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Next to Last Stand: A Longmire Mystery | Craig Johnson
Next to Last Stand: A Longmire Mystery | Craig Johnson
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Uncover a legendary historical art mystery on the high plains of Wyoming in Next to Last Stand, the gripping sixteenth installment of Craig Johnson's bestselling Walt Longmire series.
Narrative Overview
In Next to Last Stand, the sixteenth installment of Craig Johnson's bestselling series, Sheriff Walt Longmire is plunged into a high-stakes investigation blending historical myth with modern greed. The mystery centers on one of the most viewed paintings in American history, Custer's Last Fight. While history dictates that the masterpiece—copied and distributed by Anheuser-Busch at a rate of over two million copies a year—was completely destroyed in a 1946 fire at the 7th Cavalry Headquarters in Fort Bliss, Texas, a sudden death in Wyoming throws that narrative into question.
When Charley Lee Stillwater passes away from an apparent heart attack at the Wyoming Home for Soldiers & Sailors, Walt Longmire is called to investigate the veteran's meager belongings. What he uncovers is anything but ordinary: a canvas fragment matching the missing masterpiece and a Florsheim shoebox packed with one million dollars in cash. Armed with these bizarre clues, the seasoned sheriff finds himself tracking a dangerous, multi-decade art heist that threatens to expose powerful secrets and draw deadly attention to the high plains of Wyoming.
Core Audience
- Devoted fans of the Walt Longmire mystery franchise and the hit television adaptation.
- Enthusiasts of contemporary Western fiction, traditional detective procedurals, and historical art mysteries.
- Readers who appreciate grit, witty dialogue, and deeply atmospheric landscapes.
Author Biography
Craig Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Walt Longmire mystery series, which served as the foundation for the hit drama series Longmire. He has received numerous awards for his contribution to Western literature, including the Western Writers of America Spur Award and the Will Rogers Medallion. Johnson resides in the small town of Ucross, Wyoming, where he continues to draw inspiration from the rugged American landscape.
Product Specifications
| Full Title | Next to Last Stand: A Longmire Mystery |
|---|---|
| Author | Craig Johnson |
| Series | Walt Longmire Mysteries (Vol. 16) |
| Publisher & Imprint | Viking (An imprint of Penguin Random House) |
| Publication Date | September 22, 2020 |
| Binding Format | Hardcover (First Edition with Dust Jacket) |
| Edition | First Edition |
| Print Length | 336 Pages |
| Language | English |
| ISBN-13 | 9780525522539 |
| ISBN-10 | 0525522530 |
| Library of Congress (LCCN) | 2020013740 |
| Primary BISAC Genre | FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Police Procedural |
| Product Dimensions | 6.31 x 1.15 x 9.31 inches |
| Item Weight | 18.4 oz (approx. 1.15 lbs) |
| Condition | Pre-Owned / Very Good |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this specific book fall in the chronological order of the series?
This novel is the sixteenth full-length installment in Craig Johnson's bestselling Walt Longmire series. It serves as the direct sequel to the 2019 novel Land of Wolves, continuing Walt's modern-day sheriff duties in Absaroka County, Wyoming.
What is the historical artifact and core mystery driving the plot?
The plot centers on one of the most famous and controversial paintings in American history: Custer’s Last Fight by Cassilly Adams. While the massive original masterpiece was supposedly destroyed in a tragic fire at Fort Bliss in 1946, the mystery ignites when a veteran at the local Soldiers’ Home passes away, leaving behind a shoebox packed with a million dollars and what appears to be the authentic, surviving painting.
Which prominent series regulars team up with Walt for this investigation?
To decode the high-stakes art mystery, Walt enlists his classic, fan-favorite team. He tracks down leads alongside his brilliant daughter, Cady, his quick-witted undersheriff Victoria "Vic" Moretti, and his lifelong best friend Henry Standing Bear, bringing the series' signature group chemistry to the forefront.
Does the narrative lean heavily toward a typical small-town crime investigation?
No, this installment takes a unique turn into historical art fraud and high-level corporate theft. The mystery forces Walt to dig deeply into the real-world historical archives surrounding the Battle of the Little Bighorn, tracking clues across elite art museums, eccentric private collectors, and dangerous syndicates who will do anything to own the multi-million-dollar masterpiece.
Can a beginner start reading the Longmire series with this book?
While the historical mystery surrounding Custer's painting is incredibly engaging and self-contained, the book references ongoing personal relationships and recovery arcs from Walt’s past physical trials. For the best emotional experience, starting a few books earlier is recommended, though mystery fans will still thoroughly enjoy this as a standalone puzzle.
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