Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 3
First Line: "I wanna know what Katrina Walks Nice did to get kicked out of a joint like this for sixty-one days."
In two weeks, Sheriff Walt Longmire's daughter will be married, and wedding planner Walt isn't doing so well in working through Cady's to do list. When her chosen wedding venue isn't available, Walt and his best friend, Henry Standing Bear, travel to Painted Warrior cliffs on the Cheyenne Reservation to see if it would be a suitable substitute. The last thing Walt needs is to see Audrey Plain Feather and her infant son plummet from the top of the cliff.
Audrey dies, but Walt's faithful four-legged companion, Dog, finds the infant Adrian and refuses to be parted from the tiny person even when they arrive at the hospital. Walt knows his daughter's wedding is his priority, and he's just about to hand off the investigation when he runs into the "nascent volcano" known as Tribal Police Chief Lolo Long. Lolo, a returned Iraqi war veteran, is pretty new to the job. She's fired all her officers, drives like A.J. Foyt, and has so much anger bottled up inside that Walt just can't walk away. He knows that, if she's willing to listen, he just has to take her under his wing... or she's not going to live very long. But how will Cady react to all this? Walt is stretched thin as he tries to be the father of the bride, a mentor to Lolo, and the one who brings the bad guys to justice.
Since his first book, The Cold Dish, in 2004, Craig Johnson has been one of what I call my "auto-buy authors". When I hear that he's got a new book coming out, I automatically buy it; I don't have to know what it's about. In eight books, he's never disappointed-- in fact, he just keeps getting better. This man knows how to write a blend of mystery, humor, action and character that's impossible to beat.
The mystery is a good one. Johnson includes an excellent piece of misdirection that threw me right off the trail. While Walt does his investigating, we also get the opportunity to meet several of the inhabitants of the Cheyenne Reservation.
For those of you who've missed Walt being at home with Henry Standing Bear and Dog, you're going to enjoy this book even more. If you're a fan of his undersheriff, Victoria Moretti, you might pout a bit. Vic is pretty much absent in this go-round, but there's a good reason for this. Tribal Police Chief Lolo Long is such an intense, strong female character that Johnson made a wise decision to let Lolo get her feet set before meeting Vic. And I certainly do hope that this isn't the last time we see Lolo. What a wonderful character! (Even though I did want to deck her the first time I was introduced.)
As the Crow Flies has everything long-time fans of Craig Johnson's writing have come to expect: an interesting storyline with plenty of action that moves swiftly and surely, laugh-out-loud humor in all the right places, down-home wisdom, a cast of characters that are as beloved as our own family and friends, and a scene or two that can bring tears to your eyes.
Haven't read a Walt Longmire book before? Never fear, this one stands alone quite well, but be warned-- after you finish As the Crow Flies, don't be surprised if you find yourself tracking down all the rest of the books in this series. They're that good.
In two weeks, Sheriff Walt Longmire's daughter will be married, and wedding planner Walt isn't doing so well in working through Cady's to do list. When her chosen wedding venue isn't available, Walt and his best friend, Henry Standing Bear, travel to Painted Warrior cliffs on the Cheyenne Reservation to see if it would be a suitable substitute. The last thing Walt needs is to see Audrey Plain Feather and her infant son plummet from the top of the cliff.
Audrey dies, but Walt's faithful four-legged companion, Dog, finds the infant Adrian and refuses to be parted from the tiny person even when they arrive at the hospital. Walt knows his daughter's wedding is his priority, and he's just about to hand off the investigation when he runs into the "nascent volcano" known as Tribal Police Chief Lolo Long. Lolo, a returned Iraqi war veteran, is pretty new to the job. She's fired all her officers, drives like A.J. Foyt, and has so much anger bottled up inside that Walt just can't walk away. He knows that, if she's willing to listen, he just has to take her under his wing... or she's not going to live very long. But how will Cady react to all this? Walt is stretched thin as he tries to be the father of the bride, a mentor to Lolo, and the one who brings the bad guys to justice.
Since his first book, The Cold Dish, in 2004, Craig Johnson has been one of what I call my "auto-buy authors". When I hear that he's got a new book coming out, I automatically buy it; I don't have to know what it's about. In eight books, he's never disappointed-- in fact, he just keeps getting better. This man knows how to write a blend of mystery, humor, action and character that's impossible to beat.
The mystery is a good one. Johnson includes an excellent piece of misdirection that threw me right off the trail. While Walt does his investigating, we also get the opportunity to meet several of the inhabitants of the Cheyenne Reservation.
For those of you who've missed Walt being at home with Henry Standing Bear and Dog, you're going to enjoy this book even more. If you're a fan of his undersheriff, Victoria Moretti, you might pout a bit. Vic is pretty much absent in this go-round, but there's a good reason for this. Tribal Police Chief Lolo Long is such an intense, strong female character that Johnson made a wise decision to let Lolo get her feet set before meeting Vic. And I certainly do hope that this isn't the last time we see Lolo. What a wonderful character! (Even though I did want to deck her the first time I was introduced.)
