Anonymous

"You've got to be kidding!"

Reviewed: 06-06-25

This was a great line spoken numerous times in the newest Longmire story- as always, an adventurous tale, with a great main character, this time set in the deserts of Wyoming.

We all love Walt. This is obvious, as we have loved our way through, and stuck by him for the previous 20 stories. And by book 21, we know him pretty well - how he's going to act, and react. There aren't too many surprises left. Not that we need surprises, but we do need what The Bear, Vic, Katie and Lucian bring to the plot and character development. I miss this when they are absent. So, I very much hope his next tale includes them full time. No kidding.

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Wondrous

Reviewed: 05-25-24

I cannot say enough about this listen. The story won The Newberry for a reason. It is beautifully, imaginatively, wondrously written. And the narration is, most probably, the best I’ve ever heard. (And I’ve heard so many) This book filled my heart and my head. It filled my soul. I can’t say enough about this listen.

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Misguided narration

Reviewed: 06-24-23

I want to start by saying how happy I am that Ms Penny has returned to her character driven approach to the Three Pines stories. I love hearing about their thoughts and feelings again. They are each unique individuals that we have all grown to cherish. I do question the need to explore this very dark subject matter for the main thread of the story. Her choice, obviously — I just would rather a less horrendous topic.

My chief complaint is the narration. Having listened to Ralph Cosham’s narration for the first 10 books, it is almost impossible to listen to Mr. Bathurst’s rendition. The storyline narration is fine - but his character voices are grating and, in my mind, a total mismatch. It distracts from the plot, and does not reveal the essence of who these people are. A case in point, his over pronunciation of “r” sounds is almost comical, and he uses it in virtually all the characters, except , I believe, Armand. I had to stop listening, as it was affecting my appreciation of the story. I will happily find a print version to finish the story. It’s a disappointment, though. Ms. Penny’s writing gives us characters who shine from within. This narration casts a dull pallor on them.

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Perhaps the best one yet

Reviewed: 09-13-22

Thank you, Mr Johnson, for this chapter in the lives of characters we love and care about. It is profoundly rewarding. Thank you for taking a chance on a different perspective - for giving us Walt so beautifully. I am in awe of your craft.

Please do not listen to critics who say they are tired of mysticism and hallucinations. This is why we love Walt. There are libraries full of stories that are simply plot driven. You are the only one to give us Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear.. They are why we read these books.

Thank you.

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Best Narration Ever

Reviewed: 08-24-19

William Jackson Harper's narration of Wally Roux is in a league of its own. I hope, in a huge way, that he does more. Honestly, it is worth listening to this book just to hear him. But the story is terrific, too. Unexpected and satisfying. A 5 star listen on all counts.

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Disappointed

Reviewed: 09-20-18

Let’s get this straight. I am a die hard fan of these
stories. I have listened to many of them twice. LOVE them. But this one makes me feel like my goodwill has been taken advantage of.

It is the community in which Walt lives, loves, and acts that makes him so compelling. Vic, Henry, Cady, and all the characters we know, are the richness we seek in the experience of these books. To pit Walt against a Mexican Cartel, in gruesome circumstances, without benefit of of his friends and family, yields a different story. And it’s not one I need any more of. Frankly, it feels like a self serving exercise on Mr Johnson’s part to write “The Hero’s Journey.” For me, Walt’s hero’s journey is intricately woven into the lives of the other characters that are absent in this story.

Mainly, I feel bad for myself that it will be a long uncertain wait for the next story.

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Big Fun

Reviewed: 07-22-18

I’m not one to write reviews, but I had so much fun listening to this story! Understand, this is not All the Light We Cannot See. It is not the next Pulitzer for literature. But what it IS is a worthwhile, laugh out loud look at the human (and non human :) race.

The writing is sharp and funny. And the narration is 5 star outstanding. My sincere hope is that Bahni Turpin wins all sorts of awards for this work. I recommend you listening to it just for her incredible talent alone!

This story was time well spent in a world that seems in need of humor.

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conflicted

Reviewed: 06-26-16

Would you listen to The Nature of the Beast again? Why?

No. I would read it again, however.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Nature of the Beast?

My favorite moments in all of Ms. Penny's books are when the characters we have come to love are examining their hearts and minds in the context of the action. I wanted more of Jean Guy's introspection, I think. I missed that in this book. Probably more from M. Gamache as well. I don't think it's the action we crave from Three Pines, it's the characters' internal dialogues and their how their hearts respond to joy, to sorrow, to fear, to love, to loss. Okay. This didn't answer the question, but it is what's on my mind about this book, in general.

Any additional comments?

This is a terrific story - engaging, interesting. My problem is with the narration. Yes, we all miss Ralph Cosham immensely -- but I also believe that we love Armand Gamache and Three Pines enough to want to stay. For me, the problem then is Mr. Bathurst's narration which does not bring Three Pines to life. There is not enough distinction of character - every one of the major characters sounds basically the same. For those of us who hung on every word of Mr. Cosham's narration, this is difficult to listen to.

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