Wednesday, December 25, 2013

The Spirit of Steamboat

The Spirit of Steamboat: A Walt Longmire Story
by Craig Johnson

An unfamiliar woman appears in Sheriff Walt Longmire's office on Christmas Eve and asks to see the previous Sheriff, Lucian Connally. Lucian is now widowed and living in an assisted living center. When they arrive, Lucian claims he doesn't recognize the woman, but then she begins to tell a tale of a Christmas Eve 25 years ago when Walt was a new Sheriff, three people died in a terrible car crash, and a young girl with burns and respiratory problems had to be flown to Denver or she wouldn't survive the night. However, the worst snowstorm of the season is bearing down on them and the only plane capable of handling the turbulence is a barely-held-together,decommissioned, WWII bomber. And wouldn't you know it, Lucian was a member of Doolittle's Raiders, who bombed Tokyo in 1942, and is the only pilot qualified to fly it. You alternate between nearly impossible mechanical troubles, deadly patient emergencies, and flat-out fancy flying. Even though you know how this will end, this is still an exciting ride and a very enjoyable novella at only 150 pages. If you follow the Walt Longmire TV series on A&E, it's especially fun to keep actor Peter Weller in mind as Lucian — his ornery behavior and snappy comments make this story. (You also learn who Steamboat is.). -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the Longmire TV series on dvd.]

[ official Craig Johnson and "Longmire" web site ]


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