The nemesis of game warden Joe Pickett is the Cates family. The clan leader, Dallas, has just been released from prison. Bad things began happening and Joe must bring Dallas to justice again in order to protect his family.

April, Joe Pickett's adopted daughter has always been a hard to handle girl. When she ran off with a rodeo star, she got more than she bargained for, and she is now recovering. The rodeo star back from prison, now unable to perform is bitter, and back home. The Cate family also hurt Nate and his girlfriend so there are a lot of scores to settle in this book. Missy the vile mother in law is back as well.

5 star rating from me. Exciting book to read as are most of his.

I enjoy C J Box stories This one was excellent but should not be the first one you read as throughout the story he makes reference to early books and story lines. A very good read

CJ Box has become my favourite author and Joe Pickett my favourite character! The story is terrific and hard to put down. If you have not read any CJ Box - start with the first book in the Joe Pickett servies and prepare to be entertained!

This is another quality Joe Pickett novel by an excellent author. I'm disappointed that I've finished the series.

up to par.

I love the Joe Pickett series by CJ Box - but they are so much better listened to as an audiobook. I wish the Arapahoe Library District would get the entire collection on Playaway.

This series is excellent! Joe Pickett is a terrific character; he tries hard to do the right thing, and he frequently battles truly evil people. The last several books in this series could be one long book. I think that readers starting with this book would be lost. Instead, give yourself a treat and start at the beginning, as there is a lot of character development as well as many excellent plots. (This latest book is good, but there are better ones earlier in the series.) Enjoy!

This is the 16th book in the Joe Pickett series by C. J. Box - VICIOUS CIRCLE. Love his books and the Joe Pickett character. These books are modern western and set in Wyoming. Pickett is a state game warden and the books are all about six things: his family life (which starts out with his wife and three young daughters); game and fish management and enforcement (emphasis on the latter); other crimes he seems to stumble into; a close relationship he has with a Native American who is a former special ops figure; Wyoming wilderness, and the encounters he has with his own values and decisions related to the law and enforcing it. This book follows on those themes and if you like the Pickett books, this one will be another treat for sure! If you are new to the Picket novels, these books build on one another as time passes and his family grows up. So if that's the case, you might want to start with the first in the series, OPEN SEASON published in 2001 and go from there. Enjoy!