Death Without Company: A Longmire Mystery

Craig Johnson's second Walt Longmire mystery sparkles like new fallen snow in bright moonlight. A Basque woman murdered in a nursing home, a link to someone close to Walt, a clubbing, shots ringing out, this one's got it all. Craig Johnson can write. He's got a freshness and knack for description that reminds one of James Lee Burke. I could use a little less of the Indian mysticism, but that's just personal preference. I can skip those few pages and read the rest word for word, then sometimes back over again. Good stuff, Craig. Keep 'em coming.

Watching Longmire on TV introduced me to this terrific writer. Craig Johnson is a mix of Robert Parker and James Lee Burke and I can't get enough of his stories. Hard to put down, this tale of murder and cold weather and super characters will entertain any reader of action, mystery and lover of characters who leap off the page. Johnson takes the reader by the hand and leads him into a story where he can't escape until it's over. And then he wants more.

A good novel like the first. Anyone that reads it will enjoy it. Couple issues though. The author was a cop so he knows better so I guess he's having a bit of fun with his readers. He gives his daughter a detective special with the hammer down on an empty chamber thus depriving her of one live round. Why? In the 1950's a company named Ivor Johnson (I believe) manufactured a revolver with a revolutionary internal safety. Their marketing slogan was "hammer the hammer​." That type of safety is on every revolver for sale in the US since those days. They are very safe. The second unlikely thing is shotgun pellets hitting the bad guy in the hand, side and foot. At a short distance the pellets just will not spread that much. But let"s call one pellet a ricochet off something. Finally, dog should have been wearing an elizabethean collar. Without, he'd have those bandages and stitches out in a flash. When I caught my dog he was evaluating the surgery itself. He didn't like it.

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Craig Johnson's a terrific writer and his Longmire series is brutally honest, imaginative, and sometimes too gritty for a wimp like me, but I just could not put them down. I had to re-read some of them to get them in the right order. I really look forward to the re-runs of Longmire Season 1 on A&E, and then the start of Season 2. These Longmire mysteries would be enjoyable for any mystery read, male or female. Definitely not a cosy.

Each time I read a Craig Johnson mystery, I realize how much I enjoy the world his characters live in. They are close to the land, they live in a sparsely populated area, they know each other, their roots go back a long way. Their actions are real; likewise their concerns. They have a sense of humor. And they are trustworthy in the best sense of the word. Would that the majority of mystery novels had such characters.

This is my second Longmire book and not my last. I began the series after seeing the television show, which as good as it is, can not touch the books. Characters with depth and both books slowly revealed more facets of each. Interesting stories that keep you guessing. Mr. Johnson creates a sense of place that is as vivid as a John Ford western. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

I'd never heard of Craig Johnson before I attended Left Coast Crime 2011 in Santa Fe, NM. Let me say it was more than just a minor oversight on my part: it was probably a borderline tragedy. During a Sunday morning panel titled Crime Fiction on Big and Little Screens, he spoke about the Longmire series in production with A&E, and I was intrigued from when he first opened his mouth to the end of the discussion. To entice us to stick around and thank us for showing up on Sunday, cards for a giveaway were being handed out, and I happened to be second to the trough. An ARC of Craig's upcoming release Hell Is Empty was one of the items being offered, and I snapped it up faster than a rattlesnake might attack a field mouse. And I was enamored enough with the writing and the characters to start at the beginning of the Walt Longmire series.

Like Craig Johnson the man, Craig Johnson the author leaves a damn good third impression. Death Without Company brings back all the familiar faces from The Cold Dish, and even manages to throw in a few new ones. The familiarity mixed with the new is certainly intriguing, and he only ratchets it up with great characterization, setting, and an intriguing mystery. Even though this is a first person narrative, like the other two, the secondary characters are rich in depth, description, and details to the point that the reader isn't lacking a single piece of information. If that isn't enough for you, he takes it a step further and Absaroka County feels about as close and homey as my own backyard.

Speaking of my backyard, he was kind enough to stop in New Mexico on his book tour for his latest novel As The Crow Flies, and I was impressed with the way he carried himself. Afterwards, he signed three novels for me, not his latest, and he seemed both genuine and sincere. My last encounter with him was an email exchange, and he exhibited all the same qualities I gathered from my first impression.

So what's my point? It's a beautiful thing when nice guys find success, and I hope he discovers it in droves. He's built up a faithful audience through wonderful prose, received numerous writing awards, but it wasn't until his seventh novel that he hit The New York Times Bestsellers List. If I had a cowboy hat, I'd tip it in Craig Johnson's direction, and I'd wish him nothing but the best. And if you like mysteries as much as I do, you'll want to remember the name Craig Johnson. It's one I won't likely forget.

Robert Downs
Author of Falling Immortality: Casey Holden, Private Investigator

We are from Wyoming and recognize alot of the places he talks about although the names are made up. We enjoyed that he keeps Henry in the stories and alot of the Indian beliefs. He is also funny at times, and his humor is like the laid back cowboys that are still around. We would recommend this book to anyone that likes the small town law and order. If you enjoyed the TV series you will enjoy his books

In this volume, now one of many, the monstrous yet ever faithful Dog joins sheriff Walt Longmire as he investigates a series of deaths. The former curmudgeon sheriff and old friend wants revenge on those who murdered the one love of his life. Nice tale well told.

The style is crisp and droll, the characters varied and well-etched, the plot twisting and exciting. I didn't find this second volume in the series quite as gripping as the first, but that's a high standard. Still well worth reading.

