Order of Craig Johnson Books

Craig Johnson may look like he just rode in off the range—and truth be told, that’s not far from reality. Born on January 16, 1961, Johnson is an American author who spins tales as vast and brooding as the Wyoming landscape he calls home. Though he wasn’t raised in the West, Johnson eventually settled there, and it’s become more than a backdrop in his writing—it’s a living, breathing character.

Johnson attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, where he studied writing and theater. That might explain the cinematic quality of his novels and the poetic grit that infuses his prose. But Craig Johnson’s real education didn’t end in lecture halls—it took place under wide open skies, in dusty diners, and among the weathered souls of America’s high plains. He’s often said that storytelling is a tradition where he lives, passed down over cups of coffee and long drives across cattle country. And boy, has he learned the art well.

Before writing full time, Johnson worked in an astonishing array of jobs—he’s been everything from a teacher to a ranch hand to a sheriff's deputy. It’s that eclectic background that injects realism and moral complexity into his books. He understands the weight of a badge, the solitude of the frontier, and the dusty resilience of small-town America. Eventually, he and his wife Judy built their own ranch in Ucross, Wyoming—population: 25. Yes, that’s not a typo. Twenty-five people and an imagination the size of Montana.

Then, in 2004, with the release of The Cold Dish, Craig Johnson quietly changed the face of modern Western crime fiction. He introduced us to Walt Longmire, a weary, wise, emotionally battered sheriff trying to keep law and order in fictional Absaroka County. The character became iconic—so iconic, in fact, that Johnson’s books inspired Longmire, the hit A&E/Netflix series that ran for six seasons and built a cult following around the globe.

Johnson’s writing stands out not just because of its action-packed plots or dry humor, but because of his philosophical streak. His stories blend murder mystery with reflections on justice, friendship, history, and the ghosts of the American West. He writes crime fiction for thinkers. He’ll set you up with a grizzly homicide, but leave you pondering ancient Cheyenne beliefs, Shakespearean themes, or the nature of grief by the time the last page turns.

Despite his success, Johnson remains remarkably humble and accessible. He frequently attends book signings and fan events, especially the annual Longmire Days celebration in Buffalo, Wyoming, which draws thousands of fans from across the country—fans who arrive not just to meet the author, but to breathe the air of Walt Longmire’s world.

Ironically, for a man who built his name writing about justice and death, Johnson is alive and kicking—very much so. As of now, he continues to write from his ranch, often scribbling in longhand, surrounded by the open range, a few horses, and a faithful dog or two. He’s said more than once that he doesn’t consider himself just a writer, but a storyteller. And storytellers, especially the ones who ride in from the high plains, never really fade away.

So if you haven’t yet ventured into Johnson’s world—where snow drifts like ash, crimes cut deep, and the silence speaks louder than words—you’re in for a ride. Just don’t expect a sunset and a six-shooter. Expect wit, wisdom, and a sheriff who might just out-think you while outdrawing you.

And the best part? Craig Johnson is far from done. Which means the West is still wild—and he’s still the one holding the pen.