Table of Contents
Originally Posted April 2023 Updated April 2026
So far I have finished two books this month. The first Blind Justice was my first visit to the world of Detective Sargent Aector McAvoy from David Mark. While the second Storm Watch was my 22nd visit to the world of C.J.Box‘s Joe Pickett.
I first met Joe Pickett and his family in 2003, when I read Savage Run the second book in the series. I soon read the Open Season book one in the series and I’ve only missed one book in the series! You can check out more ere
Storm Watch – The Story
Storm Watch begins with Joe performing his typical Game Warden duties. Joe receives a call regarding an elk cow that has been hit by a car and Joe responses and track the elk far into the mountains. After finding the elk Joe finds a mysterious building, when he explores it further he finds it is filled with a ton of computers. Oh, there is also a dead body stuck halfway in a window! Soon Joe is called by the Governor and told not to investigate the murder.
Meanwhile, Joe’s friend Nate Romanowski is approached by an ex-black ops operator to join an anti-government group that’s planning some big action.
So can Joe and Nate stay out of trouble? Are the murder and Nate’s request the join the Sovereign Nation group connected?
My Thoughts
I loved this well crafted well paced book. I have enjoyed Barclay’s books for a while now and have read all four of the Zack Walker books and Too Close to Home also highly recommended) another standalone.
In No Time for Goodbye the characters are believable and story line keeps moving and the suspense building toward the surprising conclusion!
In this book, I really enjoyed the character of Terry Archer, who narrates the story. His character was a little like Zack Walker, someone, who at times is in a little over their head!
Bottom Line
I was somewhat disappointed with Shadows Reel (book 22) in the series. I just didn’t think it was one of Box’s best. However, I do think he redeemed himself with this one! The only thing that didn’t happen was Joe’s truck finished the book unscathed!Anyway the book was great and rates at least a 4.5 if not a 5! Go find it and enjoy!
About C J Box
Charles James Box Jr. is an American author of more than thirty novels. Box is the author of the Joe Pickett series, as well as several standalone novels, and a collection of short stories.
If you like the family and character connections in this series…
You might also enjoy:
- William Kent Krueger — the Cork O’Connor series blends crime with family, history, and a strong sense of place
- Michael Robotham — especially the Joe O’Loughlin books, where personal lives are always part of the story
- Peter May — the Lewis Trilogy, where past, family, and landscape are tightly woven together
