bramblrose's review against another edition
I didn't enjoy this book.
There were several reasons.
There were several reasons.
hgranger's review against another edition
4.0
Captures the feeling of a modern Wild West and sheriff so well that you almost feel the cold wind blow while you're reading. The mystery was well-done and asked some pretty big questions of the reader about loyalty, revenge, healing, and justice.
The insights into the Cheyenne nation and life on the reservation were eye-opening and chilling. So much injustice, and unfairness has been heaped upon the native peoples and it is largely ignored by everyone. The author did an excellent job of sharing some of those current stories while still portraying the Cheyenne as strong and proud.
I could have done without the swearing but otherwise well done.
The insights into the Cheyenne nation and life on the reservation were eye-opening and chilling. So much injustice, and unfairness has been heaped upon the native peoples and it is largely ignored by everyone. The author did an excellent job of sharing some of those current stories while still portraying the Cheyenne as strong and proud.
I could have done without the swearing but otherwise well done.
kurtwombat's review against another edition
5.0
There are many things I like. Some I like because they are good. Some are easy. Some are pleasant. Some like me back. Then, some things just fit. I like them because they fit and I find myself not even thinking about why. Growing up, I loved all kinds of movies--Swashbucklers, Crime Noir, Musicals, Costumers and Biographies and more. But the genre that fit me best was Westerns. Especially the ones with the heroes of few words played against sprawling natural vistas that spoke volumes about what it meant to do the right thing, to be the hero. And despite changing fashions and tastes in the intervening decades since I so raptly watched Gary Cooper, James Stewart and John Wayne, the love of that Western sensibility has remained, though often buried, a part of me. I think that is why when I first saw the ads for the TV series Longmire I felt that I had been there before. And when the show went on hiatus I sought out the books. Craig Johnson captures what I was drawn to, am drawn to. The quiet understood bond between old friends. Drawing strength from the lands where you live and paying back that tab with the understanding that your spirit belongs to the land. Across this the author plays out the crimes of men creating a kind of western noir alternating the high lonesome of the Wyoming mountains with the kind of shadows that can only come from neon lit saloons where the clients pour down their troubles and then look for more. THE COLD DISH is a marvelous introduction to Walt Longmire with equal parts humor and tragedy, the former as a brace against the latter.
mikepage7176's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. One of the best modern mystery novels. Johnson wrote a perfect intro novel.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
1.0
I love Longmire the TV show, and I have to give it to the people that took this book and turned it into the TV show, because the things that I do NOT like about this book are NOT in the tv show - I like Branch Connely (TV) but I hate Turk Connely (book) - I like Ferg (TV) but I hate Ferg (book) -Walt is a confused, horny old man in the book, but on TV he has much more confidence - and Vick, well not a big fan of her on TV, but in the book, she is a contemptuous, disrespectful B*****.
I know that we are talking Apples and Oranges, but I picked up the book to get a deeper look into the Walt Longmire world, and I wish that I never opened the door - I do not enjoy this novel one bit.
I know that we are talking Apples and Oranges, but I picked up the book to get a deeper look into the Walt Longmire world, and I wish that I never opened the door - I do not enjoy this novel one bit.
theincredidad's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing mystery that gripped me from the beginning. Couldn't put it down and now I'm a lifelong fan of Sheriff Walt Longmire.
mickeymole's review against another edition
5.0
Longmire is one of my all-time favorite characters. Can't say enough good things about this book and series. If you love the show, you'll love the books too.
books_and_planners's review against another edition
4.0
I love Walt! Makes me wanna watch the series again!
docpacey's review against another edition
3.0
Fan of the show, wanted a quick summer read, was not disappointed.
Clearly the showrunners made some decisions on combing some characters and starting Walt's arc at a different place, but to me those differences added to the reading experience rather than the reverse.
Solid pacing that makes a mystery/thriller a pleasure to read paired with great characterizations that will become familiar old friends as the series progresses.
Clearly the showrunners made some decisions on combing some characters and starting Walt's arc at a different place, but to me those differences added to the reading experience rather than the reverse.
Solid pacing that makes a mystery/thriller a pleasure to read paired with great characterizations that will become familiar old friends as the series progresses.