Reviews

Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson

elanorh's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad fast-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

5.0

Thus far, my favorite Longmire. History between and about characters continues to build up. We see old friends. One of my favorite earlier side characters returns.

I do hope/wish that Virgil isn't dead but I think he really was. So much sadness in his story. I hope that the closure for his son, knowing his father had nothing to do with his son's death, is good.

bookhawk's review against another edition

4.0

Another super installment in this well written intelligent western mystery series. Craig Johnson is visiting our fair city this Friday and I look forward to hearing him speak in person about the inspirations for Longmire and crew. Highly recommended reading if you like literary allusions scattered among a good action mystery plot with unique and interesting characters.

fishwitch's review against another edition

4.0

I only gave this book 4 stars because I got a little frustrated with the main character once again going after a killer alone and putting himself in unnecessary danger. L

staticdisplay's review against another edition

5.0

I found this book terribly sad. I did enjoy reading something that I wanted to return to - I wanted to find out what would happen next. I had a good sense of what was going on throughout the story, and the ending wasn't a surprise to me at all (it didn't need to be). The one thing I didn't care for was Walt's relentless trek forward beyond a point at which it made sense or would be possible. I know that the story addressed that, but I find it so distracting when I'm reading something and I have to keep track of the litany of physical complaints because the main character refuses to rest and keeps taking hits beyond any reasonable point. Having said that, I loved the magical realism and cultural/spiritual elements in this story.

markmtz's review against another edition

5.0

Part western, part thriller, part fantasy. I'm really enjoying the Longmireverse.

lisaeirene's review against another edition

5.0

This was one of the best books in the series I think. It was one of the episodes on the TV show but the book was slightly different so it felt like a new story to me. A group of convicted killers were being transported by the Sheriff and meeting the FBI because one of them said he could take them to the location of a body he buried. As you can guess, things go awry. They escape and Walt is tromping through the mountains in a blizzard trying to catch them and rescue the hostages.

"Life is like that. You collect things are you go--the things you think are important--and soon they weigh you down until you realize that these things you cared so much about mean nothing at all. Our natures are our natures. And they are all we are left with. [pg 217]"

The book is a fast read and the writing is always great. You get sucked into the story and then all of a sudden it feels like you are reading beautiful poetry because the writing just becomes so wonderful. It also weaves in some mysticism without being goofy or unbelievable. Great read!

wetdryvac's review against another edition

5.0

Holy giant piles of *censored*, this is like the stories I grew up with around the fire come to life, and in the best way possible. Writing's on point throughout, and the wee wobbles weren't - and if this is the direction these novels are headed in, go go go.

edlweiss's review against another edition

5.0

Oh wow. I didn't think this solid crime series could get any better, but I think Johnson just upped his game with this entry. What starts off as a prison transfer turns into a fever dream of a chase sequence. Johnson describes the rugged country of Wyoming and the character motivations so well, I'm always willing to overlook a certain amount of implausibility with regards to the situations in which Sheriff Walt Longmire finds himself. There are some seriously terrifying scenes in this novel once Walt gets up into the heart of the mountains. Full to the brim with dread and uncertainty as to what is real and what is imagined, the plot speeds along at the pace of a runaway train. Fantastic crime/western. I can't wait to read the next one.

csdaley's review against another edition

3.0

While I still enjoyed it I will say this was my least favorite Longmire book.

kbrujv's review against another edition

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