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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I enjoyed reading this book and give it a solid 4 stars. It is the first book in the series. Walt Longmire is the Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. He has a 3 and 1/2 person department. Absaroka is not an actual County in Wyoming, but there are Absaroka mountains. I like the author's use of language, p.45"The aspen trees... were a bright butter..." He has captured the flavor of life on the high plains. He gets a call from a sheepherder who has found a body. He asks the location of the body and is about to hang up and head out when the caller says:'Hey, Shuuriff? Dad says for you to bring some beer, we're almost out." I did not realize who the murderer was until almost the end. There are some laugh out lines in this book. The TV series Longmire is based on this series and is pretty faithful to the books.
This is another book my brother (or sister-in-law) insisted that I just had to read. I have no idea why. Maybe Craig Johnson is a friend of their's? His bio doesn't make that seem likely. Whatever, they wouldn't take no for an answer, so to speak, and so I snagged a copy and read it.
I guess the book was ok. I wasn't much taken by it and will likely not bother with more. We have a sheriff, Walt Longmire, in a small town in Wyoming, near a Cheyenne (I think) reservation. His best friend runs a bar and is a Native American (or Indian), Henry Standing Bear. He also has a young, potty-mouthed deputy, Victoria (Vic) Moretti, and some other "helpers".
The problem seems to be that some two years previously, a bunch of young punks raped and brutalized a young, special-needs (fetal alcohol syndrome) Indian woman. The boys were taken to trial, but essentially got off with little more than slaps on the wrist. Then one is found dead in what might vaguely be construed as a hunting accident. Oops, another is shot. So, Walt has to protect the remaining young men. Along the way, he begins a romance with a woman of his vintage (60-ish) who appears to be rich and artsy and stuff, but who might have a "dark" side. Oh, we also get a bunch of mystical appearances of Cheyenne apparitions who help Walt in his investigations, his tramping through blizzards, and so forth.
Well, it could have been an ok story, but I didn't much like any of the characters, nor the ways they interacted with each other. It all felt contrived so as to make things seem hip or modern or "western" or something. It didn't much feel "real" to me. Or, perhaps, despite being an Eagle scout, I'm just not rough 'n' ready enough to appreciate such behavior ... or something. Meh!
I guess the book was ok. I wasn't much taken by it and will likely not bother with more. We have a sheriff, Walt Longmire, in a small town in Wyoming, near a Cheyenne (I think) reservation. His best friend runs a bar and is a Native American (or Indian), Henry Standing Bear. He also has a young, potty-mouthed deputy, Victoria (Vic) Moretti, and some other "helpers".
The problem seems to be that some two years previously, a bunch of young punks raped and brutalized a young, special-needs (fetal alcohol syndrome) Indian woman. The boys were taken to trial, but essentially got off with little more than slaps on the wrist. Then one is found dead in what might vaguely be construed as a hunting accident. Oops, another is shot. So, Walt has to protect the remaining young men. Along the way, he begins a romance with a woman of his vintage (60-ish) who appears to be rich and artsy and stuff, but who might have a "dark" side. Oh, we also get a bunch of mystical appearances of Cheyenne apparitions who help Walt in his investigations, his tramping through blizzards, and so forth.
Well, it could have been an ok story, but I didn't much like any of the characters, nor the ways they interacted with each other. It all felt contrived so as to make things seem hip or modern or "western" or something. It didn't much feel "real" to me. Or, perhaps, despite being an Eagle scout, I'm just not rough 'n' ready enough to appreciate such behavior ... or something. Meh!
“There were clouds at the mountains, and the snow pack reflected the sour-lemon sun into one of the most beautiful and perverse sunsets I had ever seen. The clouds were dappled like the hindquarters of an Appaloosa colt, and the beauty kicked just as hard.”
I am very late to the party with the Walt Longmire series. The books have been coming out since 2004 and the TV series has been around since 2012. I know lots of people who have liked both the books and the television program. Who knows why I waited so long.
