The Highwayman

By: Craig Johnson

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sheriff Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear embark on their latest adventure in this novella set in the world of Craig Johnson's New York Times best-selling Longmire series - the basis for the hit drama Longmire, now on Netflix.

When Wyoming highway patrolman Rosey Wayman is transferred to the beautiful and imposing landscape of the Wind River Canyon, an area the troopers refer to as no-man's-land because of the lack of radio communication, she starts receiving "officer needs assistance" calls. The problem? They're coming from Bobby Womack, a legendary Arapaho patrolman who met a fiery death in the canyon almost a half century ago.

With an investigation that spans this world and the next, Sheriff Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear take on a case that pits them against a legend: The Highwayman.

©2016 Craig Johnson (P)2016 Recorded Books

The best Walt and Henry Standing Bear tale yet

This is one of the best ghost stories I've ever read.
And it's one of those books that grab you by the lapels and doesn't let go until the end.
If this is your first Walt Longmire book, there are only one or two details that might be confusing, like the significance of Bear. But you'll catch on quickly.
For those who are longstanding fans you might miss the presence of Vic Moretti. Surprisingly, I didn't. Maybe because... oh never mind, I'm not going to give ANYTHING away.
I will just add that there were parts of this story that made the hair rise on the back of my neck.
Craig Johnson is one of our best contemporary writers. His knowledge of and research into Southwestern lore and native American customs help create that "alternate world" many of us love to spend time in.
Finally, George Guidall... a master narrator. He nails Walt.

15 of 16 people found this review helpful

Very Frustrating!

I was so excited to listen to this book, and am only finding myself very frustrated at trying to listen and yet missing so much of the story as the narrator is hard to hear, his words mesh together, and he trails off at the end of his sentences. I have had to rewind time and time again, and still am missing so much of the story. Only 2 hours in, I'm giving up. Possibly the worst credit purchase made. Very sad as I was so looking forward to this one.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

LISTENED TWICE! AMAZING TALE! ADDICTIVE SERIES!

This is another great book in the Walt Longmire Mystery Series, and at 3 hours, 44 minutes, "The Highwayman," offers a novella-length introduction to the series, without spoilers. ("The Cold Dish" is book 1 in the series).
I particularly enjoy and appreciate the books in the series which touch Native American spirituality and traditions. I am not an authority on Native American spirituality, nor am I of Native American heritage, however, Craig Johnson seems to address Native American beliefs, spirituality, and customs in a respectfully.
George Guidall's narration is masterful! His slow and patient manner reminds me of a loving grandfather sharing tales of his own adventures and misadventures with his children and grandchildren. However, this is a series for adults and older teens--not children. Some of the books in the series contain strong language, but I didn't notice any here.
Review by Daniel Williams--Actor, Writer, Teacher, and Filmmaker

40 of 45 people found this review helpful

Another Classic Mystery from Craig Johnson

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

Yes, a very good book to start the adventure

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Highwayman?

There were a few but I don't want to spoil anything

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

George is a fantastic actor, his performance is perfect, bringing complete immersion.

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

Many

Any additional comments?

About one year ago I was browsing the TV Series section of the Netflix catalogue and I fell across the Longmire Drama starring a Sheriff with the same name. After watching a few episodes I realized that I like the idea very much and as I usually do with every movie or show that I enjoy, I searched to see if there is a book available. Well, it was, but not just one but more than 10 actually. and that’s how I learned about Mr. Craig Johnson, New York Times Best-selling author and about his Walt Longmire series of excellent mysteries.

The year has passed and I watched about 2 seasons of the show and listened to all the audiobooks, especially since the narrator is the Award Winning voice actor George Guidall. So, when I learned about the new Longmire Story, called The Highwayman, after stalking Craig‘s Facebook Page, I was very excited and now, after I enjoyed the great storytelling and the excellent performance I’m ready to tell you a few words about the latest adventures of Sheriff Walt Longmire and his best friend Henry Standing Bear

As a little background for those of you that aren’t familiar with the series, Walter ”Walt” Longmire is the Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming and Henry Standing Bear, a Native American Indian who is the owner of the Red Pony Bar and Walt’s closest friend since they were both children. I think that The Highwayman is a very good dose of Longmire that will be well received by long fans of this series and by newcomers alike.

In The Highwayman the two friends travel to the Wind River Canyon to help a colleague, highway patrolman Rosey Wayman who has really big problems. She is receiving calls on her radio from an officer that needs assistance, but that officer is dead for more than 30 years. Walt and Henry will try to help Rosey in anyway thay can and the story from this point forward is nothing short of amazing and dramatic. I don’t want to spoil any of it for you so I’ll just move on to the impressions.

