In “First Frost,” the 20th adventure of Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear, author Craig Johnson takes Walt and Henry back to the end of their college days.
In the present, Walt is the longtime sheriff of Absaroka County in sparsely populated Wyoming. Henry is Walt’s oldest and best friend who owns a popular bar. Victoria Moretti, (Vic), is Walt’s undersheriff and new fiancee. As the story opens, Vic has recently moved into Walt’s cabin. While cleaning out his basement in the hopes of making more room for her things, she discovers a giant surfboard. Apparently, this item is called “The Monolith” by Henry. Vic says to Walt, “You’re too big to surf.” This sentiment is repeated often during this story by quite a variety of people. Vic insists that Walt tells her about the board.
As a result, “First Frost” goes back and forth between the present and May 1964 when Henry and Walt graduated from college. They went on a last ride on the waves in California before leaving for duty in the armed forces during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, the weather turned deadly and a ship crashed and the crew was thrown into the wild waters. Despite the conditions, Walt and Henry dived in to try to save the sailors. Unknown to them, the boat was carrying a large amount of drugs, which complicated their eminent departure. This development also caused some interesting events on their upcoming road trip east.
In present day, Walt is dealing with the fallout from events that took place in last year’s novel, “The Longmire Defense.” Walt is having to go through a hearing concerning the actions that resulted in several deaths. He is enduring this because one of the dead has an rich and influential family looking for vengeance.
Johnson has organized the transition from present to past by beginning each chapter with current events and then moving to the past at its end. This format is effective at creating tension and building reader interest.
In 1964, Walt and Henry’s trip takes a sharp detour when their truck breaks down near Bone Valley, Arizona. There has never been a more unwelcoming town in Walt’s experience. The town is owned and run by “The Judge” and his crew and they are very insistent that Henry and Walt leave town ASAP.
Near the town, Henry and Walt discover an unusual compound, which turns out to be a “Relocation” center, another word for a Japanese internment camp from World War II. Henry points out that Executive Order 9066 was one of the worst violations of civil rights in America’s history. But this camp was much smaller than others because it was built to hold “The Tokyo Twelve,” who were moved from other camps for causing political unrest. In a mystery never yet solved, these few suddenly disappeared without a trace. This town has way too many secrets, and people keep disappearing. Could Walt and Henry be next?
Johnson has created a complex and fascinating story that shines a light on a shameful part of America’s past. He has also fashioned a daunting location, and using his mastery of character development, he has populated it with an unique and small population that challenge Walt and Henry’s strengths both physically and mentally.
Writing “First Frost” must have been a blast for Johnson. He takes his readers back to Walt and Henry’s early adult days and shows them that the same characteristics that guide Walt and Henry’s lives today were already on display in their youth. Although the only constant in life is change, it is comforting to see that some things don’t. Walt and Henry have been on the right path for decades and there is nothing to say that they won’t always choose that path of what is right. Readers can look forward to the pair’s next adventure, it can’t come soon enough for devoted fans.
Leslie Doran is a retired teacher and freelance writer.
