Read Walt Longmire Books In Order : Every Fan MUST Know!
By Kathy | Last Updated on April 3, 2026
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Few fictional worlds capture the rugged beauty and raw tension of the American West quite like the universe of Walt Longmire. At the heart of this universe is Sheriff Walt Longmire, a character whose stoic presence and moral compass anchor a series of novels that deftly combine mystery, suspense, and the contemplative rhythms of life in modern-day Wyoming. Whether you are a devoted crime fiction reader or a newcomer intrigued by the allure of small-town law enforcement, the Longmire series offers a rich tapestry of storytelling that balances thrilling investigations with deep character exploration.
What sets these books apart is not just the intricately plotted mysteries, but the immersive world built around Walt and the residents of Absaroka County. The series is as much about the landscape-the rolling plains, snow-laden mountains, and stark, unyielding winters-as it is about the crimes that unfold within it. For readers seeking both suspense and a profound sense of place, the Longmire series promises an experience that is equal parts heart-pounding and reflective.
Contents
List Of Walt Longmire Books In Order
| The Cold Dish (2004) | Details |
| Death Without Company (2006) | Details |
| Kindness Goes Unpunished (2007) | Details |
| Another Man’s Moccasins (2008) | Details |
| The Dark Horse (2009) | Details |
| Junkyard Dogs (2010) | Details |
| Hell is Empty (2011) | Details |
| As the Crow Flies (2012) | Details |
| The Spirit of Steamboat (2013) | Details |
| A Serpent’s Tooth (2013) | Details |
| Any Other Name (2014) | Details |
| Dry Bones (2015) | Details |
| The Highwayman (2016) | Details |
| An Obvious Fact (2017) | Details |
| The Echoed Bones (2018) | Details |
More On Walt Longmire Books In Chronological Order
1. The Cold Dish (2004)
This is where it all begins. Walt Longmire, the rugged, no-nonsense sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, is trying to heal after the death of his wife. In this first book, he gets caught up in the murder of a young man, a case that stirs up old grudges in the small town. It’s a dark, moody start to the series, setting up not just a murder mystery, but a deeper exploration of Walt’s personal life, his relationships with his friends and community, and his struggle with his own demons.
2. Death Without Company (2006)
In the second book, Walt is drawn into a case that’s a bit closer to home. The death of an elderly woman in a nursing home isn’t as clear-cut as it first appears, and Walt starts digging into her past. The mystery pulls him deeper into Wyoming’s old history, its Native American communities, and some dark secrets buried in the small town. Meanwhile, his relationships with his deputy, Vic Moretti, and his best friend, Henry Standing Bear, start to become even more complex.
3. Kindness Goes Unpunished (2007)
Walt and Vic are called to Philadelphia for a case, which throws them into the chaos of the big city. Things get intense fast as they find themselves tangled in a complex web of crime, politics, and personal vendettas. This one’s got a slightly different flavor, as it explores what happens when the usually stoic Walt is out of his element. It’s a great mix of mystery and the deeper cultural clash between the quiet Wyoming life and the big, fast-paced city.
4. Another Man’s Moccasins (2008)
This one is a double whammy. Walt gets involved in an old murder mystery from his time as a Vietnam War soldier, mixing his past with the present. As he unravels the case in the present-day town of Absaroka, we get glimpses into his own history, his PTSD, and the ways that his past still haunts him. The mystery is thrilling, but it’s really the emotional journey of Walt confronting his past that stands out.
5. The Dark Horse (2009)
The fifth installment sees Walt investigating the disappearance of a young woman from the Cheyenne reservation. But as he digs deeper, it becomes clear that there’s much more going on under the surface, with ties to the local horse racing world and a much darker conspiracy at play. This book shows Walt’s vulnerability more than others, and you start to see how his role as sheriff is evolving as he becomes more introspective and troubled by the people he’s lost.
6. Junkyard Dogs (2010)
In the sixth book, Walt’s investigation into a local case grows more personal. When a man who has been missing turns up dead, things get a bit more complicated. The murder seems random at first, but the deeper Walt digs, the more he realizes that there’s a twisted web of connections, including his own family. There’s a lot of action, but also a lot of heartfelt moments that show the loyalty Walt has for his town and the people he cares about.
7. Hell is Empty (2011)
This one takes Walt into the wilderness of the Big Horn Mountains, where he has to deal with both nature and his own internal struggles. The book has a survivalist feel, as Walt hunts down an escaped convict, and it really puts Walt’s abilities and mental toughness to the test. It’s a hard-hitting, atmospheric story, with tons of tension, action, and reflection on what makes Walt who he is. There are some heavy themes here as he confronts the past and the demons that have followed him.
8. As the Crow Flies (2012)
Walt is back to the classic small-town vibe in this story, but things are still as dark and twisted as ever. This time, a series of disappearances in the town have him trying to solve multiple puzzles, including a mysterious old woman’s death. It’s a slow burn, but it draws you in with its atmosphere and the intricacies of Walt’s relationships with his family and community. There’s a haunting, almost eerie quality to how everything comes together.
9. The Spirit of Steamboat (2013)
This is a standalone novella in the series and a bit of a departure from the main plotlines. Set in Christmas of 1988, Walt reflects on a case from his past that nearly cost him his life, involving a woman, a local legend, and a plane crash. It’s a short, atmospheric tale that shines a light on Walt’s softer side, his humanity, and how the spirit of Wyoming lingers in all of his cases. It’s a heartwarming read and gives us a glimpse into what makes Walt tick.
10. A Serpent’s Tooth (2013)
This one starts with Walt investigating the appearance of a teenager who’s just turned up on the run. Things spiral from there as he discovers a connection between this runaway, a dangerous group of criminals, and a religious cult. The stakes are high as Walt must navigate multiple threats, and the book dives into his ongoing struggle with morality and his sense of justice. It’s a deep, thoughtful, and action-packed entry in the series.
