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Walt Longmire #22

The Brothers McKay

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A masterful new novel in the beloved New York Times bestselling Longmire series

When Pepper McKay, one of the most hated men in Absaroka County, is found murdered on his ranch in Crazy Woman Canyon, suspects aren’t in short supply. But Sheriff Walt Longmire’s attention is on those who had gathered for a family meeting that evening, McKay’s very different sons: a smooth-talking charmer, a cosmopolitan journalist, a reclusive monk, and a half-Native ranch hand who keeps the place running. Each had a motive. Each claims he’s innocent.

As Walt investigates what happened that night at the O-Kay Lodge, he’s pulled into a tangle of old grudges and long-buried secrets. Then the case takes a sharp turn: a second body surfaces, and a wildfire tears through the canyon, trapping Walt and forcing him into a fight for his life as both the killer and the elements close in.

The twenty-second novel in the Longmire series, The Brothers McKay is a murder mystery and a survival thriller that tests the sheriff’s hard-won sense of justice—all while paying sly homage to Dostoevsky’s classic.

368 pages, Hardcover

Published May 26, 2026

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About the author

Craig Johnson

79 books5,043 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Craig Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Longmire mysteries, the basis for the hit Netflix original series Longmire. He is the recipient of the Western Writers of America’s spur awards and the Owen Wister Award, the Will Rogers Medallion and Lariat Award, the Mountain & Plains Independent Booksellers Association’s Reading the West Book Award for fiction, as well as the Bouchercon 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. His novella Spirit of Steamboat was the first One Book Wyoming selection. He lives in Ucross, Wyoming, population 26.

source: Amazon

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
Profile Image for ZZ.
91 reviews
May 31, 2026
After more than twenty books in the Longmire universe, I thought I had a good sense of where Craig Johnson might take Walt next. After introducing Russian assassins to the story one, a reimagining of a Russian literary classic, did not catch me by surprise too much.

With “The Brothers McKay”, Johnson borrows liberally from the original source material and somehow makes it feel perfectly at home in modern-day Wyoming. The result is a novel that works both as a mystery and as a playful literary adaptation, rewarding readers whether they recognize the inspiration or not.

As always, Johnson's greatest strength remains his characters and dialogue. My favorite exchange may be:
"The person you are after is insane or a literary major."
"Same thing—I should know."

That combination of wit, self-awareness, and affection for humanity is what continues to make these books so enjoyable.

We are also introduced to a character I sincerely hope will become a regular fixture in future installments: Borax the mule. Walt's description of him is perfect:
"I climbed in the truck and sat there staring at him thinking that if I had an animal spirit, I was probably looking at it."

In a series filled with memorable characters, it takes something special for a mule to steal scenes, but Borax manages it.

Most long-running series eventually begin to feel tired. The Longmire books continue to do the opposite. “The Brothers McKay” is fresh, funny, thoughtful, and another reminder of why I keep coming back to Absaroka County year after year. Now that Johnson has successfully brought a Russian classic to Wyoming, the next logical step seems to be a visit to Russia itself.
Profile Image for Linden.
2,217 reviews1 follower
June 7, 2026
Three “legitimate”sons, and one much younger half brother conceived in rape. A murdered father, apparently universally hated. Parallels to the classic Dostoyevsky novel The Brothers Karamazov right in Absaroka county. I always enjoy visiting with Walt, Vic, and Henry, but this parallel was a bit heavy handed, the cliffhanger ending was disappointing, and the Russian character who spoke in broken English really got on my nerves.
Profile Image for Brandy.
1,172 reviews25 followers
June 4, 2026
Craig Johnson never disappoints! Long live Borax!
Profile Image for kim.
5,135 reviews32 followers
June 8, 2026
I need to give up on this series, I haven’t liked one in ages, this was slightly better than the last few but I spent most of it feeling like I was rushing to get through it in a bad way
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.8k reviews547 followers
May 27, 2026
This one started out a bit slow for me. It's hard to get upset at the dead guy when he was so awful. The weird Russian guy was more interesting as was Walt's reaction to him being there. I find I'm very intrigued by their conversation at the end.

