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topdragon 's review for:
A Serpent's Tooth: A Longmire Mystery
by Craig Johnson
Sheriff Walt Longmire of Absaroka County Wyoming has had to deal with some kooky characters in the past but this time around he has a whole host of them. Chief among them is an elderly man claiming to be the 200+ year old Orrin Porter Rockwell, a controversial figure of the Old West and personal bodyguard to both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. It also seems Joseph Smith personally blessed him saying, “so long as ye shall remain loyal and true to thy faith, you need fear no enemy. Cut not thy hair and no bullet or blade can harm thee.”
Several polygamous Mormon splinter groups play prominent roles in this novel as well. So do “Lost Boys” who are young boys and men who have been kicked out of their families so as to preserve a better husband-to-wife ratio for these polygamists. This is a real thing and is one of several themes in this novel that lead it into a bit darker territory than many of the Longmire books thus far. But it’s not all about religious fringe groups; money and oil also have big roles. And the danger level is ratcheted up one more notch.
The main case that drags Walt and friends into these issues is of a missing woman, the mother of one of these Lost Boys. As usual, Craig Johnson brings lots of humor to these books, counterbalancing the darkness. It was also a nice reminder that Walt and his primary deputy, Vic Moretti, are both excellent detectives and experienced police professionals. Their eventual solution is innovative as well as great fun to read.
As expected, another great Walt Longmire book. Hope these continue for a long time to come.
Several polygamous Mormon splinter groups play prominent roles in this novel as well. So do “Lost Boys” who are young boys and men who have been kicked out of their families so as to preserve a better husband-to-wife ratio for these polygamists. This is a real thing and is one of several themes in this novel that lead it into a bit darker territory than many of the Longmire books thus far. But it’s not all about religious fringe groups; money and oil also have big roles. And the danger level is ratcheted up one more notch.
The main case that drags Walt and friends into these issues is of a missing woman, the mother of one of these Lost Boys. As usual, Craig Johnson brings lots of humor to these books, counterbalancing the darkness. It was also a nice reminder that Walt and his primary deputy, Vic Moretti, are both excellent detectives and experienced police professionals. Their eventual solution is innovative as well as great fun to read.
As expected, another great Walt Longmire book. Hope these continue for a long time to come.