Kindness Goes Unpunished: A Walt Longmire Mystery

Mr. G lends a really pleasant audible to a voice that is already funny, tough, poignant and, well, Wyoming. Buy the book. Buy the audible. Better still, buy the first one, "Cold Dish," and hopefully by the time you finish it, the audible for "Death Without Company" will be available. Then the pump will be primed for this third installment. All three books by Craig Johnson have wonderful characters and a sense of place that is real. "Kindness Goes Unpunished" is literally set in Philadelphia, but the heart of the book is still in Wyoming-- which makes us love Absaroka County even more. Enjoy!

Why oh why can't audible get more like this!
Craig Johnson is plenty talented. I rate him along with Vince Flynn and Nelson DeMille.
Very good story along with believable characters. Pack that all in with the Past Master Narrator GEORGE GUIDALL and you have a fantastic book to listen and enjoy.
Note to audible Please get 'Death Without Company' (2006)This is the second in the Walt Longmire Mysteries. Excellent

I'm an undemanding listener, but I like the narrator to be more than adequate, the story line to hold my interest and not be too transparent, and I like character-driven stories rather than action-driven.

The Walt Longmire series fills these specs on every score. George Guidall is like an old shoe, comfortable, familiar and reliable. He brings Walt to life; he also does a good job with the other characters that populate the series. Mr. Guidall's voice is low and soothing, but he plays his instrument with intelligence and wit.

Forgive me for not commenting on the story line, other than to say it's worthwhile and engaging. I've read books in the series since Kindness Goes Unpunished; Another Man's Moccasins and Dark Horse. I'm pacing myself so that I don't rip through the series too fast. Compare Walt to a box of fine chocolates or a visit with a friend ... my walk with him is worth savoring.

At the end of Dark Horse is an interview between George Guidall and Craig Johnson. I hesitated, fearful of being disenchanted, but it's a great listen--Mr. Guidall and Mr. Johnson are funny and self-deprecating and the story behind the start of the Walt Longmire series is an entertaining one.

As a clue to my preferences in writers, I like J.A. Jance, William Kent Krueger, Karin Slaughter, Elly Griffiths, Clive Cussler, Steve Berry, Michael Connelly(!), John Sandford, John Lutz--all folks who write good characters in bad situations.

I hope this review helps you decide to give Walt Longmire, George Guidall and Craig Johnson a try.

Craig Johnson is writing the best mysteries set in the West since Tony Hillerman's Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee series reached its peak in the mid-90's. I urge anyone who enjoys Hillerman to read Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire series starting with The Cold Dish.

And George Guidall, my favorite narrator, reads Johnson's books as well as he read Hillerman's series, which adds a star and an exclamation point to make this an excellent audio book experience.

This was a very good entry in the series by this author. There was good connection from previous characters and storyline, but new and interesting events to carry it to a different end.

I know a little about Philadelphia but Walt knew much more, somewhat odd since it was his first time there. No matter. His friendship with Henry, his love for his daughter, the connection with Vic (or "the terror" as she is known in this book) and her mother all present fascinating material to read.

As previously, the narration and direction is fantastic. Mr. Guidall once again superbly displays nuances that differentiates between the characters and enhances them with his reading. He is fast becoming one of my favorites to listen to.

Do yourself a favor, get this series and enjoy your summer!

This is actually the 4th book I have read about Walt Longmire -- I didn't realize until recently that there were two in between 'Death Without Company' and 'The Dark Horse.' I'm so glad I did finally read this, though, because a lot of things have happened by the time of Dark Horse and much is referred to there that actually occurs in this book.

This is the book in which Walt and Henry go to Philadelphia where Bear is to be honored and give some lectures at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, with all sorts of complications ensuing -- as you know they would.

I wanted to say how well Craig Johnson portrays Philadelphia, not just using it as a backdrop, but making it an essential character and flavor in the book. And he gets pretty much everything right (that I could tell, and that mattered to me). I was impressed, being a native Philadelphian. I've never heard the Benjamin Franklin Bridge referred to as "the BFB," more as "The Ben Franklin," but that's about the only point that didn't ring true.

Hats off to Johnson for writing it and to George Guidall for reading it so well! Guidall is Walt. I read there is a television series coming up this summer based on the books. It will be a hard act to follow after years of George Guidall embodying all of the characters for me!

By the way, the story is just complicated enough, there is humor and poignancy, and Dog comes along for the ride, even though he ends up having to stay out of a lot of the action. Can't say more. I highly recommend these books, and you obviously get the most out of them if you read them in order.

Walt Longmire comes to life, and you'll want to invite him over for supper in Craig Johnson's great mysteries set in the Wyoming. Readers will be refreshed by the accurate descriptions of the daily life and atmosphere of the small town surrounding. I encourage those who enjoy Hillerman to read The Cold Dish.

I'm not really listening to the series in order (I bought Dark Horse first and haven't listened to A Cold Dish) but it hasn't hurt my enjoyment. Each story has been complete and satisfying in its own right. I loved that this one was set in Philadelphia, and that it was kind of a "buddy story" between Walt and Bear. In fact, I'm usually more interested in plot-driven mystery novels, but this is a series where I'm really enjoying the unfolding of relationships. I simply love George Guidall's voice, especially when Walt says something subtle and heartfelt like"I'm not talking to you." Great inflection caught just right.

This is better than the previous one. You will love these characters. Johnson uses believable characters, not superheroes. He makes you feel their pain. Guidall is amazing as always. He & Brick top my list. The storyline and ending is as good as it gets. Listen and Enjoy!!!

Walt Longmire leaves Wyoming to go to Philadelphia for a visit with his daughter Cady, a practicing attorney there. He has accompanied his old friend Henry Standing Bear, who is being honored there at a Native American exhibit. Of course, Dog comes along, and eventually his deputy Victoria shows up as well. So, City atmosphere instead of the Old West, but the same chemistry exists among this great group of characters.

Just after arriving there, Walt learns that his daughter has been seriously injured in an attack, and hovers in a coma. Shortly after that, her boy friend is murdered. Walt is torn between his strong need to be beside Cady at every minute vs. his inner need for justice, which compels him (and sidekicks) to find who has committed these crimes.

This book is great, as are all in this series. There is a good mystery plot line, great, fast-paced action, a bit of humor, even some romance, and, of course, it is narrated by the incomparable George Guidall. Never having read a Longmire book, only having listened to them, George Guidall IS Walt Longmire to me. And a better one could not be found. Highly enjoyed this book, and the entire series. I recommend for a great listen!