Next to Last Stand

Sheriff Walt Longmire investigates a death at the Wyoming Home for Soldiers & Sailors that leads to the discovery of a painting potentially worth millions. The victim, a Vietnam veteran art expert, had been researching Custer's Last Fight - a famous work that was reproduced and displayed in bars across America. The investigation takes Longmire from Wyoming to the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana, as he pursues leads about both the original painting and its many reproductions. His search becomes entangled with complex questions about art authentication, military history, and the legacy of General Custer. The case draws in familiar characters from the Longmire series, including undersheriff Victoria Moretti and Henry Standing Bear, as they work to uncover the truth behind the artwork and its connection to the veteran's death. The story moves between contemporary Wyoming and historical details about the 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn. This sixteenth entry in the Longmire series explores themes of authenticity versus reproduction, the commodification of historical tragedy, and how the past continues to influence the present. The narrative examines how historical events can be reinterpreted and repurposed through art and commerce.

Readers found this Walt Longmire mystery engaging but slower-paced than others in the series. Many appreciated the deep dive into art history and Custer's Last Stand, though some felt these historical details overshadowed the main mystery. Liked: - Henry Standing Bear's increased role - The blend of Western history with art world intrigue - Character interactions at the Veterans' Home - Johnson's trademark humor remains intact Disliked: - Less action than previous books - Too much time spent on art authentication processes - Limited appearances of regular series characters - Several readers noted the plot meandered Ratings: Goodreads: 4.25/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (2,300+ ratings) "The art history lessons were fascinating but slowed things down," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader commented: "Missing the usual tension and suspense, but the character moments make up for it." Most readers considered it a solid entry in the series, though not among the strongest.

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🎨 The book centers around a mysterious copy of Custer's Last Fight, a famous painting commissioned by Anheuser-Busch that depicts the Battle of Little Bighorn. 🏺 The original Custer's Last Fight painting, created by Cassilly Adams in 1884, was destroyed in a fire at the 7th Cavalry Headquarters at Fort Bliss, Texas, in 1946. 📚 Next to Last Stand is the 16th book in Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire series, which inspired the popular television show "Longmire" starring Robert Taylor. 🎯 Author Craig Johnson lives on a ranch in Ucross, Wyoming, population 25, similar to the rural setting of his Walt Longmire novels. 💰 The Anheuser-Busch company distributed over one million prints of Custer's Last Fight to bars across America between 1896 and 1906, making it one of the most widely circulated pieces of art in U.S. history.