The Dark Horse (Walt Longmire Series #5)

If you've read the previous Walt Longmire mysteries (Johnson is the 2009 Spur Winner for Another Man's Moccasins), you may already have your copy of the next book, The Dark Horse on pre-order. If Craig Johnson's series is new to you, you're in for a treat. If these western mysteries are already on your "must read" list, you know Walt is the sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. You also know he's a tough, fair-minded law officer who won't quit until he solves a case, no matter what the odds. This time the mystery involves a woman who has confessed to a murder many, including the sheriff of the neighboring county, don't believe she committed-not that the victim, her husband, didn't deserve it. He did, after all, set the barn on fire with her prized horses inside it. Walt has agreed to go undercover to discover the truth, and he's lacking the back-up of his trusted deputies. But Longmire's not without resources. There's the little bandit, who has an endearing habit of chewing on his hat's stampede strings; there's an illegal alien named Juana with two years of law enforcement training and a yen to use it; an old cowboy who may himself be involved in the murder; and of course, Henry Standing Bear, also known as "The Cheyenne Nation." And then there's Wahoo Sue, a prominent player as Walt and his crew unravel events and outrun a ticking clock in a race against death. Johnson has created a wonderful cast of characters in his Walt Longmire series. Each individual springs to life and fills an important role in the story. Walt is a protagonist who is wearing well even after five books, a law enforcement officer who truly realizes he's there to serve and protect. Johnson nails the Wyoming setting, and includes just enough landscape details to put the reader in the picture. The Dark Horse is a book you won't want-no, you won't be able-to put down until the final page.

Craig Johnson brings another dimension to his character of Sheriff Walt Longmire with a captivating story of an accused woman Walt believes may be innocent. Walt attempts to take his bigger-than-life persona undercover in a small Wyoming town with varying results. Without his usual companions in fairly constant attendance, Walt must work out the murky details he is able to unearth. As usual, Craig Johnson is able to make us see the grit of small town Wyoming and the various colorful people that live there. He shows us once again that things may not always be as they seem on the surface and that a dark horse should never be overlooked.

I consider myself an animal lover, but horses are far from my favorite animal. Johnson's believable description of a remarkable animal raised my respect for horses several notches. I am reading the Longmire series in order, and I think this one is my favorite so far. Probably due to minimal blood shed, a glimpse into Walt's early life, and some clever twists.

With a respect for the Wyoming country life, and especially rodeo, this book creates great portraits of the spousal suspect in this murder and the alleged husband arsonist -quote- victim- unquote that destroyed the homestead and ranch, burning the horses inside the barn. You know the sheriff's a good egg when he tucks the ranch manager into bed and seeks to find alternative explanations for a quote - murderess' confession -unquote that landed a desolate woman in his jail. Recommended highly and the tone IS different from the Longmire series.

Excellent! Excellent characters and excellent plot. Had me guessing until the end.

Craig Johnson has a real talent for making his novels come to life, Eagerly waiting for new releases.

Excellent.

If you don't know Craig Johnson's series with Walt Longmire you should!!

awesome

One of Craig Johnson's best yet!

The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson It was her story that did not quite fit, the elegant lady who was housed in his jail made the sheriff try something out of the ordinary to find the truth. Taking his own wits and no back up he went to find the truth of her story, he found more then he bargained for. And even his First Nation pal barely was able to help him through this escapade. A look at corruption, the truth and the lies we tell ourselves.

This book broke with the usual formatting, jumping back and forth in a relatively short period of time. This didn't bother me in the slightest; I thought it was interesting to see Johnson tackle a different narrative style. Keeps the series interesting. As for the plot itself... I figured out parts of the crime early because I have a health issue that helped me identify clues but I don't think this will affect the majority of readers. Longmire the show is true to Longmire the book-series in the same way that Midsomer Murders is true to Caroline Graham's books: the show captures the essence of the characters but takes liberties with plots, which keeps both formats fresh for viewers. I've also mentioned that each new book in the series makes these deviations more apparent but this book was like a paused stop-watch; the threads that deviate fall by the wayside for this book - not ended, but not important...yet. This book is mostly Walt, with his usual supporting cast of characters elsewhere, off doing other stuff and, to be frank, I missed them. But, since the plot-deviations between book and show involve on-going romantic threads, this book is a great example of why I prefer romances written by men and geared for male audiences. The romance isn't given preference over everything else going on in the story-world. Other stuff -crime- happens. The romance builds slow and steady over a long course of time and, in the end, helps both the characters and the relationships feel more real than the ones displayed in poorly-disguised bodice-rippers touted as westerns. The separation of Walt from the other characters felt like romance building for future books and that is something that will endear me to the series as a whole, when it's completed.

I am a big fan of The Walt Longmire series and Craig Johnson. Dark Horse is on my read twice list. One of the best in the series IMO, a must read

If you love a good mystery intertwined with wilderness and small towns, you'll be hooked!

I think there's still a lot about Longmire we don't know! Great character, very thoughtful book.

Have been reading the series down to the last one, loved them