How to read Craig Johnson’s books in order

Craig Johnson was born in 1961, and he is a New York Times bestselling writer. His highly successful series is set in Wyoming, and it is about Walt Longmire. The books of the Longmire Mystery series inspired the TV series on Netflix, starring Robert Taylor, Katee Sackhoff, and others.

There is also an annual event in Buffalo dedicated to this fictional sheriff. Johnson lives in Ucross with his wife.

Walt Longmire series order of publication

The Walt Longmire series started in 2001, and there are nineteen main stories in the series, along with short stories and novellas. The story mostly takes place in Wyoming, but it includes other locations such as Durant.

The Cold Dish (2004)

The first book in the Walt Longmire series is The Cold Dish, which was published in 2004. It introduces the titular character, who is a sheriff of Absaroka County in Wyoming. The mystery starts when a person is found dead.

Death Without Company (2006)

Death Without Company is the second Longmire novel in the series, and it came out in 2006. The second book starts with the death of a woman who used to be married to former sheriff Lucian Connally.

Kindness Goes Unpunished (2007)

The next book in the Walt Longmire Mysteries is Kindness Goes Unpunished, and it takes the main character to Philadelphia. It is an action-packed thriller, and he will need to investigate an assault that left his daughter in a coma.

Another Man’s Moccasins (2008)

The fourth novel in the series, Another Man’s Moccasins, explores a new story and a new case. It starts with the death of a Vietnamese woman, which makes Walt think of his first case that happened in 1968. The novel won the Spur Award in 2009.

The Dark Horse (2009)

In the fifth novel in the series, The Dark Horse, Walt Longmire will need to go undercover. It is the only way to determine whether a woman killed her husband. And Walt will need to pretend he is an insurance investigator.

Junkyard Dogs (2010)

The story in the sixth installment of the series, Junkyard Dogs, takes Walt to Wyoming. And it isn’t long before there is another murder. Sheriff Longmire, Henry Standing Bear, Santiago Saizarbitoria, and Deputy Victoria Moretti have another problem they need to take care of.

Hell is Empty (2011)

Hell is Empty continues the story of Walt Longmire, and it tells another thrilling adventure. This time, Walt is lost in the Big Horn Mountains, and there is a serial killer on the loose. Things are getting more dangerous by the second.

As the Crow Flies (2012)

As the Crow Flies is the next entry in the series, and it was published in 2012. The story focuses on a murder investigation on the Reservation, with the help of the chief of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. All while preparing for Cady’s wedding.

A Serpent’s Tooth (2013)

A Serpent’s Tooth is the ninth story in the series, and it follows Walt Longmire as he tries to deal with a polygamous cult. His helping a person will lead to a Mexican cartel and CIA being involved in the situation as well.

Spirit of Steamboat (2013)

Spirit of Steamboat is a book published in 2013, and it is a novella set after the ninth novel. It is a holiday tale, but it offers a fair share of mystery that all of Craig Johnson’s fans will adore. And there are a few surprises as well.

Any Other Name (2014)

Any Other Name is the tenth book in the series. It starts with a mysterious death and a series of events that might get out of control. More importantly, the events will affect the rest of Walt’s life as well.

Dry Bones (2015)

Dry Bones is the eleventh book, and it was published in 2015. The skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex is not the only thing people found in Absaroka. They also found a corpse of a man.

The Highwayman (2016)

The Highwayman is the next novella, and it is set between the eleventh and twelfth books. This Longmire story takes Sheriff Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear against one legend – the Highwayman.

An Obvious Fact (2016)

An Obvious Fact is the twelfth book in the Longmire series, and it came out in 2016. The story is set during the largest motorcycle rally. It won’t be long before things start spiraling out of control.

The Western Star (2017)

The Western Star is the thirteenth novel in the series, and it is a story about events that happened many years ago. It all started when a younger sheriff showed Walt a picture of men standing in front of a steam locomotive, and it starts a series of memories.

Depth of Winter (2018)

Depth of Winter is the fourteenth novel in the Walt Longmire book series, and it is a story of his worst nightmare. His daughter is kidnapped, and the only way he can prevent the Mexican cartel from selling his daughter is by going to the North Mexican desert and fighting for her.

Land of Wolves (2019)

Land of Wolves is the fifteenth story, it was published in 2019, and it starts with Walt recovering from his previous adventure in Mexico. But he doesn’t have time to rest. He needs to investigate a case that might be more than it seems.

Next to Last Stand (2020)

Many believed that Custer’s Last Fight was destroyed in 1946. But did it really happen? In Next to Last Stand, Longmire is called to help with a case, and it is something that will take him on a wild hunt trying to stop an art heist.

Daughter of the Morning Star (2021)

Daughter of the Morning Star was published in 2021, and it is the seventeenth novel in the series. Lolo Long’s niece started receiving death threats and Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear are more than willing to help solve the problem.

Hell and Back (2022)

Hell and Back is the eighteenth novel in the Walt Longmire series, and it came out in 2022. It continues from the events in Daughter of the Morning Star, and it is a thrilling adventure you must read.

Walt Longmire short stories/novellas

You can also find a number of short stories and novellas about Walt Longmire, and they are a great addition to the collection.

Christmas in Absaroka County (2012)

Christmas in Absaroka County is a collection of short stories, and it is a great addition to the series. It is a charming story that explores different parts of Walt Longmire’s life.

Divorce Horse (2012)

Divorce Horse is the first eBook, and it is often marked as book 7.1. But it is not the main installment in the series. Walt has some time on his hands while his daughter prepares for a wedding.

Messenger (2013)

Messenger is another novella you can check out, and it is often marked as 8.2. The story takes Walt, the Bear, and Vic, who spent some time on a fishing trip when they receive a distress call.

Wait for Signs (2014)

Wait for Signs is another book that is not a part of the series, and it is a collection of short stories. If you like reading about Walt Longmire, you will love additional details about his journey. There are twelve Longmire stories in the collection.

Anthologies

And if you want something more, you can always check out anthologies that include the author Craig Johnson.

The Best American Mystery Stories (2017)

The Best American Mystery Stories came out in 2017, and it contains numerous stories by famous writers. This includes Peter Straub, Brendan Dubois, Jeffery Deaver, C.J. Box, Trina Corey, and of course, Craig Johnson.

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FAQ

How many Craig Johnson Longmire books are there?

There are nineteen mystery novels in the main series and a few additional short stories and novellas.

What is the latest book in the Longmire series?

The latest published book is Hell and Back from 2022, but The Longmire Defense will be available in 2023.