The last part of the book was a bit harrowing for Walt. The fire coming, he's stuck out there, a weird guy, random elk stampede and a stubborn mule, all things that made it harder for Walt to deal with. At least he figured out the bad guy and why, even if it was a stupid reason for everything.
Profile Image for Kasa Cotugno.
2,838 reviews604 followers
June 4, 2026
Walt Longmire continues to prevail in the Wyoming landscape. Complete with his sidekicks Dog and The Navajo Nation, he encounters a family with many viable suspects and withstands a raging natural disaster.
12 reviews
May 30, 2026
One of the least enjoyable Longmire books but still much better than most. A ridiculous plot with silly gimmicks like pretending you can legally force people to stay in a location without arresting them or having any probable cause they committed a crime. But it's a Longmire book so it's worth reading.
Profile Image for Marcia Hammond.
90 reviews
May 29, 2026
Another great book about sheriff Walt Longmire on the hunt for a killer caught in a wildfire. Love the series and the characters and I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Phyllis.
252 reviews
June 10, 2026
2.5

Like a number of other reviewers, I loved Borax, but the novel itself, not so much. It just feels like Craig Johnson is getting tired of writing about Sheriff Longmire’s life and job.
2 reviews
May 29, 2026
I don’t know if the reason this book is so confusing and disjointed is because it has been edited for the kindle version or it’s the actual writing. Either way it has left questions. Who is the Russian and why is he relevant to the story? If he’s from a previous book , it’s been too long to remember who he is. The motive for the murders is unbelievable, especially because the person is religious. Where’s the premedication and evidence he is a psychopath? There’s too much unfunny banter ongoing between Walt and others as well as his “philosophy” and literature knowledge. Who cares that he’s a reader? And Moretti’s language has become really smutty. It’s unbecoming to her character. Who is double tough’S real name and why is he relavent? The story itself jumps all over the place Only the last few chapters where the strongly determined character of Longmire is displayed is the book worth reading. I was very disappointed overall except for one character…..Borax. Love the mule.
Profile Image for Kevintipple.
936 reviews21 followers
May 30, 2026

Pepper McKay is very dead. Hated by nearly everyone, Pepper McKay ran his life, his family and pretty much everything and everyone else, for miles around for many decades. While he had his business interests, his marriage a number of years ago gave him control over what is known as the “O-Kay Ranch.” Located at the mouth of Crazy Woman Canyon, the dude ranch, is in Absaroka County, Wyoming. That means his death has to be investigated by the local sheriff, Walt Longmire.

That means the good sheriff and his number, two, Victoria Moretti, need to get to the scene as fast as possible. It does not help that they are stuck in a barely moving traffic jam on the road in thanks to one of two lightning caused wildfires that started overnight. The fires are running wild, thanks to drought and dead trees and whatnot, and will go where they want and when they want.

Eventually, they get to the former working ranch that is now operated as a dude ranch. For decades it was operated by the Harris family. Then the granddaughter, BeeBee, turned it into a dude ranch, then married Pepper McKay, and then he went work taking control and running roughshod over everyone and everybody.

Pepper McKay, a hard drinker, and pretty much hard at everything, had gone fishing in Crazy Woman Creek that morning. He had lunch and other food with him, but hadn’t been seen since. One of the long-time ranch hands had gone looking for him and had finally found him floating face down in the water. The ranch hand had pulled the body up onto the bank and then called 911.

Walt Longmire had a long history with Pepper McKay going back some four decades. So, the fact that the man was drinking in his last hours is no surprise. Beyond that obvious fact, as Vic examines the body, she advises Longmore and the newly assigned to the area Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper, Shane Wilson, that the back of Pepper McKay’s head shows obvious signs of some sort of traumatic brain injury. She also notes the numerous contusions and abrasions, but those could have happened as the body moved downstream through the churning waters and hit rocks and such. She also notes that by how heavy he feels, his lungs are probably full of water.