As the Crow Flies has everything long-time fans of Craig Johnson's writing have come to expect: an interesting storyline with plenty of action that moves swiftly and surely, laugh-out-loud humor in all the right places, down-home wisdom, a cast of characters that are as beloved as our own family and friends, and a scene or two that can bring tears to your eyes.
Haven't read a Walt Longmire book before? Never fear, this one stands alone quite well, but be warned-- after you finish As the Crow Flies, don't be surprised if you find yourself tracking down all the rest of the books in this series. They're that good.
Helpful Score: 1
After watching the fabulous Longmire series on TV, I hav been reading the equally fabulous book series. This is my favorite so far. Enough action and comedy (as it is) to keep everyone happy. A really solid chapter in the Longmire series.
Another very good entry in the Longmire series. I have been reading these periodically and in no particular order ever since seeing the now-ended series on A&E and Netflix. I enjoyed the TV shows a lot and although the books have different story lines than the TV series, they are just as enjoyable and tend to really flesh out the characters.
In this one, Walt's daughter, Cady, is getting married to Vic's brother. Walt and his friend Henry Standing Bear are in charge of assuring a scenic location for the wedding on the Cheyenne reservation in Montana. When the primary location planned for the wedding seems to be out of reach, the two go to an alternate site and witness a young Indian woman and her baby falling from a cliff. The woman is killed but the baby manages to survive. So was this a suicide, an accident, or was she pushed? Walt gets involved in the investigation and is thrown together with the new police chief on the "Rez", a young woman named Lolo Long who is also a veteran and has her own issues. As the investigation proceeds, another death occurs and based on a taped conversation, a renegade Indian appears to be the prime suspect. But did he push the young woman and if so why?
I really enjoyed this outing from Johnson. Most of it takes place on the reservation and involves some very interesting characters from there including Standing Bear and Lolo who emerged as a very strong character. At one point, Walt even participates in a peyote experience with some very disturbing hallucinations. Johnson's backgrounds also add to the story including vintage trucks, casinos, western bars, and descriptions of the western landscape. I'll be looking forward to more in the series. And yes, Cady does get married against all odds!
In this one, Walt's daughter, Cady, is getting married to Vic's brother. Walt and his friend Henry Standing Bear are in charge of assuring a scenic location for the wedding on the Cheyenne reservation in Montana. When the primary location planned for the wedding seems to be out of reach, the two go to an alternate site and witness a young Indian woman and her baby falling from a cliff. The woman is killed but the baby manages to survive. So was this a suicide, an accident, or was she pushed? Walt gets involved in the investigation and is thrown together with the new police chief on the "Rez", a young woman named Lolo Long who is also a veteran and has her own issues. As the investigation proceeds, another death occurs and based on a taped conversation, a renegade Indian appears to be the prime suspect. But did he push the young woman and if so why?
I really enjoyed this outing from Johnson. Most of it takes place on the reservation and involves some very interesting characters from there including Standing Bear and Lolo who emerged as a very strong character. At one point, Walt even participates in a peyote experience with some very disturbing hallucinations. Johnson's backgrounds also add to the story including vintage trucks, casinos, western bars, and descriptions of the western landscape. I'll be looking forward to more in the series. And yes, Cady does get married against all odds!
Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
Walt Longmire's daughter is getting married but where ... one choice of sites is marred when Walt and Henry Standing Bear witness a young local woman fall to her death during their scouting trip. Forget the wedding plans what happened, or more importantly, who did it?
"Longmire" fan favorite Vic Moretti pretty much takes this novel off, but the void left by her absence is filled by new tribal police chief Lolo Long. (These women are WAY too much alike to get along ... now watch author Craig Johnson prove me wrong in a future novel.)
I'll put this as basically as possible Longmire fans know what to expect, and they will NOT be disappointed in this book. And people who are NOT fans of the Wyoming lawman and his crew what's WRONG with you??
RATING: 5 stars. No explanation necessary.
"Longmire" fan favorite Vic Moretti pretty much takes this novel off, but the void left by her absence is filled by new tribal police chief Lolo Long. (These women are WAY too much alike to get along ... now watch author Craig Johnson prove me wrong in a future novel.)
I'll put this as basically as possible Longmire fans know what to expect, and they will NOT be disappointed in this book. And people who are NOT fans of the Wyoming lawman and his crew what's WRONG with you??
RATING: 5 stars. No explanation necessary.
loved the book. much lighter and funnier than the previous book (not that it didn't have its dark themes) but it was a nice change from HELL IS EMPTY. i love all his books and this one didn't disappoint.
Sandi K W. (Sandiinmississippi) reviewed As the Crow Flies (Walt Longmire, Bk 8) on + 265 more book reviews
Wonderful Longmire. Full of his tribal friends and customs. I thought it flowed beautifully.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
My husband is reading this series and seems to be enjoying them.
A wonderful story of murder and intrigue. Craig Johnson entwines old established characters, fringe characters and introduced some new characters. This story is absolutely right up there with the great detective novels. DOG really shows another dimension to his already colorful character.
