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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
The Longmire books tend to have a pretty wide range of "types" of stories they tell - serial killers, cold cases, etc. This was a prisoner exchange that turned into a manhunt. A manhunt on a mountain during a blizzard with all the lore and mystique that comes along with Walt Longmire. This is one of my favorite series and this was a strong story, but I'd be happy enough if we didn't have any more mountain treks in the snow.
I'd give this 3 1/2 stars, but I rounded down because the author has had 6 books before this to practice with, so I expected more. I did enjoy the book, but mostly because I like the people and the places, and have gotten to know them over the course of the previous 6 books. But the plot itself wasn't that compelling. I think with the Covid isolation, perhaps I appreciated it as a chance to sit back and listen to a bunch of interesting people talking, telling stories, and generally bs'ing about life in a very cold place. I like the way people generally seem to help each other, when they aren't trying to kill each other, that is. And I especially like Walt Longmire's dry humor.
But like sitting around listening to a group of people talking, it occasionally gets a bit boring and slow, plus it's hard not being able to join in with my own opinions.
I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by George Guidall, who does an outstanding job for these books, as well as many others I've heard his narrate. I think his narration is an improvement over reading.
By the way, the title comes from Walt's answer to Ruby about what he's doing... "Hell is empty, and all the devils are here." This is a quote from the first act of William Shakespeare's The Tempest. Walt is a pretty literate guy.
But like sitting around listening to a group of people talking, it occasionally gets a bit boring and slow, plus it's hard not being able to join in with my own opinions.
I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by George Guidall, who does an outstanding job for these books, as well as many others I've heard his narrate. I think his narration is an improvement over reading.
By the way, the title comes from Walt's answer to Ruby about what he's doing... "Hell is empty, and all the devils are here." This is a quote from the first act of William Shakespeare's The Tempest. Walt is a pretty literate guy.
So far my favorite one in the series I think. I love the Native American mysticism as well as the survival aspects of the story. Plus the allegory of Dante's circles of hell. Gave me Apocalypse Now vibes which is one of my favorite movies.
Another great mystery from Craig Johnson. This one has Longmire chasing escaped convicts through a hard Wyoming winter. An old face from a previous case makes an appearance (or does he?) The death of one child is at the heart of the main case but promises of a new birth gives hope.
Hell is Empty is the seventh book in the Walt Longmire series and the second that I've read. I'll be going back for the rest throughout this winter - these are just that good.
With a title that quotes Shakespeare and an obsession with Dante, in general, and The Inferno, in particular, this book is less of a mystery and more of a thriller, less of a Western cop procedural and more of a classic hero's journey. I think all great heroes need one of these and Walt Longmire is definitely a great hero.
With a psychopathic prison escapee and his cohorts loose with hostages in the Big Horn Mountains in an ice storm, Longmire must trek into the mountain wilderness. There just isn't anyone else on the mountain who can get there in time to save the hostages. Whether or not Longmire will get there in time is up for grabs.
Johnson writes the landscape and the winter as if they are characters central to the story and in most ways they are. Longmire's guides are a Native American shaman with an axe to grind against the worst of the prisoners and a paperback copy of The Inferno that makes its way through many different hands and provides a literary backdrop to what would otherwise be a fairly standard thriller.
Johnson develops the suspense and the tension from the very beginning of the book with shackled prisoners who still manage to make you uncomfortable. The many chances for disaster are writ large across the first few chapters.
It can be difficult to write a character who is interesting enough to carry most of a book. How many people are really that interesting, have interior lives we care about, can battle the elements and live? In Walt Longmire, Craig Johnson has written a character that is worth knowing. A modern Western Sheriff in an ever-changing world. Read these books.
With a title that quotes Shakespeare and an obsession with Dante, in general, and The Inferno, in particular, this book is less of a mystery and more of a thriller, less of a Western cop procedural and more of a classic hero's journey. I think all great heroes need one of these and Walt Longmire is definitely a great hero.
With a psychopathic prison escapee and his cohorts loose with hostages in the Big Horn Mountains in an ice storm, Longmire must trek into the mountain wilderness. There just isn't anyone else on the mountain who can get there in time to save the hostages. Whether or not Longmire will get there in time is up for grabs.
