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Walt Longmire #22
The Brothers McKay
Walt Longmire is back. A masterful new novel in the beloved New York Times bestselling Longmire series.
When Pepper McKay, one of the most hated men in Absaroka County, is found murdered on his ranch in Crazy Woman Canyon, suspects aren't in short supply. But Sheriff Walt Longmire's attention is on those who had gathered for a family meeting that evening, McKay's very different a smooth-talking charmer, a cosmopolitan journalist, a reclusive monk, and a half-Native ranch hand who keeps the place running.
Each had a motive. Each claims he's innocent.
As Walt investigates what happened that night at the O-Kay Lodge, he's pulled into a tangle of old grudges and long-buried secrets. Then the case takes a sharp a second body surfaces, and a wildfire tears through the canyon, trapping Walt and forcing him into a fight for his life as both the killer and the elements close in.
The twenty-second novel in the Longmire series, THE BROTHERS MCKAY is a murder mystery and a survival thriller that tests the sheriff's hard-won sense of justice-all while paying sly homage to Dostoevsky's classic.
When Pepper McKay, one of the most hated men in Absaroka County, is found murdered on his ranch in Crazy Woman Canyon, suspects aren't in short supply. But Sheriff Walt Longmire's attention is on those who had gathered for a family meeting that evening, McKay's very different a smooth-talking charmer, a cosmopolitan journalist, a reclusive monk, and a half-Native ranch hand who keeps the place running.
Each had a motive. Each claims he's innocent.
As Walt investigates what happened that night at the O-Kay Lodge, he's pulled into a tangle of old grudges and long-buried secrets. Then the case takes a sharp a second body surfaces, and a wildfire tears through the canyon, trapping Walt and forcing him into a fight for his life as both the killer and the elements close in.
The twenty-second novel in the Longmire series, THE BROTHERS MCKAY is a murder mystery and a survival thriller that tests the sheriff's hard-won sense of justice-all while paying sly homage to Dostoevsky's classic.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2026
About the author
Craig Johnson
80 books5,046 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Craig Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Longmire mysteries, the basis for the hit Netflix original series Longmire. He is the recipient of the Western Writers of America’s spur awards and the Owen Wister Award, the Will Rogers Medallion and Lariat Award, the Mountain & Plains Independent Booksellers Association’s Reading the West Book Award for fiction, as well as the Bouchercon 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. His novella Spirit of Steamboat was the first One Book Wyoming selection. He lives in Ucross, Wyoming, population 26.
source: Amazon
Craig Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Longmire mysteries, the basis for the hit Netflix original series Longmire. He is the recipient of the Western Writers of America’s spur awards and the Owen Wister Award, the Will Rogers Medallion and Lariat Award, the Mountain & Plains Independent Booksellers Association’s Reading the West Book Award for fiction, as well as the Bouchercon 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. His novella Spirit of Steamboat was the first One Book Wyoming selection. He lives in Ucross, Wyoming, population 26.
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
May 31, 2026
After more than twenty books in the Longmire universe, I thought I had a good sense of where Craig Johnson might take Walt next. After introducing Russian assassins to the story one, a reimagining of a Russian literary classic, did not catch me by surprise too much.
With “The Brothers McKay”, Johnson borrows liberally from the original source material and somehow makes it feel perfectly at home in modern-day Wyoming. The result is a novel that works both as a mystery and as a playful literary adaptation, rewarding readers whether they recognize the inspiration or not.
As always, Johnson's greatest strength remains his characters and dialogue. My favorite exchange may be:
"The person you are after is insane or a literary major."
"Same thing—I should know."
That combination of wit, self-awareness, and affection for humanity is what continues to make these books so enjoyable.
We are also introduced to a character I sincerely hope will become a regular fixture in future installments: Borax the mule. Walt's description of him is perfect:
"I climbed in the truck and sat there staring at him thinking that if I had an animal spirit, I was probably looking at it."
In a series filled with memorable characters, it takes something special for a mule to steal scenes, but Borax manages it.
Most long-running series eventually begin to feel tired. The Longmire books continue to do the opposite. “The Brothers McKay” is fresh, funny, thoughtful, and another reminder of why I keep coming back to Absaroka County year after year. Now that Johnson has successfully brought a Russian classic to Wyoming, the next logical step seems to be a visit to Russia itself.
With “The Brothers McKay”, Johnson borrows liberally from the original source material and somehow makes it feel perfectly at home in modern-day Wyoming. The result is a novel that works both as a mystery and as a playful literary adaptation, rewarding readers whether they recognize the inspiration or not.
As always, Johnson's greatest strength remains his characters and dialogue. My favorite exchange may be:
"The person you are after is insane or a literary major."
"Same thing—I should know."
That combination of wit, self-awareness, and affection for humanity is what continues to make these books so enjoyable.
We are also introduced to a character I sincerely hope will become a regular fixture in future installments: Borax the mule. Walt's description of him is perfect:
"I climbed in the truck and sat there staring at him thinking that if I had an animal spirit, I was probably looking at it."
In a series filled with memorable characters, it takes something special for a mule to steal scenes, but Borax manages it.
Most long-running series eventually begin to feel tired. The Longmire books continue to do the opposite. “The Brothers McKay” is fresh, funny, thoughtful, and another reminder of why I keep coming back to Absaroka County year after year. Now that Johnson has successfully brought a Russian classic to Wyoming, the next logical step seems to be a visit to Russia itself.
June 7, 2026
Three “legitimate”sons, and one much younger half brother conceived in rape. A murdered father, apparently universally hated. Parallels to the classic Dostoyevsky novel The Brothers Karamazov right in Absaroka county. I always enjoy visiting with Walt, Vic, and Henry, but this parallel was a bit heavy handed, the cliffhanger ending was disappointing, and the Russian character who spoke in broken English really got on my nerves.
June 18, 2026
“The Brothers McKay” is the 22nd book in the “Longmire” mystery series (not including novellas and short stories), continuing the crime fighting adventures of Walt Longmire, Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming; his daughter, Cady, the world’s greatest lawyer; his best friend, Henry Standing Bear; his loyal and outspoken deputy, Vic Moretti; his loyal and less outspoken deputy, and Dog, his faithful animal companion. Just in case you weren’t aware, this is one of the best law enforcement starting lineups in the mystery/crime fiction today.
When “The Brothers McKay” starts, we find our hero, Walt Longmire, has a murder on his hands. This time it’s Pepper McKay, the most hated man in all of Absaroka County, has been found dead while fishing on his ranch in Crazy Woman Canyon. When Walt shows up to investigate it appears that someone took a rock to Pepper’s head and left him to die. That’s not much of a surprise, seeing that Pepper has threatened all of the men and attempted to rape most of the women, including Walt’s wife years ago before she passed away.
The bigger problem for Walt is that pretty everyone in the county is a suspect, starting with the three adult sons who had a serious family meeting at the ranch the night before Pepper’s death. They include a charmer who followed his father’s interest in chasing women, a very career focused journalist, and a religious monk. That’s just for starters. There’s also a half-native illegitimate son working as a ranch hand along with the Lyman’s, a long-time older couple who have been managing the ranch for a long time even though they cannot stand Pepper. Each one has a strong motive and opportunity, and although everyone claims that they wish they had, they swear their innocent.
