The Cold Dish

A Walt Longmire Mystery

By: Craig Johnson

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Introducing Wyoming's Sheriff Walt Longmire in this riveting novel from the New York Times best-selling author of Dry Bones, the first in the Longmire series, the basis for the hit Netflix original series Longmire.

Fans of Ace Atkins, Nevada Barr, and Robert B. Parker will love this outstanding first novel, in which New York Times best-selling author Craig Johnson introduces Sheriff Walt Longmire of Wyoming's Absaroka County. Johnson draws on his deep attachment to the American West to produce a literary mystery of stunning authenticity, full of memorable characters. After 25 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.

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

©2004 Craig Johnson (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"A strong sense of place, a credible plot, and deft dialogue lift Johnson's good-humored debut novel." (Publishers Weekly)
"Johnson, who lives in Ucross, Wyoming, knows the Western landscape well, and creates stunning and violent scenes of the Rocky Mountains." (Bookmarks)
"We in the West have a major new talent on our hands." (The Denver Post)

Total Excitement from Start to Finish !!!!!

Howdy..... After purchasing & listening to the first Five Seasons & waiting on the Sixth and Final Season to be completed. This Audio Book was truly rewarding and enjoyable to listen to. I did not want to quit and hoped there was more.

Super Job....

Captain Cowboy

What a good story

I'm sorry I never saw any of the shows nor read any of his books before. Not a fast exciting story for sure. But exceptionally well written with deep feeling.

the performance was every bit as good.

Thank you

ready for the next one

can't seem to get enough I am ready to start the next one Henry and Walt make a great example of friendship

Re: Outstanding

An outstanding, character driven novel that is well narrated throughtout and is the beginning of this famous series.

Well written, and well read

Great story, well Witten witty characters, and one of the best narrator's I have heard.

Beautiful beginning to a legendary tale...

The writing is amazing. I feel like I'm inside Walt's head, the entire time. The melancholy, the sense of humor, the love of family and friends and more. The performance by the narrator is absolutely amazing! Beautiful storytelling, overall.

Smart Ass sheriff

The story has a lot of characters and it got a bit confusing trying to keep up with who is who. otherwise, a pretty good story with a twist.

Beautiful story; perfect narrator.

A great story full of memorable characters. Beautifully written. Inspiring descriptions of landscapes and objects. Incredible narrator.

What a surprise

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure it was my kind of read but I’m glad I took a chance. Great story, amazing narration, relatable characters. I’m looking forward to the next one.

My favorite overall mystery audio book experience

What made the experience of listening to The Cold Dish the most enjoyable?

Probably like many I came to The Cold Dish because I enjoyed the Longmire TV series. The book is more than enjoyable in its own right. Craig Johnson is a master of characterization, setting, etc. He is also one of the funniest authors I've come across. I normally lose patience when an author spends a little too much time on a scene, but I often found myself wishing that some of these longer conversations between Longmire and his other characters wouldn't end so soon. I was also impressed with the forensic science that was presented. Johnson acts like he knows his stuff.

Who was your favorite character and why?

After Walt Longmire, Henry Standing Bear, Walt's best friend. While played ably by Lou Diamond Phillips on the TV show, this Standing Bear is unmistakably different. He has a dry sense of humor that disguises a loyal friend and fierce enemy.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

Mr. Guidall hit this out of the park. He gives a unique voice to each well-developed character. He knows how to say a woman's lines without sounding silly. Normally I'll turn up the speed of my books up to 1.25x but I didn't do this for this book because I wanted to enjoy Guidall's artistry to the fullest.

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

To pick one, MMO: Motive, Means, Opportunity. A very intellectually stimulating and entertaining exercise that I will not forget.

Any additional comments?

While there was an episode of the TV show that sort of borrowed from this book, don't worry about having the story spoiled by having seen it. By the ending of the book you won't recognize the two as similar at all.