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)

Elegant Writing and Spot-on Narration

If you could sum up The Cold Dish in three words, what would they be?

Poignant, Entrancing, Grammy-worthy

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

The plot is fascinating and unpredictable, but it's the characters and their relationships that sucked me in.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

George Guidall is hands down the best narrator I've come across in the approx. 100 books I've listened to. His voices for the different characters really differentiates them in my mind and I forget that I'm listening to one man voicing them all. When he speaks as Walt Longmire about longing and passion, it just about breaks my heart. He gives such depth to the complex emotions experienced by the characters. His performance is absolutely breath-taking.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

Any additional comments?

I find myself listening to mystery/thrillers to help pass my commute faster because the fast paced plots keep my mind occupied. But I'm frequently disappointed with the quality of writing, and have come to expect the books to provide nothing more than an escape from the monotony of the road. But Craig Johnson's elegant and heartfelt novel, and his encyclopedic knowledge of classic literature demonstrated in it have taken me back to a time when I used to read to expand my mind. And it feels good. This book scratched an intellectual itch I've had for years. I can't speak highly enough about it!

Better than the new show.

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

2nd only to The Help

What did you like best about this story?

You have to love the intelligence and humor in the writing. Great Character development!

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First time I have listened to George Guidall. As good as it gets!

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

The author's description of the snow rescues was both incredible and credible at the same time. Very nicely done!

Any additional comments?

The author and the series fill the huge gap left by the loss of Tony Hillerman but with a totally unique style.

Great book!

Will start the next book soon. Reader did a great job with this very good story.

A well written Western

The US equivalent of a British mystery .... interesting character wanders around meeting other interesting characters and doesn't let story get in the way. The story is carried by excellent and intelligent prose. Very much like a Peter Lovesy Inspector Diamond book but with more humor.

Highly recommended.

Attn Longmire A&E tv series fans

While waiting for season 2 check out Cold Dish Walt Longmire mystery
Love it! The narrator was spot on for Walt & kept the characters vivid - enjoyed the adult story line. Can't wait to listen to the next book!

What a find!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Cold Dish to be better than the print version?

How would I know? Wait.. No, change that. The narrator brings so much to my experience that I'll have to say yes, even never having read the print version

What other book might you compare The Cold Dish to and why?

CS Forester has always been at the top of my list, but he just dropped to a distant second.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

What didn't I like?

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

Great story, but the telling is the treasure.

Any additional comments?

New favorite series. New favorite author. New favorite narrator. If only westerns were my genre -- but lookout Wyoming, here I come. What an audio experience!

A Novel that makes you want the rest of the series

This was such a great listen. The narrator brings these characters to life, and the author gives such vivid descriptions of the Wyoming landscape, and it's characters, I feel like I'm sitting on Walt's front porch. I'll be reading more!

Can't recommend this highly enough!

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

This is one of the best audiobooks I've listened to so far in my Audible journey! As a fan of the Longmire TV series, it took me a little time to set aside my internal preconceptions about the characters, but the language is so descriptive and the reading so evocative that I was soon caught up in the story.

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

At first, I thought I recognized the story-line from one of the TV episodes, but I'm pleased to say that it quickly diverged from the televised version and I was surprised (pleasantly) by the "reveal" of the killer. The witty dialogue, the deeper themes, and the realistic way Johnson captures people's insistence on being completely human was both compelling and moving - I will relive Walt's hike down that mountain in my memory for a long time.

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I first heard George Guidall's work on one of John Connelly's Charlie Parker books and it was love at first listen. He is a chameleon, completely inhabiting the characters and bringing their voices to life. I have a few favorite narrators and he is at the top of my list, so much so that I've dowloaded the next three Longmire books for an upcoming road trip. I'm definitely a fan, both of Mr. Guidall and this series. I can't recommend them both highly enough!

Who would have thought?

I never thought I would become a fan of a big western sheriff and an even bigger Indian but I am hooked on them. The narrator is great and perfect for this series. I hope we get another one soon.

Great Story, Great Narration

Such a great combination of detective work, culture, mystery, humor, human interaction. Not since Robert B. Parker's Spenser series have I enjoyed a story so much. Walt Longmire is a man who doesn't take himself overly seriously, but gets the job done. George Guidall's narration adds a wonderful Western flavor to the story. I am already listening to the second book in the series, and enjoying it just as much. I am in love. I just haven't decided if it's with Walt, George, or Craig Johnson. I suspect it's the combination. I highly recommend it.