It is clear to all three of them that an intoxicated Pepper McKay could easily have slipped and fallen, striking his head in the process, before drowning. It is also very possible to all that he might have been hit in the head with a rock and left to drown. So, the question is—accident or murder?

If it was a murder, it would also be a very complicated case with a laundry list of suspects. For decades Pepper McKay lived his life like a human wrecking ball—he smashed through obstacles and people with wild abandon. That means the suspect list, inside and outside the family, is a long one and complicated. Some neutral observers, if they knew what had happened decades ago, might put the good Sheriff on that suspect list too.

As Walt Longmire spins up outside resources to assist his investigation, another problem is dumped into his lap by the newly appointed Wyoming Attorney General, his own daughter. Maxim Sidorov wants to relocate to Durant. With no parole officer in the area, that would mean that Sheriff Longmire would have to be his parole officer despite the fact that the man tried to kill him awhile back. Maxim Sidorov lost an eye in that attempt. He also gained a lot of respect for him and is trying to help him find a great aunt, Ruth One Heart.

Maxim Sidorov is soon in town, living in the jail, and advising Walt on what has turned out to be the definite murder of Pepper McKay. He is instrumental to the investigation which also manages to bug the heck out of Longmire. He also briefly annoyed this reader who had an out loud “Duh” moment when Sidorov pointed things out.

The Brothers McKay: A Longmire Mystery by Craig Johnson is a highly entertaining read that keeps the reader turning pages. Part murder mystery, part survivalist action read, it also sets up what will clearly be the focus of the next book in the series. Unless the author has juked and head faked this reader on this too.


Recommended.


My digital ARC came by way of Viking Penguin, through NetGalley, and with no expectation of a positive review.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
670 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2026
There is never an issue with a new Craig Johnson Walt Longmire novel. I start looking forward to the next one as soon as I finish reading the current title. I really loved The Brothers McKay. In Johnson's own words, it is his version of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, and it makes for one of the strongest entries in the series.

When Walt is called out to investigate the death of Pepper McKay, a man almost everyone would like to see dead, he quickly realizes he is dealing with a murder. From the beginning, the obvious suspects are Pepper's sons, including at least one illegitimate son. As Walt begins to untangle the complicated relationships within the McKay family, he finds himself navigating a web of resentment, jealousy, and long-held grudges.

This novel felt like a return to some of Walt's earlier adventures. He works the case alongside his partner and fiancée, Vic Moretti, and we get substantial involvement from many of the series' beloved supporting characters. Ruby, Double Tough, Cady Longmire, and Walt's best friend Henry Standing Bear all have meaningful roles to play. It was refreshing to read a Longmire novel where the entire cast feels actively involved rather than simply making brief appearances. Over the years, Johnson has built a remarkable extended family around Walt, despite Walt's constant insistence that he prefers to be alone and independent.

As always, Johnson's dialogue is outstanding. Few writers can balance humor, wisdom, and character development through conversation as effectively as he does. The investigation itself unfolds in an almost Poirot-like fashion, with Walt carefully examining motives and relationships while narrowing the list of suspects. The references to Dostoevsky are woven naturally into the story without ever feeling forced or distracting.

I also appreciated the backdrop of drought conditions and the threat of a massive wildfire. Both elements add urgency and tension to the narrative while reinforcing the harsh realities of life in Wyoming. The environmental challenges become another obstacle Walt must contend with as he pursues the truth.

Johnson also continues the larger storyline that has been developing through several recent novels. The plot threads involving characters from The Western Star and The Longmire Defense remain very much alive. Maxim Sidorov, the Russian assassin and organized crime figure whose moral compass is questionable at best, continues to loom in the background. Likewise, the mystery surrounding Ruth One Heart, Walt's childhood friend who was kidnapped at the end of The Longmire Defense, remains unresolved. These ongoing storylines add another layer of intrigue for longtime readers and suggest that Johnson is building toward something significant.