That isn’t Longmire’s only problem. There’s more on his plate. His daughter – the greatest legal mind – has been appointed the Attorney General for the state of Wyoming. If that wasn’t enough, the former Russian special forces assassin who tried to kill him in a previous book, Maxim Sidorov, has shown up and is under the temporary legal custody of Longmire. Much to Walt’s frustration, Maxim assigns himself to his own cell and offers his assistance in helping the sheriff solve the case.
Walt’s investigation will lead him to discover long hidden family secrets and grudges, a raging wildfire blazing through the canyon and cutting off his chance to escape peril, and a death that is strangely somehow connected to the classic Russian Dostoyevsky novel “The Brothers Karamazov” …
After finishing this 22nd Longmire novel, I have mixed feelings. Let’s start with the things that I liked:
- The premise of the murder mystery - who killed a man that everyone hated - has promise and Johnson plays with that premise pretty well, including the use of past history and humor. There is even a character who wants to claim credit for the murder, even though he didn’t do it. Additionally, Johnson’s incorporation of his personal experiences with the “The Brothers Karamazov” as part of the mystery was pretty creative and added an additional layer of depth to the story.
- I don’t really know why, but I found the character of Maxim Sidorov unique and interesting; his exchanges with Walt were edgy, funny, and almost on the same level as Walt’s banter with his best friend, Henry. For me, Maxim brough a fresh perspective and double-edged conflict into Walt’s world.
- It was also nice to see and catch-up with Double Tough, one of Longmire’s deputies, again and the other law enforcement location. I didn’t realize how much I had missed him. I must add that it’s always nice when Cady – the greatest legal mind – shows up, even if it was only in phone calls in this one. We need more of her presence, and that of her daughter, Lola, in future novels.
- Last, but not least Borax – the most stubborn, independent and patient, mule – stole every scene he was in and was a real joy as he played a key role in helping Walt out in more ways than one. He and Maxim were definitely two of the high points of this novel.
Now for the things that I struggled with:
- Some of the primary characters, especially Walt’s fiancée and master user of the f-word, Vic, and Walt’s best friend, Henry, played smaller roles, mostly because Walt’s time and energy are spent dealing with Maxim and investigating Pepper’s murder. However, Vic hasn’t played much of a role in the last two books along with this one, and Henry’s presence was small in this one and the last one. I miss them and would like to see more development with Walt and Vic’s relationship.
- This felt like a bit of an in-betweener book. The murder mystery and Russian classic novel connection was good in concept but didn’t really draw me in the way that the earlier books in the series did. Walt did a lot of running around and asking questions, but the answers became repetitive. The responses fell into the repetitive pattern of “Everyone wanted to kill Pepper, but it wasn’t me. Still, I’m curious as to why did someone kill him now?” And when the murder is solved at the end, it came across as not only anti-climactic, but a bit of was that it? I was never invested in the killer, and the big reveal lacked any real climactic payoff. There was no real development (except for maybe Maxim) for the primary characters or their storylines.
- It felt to me like Johnson fell into his familiar formula trap that he continues to fall into with this series. I call it the let’s put Walt through a physical set of challenges are that so hellish anyone else would die. He is dramatically injured physical yet finds a way to sacrifice himself in order to save another person while miraculously surviving a runaway fire that should have killed him. Johnson puts Walt through such a physical onslaught that he’s lucky to be alive. The problem is that he does this in pretty much every book. After having survived these incredible experiences in 22 books at count, it becomes harder on the reader because you know that he’s not going to die. On the other hand, Walt is not Superman either and he cannot keep surviving these incredibly impossible “Mission Impossible” challenges. The whole time I was reading about his being trapped in the runaway fires, I was never worried about how he was going to get out of it. He’s not only the stubbornest person we know, he’s also the most incredibly luckiest person in the world.
Overall, this was an okay book, but I wouldn’t put in my upper list of Longmire favorites. For me, I struggled a bit at times with keeping my attention throughout the second half of the book, as it fell into what I already described as the Walt formula that goes something like this - Walt gets stubborn, refuses to listen to anyone and must do things his way, and almost ends up dying, but struggles (and gets really lucky) to survive and solves the crime that was committed. It felt a bit of a race towards an ending we already knew the outcome would be.
Truth be told, my primary issue was that this one lacked the emotional impact of his prior novels which captured my full attention and kept my eyes glued to every page. For me, this felt a bit like too much of the same old thing. I am now seeing that I need more from Walt and the rest of the characters moving forward, learning and growing through their challenges, and not just the same old formula in which Walt rarely faces the accountability of his actions.
I still love you Walt and crew, but here’s hoping for more growth and development in the next book!
When “The Brothers McKay” starts, we find our hero, Walt Longmire, has a murder on his hands. This time it’s Pepper McKay, the most hated man in all of Absaroka County, has been found dead while fishing on his ranch in Crazy Woman Canyon. When Walt shows up to investigate it appears that someone took a rock to Pepper’s head and left him to die. That’s not much of a surprise, seeing that Pepper has threatened all of the men and attempted to rape most of the women, including Walt’s wife years ago before she passed away.
The bigger problem for Walt is that pretty everyone in the county is a suspect, starting with the three adult sons who had a serious family meeting at the ranch the night before Pepper’s death. They include a charmer who followed his father’s interest in chasing women, a very career focused journalist, and a religious monk. That’s just for starters. There’s also a half-native illegitimate son working as a ranch hand along with the Lyman’s, a long-time older couple who have been managing the ranch for a long time even though they cannot stand Pepper. Each one has a strong motive and opportunity, and although everyone claims that they wish they had, they swear their innocent.
That isn’t Longmire’s only problem. There’s more on his plate. His daughter – the greatest legal mind – has been appointed the Attorney General for the state of Wyoming. If that wasn’t enough, the former Russian special forces assassin who tried to kill him in a previous book, Maxim Sidorov, has shown up and is under the temporary legal custody of Longmire. Much to Walt’s frustration, Maxim assigns himself to his own cell and offers his assistance in helping the sheriff solve the case.
Walt’s investigation will lead him to discover long hidden family secrets and grudges, a raging wildfire blazing through the canyon and cutting off his chance to escape peril, and a death that is strangely somehow connected to the classic Russian Dostoyevsky novel “The Brothers Karamazov” …
After finishing this 22nd Longmire novel, I have mixed feelings. Let’s start with the things that I liked:
- The premise of the murder mystery - who killed a man that everyone hated - has promise and Johnson plays with that premise pretty well, including the use of past history and humor. There is even a character who wants to claim credit for the murder, even though he didn’t do it. Additionally, Johnson’s incorporation of his personal experiences with the “The Brothers Karamazov” as part of the mystery was pretty creative and added an additional layer of depth to the story.
- I don’t really know why, but I found the character of Maxim Sidorov unique and interesting; his exchanges with Walt were edgy, funny, and almost on the same level as Walt’s banter with his best friend, Henry. For me, Maxim brough a fresh perspective and double-edged conflict into Walt’s world.
