by Craig Johnson
Narrator: George Guidall
Length: 7 hours 50 minutes
Genres: Mystery
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
In the latest installment of the New York Times bestselling Longmire series—the basis for the hit drama Longmire, now on Netflix—Walt, Henry, and Vic discover much more than they bargained for when they are called in to investigate a hit-and-run accident near Devils Tower
In the midst of the largest motorcycle rally in the world, a young biker is run off the road and ends up in critical condition. When Sheriff Walt Longmire and his good friend Henry Standing Bear are called to Hulett, Wyoming—the nearest town to America's first national monument, Devils Tower—to investigate, things start getting complicated. As competing biker gangs; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; a military-grade vehicle donated to the tiny local police force by a wealthy entrepreneur; and Lola, the real-life femme fatale and namesake for Henry's '59 Thunderbird (and, by extension, Walt's granddaughter) come into play, it rapidly becomes clear that there is more to get to the bottom of at this year's Sturgis Motorcycle Rally than a bike accident. After all, in the words of Arthur Conan Doyle, whose Adventures of Sherlock Holmes the Bear won't stop quoting, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact."
Sophia is here with us celebrating #JIAM and sharing a mystery narrated by one of her favorite narrators, George Guidall. Grab an iced coffee and check out her thoughts on An Obvious Fact, book twelve in the Walt Longmire series.
Sophia Rose’s Review
A possible murder attempt of a motorcycle club member occurring near the Devils Tower National Monument and set against the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has Sheriff Walt Longmire and his friends off vacation and on the case. I’ve listened to a couple of books from this series narrated by the incomparable George Guidall and thoroughly enjoyed these modern-day western mysteries featuring an old-style county sheriff, his capable best friend, and sassy deputy.
An Obvious Fact is book twelve in the series. These books can be read/listened to standalone, but there are some series plot threads from the personal life of Walt and the other regulars that carry over so they work best taken in order.
Walt is out of his own county and is on leave to go watch his best bud, Henry, attempt to win a specific rough motorcycle climbing race up to a cliff that is part of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally festivities. Thousands of biker’s in the region and many of them hell on wheels keeps the local law enforcement on their toes so there is no time to conduct an investigation. He’s not thrilled to be called on to assist a small town police department’s investigation, but then one of Henry’s old flames turns out to be the parent of the downed biker who it looks more and more like his accident was attempted murder and that he was hauling something illegal that someone wanted. Henry stoically quotes Sherlock Holmes, preps for his big race, and wants nothing to do with Lola, but Walt won’t let it go and tests their friendship by prying into things that lead to a startling revelation for Henry. A few twists later and Walt finds himself investigating the darker side of the downed biker’s motor cycle club activities with an undercover ATF agent and onto something much bigger that can get them all killed.
I enjoy how these have a strong western flavor, well developed characters, and present a clever mystery. This one was neat because it revealed a bit more Henry’s past with the living Lola whom he named his car after and she is one scary, toxic, and yet gorgeous woman. Oh, and let’s not forget Walt and Henry’s unorthodox investigation methods and a high speed car chase with Vic driving the pursued vehicle- a big-muscled Dodge Charger.
As per usual, Walt steadily pulls in his facts and outsmarts those who are arrogant enough to think he’s a slow-witted backwoods county sheriff. I had some figured out, but wasn’t sure I was right and I wasn’t completely right.
George Guidall is the voice of the series and I think he does a great job voicing the characters particularly Walt and he catches the spirit and pacing of the author’s writing as if he was the one who wrote it.
All in all, I enjoyed this installment and will definitely be picking up the others. Those who enjoy mysteries set in a modern western setting with a down-home, sometimes introspective sheriff should give these a try.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Jared
Wow! This seems like an interesting book. Just added it to my list. Thank you for sharing!
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
Hey Sophia!! OMG, I have to get over to your blog soon! You are on the list! I am sorry I have been so busy. I will as soon as I am done with Greg and Tanya! I miss you tho. This sounds like a great mystery. I will have to add it to my list to read.
Mary
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
This sounds like an interesting mystery. I’m curious about Walt and Henry’s unorthodox investigation methods! Walt sounds like a fascinating character. I love that he outwits everyone who underestimates him. I love that this series can be read as standalone. Wonderful Review Sophia 🙂
Anne - Books of My Heart
This sounds fantastic – motorcycles! I tried to listen to the first in this series and couldn’t get into it. It might have been before I changed speeds on narration though and I know it felt too slow. I might try again at one point.
Sophia Rose
Haha! This would probably be right up your alley, Anne. I know you love riding and motorcycles. You’d get a kick out of Henry Standing Bear’s race and the crowds at the bike rally.
Yeah, I do listen at one and a half speed instead of one. Maybe that would help.
Crystal @ Lost in Storyland
I love a good Western. It’s so much fun that this one has a modern take with motorcycles and mystery.
Sophia Rose
I agree. It’s fun to still get the Western flavor in a contemporary time murder mystery.
Christine
Hey! I am super embarrassed to say that I have never visited your site before, and OMG I love it. Your graphics and organization are so on point, fun, and just amazing. Love your branding. I am so glad to have found you–thanks for commenting on my site so I could friendly stalk out your blog. I am kind of obsessed with your coffee mugs too! In relation to this post, I am trying to get into murder mysteries and cozies a little more. I read so much realistic fiction that I need to mix it up.
Sophia Rose
Kimberly’s blog is fabulous. Thanks for visiting today, Christine.
Hope you get the chance to try one of these to see if you like it on your mystery/cozies quest. 🙂
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
I loved the first season of Longmire on Netflix so I’m curious about the books. This sounds really good and I’d like to spend more time with Walt and everyone!
Sophia Rose
I’m a fan of the series, too, though I have only watched two seasons. The books go into more detail and have different plots of course, but I thought they did pretty good with the character casting on the show after reading several of the books. 🙂
Anna
This definitely looks like something I’d love. Must check it out. Thanks for the tip. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Sophia Rose
Glad I could tempt you with a new to you one, Anna. 🙂
Mary Kirkland
Books centered around biker clubs and bikers always sounds interesting.
Sophia Rose
I’ve only read stories in the series centered around his own fictitious county and I’ve never read any about Sturgis’ Motorcycle Rally so that part was fun. Man, I am glad I don’t live around there- or if I did, I’d be taking a trip about that time every year. 🙂