The ending of The Brothers McKay appears to lead directly into the next Longmire novel. On one hand, that is a little frustrating because it leaves important questions unanswered. On the other hand, it is a testament to Johnson's skill as a storyteller. Few writers can create characters and a world compelling enough that an ending can leave you frustrated while simultaneously making you eager to get your hands on the next book.

The Brothers McKay is another excellent entry in one of the most consistently entertaining mystery series being published today. If you are already a Longmire fan, this is an easy recommendation. If you have somehow not yet discovered Craig Johnson's work, there are far worse places to start.
Profile Image for Fran.
275 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2026
"The Brothers McKay" is the best Walt Longmire novel to come out in quite a while. Several recent predecessor books seemed to suggest that Craig Johnson might be running out of ideas for plots and had turned to slightly silly settings and stories. But this one has put the series back on track and even left fans with a cliff hanger to set up what is likely to be the next book in the series.

As the Goodreads page on the book notes, "The Brothers McKay is a murder mystery and a survival thriller that tests the sheriff’s hard-won sense of justice—all while paying sly homage to Dostoevsky’s classic." The "classic" in question is "The Brothers Karamazov," a murder mystery with a patricide just as the McKay brothers are dealing with the murder of their father. Johnson uses a neat device for introducing Karamazov - the re-introduction of character (whom I confess I can't remember) from a previous book - a Russian assassin named Maxim Sidorov. Maxim is both a killer and an admirer of Walt despite the fact that a past interaction between the two men led to Maxim losing an eye. Nevertheless, it is Maxim who suggests the parallels between the brothers Karamazov and McKay may be instructive for Walt's murder investigation. The review in the Cowboy State Daily, a Wyoming free newspaper, lauds Johnson for "taking Dostoevsky’s archetypes and translating them into believable western characters, each with a credible motivation to commit a crime like patricide, where the most powerful emotions known to man are in play." Added into the complexity of the murder investigation is the fact that the locale where Walt is working is burning to a crisp in the biggest wildfire to hit the region in a hundred years.

Like many, if not most good mysteries, this one is rife with characters who may be suspects in what turns out to be two murders, including a couple of novice and senior monks from a nearby monastery, the ranch managers and hands, the neighbors, the girlfriends of the McKay brothers, and a bright and courageous mule (yes, you read that right, MULE) named Borax who turns out to be the real hero of the novel. Plus, all the regular folks from the Longmire series are back in place - Victoria Moretti, Walt's "fiancée," Henry Standing Bear, aka "the Cheyenne Nation," the usual staff of Walt's office, and of course "Dog," Walt's very large and very loyal canine.

I kid you not, this is the best Longmire to come out (which it did on May 26, 2026) in a long time. Fans will no doubt love it, and not yet fans could enjoy it for the drama and humor Johnson builds into his Longmire stories. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,497 reviews62 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 7, 2026
Book twenty-two, and Craig Johnson is still out here proving he can take Walt Longmire anywhere he wants with his philosophical detours, historical rabbit holes, and the occasional “wait, why are we learning this?” sidebar included. And honestly, that’s part of why this series remains one of my favorites. When Johnson steps away from the woo-woo elements that sometimes drift into the supernatural, the books settle into that grounded, wry, quietly intense rhythm that hooked me in the first place.

This one, The Brothers McKay, is basically Johnson showing you everything he has: autopsy tidbits, chess strategy, Wyoming history, religious quotes, car maintenance, heavy machinery, and if he can wedge it in, he will. It’s like he’s saying, “Sit tight, we’ll get to the mystery… eventually.” And he does, but he takes the scenic route while muttering about something philosophical.


Lucien shows up, and as usual, I can take him or leave him. Victoria remains her annoying self. But Henry Standing Bear? Always a win. His presence sharpens the story. His intensity and dry humor have a way of grounding Walt every time he steps onto the page, making the whole book feel more alive. Most importantly, he brings out a funnier, more self-aware version of Walt.


