If you’re a fan of gripping Western mysteries where rugged landscapes collide with complex characters and pulse-pounding investigations, Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire series is calling your name. Set in the vast, unforgiving beauty of Wyoming’s Absaroka County, these New York Times bestsellers follow Sheriff Walt Longmire—a widowed, wisecracking lawman who’s equal parts tough cowboy and thoughtful philosopher. With his loyal friend Henry Standing Bear (a Cheyenne Nation veteran with a dry wit sharper than a switchblade) and fiery deputy Victoria “Vic” Moretti, Walt tackles crimes that dig deep into themes of justice, Native American culture, family, and the American West.
Johnson, a rancher from Ucross, Wyoming (population: 25), draws from his real-life experiences as a former educator, cowboy, and law enforcement enthusiast to craft stories that feel authentic and immersive. The series exploded in popularity thanks to the Netflix show Longmire (starring Robert Taylor), but the books offer richer character arcs, spiritual undertones, and seasonal progression—each novel advances just a few months, letting you watch Walt age (slowly) and evolve. Hell & Back won a Spur Award, The Longmire Defense topped charts in 2023, and the latest, Return to Sender (2025), has fans buzzing about cults in the Red Desert.
Whether you’re new to the series or hunting for that elusive novella reading order, this Craig Johnson books in order guide has you covered. Read in publication order for the full payoff—short stories and novellas slot in seamlessly without major spoilers. (Pro tip: George Guidall’s audiobooks are gold; his gravelly voice is Walt.)
Why Start the Walt Longmire Series Now?
- Binge-worthy mysteries: Murders tied to Basque history, dinosaur bones, cartels, and Custer’s ghosts—each standalone but building emotional stakes.
- Unforgettable ensemble: Walt’s coffee-fueled banter with Henry (“It is a good day to die… for somebody else”) and Vic’s Philly edge keep things lively.
- Wyoming soul: Vivid high-plains prose captures blizzards, reservations, and buffalo herds. Spirit of Steamboat (a novella) was Wyoming’s “One Book” pick.
- No filler: 20+ novels, novellas, and shorts since 2004, with The Brothers McKay slated for 2026.
- Fan events: Longmire Days in Buffalo, WY, draws 12,000 yearly—Johnson attends!
Ready to saddle up? Here’s the complete Walt Longmire books in order, pulled from Johnson’s official site, Fantastic Fiction, Goodreads, and Book Series in Order (cross-verified for accuracy as of December 2025).
Walt Longmire Series: Full Books in Order (Publication Sequence)
| # | Title | Publication Year | Type | Quick Hook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | Tooth and Claw | 2024 | Prequel Novella | Young Walt’s early days—perfect intro for newcomers. |
| 1 | The Cold Dish | 2004 | Novel | Vengeance strikes: Rapists turn up dead. Walt’s debut case chills. (Dilys Award finalist) |
| 2 | Death Without Company | 2006 | Novel | Poisoned Basque elder unearths 50-year secrets. (Wyoming Book of the Year) |
| 3 | Kindness Goes Unpunished | 2007 | Novel | Assault on Walt’s daughter Cady in Philly—urban twist. |
| 4 | Another Man’s Moccasins | 2008 | Novel | Vietnamese murder links to Walt’s Vietnam past. (Spur Award winner) |
| 5 | The Dark Horse | 2009 | Novel | Horse-burning revenge spirals. (Publishers Weekly Best of 2009) |
| 6 | Junkyard Dogs | 2010 | Novel | Grudge-fueled killings amid junked cars. (Lefty Award) |
| 7 | Hell Is Empty | 2011 | Novel | Sociopath hhuntsin the Bighorn Mountains. (Library Journal Best Mystery) |
| 7.5 | Divorce Horse | 2012 | Short Story (eBook) | Walt recovers post-shootout with daughter Cady. |