I love the way Mr. Johnson writes. He describes everything with such vividness that you can imagine it all in your minds eye. Walt Longmire and Henry are so well drawn that I became attached to them since The Cold Dish, the 1st book in this series and my affection kept on growing over the years. The Highwayman is filled with emotional moments, an underlining legendary mystery that spans more than 40 years, plus the friendship and devotament specific to this series. Like the other books before it, it touches on the paranormal and on the Native American beliefs and strange rituals.

I missed Victoria and the funny jokes but I realized that they weren’t appropriate for The Highwayman. Can’t wait for the next full book…

George Guidall‘s performance is as good as always. He gives life to Walt, Henry, Rosey and to a few more other colorful characters, using different voices and accents to keep them well differentiated in the listener’s mind. When he is just reading the brilliantly written plot or the fabulous descriptions of the surrounding places you can imagine a good old grandfather figure telling you the amazing adventures of his life. His calm and mesmerizing cadence is very soothing and can create a level of immersion rarely accomplished by other narrators. Yes, that’s in part attributed to the great writing by the author, but it’s obvious that George loves this series and gives his best to make it a remarkable and unforgettable experience for those listening to the audiobook version.

If you ask me which version should you purchase, the Kindle, Print or Audible, I can answer without a doubt that you should definitely give a shot to the audiobook because of the excellent narration done by the amazing George Guidall.

Fan of the series or newcomer The Highwayman will entertain you from the first memorable words to the ending sentince! Author Craig Johnson delivers another remarkable and unforgettable story with this new entry in the New York Times Bestselling Walt Longmire Mystery series.

Craig Johnson is one of the best Mystery / Suspense writers of the moment and the Longmire series is very different, thrilling, original and refreshing. You can’t find anything else similar to it available these days.

26 of 30 people found this review helpful

Narration terrible

Is this guy drunk or has a mouth full of turds? I could not understand a lot of the words he spoke. When it's the end of a sentence or phrase his words fade into oblivion. I tried turning the volume up so I could catch the words he barely spoke or mumbled. But his voice fluctuates too much.
I think this would have been a better book if I could have understood more. I was trying to understand what he just said but of course he keeps reading so I lost a lot.
If this had not been a short novella I would have stopped at the beginning and not bothered. I will NEVER EVER EVER get a book read by this guy again.
You need to listen to the sample audio. If you can make out everything get the book. But if you have the least bit of trouble-believe me it will get totally irritating.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Expected more from this author!

I have been a big fan of Sheriff Walt Longmire and his sidekick Henry. However the latest book from Craig Johnson seems to have gotten entirely mystical -- much more than his previous works. Demphasis of the more ordinary aspects of life in favor of ghosts and spirits pushing cars out of burning tunnels left me incredulous and disappointed. Hope Mr. Johnson will focus more on the very interesting characters he has developed and less on the mystical in his next book.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Loved it!

I don't understand why the first two people gave it 1 star. It was GREAT! I just wish it were a full-length novel. Hurry up and write, Craig!

24 of 30 people found this review helpful

Not your normal Walt Longmire story. Take a pass.

This was a short book, but it seemed to drag on. Not much suspense or excitement. The story just wasn't what I was expecting and didn't keep me engaged. And this might be George Guidall's worst performance ever. I often wondered if he was drinking because he slurred so many words. It was very difficult for me to understand.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Don't waste a credit on this one.

I thought this book was exceedingly tedious coupled with a narrator who tends to sound like he has marbles in his mouth, it was a struggle to get through the three hours that it took. The story is a go nowhere plot that walks in boring circles. I found the main character patronizing and somewhat cliché. Although I'm sure the narrator had all good intentions in mind when he read the story, he has nowhere near the enthusiasm to make it exciting nor even entertaining. In reality I found myself zoning out and missing segments and having to go back to relisten. If the story had been any longer I would not of made it through. If you're a fan of the series then this might be more par for the course but as someone who picked this up as a stand alone listen I found it barely tolerable. I would skip this one.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wonderful, as usual !

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

Can't write just 3 words, You can never, ever go wrong with either Craig Johnson or George Guidall. Both are masters of their trades. Absolutely LOVE these Longmire books. I only wish it could have been longer. Now patiently waiting for the next one. ;-) !!!

7 of 9 people found this review helpful