Spirit of Steamboat

A Walt Longmire Story

By: Craig Johnson

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 3 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

A holiday tale from the best-selling author of the Walt Longmire mystery series, the inspiration for A&E's hit show, Longmire.

"It' s a question of what you have to do, what you have to live with if you don't." Sheriff Walt Longmire is reading A Christmas Carol in his office on December 24th when he's interrupted by the ghost of Christmas past: a young woman with a hairline scar across her forehead and more than a few questions about Walt' s predecessor, Lucian Connally. Walt doesn' t recognize the mystery woman, but she seems to know him and claims to have something she must return to Connally.

With his daughter, Cady, and his undersheriff Vic Moretti in Philadelphia for the holidays, Walt is at loose ends, and despite the woman' s reticence to reveal her identity, he agrees to help her. At the Durant Home for Assisted Living Lucian Connally is several tumblers into his Pappy Van Winkle' s and swears he's never clapped eyes on the woman before. Disappointed, she whispers " Steamboat" and begins a story that takes them all back to Christmas Eve 1988, when three people died in a terrible crash and a young girl had the slimmest chance of survival...back to a record-breaking blizzard, to Walt' s first year as sheriff, with a young daughter at home and a wife praying for his safety...back to a whiskey-soaked World War II vet ready to fly a decommissioned plane and risk it all to save a life.

©2013 Craig Johnson (P)2013 Recorded Books

Full Steam Ahead

A feel good Walt Longmire Christmas novella. One Christmas Eve when Lucian was still the sheriff, can-do Walt and Lucian set out on a harrowing adventure to save a young girl's life. She is the only survivor of a terrible car accident and must be transported immediately to a hospital than can treat her life threatening injuries before its too late.

Crazy Lucent, Walt, and a young female pilot that Lucent calls "toots", take on the task of flying an old bomber called, "Steamboat" through a terrible ice and snow blizzard. A wonderful, heroic story of faith and giving sprinkled with a little "nut job".

The perfect blend of humor and Christmas spirit. As always George Guidall's narrative was excellent. Tis the season.

A tragic story with a good ending but wait

It probably has been close to a year since I have listened to my last Walt Longmire story. I was not disappointed. Craig Johnson takes us back in time to when Walt was just 2 months into his tenure as THE sheriff. The familiar characters of Lucian, Libby, The Doctor as well as his under-sheriff are the only ones mentioned more than once. This story has his wife in it, though not the main character. Sort of surreal. This story is one that peels away the cantankerous shell of Lucian. It reveals his humor, his stalwart bravery and his heart. The character that created the story is introduced at the beginning, but has very little words as in most of the story she is fighting death. Steamboat, a vintage WWII bomber is in the most precarious weather hauling Walt, Lucian,the Co-pilot, the doc with the dying girl and her grandmother. Its a harrowing story that seens to never catch a break. The story as usual is lively, funny in parts, historic in parts, but always has the calm demeanor of Walt throughout. This book like all others will be hars to put down and will be over before you know it.

Marvelous

This story is about Lucien and if you didn't know the character was fiction the listener would think the author had written an autobiography

Touching Story

Would you consider the audio edition of Spirit of Steamboat to be better than the print version?

Didn't do the print version but the reader really makes the book come to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Spirit of Steamboat?

When Lucian denies being the pilot who saved the girl.

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

George brings volumes to the voices and the story. Each character is distinct. He has an ease to his voice. You believe him.

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

Nerves of Steel!!

Outstanding as usual.

Always a unique story by the author and excellent performance. Craig Johnson will need to kill off Longmire if George Guidall ever retires.

Great Story

ok have enjoyed it twice already. i look forward to hearing them all again. George is there very best.

If Only There Were More

Fabulous As Usual. Just fulfilling as a 5* meal. There's lots of writers but none can hold my heart like Craig Johnson, n Walt Longmire stories.

Being very involved in Rodeo..and my grandson is s

sponsored by Eying tourism..this touched home. I would recommend it to anyone as a great story.

One of My Favorites

This may be my favorite book in the Longmire series. It is emotional and suspenseful.

A Christmas adventure

The ultimate Christmas adventure with our favorite sheriff, Walt Longmire, from the early days of his time in that office. There is no mystery, but a lot of insight into two of my favorite Longmire characters. And, George Guidall brings it all to life in another amazing performance.