Review: Sweet and sad, they're a snapshot of Walt in laconic action
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 27, 2013
An anthology of four short and sad stories revolving around the Walt Longmire series (he refers to them as the Walt Longmire Christmas Stories); they range from shortly after Martha's death to after Cady's recovery.Series:"Ministerial Aid", #0.5 (a few months after Martha died)"Slick-Tongued Devil", #?? (6 years after Martha died)"Toys for Tots", #8.5"Unbalanced", #?? (Cady is working in Philadelphia)The series is also a television series on A&E;, Longmire.My TakeSad with a homey touch and revolving around memories of Martha's death or Cady being home for Christmas. Snapshots really that showcase Walt and his downhome approach.The Stories"Ministerial Aid" takes place on January 1, 2000 as the new millennium is dawning in the early morning. Happenstance finds Walt in Powder Junction giving the county commissioners what for. Fate finds him delivering hope as Jesus H. Christ.Oh man, this is such a combination of emotions from sadness to LMAO when Walt encounters the hapless Esther Decker waiting on the Lord.I think this story alone is worth the price!"Slick-Tongued Devil" is sad and pathetic. It's been six years since Martha passed on that sunny afternoon, and an accident found her obituary published a few weeks ago. Enough to expose a nasty little scam.I really don't understand why Walt follows through on this...? Unless it's guilt?"Toys for Tots" finds Cady home from Philadelphia for Christmas. Her last Christmas home, most like, and Walt is feeling pretty miserable. At least until he makes one Marine's Christmas a heck of a lot better. Cady ain't no slouch either...Sad and cute at the same time, a reflection of the real world."Unbalanced" is a late-night and snowy ride with an unbalanced hitchhiker who loves her music and her DJ dad who taught her everything she knows about audio engineering as Walt heads to Billings to pick up his daughter for Christmas.The CoverThe cover is perfect. Just Walt's cowboy hat lying in the snow.The title simply rounds the stories up, for it's Christmas in Absaroka County.