One of the Tucson Festival of Books most popular authors, Craig Johnson, who writes the Walt Longmire mystery series, will be joined by “Longmire” TV show cast members Lou Diamond Phillips and Robert Taylor at 11:30 a.m. March 15 in the Student Union South Ballroom A signing in the foyer follows.
Moderating the session will be former Tucson resident C.B. McKenzie, whose book, "Bad Country” won the 2013 Tony Hillerman Prize for best first mystery set in the Southwest.
Johnson, who lives on a260-acre ranch in Wyoming, writes character-centric, modern Western thrillers with Walt Longmire as the cowboy-hat-wearing protagonist who is the sheriff "in the least populated county in the least populated state," fictional Absaroka County.
Taylor stars as Longmire in the TV series, and Phillips has the role of Henry Standing Bear. The series is set to start its fourth season for Netflix at the end of March.
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Where to find Johnson at the book festival:
Signings
- When: 10 a.m. March 14
- Where: Clues Unlimited
- When: 2:30 p.m. March 14
- Where: Mostly Books
Is there a Western Literature?
- When: 11:30 a.m. March 14.
- Where: Integrated Learning Center Room 120.
- Who: Margaret Coel, Craig Johnson, Carrie La Seur
- Moderator: Susan Cummins Miller.
- What it’s about: Are Western-based mystery writers the natural heirs to the legacy of Louis L’Amour? Three authors whose books reflect characteristically Western qualities and themes – think rugged individualism, cowboy values and long lonesome landscapes—share their views on literary traditions and modern-day perceptions of the west in fact and fiction.
Longmire and Me: Craig Johnson with actors Lou Diamond Phillips and Robert Taylor
- When: 11:30 a.m. March 15
- Where: Student Union South Ballroom
- What it's about: Craig Johnson is joined by “Longmire” cast members Lou Diamond Phillips and Robert Taylor. Craig and series protagonist, Walt “Longmire,” have traveled a long road together, through 14 novels (and counting) and a hit TV series, pausing frequently to pick up awards and best-seller honors. In a conversation with novelist CB McKenzie, Johnson and cast members talk about all things “Longmire,” Wyoming’s favorite sheriff.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
- When: 2:30 p.m. March 15
- Where: Student Union South Ballroom.
- Panelists: Craig Johnson, T. Jefferson Parker, Olen Steinhauer.
- Moderators: David Nix.
- What it’s about: Mysteries and thrillers present a range of characters along the moral spectrum. Three best-selling novelists of crime and suspense discuss the art of making them all convincing.
CB McKenzie
