Introducing Wyoming’s Sheriff Walt Longmire in this riveting first Longmire novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Land of WolvesFans of Ace Atkins, Nevada Barr and Robert B. Parker will love this outstanding first novel, in which New York Times bestselling author Craig Johnson introduces Sheriff Walt Longmire of Wyoming’s Absaroka County. Johnson draws on his deep attachment to the … Johnson draws on his deep attachment to the American West to produce a literary mystery of stunning authenticity, and full of memorable characters. After twenty-five years as sheriff of Absaroka County, Walt Longmire’s hopes of finishing out his tenure in peace are dashed when Cody Pritchard is found dead near the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Two years earlier, Cody has been one of four high school boys given suspended sentences for raping a local Cheyenne girl. Somebody, it would seem, is seeking vengeance, and Longmire might be the only thing standing between the three remaining boys and a Sharps .45-70 rifle.
With lifelong friend Henry Standing Bear, Deputy Victoria Moretti, and a cast of characters both tragic and humorous enough to fill in the vast emptiness of the high plains, Walt Longmire attempts to see that revenge, a dish best served cold, is never served at all.
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I just finished the latest in the Walt Longmire series, An Obvious Fact, and wanted to recommend the first book in the series. If you watch the TV shows based on these books, you get some of the basics of these characters, but to me the books are much better. I love the relationship between Walt and Henry Standing Bear. Having lived on a ranch in the Colorado mountains for several years, I also enjoy the characters and atmosphere of small town Wyoming.
By now, most television watchers are familiar with the A&E/Netflix series “Longmire.” What many don’t realize is that the show is based on a fine, long-running series of books by Wyoming writer Craig Johnson. The stories are set in the fictional Absaroka County, a place where the range country and the mountains meet. Walt Longmire is the county sheriff, a job that often takes him into the stunning backcountry and offers Johnson the chance to make that territory pop. Along the way, in this debut, we get a good introduction to the Basque culture of this sheep-grazing area, to the local Native Americans—the engaging Henry Standing Bear among them—and, of course, to the colorful supporting cast of locals. If you only know the television series, it’s imperative that you give this novel a read. My guess is that in short order you’ll be gobbling up the rest of the series.
I loved the Longmire television series and was sad to see it end, so I decided to start reading the series of books. This was an entertaining read, and it was interesting to compare the television characters to the ones in the book. (I must say, Katee Sackhoff nailed the part of Vic!)
I’ll certainly be ordering the next book in the series very soon.
Loved the television series, but the books are MUCH BETTER. I’ve enjoyed all his books, even the novellas and short stories. Wonderful writer. Love the Wyoming setting and the supporting character Henry Standing Bear.
The A@E television program based on Longmire books by Craig Johnson, now streaming on Netflix, got me hooked. I thought the TV shows were terrific until I read the first book in the series, The Cold Dish. The book is so superior, so rich and multi-faceted, that the TV show now pales in comparison for me. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Longmire series.
I won’t go over the plot or characters because so many others have done so. Here’s a couple of points.
As far mystery-suspense, this book is terrific. There’s a scene in which Longmire has to trudge through a blizzard to save his friend Henry and himself – oh, and did I mention a murderer is on the loose and has already has taken a couple of lives? This passage was so well-written and so suspenseful that I literally could not read the pages fast enough. Terrific writing!
Second, the “sense of place” and its connection to Native American spirituality are at the center of this book. I easily tire of fiction that is all about action or emotion, or worse, fiction that takes place entirely inside the self-involved little pea brain of some self-pitying person – with no connection to the external world. Seems like there’s a lot of that around these days.
Johnson’s book is a lesson in how to live in harmony with one’s natural surroundings, and the deeply spiritual place one has to be in for that to happen. Wyoming is a character in this book, maybe the most important one. And the Cheyenne relationship to the natural world is key to understanding Longmire and Henry and many of the characters who inhabit this world. We can learn from them.
It’s been a long time since I visited the Northern Cheyenne res. Johnson’s books are so atmospheric, takes the reader right there. The writing is droll, haunting, tragic, and triumphant at the same time.
Three-dimensional characters, slightly offbeat police procedural, with a good twist ending.
Ok, if you’ve seen the TV show you know Walt and Absaroka County. Read the novel that started it all. This is a wonderfully told murder/mystery tale written by an author whose style just flows so easily right along you will devour huge chunks of book without even realizing it. The great cast of characters fills in every nook and cranny of the story and every single one of them is wildly entertaining. Special notice for Henry Standing Bear, who, as great as he is on the show, is ten times better here. also of note is Lucians craggy self, who is a lot more present here and adds much to the story. All in all, great read.
In his Longmire series, Craig Johnson paints a perfect picture of a generation of heroic law enforcement officers who—regardless of their lack of resources—draw upon courage, integrity, and experience to find their way to justice.
Really liked the books and the Netflix series.
Love all the Johnson books. If you every have a chance to hear him speak, do it!
I love Johnson’s writing style. It’s a mystery, but it’s a funny, poignant, well-written mystery. So glad there are a whole slew of Longmire books to savor.
I was never a “cowboy book” fan, until the TV show “Longmire” got me interested. Now I read Mr. Johnson’s books, whenever available and thoroughly enjoy them. His characters are realistic and I find I want to follow their lives in the books. And since I read via Kindle, I can always re-read!
I absolutely loved the Longmire TV series so I thought I would take a chance on the author. I am more than happy I did. The author brings to life a land and people using pristine imagery that pulls you into the landscape and weather and their lives. I feel the biting winds and the cutting chills. Seriously, my eyes got wide open and I could not read fast enough. Mr. Johnson‘s characters are real to the reader. You think you know them personally. I feel Walt’s hardships, pain, anguish and also his happiness.
I purposely started with book one of his series and I will read them all. I’m on book 2 now and I’m currently in my easy chair but we are in Wyoming not California (at least as long as I am reading).
Thank you, sir, for taking me along with you and your friends.
Michael
I watched some of the Whitmire TV series and that got me interested in trying the books. This is the first one. I really like the characters and thought it was a strong plot. I’ve now read/listened to the next 3 in the series. I’ve listened to 3 on audible (they are very well read) and read one. Strongly recommend
I believe this is the first Longmire book. Craig Johnson writes beautifully about Longmire, the people and the beautiful country where he tried to keep the law.
It was fast paced, one that you don’t want to put down. Craig Johnson makes me feel as though I’m right there. Great story line with the native beliefs and traditions.
Excellent read.
Wonderful crime mystery with terrific unforgettable characters. Craig Johnson infuses American Indian folklore in telling his story with passion and humility.
As a devoted fan of the tv show, Longmire, I was really bummed when it got cancelled a couple of years ago. I recently came across the books and decided to check them out to see if they were as good as the show. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this first read was actually really good. If I could give it 4.5stars I would.
It was sooo easy picturing Robert Taylor and Lou Diamond Phillips as Walt and Henry. There were also a lot of parts where I was just cracking up at the way the characters talked and the what they were thinking in certain scenarios. It made for a really enjoyable read. Will definitely continue with the series.