Just finished Battle Mountain, and wow—C.J. Box delivers yet another heart-pounding Joe Pickett adventure. From the first page, the tension is relentless. Nate Romanowski’s hunt for Axel Soledad had me on edge, especially with those eerie falcon scenes. Box nails Nate’s lethal intensity without making it feel over-the-top.

What I loved? The pacing. No filler—just pure, propulsive storytelling. The Wyoming wilderness setting is so vivid, I could almost feel the cold mountain air. And Sheridan Pickett? She’s becoming a force of nature herself. That scene where she holds the sheriff at gunpoint? Chills.

Small gripe: The finale felt a tad rushed. After such a high-stakes buildup, I wanted more aftermath—especially with the political fallout. But hey, that’s me craving extra crumbs from a series that rarely misses.

Pro tip: Read Three-Inch Teeth first. This sequel hits harder if you know the backstory. Already counting down to the next book—Box’s blend of grit, wit, and wilderness never gets old.