Tonight A&E debuts its Longmire series based on Craig Johnson’s books about a Wyoming sheriff. I’m eager to see if his feisty deputy, Vic, retains her edginess in this TV version. If you haven’t read any of the Longmire series, it’s basically Tony Hillerman’s brand of mysteries transplanted to Wyoming. My main complaint about the first book in the series, The Cold Dish, is that at 354 pages, it’s too long. A good editor could have cut 100 pages and made it a better book.
Thaks for the heads up. This one slipped under my radar. I was looking forward to the season premiere of THE GLADES tonight.
I think the new season of STORAGE WARS begins this week, too, Randy.
Oops on the missing n.
Agree about the length of too many books these days. Some run naturally long, King is particularly good most of the time, but a lot seem forced as if publishers think readers must have these door stops to satisfy spending the bucks. For me, a good story is best whether it be two hundred pages or a thousand.
Henry James called them “loose, baggy monsters,” Randy. Craig Johnson isn’t the only offender. Those George R. R. Martin door stops feature hundreds of pages of digressions.
LONGMIRE and THE GLADES follow each other tonight, Randy.
I agree with George on the first book. I think he’s gotten better at it as the series has gone on.
The local reviews of LONGMIRE complain the TV version is “too slow,” Jeff. We’ll have to judge for ourselves tonight.
There was a lot of humor in the first book that is lacking in later volumes. I still like it best.
First strike against the series is that Vic has blond hair. Second is that Lou Diamond etc. is way to short . . .
I noticed that lack of humor in the later Longmire books, too, Stan. Some reviewers have had complaints about the casting.
I think we will have to stick with it past the first episodes, which got panned. It’s a shame we so seldom give a show a chance to pull things together now. Cable is more merciful than network though. Shh about Storage Wars. I’ve convinced Phil there will be no new shows until fall.
I’ll probably watch MAD MEN and DVR LONGMIRE, Patti. Fortunately for LONGMIRE, MAD MEN’s season will end in a couple of weeks reducing the competition.
I’m reading the latest book (As the Crow Flies) now. The humor is back. Some of it is strained and some is basic ethnic humor (I’ve heard most of the jokes before). But there is also a warm and funny interplay between a number of characters that is well done. I’m really enjoying this one and am looking forward to tonight’s show.
That’s good to hear, Jerry. I have a copy of AS THE CROW FLIES in my Read Real Soon stack.
I picture Vic as looking exactly like Erica Cerra, who plays the very similar Jo in EUREKA. And Henry is a very big guy, nothing like Lou Diamond Phillips.
Still, I’ll definitely be watching it.
I’ll be watching LONGMIRE tomorrow, Jeff. It’s running against MAD MEN so I’ll have to DVR it.
I love The Glades. If Longmire can follow and be as good, it’ll be a grea two hour block on Sunday nights. I don’t know what to expect because I haven’t read the books.
RJR
The Longmire books remind me of Tony HIllerman’s books, Bob. Not as good, but in the same mode.
Wasn’t Lou Diamond Phillips in that movie that was based on a Hillerman novel. I think he played Chee, the reservation police officer?
I believe you’re right, JayBrian.