- It was also nice to see and catch-up with Double Tough, one of Longmire’s deputies, again and the other law enforcement location. I didn’t realize how much I had missed him. I must add that it’s always nice when Cady – the greatest legal mind – shows up, even if it was only in phone calls in this one. We need more of her presence, and that of her daughter, Lola, in future novels.
- Last, but not least Borax – the most stubborn, independent and patient, mule – stole every scene he was in and was a real joy as he played a key role in helping Walt out in more ways than one. He and Maxim were definitely two of the high points of this novel.
Now for the things that I struggled with:
- Some of the primary characters, especially Walt’s fiancée and master user of the f-word, Vic, and Walt’s best friend, Henry, played smaller roles, mostly because Walt’s time and energy are spent dealing with Maxim and investigating Pepper’s murder. However, Vic hasn’t played much of a role in the last two books along with this one, and Henry’s presence was small in this one and the last one. I miss them and would like to see more development with Walt and Vic’s relationship.
- This felt like a bit of an in-betweener book. The murder mystery and Russian classic novel connection was good in concept but didn’t really draw me in the way that the earlier books in the series did. Walt did a lot of running around and asking questions, but the answers became repetitive. The responses fell into the repetitive pattern of “Everyone wanted to kill Pepper, but it wasn’t me. Still, I’m curious as to why did someone kill him now?” And when the murder is solved at the end, it came across as not only anti-climactic, but a bit of was that it? I was never invested in the killer, and the big reveal lacked any real climactic payoff. There was no real development (except for maybe Maxim) for the primary characters or their storylines.
- It felt to me like Johnson fell into his familiar formula trap that he continues to fall into with this series. I call it the let’s put Walt through a physical set of challenges are that so hellish anyone else would die. He is dramatically injured physical yet finds a way to sacrifice himself in order to save another person while miraculously surviving a runaway fire that should have killed him. Johnson puts Walt through such a physical onslaught that he’s lucky to be alive. The problem is that he does this in pretty much every book. After having survived these incredible experiences in 22 books at count, it becomes harder on the reader because you know that he’s not going to die. On the other hand, Walt is not Superman either and he cannot keep surviving these incredibly impossible “Mission Impossible” challenges. The whole time I was reading about his being trapped in the runaway fires, I was never worried about how he was going to get out of it. He’s not only the stubbornest person we know, he’s also the most incredibly luckiest person in the world.
Overall, this was an okay book, but I wouldn’t put in my upper list of Longmire favorites. For me, I struggled a bit at times with keeping my attention throughout the second half of the book, as it fell into what I already described as the Walt formula that goes something like this - Walt gets stubborn, refuses to listen to anyone and must do things his way, and almost ends up dying, but struggles (and gets really lucky) to survive and solves the crime that was committed. It felt a bit of a race towards an ending we already knew the outcome would be.
Truth be told, my primary issue was that this one lacked the emotional impact of his prior novels which captured my full attention and kept my eyes glued to every page. For me, this felt a bit like too much of the same old thing. I am now seeing that I need more from Walt and the rest of the characters moving forward, learning and growing through their challenges, and not just the same old formula in which Walt rarely faces the accountability of his actions.
I still love you Walt and crew, but here’s hoping for more growth and development in the next book!
June 19, 2026
Johnson really outdid himself with this one. A wealthy rancher who is basically hated by anyone he's ever met is murdered. A classic style mystery with a Longmire twist.
The rancher left 4 children, 1 illegitimate who all could be considered suspects, along with the neighbors, employees and even Walt. Meanwhile after an incredibly dry season wildfires are running rampant all over the area.
Knowing Walt, the possibilities are endless for unexpected mayhem.
The rancher left 4 children, 1 illegitimate who all could be considered suspects, along with the neighbors, employees and even Walt. Meanwhile after an incredibly dry season wildfires are running rampant all over the area.
Knowing Walt, the possibilities are endless for unexpected mayhem.
June 4, 2026
Craig Johnson never disappoints! Long live Borax!
June 8, 2026
I need to give up on this series, I haven’t liked one in ages, this was slightly better than the last few but I spent most of it feeling like I was rushing to get through it in a bad way
June 15, 2026
A murder mystery, survivalist, Borax, theology, FIRE! Russian literature, buried secrets, Crazy Woman Canyon, small town and who would have thought- our hero-Sheriff Walt Longmire. The prose of writing enhance the experience of reading so Enjoy.
May 27, 2026
This one started out a bit slow for me. It's hard to get upset at the dead guy when he was so awful. The weird Russian guy was more interesting as was Walt's reaction to him being there. I find I'm very intrigued by their conversation at the end.
The last part of the book was a bit harrowing for Walt. The fire coming, he's stuck out there, a weird guy, random elk stampede and a stubborn mule, all things that made it harder for Walt to deal with. At least he figured out the bad guy and why, even if it was a stupid reason for everything.
The last part of the book was a bit harrowing for Walt. The fire coming, he's stuck out there, a weird guy, random elk stampede and a stubborn mule, all things that made it harder for Walt to deal with. At least he figured out the bad guy and why, even if it was a stupid reason for everything.
May 30, 2026
One of the least enjoyable Longmire books but still much better than most. A ridiculous plot with silly gimmicks like pretending you can legally force people to stay in a location without arresting them or having any probable cause they committed a crime. But it's a Longmire book so it's worth reading.
June 13, 2026
Would give it a 2.9 if I could. I’ve read all of Craig Johnson’s Longmire series and love the main character and his musings. That was the saving grace of this book. Other than enjoying Longmire, the story was kind of “meh”. The book was fairy slow through the 1st three quarters and then seemed to rush to the end. Didn’t really draw me in like many of his other books. The parallels to Dostoyevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov” were somewhat awkward, the super mule was totally unrealistic, and the ending was wrapped up in a little bow. Maybe a bit harsh but I have high expectations for this series.
June 17, 2026
Detective western that rips off Dostoevsky? What more could you want?
June 4, 2026
Walt Longmire continues to prevail in the Wyoming landscape. Complete with his sidekicks Dog and The Navajo Nation, he encounters a family with many viable suspects and withstands a raging natural disaster.
June 10, 2026
2.5
Like a number of other reviewers, I loved Borax, but the novel itself, not so much. It just feels like Craig Johnson is getting tired of writing about Sheriff Longmire’s life and job.
Like a number of other reviewers, I loved Borax, but the novel itself, not so much. It just feels like Craig Johnson is getting tired of writing about Sheriff Longmire’s life and job.
May 29, 2026
Another great book about sheriff Walt Longmire on the hunt for a killer caught in a wildfire. Love the series and the characters and I highly recommend it.
June 10, 2026
4.5
Refresh for the series… storyline exploring The Brothers Karamazov was a great idea! Loved Borax and hope he appears again. Looks like Walt will be going abroad in the next installment!
Refresh for the series… storyline exploring The Brothers Karamazov was a great idea! Loved Borax and hope he appears again. Looks like Walt will be going abroad in the next installment!
