has everyone trying to find a bear committing attacks in a wide range of locations -- nothing is quite as it seems.
I would have rated this a 5 but I had 2 problems: the "trick" was implausible and it should have tied up better. But I'm already looking forward to the next Pickett novel.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Three-Inch Teeth is another winner from C.J. Box. He's such a great writer that even the rather off-the-wall topic of grizzly attacks becomes compelling, page-turning reading. The world needs more kind, decent men like the protagonist, Joe Pickett. Don't miss this suspenseful thrill-ride!

This book was a doozy. Violent, surprising, and one of the better entries in the long-running series. Picking up a CJ Box novel is like sitting down with an old friend. His characters are familiar and comfortable, and his locations are stunning and vast. But there's a darkness here, lying just below the surface. New readers may have a hard time understanding certain plot points in this, as certain past characters make untimely appearances. But those familiar with the series will find a lot to love... a lot to hurt. The narrative choices here are hard to swallow at times, but in Box we trust, and I know I'm eager to see what the series goes from here. Seems almost like an new beginning. Lot of gas still left in the engine.

In this 24th title of the series, Box continues to ratchet up the tension and shows that no character is safe! Former enemies return to vex game warden Joe Pickett in addition to the added natural danger from a rogue grizzly bear, and Box keeps you guessing until the end how it will all resolve and who might be the next victim!

It's taken me a bit of time to decide how much I enjoyed three-inch teeth because of spoilers I cannot mention. Three inch teeth belong to grizzly bears and for some reason, one with a propensity for human attacks has arrived in Joe Pickett's territory. Meanwhile, for those who remember the craziness of a former big time rodeo star, Dallas Cates and his crazy family, the novel quickly gets to the fact he is being released from prison and he has a list of people he wants to remove from the earth. There's this combination of humor and horror throughout this book as we follow Dallas and his penpal in prison girlfriend, an unlikely mad inventor and a batshit crazy crazy man who has a list that crosses over with Dallas' list. Joe and Mary Beth Picket, Nate and Liv Romanowski, a local judge, a prison guard and a prosecutor are all going on about their lives because no one mentioned Dallas is out and then a trail of weird attacks make the appearance of the grizzly in the area seem targeted. What the heck. Overall, I've decided this is a wickedly funny but gory and sad novel that deserves many an accolade. If you like Joe Pickett, this one will not disappoint, although it may seem a bit too fantastical at times. He manages to make you think everything that happens might really happen.

Joe Pickett is a middle aged game warden who loves his job and all the wild animals under his ferocious and protective care until things go wrong and that's exactly what happens in C.J. Box's newest novel. An unusual, savage grizzly attack takes place and it happens to be his daughter's boyfriend and the young man dies immediately but he also happens to be the only son of one of Joe's best friends who is crazy with grief. A wildlife team is called in to track the bear before any other attacks occur, unfortunately they are not quick enough to stop another brutal death by this frenzied grizzly.

In the meantime an inmate named Dallas Cates is released with revenge on his mind since Joe and a few members of his family were responsible to putting Dallas away years ago and he has a tattooed list of several people who he wants to meet up with face to face where they will be sorry that they ever laid eyes on him.

Never in all Joe's experience has he ever come across an animal that seemed to have hatred and intent on their mind. This bear continues on it's rampage and evades capture at every turn while so many people are in danger since hunting is open season and hunters are camped out all over the state and they are just open targets for this crazed beast.


This book was just so wonderful with the modern, western settings and all the detailed, flushed out characters who seemed like real people. I'd love to see this novel made into a movie. There wasn't a dull minute throughout the story. So much excitement, action, drama, intrigue and heart. I couldn't get enough of this book and I definitely look forward to reading more from this author including previous books. I can't believe this is my first novel by C. J. Box but it certainly won't be my last. The quality of the writing and storytelling were just top notch while the atmospheric settings were breathtaking and realistic.

There are a few different storylines which coincide together that made the book so exciting and fun although this is a very serious book and there are elements of human and animal horror which unexpectedly take place place and if readers enjoy dark and very different thrillers then this book will be perfect for them. I can't say enough good things about this novel since it caught me off guard and I fell in love with so many of the characters and despised yet was so intrigued by the bad guys! Believe me, the bad guys are some of the most evil villains that I've come across and I just loved reading about them but I'm so glad they were not real people and this was a fictional story!

