Out Of Range Summary

Wyoming game warden, dedicated to justice and his family, investigating his friend's death.

Joe Pickett is an honest, hardworking Wyoming game warden who often finds himself embroiled in complex criminal investigations. He is deeply principled, sometimes to his own detriment, and possesses a strong moral compass. Joe is not physically imposing, but he is persistent, observant, and possesses a quiet courage. He is devoted to his wife, Marybeth, and their daughters, Sheridan and Lucy, often struggling to balance his dangerous job with his family's safety and well-being. In 'Out of Range,' he is driven by a personal sense of loyalty and duty to uncover the truth behind his friend Will Jensen's apparent suicide, even when it puts his own life at risk.

Relationships: Marybeth Pickett (Wife, supportive but often worried by his dangerous work); Sheridan Pickett (Elder daughter, sometimes rebellious, struggles with move to Jackson); Lucy Pickett (Younger daughter, often provides comic relief); Will Jensen (Deceased friend and fellow game warden, whose death Joe investigates); Governor Rulon (His superior, who assigns him to Jackson)

Joe's pragmatic and loving wife, who supports him while worrying about his safety.

Marybeth is Joe's intelligent and resilient wife. She is practical, often handling the family's finances and providing a grounding influence for Joe. While she loves and supports Joe's dedication to his work, she is also fiercely protective of her family and often expresses concern about the dangers he faces. Her experiences as a lawyer, though she no longer practices, occasionally provide Joe with valuable insights. In Jackson, she struggles with the upheaval and the threats to their family, often urging Joe to be cautious, but ultimately stands by him.

Relationships: Joe Pickett (Husband, whom she deeply loves and supports); Sheridan Pickett (Daughter); Lucy Pickett (Daughter)

Deceased game warden whose suspicious suicide triggers Joe Pickett's investigation.

Will Jensen is Joe Pickett's friend and a fellow game warden in the Jackson district. Though deceased before the main events of the book, his character is central to the plot. He is initially portrayed as a dedicated, upright warden, making his reported suicide shocking. As Joe investigates, Will's character becomes more complex, revealing a secret life involving a love affair and deep entanglement with radical environmental groups. Ultimately, Will is revealed to have been an honest man who uncovered a major conspiracy and was murdered to prevent him from exposing it, making him a martyr for truth.

Relationships: Joe Pickett (Friend and colleague); Carol (Secret lover)

Charismatic and ruthless leader of an environmental extremist group, central to the conspiracy.

Stewart McVeigh is the charismatic and outwardly passionate leader of the 'Friends of the Earth' (FOTE), a radical environmental group in Jackson. He presents himself as a fervent defender of nature, but beneath this facade lies a manipulative and ruthless individual driven by greed. McVeigh uses his environmental activism as a front for his own financial gain, buying up land and manipulating public opinion to profit from the very development he publicly opposes. He is intelligent, articulate, and skilled at rallying support, making him a formidable and dangerous antagonist who orchestrates Will Jensen's murder and attempts to thwart Joe's investigation.

Relationships: Will Jensen (Victim, whom McVeigh murdered); Joe Pickett (Adversary, who uncovers his crimes)

Joe's eldest daughter, who struggles with the move to Jackson and is drawn to the local youth culture.

Sheridan is Joe and Marybeth's eldest daughter. She is at an age where she is asserting her independence and grappling with her identity. The move to Jackson, with its more affluent and complex social dynamics, initially appeals to her, and she finds herself drawn to the local youth culture and the environmental movement. This creates some tension with Joe, as she questions his methods and sometimes aligns with the environmentalists. Despite her occasional rebelliousness, she is fundamentally a good person who cares deeply for her family, and her experiences in Jackson force her to confront difficult truths about activism and morality.

Relationships: Joe Pickett (Father, with whom she has occasional generational clashes); Marybeth Pickett (Mother); Lucy Pickett (Sister)

Joe's younger daughter, who provides innocence and occasional comic relief.

Lucy is Joe and Marybeth's younger daughter. She is more innocent and less affected by the complexities of the adult world than Sheridan. Her presence often provides moments of levity and reminds Joe of the simple joys of family life. She is adaptable and generally good-natured, providing a contrast to the darker themes of the investigation. Her perspective often highlights the innocence that Joe is fighting to protect.

Relationships: Joe Pickett (Father); Marybeth Pickett (Mother); Sheridan Pickett (Sister)

Local sheriff in Jackson, initially dismissive of Joe's investigation, later revealed to be corrupt.

Sheriff Barnum is the local law enforcement official in Jackson, initially overseeing the Will Jensen suicide case. He is portrayed as somewhat aloof and dismissive of Joe's inquiries, eager to close the case quickly. He represents the established authority in Jackson, which is shown to be susceptible to influence from powerful local interests. As the investigation progresses, Sheriff Barnum is revealed to be a corrupt figure, complicit in the cover-up of Will's murder and involved in the broader conspiracy surrounding the ski resort development. He uses his position to obstruct justice and protect the powerful.

Relationships: Joe Pickett (Adversary, who exposes his corruption); Stewart McVeigh (Co-conspirator)

Will Jensen's secret lover, who provides Joe with crucial information.

Carol is a local woman in Jackson who had been having a secret affair with Will Jensen. She is initially hesitant to speak with Joe, fearing repercussions, but eventually provides him with critical information about Will's recent behavior, his changing personality, and his growing concerns about the ski resort development and the FOTE group. Her testimony helps Joe understand Will's state of mind before his death and provides clues that contradict the official suicide narrative. She represents a human connection to Will and a source of truth outside the official channels.

Relationships: Will Jensen (Secret lover); Joe Pickett (Informant to his investigation)

Governor of Wyoming, who assigns Joe Pickett to the Jackson district.

Governor Rulon is Joe Pickett's superior and the Governor of Wyoming. He is a pragmatic political figure who recognizes Joe's integrity and effectiveness. He assigns Joe to the challenging Jackson district after Will Jensen's death, trusting Joe to handle a sensitive situation. While he operates within the political landscape, he seems genuinely committed to justice and relies on Joe to navigate complex situations that might have political ramifications. He provides Joe with the authority and backing needed to pursue the investigation, even when it leads to powerful figures.

Relationships: Joe Pickett (Superior, who trusts and employs him)