June 11, 2026
Another classic Longmire book
May 29, 2026
I don’t know if the reason this book is so confusing and disjointed is because it has been edited for the kindle version or it’s the actual writing. Either way it has left questions. Who is the Russian and why is he relevant to the story? If he’s from a previous book , it’s been too long to remember who he is. The motive for the murders is unbelievable, especially because the person is religious. Where’s the premedication and evidence he is a psychopath? There’s too much unfunny banter ongoing between Walt and others as well as his “philosophy” and literature knowledge. Who cares that he’s a reader? And Moretti’s language has become really smutty. It’s unbecoming to her character. Who is double tough’S real name and why is he relavent? The story itself jumps all over the place Only the last few chapters where the strongly determined character of Longmire is displayed is the book worth reading. I was very disappointed overall except for one character…..Borax. Love the mule.
June 15, 2026
So happy to see a new Walt Longmire book from Craig Johnson. The entire Longmire series is well worth the read (and while you can enjoy them individually, it does help to read them in order). Interesting twist in this book is how it parallels and references The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky).
May 30, 2026
Pepper McKay is very dead. Hated by nearly everyone, Pepper McKay ran his life, his family and pretty much everything and everyone else, for miles around for many decades. While he had his business interests, his marriage a number of years ago gave him control over what is known as the “O-Kay Ranch.” Located at the mouth of Crazy Woman Canyon, the dude ranch, is in Absaroka County, Wyoming. That means his death has to be investigated by the local sheriff, Walt Longmire.
That means the good sheriff and his number, two, Victoria Moretti, need to get to the scene as fast as possible. It does not help that they are stuck in a barely moving traffic jam on the road in thanks to one of two lightning caused wildfires that started overnight. The fires are running wild, thanks to drought and dead trees and whatnot, and will go where they want and when they want.
Eventually, they get to the former working ranch that is now operated as a dude ranch. For decades it was operated by the Harris family. Then the granddaughter, BeeBee, turned it into a dude ranch, then married Pepper McKay, and then he went work taking control and running roughshod over everyone and everybody.
Pepper McKay, a hard drinker, and pretty much hard at everything, had gone fishing in Crazy Woman Creek that morning. He had lunch and other food with him, but hadn’t been seen since. One of the long-time ranch hands had gone looking for him and had finally found him floating face down in the water. The ranch hand had pulled the body up onto the bank and then called 911.
Walt Longmire had a long history with Pepper McKay going back some four decades. So, the fact that the man was drinking in his last hours is no surprise. Beyond that obvious fact, as Vic examines the body, she advises Longmore and the newly assigned to the area Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper, Shane Wilson, that the back of Pepper McKay’s head shows obvious signs of some sort of traumatic brain injury. She also notes the numerous contusions and abrasions, but those could have happened as the body moved downstream through the churning waters and hit rocks and such. She also notes that by how heavy he feels, his lungs are probably full of water.
It is clear to all three of them that an intoxicated Pepper McKay could easily have slipped and fallen, striking his head in the process, before drowning. It is also very possible to all that he might have been hit in the head with a rock and left to drown. So, the question is—accident or murder?
If it was a murder, it would also be a very complicated case with a laundry list of suspects. For decades Pepper McKay lived his life like a human wrecking ball—he smashed through obstacles and people with wild abandon. That means the suspect list, inside and outside the family, is a long one and complicated. Some neutral observers, if they knew what had happened decades ago, might put the good Sheriff on that suspect list too.
As Walt Longmire spins up outside resources to assist his investigation, another problem is dumped into his lap by the newly appointed Wyoming Attorney General, his own daughter. Maxim Sidorov wants to relocate to Durant. With no parole officer in the area, that would mean that Sheriff Longmire would have to be his parole officer despite the fact that the man tried to kill him awhile back. Maxim Sidorov lost an eye in that attempt. He also gained a lot of respect for him and is trying to help him find a great aunt, Ruth One Heart.
Maxim Sidorov is soon in town, living in the jail, and advising Walt on what has turned out to be the definite murder of Pepper McKay. He is instrumental to the investigation which also manages to bug the heck out of Longmire. He also briefly annoyed this reader who had an out loud “Duh” moment when Sidorov pointed things out.
The Brothers McKay: A Longmire Mystery by Craig Johnson is a highly entertaining read that keeps the reader turning pages. Part murder mystery, part survivalist action read, it also sets up what will clearly be the focus of the next book in the series. Unless the author has juked and head faked this reader on this too.
Recommended.
My digital ARC came by way of Viking Penguin, through NetGalley, and with no expectation of a positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
June 8, 2026
There is never an issue with a new Craig Johnson Walt Longmire novel. I start looking forward to the next one as soon as I finish reading the current title. I really loved The Brothers McKay. In Johnson's own words, it is his version of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, and it makes for one of the strongest entries in the series.
When Walt is called out to investigate the death of Pepper McKay, a man almost everyone would like to see dead, he quickly realizes he is dealing with a murder. From the beginning, the obvious suspects are Pepper's sons, including at least one illegitimate son. As Walt begins to untangle the complicated relationships within the McKay family, he finds himself navigating a web of resentment, jealousy, and long-held grudges.
This novel felt like a return to some of Walt's earlier adventures. He works the case alongside his partner and fiancée, Vic Moretti, and we get substantial involvement from many of the series' beloved supporting characters. Ruby, Double Tough, Cady Longmire, and Walt's best friend Henry Standing Bear all have meaningful roles to play. It was refreshing to read a Longmire novel where the entire cast feels actively involved rather than simply making brief appearances. Over the years, Johnson has built a remarkable extended family around Walt, despite Walt's constant insistence that he prefers to be alone and independent.
As always, Johnson's dialogue is outstanding. Few writers can balance humor, wisdom, and character development through conversation as effectively as he does. The investigation itself unfolds in an almost Poirot-like fashion, with Walt carefully examining motives and relationships while narrowing the list of suspects. The references to Dostoevsky are woven naturally into the story without ever feeling forced or distracting.
I also appreciated the backdrop of drought conditions and the threat of a massive wildfire. Both elements add urgency and tension to the narrative while reinforcing the harsh realities of life in Wyoming. The environmental challenges become another obstacle Walt must contend with as he pursues the truth.
Johnson also continues the larger storyline that has been developing through several recent novels. The plot threads involving characters from The Western Star and The Longmire Defense remain very much alive. Maxim Sidorov, the Russian assassin and organized crime figure whose moral compass is questionable at best, continues to loom in the background. Likewise, the mystery surrounding Ruth One Heart, Walt's childhood friend who was kidnapped at the end of The Longmire Defense, remains unresolved. These ongoing storylines add another layer of intrigue for longtime readers and suggest that Johnson is building toward something significant.
The ending of The Brothers McKay appears to lead directly into the next Longmire novel. On one hand, that is a little frustrating because it leaves important questions unanswered. On the other hand, it is a testament to Johnson's skill as a storyteller. Few writers can create characters and a world compelling enough that an ending can leave you frustrated while simultaneously making you eager to get your hands on the next book.
The Brothers McKay is another excellent entry in one of the most consistently entertaining mystery series being published today. If you are already a Longmire fan, this is an easy recommendation. If you have somehow not yet discovered Craig Johnson's work, there are far worse places to start.
