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)

A wonderful introduction to the Longmire series

If you've only seen the TV series, you're missing out. This lovely, potent, philosophical and literate books is miles above most cowboy stories, add are all the following books.

Why have I not read this before?

Love this author and narrator. So glad this is a series with plenty more to explore. The writing, characters, depth and plot are fabulous. Speaking of characters the location is described and incorporated so well it becomes a character as well. Love all about this

Truly a work of art!!!!

This book was a very pleasant surprise! This is the first book I’ve listen to by this author and find his writing to be exactly what makes a great story an amazing experience. George Guiddall was perfect in this as he is always in other books he’s narrowed. He too is amazing! I’ve listen to close to 300 books and there are only a few authors that can bring all emotionals a person can experience out in a story that feels genuine. Craig Johnson in my opinion has done it with this book!!! Can’t wait to hear the next with the only hesitation that this one has set the bar very high!

Great start to the Longmire Series

Really enjoyed this, have read a number of his books, but after watching Longmire, I wanted to tackle these books. So far so good!

So good. (Swear words)

I loved this book. I loved the narrator, he did an amazing job. I loved the story and I loved the characters.

For those looking for clean/no swearing: this book has a lot of cuss words. It's a story about a modern day cowboy sheriff in WY. There is going to be swearing in the story.

well written and very well narrated!

while not extremely fast paced, the story line definitely held. my interest, and the prose was delightful!

New favorite

I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks. This is the best ever. Great story. Good job Craig Johnson!!!

Reading while COVID-19 Sequestered

I have now read the entire collection in the Longmire series but I wrote the email below to the author after finishing The Western Star... and he replied with a lovely response PLUS a picture out his window! My sister is now hooked and deep in the series, reading hardcopies. Obviously, I can’t wait for the next book which Mr. Johnson replied to me, “...the novel that comes out in September 2020, The Next To Last Stand, which should be fun.“
No doubt.

“Mr Johnson
In March I ordered up the Geo Guidall audio of The Cold Dish and got hooked. Then I printed out the bibliography from your website and I have been ticking them off, in order, even if not with Audible.
I just finished The Western Star, #15, an hour ago and I’m ready to tear into Depth of Winter. What a gallop.
I will remember COVID-19 as this extraordinary period of my life spent in Wyoming while sequestered in California. Pretty dandy!
And it’s not over…!
Thank you, thank you.
And stay well.
Best, Desiree”

Rambling, colorful, ultimately brutal

This is really very much a western drama about damaged men, with occasional interruptions by a brutal mystery. Walt Longmire is a sympathetic cop, intelligent but troubled, looking forward to retiring as Sheriff of tiny Absaroka County after 24 years, meanwhile mourning his wife and drowning in grief. He’s pulled back to work, which leads him to the possibility of healing and moving on…but, of course, there’s the job, and these new complications of an old, horrific case….

It took me a while to get used to George Guidall’s narration — his Walt feels like a man in his seventies (how old *is* Walt? He’s at least late 50s here) but the laconic narration finally settled in, and by the time the ending came I was deep in Walt’s emotional state.

Great book. New series to follow

I hadn't read (or watched) Longmire, but met Craig Johnson at a library author's event. I was so entranced by his story telling that I had to try the series, and I'm glad I did.

I really enjoyed this crime/Drama/mystery.
I enjoyed the characters, the twists, and environment he builds.
I will definitely be reading more of the series

Needless to say, George Guidall is simply outstanding. At first I kept mentally picturing "James Mackintosh Qwilleran" from the "Cat Who Books," but that wasn't a bad thing because the characters have a few similarities and I loved those books too.