"The Cold Dish" is a mystery novel written by American author Craig Johnson. It was first published in 2004 and is the first book in the Walt Longmire Mysteries series. The story is set in the fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, and follows the character of Walt Longmire, the county's sheriff.
The novel begins with the discovery of the body of Cody Pritchard, a young man who was found dead near a campsite. Cody had previously been convicted of sexually assaulting a local Cheyenne girl, Melissa Little Bird. The circumstances of Cody's death lead to questions about whether it was a murder or a hunting accident.
Sheriff Walt Longmire, a Vietnam War veteran and a widower, takes on the case. As he investigates, he finds himself delving into a complex and multilayered mystery. The small town of Durant is full of secrets, and Walt must navigate a web of personal and political tensions within the community.
Walt is joined by his friend Henry Standing Bear, a Cheyenne who provides valuable insights into the local Native American community. Together, they work to uncover the truth behind Cody's death and the motivations of those involved.
"The Cold Dish" is a well-crafted mystery novel that explores themes of justice, revenge, and the clash of cultures in a rural Western setting. Craig Johnson's writing is known for its vivid sense of place and well-developed characters, making the book the start of a successful series that has been adapted into the popular television series "Longmire."
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