Editor’s note: I have set a goal to read 26 books in 2019, and review them upon completion. Below is my review of Depth of Winter: A Walt Longmire Mystery, the first book I have completed this year.
I am not a huge fan of mystery novels, but there are a few mystery authors that I like. Craig Johnson and his Longmire mysteries are perhaps my favorite. Great characters and interesting plots are a hallmark of the Longmire books.
Which is why I am disappointed to say that Depth of Winter is not up to the usual standards. While the story moves along at a good pace, their are just too many flaws. One of the things Mr. Johnson is good at is injecting enough self-depreciating humor in his characters, especially in Walt Longmire himself, to leaven the the proceedings. And even though “Depth of Winter” deals with a dire situation to one of Walt’s loved ones, there is still humor to be had. Without giving too much away, at one point Walt (who is in Juarez, Mexico at the time) is deliberately identified as Dallas Cowboy great Bob Lilly. It’s a great moment.
The problem is that there are too many Deus ex machina moments in this story and they destroy my willing sense of disbelief. Strangers seem to be crawling out of the woodwork willing to risk their lives to help him. When Walt is in serious peril, those same willing spear-carriers miraculously appear out of nowhere to save him. His antagonist, who throughout the past several books has been shown to be a ruthless and pragmatic killer, uncharacteristically decides to play by Marquess of Queensbury rules.
Depth of Winter isn’t really a mystery. It’s more of an action novel, ala Walt Rambomire, and it doesn’t ring true to the rest of the series. Which is why I am sadly only giving it one and half thumbs up.
Fast paced action and humorous scenes cannot compensate enough for unrealistic resolutions and unlikely coincidences.
Epilogue: Hope you enjoyed this post. Comments, book recommendations and writing tips are always welcome. If you don’t wish to post comments on this site, feel free to email me at: Mrvintageman2@gmail.com.
