The Western Star is the latest in the Sheriff Longmire Mystery
Series by Craig Johnson. It is a book of two primary storylines--- one of the
past decades ago and one of the here and now. A complicated book full of nuance
and meaning, it isn’t one easy to review without revealing key details that
would impact the enjoyment of the book.
In the here and now, Sheriff
Walt Longmire is back at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy recertifying his
weapon status. The academy is also on the way to Cheyenne where he goes every
four years to attend a parole hearing. It his duty and a promise he made many
years ago to do everything possible to keep a certain inmate locked up.
His deputy, Victoria
Moretti, is also recertifying and headed to the hearing with him. Former Absaroka
County Sheriff Lucian Connelly is along for
the ride. After recertifying they three eventually wind up in a bar hanging out
with other law enforcement folks and trading stories. At one point, the topic
of The Western Star comes up. A steam-powered locomotive that led a sheriff
train each year from 1948 to 1972 and served as a rolling meeting of the
Wyoming Sheriff’s Association. Back in 1972, Sheriff Lucian Connelly brought Deputy
Walt Longmire, just home from Vietnam, with him. There is a picture of the
twenty-four sheriffs and one deputy, Walt Longmire, standing next to the old
locomotive and that picture brings up for Walt Longmire some intense memories.
That picture and those memories serve as the basis for a powerful flashback
secondary storyline that dominates much of the book.
The storylines
eventually merge in The Western Star and this thirteenth novel in the series
becomes a powerful read. Partly due to the past and partly due to dire warnings
of the evils in the present day. The latest in the series is very good. Fans of
the television show tempted to read this book need to understand that the books
are far different from the television show and must be read in order.
The Western Star is highly recommended and well worth
your time.
For another and
slightly more detailed take on the book, make sure you head over to Lesa
Holstine’s review. Lesa' review was recently saluted by The Rap Sheet in a Revue of Reviewers segment.
The Western Star
Craig Johnson
Viking (Penguin Random House LLC)
September 2017
ISBN# 978-0-525-42695-0
Hardback (also available in audio and
eBook formats)
304 Pages
$28.00
Material supplied by the good folks of
the Dallas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2017
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