Reviews

Hell Is Empty: A Longmire Mystery by Craig Johnson

broe028's review against another edition

5.0

I’m shocked that others did not enjoy this book. While the 6th book gave us a little more humor, the pure reflectivity of this one was almost too much pain to “bear” which is what kept us going. I don’t care that this wasn’t quite the mystery we were used to, it was the raw struggle of our favorite character and the constant confusion of what was real and what wasn’t. I could not put this down even if I tried. At points I wanted to cry, at points I wanted to scream. Regardless, I think this is another home run in the Longmire series and thank the lord that Johnson shares his talent with us in so many books. Never disappointed and never will be.

jilliegirl's review against another edition

5.0

Incredible, masterful writing.

kcwreads's review against another edition

4.0

The first third of the book felt really familiar, but I think perhaps I had starred this book out of order and then stopped. The last third was hard to get through because you knew how it ended so you just wanted to get there.

nikkib5's review

4.0

Referencing Dantes Inferno in this one. Love good literary references in books like this.

jmeston's review against another edition

4.0

So much better than the tv ep that drew from this book. I was worried that I'd just feel frozen after spending so much time in the WY blizzard with the Sherriff. But there were wide open spaces in that blizzard. Almost makes me want to read the Inferno. Almost.

kalmed22's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

7th in the Walt Longmire series.  Another daring rescue by Sheriff Longmire.  He battles convicted criminals on the run and the environment to catch the bad guys.  The unexplained and Native culture/lore are huge bonuses in this series.  Well written, beloved characters, and action-packed.  This is a favorite series.  

archergal's review against another edition

4.0

That was a helluva ride.

Dangerous prisoners being transported. An escape. A crazy chase through the wilderness in a snow storm. A Magical Indian.

Craig Johnson can write pretty compelling stories. In the previous books I've read, he's been good at really nailing the endings. This one heated up about half-way through and never stopped.

I listened to this in about 2 days.

ETA: I just saw a comment in a review and realized I'd missed something OBVIOUS in the book. I am so oblivious sometimes. It doesn't detract from the book, just AGAIN makes me realize that I am so literal-minded that I miss symbolism and analogies and stuff ALL THE TIME. Oh well...

moderndayjfk's review against another edition

5.0

This one, holy shit. This was an amazing story.

ellsbeth's review against another edition

5.0

Johnson's sense of place is always fantastic. This story takes place in Wyoming's Big Horn Mountains and has you questioning a lot of things as you go. When I finished, I wanted to immediately start reading it again, along with Dante's Inferno. Walt is one of my favorite book characters.

prairieraven's review against another edition

4.0

I thought that the first 3 were good.(the next few were not as good)....This is the best one in the series. enjoyed this so much I read it in one day in two reading sessions and it had Virgil in it!!! So good. noms. I recommend the book and the series as good, easy, entertaining, and enjoyable mystery reads. Great for in-between your more serious books