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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Interesting characters. Decided to read the initial book before watching the new A&E series based on the book series. Liked it enough to read the next book in the series.
This is like a collection of tropes I dislike. Violent, racist old men who are adorable local codgers, amazingly timed blizzards, magical Indians, broken bird beautiful rich white lady, fetishized magical weapons, local tolerance for domestic violence as just a frontier thing, a forgiving sad Indian, some visions that substitute for plot points and by the end....a magical dog. It doesn't help that the hero is one of these brooding, wounded, self-pitying men whose drinking, depression, inability to exercise good judgement and general impulse control problems should probably signal that they shouldn't be left in charge of important shit until their own is significantly more together.
I enjoyed this, and have watched the TV series twice over.
I read this because I really love the TV show, but it spoiled a lot of things on the show for me, so then I decided to not read any more. So, if there was no TV show, I would read all of them. Does that make me a bad person? Or am I just an awesome TV watcher?
Oh how I wish I would have started with the books rather than the series. Love the details between the pages. Looking forward to the next one.
Incredible debut! I compare Johnson's work to that of Tony Hillerman in his ability to re-create realistic characters of all cultures. While Hillerman brings out the melancholia of Native American life (from the inside), Johnson stays on the outside, showing the cultures through the eyes of Walt Longmire. I will be reading all of these books, no doubt.
a mystery novel where the central seems less of the point and more a way of spending time w/ this lovable group of characters in a quaint town. and I kinda loved it. seriously the pace of this completely matches up w/ the characters outlook on life and it's definitely more leisurely but very enjoyable. it also mixes some Native American mysticism w/ mixed results but which again adds a ton of character to the book's setting. I'll admit it took me a minute to get into the swing of things but once I fell into it it all really worked for me even if the reveal wasn't a huge shocking a-ha moment. this book's about more than that.
So glad I gave this series a try and even more glad that I already have book 2 checked out and waiting for me. Did not see that ending coming!
The first book in Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire series, The Cold Dish, is an eloquently written book. Set in Wyoming's Absaroka County,the characters are well drawn and interesting and the setting is poignant. Johnson interweaves plenty of Indian lore and tradition in the book which reminds me of Tony Hillerman's wonderful Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee books. While Walt Longmire is a flawed, but intriguing character, he consistently demonstrates integrity and humor even when screwing up. Johnson's supporting players, Vic, Walter Standing Bear, Lucian, Omar and even his secretary are quirky characters with lots of depth. I had to read this mystery slowly because the writing was so well done. I haven't read a series this good since I read all of Louise Penny's books. I think that I am hooked.
This mystery kept me guessing until the last chapter, and the resolution made sense but also made me sad. Sheriff Walt Longmire of Absaroka County, Wyoming is a melancholy man himself, despite flashes of humor that illuminate him and his best friend, Henry Standing Bear, at intervals like desert lightning. It's not clear to me why every woman he meets either wants to be his lover or his mother--but I frequently question fictional women's taste in men, especially in mysteries.
I also wonder why all the characters seem to recognize literary references except for the few who are certifiably stupid. I don't recognize the names and capacities of the many guns and vehicles that play as big a part in the book as many of the characters.
We'll be discussing this in the Somerville Public Library Mystery Book Club tonight, and I am curious to hear how other readers reacted. For myself, I would be interested in reading the next in the series. Just not yet. I need better company than Sheriff Longmire right now.
I also wonder why all the characters seem to recognize literary references except for the few who are certifiably stupid. I don't recognize the names and capacities of the many guns and vehicles that play as big a part in the book as many of the characters.
We'll be discussing this in the Somerville Public Library Mystery Book Club tonight, and I am curious to hear how other readers reacted. For myself, I would be interested in reading the next in the series. Just not yet. I need better company than Sheriff Longmire right now.