Absaroka County Sheriff Walt Longmire just can’t seem to wrap his head around what has just happened.   He hasn’t a clue as to how he got hit by a snowplough, why he is covered in blood, or why he is carrying a well-worn cowboy hat with the name Longmire written on the inside rim.  Still, a little shaken and stunned by the accident, he talks to people in the small town, but the answers they give only add to the mystery.  Just what the hell had happened, and why is he here?

Written by the internationally acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author Craig Johnson, HELL AND BACK is the 18^th novel in his immensely popular Walt Longmire Mystery Series (also Netflix TV series).  HELL AND BACK is an incredible and powerful story that is a fitting and traumatic continuation of his previous novel, DAUGHTER OF THE MORNING STAR. This powerful novel is truly an amazing tribute to the horrific treatment faced by Indigenous students in the past who were forced to attend Residential Schools in the United States and Canada.

Right from the first page, you are feeling as stunned and perplexed as Walt is as he tries to figure out what is going on and why he is where he is.  Scenes shift, people seem to answer in riddles that don’t make sense;, yet, Walt’s actions seem to provide others some clues as to what is happening and who he really is.

 In the surreal shifting landscape of Walt’s mind, he figures out he is in Fort Pratt and it is 1896, but why is 31 important?  The swirling landscape of Walt’s mind and the experiences he suffers through provide the most meaningful way of letting the reader feel the pain and anguish faced by Walt as well as the young Cheyenne boys as he attempts to help them while also grappling with the very powerful Éveohsé-heómése, the Wandering Without, the Taker of Souls.

HELL AND BACK is powerful medicine, and to fully do justice to this astonishing novel and to achieve the richest reading experience, I would definitely recommend new readers to take the time to read a few of the earlier mysteries and especially DAUGHTER OF THE MORNING STAR first before deep diving into HELL AND BACK. Long time fans, my self included, will also relish following Henry Standing Bear and Victoria Moretti, both awesome characters, as they seek to find their missing Sheriff on this harrowing and desperate journey.

Whether you are already a long-time fan or just love a perplexing and enthralling mystery, I heartily and fully recommend HELL AND BACK!  While tough and scary at the same time, you will love this totally spellbinding journey!

Book Summary