Johnson writes the landscape and the winter as if they are characters central to the story and in most ways they are. Longmire's guides are a Native American shaman with an axe to grind against the worst of the prisoners and a paperback copy of The Inferno that makes its way through many different hands and provides a literary backdrop to what would otherwise be a fairly standard thriller.
Johnson develops the suspense and the tension from the very beginning of the book with shackled prisoners who still manage to make you uncomfortable. The many chances for disaster are writ large across the first few chapters.
It can be difficult to write a character who is interesting enough to carry most of a book. How many people are really that interesting, have interior lives we care about, can battle the elements and live? In Walt Longmire, Craig Johnson has written a character that is worth knowing. A modern Western Sheriff in an ever-changing world. Read these books.
I was surprised that a whole book could be one long chase sequence, but not that it would keep my engrossed as wholly as it did. Phew!
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
I wasn't sure at first if I will like this 7th book about Walt Longmire, because of the absence of the recurring characters.
We do see Vic,Sancho and Henry, but not a lot, and I really missed them while I was reading Hell is empty (the title is great).
Nevertheless, I really like this book, especially when Walt meets Virgil or his ghost.I have truly missed him.
The wisdom of Virgil was fasicinating to read.
I also liked very much the discussions Walt has with the connvicts.
The moment when Walt is inside a great fire is a great moment.
A very good Walt Longmire's book, but not my favorite's one.
We do see Vic,Sancho and Henry, but not a lot, and I really missed them while I was reading Hell is empty (the title is great).
Nevertheless, I really like this book, especially when Walt meets Virgil or his ghost.I have truly missed him.
The wisdom of Virgil was fasicinating to read.
I also liked very much the discussions Walt has with the connvicts.
The moment when Walt is inside a great fire is a great moment.
A very good Walt Longmire's book, but not my favorite's one.
"What is it with you white people and morals? Maybe it's just a story about what happened." He paused for a moment. "If an Indian points at a tree, you white people are always thinking, What does that mean? What does the tree stand for? What's the lesson in this for me? Maybe it's just a tree."
Another brilliant outing by [a:Craig Johnson|63607|Craig Johnson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1349965600p2/63607.jpg].
I think one of my favorite aspects of long running mystery series, and what sets an amazing one apart from the good ones, is the ability to weave a world. Perhaps it's not an entire universe, with unique flora and fauna, and detailed maps; but the ability to show how a character from a previous novel continues to affect the characters, and how their past interactions can reflect on present interactions.
Craig Johnson is a master of this. From [b:The Cold Dish|109901|The Cold Dish (Walt Longmire, #1)|Craig Johnson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1398028367l/109901._SY75_.jpg|105919] all the way to Hell Is Empty, people that Walt has met and befriended continue to pop up. It really helps make him feel like a good sheriff - not just an okay sheriff, but one who genuinely cares about his community. It also helps make it seem like a small county.
While perhaps not the strongest mystery - there's no question as to whodunit - it's still a strong narrative. I think Walt is at his peak when it's just him against the elements, fighting against both mother nature and human nature. And this book really nails that down - the majority of the book is spent with Walt and his own thoughts.
All in all, I can't recommend these books enough. If you like a good mystery, Longmire should be required reading.
Another brilliant outing by [a:Craig Johnson|63607|Craig Johnson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1349965600p2/63607.jpg].
I think one of my favorite aspects of long running mystery series, and what sets an amazing one apart from the good ones, is the ability to weave a world. Perhaps it's not an entire universe, with unique flora and fauna, and detailed maps; but the ability to show how a character from a previous novel continues to affect the characters, and how their past interactions can reflect on present interactions.
Craig Johnson is a master of this. From [b:The Cold Dish|109901|The Cold Dish (Walt Longmire, #1)|Craig Johnson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1398028367l/109901._SY75_.jpg|105919] all the way to Hell Is Empty, people that Walt has met and befriended continue to pop up. It really helps make him feel like a good sheriff - not just an okay sheriff, but one who genuinely cares about his community. It also helps make it seem like a small county.
While perhaps not the strongest mystery - there's no question as to whodunit - it's still a strong narrative. I think Walt is at his peak when it's just him against the elements, fighting against both mother nature and human nature. And this book really nails that down - the majority of the book is spent with Walt and his own thoughts.
All in all, I can't recommend these books enough. If you like a good mystery, Longmire should be required reading.