A Longmire Story (A Longmire Mystery) - Spirit of Steamboat

I love Craig Johnson writing style....and this was a quick and easy read for the Christmas holidays. I remember my uncle's attitude about the 'Japs' and Lucian fit the profile of the soldiers/sailors/airmen of those days. A special story for our Christmas read in our bookclub.
It was also fun to read the story behind the emblem for the state of Wyoming too.

Craig Johnson seems incapable of writing less than wonderful characters, but if he doesn't set his next book in July in Absaroka county, I am going to revolt. Three pages in to Steamboat, I was under three blankets and one Sheepdog, trying to keep warm, so I could turn the next page. This is a great Christmas story and will be under many Christmas trees soon.

Craig Johnson is a consummate storyteller and he has the ability to cast his spell from the first word to the last. His character are now friends, his plots surprising and the writing is fine. Aren't we lucky to have a teller of tales who captures the modern West without cliche and with verve and charm. Everyone should read this terrific and interesting book. sd

This Longmire "mystery" was a little disappointing. Consisting primarily of flashbacks, this story is an adventure, to be sure, but it isn't really a mystery, which makes it somewhat misplaced in the Longmire series. Still, it is readable and well-done, as are all of the Craig Johnson books I've read.

As usual Craig Johnson is a master story teller with his character Sheriff Longmire. The only down side to this series of books, is the I have read them all, and would desperately love to read a new novel by Johnson. GOod stuff!

Wonderful action from beginning to end.
I have enjoyed Louis LaMour's early tales
from the Saturday Evening Post recounting
aerial adventures in Asia and a number of his
non-western stories. This compares with very well with
some of the best of the Master.

Craig Johnson never fails to surprise and please the reader. This novella is no exception to that. In it there are interesting, and sometimes mysterious characters, lots of dramatic nail biting tension, and warm bits of humor. I especially liked the aside from the main plot that tells how a bucking horse and rider ended up on Wyoming's license plates, and have remained there for more than eighty years. This fits well with the story, demonstrating the strength and determination of Wyoming people in overcoming adversity.

One of his best stories. Reminds us that the 'seat of the pants' skills learned from years of experience can be a triumph for all. Keeps you on your toes. You are cold, no, freezing right there with them. Craig Johnson writes his characters so well you can hear them and see the expressions they would have to be making when they speak.

I enjoyed the look into the past and learning more about the former sheriff Lucian Connolly and present Sheriff Walt Longmire as a younger recently elected sheriff. It adds backstory and character development. And it's a very good read which is important to me the reader.

Mr. Johnson did a wonderful story that has you hanging on the edge of your seat. I loved the adventure and the special visitor that comes to Walt. The visitor starts the story. I enjoyed learning about the real "Steamboat", the symbol of Wyoming.

This short novel holds all the charm and drama of Craig Johnson's longer works. He creates characters you care about and scenarios that are almost believable. I tried to make it last until Christmas but only made it to December 9th. And I grew up in Wyoming but had never heard the story about the horse on the license plate.

When you enjoy this series, you cannot after reading all these books, even remotely be objective. So there, just like everything Craig Johnson writes, I'm in. There you have it. Apparently I like actual thoughtful heroes.

Spirit of Steamboat is a small but very enjoyable departure from Walt Longmire's down home sleuthing and a learning experience about his great mentor and good friends past life.
Great read and whole heartedly recommended to all Longmire devotees and beginners alike.

Reading this book was a bit like a literary Thanksgiving dinner. I hungered for every word, gorging on the rich language and meaty story. Now that I've finished it, I'm both exhausted and satisfied. It's sad that I finished, but I'll never forgot this November celebration of life with my fictitious Wyoming family. Every page is delicious.

Spirit of Steamboat is a great story of danger, suspense and survival. Well written and fast-paced story of fight and flight for life. This is a story of courage and redemption. A must read for Longmire fans.

Spirit of Steamboat journeys back to Walt's early days as sheriff of Absoroka County. This book is not a mystery, but rather an adventure story, "man and machine" against the elements.

I understand why some people are unhappy with this story, there's no murder, no bad guy to be caught... just Craig Johnson taking you on a wild ride through the Wyoming wilderness. Throw another log on the fire, sit back and enjoy the ride.

I have to say, I really appreciate these smaller stories, after all Walt has already solved more murders than the whole state of Wyoming has in a decade...

The Conroy cookbook is great...our book group was reviewing his South of Broad and I used 4 recipes from the book to help the Southern mood for the evening.

Johnson's "Steamboat" Longmire story was his usual GREAT and included some true history of that WWll plane. As always, Longmire is a winner in my book!! I hope another Longmire is in the works otherwise I'll have to back to the first one and start over..........got to keep up on that Longmire "fix". Too bad the TV series isn't nearly as great as Craig Johnson's books.