11. Any Other Name (2014)
Walt’s tough-guy persona gets challenged when a former sheriff’s deputy returns to town, and a cold case from long ago suddenly gets reopened. The case is personal, not just for the town but for Walt himself, as it hits close to his own memories of the past. The tension is palpable, and you can feel Walt’s internal battle as he confronts his own limits and his ever-growing responsibility to the town he loves.
12. Dry Bones (2015)
Walt gets involved in a murder investigation when a long-lost dinosaur skeleton is uncovered and linked to a crime. It’s one of the more bizarre cases, but it also brings out some of the best of what makes Walt a great sheriff. Between battling forces of nature and a local power struggle, Walt is forced to confront even more of the town’s darker side. It’s a wild ride, but also one of the most fun, packed with wit and wisdom.
13. The Highwayman (2016)
In this book, Walt and his team take on an investigation that involves a long-buried criminal from the past and a series of shocking revelations. The mystery is layered, and it explores deep personal histories, some of which Walt wasn’t even aware of. You also get a deeper dive into Walt’s relationship with his deputies and his friends, as they each have their own parts to play in solving the case.
14. An Obvious Fact (2017)
Walt and his team are once again pulled into a mystery involving a biker gang, a young man’s death, and more buried secrets. The book’s pace picks up as the characters get caught up in a chase to uncover the truth. Walt’s team dynamic is really highlighted here, with Vic Moretti’s unique skills and Henry Standing Bear’s quiet wisdom all coming into play. This book has a great mix of action, humor, and emotional depth.
15. The Echoed Bones (2018)
Walt is forced to confront some disturbing truths when a series of deaths lead him to an old, buried crime involving a Native American burial ground. The spiritual elements come into play in this one, as the story weaves together both the real and supernatural. Walt’s quest for justice becomes even more personal as he grapples with the weight of history, crime, and his own legacy.
Background On Walt Longmire Books
The Walt Longmire series is the brainchild of author Craig Johnson, who first introduced the Wyoming sheriff in Skinwalkers, published in 2004. The novels fall within the mystery and crime genres, but they are far from formulaic. Each installment combines classic detective work with the atmospheric qualities of the Western literary tradition.
Walt Longmire is not your typical hard-boiled detective. He is a widower, deeply loyal to his friends and his community, and guided by a strong sense of justice. Unlike urban crime settings dominated by cynicism and moral ambiguity, Longmire’s Wyoming is both isolated and intimate, creating a backdrop that allows character and setting to shape the story as much as the mysteries themselves.
The series also frequently incorporates elements of Native American culture, particularly through Walt’s relationship with Henry Standing Bear, his close friend and moral sounding board. This integration adds depth and nuance, enriching the narrative and giving readers insight into the cultural dynamics of the region. Over the years, the series has grown into more than a collection of novels; it has inspired a successful television adaptation, cementing Longmire’s place in contemporary American storytelling.
Reading Order Explained
The Walt Longmire series can be read either chronologically by publication or thematically in terms of story arcs. For most readers, the recommended approach is the publication order, as it allows you to experience character development and evolving relationships in the order Craig Johnson intended. The order is as follows:
- Skinwalkers (2004)
- The Dark Horse (2005)
- Bad Day at Black Rock (2006)
- Hell is Empty (2007)
- As the Crow Flies (2007)
- The Cold Dish (2009)
- Death Without Company (2010)
- Kindness Goes Unpunished (2011)
- Another Man’s Moccasins (2012)
- Junkyard Dogs (2013)
- The Western Star (2014)
- Depth of Winter (2015)
- An Obvious Fact (2016)
- Land of Wolves (2017)
- Next to Last Stand (2018)
- Any Other Name (2019)
Following this order ensures readers witness the evolution of Walt’s personal journey, his professional challenges, and the relationships he cultivates with the people around him, particularly Henry and his deputies. While each novel contains a self-contained mystery, subtle story arcs-such as Walt’s grieving process or the community’s shifting dynamics-progress more naturally when read in sequence.
What I Like About The Series?
There is a quiet power to the Walt Longmire series that lingers long after the final page is turned. First, the character of Walt himself is magnetic. He is flawed yet principled, human in his grief and resilient in his dedication to justice. Unlike more sensationalized crime protagonists, Walt feels authentic-a man shaped by loss, responsibility, and a profound understanding of his environment.
Secondly, the novels excel at blending the classic mystery format with rich, descriptive storytelling. Craig Johnson’s prose brings Wyoming to life with a cinematic clarity: the bite of winter air, the rustle of sagebrush under hoof, the golden glow of sunset over open plains. The series’ pacing balances tension and reflection, giving readers room to breathe while maintaining suspense.
Another compelling aspect is the supporting cast. Characters like Henry Standing Bear, Victoria Moretti, and Walt’s deputies are more than narrative accessories; they are fully realized, dynamic individuals who bring humor, wisdom, and cultural context to the stories. The interplay between these characters often provides moments of warmth and levity, creating a textured and immersive reading experience.
Should You Read Walt Longmire Books In Order?
Reading the Longmire series in order is highly recommended, though not strictly required. Each book features a unique mystery that can be enjoyed independently. However, the character development and ongoing storylines-such as Walt’s journey through grief, the evolution of his friendships, and the undercurrents of community change-are best appreciated in sequence.
Skipping around can lead to confusion or the loss of subtle emotional beats that Craig Johnson carefully layers across multiple novels. For example, Walt’s coping with personal loss or Henry’s shifting role in the community may seem abrupt if experienced out of order. Therefore, while the mysteries themselves are accessible in isolation, reading the books chronologically allows for a deeper, more resonant engagement with the series’ world.