The longest postal route in the country is in the Red Desert of Wyoming, and it covers over three hundred miles a day. When Blair McGowan, the person responsible for that route, goes missing, there's a lot of territory to cover to try to find her. Who does the Postal Inspector for the State of Wyoming turn to? Sheriff Walt Longmire, who poses as a mail carrier to follow her trail.
The trail eventually leads to a cult living out in the Red Desert, and Walt finds himself right up to his neck in intrigue.
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I always enjoy any time that I spend with Walt Longmire, and Return to Sender is no exception-- especially since every time I picked up the book and looked at the cover, my favorite Elvis Presley song began playing in my mind.
Once again, author Craig Johnson brings another section of Wyoming to life. This time, the Red Desert, the largest living dune system in the United States. Walt is pretty much solo as he goes undercover as a mail carrier. Only Dog accompanies him in a rather unique mode of transport: an old Travelall.
Return to Sender is filled with Johnson's trademark humor ("Benny, the walking skid mark"), and Walt is carrying something with him that may shock longtime fans. As he works to find the missing Blair McGowan, he meets several characters that I wish I could see again, like World War II Polish Resistance fighter, Mrs. Wasserstein. The story is filled with twists and turns that kept me smiling.
Walt is still debating whether or not he should retire, and he's not helped any when he's put right in the middle of someone else's choice. What's he going to decide to do? I'm looking forward to finding out in the next book.
Return to Sender by Craig Johnson
ISBN: 9780593830703
Viking © 2025
Hardcover, 336 pages
Police Procedural, #21 Walt Longmire
Rating: A
Source: Purchased from The Poisoned Pen.
As soon as I read the title of your post, Cathy, I knew you'd probably rate the book highly, and that I'd want to read it. The Walt Longmire stories draw me in and give me a real sense that I'm there in Wyoming. It sounds as though this one does just that. Like you, I enjoy the wit in the books, too, and Walt Longmire's got a great character. This is definitely going on the wish list.
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with Craig and Walt.
DeleteI want to know if they are supposed to do that route every day. I'm going to start this series one day.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine driving that much every day. It exhausts me just thinking about it.
DeleteSounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteIt is, Mystica.
DeleteCannot wait to read this, thanks Cathy
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Judy!
DeleteThis sounds like a really good one!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it, Lark.
DeleteA missing postal worker, a woman leading character, the Red Desert in Wyoming. What's not to like and want to read?
ReplyDeleteExactly! :-)
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