This is quite probably the best novella I've read in 20 years. Tension, pathos, humor, powerful characters, well-developed motives...what a wonderful read this was. I envy everyone who reads this piece for the first time, it is just that good.

Love Craig Johnson's writing! Sadly, Steamboat was only 146 pages long. 1/2" thick total. Book was 5" X 7". Not quite the Novel that I was expecting for over $10.00 Would have enjoyed more book for the money. Still love his use of the English language.

Another great story! I have read all of the Longmire books and really enjoy them. The characters have interesting and fun personalities and there's always something hidden in their pasts. The stories keep my attention and you never really know where it will end up. When is the next one coming out?

I truly despise reading on a computer screen. But this was worth it. Walt and Lucien touch a part of me that hopes I can be as intrepid as they are. Lucien thrives on danger, and Walt overcomes it. Both do what needs to be done without a lot of fanfare. Hope. The last thing out of Pandora's box. This book gives it to me with some humor and a little heartache.

I have listened to all the Walt Longmire books on My Ipod. He's my hero(more than TV series even). This is really a short story or a novella so I didn't want to waste my credits at Audible.com. I read this quickly and liked as much as the other books. Mr. Johnson just needs to write faster.

Not the usual Walt Longmire story. More of a Christmas past story that was okay as the story was predictable knowing from the other books that both characters came out okay but it gives you a bit more background of both Sheriff Longmire's married life and Lucian Connally's history.

Per usual with his. Character Longmire it was an excited read. the only problem with this book was that ended too soon. Please more of these. I have read quit a few and have lost track of the ones I have read.. One of the few authors I could read over again.

I love the Longmire novels. Read about all of them now. I got this for my Kindle and like all Longmire stories enjoyed it. If you have not read any Longmire novels do so. The series is also on TV. Look for season three coming soon.

It feels light and expensive for its size. But the writing is masterful and the tale well told. Someone doesn't have to be murdered all the time. I found myself marveling at certain passages. That good enough value. (Some of the early masters started writing 150 page Gold Medal paperbacks.)

I was disappointed in this book, after the first intriguing pages, it devolved into one long 'scene'. Is is a novella, and really feels like a tv script for one long episode of an ongoing series. I gave up about a third of the way through, which took me all of about 20 minutes.

Classic Sheriff Walt Longmire as a Christmas Story, it was definitely a two Kleenex'er. Craig Johnson hit a home run in capturing the sprite an character of many people of the Rocky Mountain states. I love his mysteries and this was a very pleasant change. This book is a keeper.

Excellent, sit on the edge of your chair, book. reveals so much about former Sheriff and Longmire himself.
Would recommend this to anyone who loves Air Planes of WW II, and knows the Doolittle Raid crews/pilots.
God bless them.

Some very good twists and a surprising ending. As a Nam veterans I can relate, especially after reading ANOTHER MAN'S MOCCASINS. As a Nam veteran and with connections to the building of forts from 63 to 65, I truly related to this on. I am also retired law enforcement.

I' ve yet to read anything that Craig has written that I haven't loved. He writes down to earth. Because of a family background of flying, this was particularily intriguing to me. Keep up the good work, I'm ready for the next one.

The novel is fast paced in the Longmire tradition, The scenes are well written and believable. I spent a very entertaining evening with "Steamboat." It's a quick one sitting read. If you are worried about your weight don't read and snack.

I was really looking forward to reading this during our chilly Christmas weather and found myself struggling to get through the book. I almost gave up a few times as I found the whole story rather tedious.

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 started reading these books after watching the first season of Longmire on A&E. They have yet to disappoint, and this one is no different. A look back at the early days of Walt as sheriff, with a peek into the heart of the irascible Lucien. Thank you, Mr. Johnson.

A different kind of Walt Longmire story -- and a really good one, of course. Of course, I'm biased. Craig Johnson is just an outstanding writer, giving his characters, well, character. Never infallible, not by a long shot, but always with the best of intentions, they persevere regardless of the odds. The ending is a little cold, but then, I understand why it has to be that way.

This too short story is different from the usual Sheriff Longmire tale However I was kept riveted to the end, almost physically helping push the plane thru the storm to help it reach the airport in Denver. The beginning and ending of the story were very satisfying and unexpected.

This is a very different Craig Johnson story, but filled with suspense, excitement and sit on the edge of your
anticipation. Throw in a little history and the results are an entertaining tale.
Vernon James

This is a compelling story with old sheriff a flawed character for sure rises to the occasion in old B- 25 bomber, the story had me hooked right away. reminding us all that old coots matter. Excellent characters and a great adventure.