With dual storylines that follow Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear on the cusp of adulthood, grappling with the looming specter of the Vietnam War, and—in the present day—on trial for past actions, Craig Johnson wastes little time plunging his readers into another adventure that showcases the timeless struggle between good and evil.
“You’re too big to surf,” Walt Longmire is told, kicking off the 20th book in Craig Johnson’s New York Times bestselling series. It’s the summer of 1964 and Walt, along with his best and longest friend, Henry Standing Bear, are set to embark on one last road trip before enlisting to serve in the Vietnam War. The duo, in their early 20s and in peak physical shape thanks to four years of playing college football and all the training that goes along with it, plan to catch a few waves and then head southeast, living it up as they go. Pretty soon, while cruising down Route 66, trouble finds them.
In the present day, Wyoming’s most “decorated” and “venerated” sheriff must now stand trial following the events of The Longmire Defense (2023). Previously, Walt uncovered a cold case that hit close to home. While hiking through the Bighorn Mountains, Walt, and his beloved K9, Dog, stumbled upon a rifle that was believed to have been carried by his father, who was accused of fatally shooting a state accountant. That opened a can of worms nobody had seen coming and forced Walt to put his life on the line to unearth the truth—which resulted in the death of Tom Rondelle, whom Walt shot in self-defense. Only now, the Rondelle family is causing a stir and uses their significant power and influence to question Walt’s side of the story, which brings the Sheriff of Absoroka under questioning before a judge.
Back in 1964, Walt and Henry find themselves in Arizona, where small-town trouble is right around the corner. Off Route 66, the duo accidentally stops in Bone Valley, the kind of everyone-knows-everyone, and everyone has something to hide partially deserted place that Jack Reacher typically wanders into. As it turns out, the town has a pretty grim history, and the locals don’t take kindly to newcomers walking around and asking questions.
In the current timeline, it becomes clear that a number of powerful enemies are aligning against Walt. As those threats begin to close in, the past and future start to collide, forcing Walt, Vic, Henry, and the rest of the gang to try to put the puzzle pieces together so he can finish the fight that he started before time runs out for good.
Once again, Craig Johnson mixes a brilliant story with perfectly developed characters, treating his readers to the kind of adventure they’ve come to expect, but with a few surprises along the way. What really makes First Frost work, is Johnson’s skillful narrative technique, as he effortlessly shifts the story and the reader’s attention between 1964 and the present day in a way that few writers in the genre today could pull off. To see how, exactly, those dual, shifting timelines work, you’ll have to read the book (no spoilers here). That said, don’t expect long, drawn-out chunks taking place in one time period or the other. Instead, the story bounces back and forth with ease, which certainly elevates the tension and the pacing, making this one of Johnson’s quicker reads.
Even now, as Walt enters his 80s, Johnson’s vivid prose and keen understanding of human nature breathe new life into everyone’s favorite sheriff, and longtime fans will no doubt enjoy seeing Walt and Henry in their younger years. Going back to the 1960s really underscores just how long the two men have been friends, and it’s certainly compelling to see how their relationship, bond, and love for one another have evolved and strengthened over a lifetime together. Tying this book so close to the events of The Longmire Defense feels like a smart move, similar to how Daniel Silva has structured his own Gabriel Allon series, as he too navigates the best way to move forward a franchise with an aging protagonist. That’s not to say that Walt Longmire won’t be around for a good long time still, and with Johnson continuing to find new ways to elevate his game, it’s going to be a lot of fun to see what happens next.
With its richly drawn characters, evocative settings, and pulse-pounding plot, First Frost is a masterful addition to Craig Johnson’s Longmire series . . . one that offers fans a thrilling journey through the past and present lives of their beloved characters and is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.
Book Details
Author: Craig Johnson
Series: Walt Longmire #20
Pages: 272 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0593830679
Publisher: Viking
Release Date: May 28, 2024
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