Tooth and Claw

If you enjoy wilderness adventure and suspense, then look no further than Tooth and Claw: A Longmire Story by Craig Johnson. Set in 1970, this is a short prequel book that features Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear. They’ve recently returned from Vietnam and Walt wasn’t ready to settle down in Wyoming yet.

He takes a job as the head of security for an oil company near Nuiqsut, a city in the North Slope Borough of Alaska. Henry is visiting for 72 hours and doesn’t want to spend all of it inside.

He gets his wish. A security worker that was supposed to accompany a scientific expedition getting core ice samples at two locations near the Beaufort Sea is pulled due to an incident and Walt and Henry go instead. What is supposed to be a day run with maybe a single overnight stay at the remote site turns into an adventure like no other. With an encounter with a ferocious polar bear, a storm on the way, and co-workers with agendas, this turns into a riveting and pulse-pounding read.

Readers get a hint at the personalities of Walt and Henry, but due to the shortness of the novel, the characters don’t have as much depth as you see in a full-length book. However, readers do see how Walt feels like he’s becoming unwound after returning from the war. His somewhat warped sense of humor also comes through well.

This novel is fast-paced, filled with dangerous and intense scenes, and I learned some history about a steam ship that was abandoned in 1931 by the Hudson’s Bay Company. The author’s note also includes some interesting facts. The book is creative and has several layers and twists to it.

Craig Johnson is a superb storyteller who immediately engages the reader. As the story unfolds, there are some shocking and disturbing scenes with life and death consequences. The world-building is fantastic. From the clothing needed to stay warm, to the silent and deadly polar bear, to the winter storm and the darkness that seems never-ending, this reader felt transported and dreading what would happen next.

Overall, this is an amazing and suspenseful wilderness adventure that includes a mystery as well. While this is the first book I’ve read by this author, I want to read the rest of the series. Fans of the series and wilderness adventure will likely enjoy the novel.

PENGUIN GROUP Viking and Craig Johnson provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for November 19, 2024.