Reading Craig Johnson's Longmire books in order is essential because Walt Longmire's personal life, relationships, and internal struggles evolve continuously from book to book. Written by Craig Johnson, the series follows Walt, the laconic sheriff of fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, as he investigates violent crimes, historical injustices, and local corruption. While standalone mysteries drive each plot, character arcs involving his deputy Vic Moretti, his lifelong friend Henry Standing Bear, and his daughter Cady unfold across the novels and short stories.
The complete reading list includes the core novels, short story collections, and novellas arranged in strict publication and chronological order so you don't miss any vital character developments.
Complete List of Longmire Books in Publication Order
Publication order is the most popular and recommended way to read the series. It lets you experience the books the exact way fans did upon release, ensuring character introductions, recurring subplots, and emotional beats land naturally without spoilers.
- The Cold Dish (2004)
- Death Without Company (2006)
- Kindness Goes Unpunished (2007)
- Another Man's Moccasins (2008)
- The Dark Horse (2009)
- Junkyard Dogs (2010)
- Hell Is Empty (2011)
- As the Crow Flies (2012)
- A Serpent's Tooth (2013)
- Any Other Name (2014)
- Dry Bones (2015)
- An Obvious Fact (2016)
- The Western Star (2017)
- Depth of Winter (2018)
- Land of Wolves (2019)
- Next to Last Stand (2020)
- Daughter of the Morning Star (2021)
- Hell and Back (2022)
- The Longmire Defense (2023)
- First Frost (2024)
- Return to Sender (2025)
- The Brothers McKay (2026)
Essential Short Stories and Novellas
Craig Johnson has published several short stories and holiday novellas between novels. Many of these short pieces bridge gaps in the timeline and provide crucial backstory for Walt, Henry, and Vic. Read them alongside the main novels for the richest experience.
- Divorce Horse (2012) – A digital short story set between books 7 and 8.
- Christmas in Absaroka County (2012) – A holiday short story featuring Walt and his deputies.
- Messenger (2013) – A short story focusing on Henry Standing Bear.
- The Spirit of Steamboat (2013) – A full novella about Walt flying a vintage airplane during a brutal Wyoming blizzard.
- Wait for Signs (2014) – A collection containing twelve short stories spanning various points in the timeline.
- The Highwayman (2016) – A ghostly standalone Wyoming novella.
- Tooth and Claw (2024) – A short story collection featuring classic Western cases.
- Have Courage (2026) – A compilation of short fiction exploring deeper corners of Absaroka County.
Chronological Reading Order vs Publication Order
While publication order remains the gold standard, some readers prefer a strictly chronological approach to timeline events. Because Craig Johnson frequently inserts prequels, flashbacks, and mid-series interludes, reading strictly by timeline date can interrupt the narrative momentum established by the core novels.
For example, Another Man's Moccasins relies heavily on flashbacks to Walt's time serving in the Vietnam War and an early murder case in Saigon, yet the framing narrative takes place right after book three. Sticking to publication order prevents tonal whiplash and preserves the mystery elements crafted specifically for each release year.
Where to Start if You Are New to the Series
If you've never read a page of Craig Johnson's work, don't start midway through. Jump straight into the very beginning with The Cold Dish.
The debut novel introduces Walt Longmire mourning his wife's death, navigating the complexities of small-town politics in Durant, and leaning on Henry Standing Bear to investigate the murder of a young Cheyenne man. It establishes the dry wit, deep melancholy, and sharp pacing that defines the rest of the series.
If you prefer shorter commitments before tackling twenty-plus novels, pick up Wait for Signs, which gives you a taste of Johnson's voice through short self-contained tales before diving into the full-length books.
Common Mistakes When Reading the Series
- Skipping the short stories: Many readers treat novellas like The Spirit of Steamboat as skippable side content. In reality, they contain vital character moments and plot details referenced in subsequent novels.
- Confusing the books with the television adaptation: The A&E/Netflix television series Longmire uses the characters and setting as a baseline, but the plots, character fates, and timelines diverge significantly from the novels. Don't expect the books to match the TV episodes scene for scene.
- Reading out of order for later entries: While early books have fairly standalone mysteries, later entries like Depth of Winter, Land of Wolves, and Hell and Back feature serialized multi-book survival arcs where Walt faces direct personal threats. Reading these out of order ruins major narrative stakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read the Longmire books in order?
Yes, reading them in order helps you track character relationships, family dynamics, and Walt's aging process across the decades. While individual murder mysteries are solved within each book, the personal lives of the main characters evolve continuously.
How many Longmire books are there?
As of 2026, the main series spans 22 novels, alongside numerous short stories, novellas, and official holiday companions published by Viking and Penguin Random House.
Are the short stories required reading?
They aren't strictly mandatory to understand who committed a specific murder, but novellas like The Spirit of Steamboat and story collections like Wait for Signs flesh out the history between Walt, Henry, and Vic in ways the novels assume you already know.
Is the Longmire TV show the same as the books?
No. While the television series captures the atmosphere of Absaroka County, the plots, villain fates, and character arcs take vastly different paths. Think of them as two separate universes sharing the same names and general geography.