As for the mystery itself, apparently, the clues were there, and I missed them. I really thought it was the other guy, and it wasn’t until the final stretch, when Johnson finally snaps all the pieces together, that I had that “ohhh, that’s what we were doing” moment. The first 80% is a slow simmer, but the last 20%? Clear your schedule. Sit down. Don’t move. Don’t breathe. Just read.


And then there’s the literary twist where Johnson is retelling The Brothers Karamazov. Thankfully, a certain not-so-incarcerated visitor in Walt’s open-door jail cell spells that out for the reader. I’m not suddenly inspired to tackle the Russian classic, but I did poke around enough to appreciate what Johnson was doing. The parallels are clever, the themes surprisingly fitting, and the whole thing adds a layer of depth.


In the end, The Brothers McKay is a slow, wandering, detail-stuffed ride that rewards your patience with a finale that hits hard. Johnson may take his sweet time, but he knows exactly where he’s going. And once again, I’m glad I went along for the trip.
27 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 15, 2026
With this 22nd installment of Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire Mysteries, the author taps into the literature loving lawman's knowledge base.

A prominent unlikeable wealthy citizen, Pepper McKay, of Crazy Woman Canyon in Absaroka County is found dead and his family of 4 sons, all who have motive, are suspected. Walt and crew are investigating the possible murder as 3 wildfires are being driven their way by unpredictable winds. The suspect list grows as another body from the original suspect pool appears. Other characters add to the mix of plot twists including members of a seminary, of which one of the McKay's sons is a monk, a mule named Borax who connects with Walt's gentle side and survival in a firestorm, and a former Russian spy, Maxim Sudorov, who helps Walt with the solving of the mystery by refining the connection of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov (hence, the significance of the book's title) to the case.

The book starts a bit slow as Johnson begins his investigation, and takes off later in my favorite part of book when Walt is forced into survival mode because of the fires having their way. Johnson's description of what is happening is top notch and the reader is right there wondering if there is any escape. One problem I had was one of the characters had been impaled by a tree branch and was draped over the mule when the text indicated this couldn't be done without causing more damage.
I also thought that Vic's role was over the top with her crude language and made me wonder how Walt could be engaged to her.

All in all, I really liked the book and am recommending it to patrons, family, and friends, because it includes the many great components in the Longmire series: Humor, Native American culture, incredible descriptions of Wyoming landscapes and landforms, great characterizations, and a mystery with lots of twists!

Thank you to Viking Penguin and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC.
Profile Image for Thomas.
1,056 reviews289 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 12, 2026
4 stars for book 22 in the Longmire series by Craig Johnson. I have read all but but one of the previous books in the series. Both my wife and I enjoy this series for the humor and the mysteries. We started reading the series after watching the tv series based on the books.
This book has Walt Longmire, Sheriff of fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, investigating the murder of Pepper McKay. A relevant quote: "Well it's agreed that everyone on the North American continent hated the man." Even Pepper's children didn't like him.
Walt starts interviewing everyone present at the McKay ranch when Pepper was killed. As the investigation progresses, he discovers some buried secrets and grudges. He does finally solve the case, but not before more deaths.
Complicating the investigation are several wildfires near the ranch which could combine into a monster wildfire.
If you have read any of the previous books, you know that Victoria Moretti, Walt's under sheriff, has a very salty tongue. A quote by one of Walt's deputies after he and Walt listen to a message on the office answering machine from Victoria: "He nodded, hitting the button and erasing Vic's recording. 'You know I don't think that I've ever heard anybody use that word that many times in that short of a message."
Walt Longmire is an interesting character. He is Vietnam vet, and a college graduate who quotes the bible and Orwell. He also has a theological debate on morality with a novice monk who is contemplating suicide. He is considered a dinosaur by Vic, because he refuses to have a cell phone.
Triggers:
Sex: none
Language: profanity
Violence: brief description of a man caught in an elk stampede.
Thank You Viking Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheBrothersMcKay #NetGalley.

