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)

SHERIFF, DAD SAYS BRING BEER

HENRY WAS THE DOG THAT WOULDN'T STAY ON THE PORCH
This is a modern western mystery that is more about the characters, then the mystery. You have Henry, the main character, who is the big strong, yet gentle giant, the old sheriff (HE WHO SHEDS HIS LEG), the good looking foul mouth female cop and the town itself seems to have a personality. Add George Guidall and you have something very pleasant to listen to.

COP TRICKS PALE WHEN COMPARED TO MOTHER TRICKS
Johnson is a good writer, which must be obvious, when he can keep the listener interested over ten minutes as two men attempt to change a fuse. The fisherman I follow has given some five star reviews to some of the later books in this series and he rarely gives out five stars. He did not review this one and I am anal enough that I have to start at the beginning.

PAIN, NO I HAVE PLENTY, THANK YOU
I am not a big mystery fan. I am a thriller fan and those two are often put together. This is no thriller and the mystery has a twist, but it is not one of those where when revealed, you say, who I should have figured that out. Your not really given the clues to do the figuring yourself. This sheriff is often politically incorrect, but better then the old sheriff. I had trouble with how often he shared information with the waitress, or anyone who asked. At times the story did drag a little.

George Guidall is the father of Recorded Books and if had not been for his talent, we may not be listening to books today. He does not do a lot of voices, but he adds class to everything he reads.

Finally finished this after three or four tries

I came back to this audiobook after getting hooked on the TV series. I initially chose it a few years back because of the high ratings it gets on Audible. My problem is that I am not a big George Guidall fan. I admire his ability but his style grates on me – sort of like Scott Brick does for some listeners.
Having said that, I agree with all the other rave reviews that this is a well written book. It is evocative of the Bighorns and small town living. Walt Longmire narrates the story and he is an appealing hero - he has enough flaws to make him likeable and human and a self effacing tone and a dry sense of humor that is attractive. The plot is well conceived and believable (given the genre.)
I recommend this audiobook with the caveat of listening to the sample before buying to see how you feel about the narrator.

Great Writer of "Americana"

Having now listened to four books in the Walt Longmire series, I am without a doubt a loyal fan and will continue to read 'em as long as he writes 'em.

The only negative I can come up for this book is that it's not as good as Craig Johnson's sequels in the Walt Longmire series. It does drag a bit too much in a couple places, but overall, I would highly recommend this book as well as the series.

George Guidall is one of the best as far as narration and he doesn't disappoint in this one!

Put this one on your list - especially those of you who like listening to a series or exhausting an author's list of books.

Narrator makes long Meyer sound very old.

If Longmire is only supposed to be in his 50s the narrator makes his voice to thready an old sounding and not nearly as strong as the character pretrade on TV.

Nearly Five Stars

I came across this book via an Audible recommendation or list when I was looking for a good mystery, and I am happy I did. The characters are well-developed, the main character (Walt Longmire) is extremely likable, and the dialogue is excellent. The story definitely keeps you wondering what will happen next as you'd hope a mystery would. The only thing I thought seemed out of place was what Walt describes at one point as "mystical horsesh*t" -- mystical, almost supernatural occurrences. While brief and only a small fraction of the story, they slowed the story down and veered it in a strange direction.

The narration is fantastic. I did originally think Walt was a little older than he turned out to be based on the narrator's voice, but that did not affect my listen.

Intense but with laugh out loud moments

Just when you think the book is coming to an end, it goes off in another direction. This happens more than once. I love the spirituality of this series and how a 'good ole boy' can have such insight. I put this series on and have cleaned areas in my house I have only thought about cleaning before! I just keep going so I can keep on listening. Loved it! I laughed and I cried and I held my breath in many places. The bonds of friendship in this series is the kind we all hope we have.

A new series that I couldn't put down!

This is my first Walt Longmire novel but it certainly won't be my last. Longmire is a widower and sheriff in Apsaroka County in Wyoming. When one of the four men who got a light sentence for raping a mentally handicapped Cheyenne girl turns up dead, he's got a problem on his hands.

Craig Johnson knows how to write characters, and make you love them. The bad guys are interesting and the story is gripping and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The best part of the book is the dry humor of the many characters. There are so many great one-liners in the book that I couldn't keep up with them. One that I remember was when Walt asks his friend Henry Standing Bear, who has been shot, "Pain?" "No, thanks I have enough." Henry answers.

I understand A&E have a series called "Longmire" based on this series.

George Guidall does a wonderful job voicing these marvelous characters.

I look forward to reading more of this author and his Longmire series.

Great

George Guidall is, as always, fantastic. I'm always amazed at how he does it. I am one who enjoys Craig Johnson's descriptive style most of the time. I was thinking as I listened that I like books that have characters I like hanging out with. Novels work that way for me -- leave my world for a little while and hang out in their's. That was true until about Ch. 12 when things got a little wierd for my preferences but this is a great book. The mix of Western culture with Phili history was a big plus for me.

Enjoyed this a lot

Characters were so well developed, I felt that I knew them. I laughed out loud many times, unexpecdted in a murder mystery. I cried too.

I think Walt Longmire is awesome!

A good story and a fun list of characters. I didn't expect the ending. Walt has some keen observations about this world and I laughed along with his one liners. Genuine acrylic lining. Haha!

Please do note that the book has a fair amount of language, it is not for young children or gentle souls.

I can understand the small town mentality, habits and dialogue. This is not a big city thriller, it is written by someone who understands small town, small counties, and rural living in the western United States. If you know what it is like to live in an area with fewer than 100 people per square mile then this book will describe what you witness every day. I *really* enjoyed my listening time.