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The Western Star | Craig Johnson
The Western Star | Craig Johnson
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Decades-old secrets and a high-stakes parole hearing send Sheriff Walt Longmire on a collision course between past and present in this masterful mystery.
Narrative Overview
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.
About the Author
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this novel part of the series that inspired the popular "Longmire" television show?
Yes, absolutely. This novel is the thirteenth full-length book in Craig Johnson's widely celebrated New York Times bestselling Walt Longmire mystery series. The series serves as the direct creative basis for the hit television drama Longmire.
2. How is the narrative structured, and what eras of Walt Longmire's life does it explore?
The book uses a gripping dual-timeline narrative framework. In the present day, Sheriff Walt Longmire is attending a high-stakes parole hearing for a dangerous convict. However, a vintage photograph shifts his memory back to 1972, tracking his very first weeks as a newly married Vietnam veteran working as a rookie deputy under his legendary mentor, Lucian Connolly.
3. What is the primary setting and mystery driving the historical timeline?
The vast majority of the flashback timeline plays out as a classic locked-room mystery set entirely aboard The Western Star—a massive excursion steam train carrying the entire Wyoming Sheriff's Association junket across the state into a severe mountain snowstorm. When a murder occurs on the train, young Walt must use his wits to navigate a carriage filled with twenty-four veteran lawmen.
4. Does this book read like a typical procedural, or are there literary references woven in?
True to his background as a highly read literature enthusiast, Walt handles his investigation while carrying a paperback copy of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. The plot pays brilliant homage to the classic queen of crime, subverting standard modern procedural patterns in favor of an atmospheric, character-driven mystery.
5. Can a beginner start reading the Longmire series with this specific book?
While the historical train mystery serves as a phenomenal standalone puzzle, the present-day framing timeline ends on a major, high-stakes cliffhanger that directly ties into the overarching, multi-book character arc of the series. To fully appreciate the emotional gravity of the present-day events, it is highly recommended to read the previous novels first.
Core Audience
Highly Recommended For...
- 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.
Product Specifications
| Title | The Western Star: A Longmire Mystery |
|---|---|
| Author | Craig Johnson |
| Publisher | Penguin Books |
| Publication Date | August 7, 2018 |
| Format | Trade Paperback |
| Series | Walt Longmire Mysteries (Vol. 13) |
| ISBN-13 | 9780143109136 |
| ISBN-10 | 0143109138 |
| Page Count | 302 pages |
| Dimensions | 5.04 x 0.77 x 7.73 inches |
| Weight | 8.5 oz (0.53 lbs) |
| Language | English |
| BISAC Categories | FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Traditional; FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Police Procedural; FICTION / Westerns |
| Condition | Pre-Owned / Very Good |
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