When Walt is called out to investigate the death of Pepper McKay, a man almost everyone would like to see dead, he quickly realizes he is dealing with a murder. From the beginning, the obvious suspects are Pepper's sons, including at least one illegitimate son. As Walt begins to untangle the complicated relationships within the McKay family, he finds himself navigating a web of resentment, jealousy, and long-held grudges.
This novel felt like a return to some of Walt's earlier adventures. He works the case alongside his partner and fiancée, Vic Moretti, and we get substantial involvement from many of the series' beloved supporting characters. Ruby, Double Tough, Cady Longmire, and Walt's best friend Henry Standing Bear all have meaningful roles to play. It was refreshing to read a Longmire novel where the entire cast feels actively involved rather than simply making brief appearances. Over the years, Johnson has built a remarkable extended family around Walt, despite Walt's constant insistence that he prefers to be alone and independent.
As always, Johnson's dialogue is outstanding. Few writers can balance humor, wisdom, and character development through conversation as effectively as he does. The investigation itself unfolds in an almost Poirot-like fashion, with Walt carefully examining motives and relationships while narrowing the list of suspects. The references to Dostoevsky are woven naturally into the story without ever feeling forced or distracting.
I also appreciated the backdrop of drought conditions and the threat of a massive wildfire. Both elements add urgency and tension to the narrative while reinforcing the harsh realities of life in Wyoming. The environmental challenges become another obstacle Walt must contend with as he pursues the truth.
Johnson also continues the larger storyline that has been developing through several recent novels. The plot threads involving characters from The Western Star and The Longmire Defense remain very much alive. Maxim Sidorov, the Russian assassin and organized crime figure whose moral compass is questionable at best, continues to loom in the background. Likewise, the mystery surrounding Ruth One Heart, Walt's childhood friend who was kidnapped at the end of The Longmire Defense, remains unresolved. These ongoing storylines add another layer of intrigue for longtime readers and suggest that Johnson is building toward something significant.
The ending of The Brothers McKay appears to lead directly into the next Longmire novel. On one hand, that is a little frustrating because it leaves important questions unanswered. On the other hand, it is a testament to Johnson's skill as a storyteller. Few writers can create characters and a world compelling enough that an ending can leave you frustrated while simultaneously making you eager to get your hands on the next book.
The Brothers McKay is another excellent entry in one of the most consistently entertaining mystery series being published today. If you are already a Longmire fan, this is an easy recommendation. If you have somehow not yet discovered Craig Johnson's work, there are far worse places to start.
May 31, 2026
"The Brothers McKay" is the best Walt Longmire novel to come out in quite a while. Several recent predecessor books seemed to suggest that Craig Johnson might be running out of ideas for plots and had turned to slightly silly settings and stories. But this one has put the series back on track and even left fans with a cliff hanger to set up what is likely to be the next book in the series.
As the Goodreads page on the book notes, "The Brothers McKay is a murder mystery and a survival thriller that tests the sheriff’s hard-won sense of justice—all while paying sly homage to Dostoevsky’s classic." The "classic" in question is "The Brothers Karamazov," a murder mystery with a patricide just as the McKay brothers are dealing with the murder of their father. Johnson uses a neat device for introducing Karamazov - the re-introduction of character (whom I confess I can't remember) from a previous book - a Russian assassin named Maxim Sidorov. Maxim is both a killer and an admirer of Walt despite the fact that a past interaction between the two men led to Maxim losing an eye. Nevertheless, it is Maxim who suggests the parallels between the brothers Karamazov and McKay may be instructive for Walt's murder investigation. The review in the Cowboy State Daily, a Wyoming free newspaper, lauds Johnson for "taking Dostoevsky’s archetypes and translating them into believable western characters, each with a credible motivation to commit a crime like patricide, where the most powerful emotions known to man are in play." Added into the complexity of the murder investigation is the fact that the locale where Walt is working is burning to a crisp in the biggest wildfire to hit the region in a hundred years.
Like many, if not most good mysteries, this one is rife with characters who may be suspects in what turns out to be two murders, including a couple of novice and senior monks from a nearby monastery, the ranch managers and hands, the neighbors, the girlfriends of the McKay brothers, and a bright and courageous mule (yes, you read that right, MULE) named Borax who turns out to be the real hero of the novel. Plus, all the regular folks from the Longmire series are back in place - Victoria Moretti, Walt's "fiancée," Henry Standing Bear, aka "the Cheyenne Nation," the usual staff of Walt's office, and of course "Dog," Walt's very large and very loyal canine.
I kid you not, this is the best Longmire to come out (which it did on May 26, 2026) in a long time. Fans will no doubt love it, and not yet fans could enjoy it for the drama and humor Johnson builds into his Longmire stories. I highly recommend it.
As the Goodreads page on the book notes, "The Brothers McKay is a murder mystery and a survival thriller that tests the sheriff’s hard-won sense of justice—all while paying sly homage to Dostoevsky’s classic." The "classic" in question is "The Brothers Karamazov," a murder mystery with a patricide just as the McKay brothers are dealing with the murder of their father. Johnson uses a neat device for introducing Karamazov - the re-introduction of character (whom I confess I can't remember) from a previous book - a Russian assassin named Maxim Sidorov. Maxim is both a killer and an admirer of Walt despite the fact that a past interaction between the two men led to Maxim losing an eye. Nevertheless, it is Maxim who suggests the parallels between the brothers Karamazov and McKay may be instructive for Walt's murder investigation. The review in the Cowboy State Daily, a Wyoming free newspaper, lauds Johnson for "taking Dostoevsky’s archetypes and translating them into believable western characters, each with a credible motivation to commit a crime like patricide, where the most powerful emotions known to man are in play." Added into the complexity of the murder investigation is the fact that the locale where Walt is working is burning to a crisp in the biggest wildfire to hit the region in a hundred years.
Like many, if not most good mysteries, this one is rife with characters who may be suspects in what turns out to be two murders, including a couple of novice and senior monks from a nearby monastery, the ranch managers and hands, the neighbors, the girlfriends of the McKay brothers, and a bright and courageous mule (yes, you read that right, MULE) named Borax who turns out to be the real hero of the novel. Plus, all the regular folks from the Longmire series are back in place - Victoria Moretti, Walt's "fiancée," Henry Standing Bear, aka "the Cheyenne Nation," the usual staff of Walt's office, and of course "Dog," Walt's very large and very loyal canine.
I kid you not, this is the best Longmire to come out (which it did on May 26, 2026) in a long time. Fans will no doubt love it, and not yet fans could enjoy it for the drama and humor Johnson builds into his Longmire stories. I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book twenty-two, and Craig Johnson is still out here proving he can take Walt Longmire anywhere he wants with his philosophical detours, historical rabbit holes, and the occasional “wait, why are we learning this?” sidebar included. And honestly, that’s part of why this series remains one of my favorites. When Johnson steps away from the woo-woo elements that sometimes drift into the supernatural, the books settle into that grounded, wry, quietly intense rhythm that hooked me in the first place.
This one, The Brothers McKay, is basically Johnson showing you everything he has: autopsy tidbits, chess strategy, Wyoming history, religious quotes, car maintenance, heavy machinery, and if he can wedge it in, he will. It’s like he’s saying, “Sit tight, we’ll get to the mystery… eventually.” And he does, but he takes the scenic route while muttering about something philosophical.
