English language
Published Jan. 5, 2011 by Viking.
As entertaining as most Longmire novels are, this one is even more intriguing, mystical, adventurous and mysterious. The normal sarcasm and humor is available, albeit in smaller doses; but, the mystical aspects of Longmire's psyche and his mental 'toughness' abound. Simply outstanding...
The land and the weather are like characters in Johnson's novels.
Hell Is Empty starts out with a bang, bogs down badly in the middle and never really recovers. There's a bunch of spiritual/delusional stuff (you never really figure out where the line is here) that's obtuse, repetitive and, finally, annoying--especially as Johnson appears to be using spiritual/delusional experiences to explain plot threads he can't seem to figure out how to wrap up the old-fashioned way, which is to say, through hard work.
Still, early on there are lines that beg to be read out loud to the nearest person who will listen. It's definitely worth the read, especially the first third, which is exquisitely written: Pitch perfect dialogue.
Holy giant piles of censored, this is like the stories I grew up with around the fire come to life, and in the best way possible. Writing's on point throughout, and the wee wobbles weren't - and if this is the direction these novels are headed in, go go go.
This series gets better with each book.
This time around, Walt is assisting with a prisoner transfer and investigation with several agencies, including the FBI. Yes, there is cold, ice, and the typical Wyoming winter you have come to expect. Is it ever summer, or even spring, in Absaroka county? Or are all of the criminals so excited to have some warmth that they take some time off from breaking the law so we don't get mysteries set in summer? But I digress.
Walt, protector of everyone, is on the hunt when the prisoner transfer goes south in the middle of a blizzard. He's my favorite version of an everyman hero, and I love the partners he takes in this one to save the day.
If you aren't already reading this series, you should be. But don't start with this one--start at the beginning and enjoy the ride.
