• The Cold Dish

  • A Walt Longmire Mystery
  • By: Craig Johnson
  • Narrated by: George Guidall
  • Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (16,810 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
The Cold Dish  By  cover art

The Cold Dish

By: Craig Johnson
Narrated by: George Guidall
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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)

Featured Article: The Best Western Audiobooks for Your Inner Outlaw


The now classic Western genre has shaped modern literature, film, and other forms of entertainment. Whether your story is taking you to space or to the wide-open plains of Utah, it’s likely pulling on the tropes and themes of a traditional Western. Our favorite audiobooks don’t just encompass old classics though—we’ve gathered a full breadth of work so that all fans of the genre can find everything from family-friendly listens to gritty adventure tales.

What listeners say about The Cold Dish

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    11,242
  • 4 Stars
    4,001
  • 3 Stars
    1,097
  • 2 Stars
    271
  • 1 Stars
    199
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    11,456
  • 4 Stars
    2,406
  • 3 Stars
    562
  • 2 Stars
    153
  • 1 Stars
    121
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9,812
  • 4 Stars
    3,473
  • 3 Stars
    982
  • 2 Stars
    230
  • 1 Stars
    160

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good book

Good story. Funny at times. Perfect narrator. Can't wait to listen to more of this series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love the humor!

I found myself laughing out loud so many times at the dry and subtle Indian humor. Craig Johnson nailed it and so much more!! Can't wait to listen to more!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mysteries, Thrills and copmasion

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book and this series to a friend that would enjoy a mystery story

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

the narrator bring character and enjoyment to reading. clear understanding in which character is speaking.

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

wild west sheriff

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the Best

What did you love best about The Cold Dish?

Johnson's writing is exceptional. I was regularly staggered by his insight, humor and observation all rolled up into a very good mystery. WARNING: You will want to visit Wyoming after reading this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen

The narrator is perfect for this story. His voice is raspy and just right. Such a surprising ending. Loved The Cold Dish!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

it would have been perfect except...

Really liked this book. Would have given out a perfect score except the voice of the narrator, who was excellent but was not "my Longmire", and sounded too old to me...I was a big fan of the TV series, so the wrong voice was a little jarring. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book. Witty, intelligent fiction.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good country detective novel

If you like Tony Hillerman you will like this. There is less of the indian mojo, but the writing stile is almost the same.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great listen

Great listen!
Well developed plot & characteration the teader did a fantastic job with emotions

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this book. Similar tone to the TV series.

Loved it. Similar tone and camber to the TV series, but with its own personality and flare.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I WILL BE READING MORE OF THIS SERIES

Where does The Cold Dish rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The match of narrator and story could not be better. I felt like Walt was talking to me. A nice blend of modern western, mystery, and small town novel. The characters were relatable, interesting, and entertaining. One of the best audiobooks so far.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cold Dish?

The relationships were the best part.

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

Guidall is brilliant and engaging. Some narrators can drone on and lost me, but I was in the story the entire time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!