A Serpent's Tooth by Craig Johnson
-
Critiq
- Posts: 22
- Joined: 30 Apr 2013, 12:39
- Currently Reading: Dexters Last Cut
- Bookshelf Size: 0
A Serpent's Tooth by Craig Johnson
It's always interesting to compare a book series to one that's been adapted for TV. My recent experience of this has been the "Dexter" and "Rizzoli and Isles" series. Now, add "Longmire," based on Craig Johnson's superb and unique mystery thrillers about a most unusual Montana sheriff.
Walt Longmire is nothing if not fearless. Or, so it would appear. If fear doesn't trail close by as he confronts the evil that visits his Absaroka County jurisdiction, he hides it well. Such is true when he faces some vicious killers who've attached themselves to a Mormon clan with a mysterious purpose in buying up a big tract of land for reasons as yet unknown.
But, before we get into the plot of this latest adventure, let's start with one of the elements of intrigue that makes this sheriff's department distinct. That would be undersheriff Vic, or Victoria Moretti, a sassy and gorgeous lawwoman if there ever was one. She's in love with her boss despite his much greater years. And Walt -- well, for his part, he's just confused about what he should do about his own feelings for the lady who fills out a uniform like few others. The improbability of the relationship is throwing his lasso into a loop. He's a straight shooter kind of guy and he can't help worrying about a mismatch. But this doesn't stop him from engaging with his chief deputy when she makes it unrefusable.
The story begins with the sudden experience of wayward boy Cord Lynear, who turns out to be a Mormon "lost boy" and one of 400-pound Roy Lynear's army of offsprings. A little thief in training, Cord's just trying to survive on his own, one way or another. Longmire throws him in a jail cell for his actions but, as the sheriff learns more about him and his father's actions, he leaves Cord's cell unlocked, turning it into a witness protection motel room because of those who mean him harm.
Johnson's mysteries are always tainted with oddballs among the cutthroats and subnormality with the supernatural. One of those oddballs who appears out of the Montana wilderness is a delusional older man who represents himself as 200-year old Orrin Porter, "Man of God, Son of Thunder, blessed by Joseph Smith himself." He's come into Walt's jurisdiction to find Cord and serve as his bodyguard... by self-appointment.
Longmire's closest friend is Henry Standing Bear who serves as an ally in tight situations, a strategic advisor, and a mental guide to spiritual parallels to tangible reality. Walt, Vic and George face the armed children at the compound and, later, the killers. But,in a Longmire novel, there's always a situation in which Walt goes out alone and, often, unarmed, to face mortal danger, and this story is no exception. If there's a criminal out on the loose, it's his duty. No second thoughts.
Though the TV series clearly attempts to adapt the source material faithfully, and while Robert Taylor is as good a representation of the title character as you could find, the TV version is no substitute for the read. This works in both directions: if you've only read the books, you might want to see the broadcast; and, vice versa, the TV translation should make you want to read the books. And, BTW, same goes for "Dexter" and "Rizzoli and Isles."
Walt Longmire is nothing if not fearless. Or, so it would appear. If fear doesn't trail close by as he confronts the evil that visits his Absaroka County jurisdiction, he hides it well. Such is true when he faces some vicious killers who've attached themselves to a Mormon clan with a mysterious purpose in buying up a big tract of land for reasons as yet unknown.
But, before we get into the plot of this latest adventure, let's start with one of the elements of intrigue that makes this sheriff's department distinct. That would be undersheriff Vic, or Victoria Moretti, a sassy and gorgeous lawwoman if there ever was one. She's in love with her boss despite his much greater years. And Walt -- well, for his part, he's just confused about what he should do about his own feelings for the lady who fills out a uniform like few others. The improbability of the relationship is throwing his lasso into a loop. He's a straight shooter kind of guy and he can't help worrying about a mismatch. But this doesn't stop him from engaging with his chief deputy when she makes it unrefusable.
The story begins with the sudden experience of wayward boy Cord Lynear, who turns out to be a Mormon "lost boy" and one of 400-pound Roy Lynear's army of offsprings. A little thief in training, Cord's just trying to survive on his own, one way or another. Longmire throws him in a jail cell for his actions but, as the sheriff learns more about him and his father's actions, he leaves Cord's cell unlocked, turning it into a witness protection motel room because of those who mean him harm.
Johnson's mysteries are always tainted with oddballs among the cutthroats and subnormality with the supernatural. One of those oddballs who appears out of the Montana wilderness is a delusional older man who represents himself as 200-year old Orrin Porter, "Man of God, Son of Thunder, blessed by Joseph Smith himself." He's come into Walt's jurisdiction to find Cord and serve as his bodyguard... by self-appointment.
Longmire's closest friend is Henry Standing Bear who serves as an ally in tight situations, a strategic advisor, and a mental guide to spiritual parallels to tangible reality. Walt, Vic and George face the armed children at the compound and, later, the killers. But,in a Longmire novel, there's always a situation in which Walt goes out alone and, often, unarmed, to face mortal danger, and this story is no exception. If there's a criminal out on the loose, it's his duty. No second thoughts.
Though the TV series clearly attempts to adapt the source material faithfully, and while Robert Taylor is as good a representation of the title character as you could find, the TV version is no substitute for the read. This works in both directions: if you've only read the books, you might want to see the broadcast; and, vice versa, the TV translation should make you want to read the books. And, BTW, same goes for "Dexter" and "Rizzoli and Isles."
