Sheriff Longmire Steps Away From His Zip Code to Help Track Down a Missing Postal Worker 

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

Sheriff Walt Longmire is back in his element, however the old school western style lawman is a bit removed from his Wyoming zip-code, in 'Return To Sender', the 21st book in the Longmire series from author Craig Johnson. When a mail carrier goes missing for over two months along the state's longest mail route, Longmire is lured across county lines to help investigate the disappearance. 

Blair McGowan covered 307 miles in her daily route to deliver mail in the sparsely populated area known as the Red Desert. A former California 1960's hippie, McGowan carried more than letters and packages in her bohemian adorned 1968 Travelall. For decades the one-time flower child was famous for her stories related to alien abductions, with locals wondering if McGowan was taken by extra-terrestrials, or more believable by The Order of the Red Gate, a well known cult that moves ever so secretly over the desert region.

At the bequest of the Wyoming's Postal Inspector, Longmire is called in to find out what happened. Posing as an undercover mail carrier and accompanied by his faithful companion Dog, Longmire with the help of locals retraces McGowan's route, where he comes face to face with a few unusual characters, as well as making mail drops in peculiar locations.

The vast expanse is riddled with a variety of ne'er-do-wells, including Zeno Carruthers, a washed up actor (leader of the cult), as well as the hairless mute Lowell, and Freebee, the Bible quoting head of security. Are the trio with checkered pasts, just nut-jobs wandering harmlessly in the desert, or are they awaiting to join the aliens upon their return? More importantly for Longmire, do any of cult members or townspeople know anything regarding McGowan's whereabouts.

Aside from attending a ceremony where Longmire's daughter is set to be announced as the state's next Attorney General, few of the book's regulars are prominent in 'Return To Sender'. And due to his past, even this short reunion of usual characters is marred with uncertainty for both Longmire and his daughter. For most of the 320 pages, apart from Dog, Longmire is a lone wolf, hell bent on trying to solve a case like no other he's faced as a sheriff.

Not known for merely going through the motions or in this scenario 'mailing it in', is our fearless lawman in over his head? Is Longmire uncovering the wrong painted rocks, chasing down misguided signs, or following failed deliveries that are certain to come back 'address unknown'.

Craig Johnson has definitely stretched his literary imagination in this latest Longmire offering, as well as extended the boundaries of Walt Longmire's jurisdiction and resolve. There are enough twists and turns in 'Return To Sender' to keep Longmire followers guessing, as well as a few subplots including interactions with a Russian operative to suggest Johnson has room for several follow up novels. Very clever indeed.

'Return To Sender' is available through online booksellers as well as your favorite bookstore. For more information on Johnson's current best seller or to request a signed copy visit his website at https://www.craigallenjohnson.com/return-to-sender.htm