Pub Date May 26 2026
Profile Image for Elmira.
426 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
March 31, 2026
Thank you to Craig Johnson, NetGalley, and Viking Publishers for allowing me to read a free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the 22nd installment in the long running Walt Longmire series and they just keep getting better! This one is the best yet! The plot and characters give an informative nod to the novel the Brothers Karamazov (hence the title). Having not previously read that novel, Walt talked me along so that I had all the information that i needed to follow the action (so don't worry if you haven't read the 1000 page tome either!). Circumstances come to a head at the O"Kay Ranch when two murder victims have been found and a third dead body is discovered just as the ranch is evacuated in the path of an oncoming forest fire. Walt is the last to leave, except (of course!) he discovers that a novice monk with a bad sense of direction and a stubborn mule (literally) haven't evacuated as they should have. Walt can't allow himself to evacuate without everyone else safe, so he heads toward the fire to rescue the monk, and ends up getting into the center of several large forest fires as they combine to form a super fire. Fortunately, Walt's new friend Borax the mule is as stubborn and steady as he is. Not only do Walt and Borax save lives, they get to the bottom of the series of murders also.

I also loved the other story line that is woven into the plot in which we learn a little bit more about the disappearance of Ruth One Heart, and we come face to face with an old adversary - or is he?

I already can't wait for the next book in the series!
Profile Image for Grey853.
1,560 reviews61 followers
May 31, 2026
This is the twenty second book in the Longmire series. As usual, Johnson is a very good writer. His dialogue is some of the best in modern writing. In this novel, we have two stories in one. We get the main story and the part that sets up the plot for the next book.

Pepper McKay is apparently a thoroughly unpleasant man. Not a single person, not even his sons, have a tear to shed when he's murdered. It'll be tough to narrow down the suspect pool. But Walt tries. Then there's another murder. All this is happening while there are wildfires all around McKay's ranch.

I'll admit that the first three fourths of the book are slow. Walt rambles a lot, giving bits and pieces of historical information. There's clever chitchat and lots of interviews. Mostly it reads like a procedural until the fire gets too close and there's a mandated evacuation.

That last quarter of the book is very intense, very harrowing and that's where Johnson does his best writing. The reader can almost feel the heat, see the ash that looks like snow and flames lapping far too close, can taste and smell the soot.

However, when the reader is more concerned about Borax the mule than Longmire, then you know that the writer needs to up his game on the rest of the book. When the killer is finally exposed along with the lame motive, I'm let down. It doesn't really hold together. We also needed more of the Cheyenne Nation. He always improves the story.

Then at the very end we see the launch for the plot of the next book which will involve a Russian one-eyed assassin and a trip to the end of the earth.
1,338 reviews23 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 20, 2026
It is always good to spend some time in Absaroka County, Wyoming, with Walt Longmire and his sidekicks. There are two storylines here: the death, and possible murder, of a hated man in the area and a Russian who turned state’s evidence and now want to be relocated to Walt’s jurisdiction. He also once tried to kill Walt and possibly has information on Walt’s aunt who has gone missing (this storyline carries forward from the last couple of novels in the series). In the background of all this, a massive wildfire is raging.

I love this series. The characters are rich with well established relationships. Spending time with them is like spending time with family - lots of teasing and laughter and love. Walt is an excellent investigator, and while there is little doubt he will uncover the truth, watching him get there is a blast. My only quibble with this book is that I found the resolution of the crime storyline very unsatisfying. But kudos to the author for unashamedly basing it on The Brothers Karamazov.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Not family friendly due to profanity, violence, and some adult themes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Profile Image for Mark.
1,735 reviews246 followers
Review of advance copy
May 25, 2026
I pre-ordered this novel and received from Bol.com the Dutch version of Amazon.com on the 21st of May. So I do not thank any publisher because I paid for my copy like a regular customer.

