Attempting to recover from his harrowing experiences in Mexico, Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire is neck deep in the investigation of what could or could not be the suicidal hanging of a shepherd. With unsettling connections to a Basque family with a reputation for removing the legs of Absaroka County sheriffs, matters become even more complicated with the appearance of an oversize wolf in the Big Horn Mountains.
...much more of a traditional mystery than an action-packed tale of revenge ...along with 2017’s The Western Star, I think it’s Johnson’s best work in over a decade. Not only is the writing sharp and the dialogue witty, but the plotting is on point and, though there are a few slow points, it’s nice to see all the fan-favorite characters return in meaningful ways ... Sheriff Walt Longmore might be beaten up, exhausted, and getting up there in age, but he’s still one of the best characters in the genre . . . and Craig Johnson knows how to spin a mystery better than just about anyone.
Mr. Johnson’s affecting story is a winning combination of suspense, situational comedy and cosmic awe. We greatly admire the author’s hero, who never wavers, even when faced with the seemingly implausible. As Longmire knows: 'Strange things happen on the mountain.'
... a taut, engrossing thriller from one of the most exciting voices in the genre ... As with all of the Longmire books, Johnson packs Land of Wolves with a memorable supporting cast ... Johnson is careful to give all his characters their own personalities and motivations; none exists just to move the narrative along ... But as usual, it’s Longmire who steals the show. Johnson has an obvious and abiding love for his cranky hero, and Land of Wolves explores his human side beautifully ... It’s impressive that Johnson can take such a deep dive into Longmire’s character while still keeping the action coming ... expertly paced, and Johnson isn’t an author who believes in wasting time — the plot takes several twists and turns until it culminates in a clever, shocking ending. It’s what readers have come to expect from Johnson and Longmire, but it’s not just more of the same. This is a smart, thoughtful mystery from an author who’s incapable of being boring, and who’s writing at the top of his game.
