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Land of Wolves: A Longmire Mystery | Craig Johnson
Land of Wolves: A Longmire Mystery | Craig Johnson
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Journey back to the freezing peaks of the Bighorn Mountains in Land of Wolves, the gripping fifteenth installment of Craig Johnson's bestselling Walt Longmire series.
Narrative Overview
Recovering from his harrowing experiences in Mexico, Sheriff Walt Longmire returns to Absaroka County, Wyoming, to heal and try once again to maintain justice in a region filled with multi-generational grudges. When a local shepherd is found dead, initial signs point to suicide. However, the deceased's connection to the Extepares—a powerful and historically violent family of Basque ranchers—leads Longmire into an intricate and dangerous murder investigation.
As Walt searches for answers, he uncovers cryptic clues: strange tree carvings and small blue Mallo Cup candy coupons left in unexpected places. He interprets these cards as spiritual warnings from his guide, Virgil White Buffalo, who typically communicates when a child is in jeopardy. The stakes intensify when a young boy linked to the Extepare clan appears in town. Compounding the danger, a renegade wolf is terrorizing the Bighorn Mountains, driving angry townspeople to demand blood. Facing both an elusive apex predator and a calculating killer, Longmire must follow a twisted trail of evidence to a dark and shocking conclusion.
Core Audience
- Devoted followers of Craig Johnson's contemporary Western procedural series.
- Readers who enjoy crime fiction that integrates regional folklore, spiritual realism, and environmental themes.
- Enthusiasts of traditional detective mysteries featuring deeply complex, atmospheric landscapes.
Accolades & Awards
- Praised by The New York Times Book Review for its lean, leathery mystery style and compelling scenery.
- A prominent installment in a consecutive New York Times bestselling franchise.
Author Biography
Craig Johnson is the acclaimed author of the Walt Longmire mystery series, which inspired the long-running television drama Longmire. He is the recipient of numerous literary awards, including the Western Writers of America Spur Award, the Will Rogers Medallion, and France's Prix du Roman Noir. Johnson lives in Ucross, Wyoming, where the dramatic local environment serves as a constant source of inspiration for his work.
Product Specifications
| Full Title | Land of Wolves: A Longmire Mystery |
|---|---|
| Author | Craig Johnson |
| Series | Walt Longmire Mysteries, Vol. 15 |
| Publisher & Imprint | Viking (An imprint of Penguin Random House) |
| Publication Date | September 17, 2019 |
| Binding Format | Hardcover (First Edition with Dust Jacket) |
| Edition | First Edition |
| Print Length | 336 Pages |
| Language | English |
| ISBN-13 | 9780525522508 |
| ISBN-10 | 0525522506 |
| Library of Congress (LCCN) | 2019010073 |
| Primary BISAC Genre | FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Police Procedural |
| Product Dimensions | 6.25 x 1.15 x 9.25 inches |
| Item Weight | 19.2 oz (approx. 1.20 lbs) |
| Condition | Pre-Owned / Very Good |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this specific book fall in the timeline of the Longmire series?
Land of Wolves serves as the fifteenth full-length novel in Craig Johnson's bestselling series. It is the direct sequel to the 2018 thriller Depth of Winter, tracking Sheriff Walt Longmire’s immediate return home to Wyoming after his brutal experiences south of the border.
What is the main mystery and core conflict driving the plot?
The story begins in the freezing peaks of the Bighorn Mountains when the hanging body of a local shepherd is discovered. While town officials initially lean toward suicide, Walt uncovers toxic connections to the Extepares—a violent, powerful family of Basque ranchers with a historical grudge against local law enforcement.
What is the significance of the wolf referenced in the title?
Alongside the human killer, a lone, oversized renegade wolf is haunting the mountains and slaughtering local livestock. As angry townspeople form a posse to hunt the animal down, Walt finds himself developing an uncanny, empathetic connection with the lone predator, tracking them both to protect the animal and solve the murder.
Does his spiritual guide, Virgil White Buffalo, reappear in this installment?
Yes, but in a highly mysterious way. As Walt investigates the mountainside, he begins discovering strange carvings on trees alongside collectible Mallo Cup candy paper coupons—a distinct hallmark he associates with messages from his late spiritual guide. These strange tokens hint that an innocent child connected to the Basque clan is in immediate danger.
Can a new reader skip directly to this book, or should they start earlier?
While the shepherd investigation functions as a fascinating standalone mystery, the underlying story deals heavily with Walt's physical and psychological trauma from his previous rescue mission in Mexico. To fully understand the relationships, references to his daughter Cady, and his weakened physical state, reading Depth of Winter first provides essential context.
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