A couple of years ago, two of us from the library traveled to the Wyoming Book Festival in Cheyenne to meet and listen to a presentation by C. J. Box. We had booked him for a program here in Scottsbluff. To our delight Margaret Coel was also at the festival, and we enjoyed her presentation. Another author at the festival, about whom we knew nothing, was Craig Johnson. By far the most entertaining presentation of the day was the one Johnson did. After we listened to his presentation, we purchased a couple of his books.
Now, two years later, I finally got around to reading a book by Craig Johnson. Why did I wait? He is terrific. Johnson’s books have just about everything I enjoy in a book—good plotting, fine descriptive writing, a strong sense of place, memorable characters and humor. After I read “The Cold Dish”, I had a new favorite author.
Craig Johnson lives on a ranch in Ucross, Wyoming and his books are mysteries, set in the Big Horn Mountains. His lead character Walt Longmire is a Vietnam vet, a widower, overweight and extremely fond of beer. He is also sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming and nearing retirement. “The Cold Dish” begins with his receptionist Ruby telling him that Bob Barnes found a dead body on BLM land. Walt is not overly interested in investigating.
“I looked at the blinking red light on my desk and wondered vaguely if there was a way I could get out of this. ‘Did he sound drunk?’”
Ruby responds, “’I am not aware that I’ve ever heard him sound sober.’”
Following this exchange on page one, I knew I would like this book.
“The Cold Dish” refers to several revenge killings i.e. revenge is a dish best served cold, which form the meat of the plot. Four local high school boys raped and assaulted a mentally disabled Cheyenne girl, Melissa Little Bird several years earlier. They received an unusually light sentence. Now, someone is targeting and executing them. Walt must keep them alive while he tracks the killer.
The plot is solid, but the characters are what really make this book. Henry Standing Bear is Walt’s best friend and the owner of the Red Pony Bar. The spare, derisive dialogue between the two of them points to the depth of their friendship. Henry calls Walt—Tonto. Walt calls Henry—Kemosabe. Their friendship, however, does not keep Walt from suspecting Henry of the murder.
Walt’s heir apparent and deputy, Victoria Moretti, is an attractive but foul-mouthed former Philadelphia cop. Vic came from a long line of cops, and Walt doesn’t think he can keep her for long. She moved west with her husband, but things are not good on the home front. Walt hired her in spite of her calling his cowboy hat goofy and his official truck a Batmobile.
Lonnie is Melissa Little Bear’s father. Lonnie is also a recovering alcoholic, a double amputee and a former professional baseball player. He spends his days, watching baseball on TV. When there is no baseball, he watches soap operas. He looks at life philosophically and with a perpetual smile on his face. Most conversations end with “Mm, hmm. Yes, it is so.”
If you haven’t read Craig Johnson, I highly recommend his novels. If they are checked out when you stop by the library, it is probably because I am reading or re-reading them.
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