Craig Johnson Reading Order
4 series · 32 books
Craig Johnson is an acclaimed American writer known for his engaging mystery novels. With a total of 32 books spanning four series, including the popular Walt Longmire novels and various short stories and anthologies, his work vividly captures the essence of life in northern Wyoming. Active from 2004 to 2026, Johnson’s most notable creation is Sheriff Walt Longmire, the central character who navigates the complexities of crime and community in the fictional Absaroka County.
Anthologies Series
Ongoing2 books (2017–2026)
Start with The Best American Mystery Stories 2017 and read in order.
Walt Longmire Series
Ongoing27 books (2004–2026)
Start with The Cold Dish, the first of 27 books in the Walt Longmire series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The Cold Dish 2004Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Death Without Company 2006Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Kindness Goes Unpunished 2007Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  Another Man's Moccasins 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  The Dark Horse 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  Junkyard Dogs 2010Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  Hell Is Empty 2011Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 |  As the Crow Flies 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 | Divorce Horse 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 | A Serpent's Tooth 2013Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 | Messenger 2013Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  Spirit of Steamboat 2013Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 |  Any Other Name 2014Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 |  Dry Bones 2015Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 15 |  An Obvious Fact 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 16 |  The Highwayman 2016Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 17 |  The Western Star 2017Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 18 |  Depth of Winter 2018Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 19 |  Land of Wolves 2019Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 20 |  Next to Last Stand 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 21 |  Daughter of the Morning Star 2022Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 22 |  Hell and Back 2022Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 23 |  The Longmire Defense 2023Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 24 | First Frost 2024Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 25 | Tooth and Claw 2024Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 26 | Return to Sender 2025Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 27 | The Brothers McKay 2026Buy 🇺🇸 |
Walt Longmire Collections Series
Ongoing2 books (2014–2026)
Start with Wait for Signs: Twelve Longmire Stories and read in order.
Walt Longmire Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete1 book (2012–2012)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Christmas in Absaroka County 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Craig Johnson written?
- Craig Johnson has written 32 books across 4 series. Their published works span from 2004 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each Craig Johnson series?
- Here are the first books in Craig Johnson's series: Anthologies: The Best American Mystery Stories 2017; Walt Longmire: The Cold Dish; Walt Longmire Collections: Wait for Signs: Twelve Longmire Stories.
- What order should I read Craig Johnson's books?
- We recommend reading Craig Johnson's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Craig Johnson still writing new books?
- Yes, Craig Johnson has 3 ongoing series: Anthologies, Walt Longmire, Walt Longmire Collections.