Another Man's Moccasins
is the fourth entry in Craig Johnson's series about Wyoming (yeah, I'm picking up on a theme here, too) sheriff Walt Longmire, and the second I've read. I do not intend for it to be the last. Johnson has an easy, spare style that suits the open country he writes about. His sense of landscape, awareness of history, and incorporation of Native American traditions remind me of the late Tony Hillerman, a longtime favorite of mine. When a young Vietnamese girl is found dead in remote Absaroka County, Wyoming, Longmire finds himself revisiting an old murder from his Vietnam War days and doing some soul-searching about his attitudes toward people of other races. A ghost town, rattlesnakes, and human trafficking all come into play as the present-day investigation unfolds.
The book does have its flaws. I'm not a fan of flashbacks as a literary device; I don't think they're usually the most effective way of communicating backstory. Johnson's are short and to the point but confusing at times, with one character's motive for a certain pivotal action remaining murky. And while Johnson highlights the horrific aspects of human trafficking and the international sex trade, the resolution feels too pat and easy.
All that said, Another Man's Moccasins is a fast-paced, enjoyable read, and I'm eager to fill in the gaps in my perusal of the series. And having just driven through the great state of Wyoming, I'd definitely recommend the vicarious route if you have a hankering to visit.
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