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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
33: The Cold Dish: A Longmire Mystery (#1) by Craig Johnson
Maybe the error is mine in reading the book a "particular way" once I learned it was the premise for the Netflix series, Longmire, and showing up so late for the game. I believe there are 18 books now, and this the first, and I'm just now reading it. By that I mean that I think this is a rare situation in which I'd prefer to watch the show than read all of the books.
I enjoy and appreciate the story and its layers, but I don't as much enjoy or value the writing itself, but maybe that improves with practice the further into the series one reads. It just at times reads more like a script in that something further must be happening or be expressed, but the writing doesn't clearly convey those details.
Among the aspects I do appreciate are Walt Longmire's past in Vietnam and how that weaves into who he is and the work that he does, as well as his knowledge of and experiences with conflict, firearms, and more. I also can see how the determinants of his living situation reflect his not taking much, let alone great, care of himself. And I enjoy the Wyoming setting. One criticism is that there are numerous characters and little to distinguish one from the others (in the writing/description), so it's a lot to keep track of that I think the author bears responsibility for more than the reader does.
For lovers of murder mysteries, though, this is likely a great read (and with several more books to follow and already...no need to wait for the next one to come out)! It's just not my go-to genre, or I'd likely be a larger fan and more willing to like it lots, as well.
Maybe the error is mine in reading the book a "particular way" once I learned it was the premise for the Netflix series, Longmire, and showing up so late for the game. I believe there are 18 books now, and this the first, and I'm just now reading it. By that I mean that I think this is a rare situation in which I'd prefer to watch the show than read all of the books.
I enjoy and appreciate the story and its layers, but I don't as much enjoy or value the writing itself, but maybe that improves with practice the further into the series one reads. It just at times reads more like a script in that something further must be happening or be expressed, but the writing doesn't clearly convey those details.
Among the aspects I do appreciate are Walt Longmire's past in Vietnam and how that weaves into who he is and the work that he does, as well as his knowledge of and experiences with conflict, firearms, and more. I also can see how the determinants of his living situation reflect his not taking much, let alone great, care of himself. And I enjoy the Wyoming setting. One criticism is that there are numerous characters and little to distinguish one from the others (in the writing/description), so it's a lot to keep track of that I think the author bears responsibility for more than the reader does.
For lovers of murder mysteries, though, this is likely a great read (and with several more books to follow and already...no need to wait for the next one to come out)! It's just not my go-to genre, or I'd likely be a larger fan and more willing to like it lots, as well.
Audiobook
Need to read another to see if I want to pursue the TV show
Need to read another to see if I want to pursue the TV show
This book was funnier than I thought it was going to be... totally reminds me of my Dad and Uncle’s sense of humor. Fun read.
I loved the Netflix series Longmire and I'm glad I'm reading the books second because I can tell they're going to be even better based on this one!
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Walt Longmore has let himself go. It’s been four years since his wife died, and he’s not coming out of his grief. His friend Henry Standing Bear and his deputy, Victoria Moretti, are concerned, and poke and prod him into beginning to make changes in his life.
With his folksy charm, humour despite the grief, and caring, Walt Longmire makes an interesting protagonist in the middle of a series of murders and a too small staff to deal with the case. It certainly looks like a case of revenge against some young men, whom few one really liked. Some years earlier, they had gang raped a young, Cheyenne woman, born with fetal alcohol syndrome. The young men mostly walked away from a trial, leaving many deeply disgusted, including Walt.
I liked this first entry in the series, even though I figured out who the culprit was fairly early on, and can see continuing on to book 2.
With his folksy charm, humour despite the grief, and caring, Walt Longmire makes an interesting protagonist in the middle of a series of murders and a too small staff to deal with the case. It certainly looks like a case of revenge against some young men, whom few one really liked. Some years earlier, they had gang raped a young, Cheyenne woman, born with fetal alcohol syndrome. The young men mostly walked away from a trial, leaving many deeply disgusted, including Walt.
I liked this first entry in the series, even though I figured out who the culprit was fairly early on, and can see continuing on to book 2.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
He writes some good characters but I got tired of his voice and his bumbling manner. Also, had the killer pegged from early on not because of motive but because of who 'the killer' was in the story. I could just tell the way the author's mind was working and this person was the only one who fit with how I knew it had to end.