Breakout Character: Nate is introduced as a suspect with a Mysterious Past, becomes Joe's closest friend and frequent sidekick, and eventually ends up having several books focus just as much on him as on Joe, if not moreso.
They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot: Most of the Stockman's Trust members from Savage Run remain at large (after establishing themselves as scumbags during a conference call Joe listens in on), but despite the Never Found the Body fate of their eco-warrior nemesis and their likely unhappiness with Joe hurting their plans, the group has yet to reappear as antagonists.
The Television Adaptation
Adorkable: Luke from season 2 is a talkative Naïve Newcomer who is awkward about riding horses, making him a lot more adorable than his book counterpart, especially since, unlike in the books, he might not be faking it as The Mole.
He Really Can Act: Julianna Guill is mostly known for a long run of horror and comedy roles and guest roles in Dramas, but captures a lot of main character Marybeth Pickett's strong will and warmth from the books while giving the role some new nuances as well.
Improved Second Attempt: Sheriff Barnum using his job to get away with rape was just a minor part (in terms of plot importance) of his all-around corruption in the books, and is unrelated to his downfall, several books after his rapist tendencies are first mentioned. In the show (which premiered in the Me Too era and the original author worked on), his sexual abuse habits play a much bigger role and are the cause of his downfall.
