Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 5/22/2016 + 1223 more book reviews

Another solid entry in the Walt Longmire series from Johnson. This is the second in the series and the third that I have read...I have several more on my shelf that I need to get to sometime soon! In this one, Walt investigates the death of an older Basque woman named Mari Baroja who former sheriff Lucian Connally claims was murdered. Connally was married briefly (for 3 hours) to Mari and insists that her death was not by natural causes. Longmire is not totally convinced but agrees to an autopsy that does end up showing that Mari was poisoned. The subsequent investigation involves connecting events from over 50 years ago to why someone would want to kill Mari.

This was a very good story that doesn't get rushed and keeps you wanting to find out the motive behind the murder. Along for the ride are Walt's friend Henry Standing Bear, deputy Vic Moretti, and the new deputy Santiago (Sancho) Saizarbitoria. Another deputy and interesting character is hired towards the end of the novel nicknamed "Double Tough." The novel also has its moments of humor especially with Walt's dry wit. For example Walt's thoughts on thinking he recognizes someone in a photo: "I studied the ornament and stared at the partial face, knowing that I had seen the man, knowing that he and Leo were in cahoots, cahoots being a legal term in Wyoming, see cahooting in the first degree, intent to cahoot, and so on." I first read a Longmire novel because I am a big fan of the TV series (I just saw that Netflix is doing another season!) but the novels really delve more deeply into the characters and the setting that is Wyoming. High overall recommendation!

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