FICTION MYSTERY
“As The Crow Flies” by Craig Johnson (Viking Adult)
Craig Johnson’s eighth Walt Longmire mystery, takes the redoubtable Wyoming sheriff to the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, in southern Montana. Walt’s voice lets readers in on his gentle and wry nature, while showcasing his devotion to bringing bad guys or gals to justice.
The usual supporting cast from the Absaroka County Sheriff’s Department is offstage, but Johnson populates this tale with another set of characters who are equally well developed.
Walt and his best friend, Henry Standing Bear, also known as “The Bear,” are frantically scouting for a location for Walt’s daughter Cady’s wedding, just two weeks away.
Walt is pointing the camera at the dramatic Painted Warrior Cliffs when the unthinkable happens: “I yanked the camera down just as a high-pitched wail carried through the canyon walls as someone fell in an awkward position, almost as if holding something. Henry turned quickly and we watched, helpless.”
When the dust settles, Henry and Walt run to the cliff to find a dying Audrey Plain Feather and a baby boy, who has miraculously survived the fall.
Rushing to the Indian Health Service facility they are followed by newly appointed Chief Lolo Long, who slaps handcuffs on Walt, takes his gun and arrests him for blowing through a stop sign on the run to the hospital.
Thus begins a three-pronged hazardous journey for Walt. The first threat to Walt is Chief Long and her inexperience with law enforcement. The Iraq war veteran is having trouble with her new job and after a rough start Walt decides to do the reservation a service by taking Long under his wing.
The next threat comes from person or persons unknown after Walt determines that the young woman’s death wasn’t suicide or an accident. The likely guilty party is Audrey’s abusive husband, Clarence Last Bull.
The last threat is closer to home: Cady’s wedding is approaching fast, and Walt’s fatherly duties threaten to derail the investigation. Which of Walt’s roles is more important?
On cue, the FBI shows up to muddy Long’s jurisdiction. Then the primary suspect ends up dead. As the body count rises Walt must use all his wits to get justice for the young mother and keep Chief Long out of trouble.
Johnson enriches his narrative by using the setting itself as another well-developed character. Johnson’s Northern Cheyenne characters defy stereotype with self-depreciating humor and strength. Chief Lolo Long and Tribal Chief Lonnie Little Bird are especially well-crafted and appealing.
P. S. Special news for Walt fans: The series “Longmire” premieres June 3 on the A&E cable network. The bemused sheriff will be on the trail of some hapless perp.
