My Goodreads review: The Cold Dish

The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


[Full disclosure: I am a Wyoming native, & this book takes place in a part of the state I am very familiar with. Those with less familiarity / fondness for Wyoming might only give this one 4 stars.]

I read The Cold Dish after discovering the TV series Longmire on Netflix, & learning that it was based on a series by Wyoming author Craig Johnson. Since I was enjoying the heck out of the series, I thought this first novel might be worth the read. It definitely was, & (as usual) the book was better than the program.

Set in Wyoming's fictional Absaroka County (northern Wyoming, near Sheridan), this first adventure with Sheriff Walt Longmire may appeal to both Western & noir readers. Written in traditional first person with a darkly witty style, it presents a troubled & somewhat flawed protagonist with an appealing cast of supporting characters. The landscape descriptions are dead on, & the atmosphere was utterly familiar. There is also a touch of Native American mysticism, respectfully handled.

The mystery itself is a fine page-turner, with emphasis on character rather than merely whodunit. The case does involve sexual assault on an at-risk young woman -- and murder as vengeance, years after the fact -- so some readers might want to give this one a miss. Otherwise, I'd recommend it to anyone seeking a real taste of the modern West in their mysteries.




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