Montana doesn’t have an official nickname, but one of the best known unofficial names is Big Sky Country. As with many good names, it might have derived from a book: A.B. Guthrie’s 1947 novel, The Big Sky. Other states, too, are sometimes called Big Sky Country, from Wyoming to the Dakotas — and they definitely also offer stunning vistas. These northwestern states, with their low populations and they’re epic landscapes, are perfect settings for mystery and thrillers. Here are some of the best Big Sky books that capture the mood of the land.

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