Highly Recommended!


I want to thank the publisher "Penguin Group Putnam" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this fascinating thriller and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given a rating of 4 1/2 EXCITING AND STELLAR 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!

Always look forward to Joe Pickett and I wasn’t disappointed. Without giving away a hint, I was a little sad as well.

CJ Box comes up with some bad, bad boys as villains. And, sometimes, they come back. Three- Inch Nails is a nail biter that starts off strong and suspenseful with a grizzly attack and, with the regular cast of characters, doesn't stop to breathe. The book is a perfect balance of authentic characters, the Wyoming setting and a gripping plot. I have been reading the Joe Pickett series since book 1, and they do not disappoint. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕖𝕖-𝕀𝕟𝕔𝕙 𝕋𝕖𝕖𝕥𝕙
𝗖𝗝 𝗕𝗼𝘅
Murder Thriller
432 Pages

Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs
Joe Pickett puts his skills to use when numerous bear attacks happen within his county.

Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs
Three-Inch Teeth starts out strong with a grizzly scene; the kind that pulls your heart into your throat.

These jolts of exhilaration continue throughout the entire story. I was on the edge of my seat while trying to figure out what was actually happening.
Joe Pickett’s life continues to draw me in. I think his honesty, integrity, and zest for the truth are refreshing qualities. The beautiful Wyoming setting is a bonus.

I enjoy the blending of animal life and nature with the adventure and action of the fast-paced plot. Who isn’t afraid of a bear attack? I think that is what really blew me away as I read this.

💕Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing this ebook for me to read and review.

It is a fantastic story, exhilarating plot, well developed characters, and a well executed shocking ending. I read in one day, unputdownable and very addictive. Recommend to every thriller reader.

This is one of my long time favorite series and I’m always excited when a new book comes out. There was a lot going on in this book between the attack & then subsequent other attacks around the state, a pair of animal activists, Dallas being released from jail and his vow of revenge for Joe and others and how everything connected. I could not put this book down and loved every minute of reading it. This particular book starts right out with a shocking grizzly attack and the pace only escalates from there as the Predatory Attack Team is called in and starts investigating with Joe tagging along. If you’ve read my reviews before you know that a strong sense of place is one of my favorite parts of a novel. CJ Box shines in this area with the way he describes the rugged Wyoming wilderness. His vivid descriptions draw me in and make me feel like I’m back home in Wyoming, a place I spent most of my 20s & 30s. Combine the setting with amazing well-rounded characters like Joe, Nate Romanowski & Sheridan and a mystery so well layered it keeps you guessing the whole way.

A Grizzly bear is on a rampage. It has killed quite a few people and Joe pulls out all stops to find the bear. But, these attacks are weird. They are not staying in the same location. Joe is a bit baffled. But when he finds out Dallas Cates has been released from prison, he knows he is in danger and Joe knows how Cates is exacting his revenge.

I am in the minority on this one. Now, as I always say…read this yourself and form your own opinion. I have only read a couple in this series and enjoyed them. But this one…I don’t know, it just did not hit me like the others. I am sure it was just me. I have read quite a few thrillers back to back and I think I just need a break from this genre. Read it and let me know. It has some high star reviews. So, most likely, it is me!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Let me start by saying that I'm one of those people. You know, the ones who consider a 4-star C.J. Box book as a "weaker" entry in the story of Joe Pickett and his loved ones. I have been reading these books since before I could legally drink. And trust me when I say that they have NOT weakened over time, like some of Box's contemporaries. Yeah, I'm looking at you Jeffery Deaver and Lee Child.

C.J Box absolutely knocked it out of the park with Three Inch Teeth. There was action, there were mutiple storylines that were all relevant and interesting, and...there was emotion. Some of these deaths....ugh. They were rough. But I really love seeing the Pickett girls grow up, especially Sheridan. 5 stars all the way. If you need a fantastic read to get completely immersed in, this is it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

C J Box is one of my favorite authors, and having his books read by David Chandler is wonderful! This is book 24 in the Joe Pickett series. Having read all the ones before, it was no surprise that I would love this one as well. For those who like nature and settings like Yellowstone and Wyoming, this series is one you should check out! Box is the best contemporary “western” writer. Starting with book one is best so you meet the family and join them from the beginning. Set time aside to be sucked into the series, you’ll want to read them all. Thanks NetGalley for the free ARC, all opinions are my own.