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On the heels of A&E’s blockbuster show Longmire—the latest New York Times bestseller in a “a top-notch tale of complex emotions and misguided treachery” (USA Today) The recent A&E premiere of Longmire—a television series based on Craig Johnson’s New York Times bestselling Walt Longmire Mystery Series—was the highest rated scripted drama in the network’s history and consistently held its viewers throughout the season. Its success has readers stampeding to the bookstore, making As the Crow Flies Johnson’s biggest hardcover success. In his eighth adventure, Walt Longmire doesn’t have time for criminals. His daughter is getting married in two weeks and the wedding locale arrangements have just gone up in smoke signals. He needs to find a new site for the nuptials—fast. Unfortunately, his expedition to the Cheyenne Reservation is derailed by a grisly death. It’s not Walt’s turf, but he’s coerced into the investigation by Lolo Long, the beautiful new tribal police chief.
“All the elements his fans love are present: lively characters, easy banter, and, of course, a touch of the supernatural. In early books, Walt was less sure of himself, but, in his eighth adventure, it makes sense that he’s now the one “giving sheriff lessons.” This book fits the hand like a well-worn glove.”
Craig Johnson lives in Ucross, Wyoming, population twenty-five.
As my good friend Henry Standing Bear says, on the Rez, even the roads are red.
I was trying to pay attention, but I kept being distracted by the crows plying the thermals of the high plains sky; it was raining in the distance, but the sun appeared to be overtaking the clouds—a sharp contrast of blue and charcoal that my mother used to say was caused by the devil beating his wife.
“She must’ve stolen the cash register.”
My attention was forced back inside and under cover, and I twisted the ring on my pinkie. My wife, Martha, had given it back to me before she died so that I could give it to Cady whenever she got married.
I looked up—the negotiations weren’t going well. It would appear that Dull Knife College had suddenly scheduled a Cheyenne language immersion class at Crazy Head Springs on the day of the wedding. We had reserved the spot well in advance, but the vagaries of the tribal council were well known and now we were floundering. The old Indian across from me nodded his head in all seriousness. I was negotiating with the chief of the Northern Cheyenne nation, and he was one tough customer.
“That librarian over at the college is mean. I don’t like to mess with her; she’s got that Indian Alzheimer’s. Um hmm, yes, it is so.”
I trailed my eyes from Lonnie Little Bird to the rain-slick surface of the asphalt—Lame Deer’s main street being washed clean of all our sins. “What’s that mean, Lonnie?”
“That’s where you forget everything but the grudges.”
I smiled in spite of myself and took a deep breath, slowly letting the air out to calm my nerves, as I continued to twirl the ring on my finger. “Cady’s really got her heart set on Crazy Head
Springs, Lonnie, and it’s way too late to change the date from the end of July.”
He glanced out the window, his dark eyes following my gray ones. “Maybe you should go talk to that librarian over at the college. You’re a large man—she’ll listen to you. You could show her your gun.” He glanced down at the red and black chief’s blanket that covered his wheelchair. “She don’t pay no attention to an old, legless Indian.”
Henry Standing Bear, my daughter’s wedding planner, who had made the arrangements that were now being rapidly unraveled, sipped his coffee and quietly listened.
“But you’re the chief, Lonnie.”
“Oh, you know that don’t mean much unless somebody wants a government contract for beef or needs a ribbon cut.”
Up until this year, Lonnie’s official contribution to the tribal government had been limited to falling asleep in council. A month ago, when the previous tribal leader had been found guilty of siphoning off money to a private account belonging to his daughter, an emergency meeting had been held; since Lonnie had again fallen asleep, and therefore was unable to defend himself, he was unanimously voted in as the new chief.
“She’s in charge of all the books over there and she’s full blood—that’s pretty much the worst of both worlds.”
Anonymous
Posted June 9, 2012
the Longmire series of eight books is very entertaining, and will delight most readers......can't wait for the next one to appear.........
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Johnnyhairdo
Posted June 14, 2012
ok, i read the first Longmire book memorial weekend 2011. it took me until labor day the same year to read the next six, and i just finished as the crow flies. What i am saying is johnson is a fine author and the characters within his books are awesome. i actually met Craig Johnson at a book signing at the local B&N in Littleton CO. He was funny and very down to earth much like his main character. I highly recommend all the books in the Longmire series to anyone that likes to unplug for a little while.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.WHALE7
Posted June 4, 2012
I would recommend this book for both men and women It is not just a novel for men. I have read all of Craig Johnson's books and can't wait until the next one is published. Having met Craig Johnson at a recent book signing, he is an accomplished speaker and has a great sense of humor. I have also watched the "Longmire" pilot and it really brings the books to life.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 1, 2012
read all his books ,each gets better ,.keepem coming rb
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 12, 2012
Just like ALL the Walt Longmire series(7) it's great!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 7, 2013
My husband and I both enjoy the Longmire Series! We're excited that there will soon be a new one out and the show is coming back on tv.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 8, 2013
A must read! Love the Longmire series, & this is the best yet.
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Posted February 2, 2013
Just heard about this series from my sister on Thanksgiving and have now read all but one in the series and one of the short stories.
Loved them all. I love mysteries and learning about new places and how different people live and these books hit all of those areas plus!
Definite buy!