Lucien shows up, and as usual, I can take him or leave him. Victoria remains her annoying self. But Henry Standing Bear? Always a win. His presence sharpens the story. His intensity and dry humor have a way of grounding Walt every time he steps onto the page, making the whole book feel more alive. Most importantly, he brings out a funnier, more self-aware version of Walt.
As for the mystery itself, apparently, the clues were there, and I missed them. I really thought it was the other guy, and it wasn’t until the final stretch, when Johnson finally snaps all the pieces together, that I had that “ohhh, that’s what we were doing” moment. The first 80% is a slow simmer, but the last 20%? Clear your schedule. Sit down. Don’t move. Don’t breathe. Just read.
And then there’s the literary twist where Johnson is retelling The Brothers Karamazov. Thankfully, a certain not-so-incarcerated visitor in Walt’s open-door jail cell spells that out for the reader. I’m not suddenly inspired to tackle the Russian classic, but I did poke around enough to appreciate what Johnson was doing. The parallels are clever, the themes surprisingly fitting, and the whole thing adds a layer of depth.
In the end, The Brothers McKay is a slow, wandering, detail-stuffed ride that rewards your patience with a finale that hits hard. Johnson may take his sweet time, but he knows exactly where he’s going. And once again, I’m glad I went along for the trip.
This one, The Brothers McKay, is basically Johnson showing you everything he has: autopsy tidbits, chess strategy, Wyoming history, religious quotes, car maintenance, heavy machinery, and if he can wedge it in, he will. It’s like he’s saying, “Sit tight, we’ll get to the mystery… eventually.” And he does, but he takes the scenic route while muttering about something philosophical.
Lucien shows up, and as usual, I can take him or leave him. Victoria remains her annoying self. But Henry Standing Bear? Always a win. His presence sharpens the story. His intensity and dry humor have a way of grounding Walt every time he steps onto the page, making the whole book feel more alive. Most importantly, he brings out a funnier, more self-aware version of Walt.
As for the mystery itself, apparently, the clues were there, and I missed them. I really thought it was the other guy, and it wasn’t until the final stretch, when Johnson finally snaps all the pieces together, that I had that “ohhh, that’s what we were doing” moment. The first 80% is a slow simmer, but the last 20%? Clear your schedule. Sit down. Don’t move. Don’t breathe. Just read.
And then there’s the literary twist where Johnson is retelling The Brothers Karamazov. Thankfully, a certain not-so-incarcerated visitor in Walt’s open-door jail cell spells that out for the reader. I’m not suddenly inspired to tackle the Russian classic, but I did poke around enough to appreciate what Johnson was doing. The parallels are clever, the themes surprisingly fitting, and the whole thing adds a layer of depth.
In the end, The Brothers McKay is a slow, wandering, detail-stuffed ride that rewards your patience with a finale that hits hard. Johnson may take his sweet time, but he knows exactly where he’s going. And once again, I’m glad I went along for the trip.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
With this 22nd installment of Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire Mysteries, the author taps into the literature loving lawman's knowledge base.
A prominent unlikeable wealthy citizen, Pepper McKay, of Crazy Woman Canyon in Absaroka County is found dead and his family of 4 sons, all who have motive, are suspected. Walt and crew are investigating the possible murder as 3 wildfires are being driven their way by unpredictable winds. The suspect list grows as another body from the original suspect pool appears. Other characters add to the mix of plot twists including members of a seminary, of which one of the McKay's sons is a monk, a mule named Borax who connects with Walt's gentle side and survival in a firestorm, and a former Russian spy, Maxim Sudorov, who helps Walt with the solving of the mystery by refining the connection of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov (hence, the significance of the book's title) to the case.
The book starts a bit slow as Johnson begins his investigation, and takes off later in my favorite part of book when Walt is forced into survival mode because of the fires having their way. Johnson's description of what is happening is top notch and the reader is right there wondering if there is any escape. One problem I had was one of the characters had been impaled by a tree branch and was draped over the mule when the text indicated this couldn't be done without causing more damage.
I also thought that Vic's role was over the top with her crude language and made me wonder how Walt could be engaged to her.
All in all, I really liked the book and am recommending it to patrons, family, and friends, because it includes the many great components in the Longmire series: Humor, Native American culture, incredible descriptions of Wyoming landscapes and landforms, great characterizations, and a mystery with lots of twists!
Thank you to Viking Penguin and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC.
A prominent unlikeable wealthy citizen, Pepper McKay, of Crazy Woman Canyon in Absaroka County is found dead and his family of 4 sons, all who have motive, are suspected. Walt and crew are investigating the possible murder as 3 wildfires are being driven their way by unpredictable winds. The suspect list grows as another body from the original suspect pool appears. Other characters add to the mix of plot twists including members of a seminary, of which one of the McKay's sons is a monk, a mule named Borax who connects with Walt's gentle side and survival in a firestorm, and a former Russian spy, Maxim Sudorov, who helps Walt with the solving of the mystery by refining the connection of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov (hence, the significance of the book's title) to the case.
The book starts a bit slow as Johnson begins his investigation, and takes off later in my favorite part of book when Walt is forced into survival mode because of the fires having their way. Johnson's description of what is happening is top notch and the reader is right there wondering if there is any escape. One problem I had was one of the characters had been impaled by a tree branch and was draped over the mule when the text indicated this couldn't be done without causing more damage.
I also thought that Vic's role was over the top with her crude language and made me wonder how Walt could be engaged to her.
All in all, I really liked the book and am recommending it to patrons, family, and friends, because it includes the many great components in the Longmire series: Humor, Native American culture, incredible descriptions of Wyoming landscapes and landforms, great characterizations, and a mystery with lots of twists!
Thank you to Viking Penguin and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC.
June 16, 2026
Of hellish flames and the compulsive call of duty
Having just recently read #crimeandpunishment by #FyodorDostoevsky , I was intrigued the discover that the latest installment of the #waltlongmireseries , #thebrothersmckay , number 22 in the saga, was rooted in the old Russian author's last novel #thebrotherskaramazoff , published the year before he died. As we discover through the story, it was intended to be a trilogy and fans have long speculated who was the murderer versus the one revealed in the only completed novel.
Such is the backstory as our beloved Sheriff Longmire is summoned to one of the most storied raches in #absarokacounty as a possible murder had been committed against one of the most disdained residents of Walt's #wyoming jurisdiction. While the suspect list is long, top of the list are the victim's own sons, each who had motive to kill the old lothario who all stand to inherit tens of millions of dollars with his passing. As Walt meticulously deliberates, a series of raging wild fires all are creeping near the scene of the crime as state and federal officials push him to wrap his investigation as the ranch adjacent to the storied Crazy Woman Creek. Along with the legendary obstinacy of the old Sheriff, we are introduced to a new character with a stubborn streak to make Walt seem downright malleable by comparison.
Look, I love Walt and I know he will somehow get out of his tough circumstances but, like so.many of his fans, we know he is just getting too old for this shit. And as the affection to Walt is equal for longtime #audible reader #georgeguidall , even this magnificent storyteller's voice is growing weak and raspy despite being enduringly compelling. I will love and listen to Longmire as long as Craig Johnson keeps writing his tales. But, at some point, out beloved old lawman is going to have to face retirement as his love interest Under-Sheriff and State Attorney General daughter are eventually going to insist.
