The Western Star | Craig Johnson

The Western Star: A Longmire Mystery

Extended Synopsis

Sheriff Walt Longmire is enjoying a celebratory beer after a weapons certification at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy when he is unexpectedly confronted by a younger sheriff holding an old photograph. The image, depicting twenty-five armed men standing in front of a Challenger steam locomotive, pulls Walt right back to his early days as a deputy. Fresh from the battlefields of Vietnam, a young Walt accompanied his mentor, Lucian Connally, on the Wyoming Sheriff's Association's annual junket—a legendary ride on the excursion train known as the Western Star, running from Cheyenne to Evanston and back.

Armed only with his trusted Colt .45 and a paperback copy of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, young Walt found himself woefully underprepared for the political machinations and hidden agendas of twenty-four veteran sheriffs and the curious characters traveling with them. Now, decades later, the resurfacing of that photograph—coinciding with the upcoming parole hearing for one of the most dangerous criminals Walt has ever faced—sends the sheriff hurtling into a collision course of past and present. The Western Star places Walt and everyone he cares about squarely on the tracks of runaway revenge, delivering a masterful blend of historical reflection and modern-day suspense.

Reader Targeting

• Devoted fans of the Walt Longmire mystery series and the hit television adaptation.
• Readers who enjoy character-driven police procedurals and rural crime fiction.
• Enthusiasts of modern Westerns and gripping, dual-timeline narrative mysteries.

Author Biography

Craig Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Walt Longmire mystery series. Known for his authentic dialogue, deep understanding of the American West, and compelling characterizations, Johnson's work serves as the foundation for the hit television drama Longmire, currently streaming on Paramount+.

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