The Dark Horse

A Walt Longmire Mystery

By: Craig Johnson

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

The Denver Post hails Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire mystery series as a must-read. Joining the four previous novels - all of which have been Book Sense picks - The Dark Horse puts a unique Wyoming twist on the classic British village mystery.

Sheriff Longmire investigates when his instincts tell him something isn't right about a prisoner accused of killing her husband. Wade Barsad, a man with a dubious past, locked his wife's horses in their barn and burned the animals alive. In return, Mary shot Wade in the head six times - or so the story goes. Walt doesn't believe Mary's confession, and he's determined to dig deeper. Posing as an insurance claims investigator, Walt soon discovers other people who might have wanted Wade dead, including a beautiful Guatemalan bartender and a rancher with a taste for liquor, but not for honesty.

The Dark Horse is sure to build on the success of Another Man's Moccasins as Sheriff Longmire unpins his star and ventures into a town without pity to save a woman without hope.

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

©2009 Craig Johnson (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Love the series but...

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

If someone had never read the previous Longmire books I would not recommend this one as a starter. Otherwise, probably.

What other book might you compare The Dark Horse to and why?

I compare it to “Another Man’s Moccasins,” as both stories travel back and forth in time. This transition worked very well in “...Moccasins.” Going back to Longmire’s actual war experiences in Vietnam, the reader is better able to understand and feel empathy for the sheriff's present day situation. Interweaving the past and present also emphasizes how memories have not faded with the years. “The Dark Horse” often hops into the recent past after relating present day occurrences. I do not think the technique benefitted this story. Rather than announcing that it is now a week, or so, ago, all events could have been incorporated into a forward moving tale. Since I saw no purpose for the time travel, I found it a gimmicky distraction.

Which scene was your favorite?

The ones that featured the boy and his mom, and also any scene with Bear.

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

When a woman confesses to killing her husband, Sheriff Longmire goes undercover to prove her innocence.

Any additional comments?

“The Dark Horse” is the fifth book I have read in this series. If Longmire continues to be brutally injured in each story to come, even Dog might not recognize him.

Best of the Walt Longmire Series so Far

I've enjoyed all the Walt Longmire books so far. Craig Johnson and this series are not among my all time favorites, but they are entertaining enough to recommend, and are worth your time and money.

George Guidall is my all-time favorite narrator and he fits this series to a tee. He's even better in this series than he is in the Mitch Rapp books by Vince Flynn.

Anyway, I haven't felt that any of the Craig Johnson - Walt Longmire books are "Can't Put Down", and I do find myself drifting at times from these books. There seems to be too many side conversations and small events that aren't really related to the story, and go beyond describing the way of life and times of living near an Indian Reservation in Wyoming.

If you haven't already found him, James Lee Burke is a fantastic Americana style writer in this genre and is one of my all-time favorites. I would highly recommend him and his Dave Robicheaux series. As for Walt Longmire, I will probably continue listening to the rest of the books, but I'll take breaks along the way.

Overall, recommended!

Another Winner

Any additional comments?

This is another winner in The Walt Longmire series.
I am convinced that these are better stories to listen to than to read in text. Though I have a different picture in my head Walt then George Guidall, there are only a few narrators on a par with him. You feel like you are there! His voice modulation, the tones and inflections are perfect.
The story wasn't quite as deep and moving as some of the others but it is still interesting and compelling.
I strongly recommend The Dark Horse.

Excellent novel!

For me, the characterizations were the strength of this book. Craig Johnson always does an excellent job portraying human nature and this book surpasses what he's done before.

My only complaint is one of personal bias. I don't like split stories, and while this one is done well, I would have preferred a linear story structure.

Great

Very exciting story. Well done! Love the narration on the audio book. Brings the story to life.

Country plot

This book was twisting in ways you weren't sure where it was going. Some of it was a bit hokey but hey, I grew up in the same kind of country so who am I to say. Narrator was a perfect choice.

They Just Get Better

This one had more excitement and humor. Walt was not sure how to handle undercover work. People he was unsure if turned out to be the most help. I didn't suspect anything. I was just carried along. I'm ready for the next one.

Good story but great narrator

If you could sum up The Dark Horse in three words, what would they be?

This is my first Walt Longmire book. In the beginning I thought and commented to my wife 'this is actually going pretty slow, but I don't mind because the narrator is so perfect'. Later the story picked up. Some reviews from those familiar with this series thought the dialog is somewhat tired, but as a first for me, it was not. I read mysteries but not often, and while the ending was a surprise, I recognized it from other books/TV shows I had read/seen. My primary reason for writing the review is to note how much the narrator improved this book.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

The voice was just right; it sounded Western; each character was distinct; pace was great; pronunciation perfect; dialog sounded natural.

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

I'm not going to make a film.

first time author

This was a first time author for me, it was one of those books audible puts up on your pages as being similar to other books you've read. I like crime novels and I thought it would be interesting to listen to a new one set in rural Wyoming, who'd think there would be interesting stories brewing there. But the author does a good job with Sheriff Walt Longmire and the story keeps moving right along. It was pretty good and I'm sure I'll listen to the others.

And the hits just keep on coming!

Wow! Another great Longmire story, and another wonderful reading by George. Keep ‘em coming guys!!!