Kindness Goes Unpunished

A Walt Longmire Mystery

By: Craig Johnson

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire mysteries are critically acclaimed. Longmire's third outing takes him from Wyoming to Philadelphia to investigate a brutal assault on his daughter, Cady. Walt believes her ex-boyfriend is behind the crime and searches him out. But when he turns up dead, Walt is back to square one.

Listen to all of Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire mysteries.

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Critic reviews

"The quick pace and tangled web of interconnected crimes will keep readers turning pages." ( Publishers Weekly)

A Great Read

Walt Longmire comes to life, and you'll want to invite him over for supper in Craig Johnson's great mysteries set in the Wyoming. Readers will be refreshed by the accurate descriptions of the daily life and atmosphere of the small town surrounding. I encourage those who enjoy Hillerman to read The Cold Dish.

A fine book with way too much exposition.

I am reading this at the point at which I have already read almost the entire series. I loved all of the things that one loves about Walt and Henry and Vic, etc. However, the move from Wyoming to Philadelphia is of major consequence. The Wyoming locations are central to both Mr. Johnson's books and also to the C. J. Box series about Joe Pickett. Both are terrific reads, but the locations are important, largely because they are so unfamiliar to those of us who live elsewhere and are captivated by the magnificent descriptions of the Bighorn Mountains, the extraordinary winters, the amazing topography and so forth. Philadelphia suffers by comparison to Wyoming, IMHO. The severe injury to Cady is an important motivating part of the plot for Walt and Henry. She is so deeply loved by pretty much all the main Wyoming characters that our sympathy is automatically with her. Also, and I think this part is absolutely central, Cady's injury allows us to see and feel how extraordinarily loving and gentle Walt and Henry both are. They play the tough, silent guy when in Absaroka County, but in Philly they are portrayed as deeply emotional men. I just loved this part of the book. It also allows George to express the emotionality of both men in expansive, dramatic ways: you expect one or the other to say I love you all the way through the book. You know that the love exists, so whether they use the words or not is unimportant.
I had some trouble with the last hour or two of the book. Mr. Johnson tries very hard to lay out all the terribly confusing plots and subplots among the large assortment of bad guys, and maybe good maybe bad guys, and he has to throw in some extremely large expanses of expository prose that I had a hard time digesting. So many characters! So many interwoven, complicated relationships! With whom is Lina, Vic's mom, having sex? Why is Vic's Dad, also Vic, such an immediately hateful person? Who is helping Walt and who is trying to hurt him, and how on earth does anyone keep them straight? I have too many questions.
So, if you are going to skip one book in the series, this might be it. If you can look past the problems that I have with it, and you may well have problems with it that I don't, then fire it right up. All of us Walt lovers are basically unconditional lovers, deeply forgiving souls, who love Walt in spite of all the crazily cowboy, lone ranger stuff that he continually does. Hasn't he ever heard of backup? Even with Henry almost doing it without being asked? You can certainly feel my ambivalence about this book. I am sure that you will decide for yourself, for heaven's sake.

Fun read, IF you like characters more than plot.

This is the third in the series of 9 (through 2013.) These are like police procedurals, so the plot develops slowly. I enjoy the humor and the characters, but no doubt, some will find it slow. They are not action thrillers, but they are not as plodding as the Kurt Wallander series, for example. Walt Longmire is a complicated man, and his bond with Henry Standing Bear and relationship to his deputy Victoria Moretti are a continuing source of amazement. Walt has a penchant for noticing seemingly minor but revealing details. Invariably, I learn more about various subcultures and groups from these stories.

I gather that Longmire is now a TV series on A&E, going into its second season, but I haven't seen any of those episodes.

Soild

A bit different than the others of the series I've read (out of order of course). But still very good. Good book, good narration.

The Cowboy, Indian and the Dog are in Philly!

Would you consider the audio edition of Kindness Goes Unpunished to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version therefore I cannot answer this question.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

With the different subplots and the addition of meeting Vic's family, I found the story hard to put down. It provided background on her character and how Walt interacts with them. Also, we have more background on his relationship with his daughter Katie.

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The careful interchange between the characters. He brings them to life with his inflections and how they interact with each other.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Its hard to go unnoticed when you are in a powder blue vintage convertible with a Cowboy, Indian, Brunette and a dog inside.

Any additional comments?

I started reading these after watching and loving the Longmire series on television. As we always say, the books are much better.

One of my favorites!

Would you listen to Kindness Goes Unpunished again? Why?

I just finished listening to it a second time. It's just so good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kindness Goes Unpunished?

I don't want to write a spoiler here, but I can say it was between Vic and Walt.

Which scene was your favorite?

Guidall's voicing of Henry may be my favorite character in all of the audiobooks I've listened to.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. Several. Particularly Walt's interactions with Cady in the latter part of the book.

Any additional comments?

My favorite genre is mystery/police procedural series. This series is one of the best.

A great Walt, just a slow mover.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot.

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is one great narrator. His voices for Walt and Henry are great.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes for sadness, Walt's daughter, her accident, and her being in the hospital.

Any additional comments?

I am listening to all of the Walt Longmire's and Craig Johnson's books. They have all been wonderful. Just this one was a little slow moving for me. So don't let this stop you from listening to all of them.

Comfort Food

Would you consider the audio edition of Kindness Goes Unpunished to be better than the print version?

Cannot say as I have not purchased the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have two actually; Walt and Vic.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

I think it fair to say that George Guidall does an excellent job bringing each character to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Loved the story. One of my favorite parts was when Vic joined Walt in Philadelphia and ... I'm not going to give that part of the story away for those who haven't read it. All in all, another great story.

Any additional comments?

Discovered the series when looking for audio books narrated by George Guidall. I have listened to numerous books and sincerely appreciate hearing George's voice. He's like the slightly worn blanket that you come to love. Thank you Mr. Guidall, and thank you Mr. Johnson for an excellent series.

The Story Comes to Life!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Kindness Goes Unpunished to be better than the print version?

Most definitely.

What other book might you compare Kindness Goes Unpunished to and why?

Any of the Craig Johnson series with Walt Longmire up to this point.

Which scene was your favorite?

ALL of them.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

ALL of them.

Any additional comments?

I would say that Craig Johnson is my new favorite author. However, much credit HAS to be given to narrator George Guidall for truly bringing the story to life. Guidall is so entrenched in the characters that you cannot help to believe that he and Craig Johnson must be the same person! Every story is suspenseful and keeps the reader guessing into each chapter. Each story is full of twists and turns that erase the possibility of any dull moments. Thankfully I began with "Cold Dish," the first book in this series and have chronologically listened my way through each exciting adventure. Guidall successfully and masterfully brings each character to life which not only magnifies the humor intertwined in suspenseful plots, but makes the listener truly care about and sympathize with each and every character. This series alone makes my subscription to Audible.com worth every single cent!

Wyoming

What made the experience of listening to Kindness Goes Unpunished the most enjoyable?

George Guidell partly. I enjoy all of his books

What did you like best about this story?

The characters. Perhaps too it's because years ago I lived in Wyoming and looking back is a wonderful so I enjoy everything about the location.

Which scene was your favorite?

none in particular

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

n ideas on that