I recently had an opportunity to see and hear Craig Johnson, author of the Walt Longmire mysteries. If he appears in your town, go see him. As great as he writes, he speaks even better.
While I was at the bookstore to hear Craig speak, I purchased Death Without Company. This is the second book of the series that now numbers 9 books and I had already read book one. You can also see the Longmire mysteries on cable network A&E on Monday nights. The TV shows are slightly different from the books they are based on so you cannot assume you know what is coming. The stories are set in modern day Wyoming in a mythical county near the Montana border, the Powder River Mountains and the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
An elderly Basque woman dies under mysterious circumstances in a Durant, WY senior assisted living facility. Sheriff Walt Longmire, number one deputy Victoria Moretti and Walt’s longtime best friend Henry Standing Bear begin to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mari Baroja’s death. This takes them on a 50-year journey into her past and that of former Sheriff Lucian Connally, also a resident of the Home. The story takes place from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. It is cold and snowy, which adds to the drama.
As the story progresses, there are additional murders and bodily assaults. The reader learns about Mari’s brothers and their offspring, her abusive second husband and her relationship with Lucian. Several people are available as suspects. The crimes are committed by a person or persons who is/are the ultimate in evil personified. Add to this the possibility of millions of dollars in natural gas revenues and you have a crackerjack story.
GO! BUY! READ!
—Jim Harris, retired book sales rep
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I’ve been reading Craig’s books for several years now, and my husband loves them as well. We scarff them up as soon as they appear! He’s a great guy and I am so glad to have met him. Anyone not following this series (or the accompanying hit show Longmire) is encouraged to check them out. If you love well-written mysteries and well-crafted mystery shows, you will not be disappointed – I promise! Linda