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Craig Johnson on regret, distraction, and Walt Longmire's journey to 'Hell and Back'

The interview posted above is from SDPB's daily public affairs show, In the Moment with Lori Walsh.

In the 18th installment of Craig Johnson's Longmire series, Sheriff Walt Longmire finds himself covered in blood, lying in the middle of a snow-packed street, and wondering who he is. He might be someone named Walt Longmire, but only because the hat lying nearby has a name printed on the leather sweatband. The hat fits. But does the man-who-can't-remember fit in this mysterious town with its unusual occupants? What if he fits too well and finds he can never leave?

Faithful readers of the Longmire books are rewarded in "Hell and Back" with the ghosts of stories past. Newcomers will revel in getting to know the sheriff's mind as he relearns it himself. Craig Johnson artfully blends Great American Western with literary fiction in this rich exploration of distraction, regret, and how the people we love help us find our way home.

Craig Johnson presents at the Mikkelsen Library at Augustana University Tuesday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. CDT. But first, he stops by the In the Moment studio for a conversation with Lori Walsh.

Craig Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Longmire mysteries, the basis for the hit Netflix original series Longmire. He is the recipient of the Western Writers of America Spur Award for fiction, and his novella Spirit of Steamboat was the first One Book Wyoming selection. He lives in Ucross, Wyoming, population 26

Lori Walsh is the host and senior producer of In the Moment.