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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
This is one of the best pieces of contemporary American crime fiction I have read. Johnson introduces the world to a new fresh voice that speaks about the beauty, complexity, and reality of the American ideal of "the West" as a space of freedom, identity, and new beginnings. Johnson has achieved for Wyoming and rugged rough winters what Henning Mankell has for Sweden with Wallander.
LOVED! Loved Henry even more in the book than in the show. LOVED the last paragraph. Yes. It is so.
Amazing writing. The scene in the storm in the mountains is powerful, haunting and completely brought to life by Johnson. I think a lot of these police procedurals and thrillers are driven by who the killer is, but this was much more introspective and personal to the characters surrounding the murders. Really enjoyed that full frame of reference even if it left the reveal somewhat middling by the time you get there. Looking forward to reading more of these for sure.
4.5 stars... Stellar rec Laz!
The writing was excellent and a little more sophisticated than what I'm used to ;).
The characters felt authentic and the relationships genuine. I loved the interactions between Bear and Walt, and Vic and Walt, but there were several characters that played on the periphery just like in life that I really enjoyed.
I'll admit to getting a little lost in all the weapons and ammo speak...I know the basics of what the Army taught me and the rest pretty much flew over my head.
Loved Walt's sense of humor--unintentional, subtle and sometimes inappropriate.
I haven't had a book surprise me the way this one did...well...possibly ever. I didn't see it coming.
Will continue with this series.
The writing was excellent and a little more sophisticated than what I'm used to ;).
The characters felt authentic and the relationships genuine. I loved the interactions between Bear and Walt, and Vic and Walt, but there were several characters that played on the periphery just like in life that I really enjoyed.
I'll admit to getting a little lost in all the weapons and ammo speak...I know the basics of what the Army taught me and the rest pretty much flew over my head.
Loved Walt's sense of humor--unintentional, subtle and sometimes inappropriate.
I haven't had a book surprise me the way this one did...well...possibly ever. I didn't see it coming.
Will continue with this series.
3.5 ⭐️
The characters were well written with their own unique features and traits. I loved the setting and the way the landscape was described. It was quite detailed and vivid.
I felt like the story took off in the last quarter of the book. But despite feeling slower in the beginning, I was hooked on it and wanted to find out how it moved forward and what the connections were between the events that happened.
I could have passed on the descriptions of weapons and the cartridges because that felt tiresome with how often it came up. But that may be because I’m really not interested in guns, even though I understand that it is probably a very US-American thing to do and in parts necessary to sell the story in the environment in which it is set.
Nevertheless, it was a solid read. Would probably pick up the second instalment somewhere in the future.
The characters were well written with their own unique features and traits. I loved the setting and the way the landscape was described. It was quite detailed and vivid.
I felt like the story took off in the last quarter of the book. But despite feeling slower in the beginning, I was hooked on it and wanted to find out how it moved forward and what the connections were between the events that happened.
I could have passed on the descriptions of weapons and the cartridges because that felt tiresome with how often it came up. But that may be because I’m really not interested in guns, even though I understand that it is probably a very US-American thing to do and in parts necessary to sell the story in the environment in which it is set.
Nevertheless, it was a solid read. Would probably pick up the second instalment somewhere in the future.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Cold Dish is the first entry in the Walt Longmire Western Mystery series by Craig Johnson.
The series follows Walt Longmire a grumpy, overweight, gone-to-seed aging man with a creative sense of humor and a big heart who is contemplating running again for the sheriff of Durant, Wyoming (the county seat of fictional Absaroka County). The novel deals with a series of deaths that can be traced back to a horrific incident that happened to a local Cheyenne girl Melissa Little Bird - that many in the local community are (understandably) very upset about. Walt is drawn into the mystery - and is sworn to protect the rest of the potential victims from their seemingly impending deaths - even if they may deserve it for what they've done. Along the way Walt teams up with Henry Standing Bear in order to crack the case while he also finds himself rekindling his love life - with a woman named Vonnie Hayes. And where the story leads from here is quite surprising.
Cracking witty dialogue and modern dilemmas sensitively handled along with blood pumping violence and heroic endurance, make The Cold Dish a great book. It's a book that focuses on revenge, friendship, and the effects of trauma. That being said, this book is full of trigger warnings, and it would be best to investigate the plot further to see if this book would be for you. But please know that I believe the issues that are addressed are sensitively handled, and are never employed for the sake of shock. This is a thoughtful work of fiction that deals with very heavy real-world issues. Walt Longmire is an endearing character - he's sort of a grump but a lovable grump, who has a heart of valor.
"The dead, just want the same thing as the living, understanding."
The series follows Walt Longmire a grumpy, overweight, gone-to-seed aging man with a creative sense of humor and a big heart who is contemplating running again for the sheriff of Durant, Wyoming (the county seat of fictional Absaroka County). The novel deals with a series of deaths that can be traced back to a horrific incident that happened to a local Cheyenne girl Melissa Little Bird - that many in the local community are (understandably) very upset about. Walt is drawn into the mystery - and is sworn to protect the rest of the potential victims from their seemingly impending deaths - even if they may deserve it for what they've done. Along the way Walt teams up with Henry Standing Bear in order to crack the case while he also finds himself rekindling his love life - with a woman named Vonnie Hayes. And where the story leads from here is quite surprising.
Cracking witty dialogue and modern dilemmas sensitively handled along with blood pumping violence and heroic endurance, make The Cold Dish a great book. It's a book that focuses on revenge, friendship, and the effects of trauma. That being said, this book is full of trigger warnings, and it would be best to investigate the plot further to see if this book would be for you. But please know that I believe the issues that are addressed are sensitively handled, and are never employed for the sake of shock. This is a thoughtful work of fiction that deals with very heavy real-world issues. Walt Longmire is an endearing character - he's sort of a grump but a lovable grump, who has a heart of valor.
"The dead, just want the same thing as the living, understanding."
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide
Moderate: Death, Rape, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness
The first in the Longmire series of books, really enjoyed it. Started quite slowly to introduce the characters but well written and good twist at end.