Longmire Books In Order: The Definitive Reading Guide

If you fell in love with the grizzled Wyoming sheriff on screen or discovered Craig Johnson's atmospheric novels through word of mouth, diving into the literary world of Absaroka County requires a clear map. The Longmire books in order span over two decades of publication, tracking the weathered lawman through brutal winters, complex tribal politics, and deep personal ghosts. Reading these mysteries in sequence transforms standalone crimes into a massive, character-driven epic.

Craig Johnson launched the series in 2004 with The Cold Dish, establishing a distinct tone that blends classic hardboiled detective fiction with expansive western landscapes. While the television adaptation captured the stark beauty of the setting and the core bond between Walt and Henry Standing Bear, the novels offer a darker, funnier, and far more layered exploration of rural Wyoming. Whether you want strict publication chronology or a guide to the essential short stories and novellas, knowing how the print universe connects makes all the difference.

Complete Publication Order of Walt Longmire Novels

Reading the series in the order Craig Johnson wrote them remains the best way to experience the evolution of Absaroka County. Characters age, political dynamics shift, and long-arc mysteries unfold across multiple volumes.

1. The Cold Dish (2004)
2. Death Without Company (2006)
3. Kindness Goes Unpunished (2007)
4. Another Man's Moccasins (2008)
5. The Dark Horse (2009)
6. Junkyard Dogs (2010)
7. Hell Is Empty (2011)
8. As the Crow Flies (2012)
9. A Serpent's Tooth (2013)
10. Any Other Name (2014)
11. Dry Bones (2015)
12. An Obvious Fact (2016)
13. The Western Star (2017)
14. Depth of Winter (2018)
15. Land of Wolves (2019)
16. Next to Last Stand (2020)
17. Daughter of the Morning Star (2021)
18. Hell and Back (2022)
19. The Longmire Defense (2023)
20. First Frost (2024)
21. Return to Sender (2025)
22. The Brothers McKay (2026)

Sticking to this sequence ensures that recurring subplots, personal tragedies, and shifting alliances between Walt, Vic Moretti, and Cady make chronological sense. Skipping around can spoil major character developments introduced in earlier entries.

Essential Novellas and Short Story Collections

Craig Johnson didn't confine Walt Longmire solely to full-length novels. Several short stories and novellas fill crucial gaps between major books, offering deeper dives into holiday celebrations, historical backstories, and side adventures.

• Divorce Horse (2012) - A short story bridging the gap between books seven and eight.
• Christmas in Absaroka County (2012) - A dedicated short story collection highlighting holiday investigations.
• The Spirit of Steamboat (2013) - A beloved novella detailing a dangerous winter flight to save a historic airplane.
• Wait for Signs (2014) - An essential short story collection gathering twelve tales spanning Walt's career.
• The Highwayman (2016) - A standalone novella featuring a haunting encounter on an isolated stretch of highway.
• Tooth and Claw (2024) - A compact digital and print release adding fresh depth to Walt's ongoing casework.
• Have Courage (2026) - A newer short story collection focusing on smaller-scale Absaroka County moments and seasonal mysteries.

While you can technically read the main novels without touching these short works, books like The Spirit of Steamboat provide vital emotional context for Walt's background and his relationship with aviation and local history.

Books vs. Television: Key Differences

Transitioning from the screen adaptation to the page reveals a vastly different creative scope. Developed for television by John Coveny and Hunt Baldwin, the Longmire television series ran for six seasons across A&E and Netflix, starring Robert Taylor as the titular sheriff. While fans of the show will immediately recognize core characters like Henry Standing Bear, Vic Moretti, and Cady Longmire, the source material diverges significantly in tone and plot structure.

In print, Walt Longmire serves as the first-person narrator, giving readers a direct window into his dry, intellectual, and deeply introspective sense of humor. The books lean heavily into Native American folklore, regional history, and philosophical musings. Furthermore, character fates and relationship trajectories differ wildly between the two mediums. Characters who meet early demises on television often survive to play major roles across multiple novels, and vice versa.

For readers seeking official background on the author and his creative process, visiting the Craig Johnson Official Website provides direct insights into upcoming releases and the real-world inspirations behind Absaroka County.

Common Reading Order Mistakes to Avoid

Jumping into a long-running mystery series often leads to a few common pitfalls. Avoiding these traps will keep your reading experience smooth and spoiler-free.

• Starting in the middle: While each book features a standalone crime, Walt's personal life and trauma evolve continuously. Picking up book fifteen first will instantly spoil major family revelations from earlier years.
• Ignoring the short stories: Treating collections like Wait for Signs as optional filler means missing crucial character bonding moments that explain shifts in the main novels.
• Expecting a carbon copy of the show: Believing the TV episodes map directly onto specific chapters will lead to confusion. Treat the print series and the screen adaptation as two separate iterations of the same universe.
• Rushing through: Craig Johnson's writing style relies heavily on pacing, setting descriptions, and internal monologue. Speed-reading through the dialogue misses the atmospheric prose that makes the Wyoming backdrop feel like a character itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read the books in order to understand the plot?

Every novel resolves its central murder mystery by the final page, so you won't be lost on a case-by-case basis. However, Walt's overarching personal life, friendships, and family dynamics build sequentially across every single book.

Is Absaroka County a real place in Wyoming?

No, Absaroka County is a fictional creation designed by Craig Johnson. It occupies the northern tier of Wyoming, roughly encompassing parts of Johnson and Sheridan counties, complete with fictionalized borders touching Montana and the Crow Indian Reservation.

How many Longmire books are planned in total?

Craig Johnson continues to expand the series regularly, with new novels arriving almost annually. Checking publisher updates via the Penguin Random House Author Page is the best way to track upcoming manuscript announcements.

Should I watch the TV show before reading the books?

It depends on your preference. Watching the show first gives you vivid visual anchors for the characters and landscapes, while reading the books first lets you experience the original narrative without preconceived casting bias. Both formats complement each other well.