Up in the Bighorn mountain range area where he is normally stationed, Game Warden Joe Pickett is being very persistent. Despite the heavy sleet and the snow, he is bound and determined he is going to save this wrecked state official vehicle. He already has enough black marks in Lisa Green Dempsey, his new Director's books for damaging official machinery. This was not really Joe's fault (at least not too much); he just seems to attract trouble. Fortunately, Joe had a special relationship with Governor Rulon of Wyoming as Joe had helped him out significantly in the past and can get LGD to go along with Rulon's plans for his "special projects". Now, Rulon is trying to reach him. What is happening that Joe needs to be called in?

It seems there is trouble brewing in the Medicine Wheel area in northeast Wyoming. Rulon wants Joe to go up there on an "assignment" to "assist" the Game Warden there, so Joe can observe firsthand to see if FBI suspicions of a "kill for hire" murder ring operating up there is true. Rulon only wants him to observe and not get in trouble, but Joe is an honest game warden and refuses to let any bad behaviour, especially bad and illegal game and fishing violations go unchecked, despite what might happen to his vehicles. Will Joe be able to let things slide when he knows poaching might be going on? Besides, what is his old friend Nate Romanowski doing there? What side is he on? If Joe can't figure that out in time, it could be real danger or death for Joe.

STONE COLD is New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box's fourteenth adventure novel involving the intrepid and well experienced Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett. Long standing Pickett fans are sure to be captivated by this latest wily adventure in the series set in the natural beauty of Wyoming, but in the fictional setting of Medicine Wheel County. This is my first Pickett novel, so I can fully attest that it also reads well as a stand-alone book as well as being a wonderful addition to the previous stories alluded to in STONE COLD. I just can't believe I have missed out on such a great series and so I am looking forward to reading the earlier books. What planet was I on?

While highly captivating, this story is full of raw and violent situations with lots of suspense and firepower action taking place. Yet, the story stays very real and immediate due to Box's skills in developing intriguing, yet believable characters and by the interspersing of humourous situations within all the suspense and tension. Joe Pickett is a very likable and intelligent protagonist and I love his interactions with his family and friends. Box has interwoven into the main storyline two subplots involving his two daughters that add to the tension that Joe is experiencing as well as being very thought-provoking in their own right. I like the way Bow describes the situations affecting Wyoming, especially its economic decline in its northern mining towns, the grit of some of the characters wanting to stay true to their roots and the disconnect of others, just in things for the money.

The ending is very powerful and Box's fans, both new and old, will definitely keep the pages quickly turning to find out how STONE COLD ends as well as who is involved with the big money and expensive guns. It looks like there will be a follow-up book in the future as well, so now is the time to get on-board and get immersed in Joe's world in the expanse and diversity of Wyoming! STONE COLD is a definite reading adventure you will not want to miss! You will be astonished at what the STONE COLD title really refers to! Enjoy!