Anonymous
Posted December 18, 2012
Climbs up all the way to the top*
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 19, 2012
The tom trots into camp.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 17, 2012
The giant oak tree has many cozy, moss padded hollows from the bottom all the way to the top. These hollows are big enough for a cat to walk around and get comfy in
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 18, 2012
Enjoyed the story, however, Craig Johnson, you need to bring your original characters back. My husband and I have read all of your Longmire books and fell in love with them. When one of us would laugh out loud, we'd say, "What part are you reading now?" Not so with your last two books. We miss Ruby, Vic, Lucian and Longmire's deputies. This last female cop is no Vic. Adding characters is okay but don't take away your original cast. They are the ones that made your stories great, and of course, your marvelous, creative mind. We are debating if we should continue to follow your stories.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 9, 2012
I usually wait with baited breath for the next installment- The Terror, Lucian and his Ladies Wear cracks about Henry- I just really like Ruby-Mr Johnson's characters are so well fleshed out that by this book I was eager to "see" them all again- but wait! they do not even appear in this book, what gives?
Mr Johnson's writing seem to be just phoned in and was very disappointing. Don't know if I will even bother with the next book.
Review:
"As the Crow Flies" by Craig Johnson was a good well written dialogue mystery. This author is able to show a meticulously well plotted storyline that comes together in this Wyoming/Montana Western setting.
In this novel, "As the Crow Flies" Sheriff Walt Longmire's daughter(Cady) is getting married in two weeks and it seems that the area that had been reserved for this event....near the Indian Reservation is not available....so Henry Standing Bear(friend) and Walt are to make other arrangements...about a location called "Painted Warrior." They go to this area which is a lovely area with high cliffs....however Walt and Henry witness a woman that falls to her death....and the storyline picks up from there. Now, we find Sheriff Walt Longmire is now trying to help with this investigation into this persons death. Was it a accident, suicide or was she pushed? Walt is nearly killed several times and what has happened with the help of the wedding plans? Here I will say you must pick up this read and to find out!
There are some very interesting characters...Walt, Henry Standing Bear, Dog,Vic, Ruby, Feds, Audrey Plain Feather, Adrian, Clarence and especially the new rough and tough Tribal Police Chief Lolo Long(who seems to have a 'chip on her shoulder...coming home from Iraq suffering from PTSD'), Henry Standing Bear and Herbert His Good Horse, head of Human Services and Artie Small Song, another war vet and his elderly mother, a medicine woman and I am sure I have left out a few.
I wasn't able to detect who was the killer, so I was kept turning the pages until the end. It was very interesting to learn during my read about the 'Cheyenne Nation, the Old Man Chiefs and the Peyote Ceremony'..... simply some amazing writing.
If you are in for a intriguing western mystery... you have come to the right place..."As the Crow Flies" will be a good read for you. I did enjoy this novel that was neatly wrapped up in the end and would recommend as a good read.
okayee
Posted June 27, 2012
The Longmire TV Shows are wonderful. We have all the books in the series so far. Next we will purchase them as we can for our Nooks. I would recommend The Walt Longmire Mystery Series to Men & Women. Young & Old. Craig Johnson is a Master at Story telling. I'm from Pinedale, Wyoming I understand the areas he is talking about. The Characters.are like old friends. The Stars of the Longmire TV Show are as I would have pictured them in my mind when reading the books. All in All wonderful plots & skilled acting & writing.
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Posted May 21, 2012
Craig Johnson is from WY... so am I... he writes about country I am familiar with and it makes the books very intersting. Craig is a fantastic story teller on paper and in person. One of the best authors to come along in years. His books a full of mystery, humor and just darned good writing. I would recommend reading the series, to date, to anyone that likes western mysteries.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.tedfeit0
Posted May 20, 2012
The thrust of this eighth Walt Longmire novel is two-fold. Walt and his sidekick, the “Bear,” also known as the Cheyenne Nation, are charged with arranging the wedding of Walt’s daughter, a formidable task for the two men. Meanwhile, they witness the death of a young woman, holding her young son, who falls off a cliff to her death (the boy survives). Was it an accident or murder?
The event diverts the attention of the two, while they become involved with the investigation, although Walt is out of his jurisdiction. Complicating matters also is the fact that a new inexperienced tribal police chief is involved, and Walt sort of has to take her by the hand, mentoring her.
While the story is straightforward on both levels, more important is the further insight into Walt’s personality, as he confronts the various personages with tact and psychology, especially his headstrong daughter and equally obstinate police chief.
Recommended.
judiOH
Posted May 18, 2012
this series never disappoints! walt is working with a new chief of police on the rez to solve a murder that first looked like a suicide. the twists and turns leave you unable to figure out the culprit. walt even takes part in a peyote ceremony, very interesting! while he is solving a murder on the rez, he is also supposed to be planning his daughter's wedding. henry is the wedding planner. the humor is subtle, but it's there. another very interesting walt longmire story. if you don't take the time to discover this series, you miss out on some great writing.
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Posted November 18, 2012
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Anonymous
Posted May 30, 2012
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Overview
On the heels of A&E’s blockbuster show Longmire—the latest New York Times bestseller in a “a top-notch tale of complex emotions and misguided treachery” (USA Today) The recent A&E premiere of Longmire—a television series based on Craig Johnson’s New York Times bestselling Walt Longmire Mystery Series—was the highest rated scripted drama in the network’s history and consistently held its viewers throughout the season. Its success has readers stampeding to the bookstore, making As the Crow Flies ...