I am glad that I finally got to this mystery and that I got to hear Guidall read it. George Guidall is one of the best narrators of all time. He brought Walt Longmire to life and no matter how I read the rest of the series, Longmire will always sound like Guidall for me.
This was a good book, well written. Part of the reason I put the quote above is so that I remember the wonderful descriptive language that Johnson uses. This is a mystery book. I expected a good story with a surprise solution at the end. I got that and enjoyed it. However, I also read some beautiful descriptions of Wyoming’s landscape weather and people. That made the story all the better.
I plan to read the rest of this series. I hope I will get to hear Guidall’s voice when I read more about Walt Longmire.
I am very late to the party with the Walt Longmire series. The books have been coming out since 2004 and the TV series has been around since 2012. I know lots of people who have liked both the books and the television program. Who knows why I waited so long.
I am glad that I finally got to this mystery and that I got to hear Guidall read it. George Guidall is one of the best narrators of all time. He brought Walt Longmire to life and no matter how I read the rest of the series, Longmire will always sound like Guidall for me.
This was a good book, well written. Part of the reason I put the quote above is so that I remember the wonderful descriptive language that Johnson uses. This is a mystery book. I expected a good story with a surprise solution at the end. I got that and enjoyed it. However, I also read some beautiful descriptions of Wyoming’s landscape weather and people. That made the story all the better.
I plan to read the rest of this series. I hope I will get to hear Guidall’s voice when I read more about Walt Longmire.
This is my first review for a book I didn't read but heard.
I had only recently gotten into audiobooks recently because I wanted to do my Dark Tower read through, which didn't really go as I had wanted it to (still waiting to get book 4).
Only thing about that, is I've read those books many times. I know the characters, the plot, the events and all that jazz. I do not know this book. Sorta.
I'm a fan of the TV series, followed it from AMC to Netflix and that's what I know. I know those characters, those actors in those roles.
That said, when I decided to listen to Cold Dish, I wasn't sure what I was getting into, the story, the characters, anything. I didn't know how different it'd be from the show, or how low in quality (as the first books tend to be sometimes) compared to the hype that everyone gives the others.
All that prologue to say, I really REALLY enjoyed this book.
The narrator is George Guidall, who I'm familiar with from DT, and I think I prefer him here. The story is filled with wit, snarky low-key humor. The characters are all lively, well rounded characters. Sure they're probably not as well formed as they're going to be, but for a book that was supposed to be one, you saw glimpses of life they lived, without having to go too far into it. There's romance, murder, and most importantly there's heart.
All of which is delivered steadily by Guidall.
Now I got to decide, do I listen to Wolves of Calla or go onto book 2.
I had only recently gotten into audiobooks recently because I wanted to do my Dark Tower read through, which didn't really go as I had wanted it to (still waiting to get book 4).
Only thing about that, is I've read those books many times. I know the characters, the plot, the events and all that jazz. I do not know this book. Sorta.
I'm a fan of the TV series, followed it from AMC to Netflix and that's what I know. I know those characters, those actors in those roles.
That said, when I decided to listen to Cold Dish, I wasn't sure what I was getting into, the story, the characters, anything. I didn't know how different it'd be from the show, or how low in quality (as the first books tend to be sometimes) compared to the hype that everyone gives the others.
All that prologue to say, I really REALLY enjoyed this book.
The narrator is George Guidall, who I'm familiar with from DT, and I think I prefer him here. The story is filled with wit, snarky low-key humor. The characters are all lively, well rounded characters. Sure they're probably not as well formed as they're going to be, but for a book that was supposed to be one, you saw glimpses of life they lived, without having to go too far into it. There's romance, murder, and most importantly there's heart.
All of which is delivered steadily by Guidall.
Now I got to decide, do I listen to Wolves of Calla or go onto book 2.
Some of the best descriptions I have ever read, both of landscapes and of the mind's eye!
What a terrific start to a series (or strong standalone, if Johnson had never continued writing). It's a slow-boil story, with a more mature lead than the standard PI or cop series, and a considerable about of real-life weight behind the characters and setting.
