C.J. Box

Dave Neligh

C. J. Box is the bestselling author of 31 novels, 26 of them in his signature Joe Pickett series. More than 20 million copies of his books have been sold, and his work has been translated into 26 different languages. Two TV series have been based on his novels, ABC's Big Sky and Joe Pickett on Paramount+ and Amazon Prime. A Wyoming native, Box still resides in Wyoming. Besides writing, Box has worked as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, and small town newspaper reporter/editor. He also owned a tourism marketing firm with his wife, Laurie.

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Awards: Edgar Award, Macavity Award, Edgar Award, Best Novel, 2008

Friends and Sponsors Only: Hot Off the Press

Sponsors and Friends of the Festival are invited to a books launch party with authors in attendance.

Campus Store - Hot Off the Press (Seats 250, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 14, 8:30 am - 9:30 am

Panelists: David Blumenthal, C.J. Box, Elle Cosimano, Elon Green, Adib Khorram, T Kira Madden, Megan Kate Nelson, Keith O'Brien, Caroline Paul

Tactical Minds, Deadly Hands

Thriller writers know what it takes to keep you turning pages and gasping for breath. Gregg Hurwitz, T. Jefferson Parker and Reed Farrel Coleman talk about how they keep up the pace and the plot!

Integrated Learning Center Room 120 (Seats 300, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 14, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)  

Panelists: C.J. Box, Reed Farrel Coleman, Gregg Hurwitz
Moderator: Dave Tedlock

Truth or Dare with C.J. Box

Join mystery writers C.J. Box, Ellen Byron and Matt Goldman as they tell stories from their real lives ... and we will vote whether they are fact or fiction.

UA Mall Tent (Seats 250)  
Sat, Mar 14, 4:00 pm - 4:55 pm
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Central Mall (following presentation)  

Panelists: C.J. Box, Ellen Byron, Matt Goldman
Moderator: Shannon Baker

Familiar Faces

Festival regulars J.A. Jance, C.J. Box and Elle Cosimano are three of the biggest names in modern mystery. In this session they will discuss the strategies they use to keep their stories fresh … and their readers coming back for more.

Student Union North Ballroom (Seats 670)  
Sun, Mar 15, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Mystery / Thrillers
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area South Ballroom (following presentation)  

Panelists: C.J. Box, Elle Cosimano, J.A. Jance

Books:

The Crossroads

Mystery / Thrillers
Penguin Group
February 2026
ISBN 9780593851098
368 pages

Battle Mountain

Mystery / Thrillers
Penguin Group
September 2025
ISBN 9780593851074
368 pages