Having just recently read #crimeandpunishment by #FyodorDostoevsky , I was intrigued the discover that the latest installment of the #waltlongmireseries , #thebrothersmckay , number 22 in the saga, was rooted in the old Russian author's last novel #thebrotherskaramazoff , published the year before he died. As we discover through the story, it was intended to be a trilogy and fans have long speculated who was the murderer versus the one revealed in the only completed novel.
Such is the backstory as our beloved Sheriff Longmire is summoned to one of the most storied raches in #absarokacounty as a possible murder had been committed against one of the most disdained residents of Walt's #wyoming jurisdiction. While the suspect list is long, top of the list are the victim's own sons, each who had motive to kill the old lothario who all stand to inherit tens of millions of dollars with his passing. As Walt meticulously deliberates, a series of raging wild fires all are creeping near the scene of the crime as state and federal officials push him to wrap his investigation as the ranch adjacent to the storied Crazy Woman Creek. Along with the legendary obstinacy of the old Sheriff, we are introduced to a new character with a stubborn streak to make Walt seem downright malleable by comparison.
Look, I love Walt and I know he will somehow get out of his tough circumstances but, like so.many of his fans, we know he is just getting too old for this shit. And as the affection to Walt is equal for longtime #audible reader #georgeguidall , even this magnificent storyteller's voice is growing weak and raspy despite being enduringly compelling. I will love and listen to Longmire as long as Craig Johnson keeps writing his tales. But, at some point, out beloved old lawman is going to have to face retirement as his love interest Under-Sheriff and State Attorney General daughter are eventually going to insist.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars for book 22 in the Longmire series by Craig Johnson. I have read all but but one of the previous books in the series. Both my wife and I enjoy this series for the humor and the mysteries. We started reading the series after watching the tv series based on the books.
This book has Walt Longmire, Sheriff of fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, investigating the murder of Pepper McKay. A relevant quote: "Well it's agreed that everyone on the North American continent hated the man." Even Pepper's children didn't like him.
Walt starts interviewing everyone present at the McKay ranch when Pepper was killed. As the investigation progresses, he discovers some buried secrets and grudges. He does finally solve the case, but not before more deaths.
Complicating the investigation are several wildfires near the ranch which could combine into a monster wildfire.
If you have read any of the previous books, you know that Victoria Moretti, Walt's under sheriff, has a very salty tongue. A quote by one of Walt's deputies after he and Walt listen to a message on the office answering machine from Victoria: "He nodded, hitting the button and erasing Vic's recording. 'You know I don't think that I've ever heard anybody use that word that many times in that short of a message."
Walt Longmire is an interesting character. He is Vietnam vet, and a college graduate who quotes the bible and Orwell. He also has a theological debate on morality with a novice monk who is contemplating suicide. He is considered a dinosaur by Vic, because he refuses to have a cell phone.
Triggers:
Sex: none
Language: profanity
Violence: brief description of a man caught in an elk stampede.
Thank You Viking Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheBrothersMcKay #NetGalley.
Pub Date May 26 2026
This book has Walt Longmire, Sheriff of fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, investigating the murder of Pepper McKay. A relevant quote: "Well it's agreed that everyone on the North American continent hated the man." Even Pepper's children didn't like him.
Walt starts interviewing everyone present at the McKay ranch when Pepper was killed. As the investigation progresses, he discovers some buried secrets and grudges. He does finally solve the case, but not before more deaths.
Complicating the investigation are several wildfires near the ranch which could combine into a monster wildfire.
If you have read any of the previous books, you know that Victoria Moretti, Walt's under sheriff, has a very salty tongue. A quote by one of Walt's deputies after he and Walt listen to a message on the office answering machine from Victoria: "He nodded, hitting the button and erasing Vic's recording. 'You know I don't think that I've ever heard anybody use that word that many times in that short of a message."
Walt Longmire is an interesting character. He is Vietnam vet, and a college graduate who quotes the bible and Orwell. He also has a theological debate on morality with a novice monk who is contemplating suicide. He is considered a dinosaur by Vic, because he refuses to have a cell phone.
Triggers:
Sex: none
Language: profanity
Violence: brief description of a man caught in an elk stampede.
Thank You Viking Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheBrothersMcKay #NetGalley.
Pub Date May 26 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Craig Johnson, NetGalley, and Viking Publishers for allowing me to read a free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is the 22nd installment in the long running Walt Longmire series and they just keep getting better! This one is the best yet! The plot and characters give an informative nod to the novel the Brothers Karamazov (hence the title). Having not previously read that novel, Walt talked me along so that I had all the information that i needed to follow the action (so don't worry if you haven't read the 1000 page tome either!). Circumstances come to a head at the O"Kay Ranch when two murder victims have been found and a third dead body is discovered just as the ranch is evacuated in the path of an oncoming forest fire. Walt is the last to leave, except (of course!) he discovers that a novice monk with a bad sense of direction and a stubborn mule (literally) haven't evacuated as they should have. Walt can't allow himself to evacuate without everyone else safe, so he heads toward the fire to rescue the monk, and ends up getting into the center of several large forest fires as they combine to form a super fire. Fortunately, Walt's new friend Borax the mule is as stubborn and steady as he is. Not only do Walt and Borax save lives, they get to the bottom of the series of murders also.
I also loved the other story line that is woven into the plot in which we learn a little bit more about the disappearance of Ruth One Heart, and we come face to face with an old adversary - or is he?
I already can't wait for the next book in the series!
This is the 22nd installment in the long running Walt Longmire series and they just keep getting better! This one is the best yet! The plot and characters give an informative nod to the novel the Brothers Karamazov (hence the title). Having not previously read that novel, Walt talked me along so that I had all the information that i needed to follow the action (so don't worry if you haven't read the 1000 page tome either!). Circumstances come to a head at the O"Kay Ranch when two murder victims have been found and a third dead body is discovered just as the ranch is evacuated in the path of an oncoming forest fire. Walt is the last to leave, except (of course!) he discovers that a novice monk with a bad sense of direction and a stubborn mule (literally) haven't evacuated as they should have. Walt can't allow himself to evacuate without everyone else safe, so he heads toward the fire to rescue the monk, and ends up getting into the center of several large forest fires as they combine to form a super fire. Fortunately, Walt's new friend Borax the mule is as stubborn and steady as he is. Not only do Walt and Borax save lives, they get to the bottom of the series of murders also.
I also loved the other story line that is woven into the plot in which we learn a little bit more about the disappearance of Ruth One Heart, and we come face to face with an old adversary - or is he?
I already can't wait for the next book in the series!
May 31, 2026
This is the twenty second book in the Longmire series. As usual, Johnson is a very good writer. His dialogue is some of the best in modern writing. In this novel, we have two stories in one. We get the main story and the part that sets up the plot for the next book.
Pepper McKay is apparently a thoroughly unpleasant man. Not a single person, not even his sons, have a tear to shed when he's murdered. It'll be tough to narrow down the suspect pool. But Walt tries. Then there's another murder. All this is happening while there are wildfires all around McKay's ranch.