Highly recommended, either in print it audiobook (I listened to it while puttering around house and yard, and narrator George Guidall makes for a good companion in such circumstances).
Highly recommended, either in print it audiobook (I listened to it while puttering around house and yard, and narrator George Guidall makes for a good companion in such circumstances).
Probably the best "mystery" novel I've ever read. I use the scare quotes because that entire sketchy aspect seemed secondary. This is a killer debut novel with finely-drawn characters, a poignant sense of place, and dynamite writing...and nothing makes me happier upon finishing it than knowing there are six more in the series. Craig Johnson is a major, major talent -- an important American writer, even -- and I only hope that the genre he's chosen for himself doesn't marginalize him.
This book approached perfection. The protagonist was a mix of Raylan Givens and Harry Bosch, and the setting was reminiscent of a Jack London adventure.
All the characters of Absaroka, Wyoming are fleshed out to unexpected degree for what I wrongly assumed was "just another mystery novel" in an offbeat setting. There's recently widowed Vietnam veteran turned lawman Walt Longmire, foul-mouthed female deputy Vic Moretti, one-legged former sheriff Lucian Connally, Walt's closest friend and Cheyenne Indian Henry Standing Bear, and many other memorable supporting cast members.
Without giving anything away, the book's mystery was satisfying and it works well as a stand-alone novel. However, I can't wait to jump back into these characters lives in the next book, [b:Death Without Company|236862|Death Without Company (Walt Longmire, #2)|Craig Johnson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1349807862s/236862.jpg|229421].
I am ultimately grateful for A&E for adapting the books into Longmire, as I am not sure I ever would have heard of this series if not for the fledgling show. I am also looking forward to watching the show, and I'll try to update this with my opinions after watching it.
Update: I just caught up with the first two seasons of the show, and it is a really good show. While it's not the most faithful and pure adaptation of the books, as there are many inconsistencies regarding specifics, the main characters and overarching themes feel right.
All the characters of Absaroka, Wyoming are fleshed out to unexpected degree for what I wrongly assumed was "just another mystery novel" in an offbeat setting. There's recently widowed Vietnam veteran turned lawman Walt Longmire, foul-mouthed female deputy Vic Moretti, one-legged former sheriff Lucian Connally, Walt's closest friend and Cheyenne Indian Henry Standing Bear, and many other memorable supporting cast members.
Without giving anything away, the book's mystery was satisfying and it works well as a stand-alone novel. However, I can't wait to jump back into these characters lives in the next book, [b:Death Without Company|236862|Death Without Company (Walt Longmire, #2)|Craig Johnson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1349807862s/236862.jpg|229421].
I am ultimately grateful for A&E for adapting the books into Longmire, as I am not sure I ever would have heard of this series if not for the fledgling show. I am also looking forward to watching the show, and I'll try to update this with my opinions after watching it.
Update: I just caught up with the first two seasons of the show, and it is a really good show. While it's not the most faithful and pure adaptation of the books, as there are many inconsistencies regarding specifics, the main characters and overarching themes feel right.
4.5 stars.
The main character is appealing. I like the practical and disarming approach he takes. I wish I had as close a friend as he has. The secondary characters ring true (and hilarious) in their quirks. It was somewhat predictable (partly due to familiarity with common mystery story structure) but still not boring.
The level of mysticism was more than I wanted. I was fine with some, just not with as much focus as appeared here.
The main character is appealing. I like the practical and disarming approach he takes. I wish I had as close a friend as he has. The secondary characters ring true (and hilarious) in their quirks. It was somewhat predictable (partly due to familiarity with common mystery story structure) but still not boring.
The level of mysticism was more than I wanted. I was fine with some, just not with as much focus as appeared here.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t know anything about the Longmire series, but saw my cousin Jason reading the series and giving the books positive reviews, so I was excited to give them a try. This book is the first in the series and I really enjoyed the character development of the people in the story, and the mystery was great, with several unexpected twists. I’ll definitely read more of the Longmire books!