by Cynthia Chow
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the The Highwayman, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.
Fans of the long-running series featuring Absaroka County Sheriff Walt Longmire return again and again to the novels for the entertaining wit and complex plots that delve into the darkest of crimes of his sparsely populated county. It is in the novellas, though, where Johnson is able to explore Wyoming’s distinct Native American culture and legends that explore the nature of man and his relationship with the land.
Walt has come to the aid of Highway Patrolman Rosey Wayman, whose career is on the line. For several nights, at 12:34 a.m., Rosey hears the call over her radio for a 10-78, “Officer Needs Assistance.” The problem is that there is no record of any officer issuing an alert or of anyone else hearing the call at all. A psych evaluation could end her patrol, and Rosey is desperate for a witness. What is truly alarming is that she believes they are being issued by Bobby Womack, an Arapaho patrolman, who died on the Wind River Canyon highway over thirty years ago. While some believe that he was involved in a bank robbery where the stolen coins remain unfound, other legends have the man known as The Highwayman rescuing stranded travelers from imminent deaths.
Complex plots, compelling characters, and dry humor are trademarks that have made Craig Johnson’s writing so popular that even a televised series cancellation can’t prevent them from being saved and brought back through Netflix.
Here, he continues to have fun at the expense of the lackadaisical sheriff, nicknamed by an Indian woman as “Bucket,” for his paleness that makes him “beyond the pail.” Henry Standing Bear – the Cheyenne Nation – is entertainingly along to provide counsel and a lot of mockery, but this never lessens the compassion for a woman who fears for her sanity. What supports law enforcement officers through stressful and dire situations is the knowledge that their fellow officers have their back and always stand ready to respond to a 10-78. The author incorporates this belief with a legend that not only strengthens the series, it expands on everything that makes these novels so original and so uniquely compelling.
To enter to win a copy of The Highwayman, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “highwayman,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 11, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
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Was a great show. Have read only one of the books so far. Am looking forward to reading more.
I haven’t read this series and I haven’t seen it on Netflix. Would like to read before watching on Netflix.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
The Books are way better than the tv show. But did start reading the books because of the tv show.
Thanks for your review. I look forward to reading the book. Our local Books Amillion doesn’t carry them.
Thanks for introducing me to this series & a chance to win.
Thanks for getting the info out about this great series. I totally agree with you on the purpose of the novellas and short stories. Steamboat was one of my favorites. I also enjoy how the novels include a spiritual side, but not at the expense of storytelling. In addition, as a teacher of many students of color and cultures, it is nice to see Indians as fully dimensional characters…
I think the plot for this is amazing. I cannot wait to read it!
I really enjoy the Longmire stories and am looking forward to this one.
Joan1987(at)aol(dot)com
Nice review, but some errors: isn’t the mythical Wyoming County name misspelled? Also aren’t the dollars in the story silver instead of gold?
Thanks for pointing that out–am checking into that right now. Will make the needed changes if that is so.
Lorie Ham
Love these books would be so thankful to win
Would love to win!
Great series by Craig Johnson. Heard him speak at our library three times now.
Love this series!
I also would like to enter.
My reviews of this series of books can be found on my blog and elsewhere. As I stress in the reviews from time to time, the books are way different than the TV show of the same name.
We have a winner!