An Obvious Fact

by Craig Johnson (read by George Guidall)

Book 12: Walt Longmire

 

 

 

"There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact"

A.C. Doyle (quoted in the book)

Set at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (which means 'not on their home turf'), Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear once again solve the crime and catch the bad guys -- just the way it should be. The setting is a bit light and fluffy, but the mystery is not.

I have been read this series for a few years now, slowly, so that I can enjoy it, and somewhat out of sequence. I don't even remember why I picked it up in the first place. Maybe because Walt, Henry and I are of the same age. Maybe it was because it was narrated by George Guidall. Maybe because it was in an Audible sale pile and just spoke to me (sometimes books do that).

I loved the characters so much that I even broke my own rule and watched one episode of the TV show, hoping that I had found a series I could enjoy. That was a mistake; I did not like it all. Walt and Henry are well into their 60s and built like bricks. They are mellowed and matured by age and experience. They have loved and lost. They have earned their wrinkles and their quirks. At the same time, they are educated, well-read and worldly wise men. They are august yet approachable, respected members of their community. That was not what I saw on the TV screen.

I just hope that Craig Johnson has more stories in him. 

 

Three and a half stars. Perfect narration.

 

Next to Last Stand

By Craig Johnson (read by George Guidall)

Walt Longmire, book 16

 

Another escape to the mountains of Wyoming. I can just smell the pine fresh air.

It was so delightful. A complicated story about death and an old theft overlaid with a bit of Little Bighorn history and the black market in stolen art work. As always, a much enjoyed diversion, no thinking required. Just kick back and enjoy. I have read 14 of the 16 novels and none of the novellas (yet). I've already decided that I am not going to read one of the books because I think it is going to be a bit nastier than I enjoy reading.

I love the cast of characters that Johnson has created; they are people to be admired (at least the good guys are; the bad guys deserve what they get) -- hard-working, down to earth, playing the cards that life has dealt them. Some of them are mere sketches but then that is all that is needed to bring them to life. Others we get to see in a bit more depth. My favorite is one of Walt's deputies, a former Philadelphia cop with a bad-case of potty mouth and the hots for widower Walt; she doesn't take shit from anyone. She is also a crack shot.

I already know that once I have read all of the books in the series that I will read the story series over and over again -- this time in series order.

The series was also the basis for a TV show. I tried watching an episode and did not like it at all. It was one and done. I will continue to stick to my rule: read it or watch it but not both.

This one is a 4 star Walt Longmire.