Scan barcode
A review by steven_v
Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson
2.0
This installment of the Walt Longmire mystery series was rather disappointing, mainly because there isn't really a mystery for Walt to solve. Instead, the story begins with the escape of a hardened criminal, who then ends up climbing up into the mountains with associates and hostages as Longmire chases him into an ever-worsening storm.
As I say, the main drawback of this plot is that there is no mystery. Although the criminal, Shade, certainly kills people along the way, there's no question that he is, in fact, the killer each time. Additionally, the chase is very one-dimensional... Shade simply keeps going up and up the mountain to the summit. There's no real way to turn aside, and no doubt as to where he is going (although Johnson never satisfactorily explains why). This makes the story extremely linear, lacking the normal twists, turns, and surprises that one expects from a Longmire story.
A second problem with this story is that it feels like we're in re-runs. Once again Longmire is hiking through blizzard conditions that should kill him, surviving but slowly succumbing to hypothermia. Once again he is assisted by Indian guides who might be alive or dead (i.e. spirits). The same basic story was already told in the first novel, and the scene where Longmire plunges into frozen mountain water was canvassed in one of the other novels. Johnson even references those events as Longmire muses that these new circumstances remind him of those.
Perhaps because of these issues -- no real mystery, few plot twists, and a feeling like I've read this story before -- I found this novel to be rather hard to get through. I put it aside for days at a time. This has never happened before with a Longmire novel, because I usually devour them in a matter of hours and then regret that I didn't take longer to savor them. This one, however... honestly I couldn't wait until it was over. It really seemed like Johnson had come up with too little of a plot (i.e. Walt chases someone through a blizzard till he catches him), and then kept stretching it out with extra snow disasters and Indian guide visions just to take up space.
Another major issue with this book was the lack of focus on the supporting cast. Ruby, Vic, the Bear, Cady, and Sancho only make brief cameos in the novel -- it's pretty much all Longmire, all the time. And although I do love Walt... he needs his supporting cast around him to shine in the best light. Especially Vic.
That said, the descriptions are still wonderfully vivid, and Longmire remains a likable character. You certainly can admire his gumption. And several events occur that have long-lasting implications for the Longmire series itself, so I wouldn't advise skipping this novel in the series. Just don't expect it to be like the others.
As I say, the main drawback of this plot is that there is no mystery. Although the criminal, Shade, certainly kills people along the way, there's no question that he is, in fact, the killer each time. Additionally, the chase is very one-dimensional... Shade simply keeps going up and up the mountain to the summit. There's no real way to turn aside, and no doubt as to where he is going (although Johnson never satisfactorily explains why). This makes the story extremely linear, lacking the normal twists, turns, and surprises that one expects from a Longmire story.
A second problem with this story is that it feels like we're in re-runs. Once again Longmire is hiking through blizzard conditions that should kill him, surviving but slowly succumbing to hypothermia. Once again he is assisted by Indian guides who might be alive or dead (i.e. spirits). The same basic story was already told in the first novel, and the scene where Longmire plunges into frozen mountain water was canvassed in one of the other novels. Johnson even references those events as Longmire muses that these new circumstances remind him of those.
Perhaps because of these issues -- no real mystery, few plot twists, and a feeling like I've read this story before -- I found this novel to be rather hard to get through. I put it aside for days at a time. This has never happened before with a Longmire novel, because I usually devour them in a matter of hours and then regret that I didn't take longer to savor them. This one, however... honestly I couldn't wait until it was over. It really seemed like Johnson had come up with too little of a plot (i.e. Walt chases someone through a blizzard till he catches him), and then kept stretching it out with extra snow disasters and Indian guide visions just to take up space.
Another major issue with this book was the lack of focus on the supporting cast. Ruby, Vic, the Bear, Cady, and Sancho only make brief cameos in the novel -- it's pretty much all Longmire, all the time. And although I do love Walt... he needs his supporting cast around him to shine in the best light. Especially Vic.
That said, the descriptions are still wonderfully vivid, and Longmire remains a likable character. You certainly can admire his gumption. And several events occur that have long-lasting implications for the Longmire series itself, so I wouldn't advise skipping this novel in the series. Just don't expect it to be like the others.