Listen to all of Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire mysteries.
©2008 Craig Johnson; (P)2008 Recorded Books,LLC
"Full of crackling dialogue, this absorbing tale demonstrates that Longmire is still the sheriff in town." (Publishers Weekly)
"The best writer and the best reader get together"
All of Craig Johnson's books can stand alone, but they really are best listened to in sequence, all of a piece, as three volumes of one story. While I am annoyed that this book took so long to show up in audible.com, I couldn't stop listening to it. The mystery is inconsequential to me; I just like hanging out with Sheriff Walt and Henry Standing Bear. I enjoy the mystery, but I'd keep right on listening if they started a cooking show or discussed particle physics. George Guidall is that good with his reading and acting skills. He must do all of them, as no one else could voice these characters properly. I don't want to wait another year for the next installment of life on the plains and the usual at the Busy Bee. These aren't books, they're a life. May Longmire have a long and multi-volume career. And Dog needs more lines in the next one. He got shunted aside this time. He deserves better than hanging out with Ruby all the time.
"Can't get enough"
This series just has me hooked on the characters, the plot and the locations and history. George Guidal has never been in better form and I can not imagine anyone doing justice to these characters as well as he does. I hope Mr. Johnson never allows anyone else to read his novels.
If you haven't listened to any of his books yet, go back and start with " A Cold Dish" and work your way forward. IF you like a good mystery with excellent writing you can't find better.
A journalist and a screenwriter for 20 years, now a playwright and a reader. I am an audible activist. I try to "enable" new listeners.
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSING--"
--if you haven't listened to George Guidall read Craig Johnson's detective series. It's just perfect: great stories, memorable wonderful characters (you look forward to the next book like you look forward to going home)--read by a guy who gets the understated emotions and humor of all the characters.. Walt Longmire is a Sheriff-of-a-Certain-Age in a Western state, whose best pal is a native American he knows from serving in Viet Nam. Plots are believable and intersect small-town Western life with life on the reservation. Old cowboys (and young ones) and older Indians (and younger ones) cross paths in unexpected ways. What a treat. And the women, including Walt's daughter, are smart & complicated & surprising in real-life ways. I'm a fan of Hammett & Chandler & Adrian McKinty & Tana French & Elizabeth George--Craig Johnson is right up there with the best.Another Man's Moccasins focuses more on the Viet Nam life of the main character.At first I wasn't into it, but Johnson writes so well, he drew me in. He mixes the perfect martini--delicious plot & characters, with just a waft of nature & a pinch of spirituality. One is not enough--five is not enough.
"I'm hooked"
Yes, any time you find yourself ready for a new book, as I do every few days, Craig Johnson and George Guidall are a great choice. I would have given 5 stars but, although creative, I thought the back and forth from present to Viet Nam was just a little too heavy.
Its a bit of James Llee Burke's Dave Robicheaux thoughtful southern cop feeling, but not so poetic or heavy, with a touch of Michael Connelly's flair for distinct character and mystery development.
Thats the real strong part of this series, very well developed characters all. My favorite Henry adds spirituality and strength to every book, followed by Walts spicy, foul mouthed deputy "Vic" and of course Walt Longmire himself as an always stabilizing influence.
"Two for the Price of One!"
This is the fourth Walt Longmire I've read. I continue to be very fond of this series and will definitely keep reading. This particular book offers the chance to see Walt solve a mystery at home in present-day, and looks back at his time in Vietnam, where he solves an old mystery too. It's nice to learn yet another admirable part of Walt's character -- a true patriot.
However, the jumping back and forth between past and present wasn't entirely smooth, and the bit about the crazy huge Native American Virgil went a little overboard, so while good, Johnson can do better.
The narrator is excellent.
"Just OK book"
I have listened to several of the books by author and this is my least favorite so for. I like the character, Walt Longmire, but did not like the back and forth between present and past. It seemed a little disjointed.
"good writing goes un punished"
Johnson writes with polished prose. In places, the narrative passages have the texture of short poems. His use of language suggests a skill long forgotten by many authors. The major plots are carefully braided and crafted into a rope that binds one to the story. Once started, you can not put it down. This author deserves every penny of his royalties -- and more.
luv2read
"Loved all his works until this one"
I have really enjoyed all of the authors books. They have made me want to visit Wyoming. The reading is some of the best. I have been truly amazed at his ability as a writer -- until this one. It's a real downer. My wife came home from work, took one look at me and asked, "What's wrong?" I said, "I guess I'm depressed." When I asked myself why. Then, I realized it was because of listening to this book. a significant part of the book has Walt Drunk and depressed in Vietnam. Another portion of the book has him depressed in Wyoming. There are holes in this plot and unrealistic situations that seem uncharacteristic for the author.
Listening to this book was like watching a train wreck. his writing style is such that you couldn't look away, but you didn't like what you were seeing.
It's possible that the series has just run its course. But I hope that Craig Johnson will go back and read the first two books and recapture the Walt of those books because I would really like more of the old Walt.
"great installment"
This series is the best. I think this one is one of the best.
Waiting on the next one!
I read them in order -- not necessary
"Flashbacks Nam and Now"
This was a bit different for a Longmire Mystery, it had a lot of flashbacks to Vietnam but appropriate for the story. It really gave you another insight into the character of Walt Longmire.
The big Indian, I don't want to spoil so just enjoy the layers that unfold.
Suen Kim, I don't know if I spelled her name correctly because I never saw it, only heard it. What a fun exchange between characters.