I'll admit that the first three fourths of the book are slow. Walt rambles a lot, giving bits and pieces of historical information. There's clever chitchat and lots of interviews. Mostly it reads like a procedural until the fire gets too close and there's a mandated evacuation.
That last quarter of the book is very intense, very harrowing and that's where Johnson does his best writing. The reader can almost feel the heat, see the ash that looks like snow and flames lapping far too close, can taste and smell the soot.
However, when the reader is more concerned about Borax the mule than Longmire, then you know that the writer needs to up his game on the rest of the book. When the killer is finally exposed along with the lame motive, I'm let down. It doesn't really hold together. We also needed more of the Cheyenne Nation. He always improves the story.
Then at the very end we see the launch for the plot of the next book which will involve a Russian one-eyed assassin and a trip to the end of the earth.
Pepper McKay is apparently a thoroughly unpleasant man. Not a single person, not even his sons, have a tear to shed when he's murdered. It'll be tough to narrow down the suspect pool. But Walt tries. Then there's another murder. All this is happening while there are wildfires all around McKay's ranch.
I'll admit that the first three fourths of the book are slow. Walt rambles a lot, giving bits and pieces of historical information. There's clever chitchat and lots of interviews. Mostly it reads like a procedural until the fire gets too close and there's a mandated evacuation.
That last quarter of the book is very intense, very harrowing and that's where Johnson does his best writing. The reader can almost feel the heat, see the ash that looks like snow and flames lapping far too close, can taste and smell the soot.
However, when the reader is more concerned about Borax the mule than Longmire, then you know that the writer needs to up his game on the rest of the book. When the killer is finally exposed along with the lame motive, I'm let down. It doesn't really hold together. We also needed more of the Cheyenne Nation. He always improves the story.
Then at the very end we see the launch for the plot of the next book which will involve a Russian one-eyed assassin and a trip to the end of the earth.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It is always good to spend some time in Absaroka County, Wyoming, with Walt Longmire and his sidekicks. There are two storylines here: the death, and possible murder, of a hated man in the area and a Russian who turned state’s evidence and now want to be relocated to Walt’s jurisdiction. He also once tried to kill Walt and possibly has information on Walt’s aunt who has gone missing (this storyline carries forward from the last couple of novels in the series). In the background of all this, a massive wildfire is raging.
I love this series. The characters are rich with well established relationships. Spending time with them is like spending time with family - lots of teasing and laughter and love. Walt is an excellent investigator, and while there is little doubt he will uncover the truth, watching him get there is a blast. My only quibble with this book is that I found the resolution of the crime storyline very unsatisfying. But kudos to the author for unashamedly basing it on The Brothers Karamazov.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Not family friendly due to profanity, violence, and some adult themes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I love this series. The characters are rich with well established relationships. Spending time with them is like spending time with family - lots of teasing and laughter and love. Walt is an excellent investigator, and while there is little doubt he will uncover the truth, watching him get there is a blast. My only quibble with this book is that I found the resolution of the crime storyline very unsatisfying. But kudos to the author for unashamedly basing it on The Brothers Karamazov.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Not family friendly due to profanity, violence, and some adult themes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy
I pre-ordered this novel and received from Bol.com the Dutch version of Amazon.com on the 21st of May. So I do not thank any publisher because I paid for my copy like a regular customer.
This novel came to be because of the writer his obsession with Fyodor Dostoyesky's THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV who never got a conclusion due to the dying of the Russian literary hero.
ANYHOW Pepper McKay gets killed, and the world rejoices, leaving behind 3 sons and an illigimate son. Longmire himself is no fan of this dead person as hé once tried to force himself on his Dear Martha.
The greatest legal mind of our times, daughter Cady has become the AG of Wyoming, and sends a wellknown Russian assassin to stay in Absaroka County for safekeeping.
Then there is the result of a dry summer and mild winter, raging wildfires that will take a centerplace in the story.
Then Longmire meets a more singleminded creature than he is by the name of Borax.
Sheriff Longmire has to solve murder Dostoyesky style and save his own life. And with the last line of this book we know where the next installment will be going.
Once again Craig Johnson delivers an excellent Longmire tale long past the TV show we all love.
Another must read finished this year.
This novel came to be because of the writer his obsession with Fyodor Dostoyesky's THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV who never got a conclusion due to the dying of the Russian literary hero.
ANYHOW Pepper McKay gets killed, and the world rejoices, leaving behind 3 sons and an illigimate son. Longmire himself is no fan of this dead person as hé once tried to force himself on his Dear Martha.
The greatest legal mind of our times, daughter Cady has become the AG of Wyoming, and sends a wellknown Russian assassin to stay in Absaroka County for safekeeping.
Then there is the result of a dry summer and mild winter, raging wildfires that will take a centerplace in the story.
Then Longmire meets a more singleminded creature than he is by the name of Borax.
Sheriff Longmire has to solve murder Dostoyesky style and save his own life. And with the last line of this book we know where the next installment will be going.
Once again Craig Johnson delivers an excellent Longmire tale long past the TV show we all love.
Another must read finished this year.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75 stars
For those long-time fans of Sheriff Walt, another stirring adventure. These stories rate very high in readability, with their humor, their intelligence, their entertaining verbal detours, and a truly stellar cast of characters.
But the star of this tale was four-legged: Meet Borax, a gigantic john mule, phlegmatic in disposition (unless you scratch him under the chin), herculean in stamina, and truly the one who saved the day here. The other non human main character is a horrifying forest fire which adds a lot of suspense.
There is often a preposterous edge to Walt's mysteries and this is no exception. Realistically, I find it hard to forget that he is a 75-80 year old man (based on previous stories and his Vietnam experience) and he is often unbelievably super heroish. And the villain and the motive in this one are not particularly credible. Also I don't appreciate the cliffhanger endings. I fear one of the next adventures is going to take Walt to Russia and I am hoping to avoid a repeat of Walt's Mexican odyssey which I thought was a weak point in the series.
But I didn't care because this was such an entertaining and witty journey. Walt's conversations with Borax were highlights, and I hope Borax joins the cast of characters. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For those long-time fans of Sheriff Walt, another stirring adventure. These stories rate very high in readability, with their humor, their intelligence, their entertaining verbal detours, and a truly stellar cast of characters.
But the star of this tale was four-legged: Meet Borax, a gigantic john mule, phlegmatic in disposition (unless you scratch him under the chin), herculean in stamina, and truly the one who saved the day here. The other non human main character is a horrifying forest fire which adds a lot of suspense.
There is often a preposterous edge to Walt's mysteries and this is no exception. Realistically, I find it hard to forget that he is a 75-80 year old man (based on previous stories and his Vietnam experience) and he is often unbelievably super heroish. And the villain and the motive in this one are not particularly credible. Also I don't appreciate the cliffhanger endings. I fear one of the next adventures is going to take Walt to Russia and I am hoping to avoid a repeat of Walt's Mexican odyssey which I thought was a weak point in the series.
But I didn't care because this was such an entertaining and witty journey. Walt's conversations with Borax were highlights, and I hope Borax joins the cast of characters. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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