The release of Craig Johnson’s 11th novel, Any Other Name, coincided this month with the start of the third season of the acclaimed A&E television series “Longmire.” According to Johnson, some fans of the television series are surprised to learn it is based on his books. One such fan said to him, “There are books?”
Yes. There are books. Really good ones. Any Other Name is one of the best yet.
The story opens in December with Walt Longmire, sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, doing a favor for his former boss and old friend Lucian Connally. It is cold and snowing, and they are headed to Campbell County to help Phyllis, an old friend of Lucian’s. It seems her husband, Gerald, a cop, has committed suicide. Phyllis knows Gerald would never do that. She asks Walt to investigate, despite Lucian’s warning that once Walt is on the case, there is no stopping him until he gets all the answers.
As Walt delves into Gerald’s life and work, he makes a discovery that has gone unnoticed by the local law enforcement agencies: Three women have disappeared in the last year from this remote area, and Walt suspects they are connected. Whether this has anything to do with Gerald’s death is unclear, but Walt is determined to find out what happened to these women. His quest into this mystery sets off events that shake the small community to the core.
Walt is joined in his investigation by his undersheriff Victoria (Vic) Morretti, with whom he is having a personal relationship. Henry Standing Bear, his longtime friend who is also known as “The Cheyenne Nation,” also joins the adventure. In addition to the usual tension and suspense of a mystery, this time out the clock is ticking in Walt’s personal life. His first grandchild is about to be born, and he must be in Philadelphia for the birth.
Any Other Name is wonderfully complex and layered with multiple story lines. The mystery of a suicide is interwoven with missing women and an unexpected romance – all which present obstacles to the investigation. Johnson utilizes foreshadowing to great effect; his clues are subtle and effective. His ability to describe the scenes in great sensory detail thrusts readers into each scene. Scenes involving trains transporting coal especially reek of terrifying danger.
Johnson is a master at creating characters. Even his walk-on characters have detail and personality. His dialogue is authentic, and his use of humor is engaging. His major characters, Walt, Vic and Henry, continue to grow and become more interesting in each book. One major character utilized by Johnson to great effect is the Wyoming winter. His descriptions make readers fear the snow and know something bad is bound to happen to Walt ... and soon.
A unique aspect to Johnson’s writing is the way he incorporates literary references in his series. Any Other Name opens with a nod to Joseph Conrad. These references are unexpected in stories about a sheriff in a rural and relatively unknown state. Any Other Name is a fast-paced mystery resembling more of a thriller and incorporates events as varied as a buffalo stampede, a contract hit attempt and home-grown plans for “easy” money by deluded, desperate people. Johnson inserts fascinating information about India and recently arrived immigrants and their plans to achieve the American Dream seamlessly into the story, sharing little known facts without slowing the action. Any Other Name is a compelling read.
sierrapoco@yahoo.com. Leslie Doran is a Durango freelance reviewer.
