Okay, so I’ve been totally hooked on the Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box. I mean, who doesn’t love a game warden battling bad guys in the wilds of Wyoming? But I’ve read them all, multiple times. I needed something to fill that void, you know?
So, I started digging. My first move? Good old Google. I just typed in “books like Joe Pickett” and hoped for the best. The results were, well, a mixed bag. Lots of lists, some helpful, some not so much.
I spent a good chunk of time sifting through those lists. I made notes of authors that popped up repeatedly: Paul Doiron (Mike Bowditch series), William Kent Krueger (Cork O’Connor series), and Craig Johnson (Walt Longmire series). These seemed like the top contenders, the ones people mentioned most often.
My Research Strategy
I didn’t want to just blindly pick a book. I needed more info. So, I dove into each author individually. I checked out their websites, read some reviews on Goodreads, and even browsed a few sample chapters on Amazon.
- Paul Doiron: His Mike Bowditch series is set in Maine, another outdoorsy location. The reviews mentioned a strong sense of place and a flawed but likable protagonist. Sounded promising!
- William Kent Krueger: The Cork O’Connor books are set in Minnesota, with a focus on Native American culture. This was a bit different from Joe Pickett, but the mysteries sounded intriguing.
- Craig Johnson: Walt Longmire is a sheriff, not a game warden, but he’s also in Wyoming. The books are known for their humor and strong character development. Definitely worth a look.
I decided to start with Paul Doiron. I picked up the first book in the Mike Bowditch series, “The Poacher’s Son,” and… I was hooked! It had that same outdoorsy vibe, a compelling mystery, and a main character I could root for. It wasn’t exactly Joe Pickett, but it scratched that same itch. It’s very good!
After that I tried “Open Season” and get many of the books!
So, that’s my journey so far. I’m still planning to check out William Kent Krueger and Craig Johnson, but Paul Doiron has definitely kept me busy for now. If you’re a Joe Pickett fan looking for something similar, I highly recommend giving Mike Bowditch a try. You might just find your next favorite series!
