by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of the post on how to enter to win a copy of Next to Last Stand and a link to order it from Amazon and an indie bookstore.

History is written by the winners. That’s never more apparent than in Absaroka County, Wyoming, where Native Americans have more than a little objection to their portrayal not just in books but in movies, television, and artwork. One of the most well-known has been Custer’s Last Stand, a painting destroyed in 1946 but has lived on in Anheuser-Busch ads. Absaroka County Sheriff Walt Longmire has seen his share of warfare and the murky morality of it, most recently after a devastating rescue in Mexico. While attempting to be less protective with his attorney daughter Cady, Walt makes a visit to the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming, the last resting place for many America’s warriors. One of Cady’s favorite people there has died, and Walt has been called to the home to wind up the affairs of the Korean War Veteran Charley Lee Stillwater. It seems that the last Buffalo Soldier has a few last secrets that he was taking to his grave, at least of a million of them in a boot box full of cash. Along with an unexpected collection of artifacts and war memorabilia is a partial painting of General Custer, the very Last Stand that has long been believed to have gone up in flames in a Fort Bliss fire.

Walt is still reeling for the psychological and physical toll he experienced during his daughter’s rescue, and it has him again reevaluating his career and just where he fits into this violent world. Thankfully, his undersheriff Victoria Moretti isn’t shy about her demands that prod him back into living his life, although her “encouragements” may be filled with profanities and lurid suggestions. Walt’s best friend Henry Standing Bear is his usual wry self, commenting on the White Man’s continual exploitation and disregard for nature and its people. As Walt and his friends delve into the lofty art world they are frequently underestimated and disregarded, an attitude that has more than once led to criminals’ defeats.

Throughout the sixteen novels and many novellas, readers have seen the many highs and lows of Walt’s long law enforcement career. Family has always been a priority for the stoic lawman, which is why he is so torn by his overwhelming protectiveness towards his daughter while still respecting her independence. The exploration of Native American issues has always played a central role in the series, with the sharpest observations made by the cynical and forcefully blunt Henry Standing Bear. The artwork that has become so associated with a beer branch also depicts a very Western viewpoint, and its legacy has been passed down through to the present. The dark and uncertain tone threaded throughout the novel is lightened by the humor aggressively wielded by Vic, a balance Walt desperately needs in his life now more than ever. While new readers can easily slide into the lives of these extraordinary enforcers of the law, loyal fans will be rewarded as these beloved characters overcome tragedy and move on in their lives.

To enter to win a copy of Next To Last Stand, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “stand,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 14, 2020. U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you are entering via email please include you mailing address in case you win, it will be deleted after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. BE AWARE THAT IT WILL TAKE LONGER THAN USUAL FOR WINNERS TO GET THEIR BOOKS DUE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS.

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You can use this link to purchase this book from indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy, and KRL gets a portion of the sale:

Next to Last Stand: A Longmire Mystery

You can use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.