Walt Longmire Books Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| The Cold Dish | 2004 | Buy |
| Death Without Company | 2006 | Buy |
| Hell Is Empty | 2011 | Buy |
| First Frost | 2024 | Buy |
Craig Johnson is a New York Times bestselling author whose Walt Longmire series has redefined what Western mystery fiction can be. Living in Ucross, Wyoming, Johnson writes with the authentic voice of someone deeply embedded in the culture and landscape he portrays, creating literary crime fiction that transcends genre boundaries.
Johnson launched the Longmire series in 2004 with “The Cold Dish,” introducing a Wyoming sheriff who solves crimes while grappling with personal loss and the changing nature of the American West. The series’ success lies in its rich prose, complex characters, and thoughtful exploration of Western themes alongside compelling mysteries.
The books balance literary ambition with genre satisfaction. Johnson’s prose is evocative and carefully crafted, his exploration of Native American culture and Wyoming history adds depth, and his characters feel like real people rather than crime fiction archetypes. This literary approach has earned both critical acclaim and popular success.
The Netflix series “Longmire” introduced Walt to millions of viewers, running for six seasons and bringing renewed attention to the books. While the show differs from the novels in tone and content, it helped establish Longmire as one of modern fiction’s most recognizable lawmen and introduced new readers to Johnson’s work.