The Tuesday before Christmas brings snow, relative
quiet, and no real plans for Sheriff Walt Longmire other than his annual
rereading of A Christmas Carol. That is
until the quiet dark haired woman toting a garment bag walked into his office. Eventually
it becomes clear that she wants to see the former Sheriff, Lucian Connally. The
woman claims to have something that she would like to return to him.
Lucian is living at the “Durant Home for Assisted
Living” and could probably use a visit from somebody besides Sheriff Walt Longmire
and Dog. Not only is the home’s television another victim of Lucian’s legendary
temper having died by gunshot, the man is not in the best of moods because it
is Christmas and he has been drinking quite a bit. He has no idea who the
mystery woman is either until she says “Steamboat.”
What follows is an incredibly suspenseful flashback tale
of a flight to save a child’s life against the odds---medical and environmental.
On Christmas Eve in 1988 an aging WWII plane and a cast of locals including the
recently retired Lucian and first year Sheriff Walt Longmire pulled off a
Christmas miracle. Though readers can surmise from nearly the start that the dark
haired woman was that child, there is plenty of suspense in how the flight
happened and why she is back now.
While “Spirit Of Steamboat: A Walt Longmire Story” is
a short book as it is a novella, it is a powerful and deeply moving book. Craig
Johnson brings alive the storm, the people, and the history of a legendary
aircraft in a way that few novelists could do. The resulting 160 page book
might simply be the best thing the man has ever written.
Spirit Of Steamboat: A Walt Longmire Story
Craig
Johnson
Viking
(part of Penguin Group)
ISBN#
978-0-670-01578-8
October
2013
Hardback
(also available in e-book and audio)
160
Pages
$20.00
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Texas
Public Library System.
You can also read Lesa Holstine's take on the book here.
You can also read Lesa Holstine's take on the book here.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2013
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4 comments:
Ah, Kevin. I'm glad to see you liked Spirit of Steamboat as much as I did. My sister gave it as a gift based on my recommendation. Happy to read that you agree.
I thought it was very good. I don't understand the few naysayers I have read elsewhere. Makes no sense to me.
And thank you for coming by. :))
I loved "The Spirit of Steamboat". As usual with Craig Johnson's works, I learn a few things, marvel at the sense of place, enjoy the ride--and this was a wild one!
That it was and one heck of a one. Simply an excellent read.
Thank you for coming by, Judy.
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