| 8 | As the Crow Flies | 2012 | Novel | Tribal murder on reservation turf. (Lefty Award) |
| 8.5 | Christmas in Absaroka County | 2012 | Short Stories (4-pack eBook) | Holiday tales: “Ministerial Aid,” “Slick-Tongued Devil,” etc. Cozy but twisty. |
| 8.6 | Messenger | 2013 | Short Story | Quick Absaroka dispatch. (In anthologies) |
| 9 | A Serpent’s Tooth | 2013 | Novel | Polygamist cult meets cartel. NYT Bestseller. |
| 9.5 | The Spirit of Steamboat | 2013 | Novella | Christmas WWII heroics with young Walt. (One Book Wyoming) |
| 10 | Any Other Name | 2014 | Novel | Neighbor county suicide hides missing women. NYT Bestseller. |
| 10.5 | Wait for Signs | 2014 | Short Story Collection (12 stories) | Decade of Longmire vignettes + new “Petunia.” Essential filler. |
| 11 | Dry Bones | 2015 | Novel | T. rex skeleton sparks Cheyenne claims and murder. |
| 11.5 | The Highwayman | 2016 | Novella | Ghostly highway patrol mystery. |
| 12 | An Obvious Fact | 2016 | Novel | Motorcycle crash uncovers old wounds. |
| 13 | The Western Star | 2017 | Novel | Dual-timeline: Young Walt vs. train robber. |
| 14 | Depth of Winter | 2018 | Novel | Cady kidnapped—Walt’s Mexico nightmare. |
| 15 | Land of Wolves | 2019 | Novel | Basque shepherd’s death stirs grudges. |
| 16 | Next to Last Stand | 2020 | Novel | Custer battlefield art heist in wheelchair chase (!). |
| 17 | Daughter of the Morning Star | 2021 | Novel | Tribal election turns deadly. |
| 18 | Hell and Back | 2022 | Novel | Walt vs. himself in an amnesia thriller. (Spur Award) |
| 19 | The Longmire Defense | 2023 | Novel | Pre-teen crime echoes Walt’s past. NYT Bestseller, Spur Award. |
| 20 | First Frost | 2024 | Novel | Early Walt (1980s) cases resurface. |
| – | Tooth and Claw | 2024 | Novella | Prequel bite-sized adventure. |
| 21 | Return to Sender | 2025 (May) | Novel | Missing mail carrier in Red Desert cult. NYT Bestseller—latest must-read! |
| 22 | The Brothers McKay | 2026 (TBA) | Novel | Upcoming: Stay tuned! |
Notes on reading order:
- Core novels (1-21): Must-reads in sequence. Each builds on relationships (e.g., Walt/Vic tension peaks later).
- Novellas/Shorts: Optional but enriching—read post-main book noted (e.g., Divorce Horse after #7). Wait for Signs recaps early years beautifully.
- Box sets: Volumes 1-4, 1-9, etc., for binge-buying.
- Anthologies: Stories like “Old Indian Trick” (Hillerman Award) appear in The Best American Mystery Stories.
Standalone Shorts & Extras
Johnson peppers anthologies (e.g., Best American Mystery Stories 2017). No true standalones—all tie to the Longmire universe.
Where to Buy or Borrow Craig Johnson Books
- Amazon/Indie bookstores: Signed copies via Johnson’s site (craigallenjohnson.com).
- Libraries: Huge demand—request Spirit of Steamboat for holiday vibes.
- Audiobooks: Audible (Guidall narrates); start with The Cold Dish (4.5+ stars).
- Kindle deals: Often $2.99 for early books.
First-Timers: Start Here
Grab The Cold Dish—Walt hunts a vigilante avenging a Cheyenne rape. It’s gritty, funny, and hooks you: “Revenge is a dish best served cold… but four times?” If TV hooked you, books amp the humor and heart (Vic’s cruder; Henry’s wiser).
Fan FAQs
- Books vs. Netflix? Books deeper (spiritual visions, Cady’s arc); show diverges post-S3.
- Latest news? Return to Sender (2025) hitthe NYT lists; Johnson tours (e.g., Poisoned Pen events).
- End in sight? No—22+ books, annual Christmas stories via newsletter.
- Similar authors? C.J. Box (Joe Pickett), Ace Atkins, or James Lee Burke for Southern grit.
Dive into Absaroka County today—Walt’s waiting with coffee and a .45. Which Longmire book hooked you first? Drop in comments! For updates, subscribe to Johnson’s newsletter or follow Longmire Days.
