By Craig Johnson
Viking, $25.95, 308 pages
Walt Longmire is not on the job at the moment; rather, he is working on negotiating space on the Cheyenne Reservation in Montana for his daughter’s upcoming wedding. Of course, things don’t go according to plan, and Walt witnesses a local woman falling to her death. After it is determined that the death was not a suicide, Walt begins a tentative working relationship with abrasive new police chief Lolo Long. Helping investigate the case as well as train the new chief, Walt finds himself mired in death and deceit all over again.
As the Crow Flies is the eighth novel in the Walt Longmire series; it’s helpful but not necessary to read the previous books first. The most appealing things about this book are the characters – each one is interesting, vibrant and jumps off the page. The setting, too, is vivid and descriptive, as are the subplots of Walt’s relationship with his daughter and his budding friendship with the new chief. The mystery is interesting but not overly surprising; however, the rest of the story makes up for that. Fans of mysteries will enjoy Walt’s new adventure.
Reviewed by Barbara Cothern
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