From the epigram that begins the novel until the last page, Craig Johnson surprises the reader with the depth and breadth of his knowledge. Not only is the author well educated, his understanding of human nature and motivations is superb. In addition, the plot becomes more and more suspenseful as the story advances. I stayed up way past bedtime to finish the last part of this challenging mystery.

Yes, this is another excellent story by Craig Johnson. I recommend it fully. It is a mystery set in the Big Horn mountain area of Wyoming and although the town and county don't exist, you can decipher where it is based upon the locales. The story starts out slow to build the characters and the plot, but then takes off and the book is hard to put down. Because the time was spent to build the characters, you are with them throughout the ending, pulling for them. I can't wait for another book by this author. The story lines, the characters, the area, they all come together to make for a great story. Keep up the good work!

I picked up a book, and was immediately back where I grew up at: Wyoming. Mr. Johnson has it down. Lakes, Rivers, Counties, Highway Patrol, Cheyenne, Rawlins, abutting states, where everything is relative to each other in the state... And, it's a great Mystery / Detective Book at that.

I should have read the first book in this series. It was hard to get in to the swing of his writing - to follow his train of thought. The story was very intriguing so I kept reading because I really wanted to know what happened. I'm from Wyoming and love to read books that take place there. I can relate to the landscape and the harsh winters. I'm going to get the first book in the series and keep reading.

Once I began reading the Walt Longmire series, by Craig Johnson, I had to continue. My libarary only had two selections and not in order. Thank goodness for Kindle. I was able to received the books in order, in minutes and continue my saga with the sherriff, his spunky deputy and lots of western color and flavor. A+ series

Craig Johnson delivers another beautifully written, complex and layered novel. The characters are interesting and flawed, operating like real people. The action and the who done it are gripping and never what you first expect. I read the book in a day and went back for more. If you're looking for an entertaining, well written book, you won't go wrong.

Craig Johnson has found a vehicle to bring the wilds of Wyoming, the rustic personality of the people, and the daily (and the not so daily) events to life. I feel the lives of these unforgetable characters. Walt and his family and friends have become an integral part of my life. Bring on the next story..
Vernon James

Always, always can count on reading a five star book if the author is the one and only Craig Johnson. After reading the first book, I was already thinking ahead to the next one. His writing keeps me glued to the pages. Johnson is an amazing talent.

Great mystery series. You get to know and like the characters. The stories are interesting especially with the twists and turns the characters take. I'm always surprised at who "the bad guy" turns out to be.

This series featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire has become, for me, something I read between higher rated books because there aren't enough of those to occupy my time. This is my second book, and it confirms what I think I learned from the first. The books are pretty well written, the characters are reasonably interesting and the plots are okay. There isn't the depth of character that you find in better books and I find that I'm not really relating to old Walt like I do to others like Harry Bosch, Dave Robicheaux, Kurt Wallander, etc. I'd compare him somewhat to Joe Pickett in the C.J. Box series, although Pickett might get the nod as the more interesting guy. But the book is worth reading and won't leave you screaming in frustration.

An engaging mystery with characters who seem as real as family to Westerners. Their world is often cold and unforgiving, but real in its details and characteristics. This novel concerns a mystery surrounding the death of an elderly woman, the past she and Lucien have hidden for decades, and the complicated unraveling of stories that it takes to discover the killer. Craig Johnson is an exceptionally talented writer.

Fast Delivery, Super EZ downloading & Exceeded my Expectations! Good Reading - couldn't put it down. LOVE Craig Johnson! I received it wirelessly for my DROID RAZR Kindle app immediately! This vendor exceeded my expectations! I would heartily recommend this vendor and my favorite shopping place - the store.COM !!! ~mm

Craig Johnson's character longmire is a likable,down to earth policeman who you would want on your side.living close to an Indian reservation it also lets you in on Indian customs with his best friend bear.

After reading "A Cold Dish" I certainly wanted more of Walt Longmire's adventures. This was a much of a treat as Craig Johnson's first novel. I like these two so much that I will read the rest of the series. A word of caution; read the books in order, they make more sense that way.

Not all that familiar with Craig Johnson but have watched TV show Longmire and the books are good reading but different from show. However, the soul of Walt Longmire the main character in the book is deep and developed and just love this type of modern western with some old fashion values which sometimes are lacking in this modern fast paced world.

I'd never heard of Craig Johnson or Walt Longmire until I saw the TV adaptation. Although the series initially got some negative reviews, I liked it and decided to give the original Longmire stories a try. I'm hooked. I probably won't stop until I've read all of the Longmire books.

Another winner by Craig Johnson. Anyone who has seen the "Longmire" episodes can identify with the characters in this novel. It has plenty of plot twists all the while showcasing the beautiful setting in Wyoming. Exciting reading and I would recommend to anyone who likes a good murder mystery.

Craig Johnson will take you right to Wyoming and drop you off at the Sherriff's office. I have enjoyed every book that Walt Longmire is a part of, feeling like I am there and part of it. The characters are true and honest with intricate lives that I want to be included in.

This is the second in the Walt Longmire series, and the second one I've bought. I'm going to read them in order since so far they blend one into the next. This book introduces more locals and is more defined that the last. It is a good story and makes me anxious to by the next one.

I love these books. The characters are so well defined and the humor is great. Also, the descriptions of the Bighorn Mountain area are so vivid. I hope he writes more full books, rather than short stories.

I've become addicted to the Longmire mysteries by Craig Johnson. The characterization is strong and complex; we care about the ongoing characters; his description of the western scene is wonderful, and the action is intense, varied, colorful and often surprising. I came to the novels through the very good TV series, but the novels are far more complex and filled with humor.