This novel came to be because of the writer his obsession with Fyodor Dostoyesky's THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV who never got a conclusion due to the dying of the Russian literary hero.
ANYHOW Pepper McKay gets killed, and the world rejoices, leaving behind 3 sons and an illigimate son. Longmire himself is no fan of this dead person as hé once tried to force himself on his Dear Martha.
The greatest legal mind of our times, daughter Cady has become the AG of Wyoming, and sends a wellknown Russian assassin to stay in Absaroka County for safekeeping.
Then there is the result of a dry summer and mild winter, raging wildfires that will take a centerplace in the story.
Then Longmire meets a more singleminded creature than he is by the name of Borax.
Sheriff Longmire has to solve murder Dostoyesky style and save his own life. And with the last line of this book we know where the next installment will be going.

Once again Craig Johnson delivers an excellent Longmire tale long past the TV show we all love.
Another must read finished this year.
Profile Image for Homerun2.
2,828 reviews18 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 30, 2026
3.75 stars

For those long-time fans of Sheriff Walt, another stirring adventure. These stories rate very high in readability, with their humor, their intelligence, their entertaining verbal detours, and a truly stellar cast of characters.

But the star of this tale was four-legged: Meet Borax, a gigantic john mule, phlegmatic in disposition (unless you scratch him under the chin), herculean in stamina, and truly the one who saved the day here. The other non human main character is a horrifying forest fire which adds a lot of suspense.

There is often a preposterous edge to Walt's mysteries and this is no exception. Realistically, I find it hard to forget that he is a 75-80 year old man (based on previous stories and his Vietnam experience) and he is often unbelievably super heroish. And the villain and the motive in this one are not particularly credible. Also I don't appreciate the cliffhanger endings. I fear one of the next adventures is going to take Walt to Russia and I am hoping to avoid a repeat of Walt's Mexican odyssey which I thought was a weak point in the series.

But I didn't care because this was such an entertaining and witty journey. Walt's conversations with Borax were highlights, and I hope Borax joins the cast of characters. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
11.6k reviews202 followers
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
May 25, 2026
Okay, I'll say it- I never finished the Brothers Karamazov and that didn't matter a whit as I thoroughly enjoyed Johnson's paean to the classic. In this latest in the long running series, Walt has a tricky one on his hands when Pepper McKay, hated by virtually everyone in the world, is found dead (and drunk) in his trout stream with his head based by a rock. Who did it? Was it David, his oldest son and heir to the O-Kay Ranch, Ian the middle son who is a journalist, Alan, the monk, or Manx, his illegitimate son? Or was it someone else in the house that night? Or one of the neighbors? Oh, and Maxim, the Russian who Walt blinded as he was trying to kill Walt, has turned up in town. And there are forest fires closing in. I'm sure fans of the Russian novel will spend time drawing comparisons but left to my own devices, I just followed Walt as he worked his way through the suspects. His usual cast is present (and Cady has been promoted) but know that Henry is more or less a cameo. There is, however, an awesome mule. Never take your eyes off that animal. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. It's a great read.
Profile Image for Kelly.
509 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2026
I'm not sure what to expect from a Walt Longmire book anymore. Ancient jokes about the unreliability of Land Rovers? Ancient jokes about God not being able to hit a 1 iron (I heard that one around 50 years ago). Someone "chipping" with a 1 iron (No. Just no. Pros don't even carry 1 irons. And no one chips with one.) And do I really need to have read an 800 page, 150 year old Russian novel in order to "get" the references? And once again Walt defies the laws of nature and science in the ridiculous final scenes. Maybe they need to add the Magical Realism tag to these books.

Based on the current Goodreads overall rating, I guess a lot of Johnson's fans like this stuff. Me? It seems like Johnson is writing to entertain himself, not the reader.

That being said, I still really like the characters and the dialog. And the little jokes that sound like what real people might say.

