As the Crow Flies

A Walt Longmire Mystery, Book 8

By: Craig Johnson

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

Craig Johnson has won multiple awards and earned starred reviews from Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews for his New York Times best-selling Walt Longmire mysteries. Embarking on his eighth adventure in As the Crow Flies, Sheriff Longmire is searching the Cheyenne Reservation for a site to host his daughter’s wedding, when he sees a woman fall to her death. Teaming up with beautiful tribal chief Lolo Long, Walt sets out to investigate the suspicious death.

©2012 Craig Johnson (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Simply one of my favorite series.

Walt Longmire is one of the most wonderful book characters ever. I'd love to have him as a neighbor and friend. George Guidall has done such an amazing job of giving voice to the big, gentle man. I don't know if this is my favorite book in the series - I like them all. If you have not listened to any of them, start at the beginning and go through them in order. They're each a chapter of Walt's big life.

If you ever need something to listen to in the car that will appeal to both men and women, this is the series. Everyone loves Walt. And really, George Guidall could read a phone book and I'd listen.

Low voltage cousin to Burke?

The setting and central character of C. Johnson's Longmire series invite comparison with James Lee Burke's recent books set in Montana. Both authors evoke landscape and local culture with deft brush strokes which contribute not only vivid visual images but also a sometimes haunting sense of milieu which actively drives the story. Both law officers are Vietnam era vets who have evolved into men who possess tremendous charisma rooted in a wisdom and gentleness born of tragedy, loss and recovery. Both are surrounded by an engaging cast of characters who become more interesting and "real" with each book. Both mine rich veins of mysticism at times in ways which challenge our comfortable assumptions about the limits of reality.

That said, there is something much more comfortable, approachable and less visceral (not to mention bloody) in Sheriff Longmire and his adventures. If you seek antagonists who are personifications of evil, you will be disappointed here. Johnson's plots rise most often from the everyday and the prosaic while Burke's almost celebrate the existence of a kind of intrusive malevolence beyond understanding. As a result, instead of the high voltage exhilaration derived from defeating Dave Robicheaux's typically diabolical adversaries, Walt Longmire leaves us with satisfaction at a job well done and a nagging awareness of how most evil springs from roots which are very familiar to all of us.

I love both series, but I was less taken by "Crow" than by the previous Longmire novels. The victim never quite mattered enough for me, and it seemed that the investigation took a back seat to the introduction and development of a new character (a very promising one). These books are always driven by character, but the balance seemed a trifle off this time to the point that the climax of the investigation left me wanting more. Still well worth the credit, however, and I have already downloaded the next book in the series.

Busted! I Love The Walt Longmire Series

What did you love best about As the Crow Flies?

Mr. Johnson has returned to the style that first hooked me back in book one. Wry and witty comments mixed with beautiful descriptive prose.

What was one of the most memorable moments of As the Crow Flies?

I am an old grizzled Viet Nam vet who found himself tearing up at the wedding scene in the epilogue. But then again, I have been known to get misty when watching commercials for baby diapers... Go figure...

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

In my mind, Mr. Guidall has become the voice for Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear. His slight changes in vocal timbre and inflection are right on the mark. I get the feeling that Mr. Guidall loves reading these books as much as I love listening.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The fact that I find myself laughing outloud throughout the book is such a joy. I so look forward to Mr. Johnson's work!

Any additional comments?

My dear friend passed away a few short months ago. Over the years, we would download our Walt Longmire books and, after completely devouring our respective copies, we would pour a couple of Rainier Ales and rehash our favorite parts. I miss him dearly and I'm afraid he missed one of the best books in the series...

Walt and the Bear

This is a rustically charming series with a delightful cast of characters. George Guidall is picture-perfect in the many voices, especially the Bear, Walt's Best friend, a Cheyanne. As always there's mystery, mysticism and plenty of action. Just an enjoyable listen!

Wow. What a great listen!

This was my favorite of the series since "Cold Dish." I don't know that any protagonist is better matched to a reader than Walt Longmire is to George Guidall in this series. I highly recommend the book. If you haven't started the series, start with "Cold Dish" and enjoy the ride!

I wish I knew Walt Longmire

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

George Guidall is Walt Longmire and he is Henry Standing Bear and even Vic (although I missed Vic in this book). I could listen to his voice all day long.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book and I love this series. Right after finishing this one, I put A Cold Dish on and started listening to it again. It's like seeing an old friend standing at my door. Craig Johnson is a marvelous writer and I love the way he turns a phrase and brings a poetic visual to life.

Emotional and Satisfying

This is a great addition to a wonderful series. There's something about Walt Longmire and his friends and family that draws the reader/listener into their world.

Much of this appeal is due to the terrific narration of George Guidall. He IS Walt Longmire - and Bear and every other character. He brings such heart and expression to the experience!

This book is particularly involving, because there's a baby, a Dog, and a wedding! You just can't help caring about these characters and about the resolution of the mystery. And you hope for more.

Great New Character

As the headline suggests I'm all into my girl Vic's alter ego Lolo Long. She's a Cheyenne nation Chief of Police with a bad attitude and a chip on her shoulder the size of Montana. Naturally Walt gets close to her and Lolo requests his help in learning how to do her job. Lolo's mother is a nurse with tribal health, an ex of the immortal Cheyenne Nation, Henry Standing Bear and one of the few people able to hold her own with Lolo. Katie is a major character in this story rather than a distant reference for Walt to allude to. There are a couple of really touching moments between father and daughter which had me crying like a little girl. As a kid who didn't meet her actual father until she was 15 I'm a total pushover for all emotional father/ daughter interactions. Which brings me up to Katie's diatribe to her future mother-in-law about all the major events in her life that Walt missed because he had a case.
The biggest issue I had with this Longmire story was the lack of my favorite character Vic the Holy Terror. Victoria Moretti is the hottest lady in fiction and if she ever comes to life and I am in deep trouble; I'll be totally whipped. There are a few other things in this work that feel unique to this series that might surprise some Longmire fans. As you might have already discerned I was impressed by this selection.

Great Characters

Craig Johnson writes so many wonderful characters,,, people, animals and even trucks! All of them well developed and just plain fun. George Guidall brings all of them to life.
A&E will begin the Longmire program June 3 and I truly hope the TV series measures up to the books

So far, my favorite book in the series.

What made the experience of listening to As the Crow Flies the most enjoyable?

It is everything: the characters, the setting and the plot. All are drawn by a masterful author, who keeps getting better. The idea of Walt setting up his daughter's wedding, when she lives on the east coast and he is the Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming: this is hilarious from the beginning. And then when Mr. Johnson throws in the very mysterious death of a young woman who apparently jumps or is pushed off a cliff with her infant in her arms: you would have to be a cold person indeed to not appreciate the story and the people.

What other book might you compare As the Crow Flies to and why?

The series has eight books in it now, and as I have said previously, one can compare and contrast the books in many ways. For me the central friendship between Walt and Henry Standing Bear, or the Cheyenne Nation, as Walt sometimes calls him: this relationship sits at the core of all of the books.

Which scene was your favorite?

Although it was shocking, the fall of the woman with her infant held me closely, particularly with Dog being the first to find the swaddled infant. Also, the scenes between Walt and Lolo Long are very entertaining. She sounds gorgeous and witty, and in many ways I think that she represents a younger (and female) version of Walt.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. I seldom have extreme reactions to these books. They are more like comfortable companions whom you appreciate knowing.