An Obvious Fact

Sheriff Walt Longmire investigates a motorcycle crash near Devils Tower that left a young man in critical condition. The incident coincides with the annual motorcycle rally in nearby Hulett, Wyoming, drawing thousands of bikers to the area. The case leads Longmire and his friend Henry Standing Bear through the rally's chaotic atmosphere as they uncover connections to illegal weapons trafficking. Their investigation is complicated by the arrival of Henry's former flame from decades ago and her involvement with outlaw motorcycle clubs. The story draws inspiration from Sherlock Holmes' "The Adventure of the Three Ponderables" while incorporating elements of contemporary Western culture and Native American perspectives. Longmire's dry humor and the authentic portrayal of Wyoming's landscape serve as anchors throughout the complex investigation. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, the weight of past relationships, and how the choices made in youth can resurface years later. These elements combine with Johnson's examination of Western identity in modern America.

Readers found this installment of the Longmire series entertaining but not groundbreaking. Most called it a solid addition that maintains the established characters and humor. Readers appreciated: - Integration of Sherlock Holmes references - Development of Henry Standing Bear's character - Humor and witty dialogue - Complex mystery plot - Commentary on motorcycle culture Common criticisms: - Too much technical motorcycle detail - Plot moves slower than previous books - Less action than usual - Some found the mystery resolution unsatisfying Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.26/5 (8,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Reader quote: "The motorcycle rally backdrop was interesting but got bogged down in specifics about bikes that didn't advance the story." - Goodreads reviewer Many long-time fans rated it as middle-tier within the series but still worth reading for the character interactions.

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🏍️ The book's title comes from a Sherlock Holmes quote about how the most obvious facts are often overlooked, which ties into the motorcycle-racing theme and mystery at the story's core. 📚 Author Craig Johnson wrote this book, the 12th in his Walt Longmire series, while actually attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota, where much of the story takes place. 🌟 The Walt Longmire series has been adapted into a successful TV show called "Longmire," which ran for six seasons (2012-2017) on A&E and Netflix, starring Robert Taylor as the titular sheriff. 🏃‍♂️ The character Henry Standing Bear's nickname "The Cheyenne Nation" was inspired by a real-life Native American marathon runner, Billy Mills, who was called "The Oglala Nation." 🗺️ While the book is set in Sturgis, South Dakota, most of Johnson's Longmire series takes place in the fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, which is based on Johnson's home territory of Ucross, Wyoming (population: 25).