And #23 sounds like Walt will be headed to a remote island between Russia & Alaska to battle Russian gangsters. Walt sure lives an exciting life for living in Wyoming - can't imagine what it'd be like if he lived in LA or NY.
483 reviews
May 30, 2026
I always look forward to spending time with Sheriff Longmire. This novel was no exception. He is such an interesting character. I even enjoy his 'sidebar' information on his knowledge of various subjects. But I will admit he did not inspire me to read The Brothers Karamazov.

I think this one had a slow start and it felt like Walt was flying off in a lot of different directions with no clear destination. But it got more interesting when you had all the characters together in one house including the monks. I had not figured out who was the bad guy. And, honestly, when Walt put it all together it kinda seemed like a strange motive for murder.

I'd love to 'see' more of Henry and less of Vic. She truly irritates me. Even the strange little Russian guy was more interesting than anything Vic did in the story. But...from the ending, I'm assuming Walt and the little Russian will be off on an adventure well away from Absaroka County in the next novel. That doesn't thrill me too much. I like it better when Walt is at home with the full cast of characters we have grown to know like they are personal friends.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
263 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 8, 2026
In the next book in the Walt Longmire series, THE BROTHERS MCKAY by Craig Johnson, Walt Longmire is the protagonist. Walt and his fiancé, Vic (Victoria) Moretti, investigate the death of Pepper McKay, the owner of the O’Kay Dude Ranch in Absaroka County, Wyoming. Why is Pepper McKay dead, and did somebody kill him?

I enjoy returning to the world of Walt Longmire. I think I hear his voice as I read. While this book is one in a long-running series, it can be read as a standalone. The characters are well developed, and the plot is engaging. I especially like the dialogue between Walt and Vic and between Walt and Henry Standing Bear. It’s good to know Walt still drinks Rainier beer. I look forward to reading future books in the Walt Longmire series. Thank you, Viking Penguin and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of THE BROTHERS MCKAY.
Profile Image for Karis.
71 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 24, 2026
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I haven’t read The Brothers Karamazov, but I loved the little literature drops in this book. When I went to see Craig Johnson in October he had mentioned the next adventure Walt was going on. Boy was it an adventure! Starting with a murder, a cast of suspects, and a raging inferno of a forest fire. It is surely a book that you race to see how it will end.

Walt reminds me of my spry 94 year old cowboy of a grandfather (who would love this series if his eyesight let him), a little rough around the edges with some quick witted humor. But the true humor came from a mule named Borax who ended up stealing the show. A comedic light to a foreboding fire, he really pulled this book along both figuratively and metaphorically.

I can’t wait to see where Walt heads next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Julie.
414 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
April 28, 2026
Pepper McKay was a horrible human being, so when he turns up dead, there is not only a plethora of suspects, but some of those suspects want to take credit for his death -- at least until the real killer is caught. At the top of the list are his four sons, three legitimate and one born the "wrong side of the blanket" as they used to say.

This entry in the Longmire series is almost two stories in one; solving the murder of Pepper McKay, and that of a second death, man against man, if you will, and the other man against nature. As he has done in previous books with blizzards and deserts, Johnson brings the readers as close to the experience of an out-of-control wildfire as it is possible to get from reading a book.

The mystery is not the strongest of the series, but the wildfire...that alone is worth the price of admission.
322 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2026
Another entertaining Longmire book by Craig Johnson.
I simply love these characters and the lovely prose that paint the landscape of Absoroka County puts you there. Another thing I enjoy about this series is with each installment, you always get some extras that are well worth it. In some, it's the bringing for of a social issue that needs being brought forward but rarely is. Other times, it an incredible and well researched history lesson. In The Brothers McKay, it's exposure to a classic Russian novel originally published in 1880 that I'd never heard of. I've purchased it and will be next.
This story is classic Longmire, in the end, he solves the mystery with plenty of turns along the way. Also, the thread of Ruth One Heart resurfaces and it would appear could be a more direct topic of the next installment. We will see. Give it a try, you'll enjoy it.
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