Read as an audiobook for the car. This installment in the Longmire series is more adventure than traditional whodunnit, but still a good read for the characters and the mix of comedy in the midst of drama and suspense. I had mentioned to a fellow Longmire TV fan online that if the series (now cancelled by A&E) had embraced the magical realism in the books a bit more they could get the series picked up by SyFy. No seriously! Walt Longmire. Thanks to the television series, more and more people know who Sheriff Longmire is, what he stands for, and who his friends are. Those of us who have followed author Craig Johnson's telling of the tales of fictitious Absaroka County, Wyoming welcome all of the new readers introduced by television. We need to warn you, however, each book has a different tone and flavor.To me, “Hell is Empty” is one of the most intense books in the series (with possible exception of “The Cold Dish”, the first one). It is also perhaps the most mystical – once again raising the spectre that “The Old Ones” who occupied the land long before the White Man arrived continue to watch over – and perhaps even dabble in – the activities that occur on their former land. (Aside: Being advised that “The Three Muskateers” was written by some guy named DumbAss provided a very needed slice of levity in this very serious book!)The plot – A federal prisoner exchange occurs in Absaroka County. Walt Longmire is present, as are one of his deputies along with the sheriffs of the two surrounding counties and a few federal agents. Shortly after this group breaks up, there is an escape. Longmire goes into the mountains in pursuit. The weapons possessed by the escaped convicts are but one of the threats he must face – high elevation, storms, the local wildlife, and a forest that is so dry that it is almost expecting a wildfire all threaten to make this the final adventure of the Absaroka County sheriff. The hint of mysticism that serves as an undercurrent through most of the book may be a turn-off to some readers. (Others may believe this doesn't go deep enough, and is interrupted by too much physical and psychological drama. To each their own.) I can't say this was my favorite book in the series, or my least favorite – it's too difficult to rank them. I WILL say that I enjoyed reading it (or in my case, listening to George Guidell read it on Audio CD.) And I look forward to the next book in the series.RATING: 5 stars.
What do You think about Hell Is Empty (2011)?
the action does not let up. missed the usual sparring.
—ladywolf
Another surperb story in this great Longmire series.
—Bookworm22
