So welcome to 2020 and yep, Stormi and I are at it again. This month we continued on with our series read of the Walt Longmire Mysteries and after a rather dismal start, I think we are both happy to say we are glad we didn't just chuck it in after the first one. I guess persistence does pay!
So continue on for my thoughts on the first book and then check out Stormi's review over at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! I have to admit that I love the fact that this author is from my state and graduated from my alma mater, Marshall University.
TITLE: Death Without Company (Walk Longmire #2)
AUTHOR: Craig Johnson
PUBLISHER: Penguin Books
PUBLISHING DATE: March 16, 2006
FROM GOODREADS: When Mari Baroja is found poisoned at the Durant Home for Assisted Living, Sheriff Longmire is drawn into an investigation that reaches fifty years into the mysterious woman’s dramatic Basque past. Aided by his friend Henry Standing Bear, Deputy Victoria Moretti, and newcomer Santiago Saizarbitoria, Sheriff Longmire must connect the specter of the past to the present to find the killer among them.
MY THOUGHTS: I am so glad that Stormi and I decided to continue on and not decide to make a snap judgement based on our mediocre feelings about book one. This book really paid off for me and I found it much more engrossing.
One evening an elderly lady is assisted living, Mari Baroja, passes away. Walt's friend and previous sheriff, Lucien, calls Walt there and demands it be investigated as a murder. Walt is initially skeptical but does his friend a favor and he actually does find some foul play. Together, along with some assists from Lucien himself and Walt's best friend Henry Standing Bear, everyone works to find out what is really going on.
I think the mystery aspect of Death Without Company was pretty intense at times and it was exciting watching all of the pieces fall in place. I had suspicions at time regarding what was happening but never quite figured it out so the ending was a great conclusion for me. In addition to that, this book enabled the reader to get a better feel on the characters. I love Vic and her foul mouth more now than I ever did and a new hire, Santiago, is a wonderful addition to the cast. I must say that I sometimes feel that the author is desperate to match Walt up with someone as once again we have a woman who he seems to be interested in. It just felt forced to me and perhaps I'm a tad biased but he just needs ot get with Vic and be done with it.
I also have to mention Dog. In the last book, Walt ended up with a canine companion, not so much by choice but by circumstance. I'm proud to say Dog is very prevalent in this installment and even though I thought there was a point where he might not make it, that wasn't the case. Dog is a great addition and I hope to see more of him in book three.
So overall, Death Without Company was a much better reading experience than the first book. It flowed better and I actually flew through it. I'm excited to see what the next book brings which is always helpful when making a decision to tackle a huge series.
RATING: 4 PAWS
Ooh a Longmire story! I really liked the show but haven't read the books. Glad this was good! Dog sounds pretty awesome too. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Dog is VERY awesome!
DeleteIsn't it great when a series saves itself with a new installment and you can happily gush about it without reservation? You've reminded me I need to finish watching this series too.
ReplyDeleteI love the TV series and may end up rewatching it someday. The ending was great.
DeleteI would read this just for Dog😁 Glad you guys pushed ahead with book two, and hopefully the rest of the series will be as good.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dog is awesome.
Deletei find, in a series, that sometimes the first book lays a lot of groundwork for the series and may not hook me immediately. i am pretty persistent too, and many times it pays off
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
I think that was the case with this one. Oh, and the fact that I was so used to the tv series it made the transition rather hard.
DeleteI'm glad to hear it. I have thought about reading this but didn't even get through the first book.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
It really picked up in book 2.
DeleteI'm so glad this second book was better. And with a dog, too! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm sure the dog helped.
DeleteI did like it more than the first book but I still think you liked this one a bit more than me. I don't think this series has made it into 4 star territory yet...lol. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I think Dog pushed it over the edge.
DeleteI loved Lucien in the show. Peter Weller was perfect for the part. I should read the books!
ReplyDeleteHe was awesome in that role. Even reading about him it's who I picture.
DeleteThe good news is that Dog becomes a part of the story. But why do so many authors fail to take a few seconds to name them! I've read a few books with Dog as the dog name and it bugs me!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I know some people who name their pet DOG and pronounce each letter so it sounds like de-ogie but in a book, that never comes across so I think people are lazy. In this one, Walt is just lazy.
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